Summer

Oh the lost post ... (My 2nd attempt at this posting)

I was reflecting on the end of summer (yes, barely into July and I'm thinking about the end). A time when teachers get a little time off. No more getting up at super early hours (at least for high school teachers). Time to catch up on record keeping, house work, projects and, yes, family and some summer shenanigans. Sometimes the vacations and summer fun can lead us to forget until one day we way up think "oh crap, summers almost over and I haven't done anything!" And next thing we know we are going to training sessions, sitting though endless meetings, and trying to get our rooms ready for students and much of our housework falls into disarray again. 

With this year being a short summer in Florida as we transition back to an "August to May" school year, I'm sure there will be a lot of mixed emotions to the start of this year. Still the excitement of new students and starting a fresh new year, but also the bewilderment of where the summer went and what does this new year hold (good and bad).

Well, Happy New School Year!! 😳

Running @ 50 and parents!

Trying to figure a title, but in the meantime, let's start with observations on turning 50:
I took up running when I was 36 and getting fat - wasn't obese, but headed that direction. So between weight watchers & running, I lost 25 lbs in about nine months. The following year we lost our dog of 14 years, and my husband was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. After seeing him through that, I joined Team in Training and starting training for my first 1/2 marathon. I started to enjoy running, and suddenly I was in the best shape of my life in my 40's! My 40's!!!

At 42 I ran my first full marathon, then a cancer scare took 1/2 my thyroid. At 45 I did my first sprint triathlon. I noticed I was getting injured more often, felt like I was always trying to make a comeback. In 2013 Gil was diagnosed with a second occurrence of Hodgkin's. I wasn't with Team in Training anymore, but RunVie and my church became huge sources of support as we prepared for a stem cell transplant. Just as I was starting to come back from that, in 2015 my father died, throwing us into planning a memorial service, a trip to New York for burial, and taking care of my mom. I dropped off of my training ... But such is life.

Now here I am, 50, and rockin' the look!  At a recent triathlon, when I told the girl doing body marking I was 50, she was shocked. "What? I would have thought 30 or something!"
I wish I were more interested in getting up earlier with the speedy people during the summer when not working (and not already getting up at 5 am), but I really like sleeping. I'm not as fast as I used to be and may not be training as I should, but for now, I am ok with that (or trying to be).

Parenting the parent
We are preparing for mom to move up to Largo to live closer to us which means being more flexible with training. At 87 years old she is doing pretty good. She stopped driving about a year ago, had a back injury and went through surgeries for bladder cancer, so she needs a little help occasionally. We thought it would be good for her to be close by when she needs us, and she agreed. It's a little weird when we get to this age, parenting the parent. Gil is helping take care of his parents too, so we are both helping with bank accounts, appointments, housekeeping, caretaking, and just keeping them company when loneliness sets in. Gil has his sisters helping out, and he will be helping me with mom.
I know she did a lot to take care of her parents in their golden years, so I guess I am following her lead. Besides, they took care of us when we were little; it is our turn to take care of them, right?

I try to accept the stresses in my life. Where some may turn to alcohol or other diversions,  I tend to turn to sugar...and running or exercise (biking & swimming too). It's a balance, I guess. Running continues to be my time away from the craziness of it all. Training gives me a schedule, a plan, a goal to hit but sometimes, ya' just gotta keep it simple and take your time.

23 days

With New Year's resolutions all the rage, I decided to take our coaches 23 day Advocare Challenge. Yes, basically a diet. Now I know a lot of people look at me and say "You don't need to diet, your fine!" or they tell me I'm skinny or what-not. But to me it wasn't that kind of diet, really. It was more about changing how I eat rather than losing weight; more about how some foods may affect me, such as gluten or dairy, and some of my minor health issues. So, for the first 10 days it was a 'cleanse', then the rest of the challenge was, well, modifying my eating habits.

Day 1 was horrible. It was a Monday that involved some testing at work (school) so I had a lot of set-up to do that morning and knew I was going to be there late that evening with a community SAC meeting. Going without coffee was going to be HARD! I was so worried about all the timing of the supplements and shakes and fiber and....AAaahaah! I didn't bring enough food so I was very tired, irritated, and hungry. When the evening meeting came, and they had quite the food spread. I was determined to hang tight, but it was difficult. After that first day, though, I was told not to stress too much about timing of supplements, and the rest kind of came easy.

