Big Weekend

Another big weekend.

We drove to Southern California on Friday and stayed with Steve and Jen.


Saturday Beth and the kids came to SB and the 'men' went to Rancho San Marcos Golf Club to play golf;


it was a glorious day and lots of fun. That night we dined an an electic wonderful restuarant in Montecito called Cava; if you need a place to park in Santa Barbara where the food and drink is extraordinary - try Cava.

Sunday we drove to Ventura to attend the wedding of Kathy Pierce's lovely daughter, Rachel. It was a great reception with fantastic food, then the drive back to Fresno.


Next week is Strawberry Music Festival and we are all getting excited.

Stay tuned.


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Check-Up

Well, some good news. With my current therapy, my PSA has fallen 20% - nothing to get excited about but it is going in the right direction and I do not have another check up for a month!

Although I am not on traditional chemo, I still am tired all the time and have poor exercise tolerance - so that is my excuse to watch the NBA playoffs. There are residuals of the chemo --> aches and pains --> but not bad enough for medical chronic.

This weekend we are going to a Wedding in Ventura; the following weekend it is Strawberry Music Festival and then after a brief rest, to another wedding in Minneapolis (or is it St Paul) and a chance to shoppe at the Mall of America.

Carole is retiring no later than September, and then it is probably cruise time - perhaps Alaska or Mexico.

On Friday, we reflect on what happened nine (9) years ago - we were reduced to war refugees! For a nice Powerpoint Photo Show Click Here!

It was a struggle at first, but now we can relax and enjoy the fruit of our labours.

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Time to Remember

Last weekend was clearly a whirlwind time. Carole and me, as well as her sister Anice and the Hazelton’s (Beth, Bill, Marlee, and Grace) flew back to Sharon Penna to attend a memorial service for Carole’s mother at the First Presbyterian Church in Sharon.







It was a fitting tribute to a life well lived and hopefully will bring some closure to all that loved her.










While in Sharon we traveled to New Wilmington and Volant – the heartland of the Western Pennsylvania Amish. Initially one is struck with the simplicity of the buggies and dress and the bucolic vistas of the Amish farms. However, it is enchanting, and has a tranquility that transcends all the hoy paloy of current affairs in America.





We also had a chance to visit Jig Warren, one of my lifelong friends who has his hands full trying to develop franchises for his Quaker Steak and Lube restaurants. We had a chance to meet this wonderful children – Margot and Meredith. Jig had a big influence on me growing up, as well as his parents George and Mary. If you ever get near a QS & L, do drop n for the best Wings USA.

The grandkids are clearly travelers – they enjoyed every minute.






We were also happy to be able to spend time with my brother Steve and his wife Jean and my nephew Steve Jr. Nothing but fun. I really would like to spend more time there as I love where I was raised in Western Pennsylvania.

Health wise, nothing to report. My hair seems to be on a bit of a growth spurt and I actually had to save after a 3 month hiatus.

We have a chance to relax for the next few weeks before going out of town – next rip is to Rob Godsall-Meyers marriage in Minneapolis in June.

Stay in touch.
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Easter Week Fun

Marlee had the week after Easter off from kindergarden; so I took a train to LA on Tuesday and drove to Fresno with Beth and the children on Wednesday evening. What a great time! Both girls enjoyed see the Wiggles and Grace had a lot of fun. Grace loves eggs and is a great eater (thats is what the photo represents).

Click here to see more photos.

We drove to LA on Saturday morning (2 cars) and went to the House of Blues in West Hollywood Sat night to see Yonder Mountain String Band. The place was packed and the crowd was lit up in many way to the extent it suprised the band. Peter and Nichole, Paul and Helen, Rob, Rod and shannon, Steve R. also made it - what a great time.

Home on Sunday. Next weekend we are going to Sharon PA to celebrate the wonderful life of Carole's Mom at a memorial service.

Take care.

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Game Plan

The photo was taken in Yosemite a couple of weeks ago while we were watching the Final Four at the Mountain Bar.

My oncoloy status is unchanged; I am going to stay on the current treatment (a daily handful of pills and an occasional IV) to see what happens when my androgens are supersupressed. More than likely, I will look into further treatment (vaccine, new oncologic, Haitian Voodoo), but at present things are steady.

Beth and the kids will be up next week to the see the Wiggles and that should be fun.

The following week we will be travelling to Sharon in Western Pennsylvania to have an interment service for Carole's mother.

Hope Easter was special for everyone.

BTW, Click here to visit an interesting blog site of a man I admire.

Cheers.

Guests

Great weekend for guests. Beth, Bill, Marlee and Grace Ann came to visit; it was especially fun since the Cawdreys came down from Montanta to visit.

Steve and Nancy Cawdrey founded and ran a school in Montana based upon a log cabin - wilderness experience model, believing that kids need to be in a envirnment that focuses on internal issues (emotional literacy). Most students came from the paralyzing influence of wealth to an Abe Lincoln experience. The individuality and toughness that you see in my chidren was forged at their School - Spring Creek.

Steve is retired and Nancy artistic magic has bloomed as a Western Artist whose material draws on her wordwilde experiences. Her website is worth a look!

Carole is doing very well grieving her Mom's death and has things in hand to celebrate her life at a church service in Sharon Pa in late April.

Since I have not seen a doctor for 3 weeks and have had not lab or x-ray, there is no bad news. However, I have an appointment at the end of the week.

For the past 20 years, I have tried to listen Bach's St Matthew Passion each Good Friday. Even if you do not uderstand German, it will reach your spirit/soul - try it.

