Keeping Busy & Focused

Ingeborg Helmersen

I have noticed in the past that many folks being treated for any variety of cancers commence upon a journey that remains virtually self-focused and eventually leads to a defeatist attitude, though verbally they display 'high hopes' for wellness - one can visually see the plastic-like emotions behind their fading hope the same as one can observe the false happiness of a salesperson.

Anne Ousland

Personally, I kept working every day and writing on my fiction stories when possible. Now I will embark on a journey of total internal remodeling project (see pics of our new small home) during the waning away of the side effects of treatment.

Bertha Torbjoernsen

I do know that years of treatment will (can wear one down - just this one year was more than enough for me. One becomes extremely tired of not sleeping more than an hour at a time throughout the nights, going every day for radiation treatments, having your 'malady' in front of your eyes instead of on the pathway behind you, etc.

Rasmus Strømme

But... my point is... make an attempt to find something to focus on. Maybe a hobby, taking up line-dancing, book binding, music, drama... anything to enjoy life, whether you have a few months or dozens of years ahead.

Rasmus Strømme

 Eventually I plan to write a short story (or Flash Fiction) piece dealing with "Numbering Our Days" and making the most of them.

Until next time... have a wonderful Holiday Season and end of year 2012!

Photo by me

The paintings are from the early 1900s and onward and by various artists – the first painting was created by my wife’s grandmother. The home in the foreground (right side) is our newly purchased home.

My Only Friend, The End...

No, not the Doors' song 'The End', but I had my final injection on Monday the 15th of October 2012.

I had a different nurse than the previous 3 injections and this one hurt. I also was well aware that it was an implant going into the stomach lining, whereas before it went so smooth I had no idea anything had been blasted into that area.

Stopped the laxative, the pills to soften the bladder wall and finished radiation all last Tuesday. Still need to use the john 2-3 times in a row (5 minutes) about every hour at night and can hardly wait for this side effect to dissipate.

Working every day and did not take any sick leave time - it's best to keep going and focus on your goals. That way you will never have time to worry about anything... if you are the worrying type. If you 'know' God is always in control, then you will be fine no matter what your experience entails anyway.

English actor Geoffrey Hughes has passed away

English actor Geoffrey Hughes has passed away

2 February 1944 – 27 July 2012

Prostate cancer has claimed the life of one of my favorite English actors. I am fortunate enough to have his personalized autographed picture hanging on the wall here by my desk. I sent him a birthday greeting a number of years ago, not expecting anything in response, but out of his big heart he replied.

I especially enjoyed him as the character "Onslo" in the British sitcom "Keeping Up Appearances" - a must see for you Americans.

An excerpt from Wikipedia:

As well as a wide range of TV and film appearances, Hughes was best known for a series of supporting roles in popular UK television dramas. He played Vernon Scripps in the British drama series Heartbeat (2001–05, 2007); Twiggy in the popular television comedy The Royle Family (1998–2000, 2006, 2008); Onslow in the sitcom Keeping Up Appearances (1990–95) and Eddie Yeats in the soap opera Coronation Street (1974–83, 1987).

R.I.P. Mr. Hughes

7.5 Weeks of Radiation

Yes, this is the place I lay down upon every week day.


Five weeks of radiation beam treatment are over with only 17 additional 'focused' zaps to go.


I have felt a lot more fatigued this past week and have that stiff pain in my neck and those nagging background headaches.


Looking forward to it all being over and the side effects to wind down - the oncologist said side effects can endure for six months.

Glowing Report – Feeling Radiant!

I'm almost halfway through my radiation treatments and don't notice any overly intolerable side effects.


I can hardly wait to be done with this portion and my final injection one week later!


Then... it will probably be about 3-4 months for that final injection's side effects to wear away.

Then I'm home free!

Rays of Hope!

Tomorrow commences my 37 weekdays in a row treatment with beams of radiation.

I have taken the paraffin liquid for over a week already and was surprised that it was not bad at all - at least compared to one of those fad oil drinking diets where one uses fowl tasting oils.

I found that over the past 10 days or so I have been literally exhausted by 19:30 each evening and force myself to stay up until 20:00 or 20:30, but still must get up at least every hour to use the restroom due to the 'feeling' of need. I am also experiencing joint pains in my wrists and right ankle - may have hip pains in the near future according to the side-effect list.

Looking forward to after my last radiation rays on October 9 followed by my last shot on October 15. Then just a few months until that shot's side effects wear down and all is back to normal.

Where's Doctor McCoy when you need him the most?

Counting Sheep

Counting Sheep

or

Counting on Sheep?

It gets wearisome after 6+ months of light and short sleep intervals. Counting on the practice of counting sheep is only relaxing at best.


The good news is... two more of those shots and the reasons for sleeping short 20 minute to 1 hour 'naps' should start to wind away 3-4 months after the last injection during week 42.


Onward I go... into the blue!