I'm so glad to hear it. Iv'e thought about it every time I saw one of your seeds. If everything returns to normal, maybe we can get you back into the heat of battle.
Thanks, Vic. I think I will do any battling with "strangers" in other venues; people (like yourself) here on NT have been just too kind to "fight" with, even if it's just over politics,
Leaving the hospital after four hours; my wife and I walked 6 times around the nurses’s station at a good pace. It is becoming evident that the side effects are beginning. Will keep everyone updated, and again, thank you all for your kindness and caring.
That's why I can't open it. For me to be able to see it you would have to do the extra step of saving it to your computer picture library, and then posting it from there.
FYI: From all that we've read and been told, the most serious and extreme side effects of the bone marrow transplant occur in the week following. At the moment, my wife walked (with my daughter) three times around the nursing unit. She texted that she is "Feeling tired but good". I will keep everyone updated, and again, I thank all for the kind words and good wishes.
Mac, I'm sad to hear about your wife and you have been going through to battle this awful disease. I haven't been here enough to know or realize if its been posted before. I know the toll but also the joy at even the slightest sign of the healing. You're a great contributor here as you were NV and I love your photography. I apologize I don't comment as much as I should about it. May healing and strength stay with you and the Mrs!
Reflecting upon the signing the application for our marriage certificate almost 11 years ago. The fee to be paid is behind my wife's hand. I had put the camera on the table and set the self-timer.
The wonderful colours of China . These are young girls from the Zhuang cultural minority group, who are located near the city of Nanning, in Guanxi Autonomous Region.
Back in 2012, my sister and I took a trip to Ireland. We joke about retiring there, because we loved it so much. Here, a friendly dog decided to take a walk with us:
Amac, I feel at a loss for the right words to express myself, but I know you realize there are many here and in your life who want to be with you at this time and will remember each of you in our prayers.
I haven't seen you for a long time, much of which may be due to my limited time on the site since my wife's diagnosis. As with all of the kind wishes, yours is greatly appreciated, and, I thank you.
UPDATE: The grandkids visited my wife today … they can light up anyone’s day. My wife just informed me that, so far today, she has walked 1.36 miles … multiple laps around the nurses’s station, and, in a phone conversation we had, she sounded good and even laughed out loud!
I must praise my neighbors; they are supportive and available to talk … they even bring me dinners! Philly is sometimes referred to as "A city of neighborhoods," quite accurate; depending on where one lives in the city, one is liable to have a saint or a mafia neighbor … let's just say that my street is eclectic in that regard … some of each … and there are 5 or 6 houses in a row, the residents of which all look out for one another.
Anyway, you are up-to-date; going to the hospital in the morning.
Thanks again to everyone for being true friends when friends make a real difference.
Great news Mac. I am so very glad to hear that things are going so well at this point, and I hope that it will continue to be so. That the Mrs is able to walk so far and her sense of humor is looking and sounding good at this point is an excellent sign that she is feeling better day by day. Many prayers that her condition and attitude will continue to improve well into the future.
Aha! A pedometer. I did think that. Now, WHY HAVE YOU DEPRIVED US FOR SO LONG FROM SEEING PHOTOS (and you, such an avid and accomplished photographer with subjects so attractive as those grandchildren) OF THOSE BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN???
A/noon Mac...Pleased to hear all has gone well for your wife...I start my journey down the same path on Thursday Oct 10th. I leave my home for a 5 hour trip to St Vincents in Melbourne. Go into hospital on the Sunday and Monday they put a line into my shoulder...Tuesday to Thursday they harvest my cells..and hopefully I can come back home on Friday the 18th...Then I wait approx 4 weeks and then return to Melbourne...That is when they blast me with chemo, my hair will fall out and then they return my own treated cells into me..I will be in hospital for 3 weeks in isolation and as my professor said to me...The first week of treatment I will like her still. The second week of treatment I will hate her...Hopefully the third week after treatment I will like her again...Yes it is a journey none of us wish to go on...but if it is our turn to walk along this path then I for one will be giving cancer "one hell of a ride" and intend to be around for along time...We are like you mob, when it all hits the fan, we get our arses into gear, dig our heels in and fight...I am right beside you both all the way...
