The last couple of days have been long, very long. I get headaches and neck pain every day and last night neither Diane or I slept very well-DUH. Dr. at Northwestern Memorial Hospital concurred with Dr. Henrich from West Burlington--no surgery, combination of radiation and chemo, a total of 35 treatments over 7 weeks with an 80% success rate. Not sure what happens to other 20% but decided it prudent not to ask. Major concern from Northwestern Dr. Pelzer was experience of Burlington doctor in charge of radiation and oncology, and a quick call provided that the 60 year old Dr. McGuiness has done hundreds if not thousands of these procedures at the University of Iowa so Burlington it is and I can live at home. I meet with the radiologist and oncologist (I HATE that word) over there on April 9th which seems like about three years from now.
The personal part of this is starting to really hit home. This whole experience has become very draining both physically and emotionally to both of us and certainly our family. Diane and I just never feel at the top of our game. Eating used to be a pleasure for me but now I eat to live. I'm sure it won't get better with treatment. More dark humor-after the appointment at Northwestern, we sat at a bar on North Michigan and in an unsuitable way and knack that only I possess, I looked over at Diane and said, "Boy you look terrible" to which she deftly replied, "You don't exactly look like George Clooney or even George Gobel for that matter." We both laughed and that seemed to release the tension. Hopefully the fact that some decisions have been made will relieve the tension we feel. Again, I mention these things both to possibly assist those of you who face similar travails in the future and maybe provide a little macabre comic relief.
We had lunch with Gordon III today and will have dinner with Ryan tonight. Tomorrow it is off to Zion for a brief visit with Diane's parents then back to Macomb as I have an "Across the Miles" on Thursday and Friday. OK, "That's the way it is, today, Monday, March 29, 2010." It is time to put on my "happy hat" and move forward with that positive mental attitude that so many of you fine folks appear to think I possess. Have a great day.
Diane & Gordy
Italy
Monday, March 29, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
She's so funny....
While in Florida, I got a call from Toni Loomis, who's married to Bill--the pride of Matherville, IL, and a long-time supporter of Western. Toni is one of a kind. She tells it like it is. Toni and Bill live in Fort Myers and her call was short and to the point. "What did you expect, you've always had a big mouth!" We both had a good laugh.
Yesterday, I had a couple of wake-up calls--one I expected and the other I didn't. For the first time, and I did expect this, I ran into someone on the street who rather than speak with me quickly moved to the other side of the square. I don't believe CANCER is catching, but I've seen this before. I call it "the Bruce Craddock phenomenon." When Coach Craddock got cancer, some people who he had known forever simply avoided him. We were at a social event and there he was sitting by himself at a table so I joined him and we had a nice visit. It just doesn't cost anything to be nice. While on the subject of coaches, from now on, I will refer to Don Patterson--my new counselor who has walked in my shoes--as Coach P as that is what I've always called him.
The event I didn't expect happened about 8 p.m. last night when Diane, Gordon, and I were watching the NCAA games. For the first time, I got a persistent pain in my mouth that would not go away. It was not piercing but it was persistent. I yielded and took my first Oxycontin and that helped some. It made me realize that this thing is not going away and I need that second opinion. This little incident makes my mind get a little too active. I mention this as this is part of why I'm doing this--to let people know who may have similar experiences understand the various stages one goes through. It's a sunny day in Macomb and Gordon and I are off to the Rec Center. He will jog and nurse Diane tells me I will walk. Have a great day.
Yesterday, I had a couple of wake-up calls--one I expected and the other I didn't. For the first time, and I did expect this, I ran into someone on the street who rather than speak with me quickly moved to the other side of the square. I don't believe CANCER is catching, but I've seen this before. I call it "the Bruce Craddock phenomenon." When Coach Craddock got cancer, some people who he had known forever simply avoided him. We were at a social event and there he was sitting by himself at a table so I joined him and we had a nice visit. It just doesn't cost anything to be nice. While on the subject of coaches, from now on, I will refer to Don Patterson--my new counselor who has walked in my shoes--as Coach P as that is what I've always called him.
