Thursday, September 28, 2006
No After Effects of Chemo Up to Now
Had a busy day without any significant problems from Chemo. Had my first of five daily shots that are supposed to make more good blood cells to offset lost of cells due to Chemo process. Also, obtained all the prescribtions needed from the VA. A visit to VA is always interesting. They do a great job of providing for the mecical needs of Veterans. The number of people that they serve each day is amazing.
Have a great day.
Have a great day.
No After Effects of Chemo Up to Now
Had a good night and busy morning. Have not had to take any medicine for Nauseau!
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
1st Chemo Party is History....and was O.K.!
After 8 1/2 hours at the "Infussion Room" at our Oconologist clinin (Med.Cities), we are home and I feel mostly good. The "IR" consisted of cubicles with large reclineing chairs and a small TV. They pluged in a "Drip" system for four of the medications. The medications actually went through a pump that fed a precribed quanity of medication into my veins...rather than "free falling" through the tube.
The nurse gave me the other two with a hand opeterated devise with big needle.
Dr. Kerr came by and vistied. He said he was glad that my nose was not "twitching". He said that because he had told me earlier that I may have a "reaction" to this one medication. Parts of the medication are from mouse that results in a "reaction" during the session that requires some offsetting medication. When he told me that, I asked him, "will I be waving my tail?" He said "no, but my nose might twitch". The good news...no tail wagging or nose twitching. My Chemo Parties are now scheduled for every three weeks. That can change based on blood test results.
The highlights of the day visiting with a number of other patients in the waiting room and infusion room. Later, I told my nurse, that I was impressed with all that I met. She, a five year veteran in the clinic, said that their patients are "different". They all have reorganized their priories in life and one high priority is "niceness". I can appreciate that.
We now go in everyday for a "shot"; once per week for blood test and visit with Dr Kerr. The next 48-72 hours is a period that people react in different ways. Hopefully, I will be one that has a mild reaction. Regards!
The nurse gave me the other two with a hand opeterated devise with big needle.
Dr. Kerr came by and vistied. He said he was glad that my nose was not "twitching". He said that because he had told me earlier that I may have a "reaction" to this one medication. Parts of the medication are from mouse that results in a "reaction" during the session that requires some offsetting medication. When he told me that, I asked him, "will I be waving my tail?" He said "no, but my nose might twitch". The good news...no tail wagging or nose twitching. My Chemo Parties are now scheduled for every three weeks. That can change based on blood test results.
The highlights of the day visiting with a number of other patients in the waiting room and infusion room. Later, I told my nurse, that I was impressed with all that I met. She, a five year veteran in the clinic, said that their patients are "different". They all have reorganized their priories in life and one high priority is "niceness". I can appreciate that.
We now go in everyday for a "shot"; once per week for blood test and visit with Dr Kerr. The next 48-72 hours is a period that people react in different ways. Hopefully, I will be one that has a mild reaction. Regards!
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
All Test Are In Per Dr Kerr
We talked to Dr Kerr, our Oncologist, a few minutes ago. He reported that a detailed study of the PET test conducted last Friday indicated problems in the chest area and potentially some in the abdomen area, a definite level two and possibily a level three. Therefore, we will be attending six Chemo parties, one every three weeks. He believes there is a 50-70% chance that these treatments will eradicate the problem. If they fail, more parties or a another option or two.
Stay tuned. I don't know if there will be any excitement to report from the parties...but if so, I will report!
Stay tuned. I don't know if there will be any excitement to report from the parties...but if so, I will report!
Friday, September 22, 2006
Check Out L&K and Kendall's SBS Sites
Lynnea and Keith's Webb Site has been up and running for a number years. Nice photos from many places!
The Seattle Boating Show is a new web site created by Kendall for his new TV show in Seattle. Kendall has always loved boats and movie cameras and his commitment to produce twenty six 30 Minute TV shows will allow him to take his "love" to a new level. And probably will take up a good percentage of his free time. This is a hobby rather than his vocation. His primary job as National Account Executive for his company is to coordinate the development and implementation of trade show booths for Microsoft!