So, things I have learned:

Sunday's made for great prep-days. I made a good chunk of the weeks lunches out of stir-fries, rice & beans, soups or salads - all homemade of course. No bread, no cheese, no sugar or salt was difficult, but easier than I thought it would be.

You can go without coffee. It may take a day or so, and Advocare Spark helps a lot! It's also good for a mid-day pick-me-up that won't keep you awake at night. 

I missed foods more than I craved them. Bread makes sandwiches easier, which really means I just didn't have sandwiches. Seeing a kid eating a chocolate muffin (EVERY MORNING) really made me want a muffin! And it's funny to realize how much of our food is gluten based - especially convenience foods like cookies, cereals, breakfast bars. And I really missed our Friday night pizza that Gil makes on the grill. Toward the end (last week) I did find I was craving something - I think sugar - figs & dates helped. But seeing ads for pizza, pastas, sweets of all kinds... Do you realize how much we are bombarded with food commercials?... that sure didn't help any. Darned that subliminal advertising!

Salt is extremely prevalent in a lot of things. If you cook without it, most foods are very bland. To get beans, chicken broth or tuna without salt is almost impossible, so you have to look for low sodium products instead. Is sea salt any better? I see that in many health foods.

Braggs Liquid Aminos (basically soy sauce) is an amazing seasoning!! 

Figs & dates are like candy. Be careful as many dried fruits have added sugar. Dates are high in sugar naturally, and can make you sick if you eat too many - just like candy.

I was surprised I didn't notice more of a change in my overall health with the change of diet. My body adapted easily without much difference. Nothing really changed with my skin so my psoriasis is not influenced by gluten - I had read it could be a sign of gluten intolerance. I lost about 5lbs - which is all I really needed to lose. So I guess, overall, I must eat pretty healthy on my own. I do feel stronger during workouts. It just seems easier to get through them and sometimes even a little faster!

I recently started working coffee back into my routine. The last few nights I have had some fruit herbal teas with honey. It doesn't take much sweetener, or salt for that matter, for me to notice it now. That is a good thing. I had a Belgian waffle this weekend in honor of my dads one year death anniversary, with strawberries, (skip the whip) and my stomach actually objected afterward - I felt a little sick. 

Now that I'm done, I plan on keeping up with making lunches (and better choices with dinner?), sticking more to fruits, veggies, meats/protein. It should be easy since I've done it for a while. And if it makes me stronger, and feel better, then why not!?

Another opening, another show...

Happy New Year!! Welcome 2016!

So many title ideas, and yet none seem to really fit.

I have found myself thinking about dad a lot lately, especially over the holidays. Probably too much for some people, I guess. So much of this last year revolved around taking care of business regarding dads passing; getting everyone notified, getting mom taken care of, setting up the memorial service, preparing for the trip to New York and burial.  There were races I had planned to do but deferred them because I was tied up getting things taken care of; dropped off training because I couldn't focus -  running I could walk when I needed to; cycling I could cut short, but swimming was the hardest - I'd lose my breath sometimes causing me to struggle.

As the year comes to a close, I find I am feeling better about things. I've started to get better at training, regaining focus. I'll be starting a health challenge in January - 24 days of trying to get things back on track with healthier eating.

One big push this year is trying to get mom to move closer. We're all a little unsure about doing it, but I think it would make things a little easier for all.

You know that video meme that someone put out showing a kid on a slide with a bumpy ending portraying how some started the year and ended on a bumpy note - mine was kind of the opposite - started out very bumpy, but a smoother ending.

https://youtu.be/TnXeZsrYpUA

Here is to hopes & prayers to a smoother 2016!

vacation in disguise

As I reflect back on the last 2 weeks I find myself somewhat surprised. When we first arrived in Adams Center, NY and shortly after checked in to our hotel in Watertown, I was a little overwhelmed. I - WE - did it. We actually drove all the way to New York, with my mom, in three days and I made more rest stops than she did! I made the plan and it happened! Why this seemed a little overwhelming I don't know, but it was.

Everything went pretty much as planned and expected.

