Catching up

This post is way overdue and I will try to do my best to catch everyone up! First, I appreciate all your responses, prayers, help to my family, and knowing that each and everyday so many of you are keeping us in your thoughts. I’ve never traveled such a tough road in my life and the journey this week hasn’t been easy. Before going into details I would like to share some wonderful events that have taken place over the past couple of weeks.

November 10th
I returned to work and things have been going well. This was a big step for all of us and I know Nicola appreciates that I now have something else to do with my time rather than pestering her all day long (tee hee)! So far I’m mostly catching up on past administrative duties and I have had the opportunity to get back in front of some very good customers.

November 16th
I had my 42nd birthday on Saturday, November 15th! Nicola had arranged for me to go camping with Ethan on Friday the 14th with our friend and neighbor Van and his daughter Tori. We went to a great place only about 20 minutes from our home in the national forest. It was nice, right on the lake, clean, and Ethan and Tori had a blast. They rode bikes and we took a long hike on Saturday. We stayed away until about 4:00pm and then packed up and headed home. Upon arriving home, I noticed my front yard looked like something out of a Jeff Foxworthy screenplay. Nothing but cluttered junk everywhere, the only thing missing was a broken down car/truck sitting right in the middle of things. But what you don’t know…was that broken down heap was on the other side of the house, my vintage 1988 Chevy Silverado that no one could get started! The truck was completely filled with junk (typical) and would have made perfect yard art for the occasion. My work colleagues and Nicola teamed up to throw me a surprise birthday party and it worked! I was shocked! The theme for the party was “Bald-headed Redneck party” and everyone (EVERYONE) dressed the part. I was in 2 day old jeans, a beer can chicken shirt, camo hat, unshowered and unshaven… I fit right in. Ethan announced that he hadn’t bathed or changed his underwear in 4 days…so he too fit right in! I still can’t put into words what this meant to me, nor do I think anyone would be able to adequately to put into words how to thank all those who did this for me. I am still touched, humbled, and in awe of having such good people in my life.

November 20th
I’m on my way to attend the Society of Neuro-Oncology annual meeting. I will be working the convention with my company and hopefully finding some new information for myself. Yesterday, Nicola and I got our first look at my MRIs since completing the first round of chemotherapy and radiation. The news really gave us a snapshot of where we are with our battle and I wish I could report good news…but…the new scans really are not that much different. This again is not a surprise since we are not even 4 weeks outside of radiation. Much of what we are seeing now can change but we have a fight on our hands and we have known this was going to be a tough, tough battle. We have a consultation at MD Anderson on Monday and possibly may have another procedure as early as Tuesday, November 25th depending on how (Nic and I) we feel about doing it right before the Thanksgiving holiday. (ed. plans did change slightly with the first treatment starting after Thanksgiving) We had a great holiday with my family, nic’s parents were out of the country and Gareth spent the day with Pam’s family. Too much food!

December 7th
Tomorrow I will have my 2nd round of radiosurgery. First time around went well except for a swollen eye (that was okay, I just told everyone that Nicola was keeping me in line). I’m sorry this post lacks my usual spark but the past weeks have been rough on us all. I’m looking forward to a good upbeat post in the near future. This is part of the process and I am still strong and ready to fight! Please keep us in your prayers, especially Nicola, Jessica, Emma, and Ethan. They are everything to me.

Keep praying, have faith, and we’ll beat this thing together! My promise.