Dan’s Victory

Sept. 20, 2009, Sunday

Yesterday afternoon I still had belching problems all day and into the night too. Chemo can cause that.
I woke up - Coco woke me up - and I was still having the same problem. Also I had done a few more exercises before going to bed and both of my shoulders ached this morning. Worked hard on changing fixtures in 1/2 bathroom but didn’t finish. Also a leak in the main bathroom toilet water inlet, but just turned it off for the night.

Sept 21, 2009, Monday
Woke only twice in the night. A bit tired, but got up anyway - Coco woke me at 5:40 a.m. anyway. Was very busy again and got no nap. Doctor’s report was that all the blood has turned out good. He has not gotten any results from SCCA, however. Back sore today, got needed parts for the toilet water inlet and did finish the main bathroom toilet problem, grocery shopped and fixed dinner, filled out respiratory test and survey.

Sept 22, 2009, Tuesday
Busy day, but needed rest in the afternoon. Back a bit bothersome. Took Jane to school, got tired checked on Accord - one fixed, bought two new. Worked at church for a couple hours. At home worked on rebates etc. and took nap. Picked up Jane and ate dinner at parents of one of her kids. Almost got lost going and coming. Relaxed for an hour as well as doing my exercises and Dick’s too. Ready for bed. A little tired, but felt better today.

Sept. 23 - 28, Wednesday - Monday
I am not keeping up with things very well. Let’s see what are the highlights? I have felt pretty good, although Saturday morning I was feeling really tired. We went to Battleground to attend a great nephew’s 1st birthday, but I slept half the way there and Jane drove. The rest of the day I felt pretty good. We came back in the evening and I drove the whole way! Sunday was pretty much a day of rest, as it should be. My back was hurting most of the day as well as my ribs. (And the Huskies and Seahawks both lost!). Even as I got into bed last night my back hurt as well as my ribs. When I woke up this morning and it felt a bit better. I did see Dr. McCroskey today and let him know so he said if it continues he will want an MRI done. He also said the blood tests have shown that the chemo I am taking has not reduced the multiple myeloma, but it hasn’t gone up either. He is going to be talking to a doctor in Seattle to see what suggestions he has. He was asking about Thalidimide or Revlamid as he may want to try that again - however, I reminded him that both of those were the ones that caused my skin so much trouble in the past. It is 7:30 p.m. and I think I am going to have to take a Tylenol. My back and ribs hurt! I just got up and took one - having said that! Haven’t heard anything about the T-cell situation - which brother is winning! Dave wants it to be Dick as does Dick and me.

HERE IS SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT!

Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.”
Think of history’s greats. Who come to mind? I think of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, D.L. Moody, Mother Teresa, and the like. When I think of these heroes, I think of their character, their accomplishments, and their good names. I do not think of their wealth. In fact, none of these ever attained great wealth. The wealthiest was Washington, and he surely is not remembered for his riches. These, like all great men and women, attained their greatness not just because of the things they accomplished, but because of their good names and the favor they found with God and man. Wealth and riches have little to do with these. There have been many infamous who have attained wealth and riches. Therefore, a good name is better and loving favor of more value. Seek these first, and the wealth and riches that follow will be a legacy of godly character and true success.
(from The Sonrise Daily Devotional Bible: Success for the Day, Rest Through the Night.)

Have a great, God blessed, week following our Lord Jesus Christ!

DAN

Sunday, Sept 11 - Saturday, September 19, 2009

Again I am not keeping up day to day, so I won’t write so much because I will have forgotten a lot. Good church service, and then old-timers lunch (only 5 of us showed up). Felt pretty good on Sunday. Monday I had the doctor’s appointment and not much happened. All seems to be going well. Had been having trouble getting blood samples sent to the correct place, so no results from some of them as a result. This time the correct kits were used for the blood samples and sent to the right place.

I continue to make dinners. Jane says they are good, but my taste is still off so tastes only okay to me. Have kept busy and gotten few naps this week. Thursday I did get chemo and some steroid with it, as well as zometa. Thursday night I just couldn’t get to sleep (result of the steroid) and got up and did some work and then went back to bed and was still awake. I ended up with 2 hours of sleep, yet wasn’t tired until late afternoon on Friday. During the day on Friday I vacuumed the carpet and rugs, dusted (swept) the floors, did the wash and drying of the clothes, cleaned the master bathroom, grocery shopped, worked out at the fitness center, and mowed the lawn. Then I got about an hour nap. When Jane got home we went to the Puyallup fair for 3 hours. Got home and watched some TV. Slept from 11 p.m. until 8 a.m.! Can feel that I am still tired today. Probably the usual reaction a day or two after chemo and zometa. Also I made Swedish pancakes this morning, which had one egg in it. A mistake - eggs are still giving me stomach pain (belching, painful gas problems). I sure is good to be feeling good and when I don’t I know pretty much why (chemo, steroid, zometa).

