Saturday, 31 December 11
Goodbye 2011, a more difficult year medically than prior years, except for 2004. But here I am by the grace of God, ready to take on 2012. And I really have no complaints either. The family is good, the job is good, the Nov scan was clean, the blood counts are good, and the Lord is sovereign.
Friday, 30 December 11
CBC results from tests run last week continue to show a very slow PLT recovery. Other counts are good. I'd appreciate your prayers for those platelets. They have been through a lot these past 7 years. I enjoyed a Christmas music marathon this afternoon as I assembled two book shelves.
Thursday, 29 December 11
Happy birthday, dad! We'll all see you soon.
Wednesday, 28 December 11
We have returned from Houston, where we visited Kathy's parents and a few sisters, plus a several nephews and nieces. The football games we played were epic.
Saturday, 24 December 11
A wonderful Christmas Eve service at Crosstimbers Community Church with the entire family. It is impossible to relate the joy of such a site; all the family together, occupying half of one row in the 'sprung'.
Friday, 23 December 11
An evening
with the Canadian Brass at the Meyerson here in Dallas. They put on a very good show, seasoning the music with humor and skits. The Meet and Greet afterwards was particularly memorable, as these five guys are approachable and conversant.
Thursday, 22 December 11
Blood was drawn today for a routine CBC analysis. Results will be received next Tuesday. This was my 1st office visit in more than 4 weeks. I was surprised during the office visit to learn that I have lost 5 pounds. Unlike the 14 pounds dropped in the summer (which quickly returned), instigated by an intestinal infection, the current reduction has not included any complications. My appetite has been a bit lower than usual, but my digestive system is working fine and there is no upset stomach. Perhaps more time was required for the latest round of BCNU and Avastin to clear my body.
Tuesday, 20 December 11
A new program has been launched to help with copays for gbm patients. Up to $5,000 can be provided. Please visit the program website to learn more and to apply!
Saturday, 17 December 11
Dinner and theatre tonight with my bride of 28 years. So much has changed over the years, especially the past 7 3/4 years, yet our devotion to one another remains constant.
Saturday, 10 December 11
Christmas Lights are on the house. I had to take one string down, reverse it, then reattach it to the house to correct a plug polarity problem. I did not climb on the roof for this year's lights, so the high gable will remain dark this Christmas.
Wednesday, 07 December 11
Pearl Harbor plus 70 years. On behalf of all Americans, I extend my sincere thanks to all of the brave men and women in our armed forces then and now.
Tuesday, 06 December 11
My blood work
from November 18th was received today. Platelets continue to hover in the low 100 range - a slower platelet recovery than usually
experienced following a round of chemo. Abs Neut were 2.7, which is good, My Cholesterol was checked for the first time and came in at
229 (which is high), while Triglycerides were 298 (also high). I am going to have to start watching what I eat, I think, in view of these high
blood fat numbers.
Sunday, 04 December 11
I am now taking
one baby aspirin each day, at the suggestion of my oncologist. It seems that some brain tumor patients are susceptible to strokes in areas
that have been radiated, and one children's aspirin, very low dosage, can help prevent a stroke. So this is a preventative measure that I am
keen to embrace.
Friday, 02 December 11
I have several Christmas traditions, one of which is the viewing of the Peanuts Classics such as A Charlie Brown Christmas. It is so cool to watch it multiple times each December; Linus reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas by quoting parts of Luke Chapter 3.
Thursday, 01 December 11
KLTY has begun to play Christmas songs. I can switch between 103.7 FM, 99.4 FM and 90.9 FM on my radio to obtain my daily fill of seasonal songs. And when I arrive home, I have my iTunes Christmas play list, which consist of traditional and new music from artists such as Michael Bublé, Karen Carpenter, Michael English, Amy Grant, BJ Thomas, Chris Christian, Glad, Kenny Rogers, Barry Manilow, Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton, Luther Vandross, Vanessa Williams, Nat King Cole, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Michael W. Smith, Gloria Estefan, Steve Kamp, First Call, Stacie Orrico, Bob Segar, Spyro Gyra, Chicago, José Feliciano, Carly Simon, Queen and many others. This is a musical feast of virtue and hope. When it seems the airwaves are dominated by commercials, I simply switch to my 6-CD magazine in my car to listen to my favorite Christmas songs.
