Sid Bacon

I’m having a great day today!  I don’t feel the same fatigue that I’ve felt the past two days.  I made a pot of coffee for Cathy this morning, and she made me a delicious breakfast – two large pancakes with yogurt and peaches for toppings.  Later she made me a high-calorie smoothie (my weight “gain” has been going in the wrong direction, so we are hitting the calories hard).  It is taking a little while to get used to the idea that I am supposed to eat certain types of foods that until now I have more or less avoided … all in the name of good health! 
 

I have done a little professional work inside, a little yard work outside (my favorite place to be), and have been reading a book by Lance Armstrong, that was given to me by my future daughter-in-law’s parents.  I’m enjoying the inspirational book, but please don’t expect me to trade my mountain bike for a road bike anytime soon.   In the meantime, Cathy has gone on an hour-plus run, done some laundry, cleaned the house, and cooked for me … all in a morning’s work.  When I commented on her endless energy, she retorted that she did not just have chemo.  We’ll leave it at that, although I hope she doesn’t expect similar levels of energy from me on my week off!
 

I skipped my “daily” walks these past two days, but Cathy and I will be going on a nice walk a bit later today.  It is mostly sunny today with an anticipated high temperature of about 70 degrees.  Perfect!

Within two weeks of moving to Minneapolis, I met the love of my life.  Cathy was in the second year of her master’s program in speech and hearing; I was in the first year of my PhD program in psychology.  A group of faculty and students from both programs, as well as a few other programs, comprised a center focused broadly on human learning.  At the beginning of each fall, we had a retreat filled with interesting talks and great social networking.  I took the latter to the extreme.
 

Within weeks we were dating and within two years we were married … in the same church in Alexandria, Minnesota in which her parents were married some 30 years prior.  Cathy gave me the balance I needed then, and continues to do so to this day.  She is my best friend.
 

By our nature, Cathy and I are planners … always looking ahead to the next event or events.  We are, however, learning to live in the moment and are embracing our new “one day at a time” lifestyle.  I have no idea what I’m going to do tomorrow, but I’m having fun today!
 

Laura was born in Minneapolis, at the university hospital.  I remember that special day as if it were yesterday.  The 1984 Olympics in LA were on the TV.  We were at the hospital a bit early, so we got to see lots of events, and even participate in the inaugural “walk the hallways to induce labor” event … we took a close second.  I still bristle at hearing the Canadian National Anthem.  Laura changed our lives that day for the better.  Don’t know what we’d do without her.
 

I’m feeling good today, though a little weaker than yesterday.  Probably lethargic from all those extra pounds I’ve been adding the past 24 hours. 

Soon after I finished my PhD in December of 1984, Cathy, Laura, and I moved to England.  I had the privilege of working with Brian Moore as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Cambridge.  During that time, Cathy became pregnant; we benefitted from some great pre-natal care … all free of charge!  We didn’t know if we were having a boy or a girl, but if it were a boy, we were settling on the name “Ian” … seemed sufficiently British.  Our time in England finished before Cathy’s pregnancy did; we moved back to the States … Omaha, Nebraska to be precise.  I finished my postdoctoral studies at what is now known as Boys Town National Research Hospital.  It was a great experience.  About four months into our return, we decided it was high time to settle on a name.  We did so; went to bed; and two hours later woke up needing to go to the hospital!  Our dear friend, Donna Neff, rushed over to our apartment to stay with Laura (despite having a 2-month-old boy at the time!), and Cathy and I rushed to the hospital.  Things happened FAST.  No time for Olympic events.  Our beautiful son was here!  We had settled on the name “Dan” … just one letter change (important for the side of the family who, at times, can be spelling-challenged).  Our family was complete.  And that has become only more and more obvious as we travel down our recovery road, fighting together.   
 

I had a bit of a setback yesterday, battling my seemingly incessant nauseousness.  Nevertheless, it was a pretty good day that had several positive aspects.   No major complaints.  I still really appreciate the guestbook entries, emails, cards, goodies, etc.  Most importantly, I appreciate the spirit with which they are given.  You keep me uplifted in ways you may never fully appreciate.  But know that you do!
 

I may be going to Piper tomorrow to receive fluids intravenously (specifically via my handy-dandy port used to draw blood, deliver chemo, etc ... indeed, this power port is used to deliver almost everything but the chocolate!).  That should really make me feel good (free lunch with that, too?!).
 

I am feeling good as I write this journal entry, possibly because they’ve added back the steroids that I usually take for only a couple days after chemo.  The steroids help battle my nauseousness and lethargy.  I’m hoping to slip those running shoes back on tomorrow for a walk in the ‘hood.
 

We keep fighting!

Although I started the day a little shaky (nauseas), it has turned into one of my best days in recent weeks.  Hooray! 
 

By mid-morning, I was chipping away at the 20 manuscripts that somehowhad infiltrated my “editor’s queue”.  I got about half-way through them before noon, leaving just the right amount for another day (J).  I did a tiny bit of yard work in front, and then Cathy and I had a nice lunch in the backyard – what a glorious day!  The sunshine, flowers, waterfall, mountains, etc created the perfect ambience for a bowl of soup and crackers.  Everything tasted great!  After lunch, I watered some plants in the back, and then had a nearly 2-hour visit with my dear friend, Marjorie, who is in town from Oregon.  I even enjoyed a recently delivered home-made brownie during the visit (thanks Heather!).  I didn’t think I could last for a full two hours, but fortunately I did!  It felt great!  I finished my watering after Marjorie left, and then moved inside to pen a quick journal entry. 
 

In the meantime, Cathy has been working all day at home.  It is fantastic and a real blessing that her job at ASU has provided the kind of flexibility needed to take great care of me while simultaneously fulfilling her professional duties to students, colleagues, and the university.  And, of course, it isn’t so much that her job has provided that flexibility; it really is the case that her colleagues in the department have been so caring and understanding that they have gone out of their way to help us and to create the flexibility that really is necessary for us to pull this off.  We couldn’t fight this fight without them! 
 

We did not need to go to Piper today for extra fluids.  I’m drinking plenty of water, eating ice chips, and have kept all my food down for almost two days now.  We are good to go!  And although I did not slip on those running shoes, my yard work will have to count as exercise for today (hey, some people do that!), and I’ll plan to lace them up tomorrow!  

I’ve noticed a pattern lately.  I don’t sleep very soundly the night after a really good day.  And because yesterday was such a good day, I didn’t sleep so well last night.  In thinking about this pattern, I decided that I’m a bit like a young boy at Christmastime: Christmas eve was really good, but I look forward to Christmas day with such anticipation and excitement.  I’m going to get this, get that, etc.  Translated for today … I’m going to do this, do that, etc. I’m going to feel really good!  Well … close.  (When I beat this, and every day is a good day, I wonder if I’ll ever get a good night’s sleep.  We’ll cross that bridge …)
 

This has been another good day … not quite as good as yesterday, but nevertheless a very good day!  Absolutely no complaints!  I did some more editing for the journal, worked outside a bit, and took a nice long nap.  I didn’t quite lace-up those running shoes, but I thought long and hard about it in bed last night.  I also didn’t move on to those upper-body exercises I was “dreaming” about doing last night, but there is always tomorrow.
 

My sister just landed at the Phoenix airport, in from KC.  I’m looking forward to seeing her.  Laura is here for the evening as well, so we can all go to chemo together tomorrow.  I usually have the largest entourage at the Piper Center … and I always feel the strength and support of friends and family who cannot be there physically with me.  We really are a team, fighting together.  Thank you!