Today Gin randomly happens to ask me the dates that Harrison was going through chemo. I don’t know how it happens but it sparked my memory of the fact that this very same day is 15 years, almost to the hour, of when Harrison was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Harrison at Clinic in October 1999

This made me dig through my files to find this entry that was on thelamberts.org when it was up-and-running. It’s the notes I kept for a short period of time when Harrison was first diagnosed. Some day I hope to resurrect thelamberts.org but for now this entry is fitting to share as we celebrate Harrison’s winning his battle with cancer and almost completing his first year of college. My little buddy is a true blessing.

Today is July 24, 2001. I recently came across some notes I took back around the time Harrison was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. I’m glad I did as some of the details in my mind have been lost with the passing of time. After reading this I’m surprised at how coherent it is. It also is interesting that it is rather emotionless as I know we were lost in emotions for a long time after his diagnosis. I wish I had kept up this journal the whole time. It wasn’t until I started this website that I resumed tracking more of the events in this life dramaevents in this life drama.

April 16, 1997 pm, Wednesday

Get home from work and notice during our dinner with Scott & Julie, or next door neighbors, that Harrison looks a bit jaundiced and pale.  Gin and I feel he is maybe coming down with something or just tired from all of the recent chaos with the death of Gin’s father on the day before Easter.

April 17, 1997, Thursday

Harrison still looks pale.  Gin calls and makes an appointment with Dr. Wikler for 2:40 on Friday, 4/18.

April 18, 1997 2:40pm, Friday

Harrison has his appointment with Dr. Wikler. She decides she wants to do some blood work. They take a lot of blood.  I run it over to the lab personally and we wait for the results (Harrison and I walk to the store for some snacks). Dr. Wikler speaks with us and prepares us for the possibility that our little Harrison may have Leukemia. Symptoms include increased bruising, enlarged spleen, swollen lymph nodes, low blood counts and his recent state of being more tired.

We are told to go straight to Kaiser Oakland where we are immediately admitted. They take their own set of blood tests. We are told that it is looking pretty much as though he does have Leukemia.  He is given a Platelet transfusion and a Hemoglobin transfusion due to his low blood counts.

April 19, 1997 am, Saturday

Early in the morning Harrison has a bone marrow aspiration (BMBM) performed by Dr. Kronish.  He also performs a spinal tap (LPLP) and administers MethotrexateMethotrexate. The doctor runs the sample over to the lab in Berkeley. Dr. Kronish confirms that Harrison does have Leukemia. Later that day the lab informs us that it is Acute Lymphocytic LeukemiaAcute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL), the more common and treatable of the childhood Leukemias.  We will have to wait some time to determine if it is a chromosomal defect as well as the result of some other tests.

Dr. Wikler pays Harrison a visit and brings a present, a book, The Velveteen Rabbit.  It was extremely special that she did this as it definitely is outside any expectation we would ever have had. I think she also was quite upset with the events befallen Harrison.

April 20, 1997, Sunday

Harrison starts his chemotherapy with an IV injection of VincristineVincristine and oral PrednisonePrednisone tablets.

April 21, 1997, Monday

Harrison gets his first L-AsparaginseL-Asparaginse inter-muscular (IM) shot.  In the afternoon we are discharged.

General Hospital Comments:  Everyone was very nice to Harrison and us.  He received many stickers and toys for the good job he did with all that was going on.  It was a very tough time for all of us.  Mom watched Madison during the weekend.  Julie watched Madison on Monday.  Harrison did not like the blood pressure tests (hugs), preferring them to be on his leg.  Toward the end of our hospital stay he was doing better.  He tolerates the “pokes” pretty well but really dislikes the removal of any tape from bandages.

April 22, 1997, Tuesday

Harrison starts his home chemo of Prednisone three times a day, PeridexPeridex (swish and spit) three times a day and Septra two times a day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We also test his urine every morning for blood sugar levels.

Things were going okay until dinner.  Harrison got sick and dumped his dinner in two stages. His temperature went up to over 101.5, our point of real concern, and became very pale.  We put him to bed.

April 23, 1997, Wednesday

Shortly after 6am Cece takes Madison for the day and we take Harrison into Oakland Kaiser emergency.  They stick him twice in the hand to get blood.  There ended up being a problem with the samples taken. They then stick a heplock in his foot but were still unable to get blood.  So, they did a finger stick in the thumb.  The heplock was removed before we went over to the pediatric oncology clinic for his L-Asparaginse injection.

