I’ve used this term a few times lately, its been very relevant to some situations that have surrounded my treatment and transition to Duke. I’ll give ya’ll the nutshell version and maybe you’ll understand why!

So I had a good initial meeting with Dr. Ready, the oncologist at Duke. He had me come in the following week to get some screening and preliminary stuff done before getting the trial started. And, had me go get some blood. My hemoglobin was way low. I went to UNC and got two pints. A bit of a nerving experience. But we got it done. That was on a Thursday. On Monday, I woke up to my right clavicle area swollen and very sore. Right near where my port tube meets the artery it’s connected to. I thought the transfusion had irritated it. We’ll come back to this.

That aint my blood.

Few days later, after a number of phone calls and emails, I got my appointment to get my screening done. EKG, blood work and a CT scan from top of my head to my pelvis. This turned out to be a LOOOOOOOOONG day. Most of them are in the hospital. That blood transfusion went from 11-6pm. But we got it done. EKG fine. Blood fine for the most part. CT scan not so good. Dr Ready called early Friday morning to tell me I have  blood clot in my left lung and to get my tail to the hospital ASAP to get a blood thinner shot. So another day at the hospital. And it came with a kicker. I have to give myself 2 Lovenox shots EVERY day. For life.  Not exactly what I was wanting to hear. But again, we got it done, and I’m handling the shots ok. Needles are only about 1/2 inch long. Goes in your belly fat (which I have very little of), kinda like a diabetes shot.

Because of the blood clot, my treatment was delayed from the 13th to the 24th. Serenity Now. Something to do with the blood thinner and the trial drugs not jiving right. This is extremely frustrating…more waiting while this cancer keeps growing in my body. I mentioned the swollen area earlier that I thought may have been an infection from the blood transfusion. Wrong. Cancer in my lymph nodes on that right side. Serenity Now. Up to this point, everything has been confined to my left side. Now it’s made it’s way to my right. Super sucks. Especily since we don’t start treatment until the

POSITIVE NOTES – Gotta keep the good MOJO energy in check, so here are some nice highlights from the last few weeks.

Fundraisers – I received a nice check from the Eddy Haneman fishing tourney. Thanks to everyone that showed up for the luncheon and to Stacy Wester and company for making this happen. It brought me to tears. An interview I did actually ended up on Time Warner Cable. We famous. Joe’s Bucket Bash – speaking of fundraisers, who’s coming? Huge event at Captain Bill’s over off Market St. Volleyball, corn hole, music, booze, auction with some great items from local shops and restaurants etc. Event is August 29th at 11am. I will be there and will be playing corn hole with my buddy JC. Bring your best. It’s GAME ON! https://www.facebook.com/joesbucketbash

Care packages  – I continue to receive some great gifts from all over the country. These things certainly make me feel better and loved and I can’t thank you all enough for all the cool goodies.

General kindness – it continues to blow my mind how caring and thoughtful folks have been. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. 

*And yes, if things get too wacko, Serenity Now has lost is power, and I feel like I’m about to blow a gasket, I will switch over to Hoochie Mama as my new relaxation technique…

Sitting there breathing it all in, including the pollen too unfortunately, I thought about home. I’ve been here for almost 4 months now – December 1 is when Christian told me I have cancer. I’ve had wicked good support from family and friends here. Jo Ann and Dad have been amazing. Mom flew cross country in the freezing temps to see me for a fun week and I’m gonna head her way soon. Friends and neighbors I’ve known 25+ years stopping by with food, a hug, a joke, whatever. We’ve weathered the very cold winter (as these parts go), and this health mess so far, and it feels energizing and comforting to be sitting at home with my Dad as the sounds and sights of Spring are kickin’ in. There is no other feeling like it.

And then there’s my other home. I got back from Wilmington/WB yesterday. Saw a lot of friends in a short amount of time, ate some fine food, saw my buddy Frank (and his Home Team crew! see pic below) who is kickin’ arse after his stem cell marrow treatment, got to spend a bit of time outside on the beach. Again, got mucho love and support from my gang all weekend long. It was beautiful out when I hopped on I-40 to head west. I was bummed to go. But left feeling lucky to have such great crew of people keeping my mojo in check and helping in so many ways. Left also knowing that the coastal sounds and sights of Spring are starting to call and I’ll be headed east again soon.

I discovered the band below about a week ago, and this is a current fav of mine. Song is about going home for bit. Not for health reasons really…just needing to go home to see peeps and get that hometown vibe when things are mixed up. Happy I have two choices.

Session #4 tomorrow at 2pm. Send some Mojo my way. Massive thanks to all my Warriors!

Fuck yeah Frank! Here’s Franks Home Team..his support crew, country cooking and acoustic jams. Part of the sights and sounds of Spring. That’s Frank sitting on his rear in the grass on the left.

Here’s the original video. A bit of a visual overload, but a louder, harder version..

Plus, a few of you Warriors  made the video. Enjoy!

The ESPN office commercials have always been good. I remembered this one – made me laugh and showed that Stuart could be humble, even in making fun of his signature term…