A friend of mine sent me this the other day:
Whenever God Closes One Door He Always Opens Another, Even though sometimes it's Hell in the Hallway
Well, it sorta describes the last week or so for me. I had the joy of a root canal that took two appointments, one 1 hr two weeks ago and on Thursday another 2.5 hrs and lots of $. Gotta get a crown on it sometime soon as well. Geeze... I normally don't like to talk about my health situation, but I thought it appropriate to give an update this time:
A bit of bad news on the cancer front. I have been feeling a mass in the neck region and finally took the plunge to get the PET scan done on Jan 5. (The $5000 deductible trips at years end, so I postponed it as long as I could....but that's another subject for another time). I met with Dr. Marty Langford on 1/12/07. I sorta knew that it wouldn't be the best of news, but when I read the words in bold type at the top of the report "Significant Worsening of Disease" I knew I was in for some things I didn't want to hear. For a recurrence of Non-hodgkins lymphoma the only hope of "cure" is stem cell replacement after high-dose chemo. (50-50 odds). As Marty humorously phrased it: "the guys at Good Sam were more excited about the procedure than you were". I declined their offer in Jan 05.
So, as you might know, I've been skating on the thin ice on the pond for the last two years ....and they've been two of the best years of my life. There's a great country song "Live like you were dying" by Tim McGraw sums it up pretty well. I'll send you the mp3 file if you haven't heard it.
So Marty is proposing a 6 month chemo regime: 5 consecutive days hanging on an IV, 3 weeks off, six cycles. He says it will "beat back" the symptoms but it will return again. Hmmm.....it's a tough call. I've been dealing with this off and on since 1997, and honestly I'm weary of being a lab rat....stuck, prodded, scanned, nuked, waiting rooms,l ots of schlepping.... and of course there's the insurance empire to deal with. I about blew a circuit when I learned that my office co-pay went from $30 to $70 last year. That's after sending them $8400 in premiums with a $5000 deductible....and 80/20 after 5000!!! Somethings gotta change in the realm of health care, they're arrogant, bureaucratic and add no value to the process. They make all the rules, change them at will in their favor, and there's a battery of lawyers and lobbyists to keep the whole gameboard tilted to their advantage!!! Arrrggg.
No decision is required from Marty for 90 days, thank God. I'm experiencing some symptoms, but nothing that stops me from hiking the mountain everyday and solving the world's problems at the AJ's Cafe with my coffee buddies. All in all, life is good.
It's been 35 years since the class of '72 moved on from Slope, I think it's time to put together an informal reunion party soon......I'd rent a few suites at the Desert Ridge or Pointe, whoever has the best deal. For me, a good format would be for several individuals to host rooms with cocktails and easy to eat foods. Sometime in late May or early June might give some time to put it all together. Whaddyathink?
Let me know.
Dave
June 5th, 2007
Hi Maria:
I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your concern and support for my current challenge with this cancer stuff. After I came down from the hill, I called Dr. Langford's office to see if I could make another appointment to talk with him about the mass in my throat and my difficulty hiking the hill (shortness of breath). I was able to get in to see his assistant. She looked down my throat, felt around the lymph nodes, and contacted Langford.
He wants to put me in T-bird Samaritan as soon as possible to begin chemo. Hit me like a pallet of bricks. I certainly wasn't expecting that....life and death choices, I guess???
Not sure how soon there will be a slot available at TBird. I'd like it to be Monday so I can participate in my 35th high school reunion that I've been putting together for the last 6 months. We'll see.
Your friend dave
June 8th, 2007
Good morning everyone:
I know that some of you may have heard that I've been in an executive suite over a Thunderbird Samaritan for the last few days. I've received lots of e-mails with the loving support of our community on the hill. It's heartwarming to know that we all have such a connection with each other.
I thought I'd give a brief update so that the rumor factor doesn't distort what's been happening for me:
I haven't been hiking lately because of some difficulties breathing. Not usual for a guy who's been doing the hill for many years with no effort. My most recent CT scan two weeks ago showed significant advancement of the tumors in the neck and chest (one mass near the heart is 5cm and some of the arteries show "encasement"), so I thought it best to take a break until I'm able to get that situation under control.
