Saturday, July 23 – mid-day

Getting Better: I finally made it! I made it through radiation treatment; my last day was last Monday. And...I am getting better each day. "Getting better" means that I still have some periodic side effects, but most have diminished to a tolerable point.

I am SO thankful for this, and, I know many of you have been pulling for me especially hard lately. It helped! - even when things were bad, I could feel the prayers and healing thoughts you sent my way. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THINKING OF ME.

A Short Break: Another piece of good news is that I get a short break from treatments; I will have about 4 weeks with no treatments. I then start the last round of chemotherapy, around mid-August.

During that time, I will get to go to Atlanta to see my family with Cindy and Jackie. There will be a Purdy Family Reunion and all my six brothers and sisters will be there, as well as many relatives. I am so happy about this trip. It's not only going to be a great time to visit with my family, but also a nice vacation. I need it!

Because of this trip, it may be 2-3 weeks before I update this site, but I WILL be back.

Take care of yourselves, and, of each other. - John

Saturday, July 16– mid-day

Medical Update: Monday, July 18 is an important date: it is my last day of radiation treatments! I cannot express how glad I am for that.

The last few weeks of radiation have been challenging. The side effects are hard to bear. My oncologist did have me stop the chemo pill I was taking during radiation a week or so ago. That helped some, but, the radiation treatments themselves have burned and cracked my skin in places. After Monday, I should see all the symptoms go away in a week or two. I will take a 3-4 week break, then start on the last round of chemotherapy some time in August.

I'm Fortunate: Even with the challenges I'm going through, I am reminded often that I am fortunate compared to some other patients. I've seen a child in a wheelchair that had her arms held straight out from her sides by attachments to the wheelchair; seemingly frozen in that position for who knows how long. And there is David, a fellow radiation patient who for every day of 8 weeks had to wear a mask over his head, with his head strapped to the table for 10 minutes while receiving radiation to his brain. My challenges were not insignificant, but I saw them in a different perspective after seeing some of these other patients and what they are going through.

On The Bright Side: Lest you think that I am down about all this, let me share that I've experienced many good things lately. Work is going well, I have been seeing or hearing from many of my friends, and Cindy and I grow closer every day. I am truly blessed.

Take care...John

Monday, July 4– mid-day

It's Been A Hard Day's Night: Sometimes I'm torn between revealing the negative difficulties that I experience and sharing the positive frame of mind I usually have. Both are real, and are part of what I'm going through right now. I've come to the conclusion that most of the time, it's best to just say what's on my mind at the time that I write and not worry too much about the tone of what I write.

With that in mind, I have been going through some hard days and nights lately. I'm about two-thirds into my radiation treatments and have been feeling the side effects of those and the chemo pill that I take more in the last week or so.

I've had an itchy red rash and dry skin all over my face. Fortunately the medicine they gave me for this is making it better. More challenging are the intestinal problems caused by the radiation and drugs: without going into details, it is very painful when I go to the bathroom, and I feel I have to go very often. It is so uncomfortable and painful that I am trying to eat less so that I don't have to go as often. Not fun to discuss with family and friends, but, it's my reality right now. I will see the doctor again tomorrow and will ask once more if there are things they can do to help ease the pain other than what they have already done.

This is a challenging time for me; I ask for your continued prayers, healing thoughts, good vibes and positive energy. Please send these to both me and Cindy. She has been wonderful in supporting me as well as performing reiki on me when needed. Her reiki and TLC have helped me get through some of the tough times. I also draw on the energy that you send my way and use it to heal myself. Thank you for thinking of me.

I know that I will get beyond all this and will become fully healthy and active again. I look forward to that time, trust me! Only a few more months left... - John