Finally, I put up some pics of the weekend. Click and check it out

.

We are closing with a picture of the Cawdreys

The Beauty of It

One of the reasons I live in Fresno is to be close to the Sierras - especially Yosemite. When I first came to the Left Coast in 1968 I was unprepared for the grandness of Yosemite. As I visited the park more and more I fell in love with it. This weekend, Carole and I spent a lovely 3 days in the park. The day after we arrived, it snowed and it was breath taking. We were able to have dinner and brunch at the Awahnee Hotel - surely one of the seven wonders of the USA. To see some pictures, click here.

Otherwise we seem fine, except a lot of things are up in the air - my disabilty status, Carole's retirement plan, High Sierra. However, all things are headed in the right direction!

I would especially like to thank Ken V. - my friend - and long time Yosemite employee, for setting up our dinner and brunch at the 'Queens' table.

Lots of guests this upcoming weekend and we are excited. Stay tuned.

Peace and Health,

Bill

A Sad Time

It is a sad and reflective time at our house.

Carole's Mom, Gunelda Hall, passed away in her sleep at the age of 92 yesterday afternoon at her residence at Sunrise. There are probably not a nicer and more honest couple on this planet than Gunelda Hall and Sherman Hall. The qualities we all admire in Carole came from somewhere, or as they say, the acorn does not fall far from the tree. Gunelda has a burial plot next to her husband in Sharon PA, and after the spring thaw were will have a grave-side interment service for her. When Mrs. Hall first come to Fresno she lived quite independently at a Retirement Community but as her age advanced, she moved to Sunrise Center where had very caring staff and friends. She had a full and rewarding life and left three wonderful children. It was my lucky day to have Gunelda as my mother-in-law.

Next weekend we will be travelling to Yosemite for a meeting - 3 days - it is especially beautiful this time of year with the big water and snow. Good time for pictures.

Healthwise, Carole and I are fine - being off chemo for awhile is kind of nice since I have been it continuously for 1 1/2 year and forgot what 'normal' is like.

My resolution of my disability insurance is in good hands and hopefully it will be resolved soon so I do not have to depend on Carole for an 'allowance'.

Anyway, remember Gunelda Hall is your thoughts and prayers.

Peace and Health.

Up and Down

Within the last couple of weeks, my PSA has decided to leave the plateau; my oncologist has concluded that it is time again to change the game plan. The good news is I will be off the heavy chemo so my hair will come back and perhaps some energy. Instead we are going to do "secondary hormone manipulation" which means more pills and less shots. The good news is I feel fine and the blood test is just that. I do not have a followup for a month, so we will wait and see.

We spent a great weekend in Southern California and got to see some good basketball, all the grandkids and a fine Ruth's Chris dinner.

Partial retirement suits me well - can get enough rest and enjoy the slower pace.

In two weeks we go to Yosemite for a few days to attend a medical meeting. Hopefully the roads will be clear.

Carole has tentatively set early September for her retirement as Emergency Department Director - may a cruise afterward.

Stay tuned.

Insurance Companies &%#@aghhhh

In 1992 I downsized my medical practice to take a postiion with the CA Department of Voc Rehab and in 1995 joined in forming Northwest Medical Group. Therefore 1/2 of my income comes from medical practice and 1/2 from the position with the State. To protect our income at Northwest, the doctors have a policy that provides partial income if they are unable to practice at Northwest due to injury or illness. I stopped working in October and applied for disability payments but today my claim was rejected. Amazing. Even though my income has dropped in 1/2 since October due to cancer treatments, the Insurance company says I make too much money working part time with the State of California and refuses to give me a penny. Go figure; but then it has been my experiences that insurance companies try as hard as they can to NOT take care of you when you need it in order to show profit to the shareholders. I am sure this will be worked out but going to the matresses with the insurance company is not in my peace and harmony plan.

Two days ago I received my 4th chemotherapy treatment with Taxatiere and now today I feel like I a hit a wall - amazing - it comes on in about 1/2 hour and you head for bed - should last a couple of days then bounce back. When last checked my counts look OK but I will not know the definitive counts for three weeks - so why worry at this point.

I try each day to find graditude and acceptance but today it was a little difficult to be grateful for Standard Insurance, but I am sure they are full of good people there in Portland.

Last weekend Peter and Nichole came up - it was wonderful. Peter shot an 80 at the country club - two great meals and just a a wonderful time.

Anyway, I am planning to start to swing a golf club to keep up my conditioning and hopefully can get enjoying the Fresno Sunshine.

One Love

Liam

BTW - the pic is me nailing a shot at Wailea

A Warm Weekend in Southern California in February

The nice thing about having Chemo every 21 days insead of weekly is that the week before the next dose, you feel pretty good. We ventured to LA (West Hills) and Santa Barbara. We were able to see Galactic at the House of Blues in West Hollywood and they did not disappoint with two great sets (10:45 - 1:15) encoring with 'a song about New Orleans' ---> When The Levy Breaks by Led Zep.

Sunday we went to SB - the weather was just perfect and we had a great day at the beach and wharf.

With three grand children, I have plenty of joy and right now things seem to going the right way, especially since the Steelers won the SuperBowl.

We are all going to Strawberry Music Festival Memorial Day and that should be a great time for family fun.

To see pictures of the weekend, click here.

Cruisin' On Chemo

The new chemo formula seems to be working in that my "bad" numbers have fallen 25%; however, some of my "good" numbers dropped (white blood count) and are now back to normal. The third treatment cycle will begin in three days.

