To all of Joe's friends and family (and campers),

     This blog has been Joe's vehicle that helped him travel through his fight against this disease. Joe was such a kind and brave man and although he was suffering, he always thought of others, and could even find the humor in a terrible situation, pretty much until his last hour.  This was evident in his entries in this blog. Although I feel a bit like an intruder, I have decided to close out Joe's blog with some final words.  First and foremost, thank you to everyone who followed along with Joe on his path.  Your comments were always such a comfort to Joe and it helped him immensely.  He felt so much love and support from his friends and family.

    Kate, Adrienne, Joey, Elizabeth and I hope you will participate in the events on October 29th to celebrate Joe’s life.  There will be a mass a 10:00 am at Incarnation Church, 2911 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota FL 34239.  Later that day, from 1:00 until 4:00, there will be a celebration of Joes life at a place he loved so much, WSLR/Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota FL 34236.  Joe loved not only hosting his radio show, but he loved hearing all the wonderful live music at Fogartyville.  To all Joe's musical friends, please consider sharing a song or two at the service in Joe's honor.  Please call me at 941-320-1351 or email elaine.terzi@gmail.com  if you would like to be a part of this celebration.  In the following entry, Joe’s son captures his father's spirit.

•••

On the night of August 16th, while surrounded by family and loved ones, my dad peacefully passed. He was in the midst of battling a second round of cancer and a string of other respiratory diseases that were making it progressively harder for him to breathe. Everything moved so much faster than any of us wanted or expected it to. Even when you can see the writing on the wall, you still never want to throw out hope. It's the same reason you stick around til the bottom of the 9th, even if you're on your last out down and by 10 runs. Sometimes miracles happen, so you just have to play your hardest and leave it all on the field. That's what my dad did.

When I was in 5th grade, my dad took my to my first ever concert: R.E.M. with Radiohead opening. They played at what was then known as the Thunderdome, but has since become Tropicana Field, where we’d later watch the Rays play. We were pretty much as far back as you could get in the crowd and the bands looked like ants on the stage, but being there with my dad was pure magic. He taught me about this musical Mecca in the middle of Georgia called Athens and pretty much kick started my love affair with music that made me who I am now, and probably subconsciously led me to where I am today. The other week when I was back in Atlanta I went to see the Julie Ruin, and in the preamble before one of the songs Kathleen Hanna told the crowd about how the next song they were going to play was about her abusive father, and I just completely zoned out. All I could think about was how I was not only fortunate enough to have a dad who was always present, but also one who was so compassionate, nurturing, and loving. A dad who always put others above himself and went out of his way to help others. A dad who was so brilliant that I was convinced he would not only one day make it onto Jeopardy, but would be the reigning champ. A dad who was so full of optimism and positivity that no matter how bad things seemed, would find a way to adjust the focus so you could see that “life is good”. A dad so full of humor that at the onset of his diagnosis made it a point to make every doctor he encountered laugh at least once (and he did). A dad who has influenced so many lives and left such an impression that even though it may seem like he is not here will live on forever.

On my way back up to Atlanta I stopped off in St. Pete and made an impromptu trip to Tropicana Field to catch the Rays one more time, something I had wanted to do just once more with my dad but never got a chance. In the 6th inning they played an ad for Moffitt Cancer Center in honor of cancer survivors right before Evan Longoria came to bat. I quietly asked Evan, whose career we followed from the beginning, to hit a homerun in honor of my dad. On a 2-2 count, he pulled through and launched one into the left field stands. That’s for you dad.                                

•••

                I will close Joe’s blog in his own words.  No matter what adversity he faced, this was his way of looking at life.  He closed every radio show he hosted with these positive words:

"Go forth in peace and love, remembering the way it was, savoring each and every second of the way it is, and always, always, always looking forward to the way it is going to be, cause every day truly is better than the day before"  Joe Jacco.

Across the Great Divide

Well, Campers, I wish I was going to be talking about the great Kate Wolf song with the same title as this post.  But. . .

I fear I may have used up my allotment of miracles.  After every part of my body was poked, probed, scanned, inspected, and detected with none being neglected, the findings were a blood clot in my left lung, pneumonitis (an infection of the lungs), an increase in the pulmonary fibrosis, and a massive decline in overall lung health.  The irony is that this is right on the heels of improvements of the initial cancer.  Another irony is that some of of the treatment working against the cancer may be helping the disintegration of the lungs.  One of the drawbacks of fighting two terminal diseases concurrently.  To paraphrase and channel my inner Tennessee Ernie Ford "If the first don't get ya, the next one will."