I also came to realize that, although our family used to make this trip most summers, I never really appreciated the scenery. Gil hadn't been that far north and his appreciation of the mountains made it all new to me. I also now appreciate snow birds a bit more. Sure they mess up traffic and crowd us, but who wouldn't want to try to maintain 50 degree mornings and 70+ degree days all year round. Plus they are good for the economy.

Overall, it was a good experience. I thank my family for being so accommodating - especially Arden, thank you so much for taking such good care of my mom, setting up everything with the cemetery, and for feeding the family (you and Dave) - best cousins ever!! A big thank you to my husband for being my new eyes, chauffeur and for dealing with my family (and me) in general. A vacation in disguise, I think my dad would be... no, IS pretty happy.

 

More Than a pilot

or... old pilots never die they just fly away. My dad died Jan 30 or about...it was around midnight.
The below was posted on Facebook and read at dad's service on Feb. 21st. Although it just barely scratches the surface of what his life was, its a brief look at the man I grew up with.

In some ways I never thought I'd be here. I often said I thought dad would out live us all. Although I haven't read his books entirely (one of his biggest disappointments) I did read about how he rigged a doorbell to deter a neighborhood prankster and built a diving bell out of a septic tank (unused, I think). Beyond surviving childhood there was a training accident in the RCAF that took his right shoulder and broke his back, cancer of the vocal cords that changed his voice, skin cancer, colon cancer and a tumor in his spinal cord that was operated on so many times till they couldn't operate on it anymore without causing more serious damage. A few years ago they had him on so much pain medication I thought he was done..this was it. But then he got the right shot in the right place and, bam, the old man pulls it out again! I wouldn't have put it past him to wake up from a good sleep in the hospital and be all "let's go"!

But not this time. 

He was a good man, often putting others first. He made sure us kids went to church until he felt we were of age to make out own decisions on Sunday mornings. He sometimes did devotions at the dinner table, especially at Christmas. He took us on adventures, sailing, flying, traveling. And when I say flying, I mean we went flying...he taught me how to fly (landing, not so much...my one landing lesson was our last time flying), but also in corporate planes. I think it was the last time we flew in a corporate plane that we went thru a thunder storm. Mom got me to buckle is just in time; bad turbulence? Upside down? I thought we had been stuck by lightning. My sister levitated off the couch, mom says I looked like a little Buddha floating cross legged off one of he chairs. It was only a moment, but when things came back, doors slapped open & closed, there was toilet water all over the bathroom, sandwiches parts stuck to the ceiling, I think I probably would have been more scared if my dad hadn't been flying the plane. I still remember, many years later, my dad receiving a letter from someone after that plane landed on the Hudson; it was a huge complement that they knew of only two pilots that could have don't that...the guy who did and my dad. 

He flew celebrities, presidents, even Santa Claus! He has probably helped out more people than I'll ever know.  He helped Gil & I out a lot, with our housing, an attempted home business, going back to school, and when Gil went though his cancer treatment (both times) there was never a question...mom & dad were ready to help as much as they could. 

He Never stopped, exercised almost every day, first & only 5k 2008 -87 yrs old - no age group,  

He taught me to be strong, better to laugh than to cry. 

We are all here to gather together for the remembrance of a great man - my Grandpa. He was strong, proud man that put his family first and when he put his mind to do something, he did it, no matter what it was. The past few weeks I was praying for him to get better, but I guess it was just his time. I remember the first time he met me and I was not doing that well with my behavior, but he still accepted me as his grandson and for who I was. I cannot explain the gratefulness I have for him. He was just an all around great Grandfather and will be missed. I love you Grandpa, rest in peace and God bless. Enjoy your journey to the next life. 

With great love and gratitude,

Your Grandson David".

Dad - you are da MAN!!!

I love you forever,

Your Daughter,

Sal"

Moms poem: 

A very good run 

A very good life

A very good family

A very good group of friends 

Who could have asked for more

And it all has been given to me

 

not sure what else to say. He was a good man, an excellent Father.

Things are not going as smoothly after his death as I'm sure he planned I but we will get by.

We plan to drive up this summer to upstate NY, Adams Center area, to bury dad, leaving June 15th, burial June 20, maybe a visit to Canada. It will be nice to get away for awhile, although I'll miss our pups.