My son Steve and I managed to score some 'epic' tickets to the Denver Bronco v. New England Patriot game a week ago and we had a marvelous weekend in Denver, including some adventures in the LoDo.



I have applied for disability from my clinical practice as I am not able to work at the pace the doctors at Northwest demand, due mostly to my chemotherapy. I have no problem with my Medical Consultant position at the Calif Dept of Vocational Rehabilitation and plan to stay there indefinitely. I could do a limited practice in a more flexible and compassionate Medical Group and have been approached about this, but my oncology physician has recommended against it. I have not worked at Northwest since October 18 and find that I am 'healthier' both mentally and physically, and getting the rest I need.

Actually Carole is more stressed than me with the total revamping at Saint Agnes that has followed Sister Ruth's departure.

There will be no Burning House Fest this Spring - we are going to Strawberry Music Festival and to a wedding in early June in Minnesota and our efforts will be directed there.

Keep in touch.

Year End 2005

(Thats Emily Elizabeth Kennedy!)

One of my favorite poems is Carl Sandburg's FOG - and it seems that fog comes in and out of my life "on little cat feet". Christmas started well but soon the Baptist Flu* took over and variously affected all my children, 66 % of my grandchildren, Carole and me and my son-in-law. And now, the fog has traveled on. In the meantime, I had to cancel my trip with Fresno State football to Memphis - I was looking forward to some football bowl style, but I couldn't get out of bed for three days.

Having chemo once every three weeks is so different - so I hope this stabilizes things for a while, so I can enjoy more "drug free" days.

Going back to medical practice is probably not feasible in the near future, so I am at least looking at some other options and will have to make a decision in the next week or two.

So, for today, things are good. Tommorrow is another year. Happy New Year.



*The 'flu' seemed to have come home with my grand-daughter Marlee from the Baptist private school she attends, hence "Baptist" flu.

Getting Ready For Christmas

Its like night and day - getting chemo with five drugs every 3 weeks out of four, to now only one drug every three weeks. Sooo, at least for the time bieng my life is not being dictated by my chemo schedule, although it still is being limited by some side effects of the chemo (Will I have to undergo hair loss agin?)

The holidays are approaching and with all the enlarging family (three grandchildren) it is becoming more family oreinted rather than Mum's Champagne and hanging out.

Anyway, the vibe is good.

Bill

Been A Long Time

No posts since October - no news is good new they say.

A week ago we returned from 9 days in Hawai'i. We spend Thanksgiving and the week thereafter at Wailea. Wailea is sort of a Disneyland for people who make too much money or have a large credit card line. Anyway, during our vacation each day there are only four decisions: when do we go to the beach; when do we play golf, when do we shop; and where do we eat tonight. Its a pretty simple and low stress life. I was in Hawai'i during the recent losses of the Fresno State football team and although the games were braodcast nationally, I was playing golf - so I had to read about it in the Maui newspaper.

The FMLA (medical leave of absence from Clinical Practice) has been restoring and has given me enough time to get things done at the pace my illness allows.

As to my illness and treatment: good news and bad news. First the bad news - my PSA has been creeping up and not plateauing as we would have liked, so we are going to undergo a new treatment plan - single drug once every three weeks. The good news: I feel quite healthy; the new therapy does not have the toxicity of the olde therapy, the new therapy is more effective than the old therapy according to recent studies and has to be administered only one day per every three weeks. Oh yes - more hair loss but I have an abundance of hats to wear.

Whats up next - Christmas in Woodland Hills and New Years in Memphis at the wonderous Peabody Hotel (Fresno State is in the Liberty Bowl NYE).

I Made a 25 slide PowerPoint file - but I can figure out how to display it.

See you soon.

Peace and Health

A Fork In The Road

A few hours ago, I saw my last "office" patient for a few months, as I am now on an indefinite Medical Leave and looking in other directions for a while. This decision has been a time of reflection and although I do not feel 'burnt out', there is a bit of an exhaustion beyond just my health.

What I will miss the most is the special privledge of being with people on their journey. This has not changed for the past 30 years. I am just as humbled now as I was long ago. Medicine has given me rewards beyond any expectation: a wonderful opportunity to serve, a comfortable life for my family, intellectual challenges, association with some of the best people on earth, and exposure to a world I never imagined existed.

What I will not miss, is the evolution of primary care medicine into a gimmee gimmee experience, replete with greed, self-service, political correctness and manipulation. More and more patients seem to want something other than appropriate medical care: i.e. Vicodin, a written excuse to slack from work, Viagra for a lousy sex life, to stop their spouse from drinking, to get sedatives, more Vicodan, telephone Rx for antibiotics; after a while you start to feel like a well paid drug pusher. All too often, patients do not want your opinion, your concern, your medical expertise anymore than they want that from the corner drug dealer.

What perhaps is the more unpleasant gimme experience are the Insurance Companies and HMOs that seems to know better than me how to care for patients and routinely try to convince me and the patient that the cheaper drug is actually better treatment rather than the truth: that cheaper drugs mean bigger profits. Getting scans and care for my sick patients has deteriorated into a grovel and a plea on behalf of the patient. My ability to grovel seems more important than my ability to make medical decisions. I think the patient's fear that if they get a catastrophic illness, their HMO/INS company will abandon them, is a very realistic concern.

Perhaps that is why I gravitate toward senior and long-term care: these folks are the people of the greatest generation, who have nothing but gratitude. And because they have been neglected by insurance companies and the greedy medical predators, you rarely have to grovel, or make excuses, in order to provide outstanding care.