The clinic put an IV into Harrison’s arm to give him a platelet transfusion.  Harrison then ends up having a slight allergic reaction to the transfusion, one hive that Gin notices on his eyelid and I point out to the nurse.  He is given benedryl and cortisone to reverse the reaction. He then is given his L-Asparaginse injection and we get to go home as his temperature has been registering pretty much normal the whole time. Harrison has received six pokes today.

April 24, 1997, Thursday

Fairly uneventful day.  Harrison takes his medicine.  He is still fighting doing the swish and spit. He does run a temperature later in the day. Dr. Month said to monitor it and that many times a patient needs to adjust to the chemo. Some other adjustments also may be needed. The fever breaks and is pretty much normal the rest of the day.

At 5:45 Harrison has blood drawn at the Kaiser Hayward lab for a CBCCBC for the operation on 4/25.

April 25, 1997, Friday

We take Harrison to Kaiser San Francisco. Linda McDonald, a neighbor, watches Madison in the morning and Yolanda and Mark watch her in the early evening.

First we visit Becky and Dr. Leung in pediatric oncology and Harrison gets his L-Asparaginse shot.  He is given a new toy. We then go across the street to the hospital for his surgery.

Several interviews and paper signings are taken care of. They give Harrison a drink of something which makes him ‘drunk’ and starts the sedation process.  He is now slurring his words and rather out of it.  I am allowed to put on scrubs to take Harrison into the OR. I then must leave.

We count every minute as the procedure runs a little later than they told us. The surgery goes without a hitch and we take him home. Again everyone is terrific.  Harrison eats two popsicles in recovery along with some water and graham crackers.

We get home. Harrison is doing fine.  He is quite hungry.  We have pizza for the third day in a row and the second night picnicking on the family room floor.

Quite some time ago I posted an article on my installation of a height adjustable, stand up desk in my office.  I still love it and typically start my day by standing up while working.  I think my still using it daily is a great indicator that there is value in standing while working, especially considering that I installed this desk over two years ago.

Further to my own experience, I happened across a Wall Street Journal article on standing desks being on the rise in the Silicon Valley.  Definitely worth a read, which is why I’m sharing it here.  The article mentions businesses, like Google and Facebook, who are supporting requests for stand up desks.  It also covers some of the statistics around the health benefits of sitting less during a work day.  So, do you think there was an intended pun in their article’s title, “Standing Desks are on the Rise”?

Here’s to everyone’s good health!

I actually wrote a review on a commerce site. Don’t think I’ve done that before but know I read a lot. Anyway, decided to share it here too since they made it pretty easy to copy the content.

Originally submitted at Road Runner Sports

Men's NIKE® ZOOM STRUCTURE TRIAX+ 13 :: Your favorite Nike® stability shoe is reborn in the men's Nike® Zoom Structure Triax+ 13 to give you more support, greater forefoot flexibility, a smoother, cushier ride, and more heel support thanks to a new heel strap overlay. All at …

Mens Nike Zoom Structure Triax+ 13 Running Shoe

Can’t kick the habit

By Jeff from Castro Valley, CA on 11/11/2010

 

5out of 5

Sizing: Feels true to size

Width: Feels true to width

Arch Type: Average Arch

Pros: Good Traction, Cushions Impact, Comfortable, Durable, Good Arch Support

Best Uses: Trail Running, Walking, Mixed Terrain, All Weather Conditions, With Orthotics/Inserts, Wet Weather, Road Running

Describe Yourself: Avid Athlete

Was this a gift?: No

I’ve been running with this model shoe for many years now. I buy them in pairs and when I can pick up the last year’s model at a discount. They are quite affordable and just as good as any others I’ve used. The last pair (Structure Triax+ 12) did make the upper part of my big toe sore for a bit but think it was just me adjusting to extra miles, new shoes and running on the road more. After putting in 400 miles on one pair and over 300 on the other I decided to get a couple of new pairs. I don’t have enough miles on them to know how they’ll do but can only imagine I won’t be disappointed.

I plan on continuing to use this model shoe until they don’t make them anymore.

(legalese)

So, did Dannon read my post about Yoplait from September 10? Or maybe they just have a brain and understand making a difference is more important than making half empty promises like Yoplait seems to make. Dannon, through its Cups of Hope program, allows you to provide them with a code from under the lid of a product, online, which will result in a donation from Dannon. For each code you enter, 10 cents goes to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Dannon will donate a minimum of $500,000 to this organization and up to $1.5 million. Very up front details, very reasonable consumer action needed and much more commonsense than Yoplait’s program that requires one to mail the lids to Yoplait. Still drives me nuts that they make people go to that extent. Ridiculous. So, if you are buying a particular yogurt because of the donations to finding a cure for breast cancer, I’d suggest trying out Dannon.