The event I didn't expect happened about 8 p.m. last night when Diane, Gordon, and I were watching the NCAA games. For the first time, I got a persistent pain in my mouth that would not go away. It was not piercing but it was persistent. I yielded and took my first Oxycontin and that helped some. It made me realize that this thing is not going away and I need that second opinion. This little incident makes my mind get a little too active. I mention this as this is part of why I'm doing this--to let people know who may have similar experiences understand the various stages one goes through. It's a sunny day in Macomb and Gordon and I are off to the Rec Center. He will jog and nurse Diane tells me I will walk. Have a great day.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Why Me? Why Not Me?
The past 48 hours have been extraordinary. I've probably given my motivation speech a thousand times and one of the components is "making a difference." I have often wondered if anyone was ever listening and apparently they were. I feel today like Sally Fields when she got the Oscar--"You love me, you really love me!" The many comments I have received via phone, email, blog, and letters make me realize more than ever that mine has been, and I hope continues to be, a life well lived.
I know it's time to take action, and I look forward to Monday's appointment in Chicago. Every day it gets a little tougher to swallow and my sleep is restless at best. Last night I dreamt I was a beer vendor at the Chicago stadium in 1967, and I only sold one case of beer while my director of "Across the Miles," Mark Dial sold 5 cases. Where did that come from??
As I walked in the Rec Center this morning (hey, I have to keep my sanity), I thought back to my conversation with former alumni director at WIU, Harry Gianneschi, who recently lost his 10-year battle with ALS. I interviewed Harry in Florida for my column about 8 years ago, and he was beginning to have some problems speaking. We did the usual perfunctory small talk, but I knew that in order to justify my trip I had to ask the tough question. I asked him if he ever thought "why me?" He didn't hesitate a second. He looked at me, smiled, and said, "I never asked why me when I got my Ph.D. I never asked why me when I married my lifetime partner Pat. I never asked why me when my two fine sons were born, and I never asked why me when I got wonderful recognition and promotions during my career. Therefore, I see no reason to ask why me now when the sledding is getting a little tough." There we were, two broken down old jocks, with tears in our eyes, trying to make the best of a tough situation. We had come a long way from two basketball teammates who knew that whoever inbounded the ball to the other would never see it again. Some good advice from a good friend.
Gordon III has arrived today and Ryan tomorrow so it will be a weekend of NCAA basketball, a little driveway basketball, and, of course, gourmet meals compliments of the best restaurant in Macomb, "Diane's kitchen." I am anxious and ready for Monday to arrive.
I know it's time to take action, and I look forward to Monday's appointment in Chicago. Every day it gets a little tougher to swallow and my sleep is restless at best. Last night I dreamt I was a beer vendor at the Chicago stadium in 1967, and I only sold one case of beer while my director of "Across the Miles," Mark Dial sold 5 cases. Where did that come from??
As I walked in the Rec Center this morning (hey, I have to keep my sanity), I thought back to my conversation with former alumni director at WIU, Harry Gianneschi, who recently lost his 10-year battle with ALS. I interviewed Harry in Florida for my column about 8 years ago, and he was beginning to have some problems speaking. We did the usual perfunctory small talk, but I knew that in order to justify my trip I had to ask the tough question. I asked him if he ever thought "why me?" He didn't hesitate a second. He looked at me, smiled, and said, "I never asked why me when I got my Ph.D. I never asked why me when I married my lifetime partner Pat. I never asked why me when my two fine sons were born, and I never asked why me when I got wonderful recognition and promotions during my career. Therefore, I see no reason to ask why me now when the sledding is getting a little tough." There we were, two broken down old jocks, with tears in our eyes, trying to make the best of a tough situation. We had come a long way from two basketball teammates who knew that whoever inbounded the ball to the other would never see it again. Some good advice from a good friend.