The Seattle Boating Show is a new web site created by Kendall for his new TV show in Seattle. Kendall has always loved boats and movie cameras and his commitment to produce twenty six 30 Minute TV shows will allow him to take his "love" to a new level. And probably will take up a good percentage of his free time. This is a hobby rather than his vocation. His primary job as National Account Executive for his company is to coordinate the development and implementation of trade show booths for Microsoft!
PET Test Done....Chemo Party Wednesday
Keith, Joyce and I have had a busy half day; first stop at Baylor Cancer Imaging, second stop at Medical Cities and a visit with our Oncologist. Don't have final results of PET but am optimistic that all of this will be History by Christmas.....with a little luck...Thankgiveing. Great having Keith here to participate. He had a business conference yesterday and will fly out Saturday morning.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Farm Boy Results Per Oncologist......Maybe?
Dr Kerr asked if we grew up on a farm? Then he explained that there is no definite proof of where my problem came from...but there is a strong correlation between farm heavy areas and people that have Lypmhoma. He asked if I was ever around insecticides used on the farm. I was surprised because I instantly could see the "blue box" tractor attachment that we used to spray the cotton fields with a stinky power that alledgedly would kill the famed "boll weevil". We would empty the bags of powder into the blue box and a fan belt connected to the tractor's power take off would convey power needed to power the fan that blew the powder from the box through a number of hoses attached to a long beam across the rows of cotton. Isn't our brain an amazing computer? My "vision" was from about 60 years ago....and I can't remember what Joyce asked to do five minutes ago!
The PET Test is Tomorrow @ 7:30 AM.
This is the one that determines how many Chemo Parties I will be attending in the months to come. It's at the Baylor Cancer Center...miles away from Medical Cities where everything is happening. This surprised me as I was under the impression that Medical Cities has the answer for everything! Now I know different! Joyce and I went to BCC years ago for her to have a test. We were shocked how many different signs they had there with "Cancer" on the sign. We felt that we were being brainwashed.....we got of there as fast as we could.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Blogs Have A Lot Features........
including sending a "post" as a E-Mail by adding e-mail address of who you want to receive a copy of the "post" plus two clicks. To activate this feature, simply click on the small envelop next to "comments". If you click on comments, you will have opportunity to make comment on the "post" above the comments button.
Waiting..............Waiting...................Waiting
for the lab that will do the PET test do phone with time of test! Why wait? Because this lab has to get permission from insurance companies before test. This has surprised us as Joyce and I have had numerous "biggies" without any pre-permission, without delay! The PET test isn't designed to test our pets.....we only have one....and that's each other. The PET test will determine how extensive my problem cells are in my body. I will have to drink some type of liquid that will find my bad-cells and a X-Ray will document their location. The end result will impact how many Chemo parties I will have to attend!
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Sobering.........Sobering.......Sobering
is how I felt when Amy, the Oncologist's assistant, explained in detail our upcoming Chemo program. For 45 minutes she explained in detail the coordinated, complex program of attacking my problem cells with six different medications; four with "flow" method: two, forced feed by nurse. And the many different side effects that can be expected.....and the fact that they will be prescribing a number of medicines to off-set the side effects. Then she gave us 18 pages of written info to answer any quetions that arise. I would give her an A+ on her briefing/teaching prerformance. Many times...I felt like a "fly on the wall" observing...and then I would think, Hey Bud, she is talking to and about your future activities. Unfortunaltely, I couldnt't jusy fly away! Each of these parties will be all day events....I can do most things that I might want to do from my bed....except have sex.
Also did a 40 minute heart test that they will use to determine how much they can kick me around. Still have one more test to determine how many parties there is going to be! The old baked potatoe on neck is still there...and I ready to get started....to have that old thing shrink off into the sunset! Regards Everyone!
is how I felt when Amy, the Oncologist's assistant, explained in detail our upcoming Chemo program. For 45 minutes she explained in detail the coordinated, complex program of attacking my problem cells with six different medications; four with "flow" method: two, forced feed by nurse. And the many different side effects that can be expected.....and the fact that they will be prescribing a number of medicines to off-set the side effects. Then she gave us 18 pages of written info to answer any quetions that arise. I would give her an A+ on her briefing/teaching prerformance. Many times...I felt like a "fly on the wall" observing...and then I would think, Hey Bud, she is talking to and about your future activities. Unfortunaltely, I couldnt't jusy fly away! Each of these parties will be all day events....I can do most things that I might want to do from my bed....except have sex.