Best wishes and prayers for your own long journey along that path. Hoping and praying all will go well, and looking forward to hearing good news as you progress.
Evening Raven..Yes it will be a long road and one many have gone before me and no doubt many will come after...But one of the drugs I use now has just been put on the PBS...which means gone from $40 a script down to $6...So far all my treatment in hospital has been for free and everything to come is free...So I am not complaining and very grateful and blessed that I live in this country...
So I am not complaining and very grateful and blessed that I live in this country...
Indeed, and you should be grateful for the free hospital treatment and low script cost. Here in the US the cost for scripts is out of sight for most people, and the cost of hospital stays and treatment is like taking on part of the national debt. Many people lose everything they have due to the ungodly expense.
This is thanks to the medical and prescription lobbying that will allow them to charge huge prices. Even with insurance the cost is still so high most people can't afford it.
I can completely relate to and empathize with your situation; I hope you will get the best care and hope you have a loving care giver or two as you recover. It is more than a plus that medical costs do not add to what in-and-of-itself is enough of a burden to endure. I wish you well and a permanent remission.
Yes anyone going to the States from here, first thing they do is take out travel insurance..we have heard the horrendous costs etc for a hospital stay over there...I see on the news an Aussie was killed in Utah in a car accident and his wife was flown to hospital...the loss of her husband will be traumatic enough without a massive hospital bill. Some people were paying $10,000 a month for some cancer drugs they are now $40 or if you have a pension card $6...got to be happy with that...
Indeed Australia has good Medical expenses that people can well afford. Same for many other countries. But, the US is still unwilling to get out of bed with the pharma Bros and hospitals so that people have a reasonable cost of medication and hospitalization.
I may post a photo of our current medical costs to date ... they are in excess of $ 120,000 and continuing. If I do post it, I will post a political comment along with it since the gutless whore-politicians in Federal and state government are responsible for why, i.e. just one of my wife’s meds has a $2000 per month co-pay. Although we were promised by the current POTUS that he would cut the cost of prescription drugs, prices have increased since he’s been in office ... and he and McConnell threaten to cut Medicare and social security if re-elected! WTF will we do if that happens?
I will leave it at that; I don’t want this to become a political thread, I am just responding to what preceded this.
Bloody hell....how can you pay that...geez even one of the treatments that is a major advancement for myeloma was going to cost $600,000 is now also free here. There has to be a better system than the one you have now...peoples lives are at stake...hope all goes well at the hospital....good night for now...
I am posting the following, NOT FOR DEBATE OR DISCUSSION … I'M POSTING IT BECAUSE IT IS CURRENTLY ABOUT MY LIFE. I do hope it does not become the life of anyone herein (or anywhere else for that matter).
Below is a letter I submitted to a Philadelphia major newspaper.
This passed March, my wife was diagnosed with a form of incurable cancer; best case scenario for her and some 30 thousand others so diagnosed yearly, is “permanent remission”. Such a scenario depends on procedures like a bone marrow transplant, and, the on-going need for certain medications … like Revlimid .
One can’t get Revlimid at Rite Aid, CVS (local pharmacies), etc. … it is specially prescribed, and, ordered from a pharmaceutical company, in this case, Celegene in New Jersey. Revlimid is delivered by services like FedEx … which stipulates a date and time of delivery and requires a recipient’s signature … and why not? A month’s supply, once, about $6 thousand — and a real bargain before Celegene raised that to MORE THAN $16 thousand a month, and then to $18,546, giving the company a $1.2 billion sales increase over its previous year! Valuable stuff.
But, hey! Lucky my wife and me! We have insurance so OUR CO-PAY IS A MERE $2 thousand a month!
So, I ask succinctly in a not-necessarily rhetorical question, “What would happen if I needed to sell my house in order to be able to afford to keep my wife alive?”
Recently, Celgene settled a lawsuit alleging fraud in drug-promotion which included a $280 million payment that did not impose a corporate integrity agreement . That's equivalent to about two weeks’ worth of sales of Revlimid, which generated $6.97 billion in revenue for Celgene last year!
