Degenerative Disk!

Well I must admit I was a little apprehensive sitting in the waiting room this morning as wait I did. Not something I usually do much of with this Doc and then when he did see me getting my vitals he was a little off. He then walks into my tiny exam room and asks how am I feeling...again, I perceived this in what I can only describe as an odd out of character fashion, so up the blood pressure goes! Especially with the odd incident with Kermit earlier this week. Fine I say except I'm a little anxious as to what it is you must have seen in my pictures as you seem somewhat elusive here....He apologized and said he had an issue with another patient and that everything looked good BUT... Why is there always a but? He went on to tell me my scans showed signs of degenerative disk disease with some fusing.......

Oh that's all? Thank god-deep breath Jeff! I KNEW THAT.... You didn't, but I did!

I actually forgot I had a little problem that had developed between C 5 and C 6 and that previous X-rays showed some fusing that explained some of the discomfort I had a few years back but they obviously took a back seat and has not been anything of significance throughout this ordeal. Odd that this is the first that anyone has noticed but fortunately I still take damn good pictures! Granted, this issue is not good and needs to be monitored but knock on wood hasn't been an issue of late so in the overall scheme f things discussed here, if this is all that they see that was worth writing about in the photo shoot! I'LL TAKE IT.

Over and above this, I informed him that I have had a few incidents with cramping on the right side of my neck as well so we need to keep an eye on that to see what it might be related too. Doc thinking if it persists he might send me to PT and in this case, insurance funded masseuse might not be all bad. Woo Hoo-all good this round folks!

Jeff out

Photo Shoot!

Well today was a round of pictures for me-had a chest x-ray schedule and then a full head and neck MRI-Rather surprised the tech as they loaded my up, I put in the earplugs and headphones and out like a light for a nice 45 minute nap or so. Lot of racket that machine makes but what else I have to do-LOL Post results in a few days but crossing my fingers

Kermit!

WTF-Kermit is not something I deal with but boy did we have a throat fail last night with some kind of acid reflux type of issue. The odd, and painful, part was the fact that I was awoken around 2 am with the sudden sensation that I was going to throw up-not nauseous mind you, but some kind of reflux. Very painful to due the stomach acids I assume. I ended up sitting, standing or walking around the house for the better part of two hours as whenever I laid back down, it wanted to go again. Something was brewing obviously and the throat muscles seemed to freeze again. This time however, the seemed to get locked OPEN and could not stop any thing coming up from the belly so sitting up it was-I went through a little belching cycle for about half and hour, hence my Kermit imitation and that seemed to allow it to run its course, but quite painful none the less. Fortunately this morning all is good except for some residual pain in the throat and nose. I'm sure it'll still be raw tomorrow and show up in my scans but we'll see.

47!

Really? I am? Hard to believe but I'll keep taking them! Thank you all for everything!

Happy Labor Day!

Well some 11 hours later, and a very lonely run through the slot as we were the ONLY monohull to go South, we are home. I'm sure everyone thought we were crazy bearing off out of Honalua and setting a kite, but we boogied right along all the way to Lono before hitting the giant hole everyone predicted was camped out. That was a 2 hour float to get through there but as we cleared Molokai and sneaked up on everyone from below, we saw as we approached Diamond Head that much of the fleet was camped out there so things seem OK. We skirted right by many of them before we too were becalmed off the Outrigger and floated towards the finish for another hour and change. We won't know until Friday but bottom line, we surprised everyone I think, got a lot of bigger boys boat for boat, and think South paid after all! A great day on the water by all.

A few days in Lahaina never bad either although no Lucy this year to join me. We had dinner in Honolulu and I flew over Saturday morning to find the Prima crew had gone pretty deep Friday and opted out of the lights so spent the day helping John and raced Kai Mana. Do miss that boat and rumors abound again about the future of that program....time will tell-LOL

Anyway, so glad to have been able to make it again this year and another birthday in sight-WOO HOO-

The first of many many more I trust-Hope you all had a great weekend yourself!