Also did a 40 minute heart test that they will use to determine how much they can kick me around. Still have one more test to determine how many parties there is going to be! The old baked potatoe on neck is still there...and I ready to get started....to have that old thing shrink off into the sunset! Regards Everyone!
Monday, September 18, 2006
TODAY.....The Day of NEWS....The What is IT NEWS.......And it could be a lost worst! First, the surgeon said, "Yeah, just I like thought.....lymphoma. And he sounded if that was good news. I thought that he menth it was not a big deed....that it was benign. But after questioning...he said that it was malignant. and would have to be "taken car of". After getting the news behind us, I asked if he had done his "home work" I had given him. He said, "what was that?" and reminded him that I had told him to tell his wife what a great job she had done in dessigning his office. He said, "come with me and I will let you find out for yourself"....and we went looking for his wife. She was the beautiful blond that had escorted from the waiting room to our first stop. We then spend 20-25 minutes visiting with her, taking photos, and getting an indepth explatnations of the design and furnishing of their "top of the line" office. We documented with many photographs!
Next doctors stop was with the doctor that has my future in his hand. Turned out....he is the one that we knew well for a 3 year period 10 years ago in Toastmasters. We like him and his staff. We were his 19th patient for day...as of 1:45 PM. After lengthy visit, he summed up by saying it is not good what we have.....but we could have done a lot worst. How bad is it? That depends on a bone marrow test, a PET test, and a heart test to determine how much I can handle. We did the bone marrow test this afternoon, will do heart test tomorrow, and the PET test ASAP....probably Wednesday. The net result of these test will determine what stage am I in.....and that determinds how long I will be on ChemoTherpy. He is guessing that we are in the intermediate stage. Tomorrow we will go through an indocrination on chemotherpy which is not what I though it was. I assumed that it was like an X-Ray....but it is intravaneous feeling of special medication that attachs the cancerous cell. Each treatment will be an all day affair that does have some side effects......including loss of hair. The good news is that you save money on haircuts....until it comes back sometimes thicker...and with curls. How do you think Papa wll look with curls? Now that's a good question. We probably will not know the actual stage until next week when all test are back....but we will be well on our way by that time. Looks as though my hat collection might come in handy. It's been a good Day. We now know! J & J.
\\\]]
Next doctors stop was with the doctor that has my future in his hand. Turned out....he is the one that we knew well for a 3 year period 10 years ago in Toastmasters. We like him and his staff. We were his 19th patient for day...as of 1:45 PM. After lengthy visit, he summed up by saying it is not good what we have.....but we could have done a lot worst. How bad is it? That depends on a bone marrow test, a PET test, and a heart test to determine how much I can handle. We did the bone marrow test this afternoon, will do heart test tomorrow, and the PET test ASAP....probably Wednesday. The net result of these test will determine what stage am I in.....and that determinds how long I will be on ChemoTherpy. He is guessing that we are in the intermediate stage. Tomorrow we will go through an indocrination on chemotherpy which is not what I though it was. I assumed that it was like an X-Ray....but it is intravaneous feeling of special medication that attachs the cancerous cell. Each treatment will be an all day affair that does have some side effects......including loss of hair. The good news is that you save money on haircuts....until it comes back sometimes thicker...and with curls. How do you think Papa wll look with curls? Now that's a good question. We probably will not know the actual stage until next week when all test are back....but we will be well on our way by that time. Looks as though my hat collection might come in handy. It's been a good Day. We now know! J & J.
