A Good Time was had by All...

Yep! That's my Date for the Commodore's Ball! And doesn't she look Grand? Amanda and I left for Lahaina a little after 4:00pm on a clear and sunny afternoon. The drive to Lahaina is always a scenic one, a 24 mile junket, mostly along the coast, from Maalaea over the Pali, through Olowalu, past Laniopoko and finally Puamana. Not surprisingly, we were treated to several "whale shows" along the way. We went for the Valet Parking at Longhi's, as it was easy. The Gallery was having their annual Art of Aloha celebration and I knew that "executive parking" would be out of the question.

The Club was decorated very nicely, I'm sure due to the efforts of our Port Captain, Suzanne Ayers; all in red and white, with little white cascade lights strung above the deck on the Ocean side. The Ladies were all gussied up, and even a few of the Gents had made an effort at styling. I think for the first time in many years though I didn't notice a single Tux in the house.

I'd hoped to have some photos to include, but seems they're gonna have to trickle in. Among the many attending were Dan Snyder and Bonnie Nelson, who joined Amanda and I at the Bar. Both our outgoing and incoming Commodore's were present, each choosing to attire themselves in shorts; This being one of the few years I opted for long pants - yes Mom, it's true! Willy and Dave were manning the Bar, and ready for action. A very pleasant surprise was seeing Emily back from her Mainland visit, and filling in as our Hostess with the mostest. Charlotte (who's managed to have 2 Months behind her of not smoking - Hang in there Charlotte) was joined by Sam and Karen to manage the table service, and Brad was at his best, manning the Helm in the Galley. The food was EXCELLENT - thanks Brad.

Jan Nolan and Aunty Panty (Stephanie Christensen) showed up fashionably late, and dressed "to kill," just in time for Jan to be the Lei Lady for the awards ceremony. Those two are always the live of the Party, and both very dear to my Heart. Leatha and John Domingo were vying with Bonnie West and Steve for "best dressed" couples... and I'd call it a draw (just to be on the safe side!)

We wound up calling it an early night, and had just enough energy to crash the Gallery Party, so Amanda could say her Hello's, having grown up around a terrific group of some of the World's most talented Artists, and I'd wanted to pay my respects to Nancy Killett who was unable to attend Guy's party last week. That was fun, but then the Artist's Shows always were. Two of the more important reasons for heading home early were one: Tomorrow begins my 7th week of treatments, and RT #24.

It's also my Mom and Dad's 63rd Wedding Anniversary!!! And, I wanted to (have Amanda) call them to wish them well, before it got too much later. Way to go Mom & Dad - there are precious few who can claim that accomplishment any more.

"It's frustrating when you know all the answers but nobody bothers to ask you the questions." - Curmudgeon's Observation

Merrily we roll along, roll along, roll along...

Well, here “we” are… Saturday morning – 23 Radiation Sessions done, 12 more to go; and I‘ve gotta tell you, I feel a whole heck of a lot better than I did this time last week. Fact is, right at the moment I feel great. Seems only fitting though, that with pain management under control, and a suitable mouth moisture management methodology in place, that I’d have something new manifest itself.

Herbitox finger sores. Side of the fingernail, about mid-point along the cuticle what first appears as a small pus filled pimple, accompanied by tender red swelling, grows into an inflamed oozing sore. How fun! With the thumb and for finger on my right hand in full bloom, and a couple coming along on my left, darned if one didn’t break out on the big toe on my right foot. (Hope no one is too grossed out by these photos; just trying to share for th ose who want to know, as many of you have indicated that you do.)


The photo below was taken earlier, AFTER I'd discovered the AQUAPHOR ointment, so it's a little red, but nothing like what is was two days before, when it was REALLY red and SORE. Again, mostly these pics are included to document this treatment process and to test my ego, as they're not the most flattering... The Doctor has flatly told me NO MORE SHAVING, as they don't want anything more than is already happening to inhibit the treatments. Evidently even a THIN film of lotion or ointment can really disrupt the Radiation.

