70, and Getting Better

-
When I woke up today, first at 4:30 AM, to the head waggle and soft bark of our chocolate lab Charlie, saying, "We need to go outside, open the door please, and let us out, and wait until we're ready to return," along with it being much darker due to daylight savings time (and thanks to the many who sent reminders, one thing less to have to remember), I was at the beautiful age of 70!

It's like a level higher than the 60's, giving me a sensation I haven't enjoyed since moving into the teens.  Wanted to wait until today to enter this Blog. Have had a great 16 days. Before recounting, I want to express my gratitude for all the best wishes and Happy Birthdays from so many special people.  It makes a 70 year old feel like he's 20, well er, 40 again.  Thanks for the love, prayers, wishes, encouragement, humor, support, and connections.  Each is a positive force that Babs and I draw from daily.

Had my 4th out of 12 Chemo cocktail Thursday, March, 11.  Don't know if it was the hair piece I wore in to last treatment (see photo below) but for the last hour, I was their only drippee.

They may bring me in late so as not to influence too many people, just don't know.  Haven't told them I only attempt to influence for the good.  The nurse gave me some liquid, telling me in no uncertain terms, I'm dehydrated.  Didn't feel so.  Felt quite good as a matter of fact, however she said, "You don't have any other place to go do you?"  And I didn't.  So while plugging in the "hydrate" (clear, looks similar to chemo cocktail), she informed me to begin drinking more water, and to flavor it with lemons, or oranges, or a seedless cucumber? I tried all three, drank more water, liked the lemon best, and have sure peed a lot more!

But, let me go back sixteen days ago, I flew to Orlando to the RE/MAX International Convention.  Checked into the Marriott and one of the first people I ran into was Gail Henderson, a Star from Scottsdale, and a wonderful lady.  She was the first to see my real life "Boulder dome".  She said, "Bald men turn her on." and if I'd known that, I'd have shaved my head years ago!  We had a good laugh.

Dave and Gail Liniger, Founders of RE/MAX, were going to acknowledge my works (for their agents and franchise) in the Opening Session.  In walking to their suite for a welcoming event for their own people, owners, and guests, I walked without any head cover, and found I could pretty much walk incognito and only if I stood in front of them, often offering my name as a reminder to some, did they recognize the bald me.  One exception to that was Dave Liniger.  He honored me with his warmth and attention.

Sunday, I had the opportunity to golf in the Convention Tournament, and  was teamed up with the CEO of Children's Miracle Network, and a Broker Owner and Top Agent from New Hampshire.  It felt so good to get out, smell the grass, swing the clubs, sink a putt, even to shank a shot or two.  I told myself that I was going to simply enjoy the experience.....and did.

The foursome was delightful, and better golfers than me so we did pretty well.  With the connection, I may be doing some volunteer work for CMN in the future.  The funniest moment was, before the Shotgun Start, I was walking up the stairs to the golf shop and ran into a friend from Colorado Springs, Joe Clement, who looked up and said, "Hell, I thought you were dead!"  He did follow, with words to the effect, that he was glad his prior thoughts were in error.  I used this experience in my remarks in the Opening, self deprication is always quite effective, allowing the audience to "lighten up" a bit and enjoy the experience that RE/MAX wanted to create.

Sunday afternoon, Bill Barrett, a friend of many years and a connoisseur of food and beverage, picked me up and we had a great lunch, with one of the finest plates of Mussels I've ever enjoyed.  It was great to catch up on his life.

Sunday, evening, our dear friend, Nina Cottrell (who was there representing her network) and I played gin and caught up.  She seldom loses, but the vibes were with me (golf, air, food, smiles) and I won handily, lowering my ongoing deficit owed her from prior games.

The Opening for their Convention was really strong.  Dave was their closing Keynote, talking on "What Motivates the Motivator," and at the beginning of his presentation, he showed a video that RE/MAX had prepared that was very heartwarming.  It really touched me that they put this much work into this and I told the audience, in jest mind you, that this is a great eulogy for my funeral.  Didn't get the laughter I wanted but some people were, I think, a bit taken back because Dave mentioned my fight with cancer, then I walked on with no hair and threw the "eulogy" comment on them.  Things got better and Dave interviewed me allowing to me "Thank" all the agents, RE/MAX, Dave and Gail, and their whole organization, for the opportunity to work with them over the years, and left them with a couple of examples of living with the "Attitude of Gratitude," meaning: No matter what the situation, however challenging or disheartening, there is always something to be grateful for.

