Tuesday, Jan 8

Well, I know that I've missed a few blogs.  I had to make an entry today because a lady here at the hospital told me that I was "very handsome".  Well, even though she is quite elderly and likely has poor eyesight, I'll take it!

Last week Emma joined me for my radiation trip and for my follow up at Dana Farber.  They really love her there.  The doctors really enjoyed seeing her.  Of course, she is great company.

Joe was down at Princeton this Sunday for an interview for a fellowship in Asia.  He won't know for sure about whether he gets it until March.  We will keep our fingers crossed.  Joe stayed with us Sunday night and is now back at Bowdoin for Track & Field.  He has his fist meet this coming weekend.

Emma and I saw my sister Lorie, her husband Bob, their daughter Siobhan, her husband, Nick, and the star of the show, their 2 year old Jacob.  Jacob is walking and talking and he is incredibly cute!

So, you might want to know what it's like to get radiation.  Fortunately, I haven't had any adverse symptoms yet.  I need to drink a lot before the treatment so that I have a full bladder.  So, I typically arrive an hour in advance so that I can time my bathroom and liquid intake properly.  A full bladder helps absorb some of the energy.  I lay down on this machine, and the people position me.  Then these things spin around me.  First they take a CT scan.  Then they do the radiation.  I don't feel anything.  I only need to pull my pants down - no need to change.  From when they call me to go to the machine to when I'm done is maybe around 15 minutes.  So, this is a lot less problematic than chemotherapy.  I feel like a wimp compared to what Maureen went through with her leukemia.  So, far, this is more of an inconvenience than anything.  The only symptoms I've had are from the hormone therapy.  On the other hand, over the next few weeks I should start feeling additional symptoms - more frequent urination, loose stools, perhaps some pain when urinating.  It is really great to have something to look forward to!

I almost forgot to mention that I will be teaching at UMass Lowell this spring.  I will teach a section of Thermodynamics every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8-9 am.  For you non-engineers Thermodynamics is the study of energy - heat and work.  I will also teach my Engineering Economics course at Merrimack on Wednesday nights.  So, I'll keep my toe in at both schools and see if a full time faculty position comes up.  It will be a real contrast because Merrimack has a very small department and is a small, private school, while UMass Lowell has a large engineering department and is a large, state school. 

Anyhow, I want to wish all of you the best!