\\\]]
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Stop the Aspirin.....Stop the Aspirin.............
is what my surgeon said when preparing me for my biopsy. He would not do the biopsy for seven days because the aspirin I had been taking every day for my health had to "get out of" my blood. Heart doctors want blood that will not clot; surgeons, blood that clot. If I had been told this when my problem first started (and there was a high probability of having a biopsy}, I could have had the biopsy a week sooner! And not had a long....long...week of NOT KNOWING. Pass word on...if there is a possibility of surgery.....stop the aspin...save uncertainly..it ain't good!
is what my surgeon said when preparing me for my biopsy. He would not do the biopsy for seven days because the aspirin I had been taking every day for my health had to "get out of" my blood. Heart doctors want blood that will not clot; surgeons, blood that clot. If I had been told this when my problem first started (and there was a high probability of having a biopsy}, I could have had the biopsy a week sooner! And not had a long....long...week of NOT KNOWING. Pass word on...if there is a possibility of surgery.....stop the aspin...save uncertainly..it ain't good!
CHEERS.... For...... Granny Haggard
Newspapers......Television.....folks have discovered her! We all have known that she is so special; she:
Newspapers......Television.....folks have discovered her! We all have known that she is so special; she:
- Has always been there for each one us!
- Is in our "Top Five" on our all time"Memories List" because she created so many memories for us. And they were ALL good memories.
- Has gone the extra mile time and again. Example: Pick up the pecans, Shell the pecans, Seperate pecans from shells, Bake the pies and gives them away!
- Always helping others: Driving the old folks, Making cloths, quilts, etc., etc..
- Demonstrates how to have good health; eats right and only what's needed to get the job done.
- Taught her kids well; no divorces in family (she could have done little better on Joyce in a few areas)!
- Has a set a "high bar" for all of us to reach!
Granny.....thanks for being you! We hope that all this PR will not change you! Good luck on Nightline and Larry King Live!
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Saturday
Two new starts today! We both started Web Site Design 101 at Brookhaven College....and loved it! Great teacher and a fun class of young and mature, 15%. Hopefully, we can help these kids get adjusted to using the computer, ha ha!
And, Number 2, I am starting on a major clensing project. No, I didn't agree to sweep the floors. As you may recall I was certififed "Full of It" two weeks ago.....and I haven't lost much weight even though I been through two "biggies" prescribed by my docs. Now I turned to
the www.DrNatura.com program I accidently came across on the internet. Joyce and I feel that my lymph problems could be related so we will take the pills, powder, and tea we received yesterday. No results yet! Hopefully, I can send them a nice testimony about my results.
Yesterday was tough for me; I started out feeling bad and went downhill all day. I normally would have stayed in bed....but I stayed in my Archey Bunker chair doing a Blog site for our Lake Whitney friends that are very involved in no-tax support library. I think they can use their Blog to help their library and neighborhoods. I say "hoods" because there is a lot of wide open country downthere with a patch of people here, there...and over yonder. Check out their new Blog at http://lplibrary-dam.blogspot.com. Yes....YES...I know that the BLOG was not designed to be a "solve-all" webb site...but it's zero cost and hopefully will be working soon! And that's why hay-wire and duct tape was invented.
We are enjoying our beautiful 5-month neighbor. We keep her when her mom needs us to.
I got creative a day or so ago......and did my 2nd book: Hope You Enjoy:
Hi….sweet Scarlett……
When I see you sleeping so peacefully…..
I have this unique feeling…I feel like a Better Person!
When you wake up and look at me……
I think…..Wow….I feel great when I am with you!
When you give me your million dollar smile…..
A calming, warm feeling comes over me….
And I know I am a better person because I am with you.
When you stretch your arms and legs as for out as you can….
I think….How About that ….You are into isometrics exercising.
And I think…I have to get more exercise…and I am starting today.
I am a better person when I am with you!
When I watch you try to move on the bed…stretching…reaching.
I think she is going “for it”….and she knows one day…soon she will!
And I think…I too can “go for” whatever I want too….
I am a better person when I am with you!
When you start squirming and softly cooing….
I look into your eyes and ask “What does beautiful Scarlett want?”
I try the pacifier…and you grab it enthusiastically …and your eyes say “thank you”.
I think….wow…I did good!
I am a better person when I am with you!
When you look directly into my eyes, I know that you have only me in your thoughts.
And I think….that is powerful…knowing you are thinking only of me. I also remind myself that I need to do the same when I am talking with anyone.
