Saturday 4-24-10

I wanted to wait until the end of the day because it was such a nice day for me. The weather was not all that great, but I had a great day. I actually sleep 7 hours non stop. That's the first time in months. I got up and went to my favorite breakfast restaurant, Coney Island. They have a great $5.00 special of two eggs, hash browns, toast or one pancake, and coffee or tea. I had one pancake today, because they have non-sugar diabetic syrup. the waitress has been serving me since I moved to Fort Wayne. She knows I own the Essen House and has gone to Antwerp just to see how good it is. I also found out today that she is a 11 year cancer survivor. That damn stuff is everywhere. I told her about my sister Margo and how she has helped and supported so many woman who have had breast cancer. After you have had it you realize the importance of support groups. It's the first time you have faced cancer, but it ain't the first time it's been faced.

After breakfast I headed to the gym, a place that I have not been for a while. I sat down and tried to figure out what settings I could use so I could go for thirty minutes. When I was very fit, about 40 years ago, no I mean in my 60's, I could do the 9 or 10 for as long as I like or until someone else wanted to use the machine. Today I picked 6 and went for 30 minutes. My left arm was really screaming right away. I looked at the timer after about 5 minutes and thought there was no way I'm going to last. And like most things in life, it got to the point I could not feel the pain any more. At about 15 minutes, I was ready to throw in the towel when the last night highlights of the all the basketball games came on the Sports channel. I told myself to go until the highlights were over and then stop. When that happened, I had five more minutes for the full 30 minute workout. I made it, I was proud of myself and felt OK when I got done. I then went over to the machine that takes your BP and HR and sat down. It only can register my left arm, so I have to be very careful as to how I sit in the chair. My first reading was like 107/55 and 110 HR. In a way that scared me so I then went over to one of the trainers and asked him to do it on one of the regular machines. 122/67 and 103 HR. That seemed much more like it. I've learned over the years, if it doesn't seem right have someone else do it for you. I have one at home that sometimes goes crazy, but when it does, I just go to the gym and have them take it again.

After the gym I went home for a while and then out to see Louis. Since I had not seen him for more than a week, he wanted me to bring him up to speed. As we talked, am Amish man called about his brother who also has cancer. He told us the kind of cancer, but it was as long as the full name of what I have. The last Louis heard the cancer was all over his body. The report today was that his cancer was in remission. He now has to get a bone marrow transfer, but his cancer is in remission for at least the time being. We then talked about why it happens to certain people and not others. After fifteen minutes on the subject, we decided, only God could answer that question and he doesn't think it's much of our business we decided. We all decided we would find out in heaven.

Louis and I have to talk very quickly during these chemo times. I can talk with some ability during this week just before the next session. After about next Saturday, one week from tonight, I start that damn chemo brain, I think I know what I'm saying, but I will not do well when it comes time to remember what I said and to whom. We got a lot talked out and it looks like there is a lot of work ahead of us. You can keep us in your prayers for the restaurant and assisted living also. We need 12 more as of tonight to be full. It's amazing what happens when some people see you coming close to a successful finish. Many people love what we have done in Antwerp, others still don't like they fact that we didn't graduate from Antwerp High.

I headed home to play a little Omaha High Low 8. It's my favorite because there are so many different things that can change the hands on 5th. street. I also use it as a way to keep my mind going. It's much like Texas Hold'em but you have a low had if it adds up to under 8. It's split pot game or high can take it all if there is no low hand under 8. I won a bunch today.

I then went to the kitchen where I made a rue for some Chinese food that we had in Indy yesterday. After I doctored it up, it was much better than what we had from the restaurant. They can use a Wok, but they no nothing about how to season their food. It's all raw and cooked well, just no taste at all. I then had a small piece of candy and came to write the blog. So it was a good day and thank you for reading this and careing. Love yea, Tom