No-one particularly cares that none of my HIV patients in the last 10 years have died, that none of my arteriosclerotic or diabetic patients have been amuptated, that none of my hypertensive or diabetic patients have had to go on kidney dialysis, that all my transplant patients are alive and well - what seems to count more is my speed at Rxing the Vicodan or pulling strings to get 'em into the dermatologist for a brown spot or saving a few bucks for the HMO.

Do not get me wrong - I am extremely grateful for what has been my medical practice, but the constant 'demands' by insurance, HMOs and unhappy people eventually dulls your edge.

Hope a rest after 30 years of continuous medical practice infuses new energy. My personal philosophy is that of the Hard Rock Cafe: Love All - Serve All

Peace and Health...

Emily

Well, my grandaughter Emily is 11 days old and I have yet to hold her. Next weeknd perhaps; probably for the best as I have been out all last week due to a persistent and sapping cold-bronchitis (or as my Doctor said: at least its not pneumonia).

I finished my second week of Cycle 14 Chemotherapy without incident last Friday and am looking forward to my upcoming FMLA (MEDICAL LEAVE) from Northwest Medical Group. AFter a year of chemotherapy, I am beginning to realize that I probably can not meet my contractual obligations to NW (so many patients per hour, etc) due to the many effects and side effects of the chemo. After the FMLA, I will be looking into working at a diferent pace - perhaps less patients per hour - we will see.

I went with my brother to the Fresno State vs. New Mexico State football game in Las Cruces NM last weekend and I really noticed the fatigue factor - especially trying to stay upright thru the game in the rain.

Next weekend is the awaited trip to SoCal and Santa Barbara after completing Cycle 14.

Stay tuned.

Time For A Rest

Well the news is good. My PSA has stopped rising and actually falling after cycle 13. So there willl be no changes in the current plan, although my oncologist feels that after a year of chemotherapy, one often needs to mix it up a bit.

I have been talking with my oncologist about the need for some cutting back on my very 'workaholic' lifestyle and he and I think it is time for a rest.

So, after October 14, I will be taking a medical leave for several months. This is not because my health is failing, but a year of chemotherapy ahs taken it's toll and I need some time to get back into shape and start taking better care of myself. I will continue with the Dept of Voc Rehab and Fresno State and he sundry other projects I am involved in.

Sooo, I will be out of practice for most of the rest of the year with the hope that I can return in 2006 - rested, slimmed, relaxed and ready-2-go!

Anyway, I am very pleased with the treatment paln so far and I am looking forward to seeing the inside of fitness gym. I am also grateful beyond description for the support and concern for everyone, especailly the prayer circles!

Stay tuned!

Sunday 9-11

I am currently in the middle of Cycle 13 (or is it 14?). My chemo-doc has been on vacation for a week or so, so I get in and out on chemo day (Friday).

Nothing new to report as far as health issues other than the effects of the chemo vary week to week -- last week I had no problem playing golf on Sunday - this Sunday I was lethargic and could not get off the couch (or perhaps Steelers football has something to do with the couch syndrome).

Went to see the Eagles with bro David and Sylvia - so good.

Next weekend I have tix up front to see Carlos - this is a big dose of goodness. I joined the fan club and get tix up in front in return.


Speaking of up front - Fresno State looks like a machine - solid football and next week is going to be the test - Oregon at Oregon.

We are on the clock with the Emily Elizabeth watch.



Only real issue is fatigue - especially after grinding in the office - we will see.

Cheers....

39th Anniversary

Yesterday was our 39th wedding anniversary and I executed a suprise weekend for us.

Friday, we drove to Napa and stayed at a Bed and Breakfast called The Blue Violet Mansion. This wonderful Queen Anne Victorian is managed by a delightul man named Roger from the U.K. I highly recommend it. Here is a pic of us on the steps.



We had a great meal at Celadon!

We arranged to play a round of golf at the Chardonnay Golf Club and this was also a treat.



The big treat was a ride on the Wine Train - a 3 hour trip 30 miles up the road to St Helena aboard a 1950 domed dining car with a goumet meal and the trimmings.



Health Issues

Well, I have completed 12 cycles of chemotherapy (that's 36 days laying in the chair with infusions being pumped into you) and I am a heck of a lot better than when I started. The exact 'cocktail' has been adjusted on and off and it may need some further tweaking, but I am grateful.

I am thankful for my family and friends for the support and encouragement. I am also thankful to those at work who have allowed me extra time off and have been tolerant of some of the accomdoations a cancer patient may need. For those folks who are not tolerant, what can I say.

Whats Next

Well, the countdown has begun until it is time be a be a grand-dad again (can you believe 4 weeks!), Hawaii is coming up in a few months and oh-yes - Vegoose in Vegas for Halloween.

Talk to you later.

Saturday - August 6

Well Here is An Update

I have been off chemo for 13 days and I pretty much feel detoxed. Today I reviewed my numbers: the PSA has a creepy but the PAP is down. The PP is the most accurate way to telling bone porgression so we are sticking to the game plan: estramustane X 3 days, Kytril/Decadron/Zoadronic acid/Taxol/Zoldaex/Procrit. Overall I feel pretty good. No medical marijuana YET!

Home

Went to SB last weeknd for Stevie Nick (old chicks rule), golf with Peter and birthday in West Hills.

Went to Rubys in LA for a Marlee birthday - Grace had a good time!