 

 

 

 

Our little Daisy

Not that she’ll be little for long, but here is her story.

I guess it was a little over a year ago (or more) that we had been kind of, jokingly, talked about getting a puppy. There seems to be an age, around 6, that a dog in our family seems to get a puppy. Red came along when Nick was about 6, Merlyn came along when Red was about 6, and Snoopy came along when Merlyn was – well, I think he was actually 7. I believe Snoopy will be 6 this year, so, should we really be thinking about this? Gil wanted to make sure everything was good after his transplant, and, at the time, Snoopy was only about 4 or 5, so it wasn’t time yet, but we were definitely thinking about it.  Over the last year a few dogs had crossed out paths as possibilities, but they always found another home, so they were not meant to be. But on October 25^th 2014 one of Gil’s friends posted on Facebook:

To All My Friends: Jeff found this Walker while hunting. She might be 4 months old. Looks like she had been in the woods for a couple of weeks, probably dropped off and left. Trying to find a good home for her and will travel to meet anyone who might give her a good home. She does well with people and other dogs and would make a great family pet. She loves to be inside with the family. She was skin and bones when Jeff brought her home, but is looking better everyday. She is a sweetheart! She gives lots of kisses and loves to have her belly rubbed!

We said yes.

Over the next few days there was a string of conversations and texts leading to her being picked up in Ocala. On Wednesday, Oct. 29^th, Gil drove up while Debbie and her husband drove down and the exchange took place. She was so thin and frail; although we had agreed on naming her Molly, the name Daisy seemed a better fit – she was as frail and delicate as a flower, it’s Debbie’s favorite, and, in the realm of peanuts, Snoopy was adopted from “Daisy Hill Puppy farm” – since we have Snoopy, it’s good to have some reference to a theme there.

She was very timid and anxious as she met the other animals and checked out the house. When she tried playing, she would get scared and run away or lie down, tail tucked. Of course, being a puppy dumped in the woods, malnourished and underfed, she wasn’t exactly housebroken, so we had our work cut out for us. After a vet visit the next day we did find out she was riddled with parasites – tapeworm & hookworm, who knows what may show up in the blood work.

She seems to be gaining more confidence and started playing with Snoopy. She has quickly learned the doggie doors, but has been very cautious about going out on her own (although today, 10/31, she followed Snoopy out on her own). She is becoming very playful, Merlyn doesn’t mind her at all but just tries to stay out of the way, and is getting better every day. She is home.

1 year later...

One year ago...hard to believe it has been year already...after several shots, taking cells out, and chemo, today is the day we celebrate as transplant day, birthday #2, or ultimately Phoenix Day!! 

Today, we visited Moffitt for his one year check up. Just as we had hoped, all is good. His chances of a cancer relapse lessen with every year. So for now, and we expect it to continue, we celebrate remission and rising from the ashes. 

Thank to our family and friends, co-workers, teammates...everyone for your continued support

We celebrate with those who continue to survive & trhrive and cry with those who lose knowing that with every battle won or lost, knowledge is gained. 

Survived Camping!!

On New Years Day, after having gone to sleep around 2am, I got up, met part of my running team and did a virtual 5K at 8am.
On Jan 2nd, I went camping with part of our youth group. Now, I have been 'camping' - summer camp overnighter, boat, trailer, cabins, but not the stereotypical - tent-dwelling - sleep on the ground - s'mores making campfire camping.
We had a lot of fun, me and the 3 girls. Riding in the car together, putting together the tent, hanging out at the bathroom, in the tent, at the campfire, in break-out groups. We kept our tent warm when the weather changed from very wet to cold - VERY cold. I did not sleep at all but listened to them breathe and the wind blow, the lantern sway, and things crashing through the woods. The next day we were going to go canoeing, but with low waters and cold wind, it wasn't happening.

I did learn a few things...
1. if the youth director tells you to move stuff from the edge of the tent so it doesn't get wet, take his advice.
2. if you are offered a mat to put your sleeping bag on, take it. (I am to dang old to be sleeping on the ground!)
3. If you have a spare sleeping bag that is not wet, use it.  Damp and warm beats damp and cold any time, but warm and dry is even better!