But, anyway, what do you say, America? Guide me here.
Mr. Trump and Mr. McConnell, if re-elected in 2020, plan to take away from my and my wife's Medicare and Social Security in order to pay down the deficit THEY CREATED as a result of the tax breaks they gave to corporations and America's wealthiest.
WHAT THE FUCK WILL MY WIFE AND I DO IF THEY IMPLEMENT THAT PLAN?
My wife was seen by a Nurse Practitioner this morning who said “all looks like it is progressing on course”. Today is, by Multiple Myeloma protocol, “day 5,” which, through “day 10” begins the toughest stretch after the bone marrow transplant. She ate cereal for breakfast, had chicken pot pie for dinner and says she feeling “not too bad.” Via texts I sent pictures of my finished house cleaning projects, and, in both texts and phone conversations, was happy I could make her laugh.
A Halloween "treat" for me, will to have my wife back home and feeling good.
Morning....And I feel most strongly, your wish will be granted.....Nice day here Spring has finally arrived though Winter never leaves easy...Just getting ready to go to the Pub for lunch...nice spot looks over looks the harbour and all the fishing boats and ships that come in from around the world...Give my very best wishes and regards to your wife...and let her know I am following her progress from across the Pacific...
For Shona1 especially, and for all interested friends.
UPDATE:
My wife’s blood counts have dropped to their lowest level as expected on “Day 5”.Now levels will start to build up. The term officially is “neutropenic” with susceptibility to infections. So, no visitors for a few days.Her nurses said she will start to feel really lousy but this is the process. She needs to try to eat and move around, and, if out of room, needs a mask (and visitors, when permitted, will also need a mask. She texted this morning, “I’m ok with this moving forward toward recovery.”
Good to hear that things are moving according to the normal process. It sounds like Mrs Mac is holding up well and moving forward in a very progressive and positive manner. Prayers and best wishes that all continues to in this direction.
Good evening...thank you for the update and so pleased all is running to plan even though it is a rough road. I just came back from Halls Gap..a tiny town which is surrounded by a very rugged mountain range called the Grampians. It is truly a magical place..soon as you open the car door you can smell the air of earth and the eucalyptus from the gumtrees...Mother Nature at her best..a lovely place to recharge the batteries for my own forth coming journey...I went up with my mum, brother and sister in law my 3 favourite and treasured people in the world...Your wife is in the very best of hands and having the very best of treatment...So slow and steady as she goes as you both walk down this road together...with its ups and downs...Take care, have courage as she moves forward on the road to recovery...
My heart is breaking reading this tonight. As IF you're not only surviving one of the worst things you could be going through, now you're hit with a financial take-down by the crooks of greed. If it were me, I'd sell and move to Canada in a NY minute if it were my husband's health on the line. I'll leave it at that other than to say, my thoughts are with you and Mrs. Mac. Sounds like she's doing good, considering it takes a lot to get good again.
You know the drill … proceed.
I'm so glad to hear it. Iv'e thought about it every time I saw one of your seeds. If everything returns to normal, maybe we can get you back into the heat of battle.
Thanks, Vic. I think I will do any battling with "strangers" in other venues; people (like yourself) here on NT have been just too kind to "fight" with, even if it's just over politics,
So happy to hear this wonderful news. I'm grinning from ear to ear for your wife, you and your whole family.
My best wishes and hopes for your wife to fully recover and enjoy a long and healthy life, my good friend.
Leaving the hospital after four hours; my wife and I walked 6 times around the nurses’s station at a good pace. It is becoming evident that the side effects are beginning. Will keep everyone updated, and again, thank you all for your kindness and caring.
Both of the photos above are beautiful, but, the second, with the inner framing, is truly amazing.
Here is my contribution for this week;
Love that picture. I hope you don't mind if I were to copy and print it, frame it and hang it on the wall.
Buzz, if it is for your own personal use, I have no objection. And I am truly honored that you think it worthy of your doing so.
Excellent news Mac. Hopefully, the only major events for the next few months are a bunch of good pictures.
All my best to Mrs Mac. May she get well soon
Many thanks!