God is good!

DAN

Hands!

A basketball in my hands is worth about $19.
A basketball in Michael Jordan’s hands is worth about $33 million.
It depends whose hands it’s in.

A baseball in my hands is worth about $6.
A baseball in Roger Clemens’ hands is worth $475 million.
It depends on whose hands it’s in.

A tennis racket is useless in my hands.
A tennis racket in Andre Agassi’s hands is worth millions.
It depends whose hands it’s in.

A rod in my hands will keep away an angry dog.
A rod in Moses’ hands will part the mighty sea.
It depends whose hands it’s in.

A slingshot in my hands is a kid’s toy.
A slingshot in David’s hand is a mighty weapon.
It depends whose hands it’s in.

Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in Jesus’ hands will feed thousands.
It depends whose hands it’s in..

Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse.
Nails in Jesus Christ’s hands will
Produce salvation for the entire world.
It depends whose hands it’s in.

As you see now, it depends whose hands it’s in.
So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your families and your relationships in God’s hands because….
It depends whose hands it’s in.

Wednesday, Sept 9- Saturday, Sept 10, 2009

I forgot to keep up with this. Things have gone well. No doctor appointments. Basically smooth days. Did go back to the fitness center on Friday. Did not do any exercises that involved my back - that helped. Did a lot of stuff on Friday at home and around here. Have had good nights of sleep.  No nausea. Taste is improving a little bit. Am eating much better anyway. Made some good dinners this week. Got 3 cell phones today - going to drop our land-line, but our third cell will be our land-line number. Mowed the lawn today with my lawn tractor - hat, painting respirator (or whatever it is called), long-sleeve shirt, jeans, gloves, and mid-80’s. A good day! Doctor’s appointment earlier in the week went well: platelets in safe range, magnesium level good, a little anemic but not worse than last week, protein level 8.3 from 8.9 - I didn’t write down if that was a little better or a little worse - I think a little better, white blood cells good (4.9), expect to here on Monday how Richard’s (Dick’s) T-cells are doing - they had gone up from 52% to 57%. Back feels better one day and another day aches …… Dick’s exercises have been helpful. Shoulders getting better and better.

Don’t stop praying - keep praying, please!

DAN

Coal Basket Christians
The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky with his young grandson.  Each morning, Grandpa was up early, sitting at the kitchen table, reading from his old worn-out Bible.

His grandson, who wanted to be just like him, tried to imitate him in any way he could.  One day the grandson asked, “Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don’t understand it, and what I do understand, I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?”

The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, “Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water.”?? The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house.

The grandfather laughed and said, “You  will have to move a little faster next time,” and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.

This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, “I don’t want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can  do this. You’re just not trying hard enough,” and he went out the door to  watch the boy try again.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, “See Papa, it’s useless!”

“So you think it is useless?” The old man said, “Look at the basket”?? The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old coal basket, it was clean.?? ”Son, that’s what happens when you read the Bible. You might not  understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out. That is the work of God in our lives. To change us from the inside out and to slowly transform us into the image of His son.

September 5, 2009 Saturday

Well it has been another good day, praise Jesus!
I seems I am saying the same thing over and over again, as the Lord has been doing His work in me. I like that a lot as He heals me day by day. I am happy for the inch by inch, step by step, brick by brick, and the day by day healing as that is the way He appears to want to heal me. No going backward! Maybe a sideway step once in a while but  I will continue improving by God’s grace, mercy, and love!
That is an attitude I choose to have, as I know I can trust and rely on God and I want only His will done in my life - no matter what that may be.
I will be writing less often now, probably every time after seeing the doctor which is usually on Mondays unless it is a holiday and whenever there is other news concerning my health. I thank those of you who read this blog regularly for your love and concern, and also those who occasionally read it. Thank you!

Again, I will be writing about the week on days that I see the doctor so you can be aware of how things are progressing - this will usually be on Mondays. It has and will continue to be my pleasure to continue to encourage you in devoting yourself and your life to Jesus. He is the answer to a life that can enjoy success with humility and also recognize His love, and direction when things just don’t seem to be going too well.

God richly bless you.

