Short Blog

I went to visit the Bone Doctor today
To see if there is a better way
...To reduce the pain
...and keep me sane
He ordered more scans...we'll see what they say.

More tomorrow

(Could you pass the gin over this way pleaz)

New Directions

Well, no more doctor visits for a while - have to deal with being loopy and getting on with he rest of my life - imagine - I was snorkeling in French Polynesia two weeks ago and now I need help getting out of the tub - yikes.

So I decided to go back to work and visited my favorite patients -- those in long term care at Wish-I-Ah. Margret is a dear dear soul who has spent most of her adult life in some custodial situation but all agree she gives the best hugs. I had the nurse snap a pic of us yesterday and Margaret was pleased (she is 86) and gave permission to publish (HIPPA be damned)!



Today, I went to a Health Faire at the Oncology Clinic.



- vendors and food and hooked up with Andrew - the guy who get can get me into a chair - the technology has produced some screaming action - so I tried it on and am making an application with my Insurance Company to get one - mostly to prevent falls and increase home mobility. Check it out.




Carole is a bit skeptical.

I am not so sure about the balloons but I like the look!

Dave and Sylvia came out and we barbecued some delicious Bentley's kabobs and pounded through a couple of pitchers of Dave's Famous Margaritas, and then a couple more.

All is well

Brain Time

I am still walking like Dudley Moore in Arthur but without the laughs.

Today, I had an interview with the neurologist (a man I have always respected as a great clinician and teacher). I went over for the MEI of my brain and will follow up with the neurologist in the am.

My father, wife, kids, associates have always said I should have my head examined so today I did and it is weird to be able to look inside your head.

The good news: no senility, tumor, infection, stroke, blood vessel problems, bleeding.



Double click the picture to see the fine print!!

Well, more exams and more tests - stay in touch.

WK

Rolling and Tumbling

The last several days have been spent at Doctor's Offices and Imaging Centers. When I got the wobblies and started bumping into things, it seems that I probably had something compressing my spinal cord; however the MRI suggested otherwise. It seems that I have short pedicles in my spinal cord (the arch that the spinal cord and nerves run through) that is further compromised by bone spurs and other aging phenomena causing a crunching of the nerves coming out of the spine with pain and spasm.



On the picture you can imagine if the pedical is short (someting I was born with) and some spurs where the nerve runs, it could get ouchy!

The bone scan shows plenty of tumor but most it looks knocked down by the cancer treatment, so it may be that my current problems are not primarily being caused by cancer - but who knows for sure.

Yesterday there were many attempts to put dye into my spinal canal but each tap came up dry - no spinal fluid so no picture of the nerve roots (myelogram) so we can see exactly what is going on.

In the meantime, I am unsteady and using a walker. So what now.

Tuesday I am having my head examined (an idea people have suggested long ago) via an MRI and I see a neurologist, then more scans, then the oncologist and the the doctors at UCSF. In the meantime it is Percodan, dinner on the patio, and catching up on my TIVO movies.

Cheers...

K

La Grande Aventure

This is going to be a bigger blog - covers lots of stuff.

The Cruise
We flew from LAX on May 6 to Tahiti - 9 hours - but great service. We spent the next day in port at Papeete, Tahiti - Carole walked about the twon and I did some retoxing, then we sailed out.


The cruise ship was awesome - very well appointed and best service and food ever. We visited 4 islands in French Polynesia (Tahiti, Mo'orea, Bora Bora, Raitera) and the largest island of the Cook Islands (Raratonga) - every island had a barrier reef with miles of crystal clear green water 80 degrees and 3 feet deep with tropical fish abounding.



We finally flew back to LAX May 16 - overnight - arriving the a.m. of May 17. My final class at Fresno State was that evening so we drove to Fresno, showered, tucked down the class and prepared for Burning House Festival X

Special thanks to Jeri Techman at etravelexpress.com for setting it up.

Burning House Festival 10

Well 5/19 1997 was the great house fire so we celebrated the 10th anniversary of that event. We had three bands: Drum Magic - an afro-centric percussion band, Mariachi alas del Cielo - a young and passionate group of Mariachis and Good Medicine - our spiritual journey band. Festival X was the best - about 80 people, unbelievable pot luck sensations, the best in meat and drink, best weather and the nicest people you would ever want to meet.






Special Thanks To:

Ken Vredenburg - the cool draft pale ale
The Maldonados - the kitchen, the meat, the great young people, the morale support
My family - the hard work
Onna Mehas - the bounce house and the tent


Hell Week

I have put off dealing with the prostate cancer top get thru the cruise and the class but Hell week has been set up to decide what is going on and what to do.