I've managed to settle into pretty much 1 1/2 ~ 2hr., sleep sessions at night. That's about all the time that I can go without attending to the "dry mouth" and if it goes completely dry, OMG now that is PAIN. The trade off there however is, it's been a good thing for everyone. Both Tyler and Hailey are still young enough that they wake up "in the middle of the night" and require a little attention (and often more) before drifting back to sleep. Naturally they've become dependent on Mom & Dad for that. Having become somewhat of an intruder to this nightly routine (an apparently welcome one I might add), I can't help but want to lend a hand where and when I can.


Not unlike most parents of toddlers, both Kyle and Amanda seem to often be sleep deprived, a syndrome everyone works out one way or other. So, with my being up at all weird hours of the night, it's very easy for me to be the first responder. However, that's only one side of the equation. And no matter how much they enjoy Grandpa during the day - seeing him looming in the dark isn't necessarily well received, especially with 18 month old Hailey, who's fine with a bottle of milk from Mom or Dad, but becomes hysterical and inconsolable it neither of them appears crib side.


To be brief here, this has gradually been changing with both of them becoming more receptive to Grandpa's comfort, allowing Amanda & Kyle to get a few extra hours of sleep here and there. Tyler mostly will want something to drink, a glass of water, Hailey instead wants to be held. Well, two nights ago, she was actually content to sit (and fall back asleep) with me on the couch, and Tyler's been content with me fetching the water. So last night, being the clever fellow I (think) I am, when Hailey whimpered around 1:30am, I took her a bottle of milk, which she was content to drink and go back to sleep. Thinking I'd get "one up" on things while I was up anyways, I took a glass of water in for Tyler, expecting him to awaken in an hour or two. Which he did, so in I went, snatched the water off the night table, and what does the Dear boy say? "Milk Grandpa!"


Tonight's the (Lahaina Yacht Club's) Commodore's Ball, our annual social event, and I'm excited to be feeling well enough to attend, and happy to have Amanda as my "Date!" The Kids are at the Beach right now, so I'm off to the shower to get ready. I should have a full report of the evening's festivities for tomorrow's report. Coincidentally, across the street from the Club, is Lahaina Galleries Front Street location, with this weekend being their Annual ART OF ALOHA celebration, with many of their "heavy hitters" attending. As I undeerstand it, hopes are high for a successful event, and Amanda and I might just pop in there (even though it's a private showing affair) just to say Hello to a few of the Attending Artists, Owners Jim & Nancy Killett, and a few of the Sales Staff. Heck, after nearly 20 years you got to acknowledge Folks you've been through so much with, and wish them well.


"If you only look at what you do not have in life, you don't have anything. If you look instead at only what you do have, you have everything." - (Anon)

With a little help from my Friends...

Well Monday came and went, Tuesday's just about gone, and it'll be Wednesday afternoon in no time... at this rate I just might make it! Naaa, there's never been any real doubt, I'll make it for sure. Sure, I've probably seemed down a bit recently, but let's face it, things have been getting tougher, and it takes some adjusting. Well, I think I'm doing my part, by adjusting that is. Heck, it's the least I can do, considering...

First, let's look at where I'm at... the photo above was taken this morning, it's the view I have out Amanda's office window, where I do most of my computing... that's sunrise over Haleakala, and the photo doesn't do nearly the justice deserved of the colors seen most every morning.

Next, there's the truly surprising, unexpected "little things" that happen behind the scenes so to speak. Here's a great example: Since our last High School Reunion in 2006, one of the many Friendships I've been fortunate to re-kindle has been with Barbara (Benjamin) Raub. A couple weeks ago, she wrote and mentioned she had a "friend" who'd recently come back from the MD Anderson Clinic in Houston, TX, and would I mind if she put them in touch... which of course I was all for.

Well, over the weekend I received a TERRIFFIC e-mail from Janice and Jackie Crowe of San Diego, and the truly greatest benefit (to me) is that it came at a time when I was near tears (no wait, the tears were there) from trying to coping with pain management, diet challenges, and skin care. In just three days, with the benefit of her advice and their experiences, a visit with the Radiation Oncologist, a phone call to my Dentist and a trip to the store, I feel good and am doing 112% better!