So, the grand plan is that I stay in the ICU until the point that my oxygen requirements are low and stable enough to let me leave the hospital and in the meantime, open a dialog with Hospice to see what needs to be done so I can receive their services while still living at home.  This would most likely entail bringing in a hospital bed and setting up the required oxygen delivery system.  Then, they would provide a home caregiver on an "as needed" basis and the medications to ease any pain.  Fortunately, there are a lot of you out there to provide moral, spiritual, and emotional support.  All will be needed, I'm sure, on this race to the finish line.  (A slow, slow race, I'm hoping.)  As some of you know, we had an excellent experience with Hospice when David passed and then again a few months ago when my mother-in-law Norma passed in Venice.  My hopes are the same that David expressed 11 years ago.  He wanted to die at home with as little pain as possible.  And that's how it rolled, with him surrounded by loving friends and family.

Years ago, when Chicago Bears great Walter Payton was diagnosed with cancer, a feeble-minded sportswriter asked him if he was scared.  Walter looked in the eyes and said "Damn right I'm scared." If the man who retired as the NFL rushing leader could admit to being scared of what he was facing, I can too.  But I will face it with as much strength as I can muster and will live with as much enjoyment and love as I can.

Till next time, peace and love to one and all!!!
Joe

When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. . .

Well, Campers, one more day is turning out far different than I expected.  On Tuesday, I went to Moffitt for my three week check up and infusion.  The good news is the the cancer seems to have stabilized - no new growth.  Then Wednesday, I began to feel bushed and had difficulty breathing.  Well today, Thursday, was worse.  I never was able to catch my breath.  I talked to Elaine who's still  up with the grandkids in NJ and she said I should get myself to the ER.  So Joey drove me here and I'm in the process of getting checked in to the Sarasota Memorial Hilton for a few days.  More news will be posted as it comes available.

Peace and love to all!,
Joe

Yes, I'm Still Around. . .

OK, Campers, much to catch up on. . . First, on Tuesday, July 26, we welcomed our new grandson, Marshall Albert Klinek, into the world!! Mom, Dad, big sister, and baby are all doing fine.  And Amelia adores her baby brother.  She's already tried to feed him a banana in case he was hungry.  Elaine went up to NJ to help out and will be there for two weeks.  In her absence, her sister Diane is down from Seattle to look after me and Joey and Tabatha will be down from Atlanta this coming weekend to spell her off.  I'll be in good hands!! 👐

All in all, I'm feeling pretty good, though I did have a scary escapade.  For a few days, I was having severe shortness of breath, even when I was sitting.  Turns out, I was in the throes of anxiety.  I'm now taking Xanax daily and all is much better.  And I began cardiopulmonary therapy a few weeks ago.  So three times a week, I go for an hour of treatment where they claim to be making me better by trying to slowly kill me.  The sessions consist of 15 minutes on a treadmill, 15 minutes on a stationary bike, a couple of weight machines, and some stretching.  Needless to say, I sleep well the nights of therapy.

And Elaine's family's family reunion was held a couple of weeks ago on Siesta Key right here in sunny and scenic Sarasota.  It was a really good time and I really enjoyed seeing everyone.  And one and all were quite effusive in their love and support.  Those are some really special people.

It seems like there was so much more I had to say, but I can't remember.  Oh well, I'll have more for later!!

Peace and Love to All!!!
Joe

That Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Kid Sure Plays a Mean Pinball

 OK, Campers, a wish was fulfilled!!  This past Monday, our daughter Liz packed me up and took me out to play pinball!!  Needless to say, my game wasn't up to my misspent youth, but I didn't embarrass myself, either.  Between the two of us, we won nine free games (we paid for ten) and got a pretty good return on our investment.  Which reminds me. . . When I first started playing the silver ball, it was a nickel a game.  The last time I played, it was up to a quarter.  Now, the toll sits at a dollar a game. . .  No complaints, though.  I had a blast!!

And keeping with the spirit of entertainment, Elaine and I went out last Saturday to see Passerine, one of our favorite local bands.  Since I had my newest portable oxygen tank which operates silently, I was not a nuisance to those patrons nearest us.

It turns out I've been claiming an incorrect disease.  Instead of bronchiolitis, I have bronchiectasis, which in an inflammation of the airways and a buildup of mucous.  This is definitely more in line with what I've got.  Both sound more like the names of dinosaurs. . .

