Had a real good day yesterday. Put the new radiator in the car. That was easy. Then I went to tighten a loose bolt I saw and broke the electrical connection off the radiator heat sensor. That took as long to fix as the radiator, just under an hour. I also planted a tree. That was fun too. The first hole I dug uncovered the lawn sprinkler pipes just as I got to the right depth. So the tree took two holes to get in the ground. The rest of my activities were modestly successful, but successful in the end. A beautiful day overall and I really enjoyed it. I even took my usual nap. A nice 90 minute relaxation in the early afternoon.

Today was chemo. I took my relaxation music on my mp3 player. I showed up, tuned in, and dropped off to sleep. The analgesics they gave me make me very drowsy anyway. Chemo went as expected, right down to the the roast beef sandwich they served me. When I woke up I found out that there had been a change in my schedule. I will have the CT scan June 11 instead of chemo. That means two weeks off from chemo. That means two weeks of having the occasional beer. Good news, for me at least. My wife, well she has her reservations and is already on me about not having too much beer. There is no such thing as too much beer. Maybe too much beer too fast, or too much lite beer, any lite beer in fact. Beer is a natural analgesic. As Ben Franklin famously did not say, “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” It solves so many problems. Usually a few less than it starts, but so do most medicines. Just listen to any prescription medicine commercial. I'm sure I will be quite safe drinking a few beers. I could have used a beer when I had to dig two holes for the tree. Another when I broke that electrical connection. And another when I was done for the day. But mostly during those days off I intend to sit on my deck at night and enjoy the beautiful evenings, listen to music and sip some wine or beer. Then come June 15, back to chemo. (My chemo actually begins on Mondays with the oral chemo, the intravenous injections are on Thursdays.)

I hope all you readers of this blog have a sip or two and consider how fortunate you are that you enjoy life free of the malady of which I write. Look around you, see what your life is and consider how much you take for granted. Savor that you are not shaken from your easiness, and be happy that your children and family are healthy. Be grateful every day that you have such composure. And know that deep inside you is the courage to face the challenges of life.