I am a better person when I am with you!
When I look at your beautiful complexion, I think…she is healthy…she has been eating the right things.
I think….why don’t I pay more attention to my diet?.
I am a better person when I am with you!
Scarlett…I could go on….and on…and on about
Why I am a better person when I am with you!
Thank you Scarlett…..Thank you Scarlett!
My next goal is to add some pictures to this blog....but I haven't tried that yet....and I need a nap! Love you All!
Two new starts today! We both started Web Site Design 101 at Brookhaven College....and loved it! Great teacher and a fun class of young and mature, 15%. Hopefully, we can help these kids get adjusted to using the computer, ha ha!
And, Number 2, I am starting on a major clensing project. No, I didn't agree to sweep the floors. As you may recall I was certififed "Full of It" two weeks ago.....and I haven't lost much weight even though I been through two "biggies" prescribed by my docs. Now I turned to
the www.DrNatura.com program I accidently came across on the internet. Joyce and I feel that my lymph problems could be related so we will take the pills, powder, and tea we received yesterday. No results yet! Hopefully, I can send them a nice testimony about my results.
Yesterday was tough for me; I started out feeling bad and went downhill all day. I normally would have stayed in bed....but I stayed in my Archey Bunker chair doing a Blog site for our Lake Whitney friends that are very involved in no-tax support library. I think they can use their Blog to help their library and neighborhoods. I say "hoods" because there is a lot of wide open country downthere with a patch of people here, there...and over yonder. Check out their new Blog at http://lplibrary-dam.blogspot.com. Yes....YES...I know that the BLOG was not designed to be a "solve-all" webb site...but it's zero cost and hopefully will be working soon! And that's why hay-wire and duct tape was invented.
We are enjoying our beautiful 5-month neighbor. We keep her when her mom needs us to.
I got creative a day or so ago......and did my 2nd book: Hope You Enjoy:
Hi….sweet Scarlett……
When I see you sleeping so peacefully…..
I have this unique feeling…I feel like a Better Person!
When you wake up and look at me……
I think…..Wow….I feel great when I am with you!
When you give me your million dollar smile…..
A calming, warm feeling comes over me….
And I know I am a better person because I am with you.
When you stretch your arms and legs as for out as you can….
I think….How About that ….You are into isometrics exercising.
And I think…I have to get more exercise…and I am starting today.
I am a better person when I am with you!
When I watch you try to move on the bed…stretching…reaching.
I think she is going “for it”….and she knows one day…soon she will!
And I think…I too can “go for” whatever I want too….
I am a better person when I am with you!
When you start squirming and softly cooing….
I look into your eyes and ask “What does beautiful Scarlett want?”
I try the pacifier…and you grab it enthusiastically …and your eyes say “thank you”.
I think….wow…I did good!
I am a better person when I am with you!
When you look directly into my eyes, I know that you have only me in your thoughts.
And I think….that is powerful…knowing you are thinking only of me. I also remind myself that I need to do the same when I am talking with anyone.
I am a better person when I am with you!
When I look at your beautiful complexion, I think…she is healthy…she has been eating the right things.
I think….why don’t I pay more attention to my diet?.
I am a better person when I am with you!
Scarlett…I could go on….and on…and on about
Why I am a better person when I am with you!
Thank you Scarlett…..Thank you Scarlett!
My next goal is to add some pictures to this blog....but I haven't tried that yet....and I need a nap! Love you All!
Thursday, September 14, 2006
The First Day of My Future
Yesterday was the first day that something was done about the growth(s) on my throat. It was the day of THE KNIFE. We arrived at Medical Cities Hospital at 6:15AM and were promptly escorted to a hospital room. They asked me remove all my clothing and dress in a H gown and two white support hose that went up to my rear. That was new for me. I told Joyce that I might try out one of her hot dresses with those cute stocking.
My next step was a long ride on my bed to a room containing 23 other patients on their beds parked side by side with a curtain dividing each patient’s area I said to my nurse, “Wow, I am amazed how little space. there is between areas”. She explained that this is just a holding area for before and after surgeries: That each patient would go to individual operating rooms and return to this room after surgeries. I said, “Then this is a Halfway house!”
