* THIS *
This moment right here, right now.
Vicky is sound asleep to my right while Kiyomi is asleep at our feet. I can hear Kiyomi give a deep sigh as I type this, as if my very thought of her stirs her. Toshiro is asleep on my left thigh.
I am alone in a dark and silent townhouse with my family asleep around me. All is right in the world. We have each other together in health, hearth, and happiness.
THIS is why I persist. THIS is what gives me hope and the endurance to push on, to smile despite the pain, and to ignore whatever stats or studies I’m confronted with.
I believe in us. I’d like to be here and pray God gives me that time.
Sounds good. Don’t give up.
It’s getting harder, Mom. I keep trying, and doing my best to put a good face on it… but wow is it hard sometimes.
I’m increasingly worried that “I am going to Seattle to die.” I don’t have the same strength I had last year or even during the bone marrow transplant. Sitting in a dialysis chair for 6-7 hours every day of 2 weeks as they perform Apheresis to pull blood plasma, extract my T-cells, return my blood. Then a month later return those same T-cells to fight my cancer. It’s going to be a rough ride, and I hope I have the strength.
NIH tells me I have months. I was hospitalized for a week in late November, released just before Thanksgiving, after fighting a neutropenic fever and sepsis. I’m told this will be common now. Most any infection, nearly any bacteria, is enough to knock me over… and end me if left untreated in time.
So I do my best. I try to stay strong and enjoy whatever time I can with Vicky and the pups before I pick myself up, dust myself off, and repeated it all over again (hospitalization or cancer treatment).
Hi Ken, it is Wednesday, here in California. I’ve been in the hospital since Sunday and have one small little infitesimal piece of what you’re experiencing, enough to appreciate the magnitude of your accomplishment so far. I came in for gallbladder operation. I didn’t know it would be that, I just had pain between my shoulders. when they operated my gallbladder was gangrenous. So it is taking a little bit longer than usual to clear up the infection. The nurses have been so great and the doctors too. I don’t know how you’ve managed to do it. that’s a miracle. Love you both and thinking about you.
I’m truly sorry to hear about your gallbladder and the infection. I hope that it clears it up soon and you’re able to go home. I’m thankful to hear the nurses and doctors have been great.
I’m still taking it day-by-day. We love you too!
Still hoping we can have a cup of java together when I am down from Philadelphia at GWU with my AI software partners.
My wbc went up by a magnitude last week and the adventure seems to be turning in a new direction.
Let me know if you can do this. Love to meet you in the first person!