Woke up this morning for the last time with cancer. Tomorrow morning I will have beaten Senor C, three times. I think maybe he will go find someone else to pick on.
Thanks again for all your support it might be a week or so before this is updated again.
You can send an e-mail to Ohgraser@verizon.net to find out what has happened in the meantime.
Thanks again for all your support.
Tom
Monday, July 24, 2006
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Let the fasting begin
Had my last food about 9:30 last night. A rather large handful of animal crackers finished me off. If you haven't had animal crackers in a while I must recommend them. They have a little lemony taste to them. We buy them for me. Lucy likes them, but doesn't get excited.
Parents arrived yesterday afternoon and my dad made a wonderful dinner. Pasta with sugarpeas and asparagus ... Very yummy.
Fortunately my two day clear liquid diet includes black coffee. I am on my first giant mug now -- I might set a record.
In addition to all the comments to my posts yesterday I also got a bunch of e-mail. It's quite humbling.
I want to emphasize though, that one of the main reasons I am being as open as I can about my adventure is that I want to make sure my friends are doing what they can to avoid worse outcomes. Most of you are getting close to 50 - have you had a colonoscopy? Have you guys had a PSA test? Have you guys been to see a damn doctor in the last 5 years?
It is a fact that I could have lived with my symptoms for quite some time while my condition got worse. What's a few bloody movements to a busy guy? Telling my wife about it -- which got me to the doctor -- very likely saved my life. At the least it made what is going on much more treatable.
I am touched and pleased that so many people care about me and are worried about me. The best way you can show your feelings is to take care of yourself.
(puts away soap box and goes back to surfing youtube.)
Friday, July 21, 2006
Last day of work
I have no idea how I am going to tie everything up today... guess I will do the best I can and hope the troops pick up on everything.
Parents get into town tonight.
Let the Party Begin....Last beer is planned for 7 p.m. ---- join me.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
How I keep my cool
I recognize that I have a fairly high-pressure job. I'm also well aware that I'm on the eve of some pretty major surgery, yet I remain calm. Lots of people have asked me how I do it.
I think the time has finally come to reveal my secret:
Having the backyard pool to exercise in has made all the difference. You can tell by my svelte physique and my flawless style that I get a pretty good workout. The next pool will have a drink caddy, I think.
I am now, just five days away from the big day. Still feeling pretty good about everything. Things at work look like they will come together. I can't do much about what will happen at the hospital, but I know there are lots of people out there pulling for me. None so much as the people that I owe money.
I love you guys.
I think the time has finally come to reveal my secret:
Having the backyard pool to exercise in has made all the difference. You can tell by my svelte physique and my flawless style that I get a pretty good workout. The next pool will have a drink caddy, I think.
I am now, just five days away from the big day. Still feeling pretty good about everything. Things at work look like they will come together. I can't do much about what will happen at the hospital, but I know there are lots of people out there pulling for me. None so much as the people that I owe money.
I love you guys.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
My obit so far
Actually I have just gotten to 1991, but this is it.
I have no plans of using this anytime soon, but I also don't want to wait until the last minute and have some yokel at a newspaper write it.
Thomas Graser, (AGE), passed way,(DATE). His death came as a surprise to him.
Graser was born on Sept. 20, 1958 (remember this date, it becomes important later) in Plattsburgh, NY to Mary (Cotter) and Lt. Col (ret.) Ted Graser. They are both still kicking.
Graser attended 13 schools before graduating in 1977 from Plattsburgh High School. Graser was the senior class president, the prom king and had a less than remarkable academic record. He was the last varsity wrestler to graduate from Plattsburgh High School. He was a lousy wrestler, but he was in no way responsible for the demise of the program. It was doomed anyway.
Graser also played football and made second-team all-star as a nose-guard his senior year. It should be noted that only one other team in the league employed an odd man defensive front.
During high school, Graser spent three weeks with two friends camping and hiking in the Canadian Rockies near Jasper, Alberta. After one week he called his mother from the train station in Jasper to tell her everything was going well. He wept after he hung up the phone. Still, it was one of the greatest adventures of his life.
