Harvest

Last Sunday morning, I walked six miles. Then, I spent the afternoon working in my garden. I dug up a row of potatoes. I rooted after the spuds like a wild pig. I got down on all fours and, with a potato fork acting as my snout, unearthed the crop. I washed and sorted the [...]

Summer Daze

Soon after posting here in August, my wife and I flew to Chicago. There we attended a three-day symposium advocating for the spinal cord injured community. My wife is Executive Director for the organization that hosted the event. I acted as staff photographer. I powered through the busy weekend and the flights all the while [...]

Do Not Hug

Today is getaway day. We expect to arrive home this afternoon. I am tired and bored. There’s little desire to read or write. I lost my strength to explore Seattle. Television’s meaningless braying insults my intelligence, in fact, our collective intelligence. You need only be stuck in front of it for a period of time [...]

Back In Seattle

I feel terrific. My energy level climbed steadily each day I was home. I put in lots of miles walking and puttered in the garden. I spent time with both of my sons. I visited with friends. I ate well. I read and rested. I slept soundly. Monday, we left Hood River in a storm. [...]

Walking, Walking, Walking

Day by day, my strength and stamina improve. Marilyn and I increased the length of our walks each of the last four days. Saturday, we walked the perimeter of Volunteer Park and then a portion of the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Sunday, we drove to Woodinville to visit with friends Kevin and Arlene. Together we ambled [...]

Neutropenia & Cravings

The chemo knocked me back last weekend. I felt like a VW bug with two flat tires trying to climb a hill. I was underpowered, made a lot of noise, and went nowhere. No matter how I sat or lay, the discomfort knotted a different muscle. My cramping bladder tightened an already short leash. Both [...]

Dealing With The Chemo

Yesterday, Marilyn and I walked the peaceful circuit of the Seattle Arboretum. In the balmy evening, we ventured into the northeast hills. We ate dinner at a Thai restaurant. Afterwards, we saw Tell No One, a taut, twisting French mystery playing at The Egyptian theater. Then, the night: It began as pressure in my hips. [...]

4th of July

I have been off all medications for three weeks. I feel good. My energy level has risen. I no longer need frequent naps. I walk everywhere and feel strong climbing hills. The numbers representing those changes are clear in my blood labs. My hematocrit, which measures the percentage of red blood cells, is normal. I [...]

Bring It On & The IMF

It’s HOT in Seattle, as I guess it is everywhere else on the West Coast. Not much air conditioning in these parts, as the sweltering days are few and far between. After the winter and spring we’ve had, the warm weather feels great. On Friday & Saturday we attended a Patient & Family Seminar hosted [...]

SCCA & The Pete Gross House

I’ve been on a drug regimen of thalidomide and steroids since January. (Yes, THAT thalidomide) I also take a blood thinner to counteract the tendency of these drugs to cause blood clots. For those who know me, this is a unique experience. I’ve always enjoyed good health. I’ve never, until this year, required medication other [...]