Business

Work is the same. I got a real big cake for my birthday. The Execx Committe had a party to discuss my

Hunter Thomspon

attitude but I have been asked to not talk about it unless you have an MDity degree - but it is kind of cute. As Hunter said: I don't advocate sex, drugs, violence, and insanity but it sure worked for me.

Well the course is set for the next three weeks...

Parting Comments:

"When life seems like easy street, there is dnager on your door" Garcia/Hunter

"You know it takes a lot to win and even more to lose; yuou and I got to spend some time deciding whch to choose. Don't you you gottas watch you cards and play them slow... Garcia/Hunter

Love all

Grace and Fan Club

Cycle XII (12) - July 08, 2005

Cycle 11 is done - 12 started today.

Starting my 34th Treatment Day- Yikes.

Nothing to report on my 'numbers' other than I am anemic still, but my PSA and other scary things won't be in until next week. I have had last weekend off so I was able to go to High Sierra for a 5 night weekend and have a real good time - Grandkids, Daughter and hubby, wonderful brother Dave and his Mrs., -->> 2 days Playing Golf at Graeagle and of course - The Music.

Nothing much else is new, hence no blog additions as I do not want to bore you. Actually, my health appears so good that people are starting to treat me as a slacker (my medical group wonders why I don't work more - ANS: I have been getting toxic and lethal drugs that knock the mierda out or you for a few days). Probably a good sign - I don't look like I have a fatal illness.


At High Sierra, we stayed a few minutes drive south of Quincy (which is 60 miles north of Truckee) at the Long Valley Resort - we stayed in Cabin 11 with Beth and family. We had two generous bedrooms, full kitchen, dining area, LR, 2 baths, a a covered front porch with chairs, table and BBGril. We hated to leave the premises. If you are thinking of going to High Sierra next year and don't want to camp with people on Acid at 3 am screaming "Theres bats in my tent and I can't feel my testicles", think about Long Valley.

At Long Valley, cell phones do not work, horses are in the pasture, the other guests are really friendly and you are in a golf Mecca; the managers are quality A++ people.

On the home front, Marlee's birthday is coming up (July 29th), Jen is having a baby shower for Emily (still in the pouch), and my birthday is early Aug. My kids are getting older - just think: Thomas Jefferson wrote the

Declaration of Independence

when he was 2 years younger than my daughter Beth.

Bye for now -

PS Want to find out who your true friends are: get cancer or go to jail - you will be suprised both ways.

Remember - Love All - Serve All

June 11, 2004

Chemo Update - Cycle 10-A

We seem to be on a 'run' since my biological markers (PSA) are the lowest they have been in a year and: my hair is back, my bone marrow needs less support and my recovery time each week is more tolerable! Onward and upward, although sitting in a doctors ofice with a needle in your arm for 5 hours weekly for 10 months seems to be a little tiring.

In Other News

Last night I got to fulfill a dream of a life time - it was the most fun I have had in the last 31 years with my clothes on! My friend Doug Noble, has gasoline in his veins and motor oil in his spinal fluid and now has a Kellson drag car with a nice Chevy engine with the trimmings. We went to Fomoso Dragway in BKFD last night and I got to make a run. At first I was afraind to even get in the thing - it is a very tight fit with your knees on your chest, but a after a some help from Doug (he is therapist when he is not dreaming of a 7 sec run) I managed to go for it with respectible time (> 100 mph). This picture is of Doug giving last minute instructions and saying the The Racer's Prayer with me.

Burning House 6

Burning House 6 was by most measures, 'best ever'. The food was plentiful, the karma of the guests wonderful, the beer and especial Margaritas cold, and the music great. We had two bands and they eventually joined together. Also we a

Hippie Kareoke Contest

(each contestant sang a verse to The Weight - Bob Dylan song) which was won by that wannabe hippie Ed Fereirra.



Here is a picture of the post party band and me - not exactlly a Bill Graham event.




C-ya next week.

Sunday May 22, 2005

Cycle 9-B

Well, so far so good. A couple of weeks ago, my "numbers" were about the same, so we have cut down on one of the chemo-drugs that was suppressing my bone marrow and pressing forward.

The clots in my leg seem resolved and life is back to near normal, although last week I was sick in bed for a couple of days with what was probably an intestinal flu.

Our efforts now are to get Burning House Festival VI going. Everything seems to be falling into place.

Burning House will be a chance to introduce my grand-daughters to everyone.



See ya at Burning House!

Saturday April 30, 2005

Cycle 8-C (End of Cycle)

Well, I have completed 8 months of chemotherapy and things have changed quite a bit. The highlights (and lowlights):

1. My PSA has gone into a regression (remission?) status.
2. My hair disappeared and reappeared looking like a professor.
3. My toes are numb - actually feels tingly good!
4. I feel punk all the time due to low blood count, but that is the way most of my patients tell me they feel.
5. I had blood clots in my leg with resultant swelling but the hi-tech clot busters
have resolved that.

Anyway I am grateful and very pleased to be at this point.

In other happenings:

My daughter and my grandchildren spent a week in Fresno and I got to take my gdaughter to see The Wiggles and Blues Clues. Now Marlee wants to move to Fresno!

Here they are:



Also, they came and woke me up one morning - don't tell Tom Sneden.



Finally, we have a new addition to our house - his name is Django!!! He is delightful.




Whats next - I don't know but next week is the off week and in two weeks I will have more info.