Every time Yoplait puts on their support program for the Susan G. Komen’s Race for the Cure campaign I just get disgusted. No, I’m not against getting rid of breast cancer, quite the opposite. What drives me nuts is Yoplait’s tactics. I have no problem with a firm advertising the fact that they donate a portion of their revenues or profit to a charity. God Bless them! What I think is ridiculous is how their program works. To me it’s as if they are trying to sell yogurt and not donate to the cause.

To me it makes more sense for Yoplait to say they will donate 10 cents, or even 5 cents, for every item sold. My impression is they are banking on people not sending in lids but perhaps buying their product with that intent. I know I throw out my lids as it doesn’t make sense to collect them, put them in an envelope and then mail them. Not only is it a pain and costs me more money, but it also adds to the carbon footprint and is just wasteful. If they don’t want to donate straight out then another option would be to print a code on the inside of the lid and let folks enter the code online.

Come on Yoplait, show that you truly care more about helping cure breast cancer than selling yogurt.

Well, I’ve kicked off my start of the East Bay Regional Park District’s (EBRPD) Trails Challenge 2010 with a short and quick five mile run in Fremont.  The trail was actually 4.5 miles but I decided to get in at least five miles.  There is a longer route that takes you clear to the Bay and ends up being 12.3 miles.  And there also is a shorter course of 2 miles.  I selected this course because I first stopped nearby at Ardenwood Historic Farm to pick up our Trail Challenge t-shirts.  Last year’s shirts are definitely the best of the three years that I’ve participated but, hey, what do you want for free?

Alameda Creek Regional Trail - Fremont, CA

The trail I started with is the Alameda Creek Regional Trail.  They have you start at a staging area located at the end of Beard Road in Fremont, not too far off the 880 Freeway.  As I really didn’t have the time to do the 12 mile run, I pushed the five mile run at a faster pace to make it more of a speed workout.  I ended up getting the overall pace down to 7:13 min/mile.  It wasn’t too difficult as this trial is paved and flat except where you duck under freeways, roadways and train tracks.  I’d have to imagine that this trail gets pretty busy on the weekends.  I ran the trail on a Thursday in the early afternoon.  There were several bikers and just a handful of hikers.  I may have to visit again to do the longer route that takes one down to the Bay by Coyote Hills Regional Park.  Also, there was just a small stream of water in the creek bed but where I passed under the 880 Freeway you could see that the water can get very high as there was debris that had gotten caught up quite high on the support posts.

The EBRPD Trails Challenge 2010 consists of 10 featured parks located in Fremont, Lafayette, Antioch, Livermore, Walnut Creek, Castro Valley and Richmond.  For each of these parks there are three trails of varying lengths and levels of difficulty.  The trail I ran was considered “Moderate”.  This obviously was due to the distance and not the terrain.  The other cool thing the fine folks at EBRPD have done this year is to have mapped out the trails on Google Maps.

I’d definitely recommend signing up for this challenge and get out there and find some new favorite places to escape and exercise.  The trails and guidebooks from previous year challenges also are still available online, so, check those out too if you haven’t already.

Four more trails to go, or 22 miles.  See ya out there!

God bless this product!  Okay, this is a post where I won’t be shy.  I’m not a light person anymore and am getting older.  What does this mean?  It means I’m just shy of 195 pounds and will soon be 49 years old.  I’m also 6’ 2”, so, I’m not fat but I do have excess fat and it jiggles.

Even being relatively fit, age means the body is not as toned as when I was 18 and 153 pounds.  I’m sure there are folks that know what I mean.  I mean that if I don’t take direct precautions my nipples will get rubbed raw, sometimes to the point of bleeding.  Rather embarrassing to talk about but a hell of a lot worse to experience.  I’m being frank so that folks know exactly what I’m talking about and I can reach those that have the same issue.

I’ve tried different things in the past but all didn’t work or were messy.  These included mole skin, band-aids, Vaseline, bag balm and New Skin.  The most effective last resort had been pulling my shirt up over my head.  A great sight!  Well, from my vantage point but maybe not from someone whose head wasn’t attached to my shoulders.

One day there was a discussion on one of the running LinkedIn groups.  Someone was asking what folks do for “chafing”.  One response was that they use “Body Glide”.  Then another person mentioned the same product.  I’d never heard of this product before.  Maybe because I hadn’t been tied into the newer running products as I’m a bit old school and cheap.  Well, not anymore (the cheap part excepted)!  After my last product attempt failed I thought to take a look at this recommended product.  It definitely isn’t the least expensive thing out there but, as I’ve come to find, it does seem to be the best, and worth every penny.  Actually, it does seem to last a long time, so, the price really is not that bad.

