The Current Plan
Here’s the latest plan, revised time after time as I try to figure out how to prolong my days (and relationships and paycheck) for as long as possible while not chasing after a fictitious pot of gold at the end of some unreachable rainbow.
Tomorrow I will have chemo once again. God, it’s getting old, this relentless poison they’ve been dripping into me for a year and a half. I hate it so much, and yet I know I would already be dead without it.
After that I will recover for a couple of days, trying to eat and drink whenever possible without throwing up, attempting to walk here and there whenever I can summon up the strength.
I want to regain my strength, for on Saturday, April 18, my daughter Maddye turns 18! It’s crazy that it has been eighteen years since that unbelievable day when she was delivered at Baptist Hospital. (During the afternoon of that same day, I’ll also be doing a poetry reading with five poet friends at the Edmond Library. If you’ve never heard me read, please come. I’d love to see you.)
Two days later, I’ll fly to Houston to have new tests done at M.D. Anderson. It has been three months, incredibly, since that time shown on the video when LeAnn and I went down south and learned that my cancer had stabilized. I hope to get that same news again (and would love to hear something even better), although bad news is quite possible too. Either way, I’m not hanging around this time to find out, there’s simply too much going on for a three day trip to Texas. I’ll take the news by telephone and hope to be pleasantly surprised once more.
Following that, we’ll just have to wait and see…
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Comments
Thanks for the update. Hope that you are doing ok with the chemo today. I’ll be thinking of you this week and praying that you will recover quickly for Maddye’s birthday and, of course, that you will receive good news in Houston. Love you all, Rachel
Jim, LeAnn, Maddye and Ford,
It doesn’t seem possible that Maddye will be 18. I remember her tiny as well as Ford. You, LeAnn, Maddye and Ford are precious to our family. Haven’t seen you all in a long-time – I think the last time was at Barnes-Noble, late in the evening – you both reading, drinking coffee. Our family continues to pray. We love you all.
Cheryl
Hey Jim, I know you are bouncin’ back today or giving it your best effort…you continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. What another great milestone this Sat. and we’re looking forward to seeing Maddye this summer and fall in Stillwater! Hope to see you Sat.! SP
Just came upon your story and therefore situation. I certainly wish you the best, however, that is not why I am writing you.
You are certainly a learned professional person, so I assume you have tried to explore all avenues of beating Cancer. I am just curious if, in your efforts to thwart the Killer C, you have checked into the theory of having a high PH level causes Cancer. I am not saying it does, but as a person of interest in the whole PH debate, I was just curious to discover what someone who actually has Cancer might say.
I am preaching nothing…I am simply curious for the sake of myself and family. A lot of Natural healers claim that Cancer can not survive if the body is in an Akaline state and thrives in an Acidic state. The normal Medical Community debunks this theory by saying that our bodies naturally control our PH level to keep us from dying. However, I suspect there may be something to this theory about being alkaline…as many of us die from Cancer. Which would mean our body failed to keep us from dying.
Anyway, just curious if you have looked into this and what your findings were. Have you tested your PH level, etc.. Of course this issue may be like the Chicken and the egg..which came first. Did you get Cancer because of high PH or is your PH level high because of the Cancer.
Would appreciate any info you can provide from personal experience.
Thank you.
And again, I do wish you nothing but the best and hope you beat this crap!
Bill Beierschmitt called and he wants his flag back … and how dare you listen to the Royals playoff games when we have a big 8th grade football game … friend I pray things go as well possible … drop me a line if you have a spare moment … jeff.tribble at gmail.com
Jim and Leann, I hope this Saturday is as perfect for you as it was 18 years ago. We have loved reading these articles and I am still laughing about the Saturday Night Fever album. Thanks for caring about our family with all you have to concentrate on. We all keep all of you in our prayers. Another summer get-together is a must. Good luck in Houston. Love Leigh Ann
My best to you for all of the plans to work out. What a momentous day for your daughter turning 18! I think you are on the right track about making your days count, I am frustrated with myself when I don’t take all the oportunities as I get tired.
We don’t know each other except through your blog, please know that you and your family are in my heart.
My best, Laura