I've seen it with my son Mitch and his wife Joann with their son Tag, who was born with a tumor on his head.  Here's a recent video Mitch created celebrating the unique spirit baby Tag has:  < Click Here To View Video >

What a blessing.  And I'm living it with me.  The original Book, Attitude with Gratitude was given me by Star and friend, Orly Steinberg, who's undergoing a couple of mastectomies, discovered after she gave me the book.  She's an incredible example of seeing the humor and bright side of any situation.  She's a gift to all who know her.

Monday afternoon and Tuesday Morning, I was able to get in 9 holes each day with my good friend and Star, Patrick Strucuzzi.  For those who don't know Patrick, he enjoys talking more than me.  I know for some, that's hard to believe, but trust me, Patrick can chatter.  We even had to implement a word that I could call out that would get him to stop talking.  The word he chose was, "Tiger"....no resemblance in any manner.

Had a great dinner with Alex Charfin and his team, (they purchased the Star Power name and programs) a focused and most enjoyable group, at one of those Japanese steak house places.  I flinched at least twice from the feints by the chef at our station.  Am traveling to Austin next week to spend time with the new Star Power Team, and very much looking forward to it.  They are a very young, energetic and talented group.  My energy will be climbing.

Had Eggs Benedict twice!  Didn't have to be anywhere except where I wanted to be.  Did two hours of booth, saw many smiling faces, got lots of hugs, (one of my nectars) and witnessed a deja vu with Alex.  When I first did a booth at NAR, I shared one with Bill Barrett, at his encouragement. A lady came by and told me she "Never" buys anything at these things, walked three steps away and purchased Bill's product.  To some, that might be an example of "rejection", and I felt my share of that.  I also recogized I needed to get better on answering objections, create better product, get better known, and do my own booth.  All good things.

Well, at the SP booth at RE/MAX, when it gets hectic, people sometimes stand and wait until you get through talking with someone else (some don't wait), then move forward to visit.  A couple of times, I turned, thinking these people I'm looking in the face and walking toward me wanted to extend their best wishes, and regards.  Instead, they walked right past me to see Alex (Alex looked like Bill a couple of times to me).    Alex and I had a good grin over what I deemed a nice passing of the torch.  He's the face, and a handsome one at that.  Great feeling.  Great time.

Upon arriving home, went to the BYU-Utah basketball game with three high-school friends, front row, near mid court.  The cheerleaders looked like 8th graders.  The players looked like junior high school players.  I'm getting new glasses this week, buying one and getting one for free.  Of course the one I buy, I'm sure, will cover the costs of the "Free" pair.  Lost my sun glasses about two months ago, I've given them long enough to show up, and to my chagrin, they've refused.  Sat on my other "Supposedly Flexible" ones, and broke off and twisted one side.  Hasn't been same since.  I must admit, those were some awfully cute "8th" graders!

Saturday, did a full day of cooking.  Did two dinners and vegetables for Babs for the week, invited Mitch, Joann and Tag along with my brother Reid and his bride, Vicki.  We all love to play 6 handed Rook, so planned a dinner and games for Saturday night.  Bill Barrett gave me a Pork recipe that took all day long and was tremendous.  Did some roasted potatoes, Schlata Salad (Brinton Cook Book), broccoli with pine nuts, and this unbelievable pork loin.  Evening was a great success and most enjoyable.  Joann was elated to be the consistent winner in a family who prides themselves as good card players.  She played well.  Tag, my grandson, is growing and his personality evolves daily.  Haven't been around kids this young for a long time.  Very much look forward to each visit.

Darcie's kids came to visit more than once or twice a year only in the last year, since they returned from France.  They are such fun to watch grow up, to become young women, to become full-blooded rabbit owners (Star, Perfect and Milkshake), and to experience "Grandpahood" much more frequently.

This evening I even got a "Kids written" Happy Birthday serenade from Tennie, Adele and Ceci. The lyrics of their song were:

Happy Birthday to you,

You probably feel like poo,

Good thing you don't smell like it,

Or we wouldn't sit by you. 

Music to my ears.  It's such a pleasure to feel the union of love that Geoff and Darcie have for each other, their common faith, their communication and respect, and their belief in family.  Babs and I are again, the beneficiaries of all this.....

