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

This past week (June 26-30) - was different yet again.  Instead of the abdominal wall side effects (I guess I have those under control with antihistamines) and the nausea (thank you, Zofran!) - I just had to deal with the fatigue and then...  All the other GI side effects -- early in the week, (how do I put this delicately)...I was the "post-Drano" commercial and late in the week and through the weekend, I was the "pre-Drano" commercial! Yikes!  Back on track now ... thank God! I pressed the oncologist last week (after Jan left for another appointment) like this: "Nick, this is taking so long... Can you give me more intense therapy to get me along this path quicker!".  He wisely and kindly replied that the chemo I'm getting is at the right dose and the right pace. I pressed harder: "I can take this...(after all I used to push myself through pain on long triathlons and open water swims for goodness sake!)".  He softly pushed back: "Tr...

Today, I started my fourth week of chemotherapy in the 12+ weeks since my diagnosis.  I think I've called it a 'grind' and indeed it is.  Today, for some reason the staff had a hard time getting going at the Cancer center and I arrived late at work today and remained behind the rest of the day.  This is particularly hard since I was already tired and mildly nauseated through the whole day.  My ANC is over 1000 in my red cell counts are slightly up from last month.  This is hopeful. I have been telling folks that "I don't deserve to feel as good as I do".  I think I'll take that back today!  All in all, God is good and I am blessed.  Again, thanks for all the prayers sent to my family and I.  Especially, my dear wife, Jan!! BTW, the week before last week, I able to go to the Outer Banks with my family.  We were all in a beach house right on the beach.  All 16 of us!  As hectic as it may have sometime...

For the most part I have enjoyed pretty good health (save for a few mishaps along the way).  Last week was rather rough getting my 3rd week of chemo in the past 8 weeks.  However, this disease, myelodysplastic syndrome, has given me cause to reflect on the blessings during this infirm time.  (By the way, I do feel much better this week!) As I've mentioned, I continue to be overwhelmed by the love and caring of my family, friends and the community. Although some have approached me in a different (but caring) manner... Some have come up to me and asked, "This is a terrible thing you have.", "Are you OK? You must be devastated!", etc. etc.  Actually, I tell them no, I'm not devastated and all things considered I'm doing fine. As I'm come to realize over these years, there are lessons to be learned when things don't go as planned.  Life is always precious but seems so much more when you actually stop to think about it. That is a blessing....

"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 thi...

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 comm...

Sorry for late entry.  The chemotherapy last week was just a 'grind' -- I saw patients all last week but just tired and the injections in the abdomen... well, it's getting old.  But, again, a lot to be thankful for!  On Monday last week (April 24) my ANC (absolute white count) was 480.  For those who know, this means my white count to fight infection was very low.  Our great staff reminded me to "mask up" (with my glasses) on for those folks who have respiratory infections. A disappointment last week was the fact that (Jan and) I had to bail on going this past weekend (4/28-30) to Las Vegas for the research meeting with PPRNet (Primary care Practice Research Network)*.  Was hoping to catch a meal and a show with Jan on Saturday night before heading back on Sunday.  Sometimes, you gotta listen to that quiet voice of wisdom (a.k.a the Holy Spirit) when loved ones expressed concern over the travel.  Well, after prayer, I listed.  T...

Just like when a snowstorm is impending, I find myself trying to prepare.  This time for a week of chemotherapy.  Trying to make sure the office 'stuff' is taken care of (finishing up charts, signing off other charts, reviewing results, etc.).  I had a GI bug over the weekend (not as bad a Jan got it) but this has taken the 'wind out my sails' a little bit.  I have an almost full schedule (except the early start time since I will be in Winchester).  My prayer is that I will do as well as last time... Our church (Riverton UMC) is starting a series, "The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel.  This is a somewhat autobiographical story of a journalist, Lee Strobel, who when he started, was a atheist. Now as a Christian, he has laid out his investigation and the credible evidence that Jesus, is the Son of God.  Jan and I have taught from his student edition before but it will be interesting to see how the entire church responds to the book and the teachings....

Sorry for the late entry for April 7. Today was a check in with the oncologist, Nick Gemma, to see how I was doing and repeat the CBC. He was encouraged that the counts actually were up with the CBC and suggested this 'could be' a good prognostic sign indicating a response to the azacitidine! PRAISE GOD.  Jan was there.  All of this is encouraging and good to hear since we had planned on leaving to go the HH, SC for a few days with 2 of our grandkids and Aaron our son.  Still tired so I plan on not doing too much but probably will be cruising on the bikes with the kids and lounging on the beach.  Still have the bruised abdomen from the chemo shots but I figure anyone who looks will just have to deal with it! Had an opportunity to share with Nick Gemma about witnessing to patients and praying with them. It was a productive time of sharing...

Fatigue has hit new lows -- I tell folks that my 'tires are deflated' but that is probably an understatement.  I received my last dose of chemo and what follows is some information for those who want to know... I have decided that the areas left after my chemo shots is more like an itchy, red, painful swollen wasp sting.  As Jan says, it looks like my arms and abdomen were part of a paint ball fight! I inquired about the cost of the AZACITIDINE (I get 150mg in two shots) ... Each two shot day is $2100 or $10500 per cycle...Insurance will pick up some of this - we'll have to see :-( ===========Here is some info on how azacitidine works for those interested========= Azacitidine is a member of a new class of drugs known as DNA "demethylating" agents.  Methylation of DNA is a major mechanism that regulates gene expression in cells.  When there is an increase in DNA methylation this can result in the blockage of the activity of "suppressor genes" ...