25% of the Way

This past Wednesday, I received the third of my scheduled chemotherapy infusions. So that puts me 25% of the way to the end, barring any unforeseen need for changes. So far, except for a considerable degree of tiredness and lethargy during the roughly fourth and fifth days after each cycle, side effects have been quite manageable and/or minimal. The prognosis continues to be that once this chemo regimen is completed, the chances of a reoccurrence of the cancer are very low. While I am going through this regimen, I have been again advised to limit contact, so we are being very cautious about any visits or times we need to be away. I continue to feel very fortunate while at the same time have great empathy for other individuals I know are facing much more difficult cancer recoveries.

I have continued to be active during most of the latter week or more of each cycle. Enjoying time in my woodworking shop has been good for me. I completed building a small library table for my son-in-law Peter, which he expects to pick up sometime later this month.

I have a couple of other projects in the works now. I am making some small keepsake boxes, and I'm building a bench for use at the foot of our bed. This latter item is being made from some cherry lumber that I salvaged from three logs my friend Richard had me help him remove from a tree that was damaged during the derecho storm of a couple years ago. A local mill got about 60 board feet of usable lumber from those logs. Having this bench come from that tree will make it extra special for us.

In addition to woodworking, I keep reading books. Recently completed books include: The Latinest by Mark Prins, The Bone People by Keri Hulme, The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin, The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, and several others. Currently, I'm reading a fascinating book that I highly recommend: Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James W. Loewen. This book dovetails in very important ways with many of the (in my humble opinion, wrong-headed) current events aimed at book censorship and constraints on the teaching profession (e.g. the attempts to forbid use of such resources as th 1619 Project). Those who have read Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States will surely enjoy Loewen's book as well.

Of course we have been watching lots of Hawkeye men's and women's basketball. The spectacular run that our men's team had late in the season came to a crashing and depressing end yesterday with their unexpected loss in the first round of the NCAA tournament. We look forward to the women's first round game this afternoon to lift our spirits back up a bit, not that basketball is so important. Still, it is good entertainment. At least the baseball lockdown has ended, so I eagerly look forward to some MLB games.

Spring is coming! Have seen at least one robin in our yard. Best wishes to all my readers!

3/4/2022 Medical Update

Some of you reading this will know the complete story of my current bout with cancer. Others will not. For them, here is a quick snapshot of events leading to today. On December 7th of last year, events took me to the Emergency Room at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC). There, over a few days of tests, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. On January 12th, I had surgery to resection my colon and remove the tumor. Subsequently, biopsy and other results determined that this was a stage 3 case, meaning that the cancer was localized in my abdominal region. However, this also meant that cancer cells or micro tumors had quite probably escaped the colon, so my oncologist put me on a chemotherapy regimen called FOLFOX, which involves twelve chemo infusions spaced two weeks apart for a total time period of 24 weeks or about 6 months. I had a medical port "installed" in my upper right chest on February 14th for Valentines Day and for delivery of the infusions. As of yesterday, I have had two of these infusions The surgery and the infusions have all gone very well for me. I was released after surgery after only two nights in the hospital and recovered at home quite quickly. The chemo treatments have been quite tolerable. One drug is administered at the UIHC Infusion Center, and the second I take home with an attached pump for delivery over a 46 hour period (as I write this, I have about 27 hours to go on this second round). Side effects are minimal or manageable. Fortunately so far, I've had no nausea to deal with, don't anticipate much hair loss (don't have any anyway), and have not had much trouble with the reaction to cold that one of the drugs induces. I do have some lethargy and naps have become a part of nearly every day, and my oncologist says this feeling of tiredness is likely to continue and increase. However, in most every way, I'm leading quite a normal life with lots of reading, a bit of outdoor yard and walking activity (which I intend to do more of as the weather continues to improve), and some woodworking (I've nearly completed building a library table for one of my dear sons-in-law, Peter).

So, now switching to the actual update! Yesterday, after preparation of my port for access and the usual blood draws, I met with my oncologist, Dr. Sharif, who along with nearly all the UIHC personnel with whom I interact I have found to be caring, supportive, friendly, and fully forthcoming with information and help. As an example, check out this technician, one of the fun people who draws my blood and prepares my port. She is a riot, should probably be a stand-up comedian, and makes having to be in a hospital much easier. (Her sign reads, "Vampire Headquarters." Check out the smile in her eyes!) The nurses in the Infusion Center and in the surgical units have also been terrific.