Happy Mother's Day. Here is Steve with his Mom and Grandparents

Friday-Saturday mid April 2005

Big Day


From the beginning of the cruise my left leg swelled much larger than the right.
Although clots are a complication, I have been taking rat poison (d-con---warfarin) in low does, so I thought I was low risk.

Well the airline trip was lots of sitting and thats where it started. During the Cruise Carole Kennedy RM MSN wrapped me with corform-ACE bandage which seemed to help, but mostly I ignored it.

Anyway, an Ultrasound today of the leg showed clots in two calf veins (Popliteal and Peroneal) but both are starting to recanalize indicating its been ahwile.




Well this is good news and bad news.

Good News

* I have a curable condition
* There are a number of compression sox to make it better
* Can lie and get out of work (just kiddin')
* Can get a temp disabled sticker

Bad News

* Hads to miss the moe. show in Ventura (can have long car rides.
* Have to take shots for 10 days to disolve the clots
* Have to stay on higher doses of the rat posion for 6 months
* May need one of those Alert bracelets
* Do to bleeding, have to avoid fist fights, gunshot wounds, rock climbing, and
skydiving

Otherwise, the chemo continues (Cycle 8). My numbers are good:

- Prostate numbers have stabilized low
- Blood counts almost normal

Ovwerall this is not a setback but a change of plans. The scary part is over - flipping a clot to my lungs and having to go to the Jamaica Ganga Hospital for treatment.

Grace Ann and her family are coming up this week and that will cheer me up.

Finally, I am trying to get a Burning House Festival for May 29 Sunday. I need feedback. e-amil or leave comments on the blog.

Ta Ta

Tuesday - April 12 - 2005

Post Cruise Greetings

Well - 10 days on the

Dawn Princess

in the Caribean does wonders for you (as well as your waistline). We stopped at Princess Cay (private beach), St Thomas, St. Martin, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel-Mexico.

I won't bore you with the details, but a real highlight was racing the Stars and Stripes - Dennis Conner's boat that won the America's Cup. Check out the website.

No chemo for over two weeks feels great - we will find out in a few days - what next.

Here is a pic from one of the "formal nights".

.

Click for more Cruise Pics.

C-ya

March 25, 2005

<

Cycle 7-C (End of Cycle)

Well - Cycle 7 is done. This cycle, my platelets have hovered around the "are you feeling lucky" status and my oncologist has not been feeling lucky so we have cut out the Carbo-plantin - but conintued the rest of the cocktail - and things are going well. However, I acquired another upper respiratory infection (unable to work until Wednesday)which has me on the ibuprofen and 12 hour sleep binges. Today, I seems to have got beyond it.

Two weekends ago, we went to visit the grandchildren and Grace Anne is just a wonderous child.




Our good friend Laura came down to see her hubby play at the Troubadour and paid a visit to us (Marlee to Laura: "I think you oughta relax on the tattoos!")
.

Our Caribean Cruise Adventure on Princess begins Tuesday when we leave for Ft Lauderdale to sail out 3/30 - 10 days.

I will do a couple posts from the ship.

Until then...ta-ta

Friday, March 11, 2005

Cycle 7-A

Last week, we had to cancel the chemo because my platelets were 52,000 (normal = 150,000 - 400,000)so I have had a chance to bounce back to pretty near normal.

This Wednesday I went over my most recent lab with the DOC and now my platelets are up and today have gone up 2 1/2 times what they were two weeks ago (there is no approved drug to boost them although AMGEN is working on it).

Best news is my PSA is now down to near normal (lowest its been in a year) showing that for the time being we have put the cancer to sleep.

So - everything is coming up roses.



In other news, my new grandaughter - Grace Anne - brought her family up from West Hills to visit us in Fresno last week and it was a joyous time: we went to the Fresno Met Museum to see Grossology - where the nasty stuff comes from (snot, vomit, diahreea, farts, and zits). Actually its an interactive fun house kind of exhibit (if you like to crawl inside noses and colons!)

Grace also took us to Sierra Summit for some snow play Saturday.

This weekend we are in West Hills to Grace-sit so Beth can get out to celebrate her birthday at Roy's.

Next week March Madness gets going - if you have not been invited to my bracket contest, go to the link or let me know at: (yem@qnis.net).

C-ya

February 19, 2005

West Hills, California

Cycle 6-B

It's Prez Day weekend and I am with my grandchildren and family in SOCal - feels like the tropics with all the rain. I am glad to get out of Fresno where Coach Stacy Johnson-Klein has given the Fresno Bee an opportunity to compete with The Enquirer and come up a scandal du jour.

Chemo went without a hitch except that my platelets have dipped; as my oncologist said: we can't keep this up forever - eventually your bone marrow will not tolerate a lot of carboplatin. But it also may be an opportunity to take a break from chemo for a while and give everything a rest. We will deciding in the next couple of weeks.

My hair contiues to grow - not enough to visit the stylist yet, but clearly a change in appearance.

Adios...

February 13, 2005

Cycle Six

I read in the Fresno Bee (my favorite source of medical misinformation), that there is an influenza called the 'California Flu' that is so mutated that the flu shots do not protect you from it. In retrospect that is what probably laid Carole and myself up in bed for a week and delayed last week's chemo. Not to worry, I am now strong enough to press on.

Friday we did Cycle 6-A without a hitch (so far). All the numbers look good and my marrow is holding its own and my head hair is starting spurt out a bit.

I have been going to a tanning salon to abort the comments from patients about "looking sick" - the result of the anemia - now I look like Palm Springs Bill.