On Thursday last, my weight had dropped 5 pounds from the week prior, and they were VERY concerned about my eating. I hadn't been too much, but now I had to listen up, as obviously, continuing at 5 lbs., a week or more, I was gonna be in trouble; and the feeding tube is NOT something I’m keen on having to deal with. The pain meds were pretty much maxed, I could tell they were hesitant to prescribe more, for the obvious reasons there. However the pain levels associated with eating especially were overwhelming, so I was at a bit of a loss as to how I was gonna make it. My teeth were becoming more and more sensitive as well, and that made it tough to brush, with the already tender gums, tongue and cheeks. Not having clean teeth really increased the discomfort of the tongue and mouth – an overwhelming spiral I could see growing there. And Friday morning started with a surprising sensitivity of the skin and significant swelling of my neck and lower face. Things were NOT looking good.

So, it was with considerable relief to get their “TIPS” which actually turned out to be the “missing links” or confirmation of some of the things that were just plain uncertain. I had been prepared for the “sunburned” skin, and knew to “slather” on the “lotion” but none of the 3 different ones in my initial arsenal were really the answer. AQUAPHOR was the missing link there, and working just fine. Thank You #1. I keep a 16 oz., H2O bottle in every room, and three in the Kitchen plus two in the car, and manage to go through most of them daily. That’s at least 3~4+ liters, plus I drink a lot of other beverages (Gatorade, Royal Mills Iced Cappuccino, Peppermint Tea) including 4~5 cans of ENSURE as well. Thank you #2. With my adjusted Medication regimen I’m able to manage Cream of Wheat, Scrambled Eggs, Pureed (canned) Asparagus, Applesauce, Tapioca, even Yogurt and Vanilla Ice Cream (still my favorite) – so I’m gonna pass on the “Pumpkin Pudding...” Thank you #3.

In addition to the Caphasol, I have a MAGIC MOUTHWASH which has Lydocane, Maalox, and a few other things, which does the trick, so I just take it BEFORE eating (which I wasn’t before) since I can’t really taste much anyway. My Dentist also arranged for me to get some Fluoride tooth paste and we found an infant’s “Extra Soft” tooth brush which works just fine. So, like I said, things are looking brighter as most of the stumbling blocks have been minimized. Or at least I again feel like things are “manageable.” I surely don’t expect things to be EASY, but Manageable sure is a welcome alternative to Impossible.



So, let it suffice to say, the combination of all of the above has me "back in the groove" so to speak. To top things off, Monday I went in for my Radiation Treatment with Amanda, AND Kelly (and Maddison and Grayson) as they were both concerned, and wouldn't take "NO" for an answer. So, on we go...

"Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it." - Steven Wright

Well, this was a day I missed filing a report, but the quote is too good to pass up, and since it's timely - I didn't want to wait until next year to post it.




The Ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Added some notes about Da Party

FYI - I was waiting on the photos to post my experience for my mid-week excursion and didn't want anyone to miss it... so if you're inclined, scroll down a bit, and you'll see the Balloons...! Oh, and so's ya needn't wonder, Amanda, Kyle, Tyler and Hailey made it home safely today from there Mainland visit to Portland and points beyond. Kelly was her Dear, Sweet self and dashed out from work early, picked them up so I didn't have too, and then raced up-country to get her own two, Maddie & Grayson, up to Nana's so she could manage a Notary "in her spare time!" I've said it before, I'll be sayin' it again, I HAVE GREAT KIDZ! What a blessing. And you all are great Friends too - I continue to be overwhelmed with the moral support and good wishes I keep receiving. Keep those "cards and letters" coming, as they make all the difference in the world.

"The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese." – Steven Wright

Good News - Bad News

Well, the Good News is, as of Friday I'm half-way through the Treatment schedule. The Bad News is, as of Friday I'm ONLY half-way through the Treatment schedule. Yesterday I could have joked about that a little bit more, but today though, there just is nothing to joke about. (Fear not, this too shall pass, I can't go too long without finding something to chuckle about.)


