Thursday, May 21 I made my way out to my car at 0 dark thirty for my monthly trip to San Francisco to visit Dr. Kim and receive my infusion of immunotherapy. Not that I ever look forward to it but was not feeling it this morning. I started the car. I often listen to Classic Vinyl on Sirius XM. There lit up on my dash like a neon billboard was an artist and the song. The artist, Pink Floyd. The song, simply titled - Breathe. Who says God doesn’t have a sense of humor.

I typically allocate just over three hours for the drive. It usually takes most of that time. If I am a little early I get a cup of coffee from Peet’s and a Johnny’s Donut and read my book. This day took just shy of four long miserable hours. Unfortunately, there was a tragic accident on the Bay Bridge that included a fatality of a motorcyclist. As a friend reminded me that evening while I may not have had a great day - it was significantly better than the poor individual that lost their life. Which I suppose is in part the premise of this missive. I am doing pretty good.

I have just concluded 18 of 24 rounds of my immunotherapy. I will be done in November. The first two rounds of a two drug cocktail (Opdivo and Yervoy) had horrific side effects. The last 16 rounds of Opdivo have left me a little fatigued but no other negative side effects.

The prior visit with Dr Kim he had mentioned that I am doing very well with taking the drug which allows it to do its job. I was grateful but the way he said it also meant that some patients were not doing as well and perhaps could not even conclude the treatment which did not bode well for a long term prognosis. I clearly had been living in my own selfish cancer bubble.

To the extent I had thought about it I naively assumed all the patients were experiencing a similar version of what I have been. So wrong. I felt bad. I think even a little survivor guilt. I was not doing any better at someone’s elses expense - but still. Which brings me to my next point.

I am into this adventure about 18 months. Maybe I have another 4 to 6 years based on the 5 to 7 year rockstars that I have previously mentioned. Maybe more - maybe less. Who knows. But God. As of today I am doing well, the drugs are working and I apparently have a reasonable prognosis.

It is not fair or right to those that have fallen or not doing well for me to be complacent. I still have this gift called life. It needs to have purpose and intention. Actually we should all live that way. Mind you I have no plans to climb Everest or sail the Atlantic solo. Some days purpose and intention may be nothing more than reading a good book while sitting under the pergola in the backyard with a cup of coffee. Here’s to making our days count.

Stay strong, Be Kind, Be Humble and God Bless!