Gordon III has arrived today and Ryan tomorrow so it will be a weekend of NCAA basketball, a little driveway basketball, and, of course, gourmet meals compliments of the best restaurant in Macomb, "Diane's kitchen." I am anxious and ready for Monday to arrive.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
The Day After
As I said at the outset, there will be some redundancies here and I apologize in advance for that. This morning I walked for an hour at the Spencer Rec Center and it gives me a chance to think. Today, I thought back to my walks on the beach in Florida when I would look out at the ocean and say to myself, "Gord, it's just a dream/nightmare and you will wake up and it will be just a bad memory." This would be sort of like the dream many of us have that we are falling or that we are failing that class and will not get our degree or are running and whatever it is that is chasing us is catching up to us and then we wake up! But not this time.
Diane, the communicator, apparently sent this blog address out to the free world and I'm glad she did. Many of you have been subjected to the "motivational" speech when I talk about making a difference. The past few hours have indicated to me that either through friendships, my column in the Western News, or little things that have happened over the years, I have actually touched a few lives. Your kind words are much appreciated. By the way, Diane tells me that she does not know how to facilitate the blog so that people can post comments, but you can send anything to my email which is gordytaylor46@yahoo.com
Yesterday afternoon, after Diane and I took a walk, I picked up a basketball and shot hoops in the driveway for about an hour. I was a little rusty but I think I'm ready for the return of Gordon III and Ryan to Macomb this weekend. You'd be amazed how many important world and family decisions have been resolved in the driveway at 35 Indian Trail.
Right now looks like a toss up between Chicago and Burlington, IA, both of which have advantages and disadvantages. If it's Burlington, Diane will have to get a Ralph Kramden bus driver's hat and if it's Chicago, I will have to bar her from North Michigan Avenue. We seem to be facing a positive Sophie's Choice as we have two good options.
I'm off to a movie with Diane and will attempt to eat popcorn, ice cream, candy bars, and maybe some cotton candy in order to keep my weight up! The irony here is that after my walk this morning I tipped the scales at 176.2 and have not been there for probably 3 or 4 years. And so it goes.....
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
A Bump? in the Road--March 23, 2010
Hi there,
I'm going to do something I've never done. I am not a Facebook person and really am a letter writer, not a computer guy, but sometimes life changes how you look at things. Diane has suggested I do a blog as my experiences might provide direction, guidance, solace, information, and maybe a light moment or two for those of you facing similar challenges. I need to state up front that this will not be as well written as my "Across the Miles" column in the Western News where I was ably assisted by hidden editors, Cathy Onion and Diane Taylor.
Here goes: I just turned 64 and my life has been a wonderful one AND I intend for it to go on for quite some time. As a youth, we were a lower income family but I received a stellar education in the Hinsdale school system. Sure, there were challenges ahead but 4 years at Western, marrying the love of my life, 3 great kids, the Ph.D., two loving grandsons, legacies in the classroom, the alumni job, and life long friends have made my life journey spectacular.
However, recent events have put a little dent in my otherwise carefree and healthy existence. In October, while on a trip to San Francisco (I told you my life was terrific) I began to have severe back problems. The next 2 months were awful-such pain. I went to doctors, chiropractors, a spine specialist, physical therapy, and finally on January 25, 2010 got a facet shot in between my 4th and 5th lumbar and got immediate improvement. Not sure why I got relief, maybe everything I did coming together but I was a "new man." I spoke to the Chamber Leadership Academy here in Macomb (heh, I can't give up that motivational speech) and then it was off to Florida for a couple of months. Life was good-two months in Florida with just me and Diane and Ft. Myers Beach.
Here's a brief rundown:
February 1st--I got a sore throat. Didn't go away.
