Category: Personal History
Health Update
Yesterday was a bit exhausting, with three doctor appointments. Nearly overwhelming for my limited brain power. Anyway, PET scan has been scheduled for May 7th. Results from that will determine next steps. I really like my oncology team and the clinic in general. They listen, explain and are totally positive energy. It’s a tough aspect of healthcare, to work with patients who have serious issues and concerns.
All good 👍🏻.
Friday View
On my walk a few minutes ago. A cloudless sky in Seattle- who would’ve thought?
Note: health update coming next week. I’ve seen one of three doctors, after my last CT on the 8th. Two more still need to weigh in. Based on what the first oncologist said, I have a sense of where things are going. It’s a mixed blessing/bag. All good.
This journey started in 2018, with the first CT scan. It’s just the nature of ‘c’.
Blessings 🙏🏻
Started Week One of SBRT
Week one of four weeks of Targeted Radiation started. Today went well. I can’t say enough good things about the clinic staff; they’re so supportive and really listen to my concerns and explain the process, as it relates to me, extremely well. I can expect fatigue and skin irritation. They gave me a cream for the irritation, which I apply twice a day.
The anxiety I had as well as everyone who has come in contact with my case is the tumors close proximity to the coronary artery that feeds the left side of my heart and to the main nerve that runs down my left arm. It was explained to me today that they can adjust the beam to within 1mm of where it needs to be. Additionally, if I were to slightly shift my body, for whatever reason, the SBRT machine automatically shuts off, so the beam cannot damage any tissue it’s not supposed to.
So, all good today 👍🏻. Thinking all positive thoughts!!
🙏🏻❤️
PS: Diseases like cancer can rob you of your identity. I haven’t used any of my cameras in months and it seems the real ‘me’ is slipping away from me. The mental battle is to not let cancer/disease to take away what is ‘me’. Never give in!!!💪🏻👊🏻
Health Update
A month ago I had lower back surgery. Simultaneously, I was also dealing with a different hospital /doctor group for my cancer. I have an inoperable tumor in my upper left lobe/lung. Juggling two critical health issues at the same time was more than enough for me to deal with. I haven’t posted as I have rarely left the house, hence, no new photos to post. I actually have a few from before surgery, but it’s tough to get past the circumstances of surgery, etc.
This morning I got a call from the doctor working on my cancer case. The two biopsies they took 10 days ago were NEGATIVE. This was the best news. Now things are in motion to treat the inoperable tumor with Targeted Radiation. Next week the the Radiation Oncology doctor from another clinic will be contacting me to schedule an intake exam and treatment schedule.
I’ve left out a couple of health related issues that have occurred in the past month; I’ve lost 35 pounds, kidney function dropped, etc.
Targeted Radiation has its own set of side effects. I feel good about handling just one treatment course. Had one or more of the biopsies been positive I would be facing chemo in addition to radiation.
I was so relieved to get the good news this morning; nearly in tears. My family and more have been so supportive these past few months;prayers, hugs, chicken soup….
My goal has been to stay alive and relevant for as long as is possible. Today’s news gives me hope that I still have work to do and things to photograph in this crazy world we live in.
Blessings to all,
Fred,
The wandering photographer
📷🎞️
Coney Island
My grandson, Elliott and myself, having a bit of fun at Coney Island in August of 2019. The parrot is real.
Almost Film Like Quality
I took this image with my Pentax K-x, which has 12mp as opposed to the Nikon D610 DSLR I usually use. This image almost looks like a film image, maybe due to less pixels as compared to newer DSLR models.
Up, Up…..
Our grandaughter a few years ago, in their Portland, OR neighborhood. She’s now a teenager.Time passes too quickly.
Untitled
Our granddaughter at a local beach park in Seattle a few years ago. The hat…
Her Middle Name
Our daughter’s birthday is June 3rd. Her middle name is Rose, as is her daughter’s middle name. Happy Birthday!
Tenth Anniversary of this Photoblog
Today marks the 10th anniversary of this photoblog. I’d like to thank my Followers and Visitors for stopping by from time to time to see what I’ve been up to. In particular, I want to thank three people who were instrumental in encouraging me to take the first step into the waters of online exposure of my work:
Deb: A very dear online friend from the Daily Strength health website. Deb confessed to me that she actually was taking my images from DS and using them for background and screensavers on her PC. That confession opened up a dialogue between us that, I believe, was frank and personally helpful for us both. Deb lived in upstate New York. Sadly, in November of 2008 she passed away. I started the photoblog on this date in 2009, four months after her passing. She never got to see this blog take off of the launchpad. During moments, over the past ten years, when I wanted to just pack it in and stop posting, I think back to her encouraging words. It helps me sustain something that I feel is a journey, with no destination.
Sue: I met Sue under similar circumstances on the Daily Strength site. Sue was also friends with Deb on the site, so maybe there was some collusion between those two to make my photography more public. Sue lives in Gloucester, MA. and still, from time to time. enjoys what I create and has kind words for my work. I think she gets the content or ‘vision’ of what I do better than most. Thanks, Sue!!
Dianna: My wife of nearly 45 years. Once I ran the idea of doing this photoblog by her she was all for it. She’s listened to my frustrations over just ‘what am I doing with this blog’ for a decade. She follows my postings religiously and hits the ‘Like’ button, even though I am sure some of my images confuse her :-). Thanks for 10 years support!!
Thanks for all of your support!!!
Bluestar2012 (AKA Fred King).
Park Slope, Brooklyn
Taken a few years ago while I was visiting with my son and family. On the eve of the 10th anniversary of this photoblog I thought I would look back for a moment. This is a morning shot, with some fog in the background. The sidewalks were designed in another era, where there were fewer cars and more pedestrians.
Fire Hydrants across the U.S.
Seattle, Portland, NYC and Wyoming. Clockwise from upper left:
Red= Gowanus, Brooklyn
Silver w/orange ring: South Park, Seattle.
Tall, crusty one with white ring: Lower East Side, Manhattan.
Red and Yellow: Portland, OR.
Yellow with blue top: Rock Springs, WYO.
Tri-color: Portland, OR.
Have a hydracious day!!
Bluestar2012's Photoblog 