DAN

A story sent to me in an email:

I’ve never made a fortune,

And it’s probably too late now.

But I don’t worry about that much,

I’m happy anyhow?.

And as I go along life’s way,

I’m reaping better than I sowed.

I’m drinking from my saucer,

‘Cause my cup has overflowed.

Haven’t got a lot of riches,

And sometimes the going’s tough?.

But I’ve got loving ones all around me,

And that makes me rich enough.

I thank God for his blessings,

And the mercies He’s bestowed.

I’m drinking from my saucer,

‘Cause my cup has overflowed.

I remember times when things went wrong,

My faith wore somewhat thin.

But all at once the dark clouds broke,

And the sun peeped through again.

So Lord, help me not to gripe,

About the tough rows I have hoed.

I’m drinking from my saucer,

‘Cause my cup has overflowed.

If God gives me strength and courage,

When the way grows steep and rough.

I’ll not ask for other blessings,

I’m already blessed enough.

And may I never be too busy,

To help others bear their loads.

Then I’ll keep drinking from my saucer,

‘Cause my cup has overflowed.

When I think of how many people

In this world have it worse? than I do,

I realize just how blessed we really are.

September 4, 2009, Friday

It was nice sleeping in this morning. I had a good nice sleep (of course Coco got me up at 6 a.m. but I went back to bed). Jane did not have school today. She went out shopping today for birthday presents from me. Better her to choose clothes she likes than me! I did some yard clean-up and then did shopping, but it was primarily for some needed groceries. She got home before I did and after lunch she went to Curves, and I took a nap. We spent the rest of the day visiting Michael, Dawn, and the girls at the ferry (they were going to Michael’s parents’ vacation home on Anderson Island) about 1/2 hour, going to a movie, and going out to dinner. I had not eaten well at all all day, but I did well with dinner. My shoulders and back seems to be doing a bit better and I was glad my eating improved at dinner. So it was a good day over all! Thank you for your prayers. God does answer prayer.

DAN

WHAT WILL MATTER

Ready or not, someday it will all come to an end.
There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours, or days.
All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else.
Your wealth, fame, or temporal power will shrivel with irrelevance.
It will not matter what you owned or what you were owned.
Your grudges, resentments, frustrations, and jealousies will finally disappear.
So, too, your hopes, ambitions, plans, and to-do lists will expire.
The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away.
It won’t matter where you came from’ or on what side of the tracks you lived, at the end.
It won’t matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant.
Even your gender and skin color will be irreverent.
So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured?
What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built; not what you got, but what you gave.
What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught.
What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched,
empowered, or encouraged others to emulate your example.
What will matter is not your competence, but your character.
What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you are gone.
What will matter is not your memories, but the memories in those who loved you.
What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what.
Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident. It’s not a matter of circumstances but of choice.
Choose to live a life that matters.

Author: Michael Josephson

The life that matters is one that is committed to Jesus Christ. Choose a life in Him It the most important choice a person can make.

September 3, 2009, Thursday

What a day and night. Slept pretty good until Coco got me up to let her out at 5:35 a.m.!
Went back to bed for 15 minutes when Jane’s alarm went off, and I knew I had to be at the doctor’s for a blood draw before 8 a.m. After about 5 minutes there I did a little shopping and card buying, as today is my brother, Randy’s birthday, and on Monday is Jane’s birthday. I was really concerned that I would forget about getting her something as I have been kind of forgetting things. (Typical of someone on chemo, I am told.) Decided it was not yet time to go back to the fitness center, as my back is still bothering me from the one time I did go - I know two exercises I will have to put off for a while!

But a person can’t be lazy so I got to work once I was home: washing, drying, and folding 3 loads of clothes; vacuuming rugs and carpets; shampooing dining room, hall way, and our bedroom; dusting the floors; dusting the furniture; unloading the dishes from the dish washer and putting them away; and making dinner! In between I had a short - needed - nap! No use pushing it too much. So what was for dinner tonight? Panko breaded cod (all I had to do is bake it), lemon-parmesan rice, and chop-chop salad (lettuce, spinach, carrots, green onions, cucumber, tomato, red pepper, cauliflower, celery). Jane thought it ended up better than I did. It was okay but fresh fish is much better than frozen and breaded!

That was all I did today! Obviously was feeling better - some shoulder and back pain but  I didn’t push too much and now I can relax and watch the Seahawks last preseason game.

I hope your day was a success as well!

DAN

CHOOSE
John is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, “If I were any better, I would be twins!” He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, John was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked him, “I don’t get it! You can’t be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?”