Since picking up Body Glide I use it all the time.  I have yet to have a full blown issue.  In fact, only two or three times did I wonder if it was going to hang in there but it did.  It’s really quite miraculous, I use it religiously for every run, and I will never use anything else.

When shopping around the least expensive place I found this product was Road Runner Sports.  I recently purchased another to make certain I don’t run out and Road Runner Sports remains the least expensive place that I could find.  The added benefit of finding Body Glide was buying it from Road Runner Sports and finding out just how great they are as now I use them for all my running equipment needs.  Between just having good prices they also have specials running all the time and Free Shipping on All Orders.  I love them so much I signed up as an affiliate and recommend them to the other runners (walkers…) I know.  That’s why you see links in this post and in my sidebar.

So, if you have chafing, rubbing or get hot spots anywhere on your upper body, mid body or feet, then you definitely should give Body Glide a try.  You won’t regret it.

Gee, what shall I watch while I’m putting in five and a half miles on the treadmill?  Well, I haven’t seen the news for a while, guess I’ll catch up on things.  Damn!  Politicians!  Oh hell, I guess I’ll see what the President has to say.  After all, it can only make the effort of running worse.

First impressions?  What the heck is a State of the Union Address for?  Is he talking to the other politicians, who hopefully already know his agenda?  Shouldn’t President Obama be talking to the American People?  Why doesn’t he look at the camera?  If he isn’t talking to us then why is he on television?

Hey!, I’m over here!

These speeches really come off as a bunch of folks patting each other on the back and saying, “You’re great!  Keep up the good work.”  I was thinking this was a total waste of time as Obama didn’t start off saying anything new and it was just a constant round of cheering and standing ovations.  I really don’t have time for a pep rally.  Can we just disseminate the information?  Can you also maybe look at the camera once in awhile so the American People think you are speaking to them?  Oh, and while I’m on it, can you not have Boxer and Biden sitting behind you.  I know that’s where they belong when Congress is in session but it’s really distracting.

Okay, after about 15 minutes I was adjusting to the applause and standing ovations and ceremony and started listening to what Obama was saying.  Here’s my take on some of his points, and in no particular order:

Boxer, for God’s sake, sit down!!!

Health Care

I must admit, I’m not a big supporter of this, which I know it isn’t the most popular stance.  I just don’t get it.  Don’t we already have provisions in place to help folks with health care?  Can’t I, as an American, go to any emergency room and get assistance?  They can’t turn me away.  I suppose for chronic issues one would have a problem, and I understand that.  But there has to be other government programs that exist to help with this. Medicaid?  Medicare?  Sorry, this is where I maybe a bit naïve, or perhaps haven’t experienced the issue as I pay out of pocket over $1,000 a month to have health care.  And, folks, I was totally under employed in 2009, so, I’m not talking as someone who can really afford health care right now.

Anyway, as I heard Obama spout off about, “How are we going to curb insurance costs and rein in these health care insurers so that they are fair?” I was just thinking we don’t need a really expensive health care system to affect change.  Just enact laws that protect the general public from the sharks that swarm around in these companies working on ways to make money at the expense of people’s lives.  At least, in my opinion, this is a really great way to start the process.  And while you are at it, let’s look at health care product suppliers who overcharge for products because they can.  Maybe limiting medical malpractice cases to those that truly have merit would be a good idea too.  All of these efforts would be much less expensive, much less apt to step on everyone’s wallet and much less apt to go bad.  If this doesn’t work then you can start looking at other options but, hopefully, when the economy can better endure the expense.  Where are they getting the money for this anyway?  From Social Security?  Why not try and fix some of the inequities before trying to create a whole new system?

Lobbying

I’m all for controlling lobbying.  Of course, and I’m not saying it’s a bad thing,  this would likely help the President in the next election, provided he doesn’t screw something up in the next 3 years.  How?  Well, President Obama will be in a race with a pre-built fan base; folks he doesn’t have to sell.  He is only investing his dollars into incremental gain or, if he is wildly popular, he just sits back, saves his money and keeps quiet.  On the flip side, most contenders will be starting from scratch, given that most are only known by their “local” constituency.  This means they will likely need more dollars to win the election.  Something that always has been unfair.  I honestly don’t know if President Obama has thought of this.  I actually hope he is being genuine and understands that lobbying can cater to the interests of the few over the interests of the majority and, as such, needs to be more heavily limited and openly reported.  Anyway, I like this point and wish President Obama good luck as this has been proposed a lot but never really seems to win the favor of the politicians.

