Monday, December 30, 2013

I am Past My “Use By…” Date and then Some!

Surprise, surprise, I’m headed for another year.

Maybe I will accomplish something great this year…write the great American novel, make congress productive, or find a cure for procrastination. More likely, however, I will continue to have fun and enjoy every day.

Over the ten years I have lived with cancer I have tried, and mostly succeeded, to be active, positive, and moderately productive. I have written or co-written three cancer related books. The research and writing was actually a lot of fun and also challenging. My quite modest expectations of fame and fortune proved not to be nearly modest enough. I have no regrets. I’d probably do it again. And I just might.
Now for a moment of unabashed self-promotion. Two of the books are in print and available, really (the third is not yet published). Real Men Get Prostate Cancer Too and Cancer Clinical Trials can be found at Amazon and other fine book sellers. My next book will have a much catchier and more profitable title—something like, 50 Shades of Old and Grey, or Get Rich with Clinical Trials, or A Cure for Cancer—Guaranteed! Sound OK to you?


I sometimes wonder why I seem to be surviving quite well while others with the same diagnosis and prognosis I have, aren't. I’m not complaining about surviving, but there is that nagging question of “why me?” I know life is unpredictable and that’s probably for the best.

In 2014 I hope to do better at finding my glasses, phone, keys, and that half-full coffee cup. So it’s on, on‑‑to new adventures in traveling, spending quality time with family and friends, wandering aimlessly around the Arizona desert, gardening (mini adventure), and taking a nap whenever I want to.

The very best of everything in 2014 and may the cures be with you!

axman

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

A Season to be Thankful, Again

Not original, but from the heart…

After nearly 150 blog entries, my good intention about writing something new and creative is mostly drawing a blank. But I always write something around the holidays to highlight those things I am thankful about and for. Schmaltzy is OK when you’re an old geezer like me.

First of all, thank all of you with cancer who have volunteered for clinical trials—ever! For some there is the hope that new drug research will lead to management or cure of their cancer. For many others, it’s the hope that participation now will help those with cancer in the future—the generation of our kids or grandkids. I believe there will be breakthroughs (not too far in the future) that will finally take a big chunk out of cancer.



Personally, I continue to be one of the luckiest guys around. I feel better than I have in a few years and I’m taking advantage of better health to keep busy and enjoy life. We split our own firewood, I ran a race in November, and we mow acres of grass all summer. We are fortunate to spend time with friends, kids, and grandkids. We have four grandkids in college, one graduating from high school this year, and there’s a precocious three year old (going on 20) grandson.

Carol and I spend a lot of time laughing—mostly at ourselves for forgetting things, dropping stuff, falling asleep in front of the TV, misplacing our cell phones, and all sorts of other age-related foibles. Might as well laugh. Complaining and grumping never seemed to work so well.
Spend time with friends and family. Enjoy the holidays and every other day. Life is too short to choose to be miserable.

axman