February 14th--Apt. with a GP who gave me a Z-Pac, the wonder antibiotic drug. Didn't work because I didn't have a bacterial infection.
February 23rd--Had a upper barium GI swallow--came out fine
February 25th--GP recommended I see a Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist in Cape Coral. Please realize that normally, to get all of this done would take literally weeks but I'm married to the "Diane, the queen of public relations" who worked miracles in terms of getting all this done.
March 2nd--saw Dr. Lozano, ENT, and I knew in my heart my life was about to change. He put a tube with camera down my nose and said, "you have a mass on the back (base) of your tongue--left side." He put on his gloves, pulled out my tongue, and said, "Yep, there's something there. You need to get a biopsy."
March 3rd--Blood work-up, EKG, and CT-scan--not exactly how I planned to spend my time in Florida.
March 4th--The biopsy was supposed to take one half hour but instead took two hours. Good friends David and Gretchen Miller were with Diane in the waiting room. We had asked the Dr. if he would be able to "eyeball" the biopsy and let us know then and he clearly said no, we'd have to wait for the results. (yes, I am Gordy Taylor and want answers now-patience is not one of my few virtues). After the surgery Dr. Lozano came out and took Diane to a private conference room (not a good sign) and gave her the bad news. I have a one plus inch malignant cancerous tumor on the back/base of my tongue. I was in recovery for 3 hours and it was decided I needed to remain in the hospital overnight. I was a mess. My mouth was bloody, I had cologen lips, and a blank stare. Of course I was on morophine-let the fun begin. Diane stayed with Millers that night as they are renting a place close by and there was nothing else to do for me that night. I, naturally, being of small bladder had to relieve myself every hour into one of those "fun" containers so I would drag myself out of bed, my rear hanging out the back of my gown as I rolled my IV with me to the bathroom. As I laid there in bed, it sort of struck me-"Damn, I have cancer-this isn't good." For the first time since my Phd defense 30 years ago, I felt alone, very alone. There I was in a hospital, 1400 miles from Macomb and I had been diagnosed with cancer. Yipes!!
March 5th
Millers and Diane came to retrieve me and I had a nice visit from my Uncle Bill, one of the world's nicest men. Not much to talk about as the news had not been very good but heh, time to press on after my discharge. Dr. Lozano recommended a Pet Scan and that was to take place in a week or so BUT the folks in Florida forgot the Diane Taylor part of the equation, so it got moved up to March 10th.
Now, those of you who know me, really know me, are aware that I am not above "dark" humor so here's example #1. When we arrived in Ft. Myers, I got on the scale and it said 191.5. I told Diane on the spot that I was going to lose 10 pounds, so I began walking the beach to the tune of 10-15 miles a day. Now remember, this is before any of this cancer stuff reared its ugly head. When I'm focused, well, I'm focused so walk, walk, walk and I did it--by March 1, the day before I saw Dr. Lozano, I hit the scales at 178-way to go Gord. Get this visual: I have lost 13 pounds and as Diane said, "Gord, you look terrific! You lost that little tummy. I like your hair long, and you have nice tan." However, as I was to find out, a little extra weight would be helpful when confronting what I was about to face.
March 5th to 10th--my tongue/throat was very sore. Darvocet and Vicadin were my new friends. I had broth and milkshakes in place of steak and wine. Son Ryan arrived on the 10th and he was a wonderful tonic to keep our minds off the "C" word. We swam in our pool, walked the beach, and had some laughs.
March 11th--Diane and Ryan had breakfast while I had a PET-scan. A little valium puts a person at ease prior to the procedure. Results were to be available, Monday, March 15th. However, when Dr. Lozano's office called to get a fax number, Diane worked her usual magic and we were told the results were good--clear. Dark humor #2: we promptly opened a bottle of champagne to toast my good fortune. The cancer had not spread. But don't forget I still had a malignant tumor on my tongue--stage two. Oh well, one day at a time.