'Till now my mantra's pretty much been, "All in all I feel pretty good, it's just that my Tongue hurts ALL THE TIME." Well, that still holds, except for the "I feel pretty good" part. I can't say that I feel all that bad, but there's no doubt about it, I have to say the tongue thing is pretty overwhelming. I'm not even gonna try to explain it, so you'll just have to take my word on it. I think I might have mentioned that I'd "cried Uncle" on Wednesday to the Radiation Oncoligist, Dr. Makishi (well first I whined to Janice, the Radiation Nurse, who's been very understanding and a big help so far), and they came up with a whole new approach.

No more Oxycodone, they put me on a PATCH (Fentanyl) which by the way, I had to add a second one on the second day) and switched me back to the liquid Vicodin as a supplement to the patch. I got a renewed RX for the MAGIC MOUTHWASH too, and although similar this one I "swish & swallow" as opposed to "swish & spit" as I was on the previous one. Sadly, there's still not much relief, and I'll just have to hope for a new plan next week.

I took advantage of Marcia Seabern being my Driver on Thursday and rode back to Lahaina with her, knowing that Tom Warren was Driving on Friday, and could just pick me up before leaving Lahaina. As it turned out, we had quite a bit of weather stirring up, with a storm blowing in from the South East, bringing 40+ MPH winds, high surf and the promise of much rain.

The photo above is taken right in front of my home in Lahaina, looking North towards Kaanapali and no, we don't normally have boats in that close to shore. And, it's not an optical illusion, she's stuck on the reef, about 25 feet from the sea wall in front of Lahaina Roads. I've no idea if they got her off or not, as high tide was at about 8:00pm that evening, and there wasn't time to check in the morning.

As expected it was pouring rain by the time Tom came to pick me up. It let up a little for our drive over the Pali, but by the time we got to the Clinic, it was dumping in horizontal sheets. It was nice to have the half way mark finally met, but it sure doesn't look promising for the remaining 17 treatments!! I had originally thought I might return to Lahaina again with Tom, but between the weather and a less than mild experience with Thursday's chemo (I'd evidently not hydrated enough that morning and my veins were "flat"), I decided not too. Marny had two unsuccessful tries at inserting the shunt, and finally called in Annette who managed to be successful on the third, however my right hand still aches a bit. AND the biggest factor is not only is the tongue/throat issue debilitating, the outside skin on my neck and cheeks has gotten REALLY irritated (Oh boy, another good sign that the treatments are "working!"), I mean REALLY. I'll spare you the gory details, but it's a bit more than just red, tender and pealing skin. OUCH. So, lots of lotion, no more talking, and just dealing with being generally miserable.

There, I've said it. Every one's still welcome to call, and I do enjoy and look forward to the occasional phone message, but I'm sorry Folks, it's just time to stop talking for awhile. I'll try to be more diligent with the Blog, but for now, I need to do everything in my power to minimize the aggravation to mouth, mind and my skin.

When one door of Happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door, that we do not see the other one which has opened for us. - Helen Keller

Mid-Week Party Time

Tuesday was Guy Buffet's 66th Birthday, and Lahaina Galleries hosted a Party themed Show for him on Wednesday, at their Wailea Gallery. Anne had mentioned it during the course of her stint as my "Driver" on Wednesday, and after she'd left (as she was working that evening) I got to thinking - and most all of you know how "dangerous" that can be - and got the crazy notion that it would be fun to "pop in." Having known Guy since the early Eighties and being involved in his Shows from extravagant ones at the Meridian Hotel in Newport Beach, numerous Gallery events, and knowing him also as a Family Friend, it was just too much to pass up the opportunity.

And of course, the motivation didn't stop there. Co-incidentally I'd also had the good fortune to have traveled to Europe several times, which included trips to France, in particular Paris and Nice, with both Anne Wall and Bonnie Nelson (and yes, on separate occasions). So, after a bit of mulling things over, I summoned up the courage (mind you, this is without the aid of Alcohol or illegal substances) to give Bonnie a call (and Bonnie for those of you who don't know was the Companies VP of Finance until earlier this year, having resigned her position to pursue a career as a Writer and Philanthropist), and ask if she'd be interested in going to the show, in that I needed a ride, and knew it would be common ground. Well, she couldn't resist and readily agreed. She picked me up shortly after 5:00pm, and to the surprise of many... we were among the first there just in time for Sunset.