Job Creation

I still don’t know what to believe with regard to statements that the recovery act has created 2 million new jobs.  I hear it said but I also hear that unemployment is rising.  It is possible that 2 million new jobs were created, but this doesn’t necessarily mean a net gain in jobs overall.  Anyway, I’m all for creating jobs in positions that this country needs.  I just don’t want to pay to employ folks just to employ them.

I’m happy that the thought is to push this effort through the funding of small businesses as this really is the correct approach.  Over half of the jobs in this country are in small businesses.  These are companies that don’t have the same resources as larger companies but still impact our economy a great deal.  So, let the large companies manage their monetary and workforce resources as they always have and let’s help fund the small businesses such that they can add positions to the workforce.  The only statement I heard that I don’t agree with was that the recovery funding should go toward “adding new jobs or increasing current employee wages.”  Increases in wages should come about only if growth is a result of increasing the workforce and this increase leads to a more profitable firm and, ultimately, increased wages.  Otherwise, let the current employee’s wages increase by the company finding existing sources of funding and not recovery-based funding.

Executive Pay

Folks, we live in a capitalist society where the innovators and leaders make more than the rest of us.  To simply spout words to fire folks up because you know many will agree with you is pathetic.  How about instead of saying executives can’t pay themselves exhorbitant salaries and bonuses that you say something like, “If you are an executive, and perhaps more greedy than you should be, then you must limit your wages such that you are staying in line with those folks who also are instrumental in making your business a success?  Share the wealth a bit.”  Maybe a CEO can’t exceed 200% more in total compensation than the average total compensation of the top 40% of the company’s employees.  If they can make the company profitable enough to pay their employees more, then they can pay themselves more too.

Freezing the Budget

Funny, being in California, where there is a balanced budget requirement, this just seems logical.  It’s a big step, and there likely will be a lot of loopholes for getting around it, but it is a good idea if done honestly and properly. Yep, I think it is great if President Obama really freezes the budget for three years starting in 2011.  My only question, though, is at what level is he freezing the budget?  If it is at the 2008 level then that would be great but maybe 2005 is a better target.  If the budget freeze is based upon the 2009 or 2010 level of spending then this is an empty proposal and would just continue the upward spiral of our spending and the unchecked growth of our Country’s deficit.  So, this statement really meant nothing to me because President Obama didn’t say, “Starting in 2011 we will freeze the budget for three years at the 2008 level.”  Let’s hear what you really propose, not “This won’t start until 2011 because that’s how budgeting works.”

School Funding

I think I liked this part of President Obama’s speech the most as he’s totally right, the future of the United States will be determined by the investment we make in our children’s education.  What goes along with this, though, is instilling this belief in those parents who don’t parent.  There are plenty of kids who don’t go to school, or simply “attend” school, because their parents are “absent”.  We need to invest in our children’s education but we also must help those who could benefit by this spending but won’t due to their lack of family support.  Probably a different problem but worth trying to solve as this leads to uneducated adults who are more likely to not positively contribute to society and may find themselves in our criminal justice system.  I’d rather see the money go to saving these forgotten children as, in the long run, you will make America stronger and help future generations.  You also will lower the cost of housing a bunch of criminals and increase your tax base; and you may save a child that goes on to cure cancer or Parkinsons or the common cold.

Bipartisanship

Finally, if the President really believes in a bi-partisan approach to politics then he needs to stop adding to the divide and stop putting the onous of this on the Republicans, of which I’m not one.  His comment to the Republicans stating that they shouldn’t require 60% or more of Congress to be of a given party to pass something is inflammatory.  Here’s what President Obama should do:  Lead by example!  How?  Find a cause that the Republicans are really wanting support on and… support it!  As long as it truly is a good idea being proposed, why not show that you are bi-partisan.  That’s what being a great leader is.  By showing others how things should be done and that it isn’t about what party you are a member of, but what is best for America, regardless of who thought of the idea!  So, let’s make it happen folks as I REALLY am tired of paying for a bunch of malcontents that posture instead of representing those that put them in office.  Could you imagine how great the United States of America could be if the politicians did not participate in politics?

Okay, I’m good.  I know I may not have the most popular or fully thought out ideas but, heck, I was a bit oxygen deprived while running and watching the circus that is our US government.

Oh yeah, what the heck was meant by “We are working with Muslim communities around the world to promote science, education and innovation.“, especially as it was juxtaposed right along with “And we are launching a new initiative that will give us the capacity to respond faster and more effectively to bio-terrorism or an infectious disease – a plan that will counter threats at home, and strengthen public health abroad.“?  Do I just watch too much television or haven’t most of the recent terrorists been Muslim?  I don’t know, it just caught me as a bit off and strange that a specific religion should be a point in Obama’s speech.