9-28-08 - An email from Nonin Chowaney of the Omaha Zen Center about his condition. Heal quickly dear friend!

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Subject: Me and Cancer

Hello All,

Of course "me" and "cancer" are not two, but I had to title this message with something!

I've received quite a few inquiries about my condition, so here's an update:

I had major surgery on August 13th to remove the lower lobe of my right lung, where the primary tumor was, and also to remove a couple of cancerous lymph nodes near that lung. The surgeons say that they got all the destructive cells out.

I've been told that the recovery period for this surgery is 6-8 weeks. I'm in my seventh week, and I still feel as if I've been hit by a truck! However, over the past few days, I've felt some improvement, and it's about time. I've even cut back on the Vicodin quite a bit. I'm still very limited as to what I can do, for I run out of gas quickly. Also, they whacked a nerve during surgery and reduced my voice to a raspy whisper. One more thing to deal with! I see the surgeon on Tuesday to see what, if anything, can be done about that.

Oh, and I'm also going to the Med Center daily for blood thinner shots, which insurance won't pay for me to self-inject at home, to combat the blood clots in my leg that cancer patients frequently get.

I still have two more chemo treatments to finish, but I have to get a helluva lot stronger than I am now before they'll continue them. Right now, we're looking at mid-October, but I don't know at this point.

I'm hanging in there, but recovery from this surgery has been like
wrestling a bear: very discouraging at times. Keep those good thoughts and the chanting coming my way. I need all I can get!

Hands palm-to-palm,

Nonin