Gerald Maclennon's Blog - Posts Tagged "cancer"
Malignant / Benign Thoughts. May Day 2019
May Day. International Workers Day... ah, everywhere except Canada and the United States.
I did my quarterly blood draw, lab and Telemed visit yesterday with my oncologist, Dr. Apar Kishor Ganti. All systems are go. The creatinine is a bit high... that's associated with kidney function. They were damaged 5 years ago when malignant tumors blocked the flow creating the acute renal failure. Fortunately chemotherapy and dialysis got the boys up and running again but not without a little damage. I'm just happy they're functioning. Thanks again to my beloved Army of Prayer Warriors. You helped me piss off my hospice team.
Yesterday, after the Telemed at the VA Clinic, sitting and sipping at a new Starbucks on East O Street, I discussed a European trip with Sandy for the first time... told her how I'd like to make that trip that Mom never realized... the one to Sweden, home of great-great-grandparents (stormormor) and a few 2019 cousins.
I did my quarterly blood draw, lab and Telemed visit yesterday with my oncologist, Dr. Apar Kishor Ganti. All systems are go. The creatinine is a bit high... that's associated with kidney function. They were damaged 5 years ago when malignant tumors blocked the flow creating the acute renal failure. Fortunately chemotherapy and dialysis got the boys up and running again but not without a little damage. I'm just happy they're functioning. Thanks again to my beloved Army of Prayer Warriors. You helped me piss off my hospice team.
Yesterday, after the Telemed at the VA Clinic, sitting and sipping at a new Starbucks on East O Street, I discussed a European trip with Sandy for the first time... told her how I'd like to make that trip that Mom never realized... the one to Sweden, home of great-great-grandparents (stormormor) and a few 2019 cousins.
2020 Anno Domini
An apology to my readers for my two month absence from this, my blog. No matter how much one tries to avoid end of year holidays, one is still sucked in and impoverished.
2020, the year of perfect vision... truthfully, I never thought I would achieve it! After nearly dying 5 years ago and having a major cystoprostatectomy 4 years ago, I figured, "Okay, the Master of the Universe gave me another year or two to get my affairs in order and then I'm out of here."
Because I made mental preparation for death, I can't let it go. I think about death everyday. My shipmate, John McCain, developed brain cancer and died in 2018. Alex Trebek, longtime host of TV's Jeopardy, is currently dealing with the finality of his pancreatic cancer. In an interview, he said that now his life is no longer open-ended.
Trebek can see his own demise approaching. In all decades previously, he lived the myth of eternal life in the flesh... seeing people all around dying but never wanting to believe it could actually happen to Alex.
In years long past, the Hindu scripture, Bhagavad Gita, defined this myth as one of our greatest mysteries... not the dying part but of cherishing and protecting the idea that we won't -- that I amongst all am the golden monkey.
If I addressed all the theories of life beyond the grave, this blog would run 10 pages or more. So, I'll leave it in the realm of personal belief.
I am nearing February 16, 2020 when my body odometer reads 73 years of use and abuse. This 1947 Homo Sapiens is experiencing systemic breakdown. O-O-O O'Reilly's carries no parts for my year, make and model. Parts would have to be salvaged in the manner of Dr. Frankenstein, or handcrafted in a specialty shop but those suckers are priced in Warren Buffet's range. Not in mine.
In January 2019, we celebrated the birthday of my girl, Sandy, as she turned 70. In the year 2020, I will celebrate my birthday, Lord willing, in the Pacific Northwest with my girls: daughter Jessica and granddaughter Stella (and mi yerno, Ryan). Stella will be 10 on January 28th. Jessica will be 50 on May 24. Sis will become 70 on July 21. Had she lived, Mum and my biological father, Harry Dean, and my Step-Dad Cady would have all turned 95. (Jeff is eagerly awaiting next year 2021.)
For this old Vietnam Vet Hippie, I obey the Wheel of Life, the Great Mandala. And... for those born in the New Millennium, a brave new world awaits. And the beat goes on, the beat goes on.
2020, the year of perfect vision... truthfully, I never thought I would achieve it! After nearly dying 5 years ago and having a major cystoprostatectomy 4 years ago, I figured, "Okay, the Master of the Universe gave me another year or two to get my affairs in order and then I'm out of here."
Because I made mental preparation for death, I can't let it go. I think about death everyday. My shipmate, John McCain, developed brain cancer and died in 2018. Alex Trebek, longtime host of TV's Jeopardy, is currently dealing with the finality of his pancreatic cancer. In an interview, he said that now his life is no longer open-ended.
Trebek can see his own demise approaching. In all decades previously, he lived the myth of eternal life in the flesh... seeing people all around dying but never wanting to believe it could actually happen to Alex.
In years long past, the Hindu scripture, Bhagavad Gita, defined this myth as one of our greatest mysteries... not the dying part but of cherishing and protecting the idea that we won't -- that I amongst all am the golden monkey.
If I addressed all the theories of life beyond the grave, this blog would run 10 pages or more. So, I'll leave it in the realm of personal belief.
I am nearing February 16, 2020 when my body odometer reads 73 years of use and abuse. This 1947 Homo Sapiens is experiencing systemic breakdown. O-O-O O'Reilly's carries no parts for my year, make and model. Parts would have to be salvaged in the manner of Dr. Frankenstein, or handcrafted in a specialty shop but those suckers are priced in Warren Buffet's range. Not in mine.
In January 2019, we celebrated the birthday of my girl, Sandy, as she turned 70. In the year 2020, I will celebrate my birthday, Lord willing, in the Pacific Northwest with my girls: daughter Jessica and granddaughter Stella (and mi yerno, Ryan). Stella will be 10 on January 28th. Jessica will be 50 on May 24. Sis will become 70 on July 21. Had she lived, Mum and my biological father, Harry Dean, and my Step-Dad Cady would have all turned 95. (Jeff is eagerly awaiting next year 2021.)
For this old Vietnam Vet Hippie, I obey the Wheel of Life, the Great Mandala. And... for those born in the New Millennium, a brave new world awaits. And the beat goes on, the beat goes on.
