Remedial Training on how to talk to Don

I don't know how to talk to people dying of cancer.

I have some ideas for how you can talk to me when we have the chance.

First, look at my face and eyes!  Am I happy to see you? Am I smiling? No need to ask me how I'm doing. You can see it in my face.  That's why I'm writing this blog, so you'll know how I'm doing.

I am not interested in discussing your cancer, your friends cancer, your third cousins cancer and how they were diagnosed as terminal and living well for 30 years.  I'm also not interested in discussing my cancer either.

I like to think we're talking because we know and like each other.  Tell me something fun. Especially if you are a kid or have a kid I taught in primary, Sunday school, cub scouts, boy scouts, or went on trek with, etc.  Tell me crazy things you or they have done.  I'll do my best to be the "Don" you know by saying my typical fun, dumb things to get a laugh.

I like to talk about problems that need solving.  I get great enjoyment thinking through, designing, and making things that solve some small or big problem.

I like to talk about software in general and software team leadership in particular.  If you have that interest, schedule some time with me and let's have some fun.

I love to play board games with friends.  You can always talk to me about the next time we'll have a chance to play a game.

Zombie Brain Surgery

Our brain surgeon is awesome.  He has more computer screens than most software engineers.  Four large vertical screens.  He went through in detail exactly what was in my brain and why he recommended a removal of nearly all the tumor as possible as quickly as possible.  We went for for it. This discussion was Thursday 31 July with the surgery scheduled for Monday the 4 Aug. (I need to check these dates)  The surgeon described all the microscopes, alignment of the latest MRI with software so he could probe real time and know exactly where in the brain he was.  "When in doubt, don't cut it out" is a standard mantra for brain surgery. I have a wild theory that maybe, just maybe instead of using all the fancy high tech equipment, he simply let a tumor eating zombie in to eat the bad stuff :-) Regardless, the surgery was very successful with 95% removed.  That's about the best they can expect.  There was no pain in recovery.  There was some discomfort from the staples that held the bone/skin/remaining hair back onto the head, from the jaw by the left ear, from the blocked left ear, and a sore throat.

They did another MRI, which I slept though. I think this is to get alignment for the Radiation Therapy scheduled to start soon after.

Then it was on to recover in their ICU.  After a day of me in the ICU, the head doctor said I was doing too well to stay, so they kicked me out into the next level down (where they wake you up every two hours instead of every hour).  Less than 48 hours after surgery started, I was on my way out of the hospital in time to get to the airport for Erin's return from her mission in Oregon.  I had to wear a funny hat so the sun stayed off the stitches and I got wheeled around in a chair.  Seeing Erin was so much fun and the crowd of friends supporting her return was awesome!

Seizure Setbacks

The seizure set me back physically more than any thing else.  In particular the dislocated left shoulder set me to idleness and I became weak.  During this time the doctors had no good reason why I should have a seizure.  They scheduled an MRI with contrast for a few weeks in the future.  When the results came in on a Thursday, the Brain Surgery was scheduled on the following Monday (two days before Erin was set to get back from her mission).  Certainly, the mass in the brain caused the seizure.

I had a few problems during this period reading some words.  It was rare, but odd.  I found that in each case after I re-learned the work (examples were eyebrow and piece) it was back for good.

Once I started physical therapy on the shoulder and starting walking a mile a day, the fatigue very slowly got better.  Going into the Brain Surgery, I was still very very tired from the seizure.

The What and the Why

I find myself going completely out of character and creating a blog!  The main reason is all the love and support I have received during my illness and a desire to share thoughts with all of you wonderful people. I recognize I am unable to give personal attention to all the people that care about my well being.  This effort will be to provide answers to all those questions everybody asks me that I would LOVE to talk about with each of you.  Unfortunately, it wears me out :-( and exhausts me.

I'm completely new to this. I hope you will help each other get connected to this blog in a way that doesn't involve me :-)  Everybody is welcome.

The back story for those who don't know it.

Friday June 20 2014

The Seizure

I don't remember it.  People tell me I was at work that Friday morning.  I can recall the conversations they tell me about.  From around noon Friday until I woke up around 7 Saturday morning, I have no memory.  We'd had an epic game day planned to play a game called Twilight Imperium III starting around 9:00.  I always get burgers the night before to feed the crew lunch.  I didn't know what day it was.  I sent out a few texts, and they managed to solve the food problem, arrive, set the game up, and start,  I didn't feel well at all and after playing for 10 minutes, fell asleep on the couch.

Melody's brother Randy rescued me and brought me to TMC where I was very very quickly admitted to the hospital.  Apparently, memory loss is a good trick to get through triage.

7-8 days later my kidney and liver recovered sufficiently to go home.

Okay, this is a start.  I'm going to send this out and update more later.