Lucy lost another tooth. This one was on the bottom. It is getting hard to keep track.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
another tooth gone
Lucy lost another tooth. This one was on the bottom. It is getting hard to keep track.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
searchiness
Someone found my blog by using the search term "missing rectum." If you replicate the search you will find 1,180,000 results. My blog is number seven.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
A big question
Lucy and I were walking to school on Monday. We were talking about the things we saw at a Museum on Sunday.
"What I really want to know," Lucy said, "is how it all began."
"How what all began" I asked.
"How it all began," she said. "The universe and everything."
I am not making this up.
I considered for a moment giving her a Douglas Adams answer. Something like:
"In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move."
Then I decided to use a classic parental dodge.
"Remember that question," I said "and ask me this afternoon. I will have a good answer for you."
"Oh," she said, "I know, Google."
"What I really want to know," Lucy said, "is how it all began."
"How what all began" I asked.
"How it all began," she said. "The universe and everything."
I am not making this up.
I considered for a moment giving her a Douglas Adams answer. Something like:
"In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move."
Then I decided to use a classic parental dodge.
"Remember that question," I said "and ask me this afternoon. I will have a good answer for you."
"Oh," she said, "I know, Google."
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Friday, September 21, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
The port
Here is the famous port.
I should have put a dime next to it, to show you its size. It's way bigger than a dime.
It's closer to the size of a stack of four quarters with a little taper at the top.
I think you can see the little marks (click on the picture if can't) the many, many, needles made as they pushed their way through the silicone bulb (I don't really know if it is made of silicone, some sort of rubbery, self healing substance.)
The big deal is that it is out of my chest now and destined for a show and tell at Benjamin Harrison Elementary School.
Rare view of mom
Lucy got a lolly pop the other day for being good at school. I know, I know, you are supposed to be good at school. Still, we deprive her so, it only seemed right.
Mom rarely gets in the picture, but here she is!
Here is a shot of Lucy in pure lolly bliss.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Nothing left but a port hole
The port has been removed. I have it in a little plastic specimen jar. It hurts a bit, but it is getting better.
Now, all I have are six month visits with oncologist and surgeons. In a year, just regular check ups with family doc. hurray!
from limpfish.com
Now, all I have are six month visits with oncologist and surgeons. In a year, just regular check ups with family doc. hurray!
from limpfish.com
Friday, September 07, 2007
Past Sunday Column
Everything goes backwards here...I wrote and published this column before my colonoscopy. You can read about those results directly after this post.
How can anger be useful?
I guess I am getting to that age where this will happen more and more, but I don't think it will ever be easy to deal with.
I have many far-flung friends and while we try to keep up with each other, we usually only make contact when something notable happens.
It wasn't too many years ago when that meant babies.
Now, it's the opposite of babies.
Two of my friends let me know in the last few weeks that a parent had died of cancer.
One parent I knew, the other I had never met and now never will.
For the first, who I knew, the overwhelming feeling is sadness. A woman who lived only to make a beautiful life for her daughter gone way too soon, way too painfully.
For the other, who I never met, the overwhelming feeling is anger. It's an anger born from a feeling of helplessness.
I don't get angry with people much anymore. If I do, it comes and goes in a flash.
My anger with cancer, however, dwells deep inside me and never goes away. It only bubbles to the surface occasionally but it is always there.
I decided a long time ago that it didn't do any good to get angry with people. It was an emotion that rarely solved problems and often created more.
It's hard to control. People can be frustrating. I have learned, however, that only a few people are intentionally frustrating and those are easily ignored.
Anger at a disease? Is that any better? You might as well be angry at a tree or a cloud.
I know it doesn't do any good, but I have let this anger simmer. I have even nurtured it.
I wear a pink wristband to remind me of my friends that are victims of this disease.
I wear a pink wristband because people are more likely to notice it on a man. People are more apt to ask me what it is all about and I am more than happy to tell them about it.
It has been more than a year since my cancer was removed and this week I will have a screening that I am positive will confirm my escape from its grasp.
Life, for me, has returned to normal but I know I am lucky.
My friend, colorectal cancer, is often deadly.
What makes me angry is it's preventable.
Most cancers aren't. You can lead a healthy lifestyle, avoid every carcinogen on the planet and still get cancer.
But colon cancer can be prevented.
The screening test for colon cancer, a colonoscopy, is actually what makes it preventable.
Your doctor can tell you when it is appropriate to have a colonoscopy. During this procedure precancerous polyps can be detected and removed.
There is nothing else like it.
If these precancerous polyps are allowed to develop into cancer, the mortality rate is heartbreaking.
A colonoscopy, to a young, healthy person might sound horrible, but it's not. It's without discomfort, it's painless and it's a lifesaver.
I know if I can channel my angry energy into positive energy I can do some good.
Hopefully, someone will read this, talk to their doctor and do something to prevent cancer.
We can mark one problem solved due to anger.
Tom Graser is the Managing Editor of The Marion Star. The message on his pink wrist band reads, "Hope, Faith, Love." You can ask him about it Friday and Saturday at The Marion Star booth at the Popcorn Festival from 12-2 p.m. He can also be reached at 740-375-5107 or tgraser@marionstar.com.
How can anger be useful?
