Dan’s Victory

07/12/2010 - Monday

I t has been a very interesting week. Since I blogged last not very much had happened. Things were going well and some of the gas problem had seemed to go away, although I still can’t walk fast without getting that belching gas that can result in throwing up.

This past week on Wednesday Jane and I had been at her brother’s lake home and had a good day as he and his wife were there too. He took us out on his boat to show us the lake. No fishing although I hoped for that the next day. But we decided we needed to go home early. That night about 8 pm I felt very, very fatigued, and got to shaking-shivering. That lasted for almost two hours. In the mean time we took my temperature and steadily it went up (usually I am about 97.7 or so) from 99 to over 101. I also was becoming somewhat confused, and had a headache. We called my oncologist’s office and the call was transferred to the hospital. They told us that I should come in to emergency. (My oncologist had told us the last time this happened not to wait until it reaches 104, but call if it gets to 101.) We arrived there at 10 pm. By then the shakes had stopped, but the temperature - while at the hospital went up to 102.6. While I was in emergency they took my vitals, took a chest  x-ray, and a blood sample. At 3 a.m. I was placed in “my” room on the oncology floor. Although I was awakened by nurses about every hour and they had hooked up fluid, as I was also dehydrated, but I felt really good in the morning and my temperature had returned to 97+. But they needed to find out what had caused it. My doctor came in at 8 a.m. and said the chest x-rays were clear and all was okay with them. They were still waiting for the blood sample results to come in. So I stayed there in the hospital. It was 90 degrees outside and a clear blue sky - not often does that happen in Washington State. Later in the day I was informed that a had a bacterial infection (alpha hemolytic streptococci), and the computer gave the doctor what antibiotic I needed. I spent the rest of the day and all night getting the antibiotic infused as well as more fluid. Boy, does that make a person go to the bathroom a lot - and disrupt one’s sleep. As well, the nurse came in often and the fluid machine beeped often as the infusion bags ran out of what was in them and needed to be replaced. A crummy night of sleep - or little to no sleep! I also woke up with a headache and I was getting stuffed up. That typically happens when I am in air-conditioning too long of a period of time. But my doctor came in and said the antibiotic could be given in pill form (cefpodoxime), so by 10 a.m. I got to go home. Of course, my wife spent much of the day before with me (Thursday visiting with me in the hospital), and came and got me on Thursday. It was great to be home and not have to stay in the hospital. I was still stuffed up that day and still am - this being Monday. Even so I have been able to get some things done in the yard, garden, and flower beds.

Have you ever backed up in a parking lot and looked both ways and again looked and as you turned your head - while backing up slowly - to look forward to where you were going to be driven — and back into something. I did it! A car behind me and one space to the side was backing up too and neither one saw the other. Both of us had the same damage to the back bumper on the side of the cars! So now we have our car in the garage being fixed. First accident I have been in since we lived in California - over 24 years ago!

Oh, pray for my lower lip to heal before tomorrow - fever blisters - for what I am not sure.

I will be seeing the doctor tomorrow for the regular weekly check-up - and also an infusion of zometa for bone development.

Expect to give you good news the next blog!

Dan

Shoes in church??I showered and shaved………….. I adjusted my tie.
I got there and sat………….. In a pew just in time. ?Bowing my head in prayer……… As I closed my eyes.. ?I saw the shoe of the man next to me….. Touching my own. I sighed. ?With plenty of room on either side…… I thought, ‘Why must ?our soles touch?’ ?It bothered me, his shoe touching mine… But it didn’t bother him much. ?A prayer began: ‘Our Father’…………. I thought, ‘This man with the
shoes, has no pride. They’re dusty, worn, and scratched. Even worse,
there are holes on the side!’ ?’Thank You for blessings,’ the prayer went on. ?The shoe man said…………… A quiet ‘Amen.’ ?I tried to focus on the prayer……. But my thoughts were on his shoes ?again.?Aren’t we supposed to look our best. When walking through that door? ?’Well, this certainly isn’t it,’ I thought, Glancing toward the floor.. ?Then the prayer was ended……….. And the songs of praise began. ?The shoe man was certainly loud….. Sounding proud as he sang. ?His voice lifted the rafters…….. His hands were raised high. ?The Lord could surely hear. The shoe man’s voice from the sky.. ?It was time for the offering…… And what I threw in was steep. ?I watched as the shoe man reached…. Into his pockets so deep. ?I saw what was pulled out………… What the shoe man put in. ?Then I heard a soft ‘clink’ . As when silver hits tin.?The sermon really bored me…………. To tears, and that’s no lie. ?It was the same for the shoe man…. For tears fell from his eyes. ?At the end of the service…… As is the custom here. ?We must greet new visitors, And show them all good cheer. ?But I felt moved somehow………….. And wanted to meet the shoe man. ?So after the closing prayer…….. I reached over and shook his hand.?He was old and his skin was dark…. And his hair was truly a mess. ?But I thanked him for coming……… For being our guest. ?He said, ‘My names’ Charlie……….. I’m glad to meet you, my ?friend.’ There were tears in his eyes…….. But he had a large, wide grin. ?’Let me explain,’ he said………. Wiping tears from his eyes. ?’I've been coming here for months…. And you’re the first to say ‘Hi.” ?’I know that my appearance…………’Is not like all the rest. ?’But I really do try……………..’To always look my best.’ ?’I always clean and polish my shoes..’Before my very long walk. ?’But by the time I get here……….’They’re dirty and dusty, like ?chalk.’ My heart filled with pain………. And I swallowed to hide my tears. ?As he continued to apologize……….. For daring to sit so near ?He said, ‘When I get here…………..’I know I must look a sight. ?’But I thought if I could touch you..’Then maybe our souls might unite.’ I ?was silent for a moment……….. Knowing whatever was said ?Would pale in comparison… I spoke from my heart, not my head. ?’Oh, you’ve touched me,’ I said……’And taught me, in part; ?’That the best of any man…………….’Is what is found in his heart’ ?The rest, I thought,………………… This shoe man will never know. ?Like just how thankful I really am… That his dirty old shoe touched my soul ?You are special to me and you have made a difference in my life. ?I respect you, and truly cherish you. ??Let old friends know you haven’t forgotten them, and tell new friends you never will. ?Remember, everyone needs a friend.. ?Someday you might feel like you have no friends at all. ?Just remember this e-mail and take comfort in knowing that Someone out there cares about you….. And always will.     ?  Live each day as your last, it could be!!!!!