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Saturday, July 29, 2017

All Done

That's it. All done. The counter reached zero. I'm retired. Today I'm working on my social security disability (SSDI) application. That is step 2. Step 1 was retirement. Multiple Myeloma is an automatic qualifier for SSDI. Nonetheless the on line application sure does ask for a lot of information.

My last days at work were good. I wrapped up what I could wrap up. I said goodbye to people, although I worry I missed a few folks. I'm thinking perhaps there is some kind of thank you that I can leave in the lobby of our..check that.. my old building.

Yesterday rummaging through a pile shoes for my last day, I somehow tweaked my left hamstring. The darn thing felt like it snapped and almost took me down to my knees. Feeling a bit better today. Of course, my first thought was that it figures as soon as I retire to maximize feeling good that my body starts to give out. Oddly the day before while sitting at my...old..desk my work id/lanyard broke. Curious timing.

It hit me last night and continues to hit me today that I'm done. Very odd feeling.





Saturday, July 22, 2017

1 Week, 5 days, 44 hours

This is it. Basically I'm done already . This week will be lunches, saying thanks to lots of people, continuing to leave files in an orderly fashion and on Thursday something is planned for me. Last week it hit me that I'm leaving and some emotions started to peculate up.

Early on in this cancer journey, battle, challenge, scare, what have you, I tried to keep going to work just to have a slice of normalcy and to not think about cancer. There were weeks where I'd be lucky to work 10 hours and that was a struggle. I've been back to full time for probably 3 years. It's time to hang it up. Right now my energy goes towards work and I need to redirect it towards myself. It'll be interesting and great. High 5!!!!!!!!






Friday, July 14, 2017

10 working days and it's gotta be Fran Tarkenton

The Vikings played and won their first game ever on September 17, 1961. This is 3 short weeks before I was born, hence the lifelong connection and love of the Vikings. They were led by Fran Tarkenton, one of the all time great quarterbacks.


I'm definitely winding down at work. Deleting files, organizing, transferring information, going to lunch, etc, etc. It's getting very real. It's a strange feeling, but it's the right thing. I can say myeloma-wise and energy-wise, I feel better already knowing that I'm going to be able to focus on health, fitness and enjoying life. I'm becoming a gooey blob, losing muscle mass and barely able to get more than 3 inches off the ground when I try to jump into the air. I've decided one of my retirement goals is to improve my vertical leap. As a youngster and at 5 foot 10 inches I was able to touch the rim on a 10 foot high basketball hoop. A big deal for a non athletic jewish kid. I doubt that can be replicated, but it is humbling when I leap now that I am barely able to create a gap between my feet and the ground.  So I'll strengthen the legs and drop some pounds and see how I much I can improve. I'm guessing the 6 years of dex is playing a role in losing muscle mass and gaining fat mass. Well, the dex and the ice cream.
http://www.mensfitness.com/training/pro-tips/4-tips-increasing-your-vertical-jump








http://www.startribune.com/vikings-rookie-quarterback-fran-tarkenton-got-the-best-of-bears-in-1961/398798671/

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

13!

13 working days.


- 13 is when a Jewish youth becomes an adult. I never had a Bar Mitzvah, which might explain some things.
- Apollo 13
- Dan Marino
- Baker's Dozen
- Wilt Chamberlain













Friday, July 7, 2017

Hyman Roth Godfather Part II

I'm a retired investor living on a pension.



15 Working Days

Recall that back in mid April 2011, I was already not feeling well. I'd been undergoing various tests to determine why I was so fatigued and weak and having horrible night sweats. My blood work looked not normal, but nothing jumped out at my primary care doctor. In the midst of all this, I went to Vegas for a friend's birthday. P.C. (pre-cancer) I went to Vegas about twice a year. Since my diagnosis, I've been twice and am way over due for a trip. I lasted half a day in Vegas on that trip at which point I broke out in a cold sweat, then was burning up and then had terrible shivers and shakes. I went to bed and rescheduled a flight home for the next morning. That second day, I was walking through the casino to get something to eat and had this powerful feeling that I was dying. It was overwhelming and so definitive. I'd never felt that before. Suffice it to say, it left me dazed and concerned. Back home, I was hospitalized, had a bone marrow biopsy, met Dr Phan and was diagnosed with myeloma. And there you have it, a life altering event.  As I approach retirement, I am realizing that this is the first time I've really slowed down long enough to ponder my life going forward. Up to now, it's been about staying alive, seeing doctors, working and being normal. But now I'm going to have time to do what I want, to be healthy and think about what comes next and where I have been.  Whew Wee, it's turning out to be a lot to mull over.


Note that I have made the same $100 bet every year since 1995 on the Vikings to win the Super Bowl. Sadly it has yet to hit. 1998 should have been the year. I actually had $100 on them to get to the Super Bowl and $100 on them to win. All I can say is I hate the dirty bird and I hate the falcons.


Note number two, the Bellagio Sports Book is the best. Plenty of screens and massive comfortable seats. Mandalay Bay is a close second, with the refreshing coconut scented artificial air being pumped in.


There are two ways to get to Vegas from LA. A short 45 minute flight is the best option.  Or you can make a 4 hour drive. This four hour drive can take twice as long coming home if you don't time your drive properly.


Note number three, it took me almost two hours yesterday to go 30 miles from my house to Berenson's office, simply to give research blood. Arghhhh!!!


Needless to say, I prefer the flight to Vegas. But if you do drive, you're taking Highway 15, which today is noteworthy given I have 15 working days left. I think today I work on my retirement to do list.





Wednesday, July 5, 2017

More Norm Snead


16

Norm Snead. 17 years in the league. 5 different teams,. First season 1961...also my first season.  One season with the Vikings...1971.  One winning season...1972 with the Giants. Wore number 16...same number of working days I have remaining. I am Norm Snead.







Berenson Oncology Success Rate

 Some reading about my myeloma specialist's success rate. A press release and an article from Targeted Oncology.