Finally, I'm going to begin pulmonary therapy in a couple of weeks to hopefully get some muscle tone back.  Should be interesting as I am abysmally out of shape.

That's it for now!!

Peace and Love!!
Joe

Thoughts from a Wandering Mind

OK, Campers.  It's a little of this and a little of that. . .

First, thanks for all the kind words for my mother-in-law.  Her passing was not unexpected, but the finality of the actual event is a jolt.  Fortunately, all of her children were in town for her final days.  Elaine is grieving but is at peace, as am I.

Moving on, I've been experiencing what I think is an odd phenomenon in my sleeping patterns, maybe since I'm sleeping so much.  But my dreams will often reference a previous dream.  For instance, a few weeks ago, I dreamt that I was going to build a fence with my brother-in-law Frenchy at the end of his yard.  Then at least twice since then, my dreams have sort of picked up where that one left off.  And since the original dream was so vivid, I began to wonder if it was real.  Of course, that possibility is highly unlikely as I live 1000 miles away, he's 81, and I'm disabled.

And speaking of memories, I recently got an email from my childhood friend Anthony, who still lives in the old hometown.  His message brought back a flood of pleasant memories of that time and place. Now I did not have an ideal childhood, but it was pretty close.  I feel that the 'small town' values instilled then have served me well throughout life.

Finally, I've been reading an anthology of science fiction novellas that my friend Will lent me which includes The Time Machine by H. G. Wells.  That particular story reminded me why 'science' fiction is also known as 'speculative'  fiction.  Many of the stories about a dystopian future are filled with social and political commentary, such the aforementioned Time Machine as well as Fahrenheit 451 and 1984. And though it painted a rosier picture, Edward Bellamy's Looking Backward also falls into the realm of social and political commentary.

Enough for now. I have more reading to do!!

Peace and Love,
Joe

Hearts Are Heavy

Well, Campers, I come with you tonight with a heavy heart.  My 94-year old mother-in-law Norma crossed the great divide yesterday after an amazing struggle.  She hung on as long as she could and all six of her children were in town for her final days.  As my brother-in-law Mark said, she fouled off about 92 pitches before they snuck a curve ball by her.  I only knew her for about seven years and wish it would have been for longer.  But that was long enough to know that she was something special. She will be (and already is) missed.

As for me, I'm holding steady.  As I said, I really don't have a bucket list, but realized that, of all the weird things, I want to play a pinball machine one more time.  I used to be pretty good back in my misspent youth and whiled away many an hour flipping the silver ball.  Our daughter Liz has taken on the challenge of finding a secluded machine in a nearby dive bar where we can play in peace and quiet as I know I will be a spectacle of incompetence and long-gone reflexes.  But it will be fun!!

Along those lines, I was reminded of my son David's final weeks, when, after watching the World Series of Poker endlessly on TV, he decided that he wanted to play Texas Hold 'Em in a real casino one time.  So his friends took him and $100 north to Tampa to the Hard Rock Cafe where his wish was fulfilled.  He started out on a hot streak and doubled his money.  But, as the night wore on, he eventually lost everything.  But he had fun!  🎰

Idle thoughts. . .  I have to say that cancer has changed me in many ways and one has been that, like Blanche DuBois, I have often depended on the kindness of strangers, as well as that of friends and family.  I am no longer too proud to ask for help, even in doing the simplest things, as even those simple things now wear me out.  Taking a shower is an ordeal and it takes me about 15 minutes of rest afterward just to feel almost normal again.  But, this will be my newest normal since my lung disorders are irreversible.  So, even if they stop spreading today, I will still need my walker and oxygen the rest of my life.  But once again, I still have that precious life to cling to so I'm not complaining.  Life is good!!

At that, it's about time to sign off and prepare to watch Jeopardy!!

Peace and Love!!
Joe

Another Long Overdue Update

Well, Campers, it has been way too long. . .  Mea culpa. . .  But here goes. . .

Actually, the major story is not me but my 94-year old mother-in-law who has the kindest heart and gentlest soul you could ever hope to find.  Unfortunately, that heart is about to give out.  On the up side, all six of her children are now or have just been in town to visit (two live locally).  But the world will be a little bit drearier when she's gone.

