SO YEAH it’s the classic good-news-bad-news deal: it’s cancer, but I’ll be around for a while and will have many opportunities to die of something else.
Distracted driver, most likely, I’ve got my chips down on that. Depraved texters, indifferent to human life. They give it a whirl just about every time I’m out there on two wheels.
If not that, you’ll get word I had a slightly less common exit. Got hit in the head with a space rock, piano fell off a hoist on the 18th floor… As long as I go with my boots on, I’m good. The last thing I am is the sickbed type.
This non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma I’ve got is pretty much the Beetle Bailey of lymphatic cancers. It mostly sits around on its ass, doesn’t get a whole lot of potatoes peeled. Indeed, the medical term for this kind of lymphoma is “indolent.” Lazy.
It responds well to chemo and radiation, in the same way that Beetle responds to Sarge.
With my health otherwise good and this cancer as slow-moving as it appears to be, my oncologist says I might not need any treatment at all for now. I feel fine.
No fatigue, no night sweats, my energy’s high, as always, appetite normal. I’ve put back on about half the weight I shed in the Arctic.
Will know more in a few weeks, after a PET scan at Rhode Island Hospital. The right side of my abdomen is a bit sore, maybe the scan will turn up something of concern there. And my right collarbone hurts. Thought I fractured it a few months ago while riding a logging road in British Columbia. Now I think it’s just inflammation in the lymph tissue behind the collarbone.
Could be both things going on, who knows? I suppose the scan will tell the tale on that.
So that’s the news.
As hopelessly addicted as I am to motorcycling, will you forgive me for thinking of cancer as a boost to my street cred? I should be embarrassed to admit this, but the thought popped into my head on the ride home this morning from Miriam Hospital.
Objectively speaking, I did just ride 14,522 miles on an overgrown dirt bike hardly designed for a 79-day transcontinental journey, and did it not only at 64 years of age but while cooking cancer head to toe.
Hell, I know Harley guys who will pull over and quit riding if their tunes cut out.
The lump the surgeon cut out of my neck last week was apparent to me in May, before I left home for the Arctic. As it turns out, there was no harm done in me ignoring it and getting my miles in.
If you’re going to get cancer, get the lazy kind that’s just taking ‘er easy out there for all us sinners.
Tony DePaul, September 26, 2019, Cranston, Rhode Island, USA
Getting cancer…oh, man, what a bummer.
I hope you whale the tar outta that sucker!
Maybe this isn’t the appropriate place to bring this up, but…in regards to The Phantom, will we be getting back to Imara Sahara in the future?
Thanks for the good word. Gonna roll with the punches, see what happens.
Yes indeed, Imara Sahara and the Phantom will cross paths again. Thanks for reading.
God bless each day……
And watch out for space rocks…..
Tony,
Sorry to hear the news. I’ve enjoyed reading your posts over the years – thanks for sharing your adventures and perspectives. May there be many more yet to read for those of us who live vicariously.
Treat yourself and this disease with respect. Give yourself an allowance for those bad days and enjoy the good ones. Talk with people when you need to vent.
Dennis
Thanks, Dennis. I’m doing well, all things considered. More pain in my collarbone, today especially, significantly more, but I’ll get the lowdown on that come Monday. Will see the oncologist then and get the results of the PET-CT. I’m sure there’s a mass behind my collarbone. It’ll be interesting to see an image of it.
Between the ears, I’m just fine. I don’t think I’ve even had any anxiety to speak of let alone fear. That has to be the example set by the late Johnny Danger. What a battle that guy had, 17 years; mine’s nothing in comparison, a mere bump in the road. Never once did I hear Danger say poor me, why me? His attitude, which I mean to emulate to the best of my ability, was: Why not me?
http://www.tonydepaul.net/the-beautiful-mystery-goes-on/
Tony, my last thought on this topic, I promise. If you ever have doubts about your healthcare, well you’re close to Boston with its fine cancer hospitals, Dana Farber and Mass General. A medical center saved my life.
Good luck!
Robert
You bet, Robert. The medical care available in Southern New England overall is among the best. Our Miriam Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital are right up there.
Kraven! Crazy! I thought you were too much of a super villain for cancer. As has been said, if you have to get some kind of cancer…. like if you have to get hit by a car you’d want it to be an ambulance. I will text you, fellow super villain
Take a break from your latest crime wave, Rhino, drop by anytime. If you bring a six pack, as per usual, get the kind rich in antioxidants. Which is any kind, I believe.