Anyway, all is well and it will be off the West Hills and Santa Barbara to celebrate Prez Daze next weekend.

My grandchildren:



Bill

Feburary 4, 2005

For the past week, Carole and I have been locked down with a viral illness: malaise, aches, fever & chills, obnoxious cough, and no appetite (I lost 7 pounds). Today, for a change, I felt much better.

I went to the Oncologist to start Cycle 6 and got good news: my numbers are the best they have been for 8 months. However, the illness has driven my WBC count down to 2200 (Normal = 6000), I am still sweating and coughing, so it was decided to defer a week - so no chemo this week (safety first).

My hair seems to be growing some, but I would not describe it as a main event - people still do not recognize me and I still have taken to wearing funny hats.

Anyway, I suppose the overall vibe is good.

Bill

Feb 1, 2004

"That which does not kill me, makes me stronger"
- Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844-1900)

Well, I finished my last chemo of Cycle V (V-C) without incident and headed to LA on the train to see my new grand-daughter. She is beautiful and although everyone describes her as a "good" baby, I think of her as low maintenence - she eats, poops, smiles at grandpa and sleeps.

Here is a picture of Carole and our grandchildren:



I am feeling well and am scheduled to resume my treatments this week - perhaps Cycle 6 - who knows.

Carole and I signed up for a 10 day Caribean cruise in early April after Easter and that should be a good time.

Right now, everything is coming up roses - I hope I have the time to smell them!

Cheers

Saturday January 15, 2005

Well, the news this week is not about my tribulations, but the arrival Thursday of my Grand-daughter: Grace Ann Hazelton. She weighed in crying at 7'3" and she is now home with her family in West Hills. Here she is:



The chemo went fine - the nubmers are good and my body and mind seem to have adjusted to the routine. I was planning on going to LA after the chemo but I-5 was one lane south and 101 closed. Next weekend for sure.

C-ya

Friday January 7, 2005

Well, I am finally back on track with news to report.

But first, New Year's Eve was wonderful. Carole and I went to Erna's Elderberry House with Dave and Laura for a magical nite of Erna's super-party. Our friend Josh Harlan (Cynthia's son) is a cook/chef there and spent some time with us and showed us the kitchen where most of the magic happens. Here is a dinner pic:




Now for the update. When I showed up for Cycle IV - C, my bone marrow was asleep (platelets 56,000), my oncologist on the beach in Kauai, and the nurses and dox at the Cancer Center thought it best we hold off until my marrow fired up agian. So I took 2 weeks off and now my platelts are 140K + so its onto Cycle V - A. Things went very well. Not a shiver!

For Christmas, my children gave me a super I-pod, and it is clearly the Lexus of players - not just for teenagers. I can see why they can't keep them in stock despite their "rent payment" price. I listend to the moe. show on the Grandstand this year at Quincy and the NYE show in Denver with YMSB. If anyone wants copies of these shows on CD, let me know.

Other good news. After cutting short the chemo and taking off an extra week, I figured my PSA would keep rising, but it dropped 25 %; so everythng is coming up roses!

Remember: World peace begins with turn signals.

Bill

Tuesday, December 28, 2004

!2/28/2004

No chemo this week. I was supposed to get my final dose of Cycle Four, but my bone marrow has turned to crap (i.e. my platelets are < 60 000) so we will ait a couple of weeks to reassess the situation. In the meantime, I feel great and had a great Christmas in LA with the family. Then I flew to Boise and had a great 24 hours, the best of it was coming from behind to beat Univ of Virginia in OT in the MPC Bowl.

So, its off to Erna's Elderberry House for NYE and another year begins.

Thanks foro your support!

Bill

Dec 18, 2004

Saturday

Well we are back on track. I am now on cycle IV-B - second weekly treatment of the fourth cycle and things have gone smoothly. My bone marrow-platelets are getting a bit thin so IV-C may need to be modified, but so far so good.

I won't know where I stand until after the new year when we do some more tests, but I feel pretty good.

There are no new pictures to show, but I suspect there may be one or two after Christmas in LA.

Anyway, the round of office Holiday parties are over, our shopping is mostly done, Holiday Cards mailed and passage to Boise for the MPC Bowl on 12/27 is secured.

WK

December 14, 2004

Early Tuesday Morn 12/14

Last week we (the nurse and I) decidded to hold off on chemotherapy. My PSA had blipped up a bit and my Chemo-Doc was in South America. Friday, my PSA had edged up a tad more and there is some uncertainty as to why. While on holiday in Santa Barbara I developed a urinary infection (I will spare you the details) but the changes may well be due to infection. In any event we decided to go with Course IV AND load me up on antibiotics and worry about it next year.

For some reason the chemo affected me different this time - more nausea for several days, less muscle aches, and weird mouth taste.

Having been off chemo for two weeks I was able to determine that any illness I experience is definitely from the WOD (chemo) and not due to my "disease".

In any event, I am excited about the holidays: see the family Christmas, Boise for football 12/27 and New Years dinner at Erna's - yes, life has been good to me so far.

I do not know if this will work, but you might click this to hear Marlee recite the SSBanner. MARLEE

No photos this week.

Bill

Friday Nov 26, 2004

End Of Course III

Last week was as hard for me as it has been. My butt is really draggin at the end of th third cycle last week -- when I am 4 pints low in blood, immunosupressed, have a toxic neuro-myopathy and a toxic fatigue, its hard to keep pressing in the office. Anyway, a week off could not have come at a better time and the past week has been delightful in Santa Barbara, LA, and Los Olivos at the Fess Parker Inn.