I was sitting in the AJ's on Wed morning (6/6/07)and felt light-headed (more than usual). Fortunately Kathy Aspery was able to quickly get me to Tbird Sam and the emergency room was empty. Imagine that? I was quickly admitted and my pulse was running above 185....the heart was in atrial fibrillation. Fortunately they were able to get it under control with an IV, but it was a bit scary.
Since Wed, it's been a battery of tests to find out what's going on. Last night I got the good news that there are no blockages in the heart....no heart attack. Of course there's also the pre-chemo testing simultaneously going on: needle biopsy of the neck, heart stress testing, and a bone marrow biopsy this morning (that's the 16 penny nail driven into the hip...I love that one!!! Thank God for sedation). I feel like a pin cushion sometimes.
Looks like I'm headed for a round of the same chemo I did in 1998 followed by a bone marrow transplant. I've been postponing it for as long and I could, but I really have few options at this point. I'll know more when all the tests are evaluated......
I met with Langford yesterday. My sister-in-law Margaret drove me over and it was good to have two sets of ears to absorb Marty's whirlwind. I expected to be doing out patient chemo this morning, but he changed the program to a 5 day stay beginning this afternoon (when a bed is ready on the oncology floor). Arggggg. He's concerned about the effect of the drugs on my heart. Oh well. He also gave a bit of great news yesterday: my bone marrow biopsy was clear...my own stem cells can be harvested for the bone marrow transplant. Thank God for that one. Increases my odds significantly.
I think we're in the crisis mode on this one. It's the first time in 9 years that I've had any apprehension like this. Marty was pretty serious yesterday. He's concerned about the speed of growth of the tumor masses. It's a double edged sword.....fast growing cancers react well to the cocktail he's using this time (ESHAP). My friend Chris Hyman did some research on the net and found that this stuff has pretty solid results.
You just don't know what's around the next corner, do you? I was doing fine up until a few months ago. Then suddenly the wheels start to fall off the car one by one. Arrrggg.
A bright spot in the middle of all this: I was miraculously able to be released from the hospital on Friday night, just in time to attend the 35 year class reunion that I was instrumental in putting together. It was the BEST party I've been to in my life. You know me, I had to put together a simple website: www.light-maker.com/reunion07
I'll keep you posted. I'll have my cell phone on: 602-549-7579
I'm accepting any and all forms of healing energy.
June 15th, 2007
Good morning:
Just wanted to give y'all an update. It's 5am here in Phoenix (6/15/07). The nurses stopped by for their 4am blood draw; how nice it is that they can now take blood from the medport in my chest. No sticking. How cool is that? I just had to include a picture. I didn't like the dumb hospital phone, so I brought my 2.4ghz headset from home along with a few other tech toys.
They have therapy dogs that come by regularly so I'm able to endure the 5 days without the corgis. It's the small things, you know.
The good news. After two days of this ESHAP chemo, I'm feeling fine and the tumor mass in the neck has shown significant reduction in size in less than 48 hours. At least this strong stuff is working, eh? I can feel it and Kathy could see it. Wohoo! Let's hope that it (and his terrorist companions in the chest) vanish completely after the assualt is complete. That's what I'm visualizing.
I really appreciate all the support and good energy that I know you guys are sending. I have a large group of friends and family from all over the world who either send prayers , call or stop by for a visit. It makes a huge difference for me, you gotta know. Thanks for being there.
I'll keep you posted.
June 16th, 2007
Mornin'
Here's the picture of the day for day 2. I'm able to cruise the entire third floor now. Unplug my chemo tree (name "3B"), put on some street clothes and see what's going on in the rest of the place. Tumors continue to shrink by the hour. I can breathe better and the one on the neck is quite smaller. Life is good:
Have a great day.
June 17th, 2007
Good morning from Banner Thunderbird:
Well, I've successfully finished 3 days of 5 on this ESHAP chemo cycle. I'm amazed that I actually feel better than I did a month ago when things started to slide rapidly downhill. I never would have expected that after 3 days the tumors would have reduced so dramatically. The one on the right side is receding hourly and the ones in the chest and lungs must be as well: I can breathe much more freely now and the heart rate is substantially slower.