Here's a picture that says way more than 1,000 words could ever convey. To put it in perspective - There's yours truly, a 19 year and 9 month Employee of Lahaina Galleries as the Operations Coordinator, standing next to Jim Killett, Owner. Next is Guy, the Artist / Guest of Honor, and on the end is Michael Azevedo, General Manager for the Company during the '80's and early '90's. Not in the picture are Nancy Killett, and Michael's wonderful wife, Diana, who happened to be LGI's CFO also in the 80's and 90's. Nancy was back in Arkansas, having caught the flu and was unable to fly. Diana, who managed to be the inspiration behind all those brilliant smiles, currently manages the Ulapalakua Ranch Store.

Here's Guy blowing out the candles on his cake - being cheered on by Gallery Director Anne Wall (AKA Nana). The evening was fairly well attended and Jim was quite pleased to see several "RED DOTS" scattered throughout the Gallery. Among the other Artist's who showed up to support Guy (as well as to foster their own Sales when possible) were Dario Campanile, The Twins (Alessio & Marcello Bugagiar), and Sue Perry along with husband Terry (another side note, their Son Spencer worked for the Company, back in the late '80's as part of our Display crew).

Anyway, it was good to see them all, as I consider each of them as Friends after all our years and shows together. They've also all been very generous to the Kidz (Carl, Kelly and Amanda). As anyone who knows Lahaina Galleries realizes, we're all just "ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY." So, it was good to be there, I was fortunate to have Bonnie chauffeur me there and home, and everyone seemed to keep their sense of humor throughout the evening... It was good to get out, as I had little idea what was in store for me in the days to follow...

"All you've got to do is own up to your ignorance honestly, and you'll find people who are eager to fill your head with information." – Walt Disney

Bloody good show Mate!

Today's Radiation Treatment #16 was preceded by my Weekly Blood Tests, which seem to be holding steadily in the "GOOD category. I've no idea what exactly it all means, but it's pretty easy to see I've been pretty consistent. The Doctor's seem happy with the results, so that's good enough for me.

I've included two of the results here for anyone interested, but like I said, I've no idea what's what, so you're on your own there. All I know is the results are good!

Today my Driver was Anne Wall, who was kind enough offer her services. One of the nice things about the various volunteers to help out in that area is I get to hear a different take on "Life on Maui" from each of them. Today's insights were also geared to the world of Fine Art, with a somewhat different take on things from Steve's view. Steve is the Operations Manager for LAHAINA GALLERIES and Anne is the Gallery Director for their Wailea location. And for anyone who might not actually know, Anne is also Mother and Nana to my wonderful Kidz and Grandchildren whom you hear about now and then...

As promised, I can report that the new Laptop is indeed "up and running" and I just love it! Aside from a few little irritating little glitches it's just humming. Everything works as advertised, it's fast, has lots of room and is gonna be a real treat to have.

Also gave it a "test" run at the local Starbucks and the wireless functions just as advertised. It's gonna be a lot of fun.

Anne had mentioned that one of LGI's premiere Artists, GUY BUFFET was in town, and is the Gallery's featured Artist this week, with a show at Wailea tonight, and in Lahaina on Friday. One item of interest - yesterday was Guy's 66th Birthday. Well, no one exactly knows this yet, but I'm heading down to Wailea to "pop-in" to wish him the best, as Guy's a long time Friend, and quite an interesting Fellow. Anne and I had visited Guy in Paris some time back - his studio was in a flat in the shadow of the Eiffel tower. Ahhh, good memories of wanderings from days gone by... So, it's off to the shower for me.

“If we couldn't laugh, we would all go insane.” – Jimmy Buffet

What a Difference a Day Makes…

After a miserable night of VERY dry mouth and painful tongue, it all vanished rather quickly when I saw the FEDEX truck drive up in front of the house this morning. Well, actually, it didn’t vanish at all, but what the heck, MY NEW LAPTOP WAS HERE! Hurray. Not surprisingly it proved to be just the distraction and perk that I needed.

