Sunday, November 8th

The Hawkeyes magic ran out yesterday. I guess that wasn't too big a surprise, was it? We'll blame the SI jinx. Who ever would have guessed Purdue could beat both Ohio State and Michigan in the same year and still be a horrible team - not even bowl eligible? That's the way this year is looking. It's crazy!
I can still root for my Bengals. Hopefully Jeff won't mind that I steal his and Brian's Slingbox signal (from Carole's mom in Cincinnati) and watch it from here today. Isn't technology great? As far as we know, Jeff still hasn't been deployed to Iraq -it's supposed to be any day now - and he seems frustrated with the delays. It seems that's the way the Army works.
I'm home this morning with a neighbor while Carole has gone to church with his wife. It was a good chance for her to get out while somebody was available to watch me. It's great to have good neighbors. Together, the neighbors took me for two trips around the block yesterday. It was a really warm day, and it felt wonderful to get outside for a while. Thanks, Steve and Mary!
Brian returns from Europe later this week, then will be coming here a week from Friday or Saturday (the 20th or 21st). Sounds like his business trip was full of long hours, without much time for any pleasure trips. That's why they call them business trips!
Andy is coming up from Iowa City later this morning. He'll take care of hooking up the Slingbox connections so I can watch the Bengals. Then he'll give Carole a break and help take care of me. He's been really good about being here when he needs to be, and he pays attention to what Carole needs as well as my concerns. I'm sure it's tough for him, because he frequently gets stuck in the middle.
I go back to the doctor at the U of I H&C next Thursday and, hopefully start the next round of chemo therapy. I'm still fighting!
Thanks again for everyone's thoughts and prayers. I appreciate all of them.

Monday, November 2nd

It was kind of a tough weekend for me. I started getting dizzy spells on Friday, so I did't get to do much of my therapy. I still don't have any idea what caused the spells, but they seem to be less frequent now, and I was able to complete my whole PT this morning - a full lap, about 80' with a walker - around the first floor of the house. That felt really good to complete.
Carole went back to work full time starting today. I have full time home health care staying here with me. I call them my babysitters. I have to admit, they are all good people, and they take good care of me.
It was an interesting football weekend. No Bengals, the Hawkeyes were lucky, Brett Favre delivered for the Vikings, and of course Purdue managed to sink to a new low level. Even Peyton Manning wasn't on top of his game, but the Colts still managed to win.
Maybe basketball season will be an improvement for Purdue. I think they have a pre-season ranking in the top 10, so hopefully they can live up to that ranking.
Thanks to all of you for your continued thoughts and prayers. I'm convinced they all help!

Monday, October 26th

What a great football weekend! The Boilermakers, the Hawkeyes and the Cyclones all won, plus the Bengals crushed the Bears. It was unbelievable. Andy and Tory came over yesterday morning and took me to Granite City for brunch. As usual, the food was excellent, and it felt great to get out - even though I'm still stuck in a wheelchair. I still feel like I'm getting stronger every day. On the way home from Granite City we stopped at OfficeMax and picked up a webcam that Andy installed Carole's laptop so we can Skype with Jeff while he's deployed to Iraq - he's supposed to leave any day now. After that several people from Carole's school came over and raked leaves. There's now a huge pile between the street and the sidewalk waiting for the city to suck them up.
The round of chemo I'm on now seems to be going well - it just started a day later than expected. I haven't experienced any unusual side-effects.
Carole got after me to nap between football games, but I just couldn't do it, so I got pretty tired on Saturday and Sunday. I'll need to remember that next weekend. Oh well, it was fun to see so many winners!

Friday, October 23rd

It's a good day! We don't know why, but the hospital didn't receive the results from the blood they drew yesterday until this morning. The platelet counts were good, so I begin the next round of chemo tonight. I'm feeling a little bit stronger every day. During this morning's physical therapy, I walked across the kitchen twice with the help of a walker - that felt good. The occupational therapy is also helping make my right side stronger. I'd love to be able to just hop out of bed and walk around the house, but right now that's just not possible. Before it got so rainy, Andy and Brian managed to take me for several walks (wheelchair rides) around the block, and took me out to dinner twice. It was great to get out. It's tough for me and I think it's tougher on Carole. Speaking of Carole, she returned to teaching half days last Monday. That gives her a chance to feel like she's doing something besides babysitting me all day, plus it's good for the kids. In the meantime, I'm working about half time from home via my laptop.
Thanks again to all of you for your thoughts, prayers and gifts.

Friday, October 16th

Today was a pretty good day - I logged in to my work email, plus when my physical therapist (torturer) was here, I was able to walk about twenty feet with the help of a walker. Things do seem to be improving daily. I know you'll all have trouble imagining this, but Carole makes a great drill sergeant, and she's making me do all my exercises. I was supposed to start my next round of chemo last night, but it got postponed until next week because my platelet count is a little low. The nurse at the UIH&C didn't seem overly concerned about the delay.
My family has been here helping a lot the past few weeks. My mother-in-law. Ailene, left here today after being here about 10 days and my brother-in-law, Jim left today after being here about three days. They both helped a bunch. My mother, two sisters and brother-in-law were here last weekend. Andy visits almost daily, and Brian drove down from Minneapolis tonight. It's kind of exhausting, but it's always good to see family. I think Brian is taking me out for dinner on Saturday night.
Today was my 20th anniversary with Genencor, and that family continues to surprise me with their generosity. They gave me a ton of gifts that I can't begin to thank them for appropriately.

Monday, October 12th

It's been a rough few weeks. I returned home last Friday, but I can't walk alone, and I'm pretty much wheel chair bound. It's really hard on Carole which makes me feel really guilty. I'm thankful Carole's mom and Andy have been here and so available. Brian was here last weekend and did a lot of work. Jeff and Cathy were also here last weekend, and helped a lot. Two of my sisters and my mother also visited last Sunday. It was exhausting, but it was good to see everyone.

Here are a few pictures from our Bengals party on Sunday. They pulled off another big win...earning the title of Cardiac Cats!

Friday, October 9, 2009

Home at last! A successful two weeks in rehab has reached its conclusion, and I am home again. I can't believe that Carole gave me her Linn-Mar bell to set on the TV tray beside the bed. I wonder if she will truly respond?? Modifications to the house were made by Brian, Carole and Ailene (Carole's mom) so that I would be safe to come home. Andy also joined us in going down the to the University of Iowa Hospitals on Thursday where we received some pretty decent news. The MRI seemed to indicate no new growth of the tumors, so we are keeping the same course of treatment with chemo starting again on Thursday.
Right now I am lying in bed watching golf on my new television. I can't believe how awesome the picture is. Several people were involved in making this happen for me, and I especially thank my mother, Shirley, for the gift. I appreciate all the support from family and friends who visited or sent their well wishes while I was laid up at the hospitals.