Hello
Wednesday, March 19th, 2008 at 12:46 pmI’m home and recovering. It’s been a strange few days and will sum up thusly:
Good News: It wasn’t appendicitis although I no longer have my appendix.
Bad News: It was lymphoma — you know… the cancer. (You have to pronounced that in a whisper like they do on Lifetime movies.)
Good News: It turns out it’s boring everyday Diffuse Large B-Cell lymphoma (click on the link to download a PDF about it). It’s the type that simply everyone is getting.
That really is good news. When it comes to cancer, you must strive for mediocrity ergo you can get treatment that many, many before you have received. I will be starting chemo in a few weeks. So far my doctors are optimistic: it seems localized and it seems unrelated to HIV (yes, I’ve been positive since 1996 and quite healthy, thank you). I have a PET scan scheduled Monday to make sure it’s not located anywhere else and will have a bone marrow biopsy scheduled a week from Saturday to make sure I don’t have it there either.
As for the week that has transpired. I had started feeling a dull pain in the area of my appendix last Monday and went to see my doctor Wednesday afternoon. That night around 3 in the morning the pain had increased greatly and when it didn’t subside after an hour decided it was time to get myself to a hospital. I fed the dog and drove myself to the emergency room — don’t get mad! Rose Medical Center is literally five blocks away. Then it was lots of probing and injecting, the news that I was going to surgery, and then waking up in recovery feeling much less pain.
I can’t thank enough the doctor and nurse staff at Rose. Everyone was so nice, helpful and actually fun to be around. Plus my Denver family has been concerned and very supportive. As for my mom, well, she’s handling things as best she can. The “C” word sends that side of the family into fits. I even heard from my dad several times and both brothers. ‘Twas very cool.
One more thing, I promise this blog won’t become a cancer one. This thing is about anything and will continue to be so; however, I will keep you updated and maybe occasionally vent. In other words, I have a new friend to poke fun at.
P.S. I’m not hurt at all that no one left a comment about the Goldfrapp review. Hmmph.
Listening to: “The Gap” – Thompson Twins
March 19th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Thanks for letting us know what’s going on Howard. I’m sending white healing light your way. Be well!
March 19th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
That’s it? Drop the C word, bitch about our inattention to Goldfrapp and then split? What kind of shit is that? Oh, your life? Well, OK – we’ll let you get away with it this time … and there better not be a next time.
I’m actually very glad you’re home and feeling better. Yeah, the cancer thing ain’t cool but I’m sure you’ll handle it, although you might want to prepare yourself for spending more time with doctors. Although some of them might be cute, which I’m sure would make it easier to be around them.
March 19th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
OMG! I’m so glad you followed up the bad news with the good news. That must’ve been an overwhelming experience for you. I have to admit that I was getting kinda worried that there may be something else going on. Being in the hospital, that long, for the appendix didn’t seem right. Cancer blog, humor blog; whatever you feel a need to throw to the masses, I’ll be around. So long as you don’t get sucked into the political flame wars :P
March 19th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Wow.
I’m sorry Howard!
Much love being sent your way!
March 19th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Dude, I would totally be willing to come out there and nurse you back to health. Or just nurse you. Or purchase some guy in a nurse’s uniform for you…
March 19th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
You can beat this. Hang in there. I’m thinking about you.
March 19th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
I’m still unclear why you haven’t addressed my needs.
March 19th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Hey Howard,
Thanks for letting us know what was up. We’ll be keeping you in our thoughts. You’ve got a great attitude though… of course you always do. Except when you’ve got a bad one, of course. That’s you, Mr. Attitude.
March 19th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Is Goldfrapp the new Starbucks drink?
Lots of good thoughts coming your way from Philly.
March 19th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Sorta speechless right now. So very glad you’re back.
Please let me know if you need anything, ok?
xoxo
March 20th, 2008 at 4:35 am
So… what you’re trying to say is that it’s business as usual?
What, are you trying to be an anti-drama queen?
March 20th, 2008 at 5:39 am
If I got cancer I would totally make my blog a cancer blog and milk it for as much sympathy as I could get.
But you’re way cooler than I am.
Sending you lots of good thoughts and love!
March 20th, 2008 at 7:04 am
Well, then.
I didn’t read this until now, so you can forgive me for not saying anything yesterday afternoon via emails.
Secondly, it says on that link: Support for Lymphoma can be found … but doesn’t list me. Well, just know that you have it here, whatever you need, and that goes for Cameron, as well.
Lordy, I love ya, and I’m here for you.
March 20th, 2008 at 8:09 am
You just HAD to trump my bout of appendicitis last year, didn’t you? And here I thought we were friends.
I’ve got you in my thoughts and prayers, my shinobi brother. Let me know if I can do anything from here in Dallas.
Oiroke no Jutsu, man. I roll with the Japanese jutsu names.
March 20th, 2008 at 8:54 am
ATTENTION WHORE!
That’s my way of saying I’m not worried. I know there will be a Hollywood/Lifetime wrap-up to all this. Still, you might want to consider putting together a “C, my ass!” song list, just for exercise.
March 20th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Oh, Howard. For once, I’m at a loss for words. And having finally met me, you know that’s tough to do.
I have no doubt…none….that you will kick this in the ass. You are an amazing man. And this, from having only met you once.
Big kisses…
March 20th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Well…this blows more than a $2 hooker. Not that I would know that of course. I’ve just HEARD about it. Mmmmmhmmmm….so….