March 12th to 18th--Diane made phone calls and sent emails to family and friends as we attempted to get the word out and get our minds wrapped around this situation before everyone found out. I much appreciate the kind words from family and friends. It's odd but Gordy Taylor "the talker" who got a double red check in 6th grade from Mrs. Wakefield for "too much talkie talkie" just doesn't want to talk about "IT" too much so that job has fallen to Diane who fortunately does like to talk and is good at it. Diane made appointments with specialists in Burlington, IA, compliments of David and Gretchen Miller and at Northwestern Memorial Hospital thanks to good friend and former Alumni Council president Rob Christie.
We enjoyed our last week in Florida as best we could and then on Diane's birthday, the 18th, it was homeward bound. Forgot dark humor #3: one day while Ryan was with us, it rained, and rained, and rained so Ryan took me to the Mermaid where people drink and smoke. We had our first 7 and 7--whatever that is--and after 15 minutes, I looked at Ryan and said, "you know, I don't think tongue cancer and smoke are a good combination--let's go!"
March 18th--left Florida at 7 a.m. CST and arrived in north Birmingham, AL, at 7 p.m. for what was almost our last night on this planet! After making hotel reservations with Marriott over the phone and securing the address, Diane keyed it into our new GPS system. As we got closer and closer to the end destination, we found ourselves in a very, very bad and unsafe part of the city. YIKES. We called the hotel number and young Zack laughed and apologized and gave us the approriate hotel destination which was Fultondale, AL, and NOT Birmingham--HUGE difference. 750 miles that day.
March 19th-21st--We had a nice dinner in Springfield, IL, with Zack Stamp and Diane Ford which was very relaxing and therapeutic for us. Funny how good friends can make a difficult situation much more tolerable. We spent the bulk of the evening talking about our dear friend Kirk Dillard's primary loss for Illinois governor. It's a story that makes us very sad as it was avoidable and Illinois needs the kind of leadership Kirk Dillard can provide. I must admit that through all these trials and tribulations of the past couple of months, I feel equally bad for my good friend Kirk.
March 22nd--Monday morning found us in Burlington, IA, at the Great River Medical Center with Dr. Doug Henrich, ENT. We had all of our medical records including a CD with the PET-scan and CT-scan. Doug is a friend and neighbor of the Millers and was very easy to talk to. He stated that he did not do the robotic surgery and due to my small chin--don't laugh--laser surgery would be difficult. Isn't that ironic! For 50 years, I've joked about not having a chin and here it bites me in the ass. Doug recommended radiation--five times a week over 7 weeks. He then said, "this procedure has a 70 percent survival rate." Diane and I were both taken aback and I looked at Doug and said, "what about 98 percent?" He indicated that this is a serious cancer because of the location so it was a REAL wake-up call for the Taylors. We left his office and not a word was said for about 15 minutes. Then of course one of us said something stupid and we had "words." Now when you are married for 41 plus years such arguments don't last long because we know that neither one of you is going anywhere. I then informed Diane in no uncertain terms that I was NOT driving to Burlington 35 times in 7 weeks. At this point, it dawned on me that those of you living in cities commute an hour to work everyday. Doug was inconcurrence that we should get a second opinion which we are going on the 29th in Chicago. Diane didn't want to talk to anyone.
It is interesting how people deal with such things. When we arrived home, I had a bowl of soup--my new food of choice--and then spent the afternoon going to the bank, post office, dry cleaners, grocery store, pharmacist, barbershop, and upcoming Across the Miles interviewee. I then washed and vacuumed both cars, shot hoops, swept the garage, and worked in the yard. This reminds me of my Ph.D. days when I would do anything except work on the Ph.D. This is not exactly a parallel experience but it shows I like to keep busy and not focus on my situation.
