Notes From Behind the Keyboard - February 6th, 2015

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[caption id="attachment_3778" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Danny Rolling Hills Estates[/caption]

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 Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. My goodness has it really been over a month since I last posted? Yes, it has! For most of you, My Dear Readers, this comes as no surprise. My battle with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma has taken the last little bit of strength from my body. Leaving me quite bereft of the physical abilities needed to write and publish. Normally, I would apologize for this extended hiatus, today... I am not. My adventure with chemotherapy has come to an end.

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Unfortunately the chemotherapy did not have the desired results. From what I am told, these drugs did not “knock back...” my disease as much as my oncologist has anticipated. Therefore, we have started a round of radiation therapy. This will last another couple of weeks, and then I will be finished with all the toxic... exposures. With any luck, once I am finished with this current treatment I will be relatively free of this cancer.

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My Dearest Readers, I have many videos from the past several months. Videos of me heading to treatment, videos of me during treatment, and a few of Prince Alexander playing and being my little boy rat. It is my desire and intent that, once I am recovered from these treatments, I will be sharing all of these videos with all of you. My Dear Readers, I genuinely long to return to a regular and full writing and publishing schedule.

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Do you all remember what that was like? Five to seven articles every single week. A weekly edition of 'The Mars Report' with all the newest information and images from Curiosity and the Opportunity rovers. Weekly editions of 'News From Around the World' with all the news that does not appear on the major media outlets web sites. Weekly editions of 'The Horror in Smithville' with the latest antics of Timmy and Archer if their fight against 'The Tall Man' and the upcoming adventure @ the Harvest Carnival. Weekly editions of 'A Week in Review' and the antics of Prince Alexander in 'Sunday Funnies'!

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I have not forgotten all the wonderful articles and all the wonderful experiences that we shared here at The Other Shoe. Nor have I forgotten how wonderful it is to write and entertain all of you, My Dearest Readers, from all over this great planet Earth. I really had no idea just how bad these chemotherapy treatments would slam my health. I really had no idea just how much these treatments would negatively effect my neruopathy in my left hand. I really ad no idea just now bad things would be, or I just might have opted out of getting these treatments.

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All I can hope is that you, My Dearest Readers, will come back once I start writing and publishing, again. For I have dearly missed all of you... deeply. I would like to promise that this weekend I will return to my regular writing and publishing schedule. However, I have never lied to you, My Dearest Readers, before and I am not about to start now. Terrible as it may be? Just writing these two pages has taken a great deal of energy and focus. Looking back? I really am amazed at the amount of content I generated all by myself. Over just under five years I wrote, edited, and published nearly SIX HUNDERED articles for your reading pleasure.

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When I consider all the effort that goes into just one edition of 'The Mars Report'! Downloading images for the article, writing the article and embedding the images, uploading the images on to both blog servers, uploading the text, and then integrating the images (and adding descriptions) for as many as ten images. Honestly, it would take me up to four to six hours just to get from start to finish for just one edition of 'The Mars Report'. It was a labor of love, My Dearest Readers. A love of all things extraterrestrial, and a love of all of you My Dearest Readers.

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Well, that brings us to the end of this edition of Notes From Behind the Keyboard'. I do hope that all of you, My Dearest Readers, keep checking back and drop by often. With all luck and a bit of extra strength, you can look forward to me adopting a partial publication schedule by the end of February, or the first of March. I know that, sometime in March, my oncologist will start (again) the process of 'Staging my Cancer'. That will mean PET scans, blood tests, and most likely another bone marrow test.

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As always I will keep all of you, My Dearest Readers, fully informed on the results of these tests. Fear not, even if I loose this battle with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma? I will continue to write and publish so long as I have life. It is my heartfelt desire to complete 'The Horror in Smithville'. I already have the final chapters in my head... and the bloody and violent conclusion... it just is not on paper or saved on a hard drive. It is my deeply felt desire to start, and finish, 'The Adventures of Princess Nadia', too. At least the first book of the series. If I have my way, I will manage to write (and get published) all FIVE books that will make up her story.

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In closing, I would like to take a moment to say “Thank you!” to; Ian Cottier, Jason Kleppinger, and James Coate for their kind support during the holidays past. Without their kindness and support I would not have had the genuine thrill of a Christmas Dinner or ANY presents under the tree. Times are tough all over, and I fully understand. I am just thrilled to have friends, and My Dearest Readers, that care enough... and trust me enough to make donations to help me find some small happiness. I am hopeful that when I get my novel works finished... that I find a receptive publisher. That I can get my works published... and never have to ask for the help or assistance of friends, readers, or family... ever again. I just hope that I make it that far. :)

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Adieu!

