Wednesday, October 20, 2010

20th - Utterly Unimpressed

Let me start by saying thank you to Sparky for sending me a new copy of Lance Armstrong's book "It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life".  I should also say thank you to Bill, Cathy, Gray and Jamie for the great gifts, in particular the 6-month subscription to Netflix.  How did Blockbuster not see Netflix coming?  Mismanagement for the ages...

The visit with Dr. Frenette today was a good one.  As I mentioned yesterday, we had a long list for him, but he was up to the task.  Most of the symptoms I had did not phase him, in fact, Stuart and I both left reassured by how utterly unimpressed he seems with my cancer.  When I expect my stomach pain to be an exploding organ, he tells me not to be afraid of a little more Prilosec OTC.  When I think losing weight this early in chemo means I am done for, he reassures me "it's the American way to put the weight back on after treatment".  He is the perfect antidote for my obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).  Speaking of my OCD, the word must have already spread throughout Dr. Frenette's office.  As one of nurses was reviewing the results of my blood work with me, she asked me twice if I wanted a copy to take home.  I declined the offer and headed home today feeling positive about both science and my faith.

10 comments:

  1. Who loves good news and Brother Dan feeling finer than frog hair? THIS GUY!!!!! Wild Card - good stuff that the visit was good. But now that you have an OCD reputation in the office, I think you need to take it to the next level. Your next visit should be filled with Pareto Charts, Quality Houses, CTQ's, and the Predicted Capability of Design. Is now a bad time to admit that I'm a Green Belt and can't tell you anything about the above? But at least I'm a whiz with Excel...oh, wait...

    Seriously - that book is a GOOD read - you'll like it. And so we're clear - I'm expecting you to win the TdF in 2012. No excuses.

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  2. Sam - I really should "own" the OCD more shouldn't I? Your personal quantitative weaknesses are no secret, but in my situation I am envious. Despite staying at a Holiday Inn Express last night, I am not an MD.

    The TdF may be a challenge in 2012, my stroke is too hammer like...too much wattage expended per mile to go the distance.

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  3. I would never have pegged you to have OCD. I mean the amount of worthless paper you carry around in your bag speaks otherwise. :-)
    Kidding, of course. But it takes one to know one.

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  4. Ray - fair comment on the worthless paper in the bag...which is sitting right next to me now BTW. Update coming tomorrow.

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  5. Don't let little things like energy consumption in a 2100 mile bike race get you down. I mean, if you really want to train, there's a dude in my gym now that I'm effectively calling "the Tornado" when he gets on the bike. He basically pedals for 3 seconds as if his life depends on it, screaming the whole way like he's just woken from 13 years of nightmares. He then rests for a minute, at which point he breathes all the oxygen in the room whilst adjusting some book his reading. Rise - repeat for an hour. I fully expect him to compete in the Vuelte next year, so I'll ask him tips on Monday...

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  6. Dan, read your blog. Learned you like wine and remember our dinner in the Italian restaurant in Canary Wharf. Take care and recover soon. We shall have dinner in six-month time after you finish your chemo. You pick the location - Charlotte, London, Singapore or Hong Kong. You and your family will be in my prayer.

    Tommy

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  7. Dan, figured I would get in the game here since Sam and Ray are typically light on material, well, good material anyway. Glad you are feeling good and working through it. You are in the Miller family thoughts and prayers. Keep the updates coming......

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  8. Hey Dan, it's your cuz from Jersey. I had some issues with my email account for sometime and I finally was able to rectified the problem. I'm working the mid-night shift and began going through all of my unread emails, all 200 new messages (because we are so busy in the winter months in Wildwood NOT!). I received the blog from your mother. I can't believe what i'm reading. I know you and your family are strong and will get passed this bump in the road. I'll definitely follow your blog. We will keep you and your family in our prayers. Take it eazy and keep your head up.

    Adam

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  9. Dan - I'm sorry, I'm sorry - but we need to pause before we continue this blog any further. You invited MILLER to join? Don't you see what you've done to Transition? His post alone probably cost us 30K, and if he's actually READING your stuff as well? A shudder rips through me...

    I will intercede with Johnson on your behalf - if Miller hasn't already bought his beach house in Key West...

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  10. Sam - I will certainly accept fitness tips from anyone who goes to the gym. I expect that Miller is doing this "off-the clock"!

    Tommy - thank you so much for helping the blog go "global". I shall take you up on your offer of a fine meal...or a simple meal...they will be equally delicious celebrations when I am back to full strength. Stay in touch.

    Matt - welcome aboard...I could use extra material

    Adam - sorry we have been out of touch for a while, but we think of you often...mostly when we're hoping Cooper (3) will be 6'5"...

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