Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes... Whether you like it or not...

Change is constant, as the saying goes. And I'm sure it applies
to your life. It certainly applies to mine. Right now, I'm readying
myself for several changes. I'm looking forward to finishing my
chemo treatments (tomorrow is my last one!). I'm ready
to have the catheter removed from my chest (I'll film the removal
process -- should make for fun viewing). I'm also preparing
for some larger shifts in my life. For example, during the next
few months I'll be preparing my house to be sold and I'll be selling
some unwanted furniture, electronics, etc.

I spent part of this week converting from a 4 computer setup
to a 2 computer setup (one Mac laptop, one PC laptop). This
will allow me to work on the road, if necessary. Once I sell
the house I plan on being very mobile for a while, visiting
family and friends. I'll need (and deserve) some time away
once this is all over.

So when will it all be over? Good question. Once I finish with
chemo tomorrow, I'll have a CT scan on Thursday to reevaluate
my condition. If the chemo did its job, I'll then undergo radiation
treatments. I should have between 4-6 weeks' worth.
I'll know for sure in about a week (Feb 5). Stay tuned.

I've been weaned off Prednisone these past few weeks. If you
recall, Prednisone is a steroid I've been taking during the past
ten weeks. I found that not taking Prednisone has resulted in
a bit more nausea. It's either because I'm getting less protection
than before or because my body is reacting to not having that
steroid inside of me. Or both.

I had chemo on Tuesday this week, a double dose that
required me to go in on Wednesday as well. As I said, I was
more nauseous this week than in previous weeks. This led
to a bit more down time than usual.

Two people in the past few weeks have told me that I look
like Elton John. I asked one of the doctors about this and she
told me that it's because I dress a bit more stylishly than most
people. I'm sure that the my beret and my dark-rimmed glasses
(no sparkles) encourage the identification as well. Plus I'm
close friends with Michael Jackson and have hugged Eminem.

I've begun a few creative projects. I'm going through my book
of story ideas and starting to turn some into actual stories
or scripts. The one I wrote this week (first draft -- still needs a little
work) is a script involving a person (me) in his office trying to
save his parents 3000 miles away. I'll probably film it myself
in the coming weeks (I made the lead character have cancer --
convenient, huh?). It started out as a character study and is
turning into an exercise in creating cinematic tension. It's a
good project for me right now because I get to act, direct,
produce, edit, and add special effects (no explosions, sorry).

I'll also start working on a new animation involving
a little girl and a swimming pool.

I've received so many wonderful letters and
emails regarding my last few journals. I'm glad they've
touched you so much. That's the point, of course. To give back
the wonderful blessings I've received in my life. And since
the blessings have come from you, I'm just a mirror for your
own beauty. That's how it works, you see. You get back what
you give. If you're feeling whole and happy, it's probably because
you're making others feel special. You feel good because you
make others feel good.

When this path of giving and loving gets cyclical, we can reach
a form of enlightenment and connection with others and
ourselves that is not possible on our own. That's why
surrounding ourselves with incredible people is so important.
And that's why appreciating them is so critical. So spend
some time this week telling your friends how much you appreciate
them. You may find that you're not just surrounding yourself
with them, but that they're surrounding themselves with you as well.

Glow this week.

m