Good News. Better News. Best News

Gate to Chinatown

Looking for Lunch

Not wanting to waste a trip to SF on just medical stuff, I went early and headed to Chinatown.  I hadn't been there since one of my scout trips to stay overnight on the WWII submarine the USS Pampanino many years ago.  Great fun.  Great food!  Then off to UCSF for the afternoon.

Right across from where I parked and 1 block to Chinatown gate, so in I go!

 

3 rooms of fascinating sculptures in brass, copper and paper.  Here's a few.

This lovely lady is Ilana Hettena, the coordinator of the pulmonary and mobility studies.  She and a co-worker, Barbara, also administer some of the tests.  In November, they had me do a test that measures spinal & body rotation.  They had me do one (of many) test(s) but weren't sure if they were doing it right, so they asked Dr. Wolf to demonstrate.  I did better than he did.  It made me feel pretty good, until I tried to golf this week.  Whoa baby.  I sucked.  But it was fun.

Another round of childhood immunizations.  They send in the nicest and prettiest nurses, like Stephanie here, like it's supposed to make you feel better about being shot 5 times.  This time it was a mixture of childhood and adult versions of the immunizations, which means they hurt more and make you sicker.  Next time (March), I also get more shots.  Then a 6 month break, then another 6 month break.   I did get some good news from Dr. Wolf.  He said that my markers for my recovery from the cancer were all good, and, even better, very consistent in their improvement.  He said that if those markers continue to improve, he would consider taking me off of the daily chemo routine after 1 year in the program instead of the 2 years he originally anticipated and set me up for.  The year will be up at the first of June.  I have 6 more blood tests between now and then, so keep praying that my improvement will continue.  I would REALLY love to get off of the Revlimid.  The side effects have been worsening the past couple of months.  6 more months is very doable.  18 more months is less ... exciting.  As I was leaving Dr. Wolf's office he gave me a hug.  I couldn't tell if it was because he was as excited about the good news, or whether it was because I brought him mushroom chicken and steamed rice from Chinatown for lunch.  I didn't ask.  Whenever we meet with him he's usually eating chips or cheetos and drinking a coke, because that's all he says he has time for.  Do as I say, not as I do?  Well, that's the latest news and the gossip from the land of the midnight son of a gun.  Thanks for your continued support and good wishes.  We will continue to love and appreciate you forever.

Not So Special Olympics

Dan sent me THIS. I don't know why, but as you can see, the physical therapy is working!

I KNOW YOU MEAN WELL

As the New Year celebration approached everyone I talked to would say something like, "I hope the New Year is a lot better than the old one!"  To some I'd just let it go. To others I'd take the time to explain, like all of you.

I don't know how next year could be better than last year.  I have never felt and received so much love from my Heavenly Father through the priesthood blessings and strength given to my soul and body.  I have never felt so close to the Savior and felt and received so much love through His atonement that removed my pain.  Never has He been so involved as an intermediary between Heavenly Father and me taking all of the thousands of prayers to Him and lovingly returning with answers, or directing the activities of angels on behalf of me and my family.  Never have I felt Him personally closer to me.  I have never felt so close to the Holy Ghost and received so much peace and comfort to my soul.  Never has He been so active on my behalf inspiring all of my care providers with light and knowledge when things "were not working with the regular protocols."  Never have I felt so much love from all of those who prayed, fasted, financially supported, did service, visited, brought cookies, sent cards of encouragement and love, made hotel arrangements, and administered blessings and the sacrament, to me.  Never have I felt so much love and gratitude to so many people who were always friends, but now I know are truly family.  Never have I had in my heart the desire to do unto others as has been done unto me.  To share the Savior's love.  It was not a bad year.  It was not a horrible year.  It was a wonderful, blessed, miraculous, loving, peaceful year. 

I now realize that I've had years like that before, just not to the extent of last year.  I just didn't notice.  I didn't appreciate it.  Hopefully, you will look back and look around you and see what I missed all those years.  I wish you all your best New Year ever.  I think I just had mine, but it doesn't mean that 2011 can't be great too.  With much love for you all.  Kevin