People emerge to help and many of you have already done so. I called Don Patterson who had tonsillar cancer and he visited with me for about 45 minutes. At the close of our conversation and I get a little choked up as I write this, Don said, "Gordy, every body who goes through this needs a go to person who has survived a similar experience, and I would like to be that person for you." I readily accepted and as I hung up the phone, I was misty-eyed. People sure do step up to the plate.
I hope I've lived a life where I have been there for others and now it seems they are there for me. It is a nice feeling. Dark humor #4: as I talked to Jennifer, Gordon, and Ryan, I told them, "remember take good care of your mouth--always brush, floss, water-pik, and gargle. You only get one set of teeth so take care of them." I do all of these things and here I sit with tongue cancer.
It is my hope that if you read this you will do what I did and if you have a persistent health issue, you get it addressed sooner rather than later. Okay, I'm off for a walk and then a visit to the folks at University Television who actually do the work on Across the Miles. I have an interview scheduled for April 1st with President Goldfarb, April 2nd with local business woman Sue Melton, and maybe, just maybe, with Don Tomnitz, CEO of D.R. Horton on April 19th but I will have to see about that one. My guess is, excuse me, I can be certain on this ATM will be going on hiatus for a couple of months. WOW, this is a lot. I shall return to this site when I have something to report or say.
I'm going to do something I've never done. I am not a Facebook person and really am a letter writer, not a computer guy, but sometimes life changes how you look at things. Diane has suggested I do a blog as my experiences might provide direction, guidance, solace, information, and maybe a light moment or two for those of you facing similar challenges. I need to state up front that this will not be as well written as my "Across the Miles" column in the Western News where I was ably assisted by hidden editors, Cathy Onion and Diane Taylor.
Here goes: I just turned 64 and my life has been a wonderful one AND I intend for it to go on for quite some time. As a youth, we were a lower income family but I received a stellar education in the Hinsdale school system. Sure, there were challenges ahead but 4 years at Western, marrying the love of my life, 3 great kids, the Ph.D., two loving grandsons, legacies in the classroom, the alumni job, and life long friends have made my life journey spectacular.
However, recent events have put a little dent in my otherwise carefree and healthy existence. In October, while on a trip to San Francisco (I told you my life was terrific) I began to have severe back problems. The next 2 months were awful-such pain. I went to doctors, chiropractors, a spine specialist, physical therapy, and finally on January 25, 2010 got a facet shot in between my 4th and 5th lumbar and got immediate improvement. Not sure why I got relief, maybe everything I did coming together but I was a "new man." I spoke to the Chamber Leadership Academy here in Macomb (heh, I can't give up that motivational speech) and then it was off to Florida for a couple of months. Life was good-two months in Florida with just me and Diane and Ft. Myers Beach.
Here's a brief rundown:
February 1st--I got a sore throat. Didn't go away.
February 14th--Apt. with a GP who gave me a Z-Pac, the wonder antibiotic drug. Didn't work because I didn't have a bacterial infection.
February 23rd--Had a upper barium GI swallow--came out fine
February 25th--GP recommended I see a Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist in Cape Coral. Please realize that normally, to get all of this done would take literally weeks but I'm married to the "Diane, the queen of public relations" who worked miracles in terms of getting all this done.
March 2nd--saw Dr. Lozano, ENT, and I knew in my heart my life was about to change. He put a tube with camera down my nose and said, "you have a mass on the back (base) of your tongue--left side." He put on his gloves, pulled out my tongue, and said, "Yep, there's something there. You need to get a biopsy."
March 3rd--Blood work-up, EKG, and CT-scan--not exactly how I planned to spend my time in Florida.
