Random Acts of Shifeness: Health Updates


  • Hi there. Remember when I said my goal in 2016 was to make this blog more funny. Just pretend I didn't say that especially since I'm going to update everyone on some health issues. However, if you make it to the end you might find a nice surprise as I will share one of my favorite jokes of all time. 
  • Last year I mentioned that two friends of mine were diagnosed with cancer. One of those friends just got a bone marrow transplant and things are progressing well for her. She is currently in Utah and will have to be down there through March, but so far so good and I'm so glad she's on the road to recovery. 
  • My other friend with liver cancer is going through experimental chemotherapy because his options are limited as to how they can fight his cancer as he has already had a good chunk of his liver removed because they hoped that would eliminate the cancer. Well it didn't work and he will know soon if his latest battle is going well or if he's out of options. Wow. It's really hard typing that last sentence. I don't want to lose my friend and I really want him to get his wish of watching his kids grow up. 
  • My Pops, who was diagnosed with Wegener's granulomatosis, is hanging in there but unfortunately his white blood cell count is seriously elevated, which led to his doctors putting him through chemotherapy. The chemo dosage isn't as intense as what my previously-mentioned friends have to deal with, but anytime you hear the word chemotherapy it makes you a little worried about your loved one. 
  • Finally, I have some news about my health. I feel really guilty for bringing it up because it's good news especially since I just shared some not-so-good news with you. By the time I blog next week I should know if I will be able to hear out of my left ear. Some of you may know this, but I was born with a ear disease that eliminated about 95 percent of my hearing. I have been deaf in my left ear since I was born, but my ear doctor thinks he has a way to restore my hearing and I'm going to find out next Friday if it's going to happen. I'm trying not to get too excited because there's a chance it will not work, but I'm pretty stoked about the possibilities of hearing out of both ears. I look forward to sharing the news next week. 
  • Thanks for sticking this one out with me, and now your reward for making it through this blog post ... a joke:  
Long ago, when sailing ships ruled the waves, a captain and his crew were in danger of being boarded by a pirate ship. As the crew became frantic, the captain bellowed to his first mate, "Bring me my red shirt!" 
The first mate quickly retrieved the captain's red shirt, which the captain put on and led the crew to battle the pirate boarding party. Although some casualties occurred among the crew, the pirates were repelled. 
Later that day, the lookout screamed that there were two pirate vessels sending boarding parties. The crew cowered in fear, but the captain, calm as ever bellowed, "Bring me my red shirt!" And once again the battle was on. However, the captain and his crew repelled both boarding parties, though this time more casualties occurred. 
Weary from the battles, the men sat around on deck that night recounting the day's occurrences when an ensign looked to the captain and asked, "Sir, why did you call for your red shirt before the battle?" The captain, giving the ensign a look that only a captain can give, exhorted, "If I am wounded in battle, the red shirt does not show the wound and thus, you men will continue to fight unafraid." The men sat in silence marveling at the courage of such a man. 
As dawn came the next morning, the lookout screamed that there were pirate ships, 10 of them, all with boarding parties on their way. The men became silent and looked to the captain, their leader, for his usual command. The captain, calm as ever, bellowed, "Bring me my brown pants!" 

  • Take care. Thanks for stopping by. 

I will persevere. I will keep moving forward. I will be the stream. 

Comments

  1. All the bestest health wishes for you, family and loved ones.
    We all are fine here, appointment with surgeon next week - big
    question - is my shoulder working enough to let me drive? I need
    my wheels!!! xoxxoxo

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  2. Unfortunately life is never as we plan, whether it's blogging or health related. Hoping for the best on your ear/hearing and your friends and your dad.

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  3. Sometimes the only way to end tentative news is with a joke. Wishing the best for all and looking forward to your update.

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  4. Love the joke, and I do hope the doctor is able to make hearing out of that ear possible. What a magnificent feat that would be.

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  5. sorry to hear about your friends and father. it's another reminder for us to appreciate each day and not miss any opportunity for humor and happiness.

    i was waiting to hear something about star trek and the red shirt but now i'll be checking to see if kirk ever puts on brown pants before battle.

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  6. I got a good feeling that your friends, your dad, and your hearing will all be just fine. Don't fetch those brown pants just yet, old friend.

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