Photography Thinks
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.
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.”
Today, I left a blood sample. Friday, I see the Doc. Not worried about my blood counts. Feel good.
People come to get chemo or another thing. Some cannot walk out. Some cannot walk in. I did both today. And there isn’t anything worth reading.
Mr. Martin, aged 92, still drives a car and still wants to look dapper. Lyric clips him into shape, smiling with every gently swipe.
When I told him I was 78, he called me a baby. I disagree. “You are Old Old; I am just Old!
So, a year has passed and I have not been back to the hospital, given blood or had a loss of consciousness. Have the usual pain associated with aging, in addition to an unsharpening of the mind. More good than not good. That’s good, eh?
Well, I am doing the best I can. Glad, damn glad, you asked. Not doing it on my own. A little help from my friends, Jaypirca.
Well, I am putting on some weight and building muscle. Not much cooperation from my body which has sprung a hernia (operation scheduled for January 13, 2025). Lots of doctors still on the list and not a lot of options. Have adjusted to the new cancer meds and my blood has been storing oxygen. Go Hemo, Go!
So, I keep walking and talking. Put here to live and then die. Walk and talk. No need to worry about what the future holds. The sands on the hour glass trickle at an excruciating rate, which, for me, is just fine. More time to do what I do and more time to play with Sharon.
So, I am back on the street. Walked, with Sharon chaperoning, up the block near the trees. Lichens beckoned.
When the docs finally realized back in 2017 why I was sick, they concluded I had a blood disorder that at the time didn’t require any treatment. As the symptoms continued and assumedly worsened, I was put on Imbruvica, a hard to get and very expensive drug.
Every morning I take a couple of pills. They cost $300 a pill, give or take a few shekels. A bottle costs $12,000 to $14,000 a month. Not sure how I can afford it; insurance, I guess. Lucky I am in remission, though I still have to take it.
Now the US Government is investigating the Chinese company that developed it or manufactured it or distributes it. They might even have a lab next to the one that developed the covid virus. Who knows?
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/15/health/wuxi-us-drugs-congress.html?searchResultPosition=1
At least President Biden is aware of the problem. He wants the price reduced. I sent him a note asking him to make sure all who need it get it, along with an album of my Imbruvica images. Have not heard back from him about my note or the photos. He has other things on his plate.