TTGA, your support and words of encouragement (along with all the good and kind words) are very much appreciated.
Just added one more image at the top.
WTG Mrs. Mac. You and Mac will get past this and I send my best thoughts.
Best Wishes for your wife and yourself. Sometimes the best people do win. Just keep going.
Warm thoughts and best wishes to you both.
Great news Mac! You know how worried I have been. We could use more good news.
And lovely photos...
I am hoping for the same for your Mrs. and yourself.
Outstanding news Mac...Hugs to Mrs Mac...
We're thinking of you both. Cancer is getting more and more curable.
Many prayers and good wishes for the Mrs. Hopefully, future news will also be good as things return to normal.
Great news Mac !!!
and GO EAGLES !
Good to hear, Mac. My best wishes for strength and good health to Mrs. Mac.
That’s very good news..
best wishes.
My very best wishes to your lady, Mac.
Good for the both of you and best wishes for the future
Great to hear the news. Hope to hear more soon.
Here's the first of a few images I snapped with the new iPhone 11 Pro Max. They were of course edited in Photoshop like normal...
Damit! I hit the post button... LOL!
Here's that second image.
Love the photo EG....
Hey E.G., that's a prize-winner.
Sunrise in Indian Country. Indian home's front door face east for a reason. Rebirth
From google or Facebook?
Goggle
That's why I can't open it. For me to be able to see it you would have to do the extra step of saving it to your computer picture library, and then posting it from there.
Thank you Kavika.
best wishes and many positive vibes to both of you
That is a big milestone Mac.
Wishing the best for your wife and you.
FYI: From all that we've read and been told, the most serious and extreme side effects of the bone marrow transplant occur in the week following. At the moment, my wife walked (with my daughter) three times around the nursing unit. She texted that she is "Feeling tired but good". I will keep everyone updated, and again, I thank all for the kind words and good wishes.
Bless be your wife's steady, uneventful return to normal! I am excitedly encouraged by this news. Please give your family my goodwill.
Mac, I'm sad to hear about your wife and you have been going through to battle this awful disease. I haven't been here enough to know or realize if its been posted before. I know the toll but also the joy at even the slightest sign of the healing. You're a great contributor here as you were NV and I love your photography. I apologize I don't comment as much as I should about it. May healing and strength stay with you and the Mrs!
Reflecting upon the signing the application for our marriage certificate almost 11 years ago. The fee to be paid is behind my wife's hand. I had put the camera on the table and set the self-timer.
The wonderful colours of China . These are young girls from the Zhuang cultural minority group, who are located near the city of Nanning, in Guanxi Autonomous Region.
"He shoots, he scores!" (Chinese hockey?)
Wonderful photos Buzz.
Really great photos, Buzz.
Thank you, or in Chinese "shyeh shyeh".
good news
Back in 2012, my sister and I took a trip to Ireland. We joke about retiring there, because we loved it so much. Here, a friendly dog decided to take a walk with us:
Best of luck to you both.
Good luck, and here is wishing her a speedy recovery!
So happy hat things went well for Mrs.. Mac!!! Good thoughts remain going upward for both of you.
Amac, I feel at a loss for the right words to express myself, but I know you realize there are many here and in your life who want to be with you at this time and will remember each of you in our prayers.
Hey, six,
I haven't seen you for a long time, much of which may be due to my limited time on the site since my wife's diagnosis. As with all of the kind wishes, yours is greatly appreciated, and, I thank you.
UPDATE: The grandkids visited my wife today … they can light up anyone’s day. My wife just informed me that, so far today, she has walked 1.36 miles … multiple laps around the nurses’s station, and, in a phone conversation we had, she sounded good and even laughed out loud!
I must praise my neighbors; they are supportive and available to talk … they even bring me dinners! Philly is sometimes referred to as "A city of neighborhoods," quite accurate; depending on where one lives in the city, one is liable to have a saint or a mafia neighbor … let's just say that my street is eclectic in that regard … some of each … and there are 5 or 6 houses in a row, the residents of which all look out for one another.
Anyway, you are up-to-date; going to the hospital in the morning.
