Results Day

I met with my doctor today and all is well! No bone lesions, kidneys are functioning normally and blood numbers are excellent. The doctor said the MM is still indolent and has stretched the time until my next appointment. However...

My x-ray results show compression of the C3 vertebrae, and there is an indication I'k suffering from spina bifida. This was news to me and my doctor. Because I had the x-rays taken at my local hospital (instead of the one I travel to for the oncology appointments), my doctor insisted the x-rays be re-interpreted. I can't help but think mine were mixed up with someone else's.

All in all, good news! Must say I feel a bit odd to have started a cancer blog when I'm still at stage I, not that I'm complaining.

In other news... As some of you might know, my wife and I went to NYC this July and had a fantastic trip. I took a pile of videos and photos, most of which I posted on facebook. Here's the first video I took, on our way from the airport to our hotel. Listen closely.

Back Home & Back to Reality

I am still buzzing from my trip to NYC. What energy, flow, buildings, warmth, crowds, fun and noise! My wife and I had a great time, loved the 2 musicals and 1 play we saw (I highly recommend God of Carnage), and The Late Show with David Letterman was fun. I got my photos taken with Rupert and Biff Henderson, which was quite a thrill, being a long-time fan. We had a good mix of seeing tourist attractions and just hanging out and absorbing the New York experience. We had a great tour or Greenwich Village and Soho, which focused on rock & roll landmarks such as Cafe Wha?, the site of the famed CBGB's and Electric Lady Studios (thanks, Shawn!). We will definitely be going back. Inspired, I took hundreds of photos and video, uploading them to Facebook to share with family and friends. Seems I've inspired a few to take their own trip to the Big Apple!

The trip made me forget about my cancer, which was one of the best parts. I have more blood tests and another skeletal survey today with results later this month. The trip was both a great distraction and a ton of fun. I'm leaving it on my bucket list, however. We will definitely be going back!

New York City Here We Come!

It's time for the big NYC trip! My wife and I have been planning this for weeks and we finally leave this Sunday for 5 days in the Big Apple. On the agenda:

• Late Show with David Letterman taping (I am thrilled about this.)
• Broadway: Rock of Ages, God of Carnage and possibly Mamma Mia!
• A "Real New York Tour" through downtown NYC with a stop at Ground Zero.
• Walks through Chinatown, Soho, Greenwich Village and Central Park.
• Visit to the American Museum of Natural History, the South Street Seaport Bodies exhibition, the Apple Store on 5th Ave (I'm a recent Mac convert).
• Shows at the Iridium Jazz Club (Les Paul and surprise guest) and the Comedy Cellar.
• Staten Island Ferry trip.
• Views from the top of the Empire State Building and the Rockafeller Center.
• Lots of great food in well-researched eateries, and of course, a slice of cheese pizza.
• More to be determined, including some down time to just take it all in.

I am fortunate to feel well enough to take this trip, and plan to enjoy every minute. Although I still do not need to begin treatments, some aches and pains have me a bit paranoid - but they are not slowing me down. I have blood tests and a skeletal survey scheduled for the Monday after our return, and I learn the results at my oncologist appointment on July 23rd. Here's to hoping supplements and exercise can keep this disease at bay for a while yet.

Bucket List

Gee Wally, being faced with one's own mortality sure ain't no fun, especially at 42. So, what's a guy to do? Why, start a bucket list, of course. First on the list is a trip to New York City with my lovely wife. My next blood tests are in a just over a week, and I hope my beta-2 microglobulin levels are stable enough so I don't have to start treatment just yet. Wouldn't want to miss a chance to see the Big Apple, check out Gods of Carnage on Broadway with James Gandolfini and Jeff Daniels, and have the mandatory slice of NYC pizza.

I've sent in a request for Letterman tickets, so Dave, if you (or someone in your staff) sees this... puh-lease accept our request for tickets. Or if you like, email me and we can make some arrangements! (Hey, I'm an optimist!) We also want to try for Daily Show and Colbert Report, and comedy gods willing, we'll see at least one taping. Also on the list are Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum, the hop-on-hop-off tour, and Times Square, for starters. Can't wait.

What comes next on the bucket list? Who knows... I'm hoping I'll have plenty of time to consider the 2nd item of a very long list.