A blog of no uncertain musings. What goes on in my mind is often a source of wonder to me. |
How do you track your achievements in this field of writing? Perhaps a better question is do you track them? We all know if you want to achieve a 'thing,' you must have goals to help you. A task is not met in one step; it takes a series of small steps to reach that 'thing.' Some members track their steps/goals/achievements in a Static Item; others use their Notepad. Still others use a spreadsheet to track their progress. It doesn't matter how you do it, but I submit you should do it. You can just sit back and take life as it happens, without regard for what you might accomplish in your life. That's stagnation. Moving forward is what makes life worth living. Your calling in life might be your vocation. If that's the case, congratulations. For the past 33-plus years, my vocation was my calling. And I enjoyed every minute. Now, I'm retired and have chosen writing as one of my fields of endeavor. I have a number of projects (both writing and non-writing) I'd like to complete, and tracking my progress ensures I'm moving forward with each project. I use both a Static Item and my Notepad to track my progress. Actually, the real reason I began this post was to remind myself I need to update my own tracking. There always seems to be something else that needs my attention. But, since I'm a profound procrastinator (and I know that all too well), I need to kick myself into gear. My goal next week is to update my 2025 writing tracking with goals I can meet. |
I do like hot weather. I'd long enjoyed running in the Missouri summertime heat. But I have to say the older I get, the less I like to exercise in the heat. By exercise these days, I refer to my daily walks encouraged by my recent medical experiences. The current heat wave we're experiencing coupled with the higher humidity is prompting me to walk earlier than I did only three weeks ago. Before long, I'll be starting my walk at 6am--I've been leaving at 7. This has reminded me of my time as the Company Commander of Headquarters Company, 5th Engineer Battalion at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, in the mid-1980's. The 1st Sergeants of the five companies in the battalion would schedule Physical Training (PT) beginning at 7:30am daily. As it turns out, five companies of men descending on the Dining Facility for breakfast at the same time was almost unmanageable. One company First Sergeant decided to begin PT at 7am, allowing his men to be first in line at the Dining Facility. That lasted about a week before another 1st Sergeant moved his PT to 6:30. Next thing I knew, my 1st Sergeant had scheduled our PT at 5:30. But that left the men with an hour of downtime before the day's work was scheduled to begin. Downtime and soldiers was never a good combination. We went back to 7:30, leaving the remaining companies to fight over the early slots. And I got an extra hour and a half of sleep. 252 Words |
Last month, I tried a reviewing experiment. What happens when a person completes just one review per day for an entire month? I completed a total of 30 reviews in June. Since I'm a member of "WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group" ![]() Normally, as a member of "Anniversary Reviews ~ Summer Break" ![]() Additional gift points were awarded by the WDC system to me each day following the review in accordance with "Daily Review Rewards" ![]() Some additional gift points were awarded from "The Review Mixer" ![]() Finally, I received some gift points of varying amounts as a thanks from some of the folks I reviewed. These GPs were not expected but were greatly appreciated. The tangible results of my experiment in June were as follows: ![]() ![]() ![]() An intangible benefit is reading and reviewing various stories and poems from 30 unique members, most of whom I've never reviewed before. Plus, reviewing helps me improve my writing. After all, one should be correct when offering advice. Reviewing is such an important part of WDC. And the site offers many rewards promoting reviewing. They're yours for the taking. |
When I wrote about my meeting with the University of Kansas Oncologist about enrolling in clinical trials to mitigate my cancer, I came away with a recommendation not to do clinical trials. See "To Medicate, or Not to Medicate" ![]() I received a call Tuesday past from Dr. Pn's nurse telling me all the scheduled immunotherapy treatments would be cancelled--they were scheduled for every six-weeks as a backup to the clinical trials--and that my treatment plan for the coming year would be a blood test and two CT scans (Chest and Abdomen/Pelvis) every three months. Since my first scans were 6 June, the next will be in September. Honestly, I'm a little worried that three months isn't often enough. I mean, so much can happen. But Dr. Pn said she met with the cancer team and discussed my case with the result that this is the best treatment plan for me based on the testing results to date. Thinking back on the quality care I've received since my diagnosis and surgery, and my team's responsiveness to any question I had, I've decided to take that leap of faith. I'll continue working on the aspects I can control--drinking lots of water, exercising and modifying my diet. I have to admit that last one has been a real test for me. Hopefully, there'll be little on which to report. |
