Update on the noggin

A brief update on my situation. I had my brain MRI last week and returned to my three treating specialists this week for their collective opinions. Doctors like well meaning friends and relatives always start the meeting with "how are you doing?" I think it is important to keep the replies fresh and informative so now I tell them that "I 'm still on the right side of the grass."
The MRI showed a hole where there was suppose to be one and some bruising from the surgery and radiation where there was suppose to be some and no surprises. Of course little terrorist cells could be lurking anywhere in the residual brain preparing to grow, enlarge, and cause mayhem, discord, terror, general anxiety, and put this lump of clay on the WRONG side of the grass. To reduce this likelihood, in concert with my doctors, I have started on a systemic poison to kill the terrorist cells in my brain. Realizing that there would be collateral damage from this chemotherapy my other systems became self centered and starting asking questions and complaining about their well being. I pointed out that this lump of clay wasn't a democracy and that there would be no voting. The immune system would take the biggest hit from this poison. The other 12 systems could just pipe down and suck it up for the common good. The gastroenteric system was the noisiest complainer and I adjusted my rules about showing favor of one system over another and offered him a fruit smoothie each morning. It was either that or having my friends continually ask "did someone just step on a duck?"
My chemotherapy is amazingly benign and I'm worried that my pharmacy may be giving me the Chinese brand. The plan going forward is five days of progressively higher doses of chemo out of 28 and MRIs every two to three months to follow the beast in my brain. No news is good news but this thing will play out over the next two to three years-hopefully with repeated observations that there is nothing new there. We will be watching the brain tumor center blogs for evidence of proven enhanced therapies.
A funny thing happened yesterday that shows how crazy we are. I suppose when some guy(or women) first tamed and hopped onto a donkey, camel or horse, he/she said enough of this walking, from now on I'm riding. My privilege to drive an automobile was restored by my neurosurgeon Dr Ross.[Dr. Ross you are a credit to your species]. Until one loses that freedom of movement granted by the combustion engine surrounded by steel and plastic, one doesn't realize we are addicted and the loss of freedom gnawed at me day and night. My lovely patient wife ferried me all over the Northwest the past five months and I offered a continuous verbal and non verbal tutorial on proper driving technique but it just wouldn't take and caused me a tremendous strain. So even though I don't have anyplace I really have to go, I'm free again and I think I'll go out and give my car a hug, take a picture of me and my SUV and send it to Dr. Ross. I'm sure he has quite a portfolio by now. We will never give up the freedom off movement that goes with a personal conveyance like a donkey, Ramcharger, Impala, Barracuda, Mustang, etc.
Last week my son Tim and wife Liz made Marjorie and I first time grandparents. Jack was seven weeks early but this characteristic of impatience is a common Overland trait and I understand his desire get out grab life and start wringing the living out of it. The little guy is hospital bound until his breathing and heart beat are stable enough for the doctors-probably another two weeks. The function of his waste disposal systems have provoked a lot of interest among the family so if your broadband service has slowed down a little the past week, it is our fault. Thanks Liz and Tim for this gift, we can't wait to spoil him.
Overall I am feeling better, stronger, weight is back up, and now free(see above). I am fueled by hope, gratitude for the numerous kindnesses extended to me by my wife, children, relatives, friends, colleagues, and strangers,and strong desire to overcome so that I can give back to my community. Like many of you I have looked into the abyss, feared, reflected, and now consider myself fortunate for life has a grandeur that I shamefully took for granted until this awakening.

Love to all, Eric