Pop the Cork

August seemed to evaporate after the European excursion. In my new "non-med" world, I managed to get in a few golf games, some visiting with friends and family, a wedding, a European party, and some rest. Even work went at a manageable pace. I am feeling better than I have in many months, and I am very grateful to be spending more time living than trying to live.

I spoke at another "kick off " for Light the Night in August and now LTN is really accelerating - my Saskatoon team is way bigger than I ever would have imagined, with friends and family even coming in from Regina for the event. PwC sponsored the Calgary team and now it is also ballooning - and people are flying in from all over! I continue to be amazed and overwhelmed by the support and energy from so many people, so many years down the road of this journey. I am very fortunate.

On the health front, my skin is giving me the most annoyance currently. My neck wound is still not closed, and at the last visit to my plastic surgeon the next option was discussed - surgery to remove the current graft, with a new graft of both skin and tissue from my inner arm...6 hours of surgery and a week in hospital. Not a great option in my mind! So for the next few weeks, I am making a last attempt of using a ginormous amount of topical antibiotic to force the skin to heal. And a few prayers! I also saw my dermatologist about the scleroderma and it looks like my options there are very limited as well. I could try a different light therapy 3 times a week for 6 months that "might" help the skin thickening. A lot of energy for only a possible chance of a result. Mmmm. Still thinking on that one.

As much as the skin is annoying it is just that - minor and manageable. The real highlight of this month came while I was on a fantastic weekend in Vegas with some girls from work. The doctors wanted to repeat the bone marrow biopsy they did just before Europe, based on some "interesting" things that the pathologist had seen. I had the biopsy on a Tuesday and flew to Vegas two days later. Friday I was by the pool with the girls when my cell phone rang "Unknown Number" - Dr. Brown was calling me and I have to admit I was a little nervous. He wanted to let me know the results were back and that I should "pop the cork" as the results were clear. At that very moment the waitress arrived with our mojitos! It was a fantastic feeling.

So I'll deal with the skin. And in the mean time, pop the cork people. And light the night. Cheers.