Since the cruise I have been walking funny, sort of like a drunk who can't pass a sobriety test - I thought it was just sea legs but it has progressed to the point that I stumble about. Today, I had some scans ordered for UCSF but called my oncologist instead, who did a clothes off evaluation and felt I had a spinal cord cord tumor and would likely need emergency spinal surgery.

However, I underwent CT scan, MRI, blood tests and the cause of my wobblies is not apparent - a puzzle - so he told me to get a cane, don't fall and get more tests.

So tomorrow it is a bone scan, Friday a CT myelogram and then reassess (Does anyone have Dr. House' phone number?).

Anyway, good news --> no immediate surgery; bad news --> I do need the handicapped parking.

Stay tuned.

Convergence

.
.

I call May 2007 my month of convergence because a lot will be happening.

1. In one week will will fly to Tahiti to begin a 10 day luxury cruise in the South Pacific aboard the Tahitian Princess.

2. Burning House Festival X - celebrate the 10th anniversary of our house burning to the ground.

3. I will get scanned and evaluated for the next attack on my cancer at UCSF. This is not fun but it is what it is.

4. I will have completed teaching my course at Fresno State, given the final exam; I will miss this experience.

5. My brother Dave's birthday is coming up (May 22) - he will be eligible to join the AARP.

6. Carole will be holding a shower for Jen in Santa Barbara - Jen is due to deliver our fourth granddaughter (Sarah) in early June.

7. I will be officially retired as team physician for Fresno State. Having been associated with Fresno State has been a magnificent adventure - not only for the "I'm with band" experience but the incredibly wonderful friends I have met. Some of the best people on earth are in athletics. I am humbled to think I have been part of that journey. But it is time to move on and bring on the younger doc.

Expect a bunch of posts as the month rolls on.

Check it out: I recently submitted my DNA to National Geographic for analysis of the genetic journey my father took over the last 60 000 years. We all started our journey in East Africa and I ended up in Ireland. Click here to see the results.


BTW, if you need a travel agent, the best of the best is Jeri at Travel Express in Fresno!

Cheers

4:20

Well 4:20 has come and gone. For those of you who have no sense of 4:20, it is a both a date and time. 4/20 is:

* Hitler's Birthday

* Columbine Anniversary

* National Hippie Holiday
Click here to get info on the Hippie thing.

I also hear that all the clocks in the movie PULP FICTION are set to 4:20 but I have not confirmed this.

My best 4:20 memory is that Al Ward and me were at the High Sierra Music Festival listening to Leftover Salmon playing late night (they played until the sun came up) and at 4:20 a.m. they stopped playing so everyone could light up. It will be hard to forget that night.

Unfortunately or perhaps fortunately, I have not celebrated 4/20 4:20 in a few years. Currently I am dealing with back problems that have curtailed my fun (golf, dog walking, air guitar, mayhem, etc). Fortunately I have found Spitzer Physical Therapy in Clovis and they are working me out. Dennis Spitzer's plan for back pain is not sissy modalities (heat, ultrasound, TENS, phonophoresis, massage, manipulation) but hard work to correct the posture and the supporting muscles of the abdomen, butt and legs. So a session is work.

But it is helping and I have a plan to get going. Hopefully, I will be in shape for the upcoming cruise.

Nothing else - waiting for next weekend when we trip to Yosemite for the weekend with Peter and Nichole.

Pix to follow after Yosemite.

Yosemite Trippin'

We have had two trips to Yosemite in the last two weeks. First was a day trip with my cuz Ward, his wife Cathleen and daughter Meredith and Beth and the girls. It was a glorious day and exceeded all my expectations. A photo -



The following week Rob and Emily Myallis came up and we were able to spend the night last Tuesday. The first day was 'perfect' weather, the second day was snow and rain making for a great mountain experience.

To see a slide show, click here

It really was an honor to have these folks as guests at our house.

My dear friend Emilio Garcia DDS was married today. He is not only a damn fine dentist, but one of the nicest people I have ever met. It was an honor to be invited and he really looks like a man in bliss.

Getting ready for Tahiti; otherwise nothing else to report.

Peace

Sundry

Couple of Things

The FDA panel on new drugs recommended approval for wide use of a Prostate Cancer Vaccine (Provenge). The drug is given to those with advanced androgen independent prostate cancer (AIPC) and works by stimulating the immune system. There are virtually no side effects and I can see the day that this is given all men with prostate cancer. The FDA is expected to give final approval in May; if they don't there will a lot of pissed men heading to D.C.