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Thank you!

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[caption id="attachment_3777" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Danny in Rolling Hills Estates - Rancho Palos Verdes - PV Medical Group Noember 2014[/caption]

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© 2010 – 2015
Hanning Web Wurx and The Other Shoe

 

The Battle Rages On...

[caption id="attachment_3780" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Danny Hanning @ Chemotherapy[/caption]

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Welcome back My Dear Shoevians to The Other Shoe. First, I would like to wish everyone a “Happy New Year!” I don’t know about you, My Dear Shoevians, but I really needed a ‘new’ year. 2014 had become filled with; pain, suffering, sadness, darkness, confusion, and an overwhelming sense of depression. 2014 brought cancer from something that plague my; father’s father, my father, and my brothers. To something tactical and very real to me. Good riddance to 2014!

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Next, I would like to share two ‘new’ events in my life and the life of this blog. First, it is my unfortunate task to inform all of you, My Dear Shoevians, that my chemotherapy was not as “effective” at battling my cancer as my oncologist had hoped. The gains were minimal, and the effects of the treatment on my body, too severe. Therefore, within the next month of so, I will be moving from chemotherapy to radiation therapy. Anyone that has followed a family member through his or her fight with cancer knows what this treatment entails.

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This move concerns me, as does the bodily harm of the chemotherapy. I am concerned about the radiation burns that will appear on my face. Yes, the area they will ‘nuke’ will be my lower right jaw and neck. For a time, I will have a large discolored area. I know it will pass, just like my hair “will grow back”. Knowing and seeing are two very different things. However, I will soldier onward in hopes that the combination of these two different treatment types will give me a great chance of not having to wage this war again, soon.

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youtube=http://youtu.be/jwLsxzpJLtM

(Danny's Chemotherapy December 29th 2014)

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Second, I have not been able to keep up the articles at this blog like I had previously, and like I have wanted. This concerns me greatly, and I am at a loss as to find… assistance. However, with the coming of the ‘New Year’ I will redouble my efforts to make more regular postings. Much is happening with NASA’s Mars Exploration project, and I would very much like to keep all of you abreast. I assure you, My Dear Shoevians, that I will make every effort to keep you abreast of these historic events.

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Since I last posted, I have undergone another chemotherapy treatment. Below is a short video I made during that treatment. You know, My Dear Shoevians, I had ‘good intentions’ when this battle started. Intentions to make this blog a journal of my journey through my cancer treatment. Boy did I underestimate the toll these treatments would demand! Now understand that this chemotherapy is not happening to someone in ‘good health’. Not to someone that jogs frequently, or goes to the gym on a regular basis. My body and health were already compromised by my ongoing health issues.

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For me, this was more like kitting a guy when he is already down… with a baseball bat. I am not ‘complaining’ I am just giving everyone some perspective. Some understanding of just why I have been unable to keep the commitments I have made to you, My Dear Shoevians. Now I am going to give you a little insight into just what you might also be reading, here at The Other Shoe, in the upcoming editions.

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March tenth 2010 I wrote and published my first article for this blog. I started this blog, as I have told you My Dear Shoevians, to be a small counterweight to the overwhelming deluge of negative and harmful media and dialogue coming from the far extremes of the conservative movement. Truthfully, I have been remiss in this original goal. I stepped back from political writing and publications in an effort to halt the alienation of some of my readers. Some of my readers, in the South and in Texas, had become deeply disturbed by my writings. Then, they tied their support for me… for my many ‘causes’ to a kind of control over what I wrote and published.

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I should never have allowed this to happen. What is done, is done, and cannot be undone. However, at the risk of never gain receiving help of assistance… never again knowing the kindness of these ‘others’… and standing alone against a sea of troubles. I will begin a series of articles, here at The Other Shoe, that shines a light on the path ahead. We are not the first modern society to place its feet on a path without; reason, knowledge, or logic. That is what I call it when a very vocal group of zealots want to replace the science of evolution with the illogical and unscientific ramblings of ‘Creationism’.