On Wednesday last week, for my pending birthday, Mitch had arranged to take me to a Brian Regan Concert, at a beautiful complex where they hold the Utah Symphony.  Had never heard of the guy, Mitch googled him, and I watched segments and thought, "Wow, this guy is funny!"  And I love to laugh.  Front rows again, the frequency of good things just goes on and on, and this guy is a "Must See" comedian.  Brilliant.  My cheeks were sore when it was over, and Mitch and I continued to remind each other of the evening's humorous stories all the way home.  Mitch stayed over, I fixed him breakfast and sent him on his first appointment of the day, Thursday, my chemo cocktail day.

The chemo went off pretty well, and on one of the three questionnaires I fill out each visit as part of a study I'm in, was the question, "How fulfilled are you in your life?"  The range was from "Not fulfilled" to "Fully Fulfilled", or some five stage grading system, and I marked "Moderately Fulfilled".  When Babs, who I believe was looking over my answers, asked me why I'd marked "moderate", I told her I wasn't involved in tennis or outdoor activities (golf is coming) as much as I would like.  Well, be careful for what you wish for, ever hear of that?  Great example coming up.

Normally, for about 7 days after the chemo, I've historically felt the most impact of the side effects.  On Friday morning, one day after, at 9;00 am, my brother Ralph calls (Ralph is two years older, plays softball year round on a Seniors team across the United States.  They are good). I'd asked him to let me know when they hold a practice as I'd like to join them and see if I can "still catch a ball".  Throwing also comes in there, however, "catching" is more oft times used when talking "Jock."  He invited me to join him and a group of guys at 11:00 am.  I accepted with relish, and my energy level went up 40% and it was unbelievable.  I went out back, found my two mitts, my spikes, had fortunately kept some workout tights, slapped on some sweats, a layered top to offset the cold (temp. in the mid-40's).  Not too cold for old jocks that enjoy the game.

When it came time to throw a few to "warm-ups", one pairs off with another player, and you proceed to play catch and throw until such time as the arm feels like it's ready to go into battle.  The first ball was thrown to me, I deftly caught it, and my throw to the fellow, around 73, went 15-20 feet over his head into the backstop.  The balance of the practice went downhill from there.  Arm fully extended on throws to first base and the ball lands 15-30 feet, in front of you, or the intended target, which ever is closer!  Thought I'd really show off my style by relaying a double play ball by catching it bare handed, and while completing the play with a short-hop throw to first, I later found I'd bruised the bone in my middle finger (as it was the first thing to hit the ball).  My legs failed to keep up with my upper body (my lower extremities could not match the blazing speed of my upper torso nor my mind's  accompanying athletic mental intentions) as I'd still go after a ball, like I'd done thousands of times over the past 70 years, 55 of them playing, thinking I could make the play.....only to find myself in a forward roll on the ground or in the field.  My hat rim was covered with mud, on both sides.  After two hours, taking infield, hitting practice - two turns (lots of grounders), and misjudging balls in the outfield, the practice came to a halt.  One fellow said as I departed, "You're a ball player, you can tell."  I attempted to walk as straight as I could to my car, as the pain began setting in...

When I got home, I was energized. Hurting, but energized.  Babs and I had a great visit, one of those really good ones where you listen and hear what the other one is saying, and they to you.  We noticed the better mental and physical energy around team sports, visited about "Well Being" and how this moved me nearer the "Fully Satisfied" level.  We agreed to work out together for an hour a day/four days a week, and committed to a lower intake breakfast, soup for lunch, then a dinner.

The medical team encouraged me to "beef" up, eat more, go off skim milk to heavier level.  I've even extended that to ice cream, in the interest of "beefing" up.  Well, at last weigh-in, I'd beefed up to my highest level ever, so the campaign is on, and Babs and I've worked out twice in last three days.  I not only lost power in my lower extremities and hip area from radiation and taking non testosterone meds (lowers strength), I've not done much except walk to rebuild strength.  That increased strength will allow me to stay upright more often when playing softball this summer, which I intend to do.  The pain in my legs from softball and working out is finally subsiding, and is just below bringing a tear to my eyes!  "I've got it!"

So you can see, it's been a fun couple of weeks.  I'm 70 now, just found out my granddaughter, at 10, is getting her ears pierced today, and is bubbling with excitement.  Isn't it great when things raise your level of energy.  Mine's pretty good right now, and I look forward to it's continuation.  Hope you all are Super fantastic!

Love you all......

Howard