Quick Update
I don’t have the energy for a full post. Some family and friends don’t have Facebook, so this is my way of communicating to them. The transplant is scheduled for 8 or 9 pm, depending on when the cells get…
Read more
God
A Room with a View
So it actually happened. I am in the hospital for the transplant. I was admitted on January 15 just before 9 p.m. I had an appointment with my doctor at noon. Everything checked out okay and I had to wait…
Read more
Be Where You Are
As a young Army Captain ten years ago I was full of zeal and ambition. I prided myself on enforcing standards and leading by example. What I possessed in fervor and skill, I certainly lacked in empathy and wisdom. One…
Read more
The Calm Before the Storm
We tried to keep our composure but it was impossible. We said most of our goodbyes in the room so we could part quickly and avoid the deluge of emotions. It’s not just the pending separation this time, but all…
Read more
New Year, New You
This is the time of the year when we see all those self-help articles touting a few easy steps to a better life. The popular ones usually don’t demand much in the way of personal sacrifice, which is why they…
Read more
Extra Crispy
Imagine the worst sunburn you’ve ever had, multiply it by ten, and add one. That describes the 6-inch wide streak along my spine from the proton therapy. My ears have fared even worse (no jokes from the peanut gallery about…
Read more
Fear and Courage
Have you ever been really afraid? I don’t mean startled or jittery after watching a scary movie. I mean have you ever experienced bone-chilling, gut-wrenching fear? I have. Like the time I was in a Humvee driving down a road…
Read more
The Man with the Plastic Mask
I am halfway done with my radiation treatments. Yesterday afternoon I completed the sixth session, with six more to go. They only administer radiation treatments on weekdays, so that means I won’t finish until next Thursday, December 19, and then…
Read more
Why Suffering?
Why do bad things happen to good people? It just doesn’t seem right, does it? How can a loving God tolerate evil? How can he sit by and watch the suffering of innocent people, children even? I see this in…
Read more
On the Road Again
In the air, actually. Or, at least I was until I landed in Dallas a little while ago en route back to Houston. This time, I’m returning for radiation, or more specifically, “proton therapy,” to my brain and spine. Hopefully,…
Read more