Photography Thinks
Sam works for the company that maintains our garden. He has some kind of cancer which he has under control. You know, chemo, pills, surgery, X-Ray. Missed him and glad he is back. He has before pics that his wife loves.
He said he wouldn’t go through it again. So,I shared a little of my experience. Never give up, I told him, especially if you have a wife who cares about you. I have one of them.
Take your protein pills and put your helmet on.
Really?
Last month, we were in Bastogne which is located in the Belgian Ardennes. Allen troops fought the Battle of the Bulge in this area. 19,000 dead. Maybe 100,000 casualties, including 20,000 missing. Hard to imaging.
Yesterday I went to our local military cemetery. Lots of dead buried there. Didn’t know any of them or their families who wept near the graves. I wept, too.
My father served in New Guinea in WWII, rising to the rank of Major. The war killed him indirectly. He came back broken. People said he wasn’t the same as when he left. Let’s not do this to others. PEACE.
So, we went to Blood Cancer United fund raiser. No one led us around or introduced us to anyone. Didn’t get to make any friends or speak with anyone about a photo project. Spoke with a cancer doc whose speech went over everone’s head. He told me he knew it all. He said he resisted pushing Government to fund the bills and increase spending for research.
We had a nice room which had a partial view of the ocean. Got a free ticket to the gala. Hotel room, food and parking, $1,500 for two days. I should have donated the money and stayed home.
So, went to see primary doc, today. He said, “…, good health. See you in November.” Three weeks ago, saw cancer doc. He said, “…, perfect blood for a person with your kind of cancer. See you in three months.” Not cancer free. Not feeling like I was a young man, but not feeling as bad as I did when I was not feeling good. That was bad.
When asked to pick the tomato, Trump picked the potato.”It’s red. Potato, tomato, what’s the difference?
So, I crashed after a walk with my friend Art. I don’t have many friends, least of all ones I want to take a walk with. He left me, cold, after telling me he was off to his doctor to find out about his blood test, one to determine the extent of his dementia. I cried, inside. All I have is CLL. Still have my mind. And he has so much to offer and remember.
So, I went to Bednar’s. Took a self-portrait. Bought some veggies and wine. Thought about I had a friend who wouldn’t be around for long.
Have you ever noticed the sign in the bathrooms of public places which reads, “Employees Must Wash Their Hands.” Leaving said the issue of how many do, DO YOU?
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/13/well/ai-chatbots-cancer.html
I have this kind of cancer. Almost died during treatment. Sharon and the doctor saved me. Sharon screamed through my fog that she needed me and wasn’t ready for me to die. I heard her. Hema (hematologist in cancer patient language) said I was one tough son-of-a- bitch.
I am.
A person in my blood cancer conversation group wrote about coping by exercise, research and positive thinking. I wrote him and sent him and another person coping with the disease a flower – a tulip, reminding them that a flower in bloom shows life.
In response, one wrote back, “CLL means Living a Long Life.”