Haven’t read your blog in quite a while. I went numb when I Read the News. Phantom stories are great.
Keep doing the things you love and hug the people you love.
Best of luck
Robert
Thanks, Robert. Glad to hear you’re keeping up with the GWW.
This is good news. As you say, if you have to have the cancer…
My natural inclination is to discount & underestimate Beetle, but I’m also aware that if his lazy ass sneaks up & takes me out I’ll look like a dummy.
Not that I’d care at that point, but still…
Tony, glad to hear that if you have to have cancer that it is not the aggressive kind but like everyone’s told you, keep an eye on it and fight it well. You’re not one to give into things easily. We will be keeping you in our prayers and wish you only the best. Thanks for all that you do.
Kim and Ray
Thanks, neighbor.
Remember the good pastor’s “Between Sundays”? There’s a memorable story about a fellow with cancer. Not a biker, but a solid, unpretentious fellow like you. It worth a read, again. Kirsti joins me is wishing you and Pam the best, especially during the worst.
Oh my… Haven’t read that book in close to 40 years, but what you say rings a bell, Mr. Bill. Something about the guy’s sleeve coming up as he reached for a doorknob, and Douglas saw where the docs had inserted radium needles, or some medieval treatment aid that probably did more harm than good.
Spot on. I remember the fellow’s cuffs: they were frayed. And his wife slept on a mattress, on the kitchen floor. I guess it was as warm as the pastor’s heart. Rev. Young’s stories were filled with sentiment, but never sentimental. That pretty much describes the good pastor himself.
Soooooo, watchful waiting is the treatment for now?
Tell Pam we send our prayers her way, am sure she is hurting more than you right about now.
No plan yet, amigo, we’re still very much in the investigation phase. Will know more in a few weeks when the doc has the PET CT information to go by. But my apparent good health, no fever, no fatigue, no wasting away, etc, suggests that watch & wait might be an option.
You have a perspective that feeds souls, take care of you, please write your novel, know you are admired and loved.
I’m still looking for the key to that manuscript, Jody. It’s my albatross! 🙂 Thanks for the kind words.
Proof that doing what you love is so important in life! I’m looking forward to your future travels.
Thanks, Claire. Hope to see you at the October geezerfest.
Time for some Tybee time. Let’s do this. Soon. Hope the motorcycle provided healing vibes. Regardless, I’m sending them on my own. Fuck cancer.
Tybee might be doable. It’s been a while now.
Yay! Now go on about your business, after you deal this cancer thing a death blow. Now here’s a word for your next scribble. You know how using obscure and pretentious words which others have to look up makes you a better writer and all. “saxicolous” Inhabiting or growing among rocks. OK I cheated. It’s the word of the day from September 14. Don’t say I never gave you anything and go buy that bike.
Back in my newspaper days I used to write stories about saxicolous people all the time.
Oh wait, no, they were living under rocks, not among them…
Well quit wasting time, get Mr. Daub and put on another
15000 in South America, times a wasting.
You said it!
Glad to hear its nothing “serious” and this will be yet another great story to tell…
My friend Johnny Danger always appreciated your visit at UCLA way back when. That was early in his fight. An amazing man. He had 17 years left in him. http://www.tonydepaul.net/the-beautiful-mystery-goes-on/
Thank you for the kindness you showed him, Jen.
Tks for the up date. Tony
You and your family had been on my mind since reading your last up date. Glad to hear that it not aggressive but you have to be pro active and deal with it as things progress because it is still cancer. Keep thinking positive as attitude is always good. Keep planning your next adventure and keep doing. Have a great day and enjoy.
Your friend Craig
Will do, Craig. Thanks for being in touch.
Hi, Tony,
The last two posts you have written are stunners. I’ve got nothing witty to say to you and what you have shared. You and your family are in my prayers. I hope you start writing your novel like you take a trip riding on Iron Piggy and don’t stop until you come back home to Pam and Cranston. Love you, Keith
Thanks, man. I appreciate you following the scribble.
Like Duane said, get it sorted out first….and then celebrate with a BDR ride on that blue boxer you were looking at. I could EASILY be talked into doing that ride again👊
Good news man, really happy to hear… but don’t count on the lazy diagnosis if you have options, kill that sh-t off, and then enjoy the ride with peace of mind
Got my MABDR map in the mail last week, and lined up a heated work space; a roof under which I can do the suspension work on the piglet this winter. Going to try to avoid the usual frozen-knuckle wrenching out in the driveway.