One Day at a Time! Mahalo

Well, if there was a common denominator I took from Stef's curtain call last week, it was...

~CELEBRATE~

and live every day best you can. The fact remains however, as wonderful an event as it was and whatever the lesson that may have been learned, the curtain will never rise again, so I am in complete agreement with this notion (and even plan on taking my lunch today in the water as we are being treated to one of the best south swells we have had in years.) My outlook has certainly changed troughout this entire experience, yet I too must face the same hurdles in life as the rest of you so this can be difficult I know. The difference is in my perception as I approach the reality of the financial, professional, legal and moral issues we all encounter every day and prioritize how to address them in a positive, sometimes comical, and carefree fashion in order to alleviate as much of the "stress" as possible. Some may look at it almost as if I'm being aloof, but it seems to work for the most part as we are now living every day with a new sense of renewal-a second chance if you will to determine what is truly important.

That said, I feel this is a great time for a divergence in this blog and to take it to another level as I see about getting it out in print. Many of you have suggested I do something more with this experience and I agree-there is a lot of work here on all levels that may be useful to others either for its entertainment value or as a tool for those facing their own journey through the hell of the big C or other issues they may face. That isn't to say I won't continue here in cyberspace as I will and hope these posts still find their way to those that find them useful, or at least entertaining. Granted, I don't need them for myself as much as I did last year fortunately and they may not have the same value to those tracking my journey as they once did either, but I have enjoyed this outlet and find it therapeutic in a fashion so continue they will.

So, as August comes to a close, we can look at the approaching Labor Day weekend as an anniversary of sorts and this will mark the final post that is to be included in what will become a printed form of my journey. Not only was I actually a Labor Day baby back in 1964 and this weekend marks the beginning of another birth week thank God, but the Lahaina Return could arguably be called the real start of my recovery as it was the first event I could fully participate in post treatment where I had enough strength and ability to get back out there!

I thank ALL of you from the bottom of heart for all of your support through this life altering experience, with the keyword being LIFE. I also must admit that I certainly appreciate the feedback even though I laugh and get more than a little embarrassed at the constant flow of compliments you continue to shower me with regarding my mental resolve and appearance throughout and after this ordeal. I truly have no response other than...

THANK YOU...BUT I DON"T RECOMMEND MY PROGRAM!

and for now, thank God we are all fortunate enough to continue to be able to laugh and enjoy this life together

~ONE DAY AT A TIME~

Aloha~Jeff

PLAYBILL

Here is the banner of the program we received as we entered Diamond Head Theater Sunday!

On Facebook, it was billed as "Stefanie's Final Curtain Call"
and what a show it was!

Ironically, it seems there were quite a few people that didn't understand the double meaning here and got quite a shock. I feel for a friend of hers I spoke with the other day that was on the mainland when he saw the post and called her cell, leaving a message apologizing for not being able to make her last show. I can't imagine how he must have felt when he received a return call from one of her friends explaining the true meaning, and he wasn't alone I understand. Outside of these uncomfortable moments, you really couldn't put a better feel good twist on such a not so feel good time.

As I have stated here on more than one occasion, I usually hit the "dislike" button on memorials and have been remiss, if not outright selfish as I have chosen to opt out of my share of services of late. First it was too close to Dad, and then a reminder of my own mortality. In this case however, I simply felt I had no choice for a number of reason and am oh so glad I did. Granted it was certainly quite the dose of said mortality, but this was an event. Kudos go out to her husband Jim as well as her hui of "angels", Katie, Spanky, Mia, Jen and Vanessa to name a few as well as the staff at DHT for organizing and creating such an amazing tribute on such short notice all the while dealing with their own emotion. As we heard time after time Sunday, Stef wanted to put on a performance as the theater was her church. She gave strict instructions she wanted a show of celebration and forbade any tears, and for the most part, was successful in her wishes. Not since Dads memorial have I seen so much laughter at what was ultimately a very somber time but when it happens, that is the way to do it for all. Great job everyone and all my best to her entire family.