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

This day marks the last day of chemotherapy week #7 (since March). PTL! It has been another grinding week. Nausea and abdominal cramping have been at a relatively controllable level. Working full time is a bit of challenge on these 'chemo weeks". In a couple of weeks, I’ll going to Johns Hopkins so they can do their own bone marrow biopsy on me. Let me talk about my father-in-law for a bit… Nimrod “Mac” McNair, (ret. Lt. Col. Air Force) died a couple weeks ago. Jan and our family, along with John McNair (Jan’s brother) and his family were in Georgia a week ago to pay our respects for dad’s burial with full military honors. Delysia (“Dee”), his second wife, was gracious. To see just a little of dad’s military career, go to the video (“ My Four Wars ”). His life was so much more that just his military career. He was a brother, husband and father of two children. He was active with Campus Crusade for Christ, Athletes in Action and spoke at innumerable prayer br...

The usual grinding chemo week came to an end last Friday... Chemo week #6 completed.   It is definitely hard being full time and going to chemo each day.  (I do start a little after 9am so I have time to get to the office from Winchester.)  Was able to get out on Lake Frederick with Jan and Aaron on Monday which was nice.    Upon the recommendation of Nick Gemma (MD - my oncologist), we are going to Johns Hopkins to meet Dr. Luznik and the team.  I suppose this will be a meet and greet visit.  Don't look forward to 2+ hours on the road.  But...Jan will be at my side which is comforting.    More to come after the visit at Johns Hopkins on September 7th. Thanks again for all the prayers...

Wednesday, August 16 - My second bone marrow biopsy.  This biopsy was to see how the chemotherapy was affecting my MDS.  Just like the prior biopsy, this was done in Interventional Radiology at Winchester Medical Center.  The staff and doctor were all nice.  This time, however, I actually handled the drill that does the biopsy (a battery power drill like you can get a Lowes/Home Depot that fits in your hand like a simple electric screwdriver!). I was not quite as sedated and I was much more alert after the procedure.  I was still tired though and the nap that afternoon was restful.  There was some minimal discomfort at the site.  However, something happened that night. I am assuming that I have had a response to the chemo and with the biopsy/aspiration: this triggered a rip-roaring case of gout in my left great toe.  It's funny but I never had any gout until this MDS progressed.  I suppose the turnover of cells releases DNA >>> level...

Never thought I would be in Aruba at the start of this year!  Jan and I had the thought that we needed to get away for our 40th anniversary.  So...the four day getaway to Aruba. Aruba is a small island along the north coast of Venezuela.  It was a former Dutch colony getting independence in 1986. The people here are quite friendly and interesting.  Many with Dutch, South American, Spanish, African and Portuguese ancestry (but all fiercely ARUBAN!).  Most on the island speak 4 languages... English, Dutch, Spanish and Papiamentu. As I'm told -  Papiamentu  (or  Papiamento ) is a mixture of Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English, French, and it also has some Arawak Indian and African influences. Papiamentu is one of the few Creole Languages of the Caribbean that has survived to the present day.    FYI (as examples) - please is 'porfabor' (Spanish-like) and thank you is 'danke' (a strong Dutch root) and 'bon appetit' (you know that one). ...

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...