So how does this happen? Yes, I have the benefit of state of the art chemistry flowing thru my veins, but I think behind the scenes are larger forces at work doing "small" things. There has been one constant stream of phone calls, e-mails and visits to the room since since Thursday morning. I've received a myriad of thoughtful gifts ranging from a home-made egg salad sandwich with 3 strawberries in a baggie, a hand-sewn pillow cover for a body pillow to make me comfortable, books on laughter, 2lb of See's candy for the nurse staff, tech toys......you name it. With smiling faces bringing light into my room, how could I do anything but get better? Here's a glimpse of the past couple of days:
A sincere thanks from B336.
dave
PS: Cris Costagin renamed my chemo tree 3bpo. (like 3po on Star Wars)... I think it's more fitting.
June 19th, 2007
Mornin:
Just wanted to let y'all know that I made it home. They turned me loose at 3 PM on Monday. I looked back to compare the photo taken when I was admitted on last Wednesday with the one that was taken yesterday. You can see that the tumors on the neck are substantially reduced:
My coffee buddies came with a
basket of fruit to celebrate my exit:
I packed up my road show of laptop
and tech toys: (It's
amazing how much you can get in two small cases.)
Now it's 3 weeks of recovery and we'll do it again. At least I have some time now to relax and enjoy my morning spa with the corgis.
It's great to be home.
dave
June 27,
2007
Good morning:
I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm doing pretty well after a week has passed since the first cycle of chemo. They told me that I would be pretty tired, but I haven't found that to be the case (thank God). I've been hiking the flats instead of going up Shaw Butte. Better not to overdo it everyone says. Maybe I'll be smart for once in my life. I still find time to help solve the world's problems at the corner grocery/cafe (AJ's). They gave us a lamp for our corner and I just couldn't resist send a snapshot with a couple of my coffee buddies.
I treated myself to a Verizon air card. It's a really cool toy for a guy like me. No more searching for hot spots. Wohoo!
I see Dr. Langford Friday afternoon to discuss just what's next. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again for all your support on this one.
dave
recovering lab rat
July 1, 2007:
Hi:
On of my high school buddies is in charge of Boeing's Apache program for Israel. He just finished refurbishing four helicopters and invited me to observe the landing and loading process Friday and Saturday. They were able to get all 4 in a Russian-built cargo plane, the Antonov 124. It was amazing. I just couldn't resist putting together a few photos up to my server space:
July 10, 2007:
Good morning:
Just wanted to let y'all know that I'm settled back into an upgraded suite in Thunderbird Banner. The inn was full Tuesday morning, but somehow rooms opened up by late afternoon. I had requested the same room that I visited 3 weeks ago, but instead they gave me a larger suite with windows on TWO sides. I have a grand view of the northeast valley and I still can gander down at the Zen garden out the adjacent window. The place is huge. Ahhhh, life's small pleasures. I woke up early and captured the sunrise while listening to the Eagles 1994 Benefit concert video on the laptop. Great way to start the day.
They started the chemo last night and this morning I've switched to the platinum-based good stuff that knocked the stuffing out of the tumors last time. The mass that was as large as a golf ball is now melted down to 1/2 of a small pat of butter. Hey, can't ask for a better result than that, can I ? Looks like Dr. Langford is having me do only one more round in 3 weeks before the bone marrow folks take over. I'll go visit with them sometime in the interim between cycles.
I'm currently residing in the B Tower of Banner Thunderbird in room #337. The phone here works with my wireless modification and I now have mobile broadband so I won't tie up the line using my dial-up service. The direct line is 602-865-5337. Feel free to call....I'm hanging here (pun intended) for the next 96 hours or so. If you happen to be in the area, stop by. I brought a deck of cards and a chess set this time.....my mom's bringing over a Scrabble board too...
July 14, 2007:
Good afternoon everyone:
I received an e-mail yesterday afternoon from my good friend Gayle:
Maria and I were
fascinated at what the Verizon air card would allow us to do from a
hospital room:
And of course, I was
blessed with a visit from Boo, one of the Banner therapy dogs:
My biggest challenge right now is getting discharged. The chemo regime will be over at 9am on Sunday morning, but one of the junior assistants from Dr. Langford's office wants to hold me hostage until Monday morning. I'm sure that I'll be able to get around this rock in the road with a few phone calls to a higher level. Ain't no good reason to sit here when I can be home with my critters. Argggg......
