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DC Update: Numbers - 7/29/2015 8:26:03 PM

dcnovice

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July 29, 2015
Numbers

Dear Ones ---

Tackling some disability/leave paperwork for the office, I found myself yearning to convey both how much my medical misadventures have upended my life and how valiantly (imho, at least!) I’ve striven to be productive nonetheless. Hard as it was to admit, I thought numbers might do the trick more effectively than words. So here goes.

Since my cancer diagnosis on January 31, 2013 . . .

 I have been hospitalized 13 times. The shortest stay was two or three nights; the longest, ten weeks.
 I’ve had four major operations, ranging in duration from a few to a dozen hours.
 I’ve had another six or so minor operations. Another may be on the horizon.
 I underwent 28 rounds of radiation, which apparently left my bottom a war zone, greatly complicating surgical healing.
 I made it through six three-day rounds of chemo.
 I’ve lost track of the number of MRIs, CT scans, and x-rays.

Miraculously, I actually managed to find some stray hours amid all that for work, which has increasingly seemed like an eccentric hobby for this professional patient.

 I researched and wrote six feature articles, several on highly complex topics. One of them I cranked out in a Philadelphia hotel room the night before my cancer-removal surgery in October 2013. That cover story, on bison, so moved one of my physical therapists that he contributed to our Bring Bison Back annual appeal!
 I crafted five Creature Feature articles for kids.
 I did a pair of Zoo Crew profiles covering Smithsonian staff.
 I handled the bulk of “Dear Members” letters from the Zoo director.
 I conceived and created the 2014 calendar, which mixed archival and modern images to celebrate the Zoo’s 125th anniversary. Enough people told me it was our best ever that I honestly don’t think they were just being polite.
 I cast my sharp eyes over myriad pages of proofs, often catching things no one else did.
 And I brought the most coveted present to last year’s holiday gift exchange/steal.

This sounds awfully braggy, I know, for which I apologize. But sometimes you have to toot your horn to help you recall that the parade’s still making progress!

As ever, thanks and love!

Cheers,
DC

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it's never enough to keep up.

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INTELLIGENT LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE

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RE: DC Update: Numbers - 7/29/2015 8:40:28 PM

Moderator3

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You know DC, I rarely comment because I can't assure that I would comment on everyone's thread about their struggles and would miss someone unintentionally. However, I can't resist this one.

That was pure word and impact perfection. So moving. So reveling. So stunning. Toot that horn! Thank you for the view and sharing.

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RE: DC Update: Numbers - 7/30/2015 8:31:14 AM

outlier

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DC,

With all due respect you forgot something on your list. Perhaps you considered
it too minor to include? I do not.

You have also managed to post the most thoughtful, thought provoking and
courageous series of posts on these pages. You have set a standard for those
of us fortunate enough to read them to aspire to and you have done so consistently.

As I said perhaps you consider it too minor or self-aggrandizing to mention; but I assure
you that they have not been minor to the rest of us. Thank you for sharing here.

Outlier

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"A happy sex life may take years to achieve, but it’s worth it in the long run.
Worth the time, the thought - or rather, the thoughtfulness - and, often,
the waiting." Pete Seeger

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RE: DC Update: Numbers - 7/30/2015 12:04:05 PM

DesFIP

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Joined: 11/25/2007
From: Apple County NY
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quote:

ORIGINAL: outlier

DC,

With all due respect you forgot something on your list. Perhaps you considered
it too minor to include? I do not.

You have also managed to post the most thoughtful, thought provoking and
courageous series of posts on these pages. You have set a standard for those
of us fortunate enough to read them to aspire to and you have done so consistently.

As I said perhaps you consider it too minor or self-aggrandizing to mention; but I assure
you that they have not been minor to the rest of us. Thank you for sharing here.

Outlier

Quoted for truth.

Thank you for thinking enough of us to share with us.

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RE: DC Update: Numbers - 7/30/2015 3:03:34 PM

kdsub

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Well there are some cool things from your ordeal;

With all the radiation you most likely glow green in the dark and can save on your electric bill at night.

You have personally, or your body I mean, has trained half the surgeons in the DC area.

With all your stays in the hospital they may very well name a new wing after you.

You haven’t had to pay to get high for sometime with all the pain killers.

On the down side you may have worn out their scanners…and have to pay a special transportation tax for the wear and tear on the highways to and from the hospital.

All dumb smart ass comments aside on my part…you have done more sick than I have in my whole life! I envy and admire your determination and now hope you enjoy some deserved good health.

Butch

< Message edited by kdsub -- 7/30/2015 3:05:26 PM >

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RE: DC Update: Numbers - 7/30/2015 5:32:04 PM

kallisto

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quote:

ORIGINAL: kdsub

Well there are some cool things from your ordeal;

With all the radiation you most likely glow green in the dark and can save on your electric bill at night.

You have personally, or your body I mean, has trained half the surgeons in the DC area.

With all your stays in the hospital they may very well name a new wing after you.

You haven’t had to pay to get high for sometime with all the pain killers.

On the down side you may have worn out their scanners…and have to pay a special transportation tax for the wear and tear on the highways to and from the hospital.

All dumb smart ass comments aside on my part…you have done more sick than I have in my whole life! I envy and admire your determination and now hope you enjoy some deserved good health.

Butch

I love this post .... as well as the one above it from Outlier .....

You are such an inspiration to me ... I can't help but think the very same thing ... " you have done more sick than I have in my whole life! I envy and admire your determination and now hope you enjoy some deserved good health."

Hugs to you!!!!!

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RE: DC Update: Numbers - 7/30/2015 8:46:27 PM

ResidentSadist

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I can see that your parade has been making progress even while traversing the detours and pitfalls . . . a little horn tooting seems appropriate. Glad to see you stop by and visit us.

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RE: DC Update: Numbers - 7/31/2015 12:14:02 PM

needlesandpins

Posts: 3901
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echoing the above, going through my own crap it's been very grounding to come here, and keep reading your updates. you've helped me to keep taking those deep breaths, gathering everything i need, and keep on fighting. I'm sure i haven't done it with quite the grace that you have DC, but i also doubt that i'm the only one you've helped inspire to keep going along the way.

this reminds me of an advert we have here for Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur. They are very random, and one simply has a French man saying 'The Trumpets will not toot themselves', as a girl with rather luscious lips prepares to 'blow', which tickles me every time

Toot that Trumpet, DC, for the trumpets will not toot themselves lol

needles

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RE: DC Update: Numbers - 7/31/2015 12:35:29 PM

thishereboi

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Joined: 6/19/2008
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quote:

ORIGINAL: DesFIP

quote:

ORIGINAL: outlier

DC,

With all due respect you forgot something on your list. Perhaps you considered
it too minor to include? I do not.

You have also managed to post the most thoughtful, thought provoking and
courageous series of posts on these pages. You have set a standard for those
of us fortunate enough to read them to aspire to and you have done so consistently.

As I said perhaps you consider it too minor or self-aggrandizing to mention; but I assure
you that they have not been minor to the rest of us. Thank you for sharing here.

Outlier

Quoted for truth.

Thank you for thinking enough of us to share with us.