I have a cold ... a nasty, miserable, runny-nose, sore-throat, coughing, yucky cold! And just when I was doing so well. I have something else, which is potentially worse, but the cold is the thing that's got me down right now.

I've had it since Tuesday night, and I know where I caught it. I caught it on an airplane last Sunday. Jenny and I agreed that when I was feeling up to it, we would fly up to Sacramento and see our older son James and his wife Rachel. The change of scene would be good for us, and even more importantly, we would get to spend some time with those two terrific kids, whom we miss so much!

So, up we went for a long weekend. My son -- who has boundless energy -- suggested we spend Friday at the "real California State Fair," which began that day at the CalExpo in Sacramento. Frankly, it's pretty much like Del Mar -- many of the same food stands and gadget vendors. I held up for a good three hours, then pretty much sat while the other three finished.

That night and the next morning I spent recharging my batteries (i.e.: lying around talking and laughing and catching up and watching videos and still photos). We also spent some time playing with James and Rachel's two Chihuahuas.

Then, Saturday afternoon someone had the idea of going to an outlet mall in Folsom. What was I thinking?! But about an hour into the trip, we saw a store selling these little folding chairs for camping. James said, "That's what you need for when you 'poop out'." And, boy, was he right! I have never spent $15 more wisely, as you can see.

Now, I carry the chair everywhere -- and use it frequently. That is, until the cold hit me. I've been back in bed for two days, leaving this morning just long enough to see my oncologist. And that turned out to be a disturbing visit.

For the last week or so I've been experiencing swelling in my feet and ankles. I've been trying to walk and exercise and get in shape before I come back to work Sept. 13, so I figured that caused the swelling. But even elevating my legs didn't reduce the swelling. When I mentioned it to Dr. W. this morning, he moved quickly to check my heart and order some tests.

Remember me telling you months ago that one of the chemicals in my "cocktail" (Adriamycin) causes irreparable heart damage? But they have research which shows how much they can safely give before the damage endangers health. Well, my heart may have been damaged to the extent that it's not pumping out all of the blood it pumps in, and that often leads to swelling in the lower extremities.

So, next week I'll be back at Alvarado for some heart tests. Am I worried? Frankly, no. My Lord has brought me this far, and my life is in His hands. Am I concerned? Of course. No one likes to hear that he may be having a setback -- especially when I was just returning to a healthy, normal life.

So what do I do? "I lift up my eyes above the hills, to the source of my strength. My help comes from the Lord, maker of Heaven and Earth. He will not let my foot slip. He who watches over me neither slumbers nor sleeps. The Lord watches over me, so the sun will not harm me by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord will keep me from all harm. He will watch over my life. The Lord will watch over my coming and going both now and forevermore." (The 121st Psalm).

So why should I worry about a little cold -- or even a little heart trouble?

-Bill