I wish I were there. I’d do things like hang out with you and make fun of people who are less fortunate than us. You know the type…the ones who aren’t as good-looking or aren’t nearly as funny or aren’t as good-looking. Poor disillusioned people.
March 20th, 2008 at 10:47 am
“All changed, changed utterly:
A terrible beauty is born.”
W.B. Yeats
March 20th, 2008 at 11:42 am
i wanna see your portal!!!!! Ooohhh… can I go with sometime and see how it’s done? PLEEEEEAAAASSSEEE!!! I’ll buy you an ice cream!
March 20th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
There’s a new book out by comedian Robert Schimmel about his battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma called “Cancer on $5 a Day” so I think he beat you to the book deal.
My thoughts are with you right now.
March 20th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Dear man… welcome home, and know you’re in my prayers… And I am looking forward to the first joke about it… because I know you will deal with this the way you deal with so much…. with irreverance and with humor…. and I’m damned glad about that!
March 21st, 2008 at 3:38 am
On the plus side, out of the two ‘C’ words you could have used, at least you went for the least offensive.
I wish you all the best, and will dispatch my man-servant post-haste to massage your nodes.
March 21st, 2008 at 1:28 pm
I think you need to post your bumper sticker ideas… See what others think :)
It was fun hijaking your blog for a few days, even if it wasn’t for fun reasons!
March 21st, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Oooh… and I can help you design the winning sticker!
March 21st, 2008 at 1:50 pm
You are SUCH a copycat. I had non-Hodgkins YEARS ago darling, back when they beat it out of you with the chemical equivalent of a blunt instrument.
Lemme know if you wanna chat about this, I can give you all the dirt on my antiquated experiences. I hear the treatment is much superior these days.
Hugs.
March 21st, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Okay, dude… this is the best.
I clicked on the odiogo.com link from this post, and let the robot voice read it to me.
There is simply NOTHING better than a piece of software telling me my friend has “the cancer” in an oddly inflected voice. Especially when it spells out “Hmmph” at the end…
I’m going to use this service to deliver all bad news.
Call me, I’ll make you a casserole or something.
Rick
March 23rd, 2008 at 6:14 am
Howard- Thinking of you. Still digesting the good news/bad news parts of your post, so I’ll leave it at “Thinking of you.”
March 23rd, 2008 at 11:33 pm
[...] Howard’s on my mind. [...]
March 23rd, 2008 at 11:33 pm
I’m stunned. I don’t know what the hell to think. I’ve read your blog entry over and over again, and I still can’t get my brain around it.
You’re serious? You actually LIKE that Goldfrapp album?
alf
March 24th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Dahhlink, I just popped over from Steve’s Message Board (see # 28 above) to see what all the fuss is about. Now I know. Seems like something to fuss about, at least a little bit.
Best wishes, dear. Kick that C in the A(ss).
March 24th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Sounds like you have the right attitude about all of this. I have a friend who is going through similar health concerns right now as well. You have a great circle of support there. Big hugs buddy!
P.S. I love the new Goldfrapp album- very soothing, and appreciate your ambitious review. You really should be writing for RS. I also listen to “Supernature” all the time while working out at the gym. It’s one of the catchiest albums I’ve heard.
March 24th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Sorry it’s taken me a while to get a comment up here. I read this a few days ago, but I was trying to think of the “perfect comment” to say in a situation like this. You know- something light-hearted but caring, funny yet serious, sympathetic but not sappy.
Since I never did come up with that comment, how about I just tell you that Buckaroo and I are thinking of you. We’re sending loads of well wishes your way.
March 26th, 2008 at 7:45 am
Hey you,
Can’t wait to see you at the next show. Thinking good thoughts. Stupid C.
March 28th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Wow. It HAS been awhile since I visited your blog. I’m VERY sorry to hear you have (cancer). Parentheses = whispering. I am sure you will beat this one– I mean, its not like its the Prada of cancers, right? Its more Jacqueline Smith.
March 29th, 2008 at 12:30 am
I am not even going to try to be funny or trite because I literally cried when I heard this –I know, you want to hear clever and witty stuff about the big C..well, not from me! But don’t get me wrong, I am also no nellie-negtative…
My best most positive energies are for you. I know that you don’t know me all that well, but know that I am here for whatever you need and that I am pulling like a hard-core mule (ok, you HAVE to laugh at that!) for ya.
Laughter is the best the medicine ;)
xoxo
Rosie
March 29th, 2008 at 1:44 am
Oh, come on now – if it’s a common cancer, surely a guy like you can dress it up a little? Add some tinsel, maybe, a few bows. Can’t these things be accessorised? It’s amazing what you can do with buttons, clips and zippers…
Seriously, I’m glad it’s a common cancer with an established treatment. Obviously I’m glad. What else could I be? My sister had chemo and so I know that, regardless of cancer type, is tough-going. But I also know she had strength to pull through, and did, and you have at least as much going for you. You didn’t write to inspire but you inspired me nevertheless. x
March 29th, 2008 at 1:51 am
Someone mentioned bumper stickers. How about ‘CANCER ON BOARD’ or ‘CHEMO CAN BE MAN’S BEST FRIEND’ or ‘I HAVE CANCER, CUT ME SOME SLACK AND SAVE THE ROAD RAGE FOR SOMEONE ELSE’. But that last one’s probably too many words. Unless you have a really big bumper. Not getting personal or anything… x
May 6th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Well Mister, yer not gettin any sympathy from me, Just look at your Attach Rate! OMG! That’s it, you’re busted to Cable Management.
Jest kidding— You know you need some inside jokes.
February 14th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
[...] Howard’s on my mind. [...]