As for the state of my health, I'm doing pretty good.  As of my last CT scan about three weeks ago, there is no new growth in my lungs and what cancer is there has broken up.  So the regimen of immunotherapy is having a positive effect.  What's more troublesome now are the two ancillary lung diseases - bronchiolitis, which is damage to the air sacs, and pulmonary fibrosis, which is damage to the lining of the lungs.  These are what are contributing to my shortness of breath and subsequent fatigue.  And though the spread of these conditions can be slowed, the damage already done is irreversible.  About two weeks ago, I was given prescriptions for an antibiotic and a steroid, and they seem to be helping as I still get short of breath but recover quicker and some of my aches and pains are gone.  So, I'm doing pretty good for a guy with three potentially terminal diseases!!!

OK, now for some stream-of-consciousness ramblings. . .  Our daughter Liz has moved in with us after relocating from Brooklyn to begin grad school at USF next year.  My son Joey and his girlfriend Tabatha are visiting from Atlanta for a week and brought us a dog.  Due to some pending logistics changes and temperament issues, Elaine and I will be fostering Riot, a Rottweiler/Other mix.  It will be good to have a pet in the house again.

And since I'm on immunotherapy and not full-blown chemo, my hair has grown back.  They say bald is sexy, but when I was bald, I looked like Gandhi. . .  What's sort of weird is that my beard on my neck no longer grows so I can shave in half the time that I used to take.

On the philosophical front, my mother-in-law's ordeals right now remind me of my son David's final days 11 years ago.  Between the two of them, I see both my own past and future.  And, yes, it is just a bit scary.  But, I'll be around for a while longer and will take advantage of and enjoy the time I have.  At my weekly support group, the question often arises of what will we do with the rest of our lives, however long that may be.  For me, it's rather simple.  I really don't have a bucket list and have pretty much accomplished most of what I want to in life,  I just want to keep doing what I've been doing on my forced retirement - reading, web surfing, and working puzzles.  I am a simple man with simple desires.  And I enjoy getting visitors since I don't get out much - gives me the chance to keep up with what's going on in the outside world and to enjoy it vicariously.  Oh, I'll go to Wednesday night team trivia challenge as long as I draw breath!!

OK, Jeopardy is on, so it's time to sign off for now.  I should be going back to Moffitt next week for treatment, so will craft my next update after that.

Peace and Love to All!!
Joe

Long Overdue Update

Yes, Campers, it has been a while.   No excuse other than sheer lack of ambition. But, here goes. . .

 Since I can’t remember what I told you last, I’ll give a little background.  I had been on weekly chemo, but the cocktail of three drugs I was receiving whacked my blood platelet count to an unacceptable level.  So, in the interim, I was cut back to only one of the drugs which was a little kinder on my blood, but was not enough to effectively fight the disease. So, a couple of months ago, I was put on a regimen of immunotherapy.  So now, I go every three weeks for an infusion of Keytruda, which is the drug that worked for Jimmy Carter.  Oh, and I pretty much have to use a wheeled walker to get around and am on oxygen 24/7.  I really suck at hide-and-seek now as all you have to do to find me is follow my air hose.

 And, so far, I think that the treatment is having some effect.  I generally feel better and do not get as short of breath after any activity like I has been.  But, even at that, there have been no extensions to my projected shelf life.  According to the averages, if the treatment works, I should be gracing this world for at least eight months, but most likely more than that.  If the treatment does not work, I’m looking at four to six months.  Now, let me hasten to add that these numbers are based on averages.  I consider nothing about me to be as pedestrian as ‘average’.  I’m planning on hanging around for a while.

 My activities have been somewhat curtailed, though I have been to a few shows at WSLR and have made it down to Venice to visit Elaine’s Mom on a few occasions.  I still go to Team Trivia Challenge every Wednesday evening and my weekly support group meetings every Thursday afternoon.  I don’t trust myself to drive so Elaine and my friends Karen and Will have served admirably as my chauffeurs.  I would be lost without my support team.

 Man, nothing like a keyboard in front of me to make my mind go blank.  I spend my days reading, surfing FaceBook, and working puzzles.  My former workmates have done a great job in keeping me supplied with puzzle books and other goodies.  A group from Tropics has been by a couple of times as well as my buddy Ken every couple of weeks.  I seem to draw energy from visitors.

 Speaking of visitors, my sister Connie and brother-in-law Frenchy were here a few weeks ago with my nephew Len from Houston.  They will be back sometime in April along with my niece Madeline and her husband Brad.  And my daughters Liz and Adrienne, son-in-law Eric, and granddaughter Amelia will be down for a few days over April 1^st.  And my son Joey is looking to come down sometime in May.  And I can’t forget my daughter Kate with the grandkids Jennifer and David who are frequent visitors.