We did clean out a lot of guilt baggage - burning them in the fire. So, What are YOU packing??

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 john 1:9

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16

as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12

Waiting...

Wait on the Lord : be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. (Psalms 27:14 KJV)

This has been a year of waiting. Right before Christmas last year, Gil had surgery to remove a suspect node from his neck. On January 2nd we received the news that it was positive for the second time with Hodgkins Lymphoma. Recommended treatment was several rounds of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. We had an exchange student living with us from Norway. Danielle had already been pulled from one house, and now, after letting her know what was going on, she wanted to move again; We had to wait for a new family to be found. 

1/5/13 We haven't even really started anything and I already have moments I really find it hard to keep it together. During a nap (gotta love vacation time) Gil started crying in his sleep. It was very brief, but it really bugged me. no crying...not allowed...I was strong last time, I can do this again.

I don't know how to begin to tell you what a waiting game cancer and chemo is, unless you've been there. You're always waiting...for the hair to fall out, the sickness, loss or change of appetite, appointments and tests and more appointments...but life goes on....

Before things even started, Dani & I had a small car accident, then as Gil started his chemo, his mother had a series of strokes, light problems at church abounded, I was dealing with stuff at work, lost the dog during a run, Easter, finding Dani a new family, a set back with his treatment, another month of treatments, a near mistake in Gil's treatment, the Boston marathon bombings, arranging for house sitters, birthday's...all while waiting for the next step in his treatment – moving to Tampa for a stem cell/bone marrow transplant.

Before the transplant, the Doctors told us what to expect. The booster shots to get the cells to grow; harvesting the cells; conditioning chemo; that he would get sick, what signs to look for and when to admit him to the hospital; how the worst of it will hit and last 5-7 days then it will get better. That was the hardest part – believing that once he really started getting sick, that it would be like the flip of a switch. I didn’t completely understand until things started to take place. I thought it would be 5-7 days after the transplant that things would get better – I thought, at the time, this was a breeze – but it was at 5-7 days after the transplant that he hit the wall and became really sick and was admitted to the hospital.

Everyone says it was probably for the best, that I didn’t have to deal with the worst of it. I suppose that’s true, but it was hard watching him be so sick and waiting for the change. But I had a peace about it. I trusted the doctors, and I trusted God.

…the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phillippians 4:7 NRSV)

Sometimes, when we wait and pray, things don’t always go as we hope. As we waited for the transplant to take place there were so many other things that happened, so many distractions, but we had to keep our eye on what was to come. We had to know that God would see us through. While Gil was in the hospital, I tried to be patient and wait. Everyday I would go to the hospital and check his stats – “Is it today? Is there a change?”

There are so many stories in the bible of disbelief and impatience: Sarah rushed into creating an heir for Abraham, not believing she would ever actually bear a son after such a long time. A whole army had to trust in a boy to take down a giant threatening their lives. And who would believe in a virgin giving birth? Sometimes trust has to supersede our beliefs. I believe it is called faith. 

No matter what happened, I knew God had a plan. I had to trust and wait.

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you (Isaiah 26:3 NIV)

Gil's body suddenly started to improve - everything did eventually happen, just like they said it would. God took care of us, just like he said he would. The doctors were, and continue to be, thrilled at his progress. We still count our blessing and thank God for the year we have had – hard times and good times. Gil is still healing, working too hard (me too, I think), and living life the best he can. In November, we had a great thanksgiving with the good news that there were no continuing signs of cancer after having his tonsil out. Things have been improving! We continue to trust in the Lord – what ever His will may be we will wait and trust in the Lord.

A HUGE thank you to all our friends & family for being there for us. You are all God's angels!!
Happy New Year - Trust in the Lord to take care of you! 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not rely on your own insight. (Proverbs 3:5)

“When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen.
When you come looking for me, you’ll find me." (Jeremiah 26:12-13) - Thanks Chris Hall!

And if I sound a little religious - after this year, can ya' blame me??

Epic high 5!

How appropriate that Gil had his follow up today - the day before thanksgiving? Starting off our week with the Women's half marathon, we had Gil's day of exams, tomorrow is turkey trot and 'vacation' in Pt. Charlotte with Mom & Dad Horton and my Sis, Sally. And what a celebration it will be!

