Day 23 - July 31, 2012

I enjoyed a fun visit from Steve Johnson,  fellow soldier, Joyse Witheridge,  now a Brevard friend, Rick Ciordia,  Griffin High School friend, Ike, and Jane. 

I continue to just sit and wait for next Monday when they will check blood marrow to see if the chemo did it.   After that,  we will see what is next.  Opps, Cam, I am not just sitting as I  walk these halls each day.

"Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things." - George Carlin

Day 22 - July 30, 2012

The doctors take turns having floor duty here in the hospital to allow others time for office calls etc. which means that I get multiple opinions on what's next.  Today the doc mentioned that I am 3 to 4 weeks from dismissal and that the goal is to get back to Myelodysplastic Syndrome which means I would be free of leukemia cells within the marrow. He seemed to think that an outpatient regimen consisting of Vidazo might be the solution for the future and not a bone marrow transplant.  Another opinion which I will discuss with my main doc. 

Not sure I can express my feelings when  Steve Johnson, old friend, ally, brother, and fellow soldier visited today. We had many assignments together in our careers which included South Korea and the Pentagon.   Steve drove his RV from Cedar Island near the Outer Banks to here today which is a 7 hour drive and is about as long as one can drive and stay in NC.  Thanks, Bro, good to see you. Lots of memories, especially boating onThe Potomac River.  See you again tomorrow.

"The past is a ghost,the future is a dream, and all we have is now." -Bill Cosby

Day 21 - July 29, 2012

The second round or do over with the chemo is a done deal.  Once again, it is time to wait and then in about 7 to 10 days find out if the chemicals have knocked the marrow cells down to zero and then to ensure that the good ones are growing back.   I still have no significant side affects, however, next week when I have no immune system because of the lack of white cells, we will be on the lookout for infections.  I guess in GA one would say I am floating on the Hooch or in NC I would be floating on the French Broad which happens to flow the opposite direction of most rivers.

All that aside,  I had a fun time with all  four grandchildren via SKYPE today.  It was great to see Julia, Sara, Laurel, and Clay on my PC and talk to all of them live and in color.  What great kids!  Thanks for calling and telling me about your trip to the zoo. Giraffes eating out of your hand while you are in your car in Charlotte, NC?  Really? 

 

Lisa, our best Brevard friend,  and Jane visited today.   Lisa had just been visiting the Grand Canyon and Sonoma, AZ and told stories that reminded of our great family trip to the Canyon for Jane's 60th.    I have heard talk that we may be headed to Key West for my 70th. 

 

"Just cause you got the monkey off your back doesn't mean the circus has left town."  George Carlin

Day 20 - July 28, 2012

I started on my last IV jug of chemo today and will finish in 24 hours.  Then, once again, it will time to wait and see if my cell count in the bone marrow drops to  zero and then builds the good cells.  It will be checked on day 14 from the restart which will be around Monday, 6 August.

 

Thanks  to Glenda from NGC for explaining chemo head to me.  I think I have had it and did not recognize the affects even though I have been claiming not to have any.    I think it is kicking in tonight after the fourth jug.  My favorite RN sang Christmas carols and the graduation song to me tonight.  Strange, but I think one has to be to work here. 

 

BTW the chaplin here who is the NGC graduate tells me that NGC&SU will soon be NGU.  Is that true, Liz?  I have been in here so long that it could be old news.  Did not mean to drift off course but I am.

Guess I will spend the remainder of my time watching the O's all day on the tube.  I was disappointed today when beach volleyball turned out to be the guys but will now look forward to  the girls. 

Speaking of Strange:

"I have learned silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet, strange, I am ungrateful to those teachers.  Khalil Gibran 

G'Night

Day 19 - July 27, 2012

As the doc said, "We are just looking for 30 days of boredom."  So far, that's what is happening and today was another.  I did have a few of the usual transfusions.  For lunch I was served  platelets and pizza followed by a couple of units of blood. 

Short notes:

Cam, I walked  1.5 miles today which is 36 laps around this floor.  People are talking.

 

Jane visited and straightened up my dorm room. 

I continue to be the "King of Da Nile" and have no side affects or affects from AML or the chemo.

"A teacher is a person who never says anything once."  Howard Nomerou

Day 18 - July 26, 2012

Today was National Chili Dog today so Joyse and I enjoyed something besides hospital food.

 

Buddy Corbin, the hospital chaplain and fellow NGC graduate, walked several laps this morning. He is a good philosopher and an enjoyable conversationalist.

I have no aches and pains  or any side affects at this time, just waiting for the time to have some results from this round of chems which will probably be around 10 August.   I have now completed the two doses of Daunorubicin and have to take three more days of Cytabine. This round will be completed by Monday, 30 July which is followed by the waiting period.  One has to be on drugs to understand all this crap.  Right now, this could be like being in 11 foot tall elephant grass and trying to determine the exact location coordinates so that one  coulld call in the fast movers.  Where was my GPS in 1968?  Not real  sure of my location at this point.  

 "The  weather is here, wish you were beautiful."  J. Buffet

Day 17 - July 25, 2012

I am now completing day 2 of the Induction phase 1 redo which consists of two days of the famous chemodrusitg, Daunorunorubicin (Daw-noe-ROO-bi-sin), and two days of Cytarabine which is given the first two days of the Induction phase.   The Induction Phase first drug was named after a chef  on the cooking channel.  This whole proces is rather strange as one feeels normal so you just here and take medicine in order to feel bad so you will feel normal again.

The only real side effect so far is a fuzzy brainy feeling which gives one the ability or excuse to say most anything in the presence of most anyone. Seems to concern Jane at times.  Jane and Joyse, good friend who lived beside us in VA  and has now moved to Brevard,  visited today.  They will team me which will help "him"  keep his morale up. 

I appreciate all the encouragement and prayers from all of you.  Helps keeps one eye one the tiger.

"The only way out is through" R. Frost (Suggested by son-in-law, Kevin)