Good News and the Southern Trip

The best Christmas present of 2024 was delivered on December 30 by Mansour Gergi, MD.

My second bone marrow biopsy showed enough positive progress to defer my second round of chemotherapy and enabled me to meet my goal of reaching New Smyrna Beach, FL by Jan. 2. I think Dr. Gergi would have preferred that I stay in Vermont for the winter and continue all treatments there, but I have connected with the Oncology/Hematology department at Advent Hospital in New Smyrna and will maintain my treatments there until I head back North in April.

The trip down was interesting. I try to be a self-sufficient person, but the body isn’t fully cooperating with that concept. Between sciatica and shortness of breath due to a low red blood cell count, I nearly bit the bullet going from the front of the airport in Burlington to my gate…which of course was the longest trek in the airport. I made it, albeit a little sweaty, and then had two very smooth flights…Burlington-Washington DC and DC-Orlando. As a treat to myself I took advantage of an American Airlines upgrade offer and flew business/first class.

After the Burlington experience, I was wise enough to request a wheelchair at both the DC airport and in Orlando. I tipped both ladies very well after (of course) very long treks between gates or to luggage pickup. My brother-in-law, Jim Hubbard, and his son in law, Chris Hatin were kind enough to drive my car down from Swanton and the car and my luggage arrived a day before I did! I had to get up at 3 a.m. to catch my flights and they had to do the same to catch a flight home on Jan. 3. I took them out to dinner on the 2^nd and then got up to see them off the next morning.

I suspect I could have made the drive myself over three days, but the uncertainty about my physical strength and stamina made the way we did it seem like the right avenue. I hope I will be in good enough shape to do the trip home myself, and golfing buddy and former SLU hockey standout Tom MacDonald has offered to come down and share the driving.

I love Vermont, just not as much in the winter. Even though I had a bit of a cold, just the sight of the sunshine in New Smyrna Beach made me feel better. Its 75 and sunny today (Jan. 6) and while I have to limit sun exposure due to some of the meds on the Jimi Hendrix Chemical Balance Chart, I will enjoy the day. I must say I feel better than I have in a long time, although I’m still a little sniffly.