All of the nodes that Gil had as of his last exam have resolved. There is a question if the tonsil really needed to go, but I'm kind of glad they did take it...I'd rather it be gone and in question than be there and still in question. I'm pretty sure the good news will over rule the pain of all the vaccinations, but I think he may feel icky over the next few days. 

As with all things cancer, the check ups will continue for a while. His next visit to Moffitt will be on his Phoenix Day, May 21st. (Well, unless I do Miles for Moffitt on May 10th - anyone wanna join?). I know he has a visit with his regular oncologist on Dec 12th and I assume they will continue every 3 months or so for a while.

So all is well!! Yay!

Good News!

Gil had his tonsil - only one - taken out Wednesday, Sept. 18th. Dr. said they looked around and there was nothing in the throat that looked suspicious, even the tonsil really looked normal, but they would biopsy it and we should hear back in a few days. 

Gil was a little out of it that day, but the next day, he got up, took some meds (about a 1/3 of the prescribed dose), ate some breakfast and was talking up a storm. Outside of some obvious pain in swallowing, it was as if nothing happened! Well, he did eat cautiously the rest of the day...pudding, milk, eggs, and such. He would take small doses of the pain medication (hydrocodine/acetaminophen liquid) to eat, and a full dose to sleep. Friday he tried to sleep without it but it was a bit too soon and that set him back a little. 

We stayed home from church Sunday, but by the Wednesday he went to work and that night seemed to make a big difference. The next day he felt real good and has been without any meds since this past Friday. He is still being careful about the food he eats, staying away from fried, hard, or crunchy foods and spicy foods. 

We didn't hear from the Dr. About the tonsil for a week after the surgery, so I called the office to follow up. They called the next day and - yippee - no sign of disease!!! So I guess we are just back in recovery mode. Next, Gil has to meet with all three doctors, the ENT who did the tonsillectomy, his oncologist, and our general practitioner. After that, the next series of scans is in November, right before thanksgiving. Hopefully all continues to progress well!!

Tonsillectomy anyone?

Ok, so a few things have happened since I returned to work.
Gil had a follow up with Moffitt on August 21st. After being poked, prodded and scanned he met up with Dr. Ayala to find out how he's doing. Turns out that darned tonsil was enlarged again! From 7.5 to 11.6 (cm?...mm? don't know the unit of measure). And also 5 slightly enlarged lymph nodes in the chest. He was told it's something to keep an eye on, but the Dr. was not too concerned about it. Or so it seemed.

He had been coughing a lot, so they did give him pneumococcal conjugate vaccine to prevent a type of pneumonia that is common with stem cell transplant. After 2 days of a very sore arm, we noticed the coughing let up and the low grade fever he had been dealing with in the afternoons had stopped. I am hoping that has changed something! We will know a little bit more on that after his next follow up in November - which, by they way, will include a host of vaccines. Yup, he is starting the vaccination train the day before thanksgiving!! Yay!!

In the meantime...He had an appointment with Dr. Ball yesterday (9/5) and she's not real happy about that tonsil. How frustrating is it to treat this repeatedly, just to have that thing flare up again? Well, frustrating enough that he is going back to the ENT, Dr. Hood (that was today 9/6) and it looks like he have a tonsillectomy scheduled for Sept 18th. Finally looks like they are going to take this thing out and get a good look at it. Even the Dr. said it looked like he should have done that back in January after all.

So we feel like we are in a purgatory of sorts. Not sure if he is cancer free or not...did the stem cell transplant work or not...are we going to have to do this all over again (please, Lord, no!!)

His numbers are still doing well, although the white cells took a little dive in the last two weeks. And he's feeling pretty good these days; no dizzy spells when bending over or fever/chills late in the day.

I'll probably post something on the 18th after surgery.

back to school

It's time for the babysitter to go back to work.

Gil has started to sprout hair, and are having to shave on a regular basis now. I think he is pretty happy to see if coming back. He has had a low grade fever for a few weeks. It's bothersome, but not sure if we need to be worried or not. He tires easily, but his endurance is up a little. He has a follow-up at Moffitt Aug. 21st, so hopefully we will know more. Otherwise things seem to be going very well.

