The Bowl Games

This has been quite a year for college football, with the top ranked teams changing from week to week. For once there are no Florida teams in the rankings and, of course, Penn State has been out of contention since the start of the season. Because we don't have a team in it, Yoko and I look for someone to cheer for each weekend. Yoko has become a big college football fan and loves to watch the games. We were sorry (for Michael Oldsey) to see West Virgina loose a heart breaker this week. I've never seen a coach more upset during the post-game show! They announced the BCS games tonight and West Virginia will play in the Fiesta Bowl. LSU will play Ohio State for the national championship on January 7th. I fell asleep before the Hawaii- Washington game ended last night. Hawaii ends the season 12-0 after coming back from behind to beat Washington. I wish I could have stayed awake to see the end of that game. We will be cheering for Hawaii when they play Georgia.


On the professional football side, I am quite sure it will be New England in the Super Bowl...I am not sure who can beat them. Indianapolis perhaps. We'll see. Yoko does not get too excited about professional football, but she will yell and scream during the college games.

I voluntarily took the weekend off from golf. Just did not feel like playing. I have not done that in years, but the way I have been playing lately, a little time out is probably needed. I spent the day yesterday reading and writing. Last night Yoko and I went out to dinner (Jason's Deli) and then went to see the movie "American Gangster," with Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. I liked the movie and thought it was interesting, but I am not sure it will win any academy awards. I liked "The Departed" with Jack Nickolson much better.

I was up early today, but then went back to bed. I am feeling a little run-down and my central chest is bothered by the radiation. It is uncomfortable but tolerable. I will be happy when radiation ends. (I only have six treatments to go.)

When I finally got up, Yoko made google-ahs (sp?) -- an Italian fried dough treat -- for breakfast. Yum. We went shopping after that. I broke down and bought some jeans but mostly we did window shopping. We spent a lot of time looking at Christmas decorations, as Yoko wants to get the house looking good before Mom and the girls arrive. We are so excited that all the girls and Mom will be here at Christmas.



Luther Liggett (a college buddy) called tonight to get my home address as they are preparing to send out their Christmas cards this weekend. Apparently, he did not get the e-mail from me informing him about all this. Luther being Luther, he immediately began to tell me how stupid I was for having smoked. Not much I can do about that now! Anyway, if you are reading this, I love you too Luther...you insensitive lug.

It is a bit awkward talking about this in person with my friends. I spoke with Linda (Friscia)Oppe this week and I got the same feeling -- there was something uncomfortable about the conversation. I can't quite put my finger on it...but there was a certain disconnect.

I did find a website called the Lung Cancer Alliance Survivor Community, where you can meet and talk with people online who have the same condition and are going through the same thing that we are. There is reason to be optimistic. One 56 year-old on the site was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer 8 years ago; he was letting people know that he has survived for eight years with NED (no evidence of disease). So there is cause to be optimistic. Let's hope we can get to the NED pronouncement soon so I can move from victim to survivor stage.

I have been talking and thinking about this thing constantly for the past two months. I don't know about you but I am already getting tired of it.

Its time to move on with life and just hope that the disease either stabilizes or goes away. I don't want this disease to define the rest of my life going forward. There is more I want to do and say that has nothing to do with cancer.