So that's the update for now...I'll let you know when I'm successful at getting a timely release.
dave
Howdy:
I was successful at getting around the rock in the road with a few phone calls to a Higher level. The junior oncologist changed his mind. The nurse just informed me that I'm free to be discharged in the morning (that's Sunday) when the chemo is finished dripping. Amazing what one can do with a couple of phone calls.
I'm outta here....
Thank you God !
dave
Good morning:
I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm doing pretty well after a week has passed since the first cycle of chemo. They told me that I would be pretty tired, but I haven't found that to be the case (thank God). I've been hiking the flats instead of going up Shaw Butte. Better not to overdo it everyone says. Maybe I'll be smart for once in my life. I still find time to help solve the world's problems at the corner grocery/cafe (AJ's). They gave us a lamp for our corner and I just couldn't resist send a snapshot with a couple of my coffee buddies.
I treated myself to a Verizon air card. It's a really cool toy for a guy like me. No more searching for hot spots. Wohoo!
I see Dr. Langford Friday afternoon to discuss just what's next. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again for all your support on this one.
dave
recovering lab rat
July 1, 2007:
Hi:
On of my high school buddies is in charge of Boeing's Apache program for Israel. He just finished refurbishing four helicopters and invited me to observe the landing and loading process Friday and Saturday. They were able to get all 4 in a Russian-built cargo plane, the Antonov 124. It was amazing. I just couldn't resist putting together a few photos up to my server space:
July 10, 2007:
Good morning:
Just wanted to let y'all know that I'm settled back into an upgraded suite in Thunderbird Banner. The inn was full Tuesday morning, but somehow rooms opened up by late afternoon. I had requested the same room that I visited 3 weeks ago, but instead they gave me a larger suite with windows on TWO sides. I have a grand view of the northeast valley and I still can gander down at the Zen garden out the adjacent window. The place is huge. Ahhhh, life's small pleasures. I woke up early and captured the sunrise while listening to the Eagles 1994 Benefit concert video on the laptop. Great way to start the day.
They started the chemo last night and this morning I've switched to the platinum-based good stuff that knocked the stuffing out of the tumors last time. The mass that was as large as a golf ball is now melted down to 1/2 of a small pat of butter. Hey, can't ask for a better result than that, can I ? Looks like Dr. Langford is having me do only one more round in 3 weeks before the bone marrow folks take over. I'll go visit with them sometime in the interim between cycles.
I'm currently residing in the B Tower of Banner Thunderbird in room #337. The phone here works with my wireless modification and I now have mobile broadband so I won't tie up the line using my dial-up service. The direct line is 602-865-5337. Feel free to call....I'm hanging here (pun intended) for the next 96 hours or so. If you happen to be in the area, stop by. I brought a deck of cards and a chess set this time.....my mom's bringing over a Scrabble board too...
July 14, 2007:
Good afternoon everyone:
I received an e-mail yesterday afternoon from my good friend Gayle:
"Dave,
It is Friday and no word
since Wed.
Are you doing OK?
I am worried as we heard from
you every day during the last round??
Love and prayers for you,
gayle"
It really moved my heart. It was the second person that expressed concern that I hadn't sent out any update of my progress. I guess I just didn't have much to say.....
So here it is Saturday afternoon. I feel fine. The side effects are minimal. I'm anxious to get back home, but in a way this suite they gave me here at Thunderbird is as close as one could get being in the hospital. I have floor to ceiling windows, a broadband internet connection, wonderful friends and family visiting, bringing smiling faces and everything from fresh cherries to apples. Good thing I have an appetite, might even put on a pound or two. My mom stopped by yesterday and I had some good one-on-one time to spend with her:
It really moved my heart. It was the second person that expressed concern that I hadn't sent out any update of my progress. I guess I just didn't have much to say.....
So here it is Saturday afternoon. I feel fine. The side effects are minimal. I'm anxious to get back home, but in a way this suite they gave me here at Thunderbird is as close as one could get being in the hospital. I have floor to ceiling windows, a broadband internet connection, wonderful friends and family visiting, bringing smiling faces and everything from fresh cherries to apples. Good thing I have an appetite, might even put on a pound or two. My mom stopped by yesterday and I had some good one-on-one time to spend with her:
My biggest challenge right now is getting discharged. The chemo regime will be over at 9am on Sunday morning, but one of the junior assistants from Dr. Langford's office wants to hold me hostage until Monday morning. I'm sure that I'll be able to get around this rock in the road with a few phone calls to a higher level. Ain't no good reason to sit here when I can be home with my critters. Argggg......