Thanks again to everyone for being true friends when friends make a real difference.
I'm glad she's in good spirits and up to walking so far. And I'm glad you have some local support.
Great news Mac. I am so very glad to hear that things are going so well at this point, and I hope that it will continue to be so. That the Mrs is able to walk so far and her sense of humor is looking and sounding good at this point is an excellent sign that she is feeling better day by day. Many prayers that her condition and attitude will continue to improve well into the future.
How was she so exact with her mileage? Does she have a tool to measure it?
And, why have we never seen photos of your grandkids?
She has an APPLE WATCH which has a pedometer.
Actually, I have posted a photo of my grandkids … here's one from years ago,
© A. Mac/A.G.
Your Grandchildren are adorable! Love their beautiful blue eyes and sweet smiles.
Aha! A pedometer. I did think that. Now, WHY HAVE YOU DEPRIVED US FOR SO LONG FROM SEEING PHOTOS (and you, such an avid and accomplished photographer with subjects so attractive as those grandchildren) OF THOSE BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN???
A/noon Mac...Pleased to hear all has gone well for your wife...I start my journey down the same path on Thursday Oct 10th. I leave my home for a 5 hour trip to St Vincents in Melbourne. Go into hospital on the Sunday and Monday they put a line into my shoulder...Tuesday to Thursday they harvest my cells..and hopefully I can come back home on Friday the 18th...Then I wait approx 4 weeks and then return to Melbourne...That is when they blast me with chemo, my hair will fall out and then they return my own treated cells into me..I will be in hospital for 3 weeks in isolation and as my professor said to me...The first week of treatment I will like her still. The second week of treatment I will hate her...Hopefully the third week after treatment I will like her again...Yes it is a journey none of us wish to go on...but if it is our turn to walk along this path then I for one will be giving cancer "one hell of a ride" and intend to be around for along time...We are like you mob, when it all hits the fan, we get our arses into gear, dig our heels in and fight...I am right beside you both all the way...
Best wishes for a good result and swift recovery, shona.
Absolutely. Always remember that there is light at the end of that tunnel. Think positively.
Thank you Sandy...
Yep no worries Buzz....and thank you...
Best wishes and prayers for your own long journey along that path. Hoping and praying all will go well, and looking forward to hearing good news as you progress.
Evening Raven..Yes it will be a long road and one many have gone before me and no doubt many will come after...But one of the drugs I use now has just been put on the PBS...which means gone from $40 a script down to $6...So far all my treatment in hospital has been for free and everything to come is free...So I am not complaining and very grateful and blessed that I live in this country...
Indeed, and you should be grateful for the free hospital treatment and low script cost. Here in the US the cost for scripts is out of sight for most people, and the cost of hospital stays and treatment is like taking on part of the national debt. Many people lose everything they have due to the ungodly expense.
This is thanks to the medical and prescription lobbying that will allow them to charge huge prices. Even with insurance the cost is still so high most people can't afford it.
Shona,
I can completely relate to and empathize with your situation; I hope you will get the best care and hope you have a loving care giver or two as you recover. It is more than a plus that medical costs do not add to what in-and-of-itself is enough of a burden to endure. I wish you well and a permanent remission.
Shona, you have what it takes to make this a successful journey and I expect you are entirely correct. You'll be around here for a very long time!
Yes anyone going to the States from here, first thing they do is take out travel insurance..we have heard the horrendous costs etc for a hospital stay over there...I see on the news an Aussie was killed in Utah in a car accident and his wife was flown to hospital...the loss of her husband will be traumatic enough without a massive hospital bill. Some people were paying $10,000 a month for some cancer drugs they are now $40 or if you have a pension card $6...got to be happy with that...
Indeed Australia has good Medical expenses that people can well afford. Same for many other countries. But, the US is still unwilling to get out of bed with the pharma Bros and hospitals so that people have a reasonable cost of medication and hospitalization.
And that is costing people their lives...needless and very sad...