March 4th--The biopsy was supposed to take one half hour but instead took two hours. Good friends David and Gretchen Miller were with Diane in the waiting room. We had asked the Dr. if he would be able to "eyeball" the biopsy and let us know then and he clearly said no, we'd have to wait for the results. (yes, I am Gordy Taylor and want answers now-patience is not one of my few virtues). After the surgery Dr. Lozano came out and took Diane to a private conference room (not a good sign) and gave her the bad news. I have a one plus inch malignant cancerous tumor on the back/base of my tongue. I was in recovery for 3 hours and it was decided I needed to remain in the hospital overnight. I was a mess. My mouth was bloody, I had cologen lips, and a blank stare. Of course I was on morophine-let the fun begin. Diane stayed with Millers that night as they are renting a place close by and there was nothing else to do for me that night. I, naturally, being of small bladder had to relieve myself every hour into one of those "fun" containers so I would drag myself out of bed, my rear hanging out the back of my gown as I rolled my IV with me to the bathroom. As I laid there in bed, it sort of struck me-"Damn, I have cancer-this isn't good." For the first time since my Phd defense 30 years ago, I felt alone, very alone. There I was in a hospital, 1400 miles from Macomb and I had been diagnosed with cancer. Yipes!!
March 5th
Millers and Diane came to retrieve me and I had a nice visit from my Uncle Bill, one of the world's nicest men. Not much to talk about as the news had not been very good but heh, time to press on after my discharge. Dr. Lozano recommended a Pet Scan and that was to take place in a week or so BUT the folks in Florida forgot the Diane Taylor part of the equation, so it got moved up to March 10th.
Now, those of you who know me, really know me, are aware that I am not above "dark" humor so here's example #1. When we arrived in Ft. Myers, I got on the scale and it said 191.5. I told Diane on the spot that I was going to lose 10 pounds, so I began walking the beach to the tune of 10-15 miles a day. Now remember, this is before any of this cancer stuff reared its ugly head. When I'm focused, well, I'm focused so walk, walk, walk and I did it--by March 1, the day before I saw Dr. Lozano, I hit the scales at 178-way to go Gord. Get this visual: I have lost 13 pounds and as Diane said, "Gord, you look terrific! You lost that little tummy. I like your hair long, and you have nice tan." However, as I was to find out, a little extra weight would be helpful when confronting what I was about to face.
March 5th to 10th--my tongue/throat was very sore. Darvocet and Vicadin were my new friends. I had broth and milkshakes in place of steak and wine. Son Ryan arrived on the 10th and he was a wonderful tonic to keep our minds off the "C" word. We swam in our pool, walked the beach, and had some laughs.
March 11th--Diane and Ryan had breakfast while I had a PET-scan. A little valium puts a person at ease prior to the procedure. Results were to be available, Monday, March 15th. However, when Dr. Lozano's office called to get a fax number, Diane worked her usual magic and we were told the results were good--clear. Dark humor #2: we promptly opened a bottle of champagne to toast my good fortune. The cancer had not spread. But don't forget I still had a malignant tumor on my tongue--stage two. Oh well, one day at a time.
March 12th to 18th--Diane made phone calls and sent emails to family and friends as we attempted to get the word out and get our minds wrapped around this situation before everyone found out. I much appreciate the kind words from family and friends. It's odd but Gordy Taylor "the talker" who got a double red check in 6th grade from Mrs. Wakefield for "too much talkie talkie" just doesn't want to talk about "IT" too much so that job has fallen to Diane who fortunately does like to talk and is good at it. Diane made appointments with specialists in Burlington, IA, compliments of David and Gretchen Miller and at Northwestern Memorial Hospital thanks to good friend and former Alumni Council president Rob Christie.
We enjoyed our last week in Florida as best we could and then on Diane's birthday, the 18th, it was homeward bound. Forgot dark humor #3: one day while Ryan was with us, it rained, and rained, and rained so Ryan took me to the Mermaid where people drink and smoke. We had our first 7 and 7--whatever that is--and after 15 minutes, I looked at Ryan and said, "you know, I don't think tongue cancer and smoke are a good combination--let's go!"
