Max and Nyoka

Who says dogs and snakes don't get along.

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Max's ophthalmology appointment

Here is our lousy dilemma and no, this is not a joke. Our doggie will soon be 14 years old. He is in good physical shape but unfortunately he is now a little deaf and will soon be blind. If we do the cataract surgery on one of his eyes there is a likelihood that he will not survive the surgery. If we do nothing we know the outcome.

Our thoughts right now are to not subject him to the operation. We understand what will happen and of course, are prepared to do our part in helping him (seeing eye persons). Sh*t, getting old sucks !!!

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Happy father's day

To my late dad.............. happy father's day. We still miss you after all these years (9).

Meanwhile I had a fantastic father's day. Aside from the great gifts:

1. Macbook pro
2. A pair of Chuck Taylor shoes
3. A shirt designed by Gerry Garcia

Mike took me out for lunch and I had dinner at home with Diana and Robyn. I'm feeling well. What more could a dad ask for ? Thanks and I love you all.

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The before and after

Costa Rica 1998

Baltimore 2011

How weird is this ? The "before" picture was taken on vacation in Costa Rica in 1998 at some petting zoo. Little did we know that 13 years later Rob and Mike would actually have a bunny and a snake as pets. The "after" picture was taken at home in Baltimore in June of 2011.

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Oh sh*t

I forgot my (our) anniversary. Sorry Lady Di. Thanks for the memories. Twenty-six years of them. Can I blame it on the chemo ???

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A big help

I know what really helps me. It's when I can talk to others that are dealing with all sorts of different (or similar) cancers. It's not that I'm the resident expert. Far from it. But I find immense comfort to know that I'm not the only one who got dealt a shit hand of cards. This may sound selfish but not so. Whatever gets you through the day, helping make a positive impact for other people, is very rewarding.

I'm making such a cock-up of trying to explain this. Sorry.

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So much for the reprieve

Shit ! I just can't escape this stuff. On monday I went to my MOHS surgeon to have a Basal-cell carcinoma (skin cancer) removed from my scalp. I actually have 2 to be removed but they only do one at a time. So the surgeon removes the first one and all is well. He biopsies another site on my forehead above my left eye and guess what ? Another Basal-cell to be removed ! One down 2 to go.

If you want more info on Basal-cell or MOHS surgery just "Google" it.

So after local numbing and stitches etc. I  went home looking a little beaten up. There is no urgency to all of this so my next scheduled surgery is in July. I know................... it could be worse.

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A tougher than usual weekend

I am really looking forward to this break from treatment. This time round my bad days were a little worse than usual. On Friday the fatigue kicked in and I spent most of Saturday and Sunday sleeping. The nausea wasn't too bad.

I know it sounds like I'm complaining but I'm not. I understand that there are so many people out there that are far worse off than me. And what good would complaining and whining about things do. So in the immortal words of Rochelle Bass..............."suck it up" !

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A reprieve.

I just got a cal from my oncologist, Dr. Schraeder. He was pleased with the scan results and I will now have a well deserved 6 weeks off of chemo. Next session scheduled for July 18th. Yay !

Basically, everything that is showing up is reducing in PET intensity (which is a good thing) and there is no spread (an even better thing). But to be certain, I'm not even remotely out of the "woods" yet or in the "R" word.

I am, however, ecstatic at the news. So..............Carpe Diem.


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"Adrian becomes major hurricane in the Pacific"

Now that's a manly post title.

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