Graser began his collegiate career at the State University of New York at Oswego where me majored in Rugby football, all-you-can-drink beer blasts and fist fights with fraternities.
After two years of erratic academic effort, Graser left Oswego to pursue a career as a store clerk.
He attended two rehab semesters at Clinton Community College were he spent most of his time staring at the stunning view of Lake Champlain and fending off rumors that he was dating his cousin. (He rode to school each day with his cousin and everyone assumed they were boyfriend and girlfriend.)
He later attended the State University of New York at Plattsburgh were he discovered that actually going to classes and reading the books went a long way towards getting good grades. He graduated with a low B.
Upon graduation, Graser moved to Boston where he lived on the floor of a closet, worked as a bouncer in a rock and roll bar, raised money for political activists and argued over the proper place to store ketchup.
Eventually he moved back to Plattsburgh were he began working in bars and gas stations and riding a bicycle.
In 1984 Graser experienced another great cross-country adventure when he and a friend drove a 22-foot Ryder rental truck from Plattsburgh, N.Y. to Yuma, Ariz. In 54 hours.
His big plan was to ride from Yuma to Denver, Col. on his bicycle, where he would attend his sister's wedding.
His bike ride lasted one day, covered about 90 miles and ended with heat exhaustion and a ride from some Hopi Indians in a pick-up truck. He spent the night in the Hai Bali Motel in Quartzite, Ariz. The next day he called some friends in Phoenix for a ride and then spent the day drinking beer with the Quartzite locals in the Quartzite Yacht Club (Long time no sea).
Graser spent the 1984 National Football League season in Denver, mooching off his sister and learning that scotch has a habit of sneaking up on you.
Shortly after leaving Denver, Graser landed a job in Plattsburgh as the night-time board operator on WEAV-A.M. Radio. He pre-recorded a weather forecast and untangled the giant reels of tape that he somehow tangled up each night while monitoring the station's automation.
Through a series of disastrous management mistakes Graser became the morning announcer at the station. He also provided color commentary for college hockey games and worked on the weekends as a wedding D.J.
I have no plans of using this anytime soon, but I also don't want to wait until the last minute and have some yokel at a newspaper write it.
Thomas Graser, (AGE), passed way,(DATE). His death came as a surprise to him.
Graser was born on Sept. 20, 1958 (remember this date, it becomes important later) in Plattsburgh, NY to Mary (Cotter) and Lt. Col (ret.) Ted Graser. They are both still kicking.
Graser attended 13 schools before graduating in 1977 from Plattsburgh High School. Graser was the senior class president, the prom king and had a less than remarkable academic record. He was the last varsity wrestler to graduate from Plattsburgh High School. He was a lousy wrestler, but he was in no way responsible for the demise of the program. It was doomed anyway.
Graser also played football and made second-team all-star as a nose-guard his senior year. It should be noted that only one other team in the league employed an odd man defensive front.
During high school, Graser spent three weeks with two friends camping and hiking in the Canadian Rockies near Jasper, Alberta. After one week he called his mother from the train station in Jasper to tell her everything was going well. He wept after he hung up the phone. Still, it was one of the greatest adventures of his life.
Graser began his collegiate career at the State University of New York at Oswego where me majored in Rugby football, all-you-can-drink beer blasts and fist fights with fraternities.
After two years of erratic academic effort, Graser left Oswego to pursue a career as a store clerk.
He attended two rehab semesters at Clinton Community College were he spent most of his time staring at the stunning view of Lake Champlain and fending off rumors that he was dating his cousin. (He rode to school each day with his cousin and everyone assumed they were boyfriend and girlfriend.)
He later attended the State University of New York at Plattsburgh were he discovered that actually going to classes and reading the books went a long way towards getting good grades. He graduated with a low B.
Upon graduation, Graser moved to Boston where he lived on the floor of a closet, worked as a bouncer in a rock and roll bar, raised money for political activists and argued over the proper place to store ketchup.
