Waiting Rooms at NIH

Hello anyone still checking in. Sorry its been so long. It would seem that life has gotten quite busy, a bit more normal, and somewhat less adventurous (at least where cancer is concerned) for me. To say that life is not adventurous is truly a misstatement though. There is adventure in many things. Since my last posting back in September this year much has happened. I have coached the greatest 5th & 6th grade girls soccer team in the world (with the help of my son Stephen and another good friend Tony), I have played a couple of full 90-minute games of soccer myself, I have hiked Sugerloaf Mountain with Lori and Sam the Wonder Dog and the mountains of the Shenandoah with Lori, Diego (aka Trevor),Theresa and Sam too. Just this past weekend I hosted my now 12 year old daughter's overnight birthday party with 11 guests (9 of which stayed over night). I have traveled for work, but unfortunately not for pleasure. Basically, life is still adventurous but in a much more enjoyable and healthy way these days.

For those wanting to keep track, I have gained some weight back but seem to be stuck between 135 & 139 lbs. I can't seem to break the 140 mark, but that to will come. My new year's resolution is to start working out more diligently so that more muscle mass will form.

However through all these adventurous goings on, the Beast still has its little reminders that it was with me. For example eating (although much easier these days) can still be challenging on occasion. The biggest reminder though is my quarterly scans at NIH. I just had a set of scans this past Monday and will learn the results on 23 December. I anticipate a Merry Christmas from the doctors and a very happy "Unremarkable" answer yet again. Basically I feel good and I believe what my body is telling me!

To change gears here, I would like to tell you all a bit of the NIH experience. Along with the scans, the blood letting for labs, the IV needles to inject contrasts, filling out forms to disclose that I am not allergic to iodine and numerous other things, much of my time is spent waiting in waiting areas. I know, this is totally surprising to consider but alas, it is a realism that medical care requires a bit of waiting around and self entertainment (reading, crosswords, IPOD, etc). One of the ways to entertain ones self is to "people watch." At NIH there are a great many types of folks: doctors, nurses, interns, lab techs, administrators, parking attendants, janitors, construction workers, patients, patient family & friends, old, young, kids adults, mobile, debilitated, accomplished destitute, local, foreign, southern, northern, western, mid-western, Hispanic, Asian, black, white, all creeds, all races, all colors, and all ages (just to name a few). It really is a potpourri of life. It is also easy to realize that the Beast is very indiscriminate as to who it chooses to infect as its victim. I had the pleasure of meeting an elderly African American gentleman while waiting for my CT scan. I'd venture to guess his age at about 70. A very pleasant man who traveled to NIH from Florida for his testing and care. He had been doing so for 4 years already. We talked a while, compared the taste of various barium flavors and then he was called for his turn to get viewed from the inside. Then, I also saw a young boy, probably about 8 years old, hooked up to his chemo IV's walking with his mother, pushing his IV tree, then sitting and awaiting his scan. I marvelled at the dignity and courage his mothered carried about her while having to watch her son be poisoned to be cured of the Beast. But even more incredible, I watch this young boy show such strength and yet such innocence while carrying on his battle with the Beast. This boy was certainly winning the battle in his way. These kids (and inevitably I see a few every time I go to NIH for testing) are just incredible. They know so much, albeit about things I certainly wish they didn't. They are so experienced, again about things I wish they weren't. And they are so inspirational. They smile, they laugh, they bring that certain youthful enthusiasm into a situation that can use a lift in spirits. I will not say that the kids I see at NIH are jumping for joy, believe me they are not. However, many are smiling, joking with their family and care givers, and those that are not, have typically displayed courage beyond explanation. Although saddened by what these children have to go through, I am inspired by how they meet their challenge, accept their burden, and carry on their battle with the Beast. I find these kids very inspirational. I only wish they all could have their happy ending to their battle.

Well, as for me, I am doing well. I am naturally curious about the results of my scans, and am also trying to get ready for the holidays. I wish happy holidays to you all and (of course) good health in the coming new year. And always remember ... LIFE IS GOOD.