Thanksgiving was wonderful and we were all together at Paul's and Helen's wedding.


With another week off from chemo and a big dose of aranesp, I should be back full steam.

Monday November 15, 2004

Cycle III-B

This week was different for several reasons. First of all, all the drugs came due at the same time so I was really loaded up - in order of receiving them on Fri: emcet (oral) -> aloxi (IV) -> decadron (IV) - > zometa (IV) -> taxol (IV) -> carboplatin (IV) -> Zoladex (subcut) -> Procrit (subcut -> emcet.

Secondly I have been struggling with a cold all week that broke into a nasty bronchitis with grungy looking phlegm and a bed shaking cough. Things seem better after the Biaxin started working.

I took time to make a file of some the hats I have received. It you have not seen it, go to: www.drkennedy.com/hatz.pps.

Hair is about the same. I am looking forward to a week off in SoCal.

Bill

Sunday November 7, 2004

Round III-A

Quite a while ago, I volunteered to go with Fresno State as a team physician when we played Rice in Houston. Little did I expect then that I would be be getting key-mo. However, there are a lot of reasons to go on the trip beside the fact that the Rice games have recently been very competitive. So I moved my chemo day to Thursday morning and flew out with the team Thursday night.

I was able to convince my brother to go as "Mrs Kennedy" as Carole needed to to go to LA to be with Marlee and Beth and her seat was available.

CHEMO

My oncologist is not in on Thursday, so the nurses put me on a fast track and I was out in record time (4 hours), No problems although I am still am haveing the usual post-chemo aches, fatigue and blahs. My counts bounced back with a week off so my bone marrow did not need any Amgen assistance.

THE TRIP

The trip was great. Our football team hit on all 50 cylinders and we stiffled Rice, winning 52-21. The folks at Rice are great and the day was wonderful.

However, the trip was also filled with other events.

First, Nov 4, 1974 I saw my first patient in private practice so David and I did some Patron shots to clebrate my 30 years in medical practice!

Second, Houston harbors some special treats: Dave's friend from Penna - Ed and my friend Chester and Sherri. Ches took us to a great local barbecue place where the food and beer (Shiner bock) gets no better. Then off to the Knucklehead Sports Bar (I see drunk people ) where we had a great time. Ches is one of those special people you wait your whole life to meet - the epitome of hospitality, authenticity and getting every ounce out of life - and Sherri mirrors this.

The food, the friends, the excitement - does not get much better. Thank you to the great people in Houston.

Here is a picture of us at dinner.



BTW, the hair is about the same.

C-ya

Friday October 29, 2004

This my my "off" week from chemo; however, I did some blood work Thursday and the chemo is working -- at least it is working on my bonne marrow. Main effect is reduced production of my red blood cells; thankfully, AMGEN has come up with a drug (EPO) to kick my marrow into making more red cells and after a shot of that, I should get my strength back.

Hair - well it is the same - amazing. All the balck hair has fallen out leaving only the gray. I may try another dye job this week-end - we will see.

My brother Dave and I are going with the Bulldogs to Houston next weekend to play Rice. Dave has some buddies in Houston (as do I) so it should be a good time. I will have to squeeze some chemo in before I leave.

All is well. Stay tuned. Hope your Halloween was as fun as mine. Marlee:

Saturday October 23, 2004

The Details

Yesterday was II-C meaning I have completed the second course of therapy I am off now for two weeks, at which time I start Cycle III.

BLOG

All is going well. I got "extra" stuff with this time - Zometa to make the bones hard and Procrit to keep the blood count up. Six and 1/2 hours in the Oncologist office shoots a big part of the day. Again, when I finish I am jazzed from the steroids and feel like I have been eating cocoa leaves, but settled down today. Next week we will check the numbers but so far the good numbers are holding up and the bad numbers are falling down.

Not as much hair loss this time around so I have decided to keep it for a while.



See ya next week - Happy Halloweenie

Friday October 15, 2004

The Details

Today is the middle session of Round 2 (II-B in the Oncologist verbiage). My blood counts are holding up, no new symptoms and I watched a wonderful DVD Rental -- Mambo Italian - by all means get it. It is like MYBFG Wedding but more about mother and son.

Other Stuff

I was going to do a head shave but a number of people said to hang on to the last drop; so I put in some hair color on my head and moustache and it will buy me more time.

Here is before and after the color job (Clariol)


We are going to see Bob Dylan tommorrow -should be a good time;
the Los Angeles (S)Lackers come to Fresno Tuesday to play the Scato Queens and that will be an experience.

Stay in touch.

Bill

October 9 - 2004 Saturday

We started Cycle II(a) yesterday and it the same old - same old. The numbers look good and the right counts are going up and the bad counts are going down.

The family is here this weekend for the Football Game (FS v. UTEP) so there is plenty to keep me busy.

Overall, things are great.

Oh yeah - the hair:

October 1, 2004 Friday

Hair today - gone tommorrow. This is the "off" week where I do not have to have the WMD; however, my blood count is falling so its time for Procrit to boost me up - I guess that disqualifies me from international bicycle racing. Sorry Beth, they say Epogen is for the kidney people and Aranesp when you aren't coming in every week.



I have taken some polls as what to do with real thinning hair. Seems three options:

a. leave it along and go with flow - it might not all fall out.
b. cut it short so you are not jamming up the shower drain
c. get on with it - climb in the shower with a razor a get it off.

Being a procratinator, I will choose A. Any other decision, I will let you know.

K