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That, My Dear Shoevians, is just the tip of the iceberg that has frozen reason in political dialogue and discourse in America. Over the next few weeks I will work to open eyes… to share perspective… to draw political parallels… to bring reason back to American political dialogue. Yes… that is a huge goal… but I am a gay man that made it thought the 80’s death march of HIV/AiDS. We buried thousands of our loved ones… before anyone paid attention. I made it thought that… I made it though a fracking typewriter dropping on my head… I made it through loosing my MOBILITY!

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If you, My Dear Shoevians, think I will shy away from this battle? Then the upcoming weeks and months will change your mind!

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Happy New Year!

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Adieu!

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Thank you!

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[caption id="attachment_3755" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Arival at the Oncologist's Office[/caption]

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© 2010 – 2014 Hanning Web Wurx and The Other Shoe

Danny Does Chemo - Day One

 

[caption id="attachment_3767" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Danny Does Chemo - Day One #1[/caption]

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    Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. Welcome to 'Day One' of the main part of this article series, and my current round of chemo. I am writing this article while I receive my chemotherapy treatment. I do so for two reasons; first because I am stuck here for seven to eight hours, and I kind of doubt I will feel up to writing once I get home... tonight about 7:30PM. Make the best use of this time while I can. 

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[Youtube=http://youtu.be/9s5uR4w9oO0]

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The image, at the top of the page, is of me prior to chemo treatment. I hope to have three to four videos and several stills for the release of this article. Along with the wonderful images and videos, I plan to give you a blow-by-blow of my 'Day One' chemotherapy. It is now 1:15PM on Wednesday November 5th, 2014. You will notice, in the videos, I keep saying it is "November 4th"... it is not, it IS November 5th. I just got up at 5AM so I am a little loopy. 

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So, yes, my day starts with a 5AM wake-up. Allen helps me out of the bed and I grab, a half-awake, Alexander from his cage. Allen is running my bath, while I set out the clothes I will wear for the day. My red 'Tommy Hilfiger' thermal-top and my 'Red Mickey' pajama bottoms. I may have to get chemotherapy, but nothing says I cannot be comfortable while it happens. Alexander is climbing on my shoulders, talking in my ear. 

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He tells me that these 5AM 2 wake-up calls best be rare and infrequent. He no more enjoys being awaken at 5AM than I. I assure Alex this will only happen once every three weeks... and on the 11th when I go see Dr. Gorlick. He is still upset, but satisfied with my answer. He licks my ear, says a few words in 'rat', and settles in for a ride on my shoulders. I finish setting out my clothes, and see that Allen is finished preparing my bath. 

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[youtube=http://youtu.be/48oouRn1w6Q]

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By 6AM I am bathed, shaved and dressed ready for a light breakfast then my ride to the infusion center. I am scheduled for pick-up at 7:30AM for arrival in time for my 9 AM check-in time slot. My pickup time, for my ride home, is 6:30PM to arrive home by 8PM. Oy it is going to be a very long day My Dear Readers. Finished with preparations, I sit in my power chair waiting for the transit bus to arrive. I pass the time reviewing the depressing, but not unexpected, results. 

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'Off-year' elections generally favor the party not in the White house, so this comes as no great shock. Democratic candidates have won a few heatedly contested seats, and a few governor's races. Yet, Republicans take the (non-fillibuster proof) majority in the Senate. Senator Mitch McConnell will soon know the pain Sen. Harry Reid has endured these past six years. During the second commercial break, in the election news, I turn off the television. Now it is time to help Allen prepare our cooler of fluids and snack foods. (Little i did know that 5 hours into treatment everything would taste terrible)

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The transit bus arrives and Allen helps me get settled in. It is now 8:10AM and I will arrive shortly before 9AM. It is an uneventful ride. Several stops, along the way, people getting in and off at their destinations. Finally, about 8:55AM, we arrive at my stop. Allen assists me disembarking from the bus. 

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[caption id="attachment_3768" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Danny Does Chemo - Porta-Cath Ready For Chemoterapy Drugs[/caption]

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First, I want to make mention and sing accolade of the staff and nurses here at the 'Total Care Infusion Center' of the Los Alamitos Medical Center. Ruby, Toncy (my incredible nurses and support staff) and Mary. These women showed me great kindness and wonderful support. My thanks and kudos to Dr. Curti and the entire staff at his office and here at the Total Care Infusion Center. If I must have chemotherapy, I cannot imagine a better place or a more wonderfully supportive staff. It is now 2:30PM. I am taking a short break from writing. 