I guess I am getting to that age where this will happen more and more, but I don't think it will ever be easy to deal with.
I have many far-flung friends and while we try to keep up with each other, we usually only make contact when something notable happens.
It wasn't too many years ago when that meant babies.
Now, it's the opposite of babies.
Two of my friends let me know in the last few weeks that a parent had died of cancer.
One parent I knew, the other I had never met and now never will.
For the first, who I knew, the overwhelming feeling is sadness. A woman who lived only to make a beautiful life for her daughter gone way too soon, way too painfully.
For the other, who I never met, the overwhelming feeling is anger. It's an anger born from a feeling of helplessness.
I don't get angry with people much anymore. If I do, it comes and goes in a flash.
My anger with cancer, however, dwells deep inside me and never goes away. It only bubbles to the surface occasionally but it is always there.
I decided a long time ago that it didn't do any good to get angry with people. It was an emotion that rarely solved problems and often created more.
It's hard to control. People can be frustrating. I have learned, however, that only a few people are intentionally frustrating and those are easily ignored.
Anger at a disease? Is that any better? You might as well be angry at a tree or a cloud.
I know it doesn't do any good, but I have let this anger simmer. I have even nurtured it.
I wear a pink wristband to remind me of my friends that are victims of this disease.
I wear a pink wristband because people are more likely to notice it on a man. People are more apt to ask me what it is all about and I am more than happy to tell them about it.
It has been more than a year since my cancer was removed and this week I will have a screening that I am positive will confirm my escape from its grasp.
Life, for me, has returned to normal but I know I am lucky.
My friend, colorectal cancer, is often deadly.
What makes me angry is it's preventable.
Most cancers aren't. You can lead a healthy lifestyle, avoid every carcinogen on the planet and still get cancer.
But colon cancer can be prevented.
The screening test for colon cancer, a colonoscopy, is actually what makes it preventable.
Your doctor can tell you when it is appropriate to have a colonoscopy. During this procedure precancerous polyps can be detected and removed.
There is nothing else like it.
If these precancerous polyps are allowed to develop into cancer, the mortality rate is heartbreaking.
A colonoscopy, to a young, healthy person might sound horrible, but it's not. It's without discomfort, it's painless and it's a lifesaver.
I know if I can channel my angry energy into positive energy I can do some good.
Hopefully, someone will read this, talk to their doctor and do something to prevent cancer.
We can mark one problem solved due to anger.
Tom Graser is the Managing Editor of The Marion Star. The message on his pink wrist band reads, "Hope, Faith, Love." You can ask him about it Friday and Saturday at The Marion Star booth at the Popcorn Festival from 12-2 p.m. He can also be reached at 740-375-5107 or tgraser@marionstar.com.
What's Next?
I had a PSA test last week - something I will do annually for another 9 years to monitor the possible return of prostate cancer - I have not heard from the doctor yet. That means the test was negative.
Yesterday I had a colonoscopy. The doctor reported no polyps, no tumor, no nothing - aside from the missing rectum a totally unremarkable colon.
The doc supplied me with a photo of my Ileal valve, which is the mechanical valve in the junction between small intestine and the first part of the large intestine. The valve prevents reflux from the colon into the small intestine.
I can't remember much of the details of the procedure. I do recall watching a bit on the TV screen and I do recall some pain. I think they gave me more juice because of it. So, I am not sure why he took that particular picture except to prove that he got all the way to the end.
The only photo I have from my first colonoscopy is of my tumor, which was right past the anal ring (I don't think I need to define that). I remember asking the doc (it was a different doc) if he went on past that and he said he he went all the way to the end - still, no picture.
I looked at some pictures of ileal valves this morning and they looked a lot like mine. I guess I have to take the doc at his word that the photo he gave me was actually mine and not just one off stack of identical photos he uses for autographs.
Bottom line is I don't need another scope for at least two years - maybe three. I could easily wait two years before drinking another 4 liters of Golytley.
The big question remains. (dramatic pause) What's next?
It's hard to consider life without some sort of drama.
Lucy go 10 out of 10 on her spelling test this week despite having forgotten to bring home her spelling list all week. Her teacher has started a new "bring this stuff home" folder system that should alleviate that.
I have to go to the Popcorn Festival today to participate in the "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" competition. I do pretty well when I watch Jeopardy reruns so I am not concerned.
Monday, September 03, 2007
Big week for Central Ohio doctors
I have three appointments and Mary has one - but she gets to see two doctors.
I see a spine doctor and an orthopedic doctor about a strange numbness in my legs. We have pretty much determined that it is the result of my heroic weight gain after finishing up my chemo last winter.
Then, on Thursday I will have my colonoscopy to confirm that Senor Cancer is gone for good.
Mary will see her oral surgeon and her postodontist (dentist who makes prosthetics)for the last little move before she gets her new teeth.
A week from Thursday, I will have my portacath removed.
I see a spine doctor and an orthopedic doctor about a strange numbness in my legs. We have pretty much determined that it is the result of my heroic weight gain after finishing up my chemo last winter.
Then, on Thursday I will have my colonoscopy to confirm that Senor Cancer is gone for good.
Mary will see her oral surgeon and her postodontist (dentist who makes prosthetics)for the last little move before she gets her new teeth.
A week from Thursday, I will have my portacath removed.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
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