It was with great discipline and patience I resisted the urge to just jump right in, so when Kelly showed up to take me for Radiation Treatment # 14, it was still charging, and I could tell she was a wee bit disappointed that I hadn’t turned it on already… As excited as I was, having “been there, done that” so many times for others, I knew enough to just wait, until first the battery was fully charged, and that I’d have enough time to see the Set-up through, from Start to Finish.

So, after Kelly took a couple of quick pics of Jake, my young charge and faithful companion while the Jones’s are away (that’d be the Family Cat), to assure Amanda that I have indeed been feeding him (as well as removing his various “trophies” which seem to show up inside the house almost daily) – we were off. And were greeted with a rather nice surprise, Joanna (we think her name is), the receptionist who we’d thought was leaving as of last Friday was still there. Evidently her situation had changed, and she’d decided to say. “Hurray”, as she’s a chipper little thing, and seems to always have a smile and cheerful greeting for everyone passing through – something that place really needs.

Anyway, she hooked me up with a re-supply of yum, yum, yummy ENSURE, which is a big help, because it’s the most substantial thing I seem to be able to get down these days, and is expensive as all get out when buying at the store. Then it was on to the next stop, Janice the Radiation Oncology Nurse/Receptionist to discuss what could be done about the non-effect of the OXYCODONE as a pain med, at least as far as the mouth and tongue go. She was encouraging, and encouraged me to use the MAGIC MOUTHWASH more frequently, as that stuff really does do the trick, just not for very long at a time. She also gave me a sample pack of some 2-Part product called CAPHOSOL, a “supersaturated Calcium Phosphate rinse” to see if it did any good. You take two ampules of aqueous solution, mix them together and slosh it around. Turned out to be the ONLY thing that hasn’t had an irritating affect just putting it in my mouth, so that was good. We’ll see how it does tonight for the dry mouth.

Well, that’s today’s report… Tomorrow will feature a visit from old Friend, former roommate, and co-worker at the Gallery for 20 some years, Past Commodore Steve Taylor, and will feature a ride in his sporty little Beamer (Z3 Convertible). I’ll be spending most of this afternoon and evening setting up the Laptop – full report tomorrow.

The most overlooked advantage to owning a computer is that if they foul up there's no law against whacking them around a little. – Joe Martin

Snowed in on Maui...

Some of you may have noticed, but I haven't had much to say this past week, in fact, I've said nothing at all in over a week. Truth be told, I've been kind of in the "dumps" and can't quite come up with any real reason why. And no, it's not due to being "snowed in!" In fact, I doubt if any one's ever been snowed in here in the middle of the Pacific. Mind you, I've no complaints about the weather, apart from a little rain (unlike Oahu who's been deluged lately) it couldn't be much better.

Cousin Claudia Burnette was here from SoCal last week, with Friends, and we were able to spend an afternoon together and I really enjoyed her visit. They went out on TW's Woody Brown Catamaran, KAMEHAMEHA for a Sunset sail, and understand they had a pretty good time, including several Whale sightings.

Big news this week as well, Classmate Rick Ortenburger who is an avid runner (I mean serious runner, like a Marathon Man) and fund raiser extraordinaire has elected to "run" on my behalf in this years Salt Lake City Marathon. Read more about it here: HUNTSMAN CANCER INSTITUTE he presents the details much better than I could. I'm not sure that I'm deserving of such a dubious honor, but his efforts are worth supporting, and knowing he's doing it for a good cause, as well as his own Family Members too, well, when he asked, all I could do was say "Yes!" You can bet I'll be encouraging Rick to keep up the hard work and to Train like a Choo Choo...

Ok, so why am I in a slump...? Frustration I suppose is the biggest culprit. This is a bit like when I was younger, and had a broken collar bone. You can't put it in a cast, and it doesn't really look like any thing's wrong with you, so it doesn't really seem to others like there is. Very much the same as for years, after I was out of the Navy, with a chronic lower back pain problem, I "looked" ok, was a big strapping guy, and got no sympathy or slack when in reality, I could barely move. It's not for the want of "sympathy" but more just understanding or awareness. Anyway, that was then and this is now. The real difference is everyone gets the "cancer" thing, I do know that. So the frustration lies in the fact that, except for my darn tongue, I feel pretty darned good, still, and it just doesn't seem right.