Jason visited for a couple weeks. That was fun. We went to Clearwater Marine Aquarium to see Winter the dolphin; it was PACKED, a lot more than when Sunset Sam was around! We met up with the Hano's, Jason's first family. It was interesting to share all of the stem cell stuff as Vicki Hano had gone through it earlier this year. I went with Jason to the Buc's night practice at RayJay stadium and he went to a Ray's game and regular training camp with the Hano's.

But alas, all good things come to an end...as summer ends, I have to go back to work. So this last week I have been at work preparing for students to return to school. I'm still not sure I'm ready to start getting up at 5am again. Monday was hard being at work 'cause I was so used to be around Gil and worried about him, which, of course was quickly eclipsed by all the meetings, requests, and prep work at school. Gil did do District Wide training with the Pinellas county school performing arts - all went well there. He has been pretty active at church working on lights and I've started helping out with youth on Sundays too.

Well, it's been an interesting summer, should be an interesting school year.

return to the dog park

Well it's been a while. Things got a little crazy around July 4th and I just didn't get around to an update.

The week of July 4th Gil had been working on some ideas to make the church sound a little better as well as getting a sound system ready for our truck in the Temple Terrace parade. By the end of the parade, I think he had pushed himself over the top. There is a fine line for him between exercise and rest and July 4th, he crossed that line at that time.

But it's ok. He recovered nicely. Last Tuesday, he made his return to the dog park with Snoopy (and without me). There was a lot of water at the park so Snoopy had a blast. Unfortunately the mosquitoes are getting vicious and Snoopy was having so much fun, Gil couldn't leave after 2 laps and went for a 3rd - pushing the line again.

He was tired and sore for a few days, but recovered once again. His white cell count continues to go up slowly, but some other areas took a little dip - not enough to require a booster or cause any great concern, but enough to question the balance of rest and exercise.

Gil is continuing to do very well. He's a little frustrated by the dry skin and the fact the hair is not coming back as it had before - he does have a little pencil mustache and almost a 'soul patch' that he has to shave about once a week. He has some fine hairs on his head that only show when the light is right, a bit of sandpaper on the head, but nothing like he would hope for.

Well, this week I'll be leaving him for a bit to visit my folks. I think he can do with out me for 3 days ;)
Oh - and a good friend of ours who happens to write for a paper did a nice little piece on Gil. Check it out: miracles-at-moffitt-mean-more-birthdays

so close...

Progress is slow, but the number are still going up and Dr. Ball is very happy. Gil seems to be feeling better, not getting as winded easily.  (hopefully formatting stays)
          6/20     6/27    normal
WBC  3.0       3.3       4.2+
RBC   3.96     4.25     4.3+
HGB  11.7      12.2     14+  This is the one that, when low, he get's winded.
PLT    165      256       140 - 440  necessary for clotting - YAY!

He walked 2 laps around Datsko park last week (about a mile) - it was a little rough at the end, but later that day we went to the mall and walked around before seeing a movie, and he felt good! Maybe we'll walk the park tomorrow - or maybe we'll just get breakfast, hmm....

Got a full day tomorrow as it is: Christian has his annual visit (after all we figure he's about 11 years old), and then we're gonna head south to Mom & Dad's for dinner. Next week is July 4th, so blood work will be on the 3rd, maybe the midnight run for me, and parade in Temple Terrace on the 4th - then we'll collapse for a while! OH - and Gil turns 50 on the 5th!!

not normal yet

Well, of course, our normalcy is called into question everyday, but in this case I am speaking of Gil's blood work.

Visited the doc's office for blood work yesterday. His white cells went from 2.3 to 3.0 this week with the normal range starting at 4.2. Red cells and hemoglobin are also just slightly low 3.96 of 4.3 and 11.7 of 14 respectively and platelets are UP...165, normal is 140+!!

Today he posted on FB: Well Facebook friends, got my blood tested yesterday. All my numbers keep going up. I actually walked a mile today, I'm tired, but I feel pretty good. Improving everyday, just keeping y'all in the loop.

It's getting there. He's trying to get in some exercise when he's up for it, sometimes daily activities are enough.