 OK, enough of Old Home Week. . .  I’ve been enjoying March Madness on TV as the tournament is possibly my favorite sporting event of the year.  Always good for a few surprises, like Michigan State getting knocked off.  Sadly, my Pitt Panthers followed their normal pattern of one and done, this year getting knocked off by Wisconsin.  Only solace is that WI is Liz’ alma mater.  And baseball season will be firing up soon and that will mean televised games.  Life is good!!

 On that note, I’ll sign off for now.  Hopefully, the next update won’t take as long.

 Peace and love to all,

Joe

A Change Is in the Wind

Well, campers, today was another trip to Moffitt.  And again, I'm not totally sure what to make of it, so I'll just accept everything at face value and assume it's all for the best.  After being consistently low, my blood platelet count reached an acceptable level.  The last three trips found the count low so I could only receive one chemo drug instead of the usual three in the cocktail.  But since the full doses make my blood wonky, the decision was made to take a couple of weeks off and then turn to a regimen of immunotherapy, which is meant to boost my immune system to fight the cancer.  Depending upon what I qualify for, I may be placed into one of two clinical trials, or may receive a different drug on what they call a compassionate use basis.  This means using a drug that was developed for one type of cancer on another type.  In my case, I would be getting a drug that had been developed for melanoma and some types of lung cancer but has also shown to be effective against head and neck cancers.  So we shall see what we shall see. . .

All in all, I'm mostly doing OK.  Tired and mucousy, but that will probably define the rest of my life. My weight is good and, one more time, other than having cancer, I'm in great health.

And there will be several visitors in the next few weeks.  Our daughter Adrienne and her husband Eric and our granddaughter Amelia will be arriving Thursday from Brooklyn for a few days.  Then my sister Connie and brother-in-law Frenchy will be down from PA along with their son Len from Houston.  They will be here the first weekend of March.  All is good!!

Oh, and some folks from my old job at Tropics Software will be stopping by tomorrow afternoon.  That will likewise be fun.

So, peace and love till next time!
Joe

Remembering David and just When I Thought Things Couldn't Get Weirder. . .

OK, Campers, lots to talk about today. . .

First, this is the 11^th anniversary of my son David’s passing from melanoma.  As always, I think of him every day, but on this day, the memories are a little sharper.  But this year will be a little different than others.  Usually, Elaine and I go to the Ringling Bayfront to watch the sunset from what was David’s favorite spot.  My own health issues and the fact that it’s cold here today (I know, you non-Floridians are guffawing that some of us consider temperatures in the 60’s as cold) preclude that and David would be the first to call me an idiot for standing out in the cold wind in my weakened state.  And then after sunset, we would return home to watch a movie, one of David’s favorites or one that he gave me.  But tonight is Team Trivia night so I will be spending the evening with friends.  Again, one more thing David would tell me I should do.

I don’t remember if I told this story before (chemo brain in action – more on that later), but in any case, it’s my favorite David story.  Way back when, the collective family nickname for my two sons was ‘The Weasels’.  Don’t know where it came from but it stuck.  But the morning after David passed, I was the first one awake at about 8 AM.  The house was full of people, but most didn’t get to bed until 5 AM.  Even though I only had three hours of sleep, I was wide awake.  I made some coffee and then went to sit on the lanai, mostly to just sit.  Now our house was on a small lake.  After a little bit, I noticed something moving across the lake, at the extreme left end of it.  It was a weasel and it began to walk the length of the lake, on the far side from me.  Now I know people say there are no weasels in Florida, but I saw what I saw.  When it reached the end of the lake, it stopped at looked at me, through David’s eyes.  Then I heard David’s voice tell me “It’s OK, Dad.  I’m running free.”  And then the weasel turned and scampered off through the woods.

Returning to the present and its attendant weirdness, I had an embarrassing experience a couple of evenings ago.  My hearing aids have small plastic cones on the end that go into my ears.  Well, somehow, the one in my left ear (the one that has some hearing in it) came loose and lodged itself in my ear.  Elaine’s and my efforts only served to push it further in.  So, the next day meant a trip to the audiologist to have the d*mn thing professionally removed.  Ah, the joys of aging!!

Which reminds me, I promised I’d talk about chemo brain, which is a real thing.  It seems that chemotherapy has the extra side effects of slowing your thought processes and generally affecting your memory, even to the point of forgetting how to do things that you’ve known for years.  Of the ten symptoms of chemo brain, I seem to be scoring on most of them.  But, as my friend Will has pointed out, most of them are the same things that come with aging. . .  Oh, well, it’s my excuse and I’m sticking with it. 