Eventually he moved back to Plattsburgh were he began working in bars and gas stations and riding a bicycle.
In 1984 Graser experienced another great cross-country adventure when he and a friend drove a 22-foot Ryder rental truck from Plattsburgh, N.Y. to Yuma, Ariz. In 54 hours.
His big plan was to ride from Yuma to Denver, Col. on his bicycle, where he would attend his sister's wedding.
His bike ride lasted one day, covered about 90 miles and ended with heat exhaustion and a ride from some Hopi Indians in a pick-up truck. He spent the night in the Hai Bali Motel in Quartzite, Ariz. The next day he called some friends in Phoenix for a ride and then spent the day drinking beer with the Quartzite locals in the Quartzite Yacht Club (Long time no sea).
Graser spent the 1984 National Football League season in Denver, mooching off his sister and learning that scotch has a habit of sneaking up on you.
Shortly after leaving Denver, Graser landed a job in Plattsburgh as the night-time board operator on WEAV-A.M. Radio. He pre-recorded a weather forecast and untangled the giant reels of tape that he somehow tangled up each night while monitoring the station's automation.
Through a series of disastrous management mistakes Graser became the morning announcer at the station. He also provided color commentary for college hockey games and worked on the weekends as a wedding D.J.
The Run Up
Less than a week to go.
I plan to start tapering off food today.
My parents arrive on Friday.
I stop eating at midnight Friday night and start liquid diet.
Saturday we are going to go see the Crew play the Las Angeles Galaxy - by we I mean Lucy, Dad and I.
Sunday will be a quiet day - we might go to Heritage Hall and Popcorn Museum to get back on track with our Marion Treasures game card.
Monday is cutting day - Tuesday, I will be all better.
I plan to start tapering off food today.
My parents arrive on Friday.
I stop eating at midnight Friday night and start liquid diet.
Saturday we are going to go see the Crew play the Las Angeles Galaxy - by we I mean Lucy, Dad and I.
Sunday will be a quiet day - we might go to Heritage Hall and Popcorn Museum to get back on track with our Marion Treasures game card.
Monday is cutting day - Tuesday, I will be all better.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Friday, July 14, 2006
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Feeling Better now
Turned out to be the woman who fills out the disability paperwork that called me. I got a hold of her and straightened it out. It also turns out that our check and the dunning letter from the hospital passed in the mail - although they were pretty quick.
I am feeling much better now, much less anxious about everything ... except the surgery. I am still pretty anxious about that -- they are going to split me open like a herring.
yeesh.
I am feeling much better now, much less anxious about everything ... except the surgery. I am still pretty anxious about that -- they are going to split me open like a herring.
yeesh.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Anxiety starting to set in
My cell phone rang during a meeting yesterday afternoon. I had forgotten to set it on vibrate and I got a nasty look from the guy who called the meeting (my boss). So, I reached in my pocket and hit the hang-up button.
Later I figured out that the call came from the OSU hospital where I am having my work done.
AARGGHH, because I hung up they left no message. And they have a central outgoing number so you can't figure out who exactly called you.
When I got home I had an envelope in the mail box that looked like junk. I couldn't see the complete name of the sender because it had slipped up in the window, but the address was Pittsburgh, Penn. We don't do any business with anyone in Pennsylvania so I figured it was a credit card offer.
Later, I happened to catch a glimpse of the logo under the window - it was from the hospital. It was a bill! With a nasty note saying we hadn't responded to their last letter. I hope I didn't throw it out.
It's only for a hundred bucks - they're just softening us up.
The only other correspondence I could find from them was a bill-like looking thing with the words "This is not a bill" across the top. Of course, I didn't respond to that.
I will have to call them this morning. Maybe that was what the phone call was about.
Why is Ohio State sending stuff from Pennsylvania?
Anyway it is all starting to add to my anxiety.
Plus the cats hate me.
Later I figured out that the call came from the OSU hospital where I am having my work done.
AARGGHH, because I hung up they left no message. And they have a central outgoing number so you can't figure out who exactly called you.
