Ken Burns - The Emperor of All Maladies

Trailer HERE!

Busy Living!

It has been too long since I last updated the blog...and that is a good thing.  Life is moving!

Melissa is doing well.  Less doctors...still some struggles, but we all have our struggles.

Our son is doing great in school and is enjoying Scouting.

I suppose no news in kind of good news, as far as "cancer blogging" goes.

Until the next post...

The Meaning Of Life

Yesterday, my 7yo son asked, "What is the meaning of life?"  I am not sure what inspired such a philosophical question from such a young kid.  At first I responded with a common response, "If I had the answer to that questions, I would be a wealthy man."  As much as I wanted to just reply with "living life to the fullest", I was not sure he would understand that and I was not about to give up a chance to give him a crumb of wisdom.  After some thought, I told him that there is no one meaning to life, but you will know them when you see them.  He seemed puzzled.  I went on to explain that sometimes you will realize you were meant to do something.  My example to him was the fact that I am his dad.  I didn't explain all of this to him, but when we first got the opportunity to raise Michael, I was not sure we were ready, but the very first day we cared for him as our own, I knew I was meant to be his dad....and I feel blessed to be his dad.  Being his father was part of my "Meaning of Life".  Though I didn't have elaborate with him further, I suppose some other "Meanings of Life" included marrying Melissa, caring for her while she was sick, playing music, and becoming a Redskins fan, to name just a few.  I am sure there are others that include friends and loved ones, but you get my drift.

Honestly, it is good question to ask yourself, from time to time.

What is the meaning of life?

Why Does An MRI Cost So Much In America?

I read this article in the Washington Post about healthcare costs and how some are cheaper in other countries.  It mentions an MRI in the USA costing just over $1K...which is incorrect for most Brain Cancer patients.  BC patients MRI's (w/contrasts and many images) cost in upwards of $6K per scan.  A recent change to my health insurance means my personal responsibility is over $1k per scan...and coming off 4 scans a year, well, you can do the math.  "Affordable Healthcare" is a joke...there will likely never be that in America in my lifetime, if ever.  You might stop the cancer in your body, but rest assured, it is even hard to stop the cancer that invades you finances...and the cure for that is well known but goes unused by the current healthcare business models...kindness.

Finally...A New Bed

Prior to just a few days ago, neither me nor Melissa ever owned a new bed.  Even as a kid, I always had a hand-me-down mattress.  Some were better then others, but never a new bed.  We never spend money on ourselves.  A meal hear or there...but rarely (and I do mean rarely) do we have the money or the gumption to treat our selves...so this year, I was damn determined to buy a new bed and did so.  We got one of the cheapest name brand mattresses you could buy (which for those who have shopped mattresses, you know is still expensive) but it has been amazing.  I am not sure Melissa has enjoyed it quite as much as me, even though I could sleep soundly on a bag of rocks.  My back stopped hurting (as bad) and, much like a new car or outfit, there is a moral boosting effect to having something new that you worked so hard for.

Cheers to a new bed folks!  Everyone needs one.