I may post a photo of our current medical costs to date ... they are in excess of $ 120,000 and continuing. If I do post it, I will post a political comment along with it since the gutless whore-politicians in Federal and state government are responsible for why, i.e. just one of my wife’s meds has a $2000 per month co-pay. Although we were promised by the current POTUS that he would cut the cost of prescription drugs, prices have increased since he’s been in office ... and he and McConnell threaten to cut Medicare and social security if re-elected! WTF will we do if that happens?
I will leave it at that; I don’t want this to become a political thread, I am just responding to what preceded this.
Going to the hospital.
Bloody hell....how can you pay that...geez even one of the treatments that is a major advancement for myeloma was going to cost $600,000 is now also free here. There has to be a better system than the one you have now...peoples lives are at stake...hope all goes well at the hospital....good night for now...
Unfortunately Philadelphia isn't in Canada.
I am posting the following, NOT FOR DEBATE OR DISCUSSION … I'M POSTING IT BECAUSE IT IS CURRENTLY ABOUT MY LIFE. I do hope it does not become the life of anyone herein (or anywhere else for that matter).
Below is a letter I submitted to a Philadelphia major newspaper.
This passed March, my wife was diagnosed with a form of incurable cancer; best case scenario for her and some 30 thousand others so diagnosed yearly, is “permanent remission”. Such a scenario depends on procedures like a bone marrow transplant, and, the on-going need for certain medications … like Revlimid .
UPDATE:
My wife was seen by a Nurse Practitioner this morning who said “all looks like it is progressing on course”. Today is, by Multiple Myeloma protocol, “day 5,” which, through “day 10” begins the toughest stretch after the bone marrow transplant. She ate cereal for breakfast, had chicken pot pie for dinner and says she feeling “not too bad.” Via texts I sent pictures of my finished house cleaning projects, and, in both texts and phone conversations, was happy I could make her laugh.
A Halloween "treat" for me, will to have my wife back home and feeling good.
Are you saying that your house-cleaning results are laughable?
Are you saying that your house-cleaning results are laughable?
The results are good, that, plus the reality that I'm doing it are laughable (in a laudatory way).
Morning....And I feel most strongly, your wish will be granted.....Nice day here Spring has finally arrived though Winter never leaves easy...Just getting ready to go to the Pub for lunch...nice spot looks over looks the harbour and all the fishing boats and ships that come in from around the world...Give my very best wishes and regards to your wife...and let her know I am following her progress from across the Pacific...
Give my very best wishes and regards to your wife...and let her know I am following her progress from across the Pacific...
I will tell her and you will become "kindred spirits".
Thinking about your wife, and yourself. : )
For Shona1 especially, and for all interested friends.
UPDATE:
My wife’s blood counts have dropped to their lowest level as expected on “Day 5”. Now levels will start to build up. The term officially is “neutropenic” with susceptibility to infections. So, no visitors for a few days. Her nurses said she will start to feel really lousy but this is the process. She needs to try to eat and move around, and, if out of room, needs a mask (and visitors, when permitted, will also need a mask. She texted this morning, “I’m ok with this moving forward toward recovery.”
Good to hear that things are moving according to the normal process. It sounds like Mrs Mac is holding up well and moving forward in a very progressive and positive manner. Prayers and best wishes that all continues to in this direction.
Good evening...thank you for the update and so pleased all is running to plan even though it is a rough road. I just came back from Halls Gap..a tiny town which is surrounded by a very rugged mountain range called the Grampians. It is truly a magical place..soon as you open the car door you can smell the air of earth and the eucalyptus from the gumtrees...Mother Nature at her best..a lovely place to recharge the batteries for my own forth coming journey...I went up with my mum, brother and sister in law my 3 favourite and treasured people in the world...Your wife is in the very best of hands and having the very best of treatment...So slow and steady as she goes as you both walk down this road together...with its ups and downs...Take care, have courage as she moves forward on the road to recovery...
My heart is breaking reading this tonight. As IF you're not only surviving one of the worst things you could be going through, now you're hit with a financial take-down by the crooks of greed. If it were me, I'd sell and move to Canada in a NY minute if it were my husband's health on the line. I'll leave it at that other than to say, my thoughts are with you and Mrs. Mac. Sounds like she's doing good, considering it takes a lot to get good again.