And I still spend a lot of time remembering that I have incurable cancer and will be receiving chemo for the rest of my life or until the miracle cure is discovered.  And I do believe in magic and miracles by the way.  I’d be lying if I tried to say that I’m not scared, but we surprise ourselves with what we can deal with when we have to.  I saw something on Facebook the other day, but I forgot who said it (chemo brain in action).  But, to paraphrase, there are only two days that you can’t do anything about – yesterday and tomorrow.  So, do everything that you can today.  I like that.  As I’ve indicated before in these missives, every day brings new surprises and adjustments.  I figure by now, I’m up to the new new new new new new new new . . . new normal.

I’ve also decided that cancer is not going to be what kills me.  I envision my end coming when I get hit by a runaway beer truck.  There’s a certain irony to that as I’ve basically been on the wagon since my initial diagnosis about two years ago.  Up until I switched to wine as my adult beverage of choice, I had spent most of my adult life as a beer snob.  Now, I’m not claiming that I was an expert.  In a blind taste test, I couldn’t tell Chimay from Iron City, but I would order the Chimay every time, even at four times the price.

Finally, at my last infusion trip, the blood test showed that my platelet count was low and that it would have to be raised some so I can tolerate the chemo.  I sort of thought that an easy way to do that would be to become a vampire, which would also add years, if not centuries, to my life.  But since I couldn’t find any favorable air fares to Transylvania, I’ll just have to do what the doctor said and consume more protein.

Well, that’s it for now.  Back to Moffitt tomorrow to continue treatment.

Peace and Love to All!!

Joe

I Now Set Off Metal Detectors

OK, campers. . .  A few things I forgot yesterday.

On December 29, I had my port installed so they can do blood draws and chemo infusions without having to find and jab a vein in my arm.  It was used this past Thursday and it was sweet.  I can read and do puzzles during the 4-1/2 hour infusions without worrying about a needle popping out.  Life's simple pleasures!!

Oh, and I have to carry a card saying I have the port as I will set off metal detectors since the port is made of titanium.

And Elaine and I watched "The Butler" on Netflix last night.  An absolutely marvelous movie!!

Peace and Love to All!!
Joe

Happy 2016!!!

Well, Campers, it’s been a while and I hope you’re enjoying a happy new year.  We had a wonderful holiday season with visits from our son Joey down from Atlanta and our daughter Liz down from Brooklyn.  Once again, we celebrated tradition with our traditional non-traditional Christmas Eve dinner at Bangkok Thai Restaurant.  All is right with the world.

As for my health, I’m back on track for weekly chemo infusions with occasional weeks off.  I was treated yesterday and all my vitals and blood counts were improved since last time.  Once more, I’m in great health except for that incurable cancer thing.  Oh, well, can’t have everything, I suppose. . .  ;-)

For the most part, I feel pretty good except for the nagging excess mucous in my throat and the fact that I’m tired a lot.  But these things are manageable and far better than most alternatives.  I am a little melancholy, but that always comes with the time of year.  January 20 will mark the 11^th year of my son David’s passing from melanoma at the age of 22.  Around this time of year, I think and dream about him a lot.  Fortunately, as time passes, I’m more prone to remember the good times.

One more time, I had all sorts of things that I wanted to say queued up but seem to have lost them in the chemo fog.   I guess I’ll just have to start posting things as I think of them, regardless of the time of day.

But, on lieu of what I had planned on typing, I’ll just sort of free-lance a little.  I’ll have to say that 2015 certainly did not turn out as I has expected.  It began with me being free of disease and returning to work part-time in March.  I felt great and the world was spinning on greased grooves.  Then came August/September and the return of cancer.  I admit that I was disappointed to say the least, but stoically accepted it and began treatment again.  And, so far, the treatment has been successful.  The mass in my left lung has shrunk by about a third as of the last CT scan. Hopefully, the next scan will likewise show positive results.

Ah, that reminded me of one of my talking points.  Many of my friends have suggested that I seek alternative treatments for my disease, and perhaps someday I will, and I thank you all for your concern and well-wishes – they keep me going.  But for now, I have to say that the mainstream treatment plan is working well.  If the progress stops and the disease becomes more aggressive, then I will entertain the possibility of clinical trials and/or alternative treatments.    Again, thank you for the love you all send my way.

OK, this time I am out of things to say and will spare you further ramblings.  I promise I will keep things more current than I have been!!

Peace and Love to All!!

Joe