I literally got down on my knees to read this one. I’m so glad I can get up now, much relieved. You’re still in my prayers though, for a full recovery!
Thank you, my friend. Who knows, maybe Kilimanjaro someday!
Thinking of you and love your perspective! Your story has many more chapters….counting on you! Lots of love, family and friends on your side!
Thanks, Vicki. Since I’m apparently not going to shuffle off to Buffalo in the immediate future, I guess I’m obligated to keep trying to write this book. That’s way more daunting than cancer.
My dog had lumps all over her, and she died of cancer, so I was sure you had it too. But I am very relieved that it’s not the aggressive kind. Still, treat it with respect, and do what you have to do to kill it. I send you Brotherly Love, Tony.
Will do. Thank you, John.
You got street cred. Not from being a Harley rider though where most guys think their cred comes from but “toughing” out the trip and not giving up after the first trouble you run into.
Thanks, Roger. I’ll bet that K1600GT would eat up 14 & a half thousand miles pretty quick. Set cruise on 100 & go.
Yes it will but no street cred for riding a cushy bike 14K on paved road, that is just fun.
Sorry to hear about the diagnosis but glad to hear that it’s not as serious as it could have been. I have a friend who had the same thing at least 30 years ago. He’s still kicking. No doubt, you’ll still be kicking — and riding — for another 30 years or so. Take it easy — but take it.
Thanks, Tim. Yeah, I think this will just be a chronic thing from here on in, where cancer & I live in the same town, pass on the street every day, and give each other a sidelong look with a hand resting on our guns.
Good analogy
Beetle gets no respect. Not that he cares. Caring takes effort.
Better than the bad news I suppose but still…. Here’s hoping that any treatment you need and will have is successful. We still have room for you on your next trip past this way!
Iron Piggy hasn’t been to Yellowknife yet…
Best bad news I’ve heard lately. Do what they tell you and roll on. Love you brother.
Bueno, man. Will I see you on the Bonneville Salt Flats in 2020? Well yeah, if I’m there I will, ’cause if you’re not going I’m not going.
Tony,
Thanks for the update. I’m glad Pam joined you, as she’s right, in the way men and women listen. I’m glad to read that your trip didn’t impede, or accelerate, the journey of the cancer. You know what I’ll be doing; praying for you and Pam as you go on a new road.
She’s pretty smart, isn’t she? Thanks, Cynthia.
“Hell, I know Harley guys who will pull over and quit riding if their tunes cut out.”
ummmm……..that could be me! Whaddya mean my XM Radio won’t get a signal in the mountains?
Alright, Alright, Alright. While I appreciate the cavalier attitude and the boohya, cancer is cancer. It’s time to kill-the-beast inside, then you can go play out in the wild once that’s done because that is now officially Job # 1. Smart guys like you know how to study up on what you have, and lawd – the beauty of the internet is you can dig deep into things like this and come away in a month of focused learning and be as smart on it as most (but maybe not all) the docs. So that’s your task – to get smart on it. Maybe not too much reliance on it being a lazy cancer, it still can take you out. You get one shot at getting this right – so get it right.
Based on my own experience, wives are usually terrified at the prospect of what could be, but they won’t usually show it. Your kids may be, too. Long talks are good. And as always, I’m here to give you all the unsolicited advice you probably don’t want on the topic.
Thanks, man. Much appreciated.
Over my objections, Pam insisted on attending my meeting with the oncologist this morning. She said she wanted to be there because “Men and women listen differently, and ask different questions.” What she meant was: women listen, men don’t.
She’s on a mission. She’ll read up & become the in-house expert in no time.
Pam is smarter than you. ALWAYS take two sets of ears to the Oncologist.
For once I agree with Duane. 🙂
Ha! Hey, I remember you!
Hahahhhahahahha! And fuck cancer.
Good news Tony considering what it could have been. Now git off yer ass and take care of those downed trees in the back yard! No rest for the weary or indolent.
Hey, Jeff. Still have the big GS in the stable? And do you have any interest in riding the MABDR in the spring?
Happy to hear that we will continue to enjoy reading your adventures for a long long time.
Thanks so much, Mike. Pam and I often think of all the help you’ve given us lo these many years.
Cancer, schmancer, it’ll take more than that to get the better of you. That’s great news. Keep the shiny side up…
My younger sister had lymphoma four years ago, a very aggressive type. Doc says it’s likely a coincidence. There’s no known genetic component.
I knew it. Awesome news, all things considered. Now you can get on with finishing TGAN.
The Great American Novel! That or Terribly Good At Nothing…