March 18th--left Florida at 7 a.m. CST and arrived in north Birmingham, AL, at 7 p.m. for what was almost our last night on this planet! After making hotel reservations with Marriott over the phone and securing the address, Diane keyed it into our new GPS system. As we got closer and closer to the end destination, we found ourselves in a very, very bad and unsafe part of the city. YIKES. We called the hotel number and young Zack laughed and apologized and gave us the approriate hotel destination which was Fultondale, AL, and NOT Birmingham--HUGE difference. 750 miles that day.
March 19th-21st--We had a nice dinner in Springfield, IL, with Zack Stamp and Diane Ford which was very relaxing and therapeutic for us. Funny how good friends can make a difficult situation much more tolerable. We spent the bulk of the evening talking about our dear friend Kirk Dillard's primary loss for Illinois governor. It's a story that makes us very sad as it was avoidable and Illinois needs the kind of leadership Kirk Dillard can provide. I must admit that through all these trials and tribulations of the past couple of months, I feel equally bad for my good friend Kirk.
March 22nd--Monday morning found us in Burlington, IA, at the Great River Medical Center with Dr. Doug Henrich, ENT. We had all of our medical records including a CD with the PET-scan and CT-scan. Doug is a friend and neighbor of the Millers and was very easy to talk to. He stated that he did not do the robotic surgery and due to my small chin--don't laugh--laser surgery would be difficult. Isn't that ironic! For 50 years, I've joked about not having a chin and here it bites me in the ass. Doug recommended radiation--five times a week over 7 weeks. He then said, "this procedure has a 70 percent survival rate." Diane and I were both taken aback and I looked at Doug and said, "what about 98 percent?" He indicated that this is a serious cancer because of the location so it was a REAL wake-up call for the Taylors. We left his office and not a word was said for about 15 minutes. Then of course one of us said something stupid and we had "words." Now when you are married for 41 plus years such arguments don't last long because we know that neither one of you is going anywhere. I then informed Diane in no uncertain terms that I was NOT driving to Burlington 35 times in 7 weeks. At this point, it dawned on me that those of you living in cities commute an hour to work everyday. Doug was inconcurrence that we should get a second opinion which we are going on the 29th in Chicago. Diane didn't want to talk to anyone.
It is interesting how people deal with such things. When we arrived home, I had a bowl of soup--my new food of choice--and then spent the afternoon going to the bank, post office, dry cleaners, grocery store, pharmacist, barbershop, and upcoming Across the Miles interviewee. I then washed and vacuumed both cars, shot hoops, swept the garage, and worked in the yard. This reminds me of my Ph.D. days when I would do anything except work on the Ph.D. This is not exactly a parallel experience but it shows I like to keep busy and not focus on my situation.
People emerge to help and many of you have already done so. I called Don Patterson who had tonsillar cancer and he visited with me for about 45 minutes. At the close of our conversation and I get a little choked up as I write this, Don said, "Gordy, every body who goes through this needs a go to person who has survived a similar experience, and I would like to be that person for you." I readily accepted and as I hung up the phone, I was misty-eyed. People sure do step up to the plate.
I hope I've lived a life where I have been there for others and now it seems they are there for me. It is a nice feeling. Dark humor #4: as I talked to Jennifer, Gordon, and Ryan, I told them, "remember take good care of your mouth--always brush, floss, water-pik, and gargle. You only get one set of teeth so take care of them." I do all of these things and here I sit with tongue cancer.
It is my hope that if you read this you will do what I did and if you have a persistent health issue, you get it addressed sooner rather than later. Okay, I'm off for a walk and then a visit to the folks at University Television who actually do the work on Across the Miles. I have an interview scheduled for April 1st with President Goldfarb, April 2nd with local business woman Sue Melton, and maybe, just maybe, with Don Tomnitz, CEO of D.R. Horton on April 19th but I will have to see about that one. My guess is, excuse me, I can be certain on this ATM will be going on hiatus for a couple of months. WOW, this is a lot. I shall return to this site when I have something to report or say.
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