Just met with a guy who my wife called an Insurance Adjuster. He didn't really 'adjust' anything, nor come up with an actual estimate. But he was a very affable guy, explaining what he was doing as he did it. Jeanette worked in the insurance business for more than 35 years, so she should know the terms. But I was talking with the guy and all he does is look at my car for the hail damage--the reason for calling the insurance company. He takes pictures, makes an estimate of the hail dings in the roof, hood and elsewhere, and sends all that information to someone at the company who actually comes up with the cost estimate. The last hailstorm in our area was this past March. I thought I had about 15 to 20 dings in my roof and hadn't planned to spend my $100 deductible on a few dings I could hardly see. He had a three-foot diameter screen that when held over the car revealed more than 250 dings ... on the roof alone! And he said once the repair folks came out with proper lighting, more dings might be shown. O-M-G, I thought someone will have to replace my roof. "Nope," he said. "The just drop the cloth covering inside the car and push out the dings from the inside." He added that they could come out and do it in my driveway. I think I'd like to watch that. My wife's son is trying to get into damage adjusting and this guy passed on a lot of useful information regarding this industry, like which companies to sign on with after passing his test. He strongly suggested her son get his drone's license--drones are being used more and more for getting exact measurements of a disaster or accident site, taking pictures from a wider range of vantage points, and so on. A drone won't alleviate the need for boots on the ground. But it does save a lot of tape measure grunt-work. The adjuster said most folks with older vehicles just take the estimate money passing on the repairs, a thought which I had considered. I wonder how much the estimate will be. |
As I begin another week, I like to think about what I hope to accomplish this week. I've started doing this on Sunday morning since my diagnosis and surgery. That age old saw, 'we are not promised tomorrow' has much more meaning now. But first, we went floating yesterday on a rather calm, fairly low Gasconade River. As I mentioned in yesterday's entry, the day began overcast, even dropping a few raindrops on our way to the drop-off point. As soon as we started putting in the kayaks and canoes, the sun came out. My reward for praying for sun was a decent sunburn. This is why I seldom cook. Despite using sunscreen and wearing a shirt for part of our float, I still burn. If something involves heat, I can burn it. The Gasconade River follows a 280-mile meandering course from its headwaters near Seymour, Missouri, in a northwesterly direction emptying into the Missouri River several miles west of Hermann, Missouri. It's characterized by spectacular bluffs, some almost 100 meters high through dolomite and sandstone bedrock, providing fabulous scenery for our leisurely five-hour float. Earlier in the year, one might expect a quicker pace down the river. Our float was perfect. So, what was I talking about? Oh yeah .... This week, I'll continue working on my kitchen pamphlet. And, of course, try and maintain my exercise and WDC streaks. No major events to consider this week, which suits me fine. |
The entire past week has been sunny and hot (90's). Today as I was out on my early morning walk, it started with mostly clear blue skies which clouded up by the end. And of course, today Jeanette's son and daughter, and their significant others are taking us on a float trip. Knowing how Missouri weather can change in a moment, I'm hoping for a shift back to standard sunny and hot. I prefer at least half my horizon to be dry. I really don't like getting wet from below AND above. And, because of my surgery, I'm relegated to drinking water. No beer today! ![]() |
Yesterday, I came across a blog entry of another member whose husband's two doctors are offering conflicting information regarding which medication he should be taking for his condition. It turns out, I have a similar situation. A few hours after I responded to that blog, I received a call from my VA Oncologist reminding me of my upcoming appointment, during which I have a blood test scheduled, a meeting my Oncologist, followed up with an immunotherapy treatment. That treatment had been put off several times while I pursued alternate treatment means, including potential clinical trials. I met with a University of Kansas Cancer Center Oncologist on 30 June, who strongly recommended that I not enroll in any current clinical trials since they were not geared toward my strain of kidney cancer. The anticipated adverse side-effects would far out-weigh the benefits I might reap ... if any. She also believes that the results of my surgery in April stated my cancer was removed and had not metastasized to other areas in my body, indicating no need for any follow-up immunotherapy at this time. Paraphrasing, to immunotherapize (VA recommendation), or conduct monitoring CT scans every three months (UKCC recommendation). Until shown otherwise, I'll pursue the monitoring CT scans. |
Every morning for the past 79 days, I've taken a walk as part of myn recovery from cancer surgery. I started walking around our acre and a half yard until going in circles got old. Then I walked the dirt road on which we lived. In both cases, I walked past a huge Mimosa tree in our front yard. This tree, full of blooms this year, spanned more than 70 feet in the shape of a large umbrella. It was very much a centerpiece in our yard. And every day as i passed it on my walk, I'd think 'I need to take a picture of this tree with the sun shining through the leaves and flowers. And every day, I'd pass it by, content with the aroma of the flowers. Yesterday, a huge thunderstorm blew through, high winds and almost 2 inches of rain in three-quarters of an hour. Now our tree looks like this: ![]() No longer will it display that magnificent presence to everyone passing by. Only time will tell if it survives such a loss of limb. I shoulda taken a picture coming home from one of those walks. I coulda taken that picture very easily with my phone. I woulda taken that picture after my walk ... but I got busy. I always tell myself if I don't write it down, it doesn't happen. I relied on my memory to go back and take the picture. It didn't happen. Don't let such moments pass you by. |
Have you ever started a writing project and finally gotten it to where you're ready to post it ... and a thought occurs to you that you can't seem to ignore? This thought is going to take you to a place in the project you hadn't considered. It will involve some additions, several re-writes, and much more time before you can post your desired document. Of course, this diversion cannot be dismissed; it will enhance your project. That's where I am with my project, So, You Want a New Kitchen. I figured I could explain the concepts regarding remodeling one's kitchen simply. But simply leads to more questions. It's like a Hydra--cut off one head and two more grow back. The project certainly won't get done with me writing here. Time to lay down the sword and pick up the pen. Later .... |