I was innocent. I had never been in an operating room. I have had three Cardio Conversions! That’s when the heart is rebooted, stopped and restarted, to correct an irregular rhythm. And each occurred in a similar room over in the “heart” building but the individual areas were wider. Each time I was there they made a sandwich of me by placing a rubber mat with wires attached on my chest and back, put me to sleep and flipped a switch for the shock. Fortunately, the heart did restart with normal rhythm which they informed me when I awoke. There are two other options: (1.) It restarts in irregular rhythm called Atrial Fillibration that makes one feel lousy, or (2) It does not restart so the game is over.
When I was wheeled into the operating room, I thought,…hey this is just like “in the movies” then I was asleep! The anesthesiologist had hooked me up with the little bag at the halfway house and the contents did their job by the time I was inside the OR by a few seconds. Someone made a 2-3 inch cut on my neck; I say “someone” because I never saw anyone in the OR. How much did they remove…I don’t know but I did weigh two pounds less today than I did two days ago.
The surgeon visited with Joyce immediately afterwards. Told her that everything went well and we would know the results on Monday after the Pathologist do their jobs. We meet with Surgeon on Monday at 11 AM and the Oncologist at 2:40 PM. The Oncologist will develop and implement a game plan to solve this problem. The Oncologist, Dr. Ron Kerr, was referred by our family doctor whom we really like. And we believe he is the same Dr Ron Kerr that we know well from being in the same Toastmasters Club ten years ago. Small World!
After a brief stay back in the Half Way house, they returned me back to our H room. They gave me my first pain pill. Joyce asked if I felt like going to my college blogging class at 1PM. She volunteered that the Surgeon had said I could do anything I wanted to except drive. I told her that I really liked that man.
We picked up the prescription pain pills and went to the three hour blogging class. I felt better than I had for several days. Those pills are great. Joyce stayed in the class…and really enjoyed learning about this “blogging”. It’s amazing what all one can do when blogging. Different people use it different ways. Currently, millions of people around the world have their own blog site similar to this one. There are many available features. One example, readers of the blog can make comments back to author simply by clicking on the “comment” button. The blogger has several options: 1. Comment back on the comment,2. Leave comment on blog for all to see, or 3. Click on trashcan that deletes comments. Everything is tracked including the number of visitors//readers. Some blogs have so many readers (over 1M) that they sell advertising. I haven’t learned what they talk about to attract so many readers! And amazingly…..it’s free. Some people maintain several different Blog sites for different purposes.
Last night was one night I will never forget. Thanks to the pain pills…I felt great but I could not go to sleep. I would close my eyes trying to sleep but every few minutes I would open my eyes and the clock showed time was moving slowly. Then I realized that I was sleeping some because I was having some amazing dreams and it seems as though I was awake and was observing what I was dreaming. I had some amazing observations. One time I was floating through the skies of Montana looking down into some rough country. A few times I became concerned for my safety so…..I simply opened my eyes and looked at the four large numbers facing me (my alarm clock) to remind me that I had control…that I was dreaming. Three times I got up to take my pain pills, etc.. Each time I observed how great I felt. I thought …WOW…this is neat but I really need to get some sleep or I am will feel like crap tomorrow. In early morning I was shocked when observing my dreams to see that I was being unbelievably creative in giving solutions to things that I had no experience, education, etc. to do so. I felt great! I felt powerful! I opened my eyes once again to stare at the clock and prove to myself that I was dreaming Then I quickly closed my eyes and continued feeling great. And I became amazingly smart on something else that was new to me. I was impressed with my brilliance ,,my creativity. I felt good….then suddenly I thought……this must be how Rush Limbaugh felt when he was on his pain pills. That shocked me…I opened my eyes for reality…the four numbers were still staring at me. I closed my eyes to observe…”what’s next?” I observed that I still had that good feeling…I was impressed with how my brain was being so unusually creative. THEN A BIG QUESTION FLASHED THROGH MY MIND…”How many of those pills would I have to take……to own a $26,000,000 home?” I opened my eyes and stared at the clock. I told Joyce about my dreams. I went to the bathroom and picked up the pill bottle and read “Take as needed for PAIN!”
