A journey in life - musings of a doctor, husband, dad, grandad, brother, and friend

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles;they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:29-31 Today, I was thinking about these verses (while I was waiting in the Cancer Center while they mixed up my shots) and found it to share with you.  Yesterday, was the first day (of 5) for week 3 of chemotherapy with Vidaza.  The injections went off without a hitch but later in day... Moderately severe abdominal pain (cramping) with nausea...  Expected side effects but the first time as severe as they've been.  This verse today, after being up off and on last night will help sustain me. I hope today that the wind is at your back and the tread soft underfoot.  But... If not, God will sustain you and "renew your strength" and  you will "soar on

I happened across a compilation video of Craig Dietz I did last year. I will let you see the video.  I know Craig.  He is upstanding young man.  He took and passed the bar (without accommodations) and is a lawyer for Harrisburg, PA. He is married. He is also a swimmer.  He happens to have been born  without any arms or legs.    Jim Pittar is an Australian.  I know him. He has swum the Cooke Straight (between North and South New Zealand), the English Channel but also across the Chesapeake Bay.  He happens to be  totally blind .   Just think what it takes to fly from Australia, be led down to the water's edge and then have a kayaker (by whistle) guide you across the Chesapeake Bay! Here is the link for Craig's compilation:  https://youtu.be/KrP8RjZdVQc On the hardest of days both before and after my diagnosis, I THANK GOD for all the blessings I have.  I sometimes think of some of those blessings when I think of Craig, Jim, Debbie Llewellyn (whom many of you know).  I can

I have been remiss!  My apologies... seems that the 3 weeks between treatments are a time to heal and catchup!  I think this week, I've finally finished molting!  My abdominal wall finally stopped looking like a bad day at the paintball park and the skin has shed in it's attempt to heal yet again. Today, I remembered why I have come to love our community.  For 31 years, the physicians have provided physicals to the student-athletes for both Warren County High School and Skyline High School.  See the video below for "thank you's".  I am proud of Kristin Waltz, RN my daughter who has coordinated Warren Memorial Hospitals Same Day Surgery unit for all the physicals. And thanks to all the others.  This community event has helped THOUSANDS of student-athletes get their physicals over the years and THOUSANDS of dollars (the fee collected is a tax deductible contribution) have gone to the athletic programs for each school.   This is a unique community event for t