Tonight the topic at my class at Fresno state was my friend Steve Hirasuna. Steve has been running an inner city Drug Rehab program for 10 years and has been doing Addiction Treatment for > 25 years. He is the best1

Here is a picture of Steve and I.

News Article

Bill McEwen, a columnist for the Fresno Bee, published a column 2 days ago. Bill is my favorite columnist at the Bee and can remember when he was a reporter for Fresno State Athletics. I am heavily referenced in the article and you can be the judge as to whether I come off as a snitch or just trying to do the right thing.

Anyway, the story (Click here to read) concerns a lawsuit that the former Fresno State Woman's basketball coach has filed alleging her firing was in part due to gender discrimination, and her attorney is trying to show that the attitude of the Athletic Administrators toward men with drug problems were different than the attitude toward women. Terry Pettis, former men's basketball star is the case in point.

Just before Terry Pettis was sentenced for the shooting of a young woman in a drug deal gone bad, he 'told all' to the Fresno Bee and alleged that his coach and administrators let him down by allowing him to play drug dirty rather than cleaning him up. Pettis was not alone in having problems complying with rules and regulations. Click for an interesting article published when Terry was suspended for good from the team.

Following the publication of the story and following Pettis' sentencing to life without parole, I wrote him a letter, having been asked not to by Fresno State Athletics until the matter was settled (I am OK with this).

In the letter I ask him to forgive his superiors so he could move on. Personally, I think that his coach and AD and President did what they felt best and only in hind site did it appear to be the wrong approach. In other words, I do not have any criticism of the Administrators since there is a much bigger picture to University Athletics and some decisions may not be in the best interest of an individual athlete but in the best interest of the University and community. This is a never ending dilemma: who should supervise the behavior of athletes - coaches?, administrators?.

For me there is little conflict since the Hippocratic Oath says: (I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone).

New Plans

I just returned from a visit with my Prostate Cancer Specialist, Dr Eric J. Small at UCSF Cancer Medical Center. Carole went with me and surprisingly, some old friends from Fresno had an appointment at the same time for the same issues with another clinic doctor.

The basic problem is that turning on and off my testosterone and adrenal hormones did not seems to change my blood tests, so we made a decision to try a new tact.

I am going off all oral anti-cancer medications, let things wash out, follow my PSA for about 6 weeks and then do some scans to see what is going on. If not much change, then I will enter the vaccine trial; if there is something aggressive then we will attack with WMD - some new chemotherapy. One of the biggest problems to deal with when you have these issues is not to have a plan but now we do.

Perhaps best off, I will not be getting anything toxic on our Tahiti-South Pacific cruise in May.

Stay tuned.

St Partrick's Day

Lots going on.

First of all, I went thru a deposition a while ago. Seems that the former woman's basketball coach is suing he University for wrongful termination. I have no dog in this fight but I got dragged into it because I was in the middle of a drug crises with the men's basketball team a few years ago. I was deposed as well as Terry Pettis - a former player - who is doing a life sentence for murder. Fresno State elected to post the depositions on the internet. If you want to see the inside of drugs and Fresno State, check out this link. Click Here

Last Weekend

Beth, Bill, Marlee, Grace, Emily and Steve came to Fresno.


It was interesting have the kids stray at our house.

We had a great weekend and played in the Fresno State Golf Tournament - we did not win but got some prizes anyway.



I went to LA Tuesday and spent the afternoon and evening with Beth, Bill and family and my Philadelphia connection: Rob Godsall - my cousin from Atlanta - and his nephews - Rob Myallis and Jonathon Godsall. It was delightful to see them them again!. Hopefully I can get to Tim Godall-Myers wedding in Philadelphia in August.

Finally, we are taking a South Pacific cruise out of Tahiti for 10 days in May - balcony and all the trimmings.

Stay tuned.

I go to UCSF Medical Center Tuesday for another consultation as to what are my options in the treatment of my prostate cancer. Should be an interesting adventure. We are staying at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel - more to follow.

Plea Bargain

I went to criminal court yesterday for the impersonating a disabled person arrest (a misdemeanor). Looked like TV with guys and gals in handcuffs and chains, lawyers prancing about, the judge driving things forward. I took advantage of the Public Defender who pleaded me to an infraction. I pleaed no contest, payed a fine and can move on with my life without the tag of misdemeanor on my resume.



Anyway, if you are going to use someone elses disabled placard, be aware of the hassle if you get noticed.

Big weekend coming up - will post next week.

