April 12

Kath and I have eight trips to Portland left. Again, emphasize, I HATE the commute. I am so tired of driving in that traffic. I have been very fortunate of going through this for five weeks and still no radiation burns. The appetite is still good, actually putting on pounds. Not being able to run is making it harder to keep the weight down. The only negative that I really have is that I can feel a tightness in my lower back which bothers me. It is not really a pain, it is just something I am aware of. They have changed my medication for the antidepressant dosage medication. Been able to sleep lately, with medication, for three to four hours at a time. Look forward to the day that I can go to sleep without any help from medication.

While we wait for my appointment each day, we sit in the waiting room and it is depressing to me. Other patients try and talk to me about what they are going through and ask me questions about what I am going through. All it does is just bring me down. I enjoy thinking of other things, I don't want to talk about it. I just want to think positive.

The weekends have been the most fun because I get to see my kids. Last couple of weeks Tiff has come down on Friday nights and spent the night and all day Saturday with us. Everyone is excited about that except for our cat who has a problem with Bailey, Tiff's dog. Our cat seems to have Bailey buffaloed. It was a real treat when Tory and Chris brought their two big dogs down and they didn't back down and chased the cat all over the house. It had been a long time since I have laughed that loud.

I appreciated Barry stopping by and Reid driving down from Tualatin to meet us at Costco and Bill stopping by on his bikeride. I take visits in very short bursts, I don't last real long. I never know day to day how I feel about visitors, but these guys hit the right time. In the middle of all of this we got an offer on the house and we are waiting for the inspection on Wed. If it sells, fine, if it doesn't, that is fine. We have a hard time leaving this location because it is a nice location. However, 3600sq feet, five beds and a huge backyard is a little much. My poor wife mowed the front and back lawns this week because I didn't have the energy. MY hair is growing back slowly, but not fast enough for me. My progress still amazes the doctors, but we know that I am an amazing man. (per my wife) I have four more acupuncture sessions left. I do not recommend it, all it does is hurt and I am seeing no change, but it was worth a try.

We saw a glimmer of my old routine today, as Kath, Tiff and I spent three hours at Costco, visiting with friends and low and behold, we ran into our other daughter, Tory. Also we got lots and lot of samples and some supplies.

Thank you all for your comments and thoughts.