He replied, “Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or … you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood.” Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or…I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or… I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.

“Yeah, right, it’s not that easy,” I protested.

“Yes, it is,” he said. “Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It’s your choice how you live your life.”

I reflected on what he said. Soon hereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.

Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back. I saw him about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied, “If I were any better, I’d be twins…Wanna see my scars?”

I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.

“The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be born daughter,” he replied. “Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or…I could choose to die. I chose to live.”

“Weren’t you scared? Did you lose consciousness?” I asked?

He continued, “..the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read ‘he’s a dead man’. I knew I needed to take action.”

“What did you do?” I asked.

“Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me,” said John. “She asked if I was allergic to anything ‘Yes, I replied.’ The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, ‘Gravity’.

” Over their laughter, I told them, “I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.”

He lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude… I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about?itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34.
(I received this from someone on my email)

Only the conclusion is questionable unless the author means by “attitude…is everything” that our attitude must be “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, …But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
The author of this story has neglected to clarify what that attitude must be. Did he consider the following:
I was once told, “IF YOU SEE A ‘THEREFORE’ ASK, ‘WHAT IS THE “THEREFORE” THERE FOR?’” The verse that was quoted at the end of the story starts with “Therefore.”
READ Matthew 6:19-34 and see what the answer in the verses before Matt. 6:34 ——–
Matthew 6:19-34 (New International Version)
19″Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22″The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24″No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
25″Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28″And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.
Lay down your life and let God give you true life!

DAN

Sept. 2, 2009 Wednesday

A very interesting night and day. After I did my evening exercises and we had devotions I laid down and was surprised because my back, especially my lower back and upper part of my legs started throbbing hard. The only way I could stop it was to lay partly on my side and put my legs in various positions. I don’t know what was going on, but it happened much of the night when I was on my back especially. That woke me up often, and then when I was asleep the same dream would continue. Another stupid dream - something like I had to get very sticky paper off a notebook, but as I worked hard at it, it was very difficult and there was always another layer. So when Jane got up - and she forgot to set her alarm and Coco didn’t wake me up as usual - she had gotten up about 1/2 late or more. I got up too, but after letting Coco in and out I went to sleep on the couch. Still some problem with my back, but not as much. I did sleep until 8:30 a.m. which helped. Yet all day I have been tired. Did not work out as I thought my body and especially my back needed a rest. I think the only things I did today was to go to the store twice and make dinner. How does a meat loaf of ground turkey, celery, onions, an egg and oatmeal. stuffed with pimento olives, spinach, mushrooms with Worcestershire Sauce, salt and chili sauce sound? It was good - I think I would next time not include the olive, however. And before we ate I had almost all the dishes rinsed or washed!
Jane said school went real well again today. Small numbers and great kids! I did take an afternoon nap outside on the deck - with a hat and long shirt and jeans, of course. Nice weather today. I am still tired and finally figured out why - it has been the second day after chemo that this has happened in the past. I was called today that I need to go back in to the doctor’s office to have another blood draw that they need to sent to SCCA.
So an interesting day, a tiring day, but a beautifully sunny day!
Have a blessed day. Follow the Lord Jesus’ Holy Spirit’s guidance!

DAN

A Penny to Pick Up

Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband’s employer’s home. My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house?The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. The husband’s employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself immensely.??As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband.?He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment.??Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts. Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny.??He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up???Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She casually mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value.??A smile crept across the man’s face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this???”Look at it.” He said. “Read what it says.” She read the words “United States of America”?”No, not that; read further.”?”One cent?” “No, keep reading.”?”In God we Trust?” “Yes!” “And?”?”And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God’s way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!??When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words, “In God We Trust,” and had to laugh. Yes, God, I get the message.??It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful! And, God is patient…

September 1, 2009

Another good night sleep.  My shoulders feel even better.  I did wake at 5 a.m. and then off and on sleeping until Jane’s alarm went off at 5:45 a.m.  As she got ready so did I and had 3 pancakes for breakfast plus juice and milk!  Then at the same time Jane left for school - about 7:20 a.m. I left for the doctor’s office for the blood draw.   I thought I was only going to get one blood draw, but I was wrong again.  The took 4 viles!  They were testing for CVC and I don’t know what else! I suppose I should ask?

Oh, on the way back from the doctor’s office, I stopped at the fitness center and worked out a little. I had some previous exercises that I can’t do (those that involved extending my arms over my head).  I did most weights at 1/2 the weight I did before going to SCCA, and instead of 25 reps twice, I did between 10 and 15 reps instead of 25.  I am a lot weaker than I was!  Also, I tried the elliptical walking machine because it also includes arm work. I was very poor at that - only 3 minutes, 35 seconds at 33 rpms and I was pooped.  The treadmill is much easier!