Well, what I have come to realize as these days have slowly slid by, is not to worry, I'm gonna be feeling pretty darned bad before all is said and done. Now, I can't say that thought's exactly cheered me up a whole lot, but I think it's pretty well gonna resolve the frustration. The fact of the matter is, my tongue not only hurts, it REALLY HURTS. And the inside of my mouth, cheeks and gums have become increasingly sensitive. To such a point as to give me a bit of concern as we're not even half way through yet! My big concern is that the pain meds don't seem to be much help where the tongue and mouth are concerned.

Of course this is affecting my "diet" as well, and what I can (or feel like I want to) eat. Well, they'd told me all about this going in, everyone had in their own way. "Your mouth will feel like a bad sunburn." "Your tongue and gums will be very sore and tender, and you'll need to take care they don't become raw sores." "You'll have a metallic taste in your mouth all the time, and everything you try to eat will either taste like cardboard or coarse sand." So far I'd have to say they've been right on all counts. Well, there's "good news" there too, as my personal physician, Dr. Darcel Gilbert, has been tellin' me for years that I was clinically OBESE! Well, I think we'll be resolving that one in the next couple of weeks.

Ok, so enough of this... all in all, I am still doing just fine. My spirits are "well" and except for the oral discomfort I feel great. Still have pretty much my usual energy, and only seem to get the drowsies when I just sit around for too long. I'm sleeping pretty good, I get between 4 to 4 1/2 hours at a stretch, then it's time for pain meds and some H2O, and back to sleep. So, no real complaints. Heck, I haven't even had much of a chance to get bored or lonely. Kelly's keeping tabs on me pretty good, and I've gotten to see Madison & Grayson several times, as they were out of school still all last week, and I've had Doris, Marcia and TW to take a shift as "Drivers" giving Kelly a break there too.

The photos above are before shaving and after, to show you all I'm still alive and well and not too much the worse for wear. I think it's about time I start sharing some past wanderings now and then, so as not to be too tedious with the treatment progress, as it's pretty much routine from here on. the Radiation machine did break down again last Thursday, so now I've extended until February 10th before I'll be done.

THANK YOU EVERYONE, for your continued support, kind thoughts and well wishes. I'll try to do a better job of keeping the Blog up-to-date so to speak. ALOHA, Ron Wall

"Success is when we turn our stumbling blocks into building blocks." - Noah benShea

Nothing Noteworthy in New Year's News...

That is to say with regards to me! Today was Radiation Treatment #9, and I had the pleasure of a new "Driver's" company. Kelly had to work today, so Bonnie Nelson picked up the dubious "honor" in her stead. She was also kind enough to sit through my Erbitox IV session. For those of you who might not know, I have a real aversion to all thing "hospital" with a special emphasis on blood (especially my own) and needles. So, "needleless" to say, on a good day, I find all this thrilling. Well, today the Nurse sprung a new one on me... after the routine of hooking up the IV "plug" (or whatever it's really called) she turns around, reaches in a drawer and pulls out a huge syringe! Well, that was a new part of the program, and not one I was particularly fond of. The Nurse was quick to assure me that it was just to flush out something or other - by then I was staring out the window, hoping not to faint. I think Bonnie (and the Nurse) got quite the chuckle out of it.

Well, in that I've been feeling pretty good so far, I rode back to Lahaina with Bonnie, we stopped at Maalea Harbor and had lunch at Beach Bums (they took over where the Blue Marlin used to be). I guess it was good, however, I think the ol' taste buds have about given up for the duration and my poor tongue is oh so sore... The cold ice water was wonderful!

After checking in with Marcia and Steve, to get an update on the neighborhood, I hauled myself down to the Yacht Club for a pau hana (yes, I actually had one whole Longboard Lager) and to catch up on the goings on in Lahaina Town. Then it was home again, home again, jiggity jig jig!


"I love quotations, because it is a joy to find the thoughts one might have, so beautifully expressed with much authority by someone recognized wiser than oneself." - Marlene Dietrich