Dr. Sharif opened our visit beaming with two pieces of information. Two test results were just in--one related to the research study in which I agreed to participate, and the other from a special laboratory test for an Immunoscore. In both cases, the results were excellent and indicate that the chemo regimen I am on is the correct one for my condition and that once completed the probability of a recurrence of my cancer is very low. The study and each test involves further DNA and other analysis of my tumor and blood in order to facilitate detection of still existing cancer cells and/or the ability of my immune system to fight the cancer. For those of you who are interested in lots of detail, you can read about the research study by clicking here and the Immunoscore test by clicking here.

From the outset, so many of you have been supportive and encouraging and you continue to be so. As examples, I got several deliveries of flowers, something I'm most definitely not used to. (I'm good. Don't need more.) They lasted a very, very long time and were a cheerful greeting each morning. The balloon is still riding high, and the dear ones who sent it to me, along with the flowers, said it was good to know that my balloon and my mood and emotional state continue to ride high. My sweet sister sent me a special "Get Well Spoon", a special soup bowl, and even a first instance of chicken soup to mix up in it. A neighbor brought two quarts of homemade chicken noodle soup. Another friend made me a special small pillow that has become a daily companion, even on trips to the Infusion Center. Others of you have generously shared books or book recommendations--I'm deeply grateful for both. Thanks to all of you for caring.

Nearly everyone who has reached out to me in cards, letters, or emails has said, "If there is anything we can do for you, you need only ask." Well last night, while I was unable to sleep for a stretch of time (during which I decided to resurrect this blog and even mentally composed this entry), I decided there is something I want to ask. Since all of your expressions of prayer, encouragement, support, karma, or whatever have obviously been so successful (see good news above), I am asking you to consider turning your attention to the following list as well. Any progress you can make on any of these will also mean a lot to me (and likely insure a special place in heaven, whatever that may be, for each of you). Most of these are of paramount importance--a few are just for fun. What follows is my "op-ed" portion and mostly diverts from medical news.

• I have found that having cancer really sensitizes me to mentions of the disease and to awareness of others who are facing it. I have become recently aware of a few other cases that involve really difficult circumstances, and I now feel so much for them. I am very lucky so far it seems, and so I wish I could share my good fortune or lift burdens from others. I hope you will keep others in your thoughts the same way you have kept me in yours.
• Stop Putin and the insane attack on Ukraine. When is it OK to arbitrarily destroy a peaceable nation?
• The dangerous climate change situation in which we find ourselves demands our attention. Anything we can do to stop the change and to direct resources and action to turning it around should be paramount. Protecting our natural resources and parks is a part of this.
• Just as critical if not more so is the attention and resources we need to restore to the problems of racial injustice, equal voting rights and access, and respect for and embracing of diversity. Our educational systems are under attack and even symbolic "book burning" is back. Where has reasonableness gone?
• Stop treating the work of our public health officials and our governmental actions re same with such disdain. Isn't it the job of government, among other things, to protect its citizens? How in the world did a deadly disease become a political issue?
• I don't care whether the answer it to fund or defund the police. I do care that we make sure that the slogan seen on many law enforcement vehicles, which is "To Serve and Protect", is the basis for the way in which law enforcement is conducted and authorized. Police cannot be judge and jury. There has been too much use of deadly force. We expect too much of our police and should be using other resources too, like our mental health and other social service agencies.
• We need to restore our system of elected representation to one that incorporates at least a two-party form that is built on useful debate, bi-partisanship approaches, and mutual respect. In particular, I suggest that although both parties need to reexamine themselves for change, we most definitely need to see the rooting out of the growing part of the Republican party that is based on nothing but "no", dangerous forms of dictatorial demagoguery and even despotism. I long to see once again the Republican party of my parents generation, when principle and reason prevailed.
• Keep the good vibes flowing for the Iowa Hawkeye men's and women's basketball teams as they compete in post-season games. They have been remarkably fun to watch this year.
• Anyone who can get Major League Baseball and the players to resolve their differences so that we can once again watch the games I so love will get extra thanks from me.

So that's all I have for now. Stay tuned!