Yes, I'm blessed

When I sat down at my computer last night to send out some "Good news" e-mails, I expected to send about a dozen or so. As I went through the e-mails I'd received and saved over the past few months, it became clear I had many more than a dozen or so supporters. In all, more than 40 e-mails were sent. If I overlooked anyone, I apologize. ...
I have been blessed to discover how many friends I have and how many people have had me in their thoughts and prayers. I know I've been on prayer lists in 11 states, from Washington to Florida, so I'm sure literally thousands of people have prayed for me. And, I hope, those prayers will continue. ...
While yesterday's prediction from my doctor was fantastic and cause for celebration, I'm still sweating the scan. I set that appointment today. I have the scan May 26, but it will be June 1 before I get the results. We're hoping for, and expecting, a clean scan ~ one that shows no cancer. That will be cause for an even greater celebration. I hope we can all share it together.

Not over yet, but good news

I finished up chemotherapy today. In the past four months, I've had 51 hours of chemotherapy and 40 doses of radiation. And it sounds like it may have all been worth it. ...
My oncologist said she'd be surprised if we haven't killed this monster in my lung. "I can't believe anything has possibly lived" after all those treatments, she said. I should find out for sure June 1. I hope to have my PET scan May 26 and get the results June 1. Please pray my oncologist's prediction comes true. ...
After my last chemo treatment I received a rousing round of applause and bunches of hugs from my nurses. They helped make the treatments easier to take. They gave me lots of advice and I'm thankful for everything they've done for me. I told them I would miss them, but I'm glad I'll be seeing less of them. ...
Assuming the monster is dead, my oncologist said I shouldn't expect my life to ever be the same again. I'll carry scar tissue in my lung for the rest of my life and my lung won't have the same capacity it had years ago. But, what can you expect after smoking like a chimney for 30-plus years, she asked? We both agreed that feeling a little puny was a lot better than being dead. ...
I'm still not out of the woods, because the results of the scan aren't in. I feel very optimistic and I'm praying for a clean scan. Please join me.

Pills, pills and more pills

I hate pills. I hate 'em, I hate 'em, I hate 'em. But because I have chemotherapy, I'll take 14 pills Monday. I'll take another 14 on Tuesday before getting back to my "normal" 10 a day. ...
Monday is my last dose of chemo. It's the last bomb we send in to kill the enemy (I'm sounding like my co-worker and friend Jedwin!). In three weeks we'll see if we've destroyed this monster. Please keep me in your prayers. ...
The test on my thyroid came back normal. So I guess maybe a fast heart rate is normal for me. I've always had a fast pulse. ...
I talked to an old friend from high school this weekend. You may remember me mentioning him. He's the guy who had both legs broken in an accident. Saturday was the first time we'd spoken in about 30 years. We were best of friends at Murphy High School in North Carolina. Why'd we go that long without talking? Neither one of us came up with an answer. But we won't go another 30 years without talking. ...
I know I ask for a lot of prayers, but that's what you get when you come here, so please keep my daughter and her unborn child in your prayers. Thanks!

One pill makes you ...

Yet another pill. When I went to the internist Wednesday, I came away with more medicine to take. ...
My heart rate has been high for quite some time. My pulse is always in at least the 90s and often is above 100. My internist decided to find out what's going on. So I had blood drawn to see if it's my thyroid. I'll find out in a few days. In the meantime, I'm taking a pill to control my heart rate. That gets me up to at least 10 pills a day. And, as I've said before, none of them cures cancer. ...
Four more days until my last chemotherapy. While it hasn't been the hell I expected, it hasn't been a walk in park either. Here's how things will probably go next week: I'll have chemo on Monday; by Wednesday, my taste buds will be about dead; Thursday and Friday, I'll feel lousy; I'll start to get my taste back a little bit on Saturday; I'll start to feel somewhat better on Sunday; and by the next Monday I'll be back to "normal." ...
Still trying to decide what I want my grandchild to call me. It's pretty much a given that PeePaw is out, so I'm thinking maybe I'll like to be called George or Grandpa Al. ...

A bundle of joy

I have a new reason for getting well. ...
My daughter, Elizabeth, announced today that she is due to give birth to her first child this fall. Her due date is Nov. 20. It will be mine and Lynn's first grandchild. Lynn and I are the youngest children in our families. All our brothers and sisters are grandparents. We have six grandnieces. A grandnephew is on the way. Now comes our time to be grandparents. We are happy for our daughter and her husband, and we are very excited for ourselves. Please pray for Elizabeth's good health. ...
In honor of my daughter, here is a "Prayer for Expectant Mothers," courtesy of beliefnet.com:

All loving God,
you created the human family
as a reflection of your own divine life
so that your creation might share in your happiness.
Hear our prayer for your daughter
who awaits the birth of her child.
She has cooperated with you in giving life.
Assist her now as she prepares to give birth
to the child in her womb.
May Mary be her guide and support,
calming her fears and strengthening her love.
May your daughter be filled with your peace and blessing
so that she may bring her child into this world
safely and in good health to the praise
and glory of your name.
Amen.

