A Riddle:

When is a crushed vertebra and severe arthritis good news?

Answer: When it’s not CANCER (Yea)!

We traveled to Florida at the end of July to meet our newest Grandchild, a sweet baby boy named Jory. He’s our third grandchild, and what a joy to meet and hold him. I’m not sure what a three week old can see, but I think he looked me right in the eyes.

*Here he is peaking over Diane’s shoulder, probably wondering if it’s almost time to eat again*

Making our precious time there even better was exploring with Kellen (almost three now) in the jungle that is his yard. I love seeing how our children love their children.

*Kellen in his Monster Hunting hat, ready to guide me through this tropical compound*

Our son and daughter-in-law took us on a real nice Stern-wheeler cruise on The Barbara Lee, across Lake Monroe and up the St Johns River.

We spent another day on New Smyrna Beach in Florida. I was pulling Kellen over shallow waves on a boogie board. He was actually dragging on the sand, but we were both enjoying the illusion.

I’m not in many pictures because I’m usually taking them, but today, my wife picked up the camera and took a few shots of Kellen and me. I’m looking at one now. I could paste it here, but I’d much rather draw a less shocking word picture.

Some things once seen – can’t be unseen. There is Kellen, looking much like a Junior Surfer kid at his introduction to boogie-boarding, and at the high end of the board leash is an actual Snow Man, yes, right there in the shallow, warm, Atlantic salt water; an Oregon snow man, in both color and stature.

Wait – there’s more. When I was a young man, I remember seeing an old man in a swimsuit. I wondered how he could possibly be oblivious to the fact that he was wearing his suit inside out.

Now, here I am with my old, baggy swimsuit twisted halfway around my waist and the pocket hanging inside out. Note to self: NEVER be seen publicly in a swim suit again.

Oh – okay, I’ll post it:

MRI’s Update

Did you know that having two back to back MRI’s is almost considered a medical marathon? The technicians were so proud of me that upon my next visit I’m sure to see my picture front and center on the MRI Wall Of Fame commemorating that historical event.

My Oncologist called to tell me the determinations from the MRI’s. They showed a new compression at vertebrae L3 (about a 20% loss, I’m another ¼” shorter) and severe arthritis.

**SARCASM WARNING**
The symptoms often reported with compression of vertebrae L3 include
restful sleep, reduced appetite, and weight loss.
**END SARCASM WARNING **

Following up with my family doctor was recommended if I want to consider back injections, physical therapy, and/or cement. This back pain that also goes down my legs has haunted me to some degree for years.

Today I am feeling a little better than two weeks ago. Who would have thought one would ever measure progress by the speed and agility with which you put on your underwear or socks?

It Grows On You

My life continues to overflow with God’s blessings through family, friends, and sometimes just out of the blue. In May, Diane and I drove across the country to Michigan and met our only granddaughter.

She’s a precious cutie, and much of the time seems to have something important she wants to say, but doesn’t yet know how to effectively articulate. It will be fascinating when she does. We saw friends and relatives on the way there and back. I wish we could have stayed longer for each visit.

Our son and daughter-in-law took us on a wonderful Lake Superior cruise to a place called Pictured Rocks. Amazing mineral colors can be seen oozing out of the sandstone cliffs there.

To see more Pictured Rock pictures, click here.

I’ve been looking forward to summer, and June is suddenly circling the drain.

I started playing Volleyball again. I used to have a team, maybe you’ve heard of us, “Ricky Normal and the Jazz Head Cowboys”? That was actually the name of my band in a dream, but since the odds of me leading a music group while conscious are pretty slim, I decided to use the name for my Volleyball team.

The league I play in now doesn’t have organized teams, in fact, it’s not even a league. It’s just a group of local people age 55 or older (frequently) hitting the ball over the net and having a good time .

It is fun, but I’ve been plagued by a random, sporadic shortening of the arms and an intermittent disconnect between the eyes and brain. That’s bad enough when you’re just trying to make contact with the ball, but it’s especially embarrassing when you do hit the ball and then go for the high five your team-mate offered up – and you swish the air completely missing that slap!

My second 3 month appointment and tests weren’t due for two more weeks, but I’ve been revisited by some previous back and leg pain symptoms. Knowing that Multiple Myeloma attacks the bone, I decided to get in to see the Oncologist sooner.

The test results that came back right away don’t indicate cancer activity, but because of what has previously happened in my back (click here for the December 14, 2011 post), and because of the returning symptoms with no known cause, MRI’s and an x-ray have been scheduled.

Cliff Hanger?

My last low dose chemo shot was New Years Eve 2015. My Oncologist said to come back in three months for testing. Three months have passed. I went for tests on April 4th and anxiously waited for the results.

I saw my Urologist that same day, my five year and final appointment with him. His office called later to say my PSA (Prostate cancer indicator) was undetectable. I love that word.

My three month test results for Multiple Myeloma, although reported mostly in Medical Greek, were finally posted to a web site I access.

This message was included with the report: “The serum protein electrophoresis exhibits a possible monoclonal immunoglobulin band in the gamma region. Serum immunofixation (IFE) for further identification of this band has been reflex ordered.”

And this: “A reflex test is a laboratory test performed (and charged for) subsequent to an initially ordered and resulted test. Reflex testing occurs when an initial test result meets pre-determined criteria (e.g., positive or outside normal parameters), and the primary test result is inconclusive without the reflex or follow-up test. It is performed automatically without the intervention of the ordering physician.”

That alone does not mean bad news, but it seems a step in that direction. My Oncologist said she would call me if ever there was anything we need to discuss. So far, no call.

In the meantime, there’s much to do as I remain among the living. I finally connected the computer to the stereo, I continue organizing photos, and I actually think I spotted retirement way out there on the horizon.