Radioactive

 Surgeries On The Extremities

On The Stereo: El Camino: Amos Lee (feat. Willie Nelson)

In My Bloodstream: Lisinopril, levaquin, omeprazol

So sorry to be late this week.  I was unable to attach a video, and spent far too long in attempting its inclusion.  Kristin tried, unsuccessfully, to help as well.  Doug came to my rescue this morning, as he has often done.  I hate being an imposition, but I do accept, gratefully, his charitable work.  We are finally good to go. 

I received a call from David St. Hilaire last week. David was, and is, an old and dear friend from my business days. We had nor seen or heard from each other for about fifteen years.  He has recently retired after a distinguished career with Kimberly Clark.  I first met him in Canada, and unexpectedly, we both moved to Atlanta, following our careers.   I had introduced him and his company, to Price Daxion in Canada, and then, did the same thing when I joined AFFLINK.  Our wives have also been a part of our relationship as we managed to broker personal friendships as well as maximize our business opportunities; so, we do share some enjoyable history.

David, and his wife, Janice, have been following this story for a long time, so he has much more insight into my life than I do his.  In any event, we had a long and nostalgic conversation.  He was glowing in his review of my blog, and that was great to hear.  But more importantly, he called when I needed the company - even by telephone.  We made it a point not to lose track again and the four of us will share a meal in the coming months.  Stars do align.

This past week also brought some more family into our lives.  Kathy's cousin Donna and her husband Paul Duggan had their daughter Laurie and her boyfriend, Randy, come to visit them.  We play bridge  with Donna and Paul every Friday night , during the six months they live in Timber Pines.  So, last Friday, we skipped bridge and played a board game with all six of us.  Laurie and Randy are recently pregnant, but not married, and our conversations eventually stumbled into baby names, and then, unexpectedly to whose last name this new baby would have.  The daddy's proud announcement was, that it would be his.  He had a huge grin, and told everyone that he had won the naming rights in a card game.

I am sorry, but that struck me as the most incredible, and laugh out loud funny thing I had heard in a long time.  They could, at least, have had a duel.  They could have had a judged debate.  Something a little more appropriate.   This poor baby boy will have to tell his naming story forever.  I still laugh every time I think about it.   Randy and Laurie.  I just love them.  They are obviously ready for a great and fun life, with their new baby on the way.   Guessing they will cut cards for diaper changes.  I did close the naming conversation by declaring the child's given name should be Shag, after Laurie's grandfather.  That is a "can't miss", as far as I am concerned.  There were no equals to him.  Pro football player, devout Catholic, loving husband, fabulous father, and he and Helen, his wife, were like second parents to Kath and me.  How is that for pressure, Randy?

                                                                 "Shag" Shaughnessy


We have talked for some time now, about cancer and surgeries.  Some might think too long by now.  But I intend to carry on anyway.  So I thought we might give you a glimpse of just a few of the cancer sites, and how they looked before and post surgeries.  

A warning.  Some of the following images are quite graphic, and please do not continue if you are at all queasy.  Some of the original images have been cropped to protect the family jewels from over exposure.  Kathy's idea.  You should also be advised that this first round is a stroll in the park, compared to what is to come.  Today I will deal only with extremities - arms and legs.

 

                                                                Summer, 2012                                                          

                                       

In August, 2012, one of my many surgeries, was a dangerous one.  A melanoma tumor had developed on my right wrist.  It was deep, expansive, and in an area without much flesh.  I know you will find that hard to believe, but nonetheless, still true.  The tumor was excised, and a graft taken from my groin/lower tummy area.  The entire arm, from elbow to fingers had to be stabilized and kept from moving.  The graft was a circular chunk.  Dr. Ritrosky did not charge me for the tummy tuck.  One of the nurses offered to donate as much of her stomach fat as he needed, but he already had me naked and handy.  This procedure was done with local anesthetic and we talked and I watched through the entire operation.  My bride hung out in the waiting room and I got off of the table, got my bearings, and she drove us home.

                                    The pale circle with veins shaped like a peace sign, today.

                                                                   Spring, 2016

After successful results of the trial, we began tackling other areas in need of attention.  We will stick with just some of the extremities.


                                                             Left ankle does not look   

                            Cancer on left ankle required significant excision, as you can see.

                                                               

                                                               After the biopsy

                                                After excision, wrapped and ready to go.

Looks simple enough, don't you think?  A little skin cancer in areas that do not get much attention.          The problem with wounds being so far from your heart, is that healing is slow and incredibly difficult.  The stitches do not work well as there is so little skin to cover the open area.  Then, you are unable to walk or put any weight on it, for what seems to be an eternity. And the sites remain tender forever.   No trampolines or break dancing.  Or golf.  For a very long time.  Rats.

As that ankle was almost back to normal, we scheduled another round of biopsies.  We were finally out of trouble with melanoma, thanks to the trial, and now the dermatologists were all over me.  We had ignored my surface issues for over two years.  Given that I might well be dead, if the trial did not work, I presumed the excisions of the carcinomas and basel cells were not worth the inconvenience and pain.  I planned to be cremated, so there was no sense in "looking good" for my funeral.



                                                 Right ankle two weeks after surgery.

                                       More bandaged excisions from more cancer sites.

                                                        Current condition of my ankles.

                                                             Autumn, 2016

Multiple surgeries continued into the fall, essentially making the entire year one in which my mobility was impaired.

                                                 
                                                                 Thigh to knee.

                                                    Stitches were anxious to be removed.

We could go on and on, but these few shots should give you lucky people who have not had any surgeries, some idea of the process of identifying, treating and healing skin cancers, outside the body's core.  Again, with time, your body shows remarkable powers to heal.  The results are not perfect, but cancer - free and passable.



Several readers have called to ask if I had received their replies to my blogs.  They had read the e-mailed version and replied directly.  I am sure they wondered why I had not responded to a comment or criticism.  In fact, I do not have access to those messages.

The e-mail version is sent out by a third party and does not have the capability to accept responses.  The only ways I can read your responses, is when the "comment" section is used on my website.   I do receive those responses, but the writer is not identified, unless you add your name.  So I do not know the authors of many of the kind words I have received.  The other ways to respond are with emails or direct messages on Facebook.  I much prefer the use of the comment section, as that keeps our communications in a single, convenient place.  The email versions, for whatever reason, are not structured exactly as my originals.  There is a difference.  It is undeniable better for all concerned, to go to http://www.jrobinmullen.com/, when you get your alert.

Thank you


We talked last week about our friend, Jill, and her two year battle with an aggressive form of breast cancer.  An event was held this past weekend to celebrate her life and she was to be recognized by the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame.  We, for a number of reasons, were unable to attend.  Robin Hanna sent me a very short video of Jill's last words to us, when we were feted at our club, just prior to leaving for Spring Hill, several years ago.