I think my last post was unfair to Doug. It was the only communication I've had with him in the last two years (since the diagnosis) that had even a hint of despair. I thought I'd show you what a regular communication from Doug looked like. The following is a message he sent to a few of us just this past January. Now that's Doug.
January 30, 2010
First disclaimer, Erica asked to be cropped out of the photo BUT she was holding the sign. I had neither the time nor expertise to work magic Photoshop.
Second disclaimer, there are other staged aspects to this photo!
Third disclaimer, our political tendencies are more purely independent—curious, thoughtful, and informed we hope—so this is not a "shout out" to the new political vanguard.
Number four, as an innocent aside, I am really tubby in this photo. Don’t dwell on petty indignities such as this but have been told I’m “really looking good” now. I should probably attach a current photo so you could judge. Puffy guinea pig jowls and tummy have receded not exactly into model-esque heroin chic look but thinner with a great head of hair. OK, great hair is an exaggeration. I have hair again but Erica describes it as the mad scientist look gone rogue. Not that I care either way but really am slightly disappointed. Was told by more than one person that following chemo and radiation, my tresses would return more supple than ever. Somewhere between Michael Bolton and Kenny G I assumed. Has not happened but will give it another month or two.
Anyhow, main point of the disclaimers, don't interpret this picture as any more than a tongue-in-cheek stab at humor while vacationing at tea party regional headquarters in Bozeman MT this past summer. Per cowboy etiquette, we left our sidearms and spurs in the garage. Erica’s pink-handled Lady Smith & Wesson was a great find…feminine, stylish and MAGNUM FORCE! Can’t really recall why I thought having a picture taken would be a good idea. Could potentially jeopardize my future political viability in the YouTube age! We were just trying to fit in...didn't realize the mass insurrection that was unfolding! The pic has grown more topical and amusing as time passed though. As been said, “lead, follow or get out of the way”!
The tea party is a really big tent including reasonable folks and whackos, just like society at large. They do believe in the ballot box though and the old maxim “you have no basis for complaining if you don’t vote” has stood in good stead. Be it Obama cohorts, tea partiers or other muckrakers, it’s always great when voters get hot and bothered and are motivated to actually participate in participatory democracy. Participatory democracy cannot withstand apathy. Stupidity, that’s another issue entirely (as is proven every day)! Personal accountability and common sense seem to be entirely passé these days. Is ‘limited government’ really an oxymoron? Thanks to the elders in both our clans for maintaining a steady focus in that regard.
On the health front, the song remains the same. Overall energy, quality of life etc. still good given the circumstances. And now that my athletic physique and follicle robustness have been restored, I’m baaacck! My gimpy, toe dragging right leg is not expected to improve but the tumor itself has gotten marginally smaller over the past three months. Pretty immaterial in the grand scheme but at least it’s not going the other way. I also get the impression that my docs don’t know exactly what is causing the shrinkage. Could be the residual effect of radiation from way back, the chemo drug, or the total regimen. I will always believe of course that PPT (power positive thinking), emanations from friends/family and plenty of carrots, broccoli, spinach and cauliflower are providing a big assist. Thanks for your role in keeping on - keeping on. Regarding the new fangled chemo drug I’ve been taking, some trepidation currently as we’ve decided to discontinue for a month or two or three. Originally thought I’d take the drug for six months following radiation but since the situation remained stable month-to-month, extended a couple of times out to twelve or thirteen months. The break is an experiment to an extent but can always resume the regimen. Should also provide a good opportunity to recharge my body’s natural defenses and restorative powers.
Everything goes well on the family front. Both kids fine in school. Henry deep into hockey season and
making nice progress on the electric guitar. Emily’s not playing hockey this year in favor of mock-trial, science club and her first real boy friend. She’s even wearing his hockey sweatshirt which I guess is the new version of a class ring! Boy am I truly an old curmudgeon! And the “dancing” they do these days…hmmm. Emily has also been lining up more “real” jobs with supervisors, co-workers, customers, W-2s and all the other associated character building aspects of an honest day’s labor. As Erica and I had hoped, the conversational dynamic (between parent and child) has changed materially since we’ve become less a dispenser of cash and more a fountain of wisdom! Emily has also been looking at colleges. Our spring break trip will take us to Maui this year. Reminds me of a great anecdote. Friend of mine was accepted into the Peace Corps to undertake well and fisheries development in Mali. At his going away party, we had t-shirts printed up ‘Mali…I thought they said Maui’! ha, ha. Our first ever visit to Hawaii.
Be well, Doug R
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