What’s on Your Bucket List????
A few weeks ago I finally had the chance and energy to take some time off so we headed down to our timeshare in West Palm Beach, Florida. Since we were flying in and out of Miami I finally had the opportunity to meet a friend that I have talked to, emailed and FaceBooked with for almost 15 years. Gary is a very talented (he made me say that) reporter who use to interview me (when I was someone) on the economic conditions both in the US and offshore for his articles. We talked for years but never had the opportunity to meet with him living in NYC and me in Chicago. Gary now lives between NYC, the Catskills and Miami so we finally had the opportunity to meet in person at his beautiful condo on Miami Beach. We got together several times during the week and I mentioned to him (kiddingly) that I was finally able to cross him off my bucket list. Well that statement got me to thinking – what really is a bucket list? I know the term has gotten more popular since the movie came out several years ago. I not only see it used for those in their advanced stages of life (i.e. seniors) but for critically ill children who’s lives are being cut short from a terrible disease.
So I asked myself, what’s on my bucket list? What do I really want to do or accomplish before the final curtain call?? That’s a really hard question to answer. As you might remember from my posting a few weeks back about regrets, I really don’t have any. I’m pretty content with my life up to this point. But you must be thinking there has to be something I really want to do or accomplish. I’d like to win the lottery but since I don’t play I guess that’s not going to happen. I would have loved to travel to South Africa to see the animals in the wild but it wouldn’t make the top ten list. Wow – I’m actually sitting here and can’t think of a single thing that I would put on a bucket list. So I have to ask myself why? I’ve always been ambitious and gone after things. Not only have I made goals every year for my professional life, but for my personal life. I have been lucky enough to do what I wanted, when I wanted to do it. In other words I have DANCED. I haven’t looked at life from the outside in but actively participated in it. I have enjoyed what life brings and what I have brought to it.
So once again I ask you all to “DANCE”. As the song says, "don’t just sit it out, just dance! Don’t wait until it’s too late.
Keep on Dancin’ my friends!
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Just want to keep you updated on what has been happening. Yesterday was chemo day. Saw the doctor first and everything seems to be going smoothly. I say that cautiously since I know how fast things can change. Saw her Resident first and I managed not to harass him too much since he had only 3 weeks left in his residency and was leaving to go to Cornell to go into cardiology, I did bite my tongue wanting to ask him who dressed him! He obviously is not married or has a serious girlfriend because he was wearing a yellow and blue check shirt and a grey and silver striped tie. AAARRRR
Chemo was a different story. I had three different nurses trying to insert my IV. I was well hydrated so I'm not sure why there was a problem. I think the first nurse (who I love to pieces) didn't have enough confidence. IV's aren't one of her strengths. The second one was a (sorry) "smart ass" who rushed the second stick, gave up and decided the third should go into my wrist. Now I have had IV's in the same area of my wrist many times with no problem. Again she rushed things and hit a nerve. Mark said he never saw me jump so high. It was the worst feeling I've ever experienced. Like an electrical shock going through my thumb. It still hurts today and my thumb is stiff. I will NEVER allow anyone to go near this area again. I still get nauseous thinking about it. The third nurse had no issues at all. Looked at my arm and got it in with no problem. In the mean time I looked like a porcupine. I just know I'm going to be uptight next time I need an IV.
As a side note, the service I go through to write this blog shows stats on how many times my blog is read by day, week, month and year. I decided to check it out and imagine my surprise to find that since I started this May 10, 2010 my blog has been read 4,378 times or an average of 182 times a month! I'm not sure who all of you are but I hope in some small way my experiences mixed with humor mixed with me getting on my soapbox is helping in some small way.
And you thought I was having fun on Wednesday afternoons!
