I’m a pre-dawn rambler, often rising before the sun. I roam through the house, trailed by my nocturnal buddy, Buckwheat, a domestic shorthair cat. She crows noisily until I complete the ritual of feeding and speaking to her with fawning sincerity. Then and only then, she allows me to brew coffee and sit at my … More Lobo
My most recent test measuring abnormal protein, taken the day before Thanksgiving, validated October’s strong interim result. Once again, my M-spike shows 0.1 g/dl. It is what it is, not perfect but damn good. My oncologist gushed with enthusiasm. These findings give me reason to expect a break from treatment of indefinite length. I am … More You Have Every Right
Recently, a friend asked me what I do with my time. When I tried to describe a typical day, I laughed. The reason is because I do a whole lot of nothing. This reminds me of a Buddhist joke. A disciple of the Dalai Lama gave him a present for his birthday. Upon unwrapping the … More Much Ado About Nothing
Yesterday, my youngest son, Isaac, proposed to his girlfriend Nikki. Meanwhile, I am being the model patient. I limit my socializing; my outings to shop are brief. I wipe clean the handle of the grocery cart before using. I’m careful about not shaking hands or hugging friends. This aspect of recovery comes easy for me. … More I Do!
Living with cancer is a process. I no longer need a magnifying glass to see the peach fuzz on my head. The downy frizz is like the silky on a baby’s blanket and rubbing it reassures me. Now that its return is imminent, I can tolerate the short-term loss of my once curly hair. Other … More Musing On The Process
I am busy penning thank you notes. I can barely keep pace. These few weeks at home I’ve witnessed a steady stream of concern. It has taken the form of gifts such as books, music, food, services, and games, along with heartfelt comments in cards and letters and postings online. This outpouring of solicitude humbles … More Other Bloggers
Slowly, my health rebounds from the shock of high-dose chemotherapy. Even the doctor at my exit interview referred to this medicine as “poison.” Most of its lingering effects are invisible. The light-headedness and shortness of breath are mine alone to observe. My stomach’s orientation remains slightly tilted; unpredictable upsets remind me that the toxins ticketed … More This Is Not Who I Am, Or Is It?
Monday was a good day, Tuesday not so much. Wednesday I ate well, maybe 75% of normal. That evening I spiked a fever, not high enough to hospitalize me, but close. It vanished within a couple of hours. Thursday, I gave blood and met with the team nurse. Evidently, several transplant patients reported similar fevers. … More Good Blood, Bad Blood
Things I like about Seattle: people riding the bus say, “Thank you,” to the driver when they exit. And, the driver always says, “You’re welcome.” Also, the sidewalk art enhances my wandering. Research into multiple myeloma is among the most dynamic of all cancers. Why? Two major non-profit foundations exist to promote the latest therapies. … More IMF & MMRF
Last Saturday at the hospital, my nurse unhooked me from the hydration fluids hanging next to my bed. I was free to take a shower. It felt so good. I turned off the water and began to dry myself. I was disappointed to discover the UW had given me a dirty towel. In fact, someone’s … More Vanity
Good Blood, Bad Blood 