P.S. I'm pushing for the child to call Lynn and me MeeMaw and PeePaw. I don't think anybody, especially Lynn, is going to go along with that.

Thinking of work

I'm going to my internist Wednesday, primarily to get an extension of my medical leave. I hope the next letter I get from the internist is giving me the go-ahead to return to work. Getting back into the swing of things at work is going to be a challenge, but it's one I'm looking forward to tackling. ...
A friend of mine from high school recently had a horrific accident. In helping someone cut down a tree, he ended up with two broken legs. I've sent him a note offering to trade one good leg for one good lung. We'll see if he takes me up on it. ...
Today's quote: "Jesus was a Capricorn,
"He ate organic food.
"He believed in love and peace
"And never wore no shoes.
"Long hair, beard and sandals
"And a funky bunch of friends.
"Reckon we’d just nail him up
"If he came down again." ~ Kris Kristofferson

Boost and bumps

Got a booster shot today after my blood work revealed a low red blood cell count. No biggie. It was expected. My white cell count was fine. ...
Acne is breaking out on my face just like the last time I had this type chemo. If things follow like last time, it should clear up by the end of this week or first of next week. A new symptom has popped up. My skin is sore, mainly on my chest, stomach and underarms. ...
My hair continues to grow and my mustache has just about filled in. My mustache is gray, but, as I've told my wife, I know where they sell Just for Men. Would I really color my mustache? ...
Hope everyone has a good Tuesday.

Goodbye weekend, hello Monday

Another weekend has flown by. The threat of bad weather Sunday kept us away from A Taste of Marietta, which we had planned on taking part in. But we did get by a spring festival at a friend's church on Saturday. Lynn, my wife, got some earrings and we saw our friend. Also had dinner Friday with my good friend Larry, so the weekend had its up side. ...
The little bit of walking I did at the church festival reminded me of how out of shape I am. This past week, I had something going on every day ~ and it took its toll. I'm worn out. My doctors have told me not to expect to get my stamina back anytime soon. ...
I'll be visiting the doctor's office today for yet another blood test. I predict my white blood cell count will be OK, but I expect my red count to be down a little. We'll see if I get what I call a booster shot. ...
Next Monday will be chemotherapy. Three weeks later a PET scan, which will reveal where I stand. I'm praying we've killed this monster. Each day that passes I get a little bit more nervous. I'm not sleeping well. I think it's because I'm worried about the scan results. Everything points to everything being OK, so I'll have faith that I'll come through the test will flying colors. Please continue to pray I'll get the test results I'm look for. Thanks!

A grand reception

I got several more hugs today. Bunches of hugs. A fella could get used to that kind of reception. ...
I visited my office today. Saw lots of friends and plotted my return to work. Nothing can be set in stone, of course, but at least I have a date to shoot for. First I have to finish my chemotherapy, take a PET scan and get the results. If we've killed this monster in my chest, I hope to return to work in June. ...
It was great to see so many smiling faces. I felt like Sally Field when she accepted her Academy Award by saying, "You like me, you really like me!" It is a wonderful feeling to know so many people are pulling for me. ...
My niece Kelly's husband, Chris, made a donation in my honor to the National Foundation for Cancer Research. I received a beautiful card in the mail today titled "A gift of hope." It was a kind, thoughtful gesture that I am very thankful for. Chris, you helped make my day. ...
I'm pretty tired from my running around the past two days. But the visits have my spirits in the right place. I have much to be thankful for. God has truly surrounded me with fantastic folks.

Worth the pain

I'm tired. Pooped. Worn out. My legs hurt. But my trip downtown was worth it. I got hugs from at least five different people. ...
I had lunch today with a friend and co-worker. I then went to my newspaper's main newsroom and visited with some folks I've worked with over the years. There were a few people, Shirley and Nancy being two, that I wish I'd seen, but we didn't hook up. Maybe I can get together with them soon. A pleasant surprise was finding out Suzanne now works for the newspaper. I joked that I've known her since I was a kid, and that's not far from the truth. We first worked together when I was in my late 20s. ...
I did a good bit of walking today. I ran out of breath a couple of times. But it was good to get out and see friends I haven't seen in a long time. I'm thankful for their prayers and encouragement. I plan on making them proud of me.