Bill

Yuk

I have been on a treatment strategy that wipes out any trace of testosterone as prostate cancer is usually sensitive to testosterone. However, the last two months my PSA has continued to rise. Ironically, I feel OK (except for not having any macho hormone and the meds I have to take) and enjoy every day.

So, next step is to go to UCSF to see the experts (again) and probably get into treatment with new drugs not available to the public (yet).

Needless to say, its a bit scary and unsettling but I suppose it is a bit of an adventure and an inevitable part of the 'long strange trip'.

On the other hand, I am really having a wonderful time teaching a class at Fresno State - the students are wonderful (i.e. full of wonder) and have a passion for learning.

No pictures today, but there should be plenty next post as we are having a housefull next weekend.

Peace

Bill

Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day(click) - Punxsutawney Phil

The frost has melted but the scars remain. The water pump from our storage tank shredded - cold trauma? - and had to be replaced and the shard from the impeller jammed up the toilet floats and washer so Stan the Man the Plumber came to the rescue.

Then Millie got a big dose of reality. Every day she approaches the dog next door and yaps at her. The next door dog (Kayla) is fenced behind a wrought iron fence that Millie can stick her snout through - well Kayla let her know that her attention was unwanted and got a couple of bites into her. Of course the dachshund drama was unreal but she has calmed down a bit and the wound is healing better after she was placed on Amoxicillin.



My health is good. I feel well and my recent check-up was OK. I am on drugs to suppress my adrenal glands and its anti-cancer effects won't be know for another month or so, so it is nice NOT to be be chasing the PSA for a while.

My class at CSU Fresno is going well. The Rehab Counseling Department is really warm and fuzzy. Tonight I had Irv Dimont do a presentation on back anatomy and disorders and it was wonderful. I had to call the class to end - I think the students would have liked to gone another hour.



Superbowl weekend and then back to normal Stay tuned.

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Big Week

It has been a big week: three events.

First, I started my official duties as adjunct faculty at CSU Fresno with session one on Thursday. It felt good - energetic students and great support from Charles and Ray (my mentors).

Second, I was arrested for impersonating a disabled person. It turns out that because of the extensive chemotherapy I was left with neuropathy and myopathy in the lower legs and ongoing drug treatments has led to weakness. I also have chronic swelling in my left leg from blood clots due to chemo. If that is not enough, my left knee swells from arthritis due an old soccer injury-surgery.




Additionally, at night I have fallen down due to the neuropathy, especially in low lighting. I never got a disabled placard because we already had one from Carole's Mom; however, I generally did not need it since I park in the State garage at the Dept of Rehab, Doctors parking at Northwest Medical Group, and faculty lots when I was with athletics but now do not have a faculty permit and the my paperwork had not been processed to get one. Rather than risk a long walk in the dark (class ends at 7 pm) I used the placard at home and got busted - it actually can be a misdemeanor. The following morning I received both a faculty permit and my doctor filled out the paperwork for another placard, so I know longer have to impersonate a disabled person. I was hoping the meter maid guy who confronted me and the cop might listen to reason, but their sympathy was about the level of Saddam's hangman. Hopefully the judge will be a little more open minded.

Third, my two year old grand daughter - Grace Ann had her second birthday at Chuck-E-Cheese in LA - great time with the family getting together with friends.



My daughter Beth and husband are in Las Vegas for a convention for a few days so we are staying in LA to watch her kids, Marlee and Grace.




It seems there is always some adventure around the corner.

Stay tuned.

Happy New Year

Well, the holidays are over and the winter freeze is on!

Christmas was celebrated in West Hills (north of Los Angeles) with my children and grandchildren. My son Steve was supposed to join his wife Jen and daughter Emily at his in-laws in Alexandria VA but could not get out of Santa Barbara due to fog in connecting cities.

(Steve - Emily -- Jen)

Instead, he celebrated with the rest of us but eventually was able to connect with his family the the early hours of Dec 26th.

After returning to Fresno Carole and I became ill with a nasty upper respiratory infection that carried into the new year.

However, undaunted we went to San Francisco for a huge - larger than life - String Cheese Incident NYE. We hooked up with Peter and some friends and Polly and Scott - it was a wonderful time of excess and hedonism and community of the happy.....and great music.

(Peter and Friends at the Pre-Show Party)



(Carole and Randy)

(Is Scott havin' Good Time ... or what!)

Healthwise I feel pretty good. I am having some mild side effects of the pills I am but no real problems.

