Monday, June 20 – evening

Fun and Games: This past weekend was fun for several reasons. The most important was that Cindy and I spent most of Sunday with my favorite (and only) daughter, Jackie. Besides being a smart and beautiful woman, whom I am very proud of, she cares a lot about her dad, which kind of makes me happy. ;-)

She and Cindy got me an XBOX game system and some games for Father's Day. I have not played video games a lot, but recently started thinking about doing so. There are some reasons for me to learn more about these kinds of games for work, but also I thought it would be another good way for me to relax and have fun. And I was right.

In addition to the XBOX, I bought a game that is played over the Internet. They all turn out to be entertaining, interesting and a bit addictive. I have a lot to learn (including how to just work the controller on the XBOX), but so far am having a great time with them.

Thanks, Jackie and Cindy, for making my Father's Day so enjoyable.

Tuesday, June 14 – early morning

Greetings friends.

Radiation Treatments: Since I last wrote here I started radiation treatments, on June 7th. I go in to the hospital every week day, get into a hospital gown, lay on the radiation table, get zapped for about 5 minutes, get dressed and leave. The whole thing usually takes about 15-20 minutes.

Overall Health : So far, all is going well. None of the potential side effects from radiation. That's the way I'm planning on keeping it. I feel fortunate because I see others who are having a more difficult time with their treatments. I have even gained some weight, which is good according to the doctors, but not good according to my pants. Gotta find a good balance there.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow: I have lost a little hair throughout the chemo treatments. Mostly, my hair has gotten thinner, and much more fine (it was always fine). Kind of feels like silk now. I may cut it a lot shorter soon; as Cindy says, it's better that it's my choice about how much I have and not the drugs' choice. Besides, it gets so friggin' hot in Dallas in the summer!

Choices: Speaking of weight gain and hair loss, this is all about choices. I know that it is my choices that help me get through all of this. It is so easy to let yourself get down about having had cancer, about the chemotherapy and radiation treatments, about the side effects. It is easy to go there. But what good does that do me? I will not let having had cancer take my choices away from me. There will be days where I do not feel 100% but I will do my damnedest to fight it and to stay positive. I choose to have choices about my physical, mental and spiritual health.

John