Turning it up a notch...

In a few weeks I switch to a regiment of radiation and chemo...everyday for 5 weeks. I am anxious about the new regiment, because it will involve a portable pump for the chemo connected to a port that will be installed into my chest... I've been handling the chemo well enough so far so I hope the new stuff won't be debilitating. I won't miss the weekly infusions, by the second week it really knocks me down for at least a day.

I have this next week off chemo and hopefully on Saturday I will take a canoe trip with an old friend/mentor who will be up from Baltimore. We plan to follow the route that Thoreau and his brother took up the Concord River in 1849... they went all the way to Concord New Hampshire and back...but we'll just paddle up to the Merrimack if we can get through the Lowell canals. The increased energy I have on my weeks off should make this doable. Looks like rain though...

Many friends and community members have been working hard to help me and my family get through this...preparing meals, rides, water delivery, household labor, acupuncture, reiki, prayers, thoughts and support...

I can't express how grateful we are for all your help. It make a huge difference to us every day. We are blessed.

THANK YOU.
-d

Back on...

Here's a tintype of Lucas & date before his prom in June. I just got around to varnishing it...

After an energetic week off chemo, I started up again last Thursday. Two weeks on, one week off.

It takes a toll on me, but overall I have been handling it pretty well. I have some problems with thin/cracking skin on my hands and feet, and some stomach problems, but that's about it (and fatigue). My blood counts are acceptable, and I have enough of an immune system to fight off sickness (so far)...

In about a month or so I'll be getting another scan, then switching to a course of radiation and chemo... If that goes well, then I'll get intraoperative radiation therapy...

Daunting, but it's the road I'm on...

Yoga has helped a lot with fatigue and attitude, and teaching is energizing also...

-D

A new stent...

On September 11 at Emerson Hospital, I had my temporary stent replaced with another temporary one... The stent keeps my bile duct open; they last about 3 months. The procedure went fine. I'll keep getting temporary one's as long as there's a chance of getting back to an operable state.

Being back teaching at CCHS is going well. I find that I have a lot of energy and my classes are very good. Somehow the fact that I am facing my mortality has raised the level of discourse for me in my classes... It's hard to put my finger on it, but something good is happening.

The image above is one of 5 pieces that I have in the Danforth Museum Photography Biennial 2009. The show runs from Sept 12-Nov 8. 123 Union Ave, Framingham. It's part of my plan to keep my art life moving forward as I face this disease...

xo D

Back to school...

"Me in Yoga class"

Today was the first day of classes, and it went pretty well...

I have a wonderful batch of new students, as well as a bunch of advanced students who are also great... The school administration and my peers are supportive and accommodating and are helping me to make it work.

It's clear that I will need to modify my teaching and energy output, but it seems doable. I have a great teaching assistant in my first period class who will be able to assist in set up and materials preparation... and I have to modify some of my class requirements.

The school will install a purell dispenser in my room, and the last thing I need to work out is how to deal with sick kids as I try and protect my immune weakened body from illness...

It feels so good to be back doing what I do best... I get real positive energy being back with students...

Yoga is going very well...I have been going twice a week and will try and add a couple more classes if I can...

-D