When I got home I had an envelope in the mail box that looked like junk. I couldn't see the complete name of the sender because it had slipped up in the window, but the address was Pittsburgh, Penn. We don't do any business with anyone in Pennsylvania so I figured it was a credit card offer.
Later, I happened to catch a glimpse of the logo under the window - it was from the hospital. It was a bill! With a nasty note saying we hadn't responded to their last letter. I hope I didn't throw it out.
It's only for a hundred bucks - they're just softening us up.
The only other correspondence I could find from them was a bill-like looking thing with the words "This is not a bill" across the top. Of course, I didn't respond to that.
I will have to call them this morning. Maybe that was what the phone call was about.
Why is Ohio State sending stuff from Pennsylvania?
Anyway it is all starting to add to my anxiety.
Plus the cats hate me.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
My plans for after the operation
All I have to do is come up without about 30 more jokes. Anyone heard a good one?
Monday, July 10, 2006
Another countdown
I go under the knife two weeks from today! Much to do. Lot's to worry about. But, also, I am incredibly happy that the end is in sight. I actually started worrying about this in February and had my first examination in March. In the end this will consume my life for the better part of a year. I got better more funner things to do.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Friday, July 07, 2006
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Fourth of July
Two big events yesterday.
Lucy and I went to a park to practice riding a bike without training wheels. And, we went to the Marion County Fair where she rode the Ferris Wheel for the first time.
She did OK on the bike.
She had a couple of runs where she was actually riding under her own power. We stopped when she fell for about the 30th time and said, "This is starting to get painful."
One or two more trips and she will have it.
The fair was a lot of fun. We rode the Ferris Wheel, ate cotton candy had a lemonade and won some crappy toys.
We also saw the goats and pigs and chickens and rabbits and cattle and sheep and chickens and ducks and turkeys.
We stayed for the fireworks, which started at 10 p.m.
We got to the car at at 10:38 and did not get to the front gate of the fair until 11 p.m. It took us about 20 more minutes to get home. We hit every red light possible and got stopped by a train!
Lucy fell asleep in her bed while reading the book, "Green Eggs and Ham." She was asleep with the book open in front of her, just like her old man.. Brought a tear to my eye, which I quickly wiped away and then woke her up and spanked her for wasting electricity.
Then, I felt much better.
Lucy and I went to a park to practice riding a bike without training wheels. And, we went to the Marion County Fair where she rode the Ferris Wheel for the first time.
She did OK on the bike.
She had a couple of runs where she was actually riding under her own power. We stopped when she fell for about the 30th time and said, "This is starting to get painful."
One or two more trips and she will have it.
The fair was a lot of fun. We rode the Ferris Wheel, ate cotton candy had a lemonade and won some crappy toys.
We also saw the goats and pigs and chickens and rabbits and cattle and sheep and chickens and ducks and turkeys.
We stayed for the fireworks, which started at 10 p.m.
We got to the car at at 10:38 and did not get to the front gate of the fair until 11 p.m. It took us about 20 more minutes to get home. We hit every red light possible and got stopped by a train!
Lucy fell asleep in her bed while reading the book, "Green Eggs and Ham." She was asleep with the book open in front of her, just like her old man.. Brought a tear to my eye, which I quickly wiped away and then woke her up and spanked her for wasting electricity.
Then, I felt much better.
Monday, July 03, 2006
Holiday weeks
This is going to be one of those weeks where I never know what day it is.
And I will be at the Fair every day. whoo hooo!
And I will be at the Fair every day. whoo hooo!
Sunday, July 02, 2006
My column today
I write a column every Sunday for The Marion Star. It usually has something to do with the newspaper - like, why did we make that bonehead mistake last Sunday. I do sometimes write about myself. When I do write about myself, it is usually to remind people to visit their doctors regularly.
Today's column is about America, Cancer, Cycling and French bicycles. You can read it at my other blog, My Interesting Life: Tom's Cancer Blog
Saturday, July 01, 2006
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