So that's the update for now...I'll let you know when I'm successful at getting a timely release.
dave
Howdy:
I was successful at getting around the rock in the road with a few phone calls to a Higher level. The junior oncologist changed his mind. The nurse just informed me that I'm free to be discharged in the morning (that's Sunday) when the chemo is finished dripping. Amazing what one can do with a couple of phone calls.
I'm outta here....
Thank you God !
dave
August 8, 2007:
Good Morning:
I just wanted to let you know that I found my way back into Banner Thunderbird for round #3. I didn't get the Presidential Suite this time, but I did get a good view. And besides, who am I to complain.... I just returned from Sedona. I decided to treat myself to the Enchantment Resort for a couple of days to gather some momentum for the 5 day hospital stay. As fate would have it, the room they gave me had it's own pool and jacuzzi overlooking a beautiful panorama of Boynton Canyon! Here's a couple of pics:
When I made the reservation, I had no idea what I was going to be staying in. You can imagine what I felt when the golf cart chauffeur pulled up to the room. All I could do is say thank you God. In the midst of this health ordeal there certainly have been some wonderful blessings.
I met with the bone marrow folks at Good Samaritan. Dr. Schreiber wants me to do another round (4 total) of the same chemo that I've been doing this summer. It was a bit of a blow as I was mentally prepared for 3 rounds and then the high dose chemo/stem cell replacement. Oh well, I really have little choice right now, so I reckon I just gotta suck it up and take the hit. He says there's between a 40 and 60 percent chance of total remission. That's the good news.....I just have to get thru it. I'm somewhere between "this too shall pass" and "stay in the present". As my friend Maria said to me: "It's a tough row to hoe, but at least it's a row." None of us doing this life thing have it easy, right?
I'll be here for at least the next 96 hours, wohoo! I'm in Room #342 and my direct line is 602-865-5342. If that doesn't go thru, try the cell phone/voice mail: 602-549-7579. Or even stop by for a game of chess or cards.
August 11, 2007:
Good afternoon from Banner Thunderbird:
Just wanted to report that things are going well on day 4 of round 3. With any good fortune I'll be back at home sometime Sunday morning. I'm feeling fine and I've asked for anti-nausea drugs for the 3 weeks of recovery. I cut deal with Banner to provide them with progress photos for the new tower that's being added. I have a bird's eye view of the demolition from the third floor walkway, so I decided to capitalize on the opportunity. Since they are billing my room at $2500 a night, I thought that a fair fee would be say....$800/hr, whaddaya think?
The time has gone quickly this
time. Joy brought goodies by for a belated birthday party for Tom
and I:
Lots of hugs and smiles from the friends that stopped by....
One of my creative friends (Beth) sent sent a suggestion for a contingency discharge plan:
"Dave, you animal !! Make a break for it tomorrow. I
swear, I have a great plan. I'll bake you a cake and put some
scissors in it, and you can cut off that wheelie thing with the
funky juice going in your gorgeous body. Look under the bed for your
real clothes, and put them on, throw a tennis ball down the
hallway and tell the nurses you saw a rat down there, then make your
move to the elevators. If you have to, hide behind the food cart lady
(she looks official, but she really isn't, so no worries about her
tattling on you.) Once you're on the bottom floor, just play it cool
and you'll be in the parking lot before you know it!! As you're
screaming away on your Vespa, yell at the top of your lungs, "Nobody
puts the Mayor in the corner!" (Anybody who's ever seen Dirty Dancing
will get it.)
Okay.
If this doesn't sound appealing, I'm sure if you're nice, they'll sign
you out the regular way. Either way, we'll have you back and that's all
that matters.Hey, I saw this sign on my way home from work yesterday.
If it's on a church sign, it must be true."
Sept 5, 2007
Good Morning:
Well, I made it back into the Presidential Suite at Banner Thunderbird. That's room B337 : ph# 602-375-5337. They must like me here to give me one of the best rooms in the place, twice. I have a dandy view of the east valley. The weather folks are predicting some storms this week, so I should have a bird's eye view if anything comes our way.
So far everything is fine. Dan and Kathy stopped by for a round of Scrabble last night. Kathy whipped us both, but she had a couple of those 40+ point words. There's plenty of time for more games this week. I'll get her back.