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Shortly after I took the (indicated) break… well, things got a little sketchy for Dan. Yes, I am writing this Thursday morning while preparing to leave for my injection of Neulasta at my Oncologist’s office. The fun just never seems to stop, here in the land of Danny’s Chemo Adventure! So, what changed? I started having increasingly worse lower back pain, everything I drank or ate tasted like aluminum metal, and I had difficulty getting out of the recliner and up to go to the bathroom. Weakness, dizziness and headaches soon accompanied the cacophony of symptoms that now plagued yours truly.

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[caption id="attachment_3769" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Danny Does Chemo - Day One – Blood Red Chemo Drug[/caption]

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I relayed the symptoms to the very supportive nursing staff, but did my best to marshal on without complaint, just like a good ‘Little Texas Boy’. In the last still images, and the last video, of this article you can see the Ariamycin/Doxrubacin medication going into my body. Yes, it is a blood red medication… and it is one of the most toxic chemicals in mankind’s modern day chemotherapy arsenal. My oncologist is bringing out the ‘Big Guns’ to fight this bodily invader. Kudos Dr. Curti!

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[youtube=http://youtu.be/CvTBiNrfp2g]

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Much to my glee, the chemotherapy treatments end precisely as the OCTA transit bus arrives to take me home. I leave the Total Care Infusion Center @ 6PM, to arrive (finally) at home at 7:45PM. Ready to hurl chunks, head throbbing, back aching, and stomach churning I come home to great an anxiously awaiting Alexander R. Hanning Rat. He is quite happy to see Daddy Danny and Daddy Allen.

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He immediately pries open my mouth, to discern where Daddy has been and what have my fellow humans done to me over the past ten hours. I pull him away from my mouth, only allowing him to smell my breath. He immediately coughs and spits… yes, right into Daddy’s mouth. Well, it’s my son’s spit.. so I laugh and explain to him where I have been and what he smelled. He accompanies me to the bathroom where Allen is running my bath.

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[caption id="attachment_3770" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Danny Does Chemo - Day One Another Blood Red Chemo Shot![/caption]

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Allen helps me get ready to bathe and change out my Fentanyl pain patch. It is really late for the patch change, and I am feeling the waning of its effect. While I am soaking away, some, of my back pain and much of the smell of that day’s chemical infusions, Allen is preparing a frozen pizza in the kitchen. It is nearly 9PM when I, finally, sit down in my bed to eat and rest,

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I manage to eat one piece of pizza before falling asleep while having dinner and watching television. I awake at 1AM to extreme nausea, where, I deposit the recently eaten pizza into… well that is TMI. I return to bed, to discover that Alexander was sleeping with me all this time. I return my sleepy little rat buddy to his warm and comfy cage. Then I collapse into the waiting bed. I awake several more times, over the night and into the wee hours of the morning. Seems my stomach is competing with my headache to see just which one will/ can give me the most grief. When the wrenching of my neck, puking, adds to my headache with growing shooting pains in my neck and arm… well, the headache and neck pain beat out the nausea soundly.

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Thus, My Dear Readers, was the entirety of ‘Danny Does Chemo – Day One’. I hope that you have enjoyed reading nearly as much as I have enjoyed sharing and telling. I am not too sure just how much I am going to have written, over the weekend. I want to relax and recover. I know that all of you, My Dear Readers, will understand.

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Thank you for all your kindness and support during this difficult and trying time of my… newest battle with misfortune. I will write again, soon. Take care!

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.The single MO$T disturbing part or yesterday? Well, what I WASN'T told. One the paperwork, when I get admitted to Total Care  Los Alamitos I ALWAYS get a 'Share of Costs' page FILLED OUT! Yesterday, I was given a BLANK PAGE to sign, agreeing I would "Pay all "thereNon-Covered" charges. Meaning ANYTHING Medicare decides NOT to cover I MUST PAY to continue getting treatment. This has NEVER happened before... did 'The Other Shoe' just drop (again) in my life? I can barely pay rent, food and bills... THIS was the WHOLE reason behind the 'Cancer Treatment Fund' campaign. Not a great time for financial fears... on top of cancer concerns... and the holidays right around the corner... 

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Adieu!

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Thank YOU!

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[caption id="attachment_3755" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Arival at the Oncologist's Office[/caption]

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© 2010 – 2014
Hanning Web Wurx and The Other Shoe