Kevin 1, Cancer Devil 0

Yeeehawwww, love that can of whup ass! Opened one on my nemesis a while back and it seems to still be doing the trick.

Got my much anticipated Petscan results back and its "hip hip hooray" all around. No sign of the devil to be found, which is a big sigh of relief. The last scan left some doubt whether progress was really occurring, but this time the results were quite comforting.

So, next month will be 6 months since treatment ended. For head & neck cancer, need to be cancer free for 2 years to feel comfortable that its gone, so almost 25% of the way home.

Kind of surreal when I think back through the journey. Seems like so long ago that I was going through my treatment, longing for the day to come when I was finished, but trying not to think about it since it seemed forever away. I have to think about it, but I remember most days moved along so slowly. Actually, I don't really want to remember those days, so moving on....

I know it hasn't even been 6 months yet, but thanks to all your prayers, and God's blessings, I have been blessed with such great progress. Not completely there yet, but almost nothing I can't do again so the journey has been truly amazing..... and happy. And blessed. I think about the support I received from so many, in so many ways...... I will never forget the kindness, so much of it, so freely and sincerely offered. While, of course, I would rather have avoided the ride all together, in a way, I am thankful for getting the opportunity to go through an experience that allowed me to see just how lucky I was to have family and friends who care so much. Very, very special. And, lucky that the story has a happy ending!!!

And the lesson for all...... Everyone should keep a can of Whup Ass around just in case, its pretty cool stuff. :)

Have a great week everyone!! We all have much to be thankful for.....

random musings a long way from home....

Greetings. Sorry, been away a while....but doing well.

Sitting in an airport in Singapore, waiting to come home. Have been in Kuala Lumpur for the past week on business. Good trip. Very friendly people. Great food I think...but not for me....not yet. Too spicy too soon. Interesting because I recently spent time in Taipei and Singapore and had no trouble eating. This time though it was hard to find anything that wasn't at least a little spicy, and most too spicy. Counting on that simply being a case of a culture with a palate trending more to the spicy side of the menu than there being anything wrong with my recovery.

I am scheduled for another petscan this coming week. Supposed to be Monday, but I have been recovering from a cold so it may get delayed a few days. But really looking forward to this one as it should be clean this time. It better be. The alternative isn't so good, but I am not really allowing any other thoughts other than it will be just fine. Still cant seem to gain weight, in fact, still losing some. Was down to 171 recently, that's a long ways from 210. Feel good though, so maybe this is just where I should be. And once I can eat freely, I'm sure it will go back up. Not too much I hope. :)

Interesting being in Kuala Lumpur. Very friendly people. First time I have spent a lot of time in such a Muslim influenced area. Different culture, different dress, different rules for interacting with one another. But like anywhere, same desire to be happy. And although there may be different rules for behavior and language obstacles, the universal smile and nod of the head still works the same way. Its amazing how such a simple gesture can be so disarming. Young and old, works the same way.

Traveling on foot, my boss and I stumbled onto a random Catholic Church. It was a Friday afternoon, but Mass was just beginning. We didn't plan it, but found ourselves right on time to join in, so we did. Coincidence?......doubt it. Part was said in English, and part in the local language. Same mass though, so felt at home, even though we were the only two foreigners in attendance. Again, the smile and the nod was all we needed to be welcomed warmly. Plus, after all, it was church, so likely didn't even need the nod or the smile.....

Life really can be simple. Treat people with kindness, and a smile is somewhere to be found close by. Doesn't really matter what the surface differences might be, everyone, everywhere, responds to kindness. And a smile. And a nod of the head.

I enjoy getting to experience different cultures, different people around the world. Glad to be going home though. I love being an American. Proud to be one. Lucky and blessed to be one.

Ok, getting the boarding call, got to run. Have a great week. Prayers for a clean petscan would be appreciated.

Talk again soon. (said with a smile and a nod)