Yesterday was the first day that something was done about the growth(s) on my throat. It was the day of THE KNIFE. We arrived at Medical Cities Hospital at 6:15AM and were promptly escorted to a hospital room. They asked me remove all my clothing and dress in a H gown and two white support hose that went up to my rear. That was new for me. I told Joyce that I might try out one of her hot dresses with those cute stocking.
My next step was a long ride on my bed to a room containing 23 other patients on their beds parked side by side with a curtain dividing each patient’s area I said to my nurse, “Wow, I am amazed how little space. there is between areas”. She explained that this is just a holding area for before and after surgeries: That each patient would go to individual operating rooms and return to this room after surgeries. I said, “Then this is a Halfway house!”
I was innocent. I had never been in an operating room. I have had three Cardio Conversions! That’s when the heart is rebooted, stopped and restarted, to correct an irregular rhythm. And each occurred in a similar room over in the “heart” building but the individual areas were wider. Each time I was there they made a sandwich of me by placing a rubber mat with wires attached on my chest and back, put me to sleep and flipped a switch for the shock. Fortunately, the heart did restart with normal rhythm which they informed me when I awoke. There are two other options: (1.) It restarts in irregular rhythm called Atrial Fillibration that makes one feel lousy, or (2) It does not restart so the game is over.
When I was wheeled into the operating room, I thought,…hey this is just like “in the movies” then I was asleep! The anesthesiologist had hooked me up with the little bag at the halfway house and the contents did their job by the time I was inside the OR by a few seconds. Someone made a 2-3 inch cut on my neck; I say “someone” because I never saw anyone in the OR. How much did they remove…I don’t know but I did weigh two pounds less today than I did two days ago.
The surgeon visited with Joyce immediately afterwards. Told her that everything went well and we would know the results on Monday after the Pathologist do their jobs. We meet with Surgeon on Monday at 11 AM and the Oncologist at 2:40 PM. The Oncologist will develop and implement a game plan to solve this problem. The Oncologist, Dr. Ron Kerr, was referred by our family doctor whom we really like. And we believe he is the same Dr Ron Kerr that we know well from being in the same Toastmasters Club ten years ago. Small World!
After a brief stay back in the Half Way house, they returned me back to our H room. They gave me my first pain pill. Joyce asked if I felt like going to my college blogging class at 1PM. She volunteered that the Surgeon had said I could do anything I wanted to except drive. I told her that I really liked that man.
We picked up the prescription pain pills and went to the three hour blogging class. I felt better than I had for several days. Those pills are great. Joyce stayed in the class…and really enjoyed learning about this “blogging”. It’s amazing what all one can do when blogging. Different people use it different ways. Currently, millions of people around the world have their own blog site similar to this one. There are many available features. One example, readers of the blog can make comments back to author simply by clicking on the “comment” button. The blogger has several options: 1. Comment back on the comment,2. Leave comment on blog for all to see, or 3. Click on trashcan that deletes comments. Everything is tracked including the number of visitors//readers. Some blogs have so many readers (over 1M) that they sell advertising. I haven’t learned what they talk about to attract so many readers! And amazingly…..it’s free. Some people maintain several different Blog sites for different purposes.
Last night was one night I will never forget. Thanks to the pain pills…I felt great but I could not go to sleep. I would close my eyes trying to sleep but every few minutes I would open my eyes and the clock showed time was moving slowly. Then I realized that I was sleeping some because I was having some amazing dreams and it seems as though I was awake and was observing what I was dreaming. I had some amazing observations. One time I was floating through the skies of Montana looking down into some rough country. A few times I became concerned for my safety so…..I simply opened my eyes and looked at the four large numbers facing me (my alarm clock) to remind me that I had control…that I was dreaming. Three times I got up to take my pain pills, etc.. Each time I observed how great I felt. I thought …WOW…this is neat but I really need to get some sleep or I am will feel like crap tomorrow. In early morning I was shocked when observing my dreams to see that I was being unbelievably creative in giving solutions to things that I had no experience, education, etc. to do so. I felt great! I felt powerful! I opened my eyes once again to stare at the clock and prove to myself that I was dreaming Then I quickly closed my eyes and continued feeling great. And I became amazingly smart on something else that was new to me. I was impressed with my brilliance ,,my creativity. I felt good….then suddenly I thought……this must be how Rush Limbaugh felt when he was on his pain pills. That shocked me…I opened my eyes for reality…the four numbers were still staring at me. I closed my eyes to observe…”what’s next?” I observed that I still had that good feeling…I was impressed with how my brain was being so unusually creative. THEN A BIG QUESTION FLASHED THROGH MY MIND…”How many of those pills would I have to take……to own a $26,000,000 home?” I opened my eyes and stared at the clock. I told Joyce about my dreams. I went to the bathroom and picked up the pill bottle and read “Take as needed for PAIN!”
