HIGHWAY IS CLEAR; NO RED LIGHTS ARE NEAR

Ralph, Bro Jim, and I met with Dr. Dayton on Friday. Scans taken last week show marked improvement in shrinking the existing tumors, especially in the sensitive lung area. Some of the metastasized locations are cancer-free and the tumors in the liver have shrunk considerably; only one site visible. 

Every new infusion session leaves me feeling stronger and I am experiencing no side effects other than the fatigue caused by my immune system working overtime! So, I am planning ahead more than a month or two now; starting some projects, and keeping the legislators and congressmen that I vote for on their toes.

The infusions will continue, at three week intervals, for three more injections; then more testing. Since I am, with only an occasional ache or pain, living a regular life, I won't be adding much for a while, hopefully. 

Isn't it interesting that good news is often boring?  I'll take boring, believe me! However, I'll jump in once in a while if there is news.

I will leave you with the report I wrote for Dr. Dayton. He seemed to enjoy it. Hope you do, too. 

TO:      Dr. Dayton

RE:      “Whether” report

DATE:  January 19, 2018

The cough resists,

Though “she persists”.*

It seems deeper

But I’m a good sleeper.*

The feces often tightens

But Colace/Metamucil lightens.*

Walking like a 76-year old;

Twice down the hallway is my goal.*

I get a rash between my eyes;

Use globs of oil to disguise.

Balance is quite awry;

Balance classes I will try.

“Saddle” pain, it does remain;

Taking more Tylenol helps regain.*

Weight is constant there;

T’is a shame, I have lots to share.

Feeling healthy; better than wealthy;

Catch 40 winks, slightly stealthy.*

Don’t know where we go from here,

But thanks, Oncology for the end of last year.

I’M STILL HERE!!!!!  Poet Laureate Infusion Section

Yellow Light: Proceed with Caution

From where I sit, it has been a marvelous Christmas. Over the years, we have shucked some of the trappings of Christmas--my Christmas tree for two years running has been a canvas painted and decorated by Ryan, Betsy and Jeromi's child (child??? now 18 and headed for college next year), and me that hangs on the wall, pointsettias and some favorite Christmas decorations scattered here and there. 

But it has been totally filled with love, joy, and the people that I hold dearest to my heart. Especially since the possibility that I wouldn't see this Christmas loomed before me, I appreciate that I have had God's good grace of reasonably good health through and now beyond the holidays. From Facebook photos and comments, and general conversation, it seems that you have enjoyed the family time that Christmas brings as well. I still have a notion that all of the energy, Greene and Gray, that has flowed through here in the last couple of months, has helped me get back on my feet again.

If any of you have the bad luck of cancer, I pray that you qualify for some of the new treatments based on genetic principles, like Keytruda, which unleashes the power of your own immune system to fight the cancer. With all the turmoil churning in our health system, my heart goes out to folks who are not insured and who do not have the advantages I have had. The bill, so far, has been around $65,000 of which we have paid, so far, $1,800 plus some $200-$300 bills for PET and MRI scans. Waiting to see what happens when the Trump shoe actually drops. 

I am now two weeks out from my last infusion. I do feel fatigued and a bit "whoozy" for a day or two after the treatment, but that diminishes quickly and I am pretty much in my usual routine, albeit a few more hours of sleep and a still-diminished appetite. 

I'm more and more confirmed that the many of my problems in walking (now, especially, since I can walk around 600-800 steps without getting out of breath) are the result of so much time in bed and lack of energy to continue an exercise routine. I've been using a walker lately and have increased the intensity and time of my exercise routine. There is a marked loss of my balancing ability and I start in-house balance exercises this month.

This may be more than you want to know about me and my condition, but there is a lesson here--any time, effort, and sacrifice you might make to improve your health now is like depositing money in the bank to retire on. Especially now, as research is breaking through in many areas to use a person's own immune system to tackle diseases or illnesses that come our way. Thank God for the Van Vorsts, Stetlers, Borgs, and Bastons who all contributed to my gene pool! 

I'll go in for some scans, and on the 18th of January, will have a "certified" opinion as to the effectiveness of the treatment. Will keep you posted.