Friday, August 13, 2010
OK...We finally have a plan....
I just got home from my appointment with Dr. Leming. It actually went very well, the results of my recent CT scans indicate there has been little or no change in the size of the effected lymph nodes; one of the nodes actually appears to have gotten smaller. Dr. Leming was very pleased with this and said I continue to look and remain fairly healthy. He said there is no reason to rush into treatments but added we don't want to wait another 6 months. We talked a bit about it and came up with the following plan; next week I will get my port replaced and then we will begin the Bendamustine treatments on September 8. This will allow me to get through Labor Day without going having to worry about treatments - this is great because we need to get Aaron and Abbey back to school and I really didn't want to try to squeeze in the treatments between all the running around we're going to be doing. Dr. Leming reemphasized that I should have no problems with the Bendamustine; he said almost everyone he's given it to has had had little or no problems - it was a little rough on one patient but that person has been dealing with this for almost 20 years. So I feel pretty confident going in to this next round of treatments and I'm hopeful they won't create much of an interruption in our normal routine.
I'd like to thank everyone for your continued support. The occasional e-mails and well wishes mean a lot to us - its comforting to know so many people are praying for and wishing us well.
I'd also like to thank Doug Fiessinger, our good friend and neighbor, for setting up a visit for me to see an Ohio State football practice. Doug's wife Lisa is cousins with former Buckeye player, Joe Luken, and he arranged for Doug and I to be guests at the practice yesterday. Everyone who reads this knows what a big Ohio State fan I am and even though it was over 90 degrees outside, we had a great time. The highlight was meeting Coach Tressel at the end of the practice. Most of the people I consider heroes today are people who help support the fight against all types of cancer but if I still I have to say who my 'celebrity hero' is like the days when I was a kid, I would most likely say, Jim Tressel. He is just a solid person and a wonderful representative for Ohio State University. We got to talk with the Coach Tressel for about 5 minutes and it was quite a thrill. So thanks to Dougals and Joe for setting me up with a memory I will carry with me for many years to come.
Today's 'top ten' list is actually a top eleven; my 11 favorite plays (which I've seen) of all time...
11. Mamma Mia - Don't see the movie, I hear it's horrible. If you want a fan evening at the theater with songs you know and can sing along with, you can't miss with Mamma Mia. Very clever and funny plus a little bonus concert during the encore makes this a must-see musical.
10. Annie - For the longest time this show was at the top of the list but then I started seeing 7 or 8 plays a year which lowered its stock. Still a classic with great music and a great message to every one who may be a little down on his/her luck; the sun will come out tomorrow.
9. The Producers - Based on the 1968 movie of the same name, about a couple Broadway producers who set out to make the worst play in history (A musical about Adolph Hitler) only to create a box office smash.
8. Mary Poppins - Wonderful production of the Disney movie. Would have been higher if they wouldn't have taken liberties with the story and kept 'Let's go Fly a Kite' as the closing song.
7. Les Miserables - Saw it 20 years ago but just an incredible production with beautiful music and stunning, show stopper moments.
6. Spamalot - If you liked the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail you'll love this - basically a musical of the same story by the Monty Python crew.
5. Dream Girls - I actually saw this after I saw the movie and was tremendously surprised. The staging was great, the cast had tremendous singing voices and the actor who play Jimmy stole the show. I didn't think I'd like the play better than the movie but I did.
4. Avenue Q - Hysterical show which practically turns the Muppets into porn stars; the play features great songs but don't go to see it with an 80 year old couple...you have been warned.
3. Hairspray - The movie was alright but if you want to capture the true spirit of Hairspray, you have to see the play. The songs are classic and if you get the right actor playing Edna Turnblad (anyone but John Travolta) he will steal the show. Would have loved to have seen Harvey Firestien play Edna.
2. Jersey Boys - A great show which tells the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Season;, the show definitely includes some adult themes but the music is fantastic and you'll be singing (and dancing) along at the end.
1. Wicked - The story of the two witches of OZ before Dorothy crosses their paths - the most enjoyable night I've ever had at the theater. I've seen Wicked 4 times and could see it 4 more times just to see the closing scene of Act 1 - Defying Gravity, the best scene I've ever seen in a musical.
I'd like to thank everyone for your continued support. The occasional e-mails and well wishes mean a lot to us - its comforting to know so many people are praying for and wishing us well.
I'd also like to thank Doug Fiessinger, our good friend and neighbor, for setting up a visit for me to see an Ohio State football practice. Doug's wife Lisa is cousins with former Buckeye player, Joe Luken, and he arranged for Doug and I to be guests at the practice yesterday. Everyone who reads this knows what a big Ohio State fan I am and even though it was over 90 degrees outside, we had a great time. The highlight was meeting Coach Tressel at the end of the practice. Most of the people I consider heroes today are people who help support the fight against all types of cancer but if I still I have to say who my 'celebrity hero' is like the days when I was a kid, I would most likely say, Jim Tressel. He is just a solid person and a wonderful representative for Ohio State University. We got to talk with the Coach Tressel for about 5 minutes and it was quite a thrill. So thanks to Dougals and Joe for setting me up with a memory I will carry with me for many years to come.
Today's 'top ten' list is actually a top eleven; my 11 favorite plays (which I've seen) of all time...
11. Mamma Mia - Don't see the movie, I hear it's horrible. If you want a fan evening at the theater with songs you know and can sing along with, you can't miss with Mamma Mia. Very clever and funny plus a little bonus concert during the encore makes this a must-see musical.
10. Annie - For the longest time this show was at the top of the list but then I started seeing 7 or 8 plays a year which lowered its stock. Still a classic with great music and a great message to every one who may be a little down on his/her luck; the sun will come out tomorrow.
9. The Producers - Based on the 1968 movie of the same name, about a couple Broadway producers who set out to make the worst play in history (A musical about Adolph Hitler) only to create a box office smash.
8. Mary Poppins - Wonderful production of the Disney movie. Would have been higher if they wouldn't have taken liberties with the story and kept 'Let's go Fly a Kite' as the closing song.
7. Les Miserables - Saw it 20 years ago but just an incredible production with beautiful music and stunning, show stopper moments.
6. Spamalot - If you liked the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail you'll love this - basically a musical of the same story by the Monty Python crew.
5. Dream Girls - I actually saw this after I saw the movie and was tremendously surprised. The staging was great, the cast had tremendous singing voices and the actor who play Jimmy stole the show. I didn't think I'd like the play better than the movie but I did.
4. Avenue Q - Hysterical show which practically turns the Muppets into porn stars; the play features great songs but don't go to see it with an 80 year old couple...you have been warned.
3. Hairspray - The movie was alright but if you want to capture the true spirit of Hairspray, you have to see the play. The songs are classic and if you get the right actor playing Edna Turnblad (anyone but John Travolta) he will steal the show. Would have loved to have seen Harvey Firestien play Edna.
2. Jersey Boys - A great show which tells the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Season;, the show definitely includes some adult themes but the music is fantastic and you'll be singing (and dancing) along at the end.
1. Wicked - The story of the two witches of OZ before Dorothy crosses their paths - the most enjoyable night I've ever had at the theater. I've seen Wicked 4 times and could see it 4 more times just to see the closing scene of Act 1 - Defying Gravity, the best scene I've ever seen in a musical.