My wife loves watching cooking shows, especially the ones that pit chefs against other chefs. I suppose that's most of those shows. Anyway, she never cooks any of the dishes that are made ... thank God in most cases. One show had a chef telling the judges that she had over-seasoned her dish because her palette was exhausted. I happened to mention to my wife that I'd have to remember that excuse the next time she cooked liver. I know now that was the wrong thing to say. ![]() |
Good morning, and Happy 4th of July! Despite the current turmoil happening around us, I still believe in this great country. This morning as I went for my daily 2-mile walk, the day was perfect. Temp was 72, humidity just under 50%, and the sun was shining. And no cars were kicking up dust as usually happens when folks head in to work. We live in the country on a dirt road. The County Commissioners send a grader out once a month to smooth the road, getting rid of the potholes. Yesterday was that day. So, no cars raising dust and no potholes to avoid. Great day for a walk. Yeah, not an overly interesting post today, I suppose. But as my walks generally take about 35-40 minutes, I have lots of time to think--about completing the kitchen pamphlet I'm working on; about fulfilling the judging duties for June's official WDC Quotation Inspiration contest; about writing my monthly Noticing Newbies newsletter; and after kicking these topics around, spending my remaining walk with Gordon Lightfoot and reminiscing about the old days. I spend every walk listening to music. Today I enjoyed one of my favorite albums--Gord's Gold, a 1975 double album by Gordon Lightfoot. I figure many folks listen to music as they exercise. So ... what music do you listen to when you work out? |
I went to my Clinical Trials consultation Monday with a number of specific questions to ask. I’d heard about both horror and success stories that had come out of such trials, though the horror ones stuck with me. I wanted to be sure what I was getting into. A very good friend, Ms. B, whom I’ve mentioned in previous blogs, had gone through such treatments and offered some questions to ask. Sad to say, I didn’t get to ask these questions as I decided not to pursue the trials. But, I’d like to offer her list on the off-chance someone reading my blog might be faced with the option of undergoing clinical trials (or some other medical procedure) in their future. 1. Why should I consider a clinical trial? 2. What makes clinical trials better than alternative treatments? 3. Are other treatments available? 4. Is this a placebo-controlled trial? 5. Will my insurance cover the costs? Will I have other costs in the future? 6. How will treatments affect my every day life? 7. Will I have a primary contact throughout the trials? 8. Will all the doctors handling this treatment/case keep in contact with each other? 9. Will I be able to leave the trials before they are completed? 10. What specific reasons are allowed for leaving early? 11. How often would blood tests, scans, and other procedures happen? 12. How will the trial affect current medications I’m taking? 13. Will I need to be hospitalized at any time during the trials? 14. How long is the trial? 15. How long are individual sessions? 16. What would be my commitment after the trial is ended? 17. Will the results of the trial be made available to me? Substitute your procedure for 'clinical trials.' And, you may have additional questions for your specific circumstances. Best of luck with any medical endeavors. Drop me a note if these questions helped you out; I’d love to know. |
June is over, a month never to be repeated. And we're now on the downward slide to the end of 2025. I wish to thank StephBee and ⱲєbⱲitϚћ is 18 for sponsoring a Blogging contest in June as part of "The Bard's Hall Contest" ![]() And a huge THANKS to all the members, friends and family who have frequented my blog, sending your encouragement. I hadn't been a regular blogger before. I have to say, it's growing on me. Plus, these entries are something I can leave for my kids--who knows, they may even like reading them. On to my news of the day. I met yesterday with an Oncologist with the University of Kansas Cancer Center to determine further treatment plans for me. I arrived thinking the consultation was to see if I qualified for any on-going immunotherapy clinical trials for my specific strain of kidney cancer. It turns out I'm part of a very small group of only 15% of folks with my strain of kidney cancer. My doctor strongly advised me not to pursue the rather new trials for that 15% group. Her reasoning made absolute sense. Those trials are designed for persons who have Stage 4 kidney cancer, which has metastasized (or spread) to other areas of the body, especially lymph nodes, lungs, bones, etc. I'm at Stage 3 as determined by the successful surgery to remove a lone, though large tumor and the right kidney to which it was attached. My cancer has not metastasized. She explained the history of the more than 20 years of trials for the 85% group. Big Pharma is loath to put large sums of money into testing and developing drugs for such small groups. That's why all the testing has been done for the tens of thousands of patients (85%) over those 20-plus years, thereby making big bucks for the pharmaceutical companies. (This is me paraphrasing; my doctor was much more diplomatic with her explanation.) She concluded by saying the breakthrough for treatment of that 85% has only come in the past two years. Side effects, some extremely severe, plagued those trials for many years. She believed any benefits I might receive from the newer trials for my strain would be far overshadowed by potentially severe side effects. My best course of action would be to implement a series of CT scans every three months for the first couple years, moving to twice a year for a couple years, and then, if scans were still warranted, annually. My situation would be reevaluated after each scan. It's not that "do nothing" option; but it allows me to continue living without ill side effects, while checking me out periodically. I've not been pronounced cured, but I am more hopeful for the future. |