Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Bigfoot arrived!!!
Through hill and valley, mountain and dale I’ve searched for him and today Dec. 30, 2009 he almost dropped into my lap. He actually came to Crescent City by a somewhat circuitous route. In fact he traveled about 7,500 miles before arriving here from the East Coast.
Linda Davis, a college friend of Sandi's, put him in a cache in Linthicum, Maryland, on Oct. 31, 2004.
http://www.geocaching.com/track/details.aspx?guid=7c912495-a3d8-4cf7-a09a-d480a79c2366
It’s been a great trip.
Lobo
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
My New Year’s Resolutions
After a too long of a period of contemplating the meaning of life by indulging in navel gazing (mine), I’m ready to make some resolutions. I look at my flaws, faults, bad habits, and failed ambitions, and resolve to do better in the future. No, not better at flaws, faults, bad habits, and failed ambitions. Just better.
I’m not saying I’m going to build a house this year, but I’m not saying that I’m not going to build a house this year either. In fact, I’ll view it as a successful year if I don’t shock myself when I have to do some kind of electrical repair.
Next, I want to read more this year. No, I just don’t mean actually reading more of what my students are writing, but reading good literature. Maybe I’ll read the Bible and some Thoreau and maybe, just maybe, I’ll read ‘War and Peace,’ but I doubt it.
I want to visit my doctor more. Not because I think he’s a great guy and I find lab numbers fascinating conversation, but because I really need to be proactive in my own health and because Gonzo needs a fishing buddy.
Next, I want to walk more. Not necessarily that have to get somewhere, but rather because it’s good exercise and Sandi likes to walk. Not necessarily that she has somewhere to go but just because it’s good exercise. See, it’s a win-win. I get to exercise and spend time with the HB. Maybe my ‘love handles’ won’t be too much to handle.
I also resolve to not be a procrastinator in seeking enjoyment. There's really not better day than today to enjoy the fruits of my labor, or the gift of someone else. All too often I wait for the perfect time to use or do something, except from now on. Carpe diem will have an entirely new meaning. It will really mean today. Where’s that 1955 bottle of wine? Oh wait a minute, I don’t like wine.
And, I want to get to the bottom of things and find out just what the hell the ‘nog’ is in egg nog.
Jim
I’m not saying I’m going to build a house this year, but I’m not saying that I’m not going to build a house this year either. In fact, I’ll view it as a successful year if I don’t shock myself when I have to do some kind of electrical repair.
Next, I want to read more this year. No, I just don’t mean actually reading more of what my students are writing, but reading good literature. Maybe I’ll read the Bible and some Thoreau and maybe, just maybe, I’ll read ‘War and Peace,’ but I doubt it.
I want to visit my doctor more. Not because I think he’s a great guy and I find lab numbers fascinating conversation, but because I really need to be proactive in my own health and because Gonzo needs a fishing buddy.
Next, I want to walk more. Not necessarily that have to get somewhere, but rather because it’s good exercise and Sandi likes to walk. Not necessarily that she has somewhere to go but just because it’s good exercise. See, it’s a win-win. I get to exercise and spend time with the HB. Maybe my ‘love handles’ won’t be too much to handle.
I also resolve to not be a procrastinator in seeking enjoyment. There's really not better day than today to enjoy the fruits of my labor, or the gift of someone else. All too often I wait for the perfect time to use or do something, except from now on. Carpe diem will have an entirely new meaning. It will really mean today. Where’s that 1955 bottle of wine? Oh wait a minute, I don’t like wine.
And, I want to get to the bottom of things and find out just what the hell the ‘nog’ is in egg nog.
Jim
Saturday, November 21, 2009
My prostate journey. No, it ain't Cancun
Nov. 18, 2009
A lot has happened since I posted an update on our prostate journey. I say ‘our’ because even though Sandi doesn’t have one, I share. We’ve just about eliminated surgery. No, let me rephrase that, we’ve eliminated surgery unless we receive news that all the proton and radiation facilities in the United States have been bombed back into the stone age. It seems that surgery offers the most full evisceration of one’s prostate problems complete with the most devastating side effects and if I had my druthers, I'd choose not wear a diaper. Gonzo may look good in a diaper, but I don't. Personally, I think I rather keep as much of my original plumbing and parts as possible.
