15 minutes and growing!
Andy Warhol's claim that everyone gets 15 minutes of fame seems to be extending itself for me. I have received 3 e-mails recently asking for my participation in various events...
The first concerns my being willing to have my story and photo featured along the golf course at the Elbit Systems Light The Night Golf Tournament. They plan on having me be one of ten people to be featured. The idea is to take the issue of blood cancer and personalize it for the golfers.
The second involves my being a "Patient Ambassabor" as part of the Team in Training project for two New Hampshire women who are running in the NIKE Woman's Marathon in San Francisco. Again, it involves my sharing my story with them and attending one practice at the end of their training. (I hope that they are not looking for me to keep up with them during their practice - walking on a treadmill isn't quite the same kind of training that they do!). Similar to the golf event, it personalizes blood cancer and gives them another purpose for running.
Lastly, I have been asked to be part of another Team in Training project whereby my photo and story would be part of a postcard project. A graphic designer is going to create postcards as part of the marketing for the Tufts 10K running event coming in the fall. The postcards will be mailed, handed out, and placed in race bags for the runners. Again, the purpose is to personalize blood cancer and help the runners realize that they are raising money for "real people".
I find this all very ironic as I have never really been an athlete. Golfing and running are most certainly not my favorite activities. Bowling is about as strenuous as it ever got for me. Today, the most exercise that I get is dealing cards when we play bridge. But, in truth, I am honored to do it and my initial thought at the beginning of all of this that there was a greater purpose for my contracting leukemia seems to be bearing fruit. I can't and I won't say no because if there is anything that I can do to help others who have contracted some type of blood cancer - count me in.
My journey always seems to be taking new and wonderful turns into a life that I never would have imagined just three short years ago.
A life that I can't imagine being any other way today...
Bob
July 6, 2011 11:15 PM
I won't grow up!
Not me, my son. Every summer he plays softball. This summer he added lacrosse to the mix. So, last night he notified us that his lacrosse game was at our town high school. We went to watch him play. He plays goalie - how can he get hurt? Well, he went down on one knee and bent it too far an ruptured a quad! In a men's over 40 lacrosse league game! Each team is allowed two ringers to play who are under 40 and he was one of them.
As you can guess, mom and dad took him to the hospital and tomorrow he goes to see an orthopedic doctor to get a better determination of his situation. He's on crutches, of course. And, the leg he damaged is his right leg, so that driving does not appear to be an option either. It was an unfortunate turn of events but, when men play boys games, injuries always seem to ensue. But that only happens to "other people" and not to ourselves! Sounds familiar to me as well.
On that note, the first of the two weekly photophoresis visits always includes a CBC blood count update. Looking at today's numbers, I noticed that my hematocrit and hemoglobin have been steadily declining. There is a doctor who comes around and visits each of us while we are there. I asked her about this. She said that the procedure does not return all of the red blood cells that are drawn, thus leading to the change in the numbers. What is supposed to happen is that the body, seeing that decline, begins to ramp up the production of new ones. This takes a while and should not be visible until the 7th or 8th weeks. This is week 5 for me.
Meanwhile, because of the lower counts, I feel more tired than usual and weaker as well. Climbing stairs is more of a chore. I have to admit that I was getting concerned about this as I was told that there were no side effects from photophoresis. Now I am not worried. I can continue my daily activities but I just have to take it somewhat slower. Actually, I have no choice! My body won't let me function at "full speed" as of yet. "Full speed", at my age, means that I can climb a flight of stairs and chew gum at the same time , that I can carry a load of laundry that consists of more than a pair of socks, and that I can outpace anyone who utilizes a walker.
As with everything, this too, shall pass...
Bob
Not me, my son. Every summer he plays softball. This summer he added lacrosse to the mix. So, last night he notified us that his lacrosse game was at our town high school. We went to watch him play. He plays goalie - how can he get hurt? Well, he went down on one knee and bent it too far an ruptured a quad! In a men's over 40 lacrosse league game! Each team is allowed two ringers to play who are under 40 and he was one of them.
As you can guess, mom and dad took him to the hospital and tomorrow he goes to see an orthopedic doctor to get a better determination of his situation. He's on crutches, of course. And, the leg he damaged is his right leg, so that driving does not appear to be an option either. It was an unfortunate turn of events but, when men play boys games, injuries always seem to ensue. But that only happens to "other people" and not to ourselves! Sounds familiar to me as well.