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
The Path to The Future!
“What is the future going to be?” is a question that we have asked ourselves at one time or another. On 09-11-2001 people all over the world… were asking that question. My first posting to this Blog was done in a “Blogging” class at my local community college on the fifth anniversary of 9-11. Check it out and you will see how I felt!
Actually…I really have no real answer to that big question….because I have two egg-size growths on my throat….and the surgeon will do a biopsy on 9-13 at 7:30 AM. It is a lymphoma problem…the biopsy will help us learn if it is a “biggie” problem or not!
Also, I have no real answer because our country has BIG problems and no Plans to solve those “Biggies”. Actually, I do have one plan that I think has possibilities. And that is that every American develop their own plan for voting for politicians they feel are competent for the job they want. Start thinking today about….what experience…education…training…..etc…..etc. does one need to be competent as the city dog catcher…..or the Mayor…Governor…Senator…President. Competent representatives have a much better possibility of developing and implementing a plan that works for….our cities…states….and country.
What is our number one problem in voting for the candidate that has the most competence for the job?
A big one is our “high school football team” rule; that is, they are “our” team and we will support them regardless of how well they do their job. They are our kids….and it’s only a game! But our elected officials are not involved in a game, they are impacting our Future. Let’s judge our candidates on our opinion of their competence to do the job, not on their team’s spin…..spin….spin….spin!
Improve our future….vote for competence!!!
“What is the future going to be?” is a question that we have asked ourselves at one time or another. On 09-11-2001 people all over the world… were asking that question. My first posting to this Blog was done in a “Blogging” class at my local community college on the fifth anniversary of 9-11. Check it out and you will see how I felt!
Actually…I really have no real answer to that big question….because I have two egg-size growths on my throat….and the surgeon will do a biopsy on 9-13 at 7:30 AM. It is a lymphoma problem…the biopsy will help us learn if it is a “biggie” problem or not!
Also, I have no real answer because our country has BIG problems and no Plans to solve those “Biggies”. Actually, I do have one plan that I think has possibilities. And that is that every American develop their own plan for voting for politicians they feel are competent for the job they want. Start thinking today about….what experience…education…training…..etc…..etc. does one need to be competent as the city dog catcher…..or the Mayor…Governor…Senator…President. Competent representatives have a much better possibility of developing and implementing a plan that works for….our cities…states….and country.
What is our number one problem in voting for the candidate that has the most competence for the job?
A big one is our “high school football team” rule; that is, they are “our” team and we will support them regardless of how well they do their job. They are our kids….and it’s only a game! But our elected officials are not involved in a game, they are impacting our Future. Let’s judge our candidates on our opinion of their competence to do the job, not on their team’s spin…..spin….spin….spin!
Improve our future….vote for competence!!!
Monday, September 11, 2006
9-11-01......a date we all will remember...where we were...what we thought....and the pain related to all! After five years, I am still pained by our lost at ground zero. I am also pained because we have missed an amazing opportunity to reduce the possibility of future attacks. The world was with us five years age.....and most everyone wanted to work together to prevent future terrotist attacks.
But unfortunately we have blown that unique opportunity to bring the world together. We have in fact divided the world....with the USA being on the negative end!
A Sad Landers!
But unfortunately we have blown that unique opportunity to bring the world together. We have in fact divided the world....with the USA being on the negative end!
A Sad Landers!