Chemo was a different story. I had three different nurses trying to insert my IV. I was well hydrated so I'm not sure why there was a problem. I think the first nurse (who I love to pieces) didn't have enough confidence. IV's aren't one of her strengths. The second one was a (sorry) "smart ass" who rushed the second stick, gave up and decided the third should go into my wrist. Now I have had IV's in the same area of my wrist many times with no problem. Again she rushed things and hit a nerve. Mark said he never saw me jump so high. It was the worst feeling I've ever experienced. Like an electrical shock going through my thumb. It still hurts today and my thumb is stiff. I will NEVER allow anyone to go near this area again. I still get nauseous thinking about it. The third nurse had no issues at all. Looked at my arm and got it in with no problem. In the mean time I looked like a porcupine. I just know I'm going to be uptight next time I need an IV.
As a side note, the service I go through to write this blog shows stats on how many times my blog is read by day, week, month and year. I decided to check it out and imagine my surprise to find that since I started this May 10, 2010 my blog has been read 4,378 times or an average of 182 times a month! I'm not sure who all of you are but I hope in some small way my experiences mixed with humor mixed with me getting on my soapbox is helping in some small way.
And you thought I was having fun on Wednesday afternoons!
Until I have something more profound to write.......
Keep on Dancin"
Friday, May 4, 2012
Friday, May 4, 2012
Another long week. You would think that after going through this for 2 years that you would get use to it - NOT!
Tuesday morning we were at the hospital at 6:30AM for the CT scan. I won't bore you with the all the details but once again I have to ask how a first class world renowned hospital like the U of C could be so screwed up when it comes to schedules, etc. Arrived as asked to at 6:30AM (I was the first appt) and didn't get called until 8:15AM. Then even though my doctor had ordered the CT scan with IV contrast only they proceeded to tell me they wanted me to drink the IV contrast also. I explained and showed them the order from the doc that it was IV contrast only because I had problems in the past with the oral contrast and they just looked at each other not knowing what to do. I calmly (yeah - right) suggested they call either the doctor or her nurse to get it straightened out. Not sure what happened but I did get the scan as ordered by the doctor.
Of course from then until Wednesday when I saw the doctor it was a little stressful. I know the last scan was good but you never want to take anything for granted since things can change quickly. Turns out the results were good. Continued reduction in all areas especially the large tumor in the liver (went from 4.8 x 4.9 cm down to 4.0 x 4.5 cm). My right lung did show fluid but they were not too concerned due to the good results and the fact that I've had this head cold. So 6 more weeks of chemo until the next scan.
Not much else to report. I continue to fight this head cold/cough. They think it may be a reaction to the chemo so it's a wait and see.
Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers. It really helps me get through these tests.
Until there is more to report - Keep on Dancin'!!!!
Tuesday morning we were at the hospital at 6:30AM for the CT scan. I won't bore you with the all the details but once again I have to ask how a first class world renowned hospital like the U of C could be so screwed up when it comes to schedules, etc. Arrived as asked to at 6:30AM (I was the first appt) and didn't get called until 8:15AM. Then even though my doctor had ordered the CT scan with IV contrast only they proceeded to tell me they wanted me to drink the IV contrast also. I explained and showed them the order from the doc that it was IV contrast only because I had problems in the past with the oral contrast and they just looked at each other not knowing what to do. I calmly (yeah - right) suggested they call either the doctor or her nurse to get it straightened out. Not sure what happened but I did get the scan as ordered by the doctor.
Of course from then until Wednesday when I saw the doctor it was a little stressful. I know the last scan was good but you never want to take anything for granted since things can change quickly. Turns out the results were good. Continued reduction in all areas especially the large tumor in the liver (went from 4.8 x 4.9 cm down to 4.0 x 4.5 cm). My right lung did show fluid but they were not too concerned due to the good results and the fact that I've had this head cold. So 6 more weeks of chemo until the next scan.
Not much else to report. I continue to fight this head cold/cough. They think it may be a reaction to the chemo so it's a wait and see.
Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers. It really helps me get through these tests.
Until there is more to report - Keep on Dancin'!!!!
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