On that note, the first of the two weekly photophoresis visits always includes a CBC blood count update. Looking at today's numbers, I noticed that my hematocrit and hemoglobin have been steadily declining. There is a doctor who comes around and visits each of us while we are there. I asked her about this. She said that the procedure does not return all of the red blood cells that are drawn, thus leading to the change in the numbers. What is supposed to happen is that the body, seeing that decline, begins to ramp up the production of new ones. This takes a while and should not be visible until the 7th or 8th weeks. This is week 5 for me.
Meanwhile, because of the lower counts, I feel more tired than usual and weaker as well. Climbing stairs is more of a chore. I have to admit that I was getting concerned about this as I was told that there were no side effects from photophoresis. Now I am not worried. I can continue my daily activities but I just have to take it somewhat slower. Actually, I have no choice! My body won't let me function at "full speed" as of yet. "Full speed", at my age, means that I can climb a flight of stairs and chew gum at the same time , that I can carry a load of laundry that consists of more than a pair of socks, and that I can outpace anyone who utilizes a walker.
As with everything, this too, shall pass...
Bob
July 4, 2011 11:45 PM
Happy 4th to all!
It was a bittersweet weekend for us. Yesterday, upon returning home in the morning and opening our mail, we learned that our dog that we had given away two and a half years ago had to be put down this past week. Even though we had not seen him over that time span, his new owners had constantly updated us with pictures so that we were still considered to be "surrogate" parents.
But, more to the point, we knew that we had chosen the right people to take care of him when thay returned the check that we sent monthly to pay for his shot for his Addison's Disease which he has had for the past seven years. They have been wonderful to him and, in his own way, he was wonderful to them as well. They are heartbroken just as we are; but, you have to look at all the positives over the years as you knew that eventually the day would come when he would no longer be around. Tomorrow would have been his eleventh birthday.
To celebrate his life and love we have decided to take that last check and use the money to go out to dinner at the restaurant at Canterbury Shaker Village where they frequently went to walk with him. Regis' life has come and gone(I can't cry, but I'm still emotionally upset by the news) and left us with many stories and memories. Our friendship with his other owners has blossomed and continues to grow. There is always a silver lining somewhere in that black cloud.
The rest of the day yesterday was great as we spent it a July 4th(3rd) party given by the brother of a friend of ours. He does this every year but that has been the first time in four years that we have been able to make it. The opportunity to connect with peopl ethat we haven't seen for a while was wonderful and gave us a chance to somewhat forget about the earlier news that we had received. Fine people, fine food, and fine weather - the recipe for a perfect day and fond memories.
Today was a relaxing day spent here at home and then, later in the day, we had a friend over for a simple barbecue, some wine, and some chit chat. A fine way for people of our age to celebrate our country's birthday.
Certainly not a "quiet" weekend with fireworks going on all around us. However, it's another holiday that I've had the opportunity to see. Each day is a blessing in its own way and I thank God that I'm able to be able to say(check that, write) that.
God bless America...
Bob
It was a bittersweet weekend for us. Yesterday, upon returning home in the morning and opening our mail, we learned that our dog that we had given away two and a half years ago had to be put down this past week. Even though we had not seen him over that time span, his new owners had constantly updated us with pictures so that we were still considered to be "surrogate" parents.
But, more to the point, we knew that we had chosen the right people to take care of him when thay returned the check that we sent monthly to pay for his shot for his Addison's Disease which he has had for the past seven years. They have been wonderful to him and, in his own way, he was wonderful to them as well. They are heartbroken just as we are; but, you have to look at all the positives over the years as you knew that eventually the day would come when he would no longer be around. Tomorrow would have been his eleventh birthday.
To celebrate his life and love we have decided to take that last check and use the money to go out to dinner at the restaurant at Canterbury Shaker Village where they frequently went to walk with him. Regis' life has come and gone(I can't cry, but I'm still emotionally upset by the news) and left us with many stories and memories. Our friendship with his other owners has blossomed and continues to grow. There is always a silver lining somewhere in that black cloud.
The rest of the day yesterday was great as we spent it a July 4th(3rd) party given by the brother of a friend of ours. He does this every year but that has been the first time in four years that we have been able to make it. The opportunity to connect with peopl ethat we haven't seen for a while was wonderful and gave us a chance to somewhat forget about the earlier news that we had received. Fine people, fine food, and fine weather - the recipe for a perfect day and fond memories.
Today was a relaxing day spent here at home and then, later in the day, we had a friend over for a simple barbecue, some wine, and some chit chat. A fine way for people of our age to celebrate our country's birthday.
Certainly not a "quiet" weekend with fireworks going on all around us. However, it's another holiday that I've had the opportunity to see. Each day is a blessing in its own way and I thank God that I'm able to be able to say(check that, write) that.
God bless America...
Bob
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