I'll be here until Sunday morning. I'm not sure exactly what happens thereafter, but somehow a bone marrow transplant is on the horizon somewhere soon. If you're not doin' anything and you happen to be in the west valley, stop by....
September 08, 2007:
Good morning from Banner Thunderbird:
Just wanted to report that things are going well on day 4 of round 4. Despite being confined for 5 days, I had wonderful accomodations. Hey, a broadband internet connection let me vicariously enjoy a pic of a volcano that my friend Eddie in Alaska captured from his air taxi a few days ago. Pretty amazing.
So here's a few highlight pics.......Again, I was blessed with lots of good friends an family stopping by.....
Don Bender & Mom
Dad
Howard & Kim
Craig Lewandowski
Safe & Dale
The Scrabble Champions - Michele & Beth
Therapy/service dog Chance
Chance's mom
Corgi-dependent dog lover gets a fix
Another visit from Boo (a very mellow Schnauzer)
Still doing some sidewalk supervision from the 3rd floor window - demolition continues with big toys. I'm turning in my resignation in the morning.
Maybe Kathy and Chris will take over for me.
Dr.Volk
with Langford's office just stopped by. He was surprised at how
well I
appear to be doing after 4 rounds of RESHAP. He's preparing
the
paperwork for my morning exit. Ain't that grand ?
Next
week I'll have a second larger chemo port put in at Good Samaritan
downtown; they should start harvesting MY stem cells in a week or
so.
It's out-patient for 1-5 days and then I have a 2 week break before the
high-dose chemo starts. Taking a deep breath for this one, but so
far,
so good. It looks like I'll be in Good Sam for about 3
weeks
beginning early October. That's what I know. A continuing thanks
for
all your support. It's making a difference for sure over here at
Banner Thunderbird.
dave
dave
October 08, 2007:
Hello everyone:
I just wanted to let you know that I made it to the playoffs. After 4 hospital stays this summer, I'm on the last of the series. This time it's 21 days in the Bone Marrow Transplant unit at Good Samaritan on 12th St and McDowell. (Room 1207 - 602-239-3889) I've been visiting here almost daily for the last few weeks in preparation for the final assault: 4 days of total body radiation (ickkk) followed by 2 days of high dose chemotherapy (argggg). The stem cells they harvested a couple of weeks ago are being watched over in the cryogenics lab and the plan is to give them back to me on Oct 16th. So if you're into praying or sending positive energy, I'd be looking for some support on that day of new beginning (aka rebooting). After all this, it only takes less than 10 minutes to reintroduce the cells to my cancer-free body. Wild when you think about it, eh?
I had my first radiation treatment this morning. Everything went fine. I just have to show y'all a picture of the medieval affair that holds me steady and protects my lungs from the blast of radiation. I'm expecting someone to show me that the next treatment includes a stretching rack or a bed of nails. Geeze.
Kelli & Kayla
Radiation man
dave
October 16, 2007:
Hello everyone:
It's 5 am Phoenix time. It's "Day 0" as they call it in this business of transplanting stem cells. I must say that it's a day that has been long in coming. I crashed on June 6th and it's been almost 5 months in preparation for this rather momentous day. This week of radiation and high dose chemo was a slice of Hell, but looking back, it went rather quickly. What's a little nausea anyhow? It's been a like a grand hangover without the party. Perhaps my Karma in some way shape or form. I'll get to have the "grand" party when this is all behind me, right?
I just want to thank everyone for all the loving support that has been expressed during these last few months. I really feel quite fortunate to have such a wide circle of wonderful friends and family. If you happen to be looking at a clock around 10:30 MST, send a bit of energy to room 1207 at Good Samaritan Hospital. I'd be most grateful......
dave
October 16, 2007:
Considering "Day 0" as a new beginning, why shouldn't it be a celebration? I hardly knew what to expect regarding the re-introduction of my stem cells into my body, but it turned out to be a bit of a party. Coach just happened to show up with a CD of pictures from the weekend cross-country invitational that he sponsors. Bein's that I'm the web guy for the event, why not just roll up the sleeves and get to work on it, despite the fact that stem cells were scheduled for 10:30? Who cares? It gave me something to take my mind off the seriousness of the event, right?