The exciting news is that I am now adjunct faculty of The School of Counseling at CSU Fresno and will be teaching 3 hours a week to those working on a Master's in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling. School starts next week - I am truly honored and excited to be teaching post-graduates but am a little unsure of things like homework, testing, etc.

Carole and I are going next week to LA to watch Beth's kids while the parents are away at business meetings.

Stay tuned!

Maui Vacation

We just returned from 8 days in wonderful Maui. We stayed in Waialea at the Ekahi Village Condominiums - this is a wonderful place for families. Beth Bill - Marlee and Grace and Fina stayed in one condo and Carole and me, Steve Jen and Emily stayed in the other.

Click here for a slide show

I played golf 4 times and ate incredibly wonderful meals - at Longhi's, Joe's, Roy's, and Mama's Fish House. The weather was wonderful.



We can't wait to get back.

-------------------------------------------

It looks like I will be teaching a class at CSUFresno next semester to the Mater's class in Vocational Rehab. I always wanted to be a teacher, and had I not made into or thru Med School, I would have looked at Education.

We have lots of Holiday functions coming up - probably will spend New Years Eve in San Francisco.

Happy Holidays!

Busy Two Weeks

Last week or so was full of excitement.

First of all, I was given some recognition for my 23 years as team doc at Fresno State. After this school year (2006-2007), I am going to step down. With the permanent closing of my office, it is time to recruit new blood at Fresno State. At half-time of the New Mexico State game, I was given a jersey with my name and number of years by Dr Welty and Thomas Boeh, the Athletic Director.



Also last week we drove to West Hills and grand child sat for Bill and Beth as they both had to go to business meetings. It was a great time. Grace is so engaging and playful.



....however, she is not dialed in on lipstick yet...



This week we went to see the famous and infamous Dixie Chicks at Save Mart Arena. They were everything I expected and more.

Tomorrow I am driving to San Francisco for an appointment Tuesday with a Prostate Cancer Specialist (Dr. Eric Small). I want to see if he has any bullets for my problem and get his advice. I will let you know how it goes.

In the meantime we are preparing for our annual trip to Maui at the end of the month.

Click Here To See Something Cute For You


Take care

Fear and Loathing -- NOT

Dateline: Las Vegas, Nevada





We just returned from 5 days in Las Vegas, mostly dedicated to the doins' at Vegoose at the Sam Boyd Silver Bowl. The most insane day for me was Sunday:

Sunday October 29, 2006
Las Vegas Nevada

10:20 am

Awoke at Terrible's Hotel, showered, went down to the casino to check the latest betting lines. The Steelers were playing the Raiders - so we located a Steeler Fan Bar on Flamingo Ave - Play of the Day - voted one of the 10 best Sports Bars in Las Vegas.

1:30 pm

Arrived at Play of the Day. The bar is filled with die-hard Steeler fans and has a lot of space and probably 20 TV/flat screens.







We (me, Scott, Polly, Peter, Nichole, Carole) found a table and were dismayed to find the Steelers were losing to Oakland. We had two rounds of Jagermiester, beers and mixed drinks.



2:15 pm

We headed out to Vegoose and managed to have the celebratory drink of Jagermeister in the parking lot.




3:00 pm

Stubhub.com has created a Sports Bar with every football game on a projection 82 inch TV. We had more drinks as we watch Pittsburgh lose to Oakland and Denver lose to the Colts.




4:45 pm

I was able to get to one the smaller stages to catch Fiona Apple and her brand of angst. Great show. Sun went down at the close of the show.



6:30 pm

The Black Crowes took the stage and there was a strange feeling with the crowd, lights and energy.



8:00 pm

Widespread Panic came on for a continuous three (3) hour set. It was chilly but everyone was have a good time.



10:00 pm

The ladies were having a good time!




11:30 pm

We left the venue and found a couple of folks selling fun-fun baloons and walked back to the car. A group from New York were impaled on a dirt mound in the lot, but Peter figured out how to lift them out and get them on their way. They ended up with big hugs of graitude.

12:15 am

We were back at the hotel, dressed up and headed to the Orleans for String Cheese Show. String Cheese came on at 1 am with a Jungle themed show. Two sets, lotsa wierdness (Axel rose impersonator), acrobats and fun.

5:00 am

The show was over there was a huge line for cab rides so we connected with a limo and rode to the MGM Grand.

5:45 am

We ended ed up in the lobby bar at the MGM Grand Hotel - great time.



We made friends:



7:00 am

Back home at the Terrible's Hotel and to bed!



More to come.

Monday 10/30 -- Widespread Panic at the MGM Grand Arena

Tuesday 10/31 - Halloween at the Wynn