February 26, 2009 11:45 PM 91 days to go

Today was another good day for me healthwise.

But it was not a good day newswise because I found out that someone I had worked rather closely with at times over the years has about 1 week to live. If I understand it correctly, he has some kind of blood disorder - whether leukemia or not, I don't know. A friend of mine went to the hospital to see him once he heard the news and said that the situation didn't look good even though, in conversation, the sick man said that he fully intended to get back to work. I certainly hope and pray that that comes to pass - but from all indications, I sincerely doubt it. That's one of the most frustrating things about all of his, I can't go to the hospital to visit him and I cannot go to the wake and funeral to offer my condolences to his wife and son. All I can do is offer prayers for both him and his family which I am doing.

I tried to call him on the phone but I was unsuccessful in reaching him. Honestly, I would have to say that maybe it was for the better that I didn't reach him because I really was not sure what I would have said to him. I know that God would have given me words to say, but I would always wonder how comforting they would have been to him. My friend had the same problem as well. So they talked about old times and I guess that I could have fallen back on that as well.

It is so hard when things are not going well to find things to say that could possibly cheer someone up. Fortunately, for all of you(and me!), things have gone extremely well in my case and that makes it so much easier to talk about everything that I have undergone. Unlike my dying coworker who wished to keep his condition to himself and his family - and I can understand the reasons for that - I chose the exact opposite approach at the very beginning when I had no clue how this was all going to play out. I was fully prepared to keep the blog going even if things did not go the way that we have all wanted to see them go. It probably would not have been an every day endeavor, however, if my condition had worsened. I know, for example, one day late in my first chemo treatment, I was so tired that I really did not have the energy to do that day's entry. However, they gave me 2 units of blood and I perked right up and was able to continue on with no problem.

Change of subject here. Every month, the Milford fire department has a general meeting for the firefighters for which dinner is provided by one of the members. As payback for the extreme generosity of the firefighters, my wife and daughter stepped in tonight to furnish that need. I am deeply indebted to both of them for their hard work. I am sure that the firefighters were pleased as well by the homecooked food.

Tomorrow is the third and last visit to the clinic for the week. Next week starts the once a week Wednesday schedule. Hopefully, I am on the rebound and get in and out quickly. However, it is more important that I get the treatment that I need even if it means a lengthy stay.

So, I'll let you know tomorrow how it all worked out...

Bob