Like any good birthday party, we had a cooler and hot dog warmer and a musician to make the celebration complete. Of course there was a disciplined team of nurses to chaparone the festivities. Of course they had given me some good drugs to soften the impact of it all, so I had a wonderful time. It lasted 30 minutes tops: prep to cleanup. Imagine that.....4 rounds of chemo, 5 months, cryogenics, expensive technology and it's all over so quickly....
There
was of course, the component of support that came from the broadcast I
sent out earlier in the morning. Here's just a few excerpts:
Janet: My entire class of 24 five year old souls filled with positive energy and youthful vigor will be pausing in our meditation moment for you.
Paula: Dear Hiking Buddies...Dave Sanderson needs your prayers and good thoughts this morning....HUGS, Paula
Dick: Dave, Good JuJu, your way,,Almost over,, and Chuy's Is Waiting , for the return Of Lap top Dave
Jainah (NY): We are with you all the way Dave......the sky is clear, I am playing my favorite beatles music and letting hope fly swiftly your way
Bob (South Africa): Thxs for the news, hope all is going well. Bob in sa.. Having a great time with friends. Going to kenya on Friday .
Derek : Extra prayers and healing energy your way friend ...... you will be a true "phoenix" after the reboot.
Farmer Dave at AJ's: The Good karma is always with you, for we see it hanging over you when you visit our store....The store is so empty when your going thru your great travels, and we all are counting the days till you bring the family of friends you have back.
George: I haven't been neglecting you in thought. I'm here.
Janet: My entire class of 24 five year old souls filled with positive energy and youthful vigor will be pausing in our meditation moment for you.
Paula: Dear Hiking Buddies...Dave Sanderson needs your prayers and good thoughts this morning....HUGS, Paula
Dick: Dave, Good JuJu, your way,,Almost over,, and Chuy's Is Waiting , for the return Of Lap top Dave
Jainah (NY): We are with you all the way Dave......the sky is clear, I am playing my favorite beatles music and letting hope fly swiftly your way
Bob (South Africa): Thxs for the news, hope all is going well. Bob in sa.. Having a great time with friends. Going to kenya on Friday .
Derek : Extra prayers and healing energy your way friend ...... you will be a true "phoenix" after the reboot.
Farmer Dave at AJ's: The Good karma is always with you, for we see it hanging over you when you visit our store....The store is so empty when your going thru your great travels, and we all are counting the days till you bring the family of friends you have back.
George: I haven't been neglecting you in thought. I'm here.
Pat: Absolutely Dave....love, prayers, and
++++++ POSITIVE ENERGY.++++++..all coming from the Killen house
and family to you in room 1207 all day long and always!!!!! Keep
on keepin' on!!
October 13, 2007
Just wanted to let everyone know that I'm OK. Once the stem cells were reintroduced into my body, I sorta thought that every day would get better (even though that was exactly the opposite of what the nurses told me I should expect). Well, guess who was right?
First came the nausea. Couldn't keep anything down and by the time several days had passed, just the thought of food turned my stomach. The anti-nausea drugs helped, but certainly not a cure (I can't imagine what it would have been like w/o the drugs!)
Well, the nausea subsided, but they still have resorted to feeding me thru a tube. I thought there was a clause in my medical pwr of atty that referred to that (as in I didn't want no damn feeding tube to keep me alive), but this one is different. In fact, it's really cool. They put it thru that fancy high-tech port that everything else goes thru; I can handle that.
Then came the sore throat. Oh my. We've all had bad sore throats, but this one is the mother of them all. First they put me on oxycoton (sp?) and that did nothing but put me to sleep with horrific nightmares. I asked if there was an alternative and thank God for morphine. I'm doing a mild dose 24 hrs a day until things subside somewhat.
Just when I thought I'd seen the worst.....here comes the rash. Weird, red, angry, itchy thing that they think resulted from one of the medications designed to soften the effects of the chemo and radiation. Hmmmmm.
The good news: all of this was to be expected and they have treatments for everything. Now I understand why they wanted my hospital stay to be at least 3 weeks. And here's the kicker: I'm one of the lucky ones. I was able to use my own stem cells which makes my course less difficult than it might have been using borrowed cells.
So if you have called and heard only a ringing phone or have visited only to watch me fall off into slumberland, please take no offense. Hopefully the next broadcast I send will be with some more positive news.
dave
