1547-1531

It's been 16 days since I last posted... Why? For the following which is what I wrote to my two sons today... They both have birthdays in the final daze of June... So here is what I've been up to as posted to my sons et al...

May you both have wonderful celebrations and a great rest of 2018...

I'm sorry that I haven't been in touch for such a long time... But I've been sidetracked with a cascade of health issues...

As you know, I was continuing my Rock City Boxing activity and line dancing--which helped moderate my PD symptoms... I've done over 300 RCB classes (1.5 hours each) and was dancing about 4 times per week (1.5 hours + each class)... Last Fall I was finishing up a PD-specific physical therapy program and thought I was ready to add more RSB sessions to my program, and possibly even teach some dancing classes to the PD people.

I went in to my PCP for a wellness checkup and he looked at me and asked what was the lump on the right side of my neck all about... I hadn't noticed it, but could clearly see that there was a lump or growth, and it was fairly large... This observation triggered a bevy of scans and biopsies which terminated with the diagnosis that I had follicular lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph nodes in that area of my body...

I was given a non-chemical, non-radiation form of treatment that uses immunological antibodies... It was done in four weeks, one 4-5 hour session per week... It had no side effects and made the cancer disappear... It was like a miracle...

However, in the PET scans that were done to locate and measure the lymphoma a hot spot was detected in my colon... I had a colonoscopy and it revealed a non-malignant growth in my colon... It was a type of lesion that could turn into a cancer over time... I was encouraged to have the growth removed via a colectomy, a removal of a section of the colon... So, last week I went under again and had a colon section removed and the remaining colon parts put back together... I went in on Tuesday and was back home Friday... They used a laparoscopic technique that reduces the size of the incisions and the length of recovery time... Instead of one large open wound, they make 4-8 one inch cuts and insert cameras and tools into the area that needs the repair... I have virtually no pain from the operation but am I bit sore and my bowels are trying to recover... I'm on a more or less liquid diet and have to be careful to not lift any heavy objects or torque the stomach muscles... I'll see the surgeon next Tuesday and get reading on how well I'm doing...

All in all, it was lucky I had lymphoma which allowed me to find the possible colon anomaly... but I wouldn't recommend the colectomy again unless there is clear evidence of malignancy...  It's going to take me months to get back to where I was last Fall... I can't wait to get back to RSB but the reality is I'll probably be dancing first...

That's it for now... Enjoy your celebrations... love and blessings...   Rzzz

So... It's onward into July and a slow restart of my activities... I had the surgery one week ago...