I only got a 15 minute nap today.  It took me a long time to figure out what to make for dinner and then have to go to the store to get a few things. I ended up with red potatoes cut up so they wouldn’t take so long to be ready; a warm salad with peas, thin sliced carrots, thin sliced onion, cooked and put on romaine lettuce, and baked chicken breast with a dijon mustard basted on it and then a mix of bread crumbs, chopped parsley, minced garlic clove, olive oil, and black pepper on top on the mustard. After 20 minutes baking I put in 3 small tomatoes cut in half and on top of them Parmesan cheese, dried oregano, and pepper mix in with the chicken and baked another 20 minutes. Okay, too much explanation - yet not enough to be able to do it! If you want the actual recipe let me know. Jane said it was all very yummy!
It was good!

I pulled out more papers for Jane and her class after dinner and rinsing dishes. Then relaxed watching TV while doing this. “Early to bed and early to rise” is next!

I have again felt pretty good today and my shoulders continue to feel better.  Tomorrow we will find out if just the right amount of steroid was given me with the chemo. Will I be me or will I be “The Hulk” - not in muscle but in change of personality? Will I be a relaxed guy or overly intense?

Well, now you know what to pray about for me.  I pray you have a wonderful day doing God’s will!

DAN

Jer. 15:16 – When your word came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name.
:21 … they (your enemies) will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you, declares the Lord.

August 31, 2009

I had an interesting day today.  I woke up with Jane at 6 a.m. and walked on the treadmill, slowly for 1/2 hour.  While I was doing that I am taking time to memorize some Bible verses - one or two a day and repeating those for a week to be sure I learn them.  Then I get back to the book I am reading “Fathered by God.”  I do this while walking - otherwise the walking would be pretty boring!
Today, I took a short nap. Also, I read the most recent magazine “The Voice of the Martyrs.”
My doctor’s appointment was at 2:45 p.m. so left about 2:20 p.m. Things were pretty much on time.  I was weighed (161), taken to the room where Dr. McCroskey would be seeing me.  They accessed my port accessed and took my temperature, checked oxygen in the blood and my blood pressure.  All was okay.  She then took some blood draws. I had taken the tacrolumus 5 hours ago which would that mess up the CVC blood test, which means I come back tomorrow for that.  When the doctor came in, he quickly checked me out and then we went over all the things SCCA wants him to take blood draws on and send to them and other forms to be sure he wasn’t missing anything.  The things I was to do and the things he was to do.  He was just double checking the instruction sheets he had gotten from SCCA. Then I went in to have the chemo infused - velcade.  With that they also gave me a low dose of a steroid infused (also called dexamethasone).  They also told me that my red blood cell count was down which meant I was anemic, so instead of giving me a red blood cell transfusion they gave me a shot in the skin of the stomach - first time for that for me - of Procit which, if I understood them correctly was the product name for aranesp which helps my own bone marrow produce more red blood cells.

So I ended up not getting home until 5 p.m. and I was suppose to have dinner ready, as Jane was getting home then - and she was! She decided to go to Curves for the 1/2 hour or 40 minutes while I made dinner.  I made baked potatoes, green beans (fresh - from the store), and salmon which I had caught last year and had frozen — all on the barbeque grill.  When Jane got home we had to put the potatoes in the microwave as it takes much longer for them.  She said dinner was very good.

With the little left of the evening, I did some donation letter and $ to a few places that could use some help and kind of watched TV. Bed-time was 9 p.m. So I did exercises just before going to bed and we had our evening devotions.

A busy day - but the good news that I felt pretty good all day. Every day a little better - inch by inch, step by step, brick by brick!

Have a wonderful day!

DAN

ATTITUDE

A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o’clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today.

His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary.  After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.

As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window.  ‘I love it,’ he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

‘Mr. Jones, you haven’t seen the room yet; just wait.’

‘That doesn’t have anything to do with it,’ he replied. ‘Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time.  Whether I like my room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged … it’s how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it.  It’s a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.  Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I’ll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I’ve stored away. Just for this time in my life.  Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you’ve put in.  So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories!’

Thank you for your part in filling my Memory Bank.  I am still depositing. Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred.

2. Free your mind from worries.

3. Live simply.

4. Give more.

5. Expect less.

Have a nice day, unless you already have other plans.