The treatment that seems to be as effective as any of the other treatments and offers the least side-effects while leaving all of a person’s factory-installed parts and materials intact, with the added benefit of not installing radioactive material into a foreign body (such as mine) appears to be Proton Treatment.
At this point we’re pursuing Proton Treatment at Loma Linda University. It is one of only about five places in the country that offers this form of treatment. The downside is the fact that it means spending at least 8 weeks down there complete with being away from home, negotiating living arrangements, transportation, groceries, and just being there. Did I mention that I don't look forward to spending 8 weeks there?
On Nov. 17, I received my latest Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) results from the doctor of the blood draw I had last week. My first elevated PSA number, and the reason that this journey started, was about May 22, 2009. It was 4.8, which is an indication of prostate cancer, but without a biopsy it is only an indicator. I had a biopsy done last July where two of twelve biopsies came back positive for cancer. Today the doctor called and told me that the blood-work results came back with a PSA number of 8.5. So, it has risen 3.7 points in about 6 months. From what I read the PSA number is a controversial indicator and there are a number of factors that have an impact on the number, mainly any kind of strenuous physical activity. Hopefully that includes paddling a kayak and thus would mean that’s where the increased number came from instead of a growth of the cancer.
Today I made contact with Loma Linda and was told that the Blue Cross had OK’ed the consultation and they were submitting paperwork for the procedure. They have tentatively scheduled me for a consultation the week of January 25 with the 8 week treatment to start the following week. At this point we are figuring on me going down there then.
So, I guess the message here is, if you are a man, or know a man, or a man that knows a man, or a woman that knows a man, or a man that knows a woman that knows a man tell them to get their bloodwork done and ask for a PSA test.
Jim
I have a new student in my class. Somewhat small but definitely the best looking one there. Yes, I'll have to break him from putting his fingers in his mouth.
A lot has happened since I posted an update on our prostate journey. I say ‘our’ because even though Sandi doesn’t have one, I share. We’ve just about eliminated surgery. No, let me rephrase that, we’ve eliminated surgery unless we receive news that all the proton and radiation facilities in the United States have been bombed back into the stone age. It seems that surgery offers the most full evisceration of one’s prostate problems complete with the most devastating side effects and if I had my druthers, I'd choose not wear a diaper. Gonzo may look good in a diaper, but I don't. Personally, I think I rather keep as much of my original plumbing and parts as possible.
The treatment that seems to be as effective as any of the other treatments and offers the least side-effects while leaving all of a person’s factory-installed parts and materials intact, with the added benefit of not installing radioactive material into a foreign body (such as mine) appears to be Proton Treatment.
At this point we’re pursuing Proton Treatment at Loma Linda University. It is one of only about five places in the country that offers this form of treatment. The downside is the fact that it means spending at least 8 weeks down there complete with being away from home, negotiating living arrangements, transportation, groceries, and just being there. Did I mention that I don't look forward to spending 8 weeks there?
On Nov. 17, I received my latest Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) results from the doctor of the blood draw I had last week. My first elevated PSA number, and the reason that this journey started, was about May 22, 2009. It was 4.8, which is an indication of prostate cancer, but without a biopsy it is only an indicator. I had a biopsy done last July where two of twelve biopsies came back positive for cancer. Today the doctor called and told me that the blood-work results came back with a PSA number of 8.5. So, it has risen 3.7 points in about 6 months. From what I read the PSA number is a controversial indicator and there are a number of factors that have an impact on the number, mainly any kind of strenuous physical activity. Hopefully that includes paddling a kayak and thus would mean that’s where the increased number came from instead of a growth of the cancer.
Today I made contact with Loma Linda and was told that the Blue Cross had OK’ed the consultation and they were submitting paperwork for the procedure. They have tentatively scheduled me for a consultation the week of January 25 with the 8 week treatment to start the following week. At this point we are figuring on me going down there then.
So, I guess the message here is, if you are a man, or know a man, or a man that knows a man, or a woman that knows a man, or a man that knows a woman that knows a man tell them to get their bloodwork done and ask for a PSA test.
Jim
I have a new student in my class. Somewhat small but definitely the best looking one there. Yes, I'll have to break him from putting his fingers in his mouth.
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