BETTER NEWS - MORE HOPE for the SEASON!!

Hi loyal followers!  I'm happy to say that the news while still not the best appears somewhat less dire than originally thought.  I had my first chemo, little to no side effects, and feeling okay. We have moved beyond shock to our usual hope and LIFE centered path.   Send those "shrink" messages out into the universe!

Meanwhile we move into the hectic world of holiday shopping etc.  We will celebrate with the Grossi, Cantone crew on Christmas day - with invited guests.  This should be as usual a merry gathering!  We can't wait to visit niece Sarah, her man Matt, the five kids now there, plus sis Susan and Tom after Xmas in Albany. (Sarah & I have the Christmas Spirit!!)

I am planning to be active once again with the American Cancer Society ASCAN - the legislative advocacy network.  We have an advocacy day at the statehouse to lobby for cancer based legislation such as greater support for research, more tobacco restrictions, etc.  In addition our Unitarian congregation, Bell St. Chapel, is keeping us busy with social action - Standing on the Side of Love.  We are thrilled with our new young woman pastor who is a strong progressive and already has increased outreach to our neighborhood and local social action

So!  LIFE goes on (yea!) and we are back on track fighting the buggies.  Much love for the holidays for all!

NEW & DAUNTING DEVELOPMENTS

Dear loyal readers - sorry I have been AWOL for a month - but we are dealing with daunting news.  Since my successful surgery in August, it appears that a new aggressive form of my cancer has become active - I have extensive new growth in my liver, and additional growth in the area of my colon.  In addition, the remaining tumor in my pelvic area has doubled in size.   I was doing fine (I thought) back at work and feeling okay.  Then we had a potluck at church two weeks ago, and that night I had deep stomach cramps - I thought I had gotten a touch of food poisoning.  I took some icky maalox type stuff, but this didn't help.  I emailed my doc to see if there was something stronger I could take, and he suggested I see the nurse practitioner in RI.  Then he called me back personally.  He had seen my last CAT scan (from October) and realized that this new aggressive cancer was on the move.  

Beth and I went to see Dr. D. in Boston on Friday - the news was not great.  Basically, Dr. D said that if I didn't get treatment, I would not survive a month.   With chemo, he feels I can buy time, but still suggested that life expectancy may only be several months - less than a year.

WHAT???  But I don't feel THAT bad - how could I be on the path to last days??  We are still trying to digest this news.  Right now, I'm scheduled to start adriamycin chemo next week, with  a second infusion in three weeks.  After that, I'll have another CAT, and we'll see what the prognosis is.  Meanwhile Beth and I are in shock, but focusing on living life to the fullest for as long as we have.  Sorry to bring cloudier news to my usually positive blog, but after all, life IS a terminal condition. 

Otherwise, the holiday season is in full swing - we have our little tree up, and are planning the festivities.  Most importantly, we want to celebrate LIFE during this holiday time. 

I WISH ALL MY LOYAL READERS A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON - REMEMBER, LIFE IS SHORT, SO DON'T WASTE A MINUTE!  KEEP DANCIN', MY FRIENDS!! XX