Next week he will actually see Dr. Ball and I think she'll be real happy with his progress. Not sure when he will no longer be considered immuno-compromised, but we are taking everything one step at a time (little bit of ice in his drinks when ordering out).



This week was VBS at church, so I went on Monday to make sure all equipment was working and there were no technical difficulties, ran the computer for closing and the next couple of days. VBS is always an adventure. Next week ...who knows...hopefully we'll find some routine.

Home again, home again

It is SUPER nice to be home! A little idea of how good it is...a little video of Gil's homecoming.

June 11th - It was the best birthday present I could have. Home with my hubby, my 'kids' and my own bed!

Gil had the central line removed Monday so Wednesday he got to take a 'real' shower, as he put it - no taping and protecting the line. Went to church Wednesday night for practice.

We went to Dr. Ball today. Thursday June 13th; His numbers are going up today (his white cells were at .65k when we left Monday, and are at 2.3 k) - still low but he is really impressing the Doctors.

Although we're getting back to our routine, somethings are still in adjustment - cleaning, playing & taking care of the animals, lifting - Gil tries helping out, but he tires out very quickly but he is growing stronger everyday!

Dr. Ball will be doing blood tests every Thursday for a while to keep an eye on his numbers, make sure they keep heading in the right direction. In August he'll go back to Moffitt for a CAT & PET scan to make sure everything is still good (yay follow-up) .

As for me - it's summer break. Time to catch up on reading, paperwork, maybe some training (running, bike, swim), and sleep - sleep is always good.

There's no place like home!

+16

At day +16 he was deemed by the doctor as "boring".
Boring because he had nothing really going on. White counts dipped just enough again to get another booster, but no aches, no pains, no mouth sores, no more vomiting or diarrhea.

+16 and he is doing better than anyone has done before. He is also, it turns out, a bit of an experiment. He was the first to do this whole thing outpatient ...outside of his 5 days in the hospital with the a minor infection and the major effects of chemo, which 5 days is actually pretty good! SO if anyone goes into medical school and specializes in this area, you may read about him!

+16 and he is possibly cleared to go home, we just need to get the central line out. Depending on how and when that is scheduled, I may be the best birthday present ever - going home with my hubby at my side!!

+16 and we just got a call about taking out his central line Monday, June 10th (+20). Not even a month after his transplant. How cool is that??

OH - and by the way, his baby immune system will need a series of immunization shots all over again. Didn't think about that, eh?

continued recovery

Recovery continues. Monday Gil got another neupogen shot as his white blood cells took a little dip. His digestive issues seem to have passed. Food is tasting better and he is eating whole meals (although not a lot at one time). Blood pressure is running low (87/58 ??), but seems to be coming up (96/64). I know it has run low for the last 7 years - after his first round with hodgkin's. Everything really seems to be going well!

So...we are waiting on more blood tests to see how close he is to normal ranges, to actually see the doctor (tomorrow), get the central line out, and be fully discharged - or at least allowed to go home to Clearwater. After that, we still have to wait for clearance for him to start driving and working again - that may be 3 months down the road.

I do feel we have been very fortunate.

#1 he did auto - less rejection, higher success & quicker recovery than allo (autologous (aw-TOL-o-gus) and allogenic (a-LO-jen-ik). ~ http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/bmsct/)

#2 we were able to stay near home by going to Moffitt here in Tampa (not Gainsville or Detroit Michigan or ....not sure where else they do it)

#3 He was allowed to do all his chemo out-patient (a first, from what we understand) because...

#4 we have had such great support from work, church & my run group - best cheering sections EVER!!!

#5 when things got bad, he was able to stay in the hospital where they gave him the fluids, electrolytes, and other meds he needed in a controlled environment - I think they did better than I could have done at the hotel and I would have been freaking out!

#6 we were near 2 nice running loops, so when I needed to, I could take frustrations/helplessness/stress...IT out on the road; it also gave us nice places to walk when he was able.

#7 after the hospital, our appointments changed allowing us more morning time and the occasional day off.

#8 Gil lost some weight (about 8 lbs?)

I'm sure we can come up with some other 'benefits' - not the vacation anyone would really want, but it could have been worse.

Cheers!

As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
~~ Matt 7:11