Congratulations are in order

This past weekend we attended my baby sister, Lisa's wedding. A wedding I almost didn't get to go to. Lisa's wedding was the same week as my chemo treatment. I scheduled the treatment a day early so I could have the pump removed before the wedding. During the infusion on Wednesday, I became very itchy. That has happened before in the past but not for a long time. When I went to drink a glass of milk I got that weird sensation I used to get. Thursday morning I was getting ready for work and the tingly sensation in my hands and feet that I use to have was back. I was confused about the side effects. I was doing really well and all of the sudden everything came back. Sally became suspicious as well and called the doctor's office. When I began chemo I was on 3 different kinds of medicine for the infusion. Now that I am in remission I am on what they call a maintenance program which is only 2 of the medications. The medication that causes the worse side effects was not given any longer. Come to find out when I changed back to going every other week instead of every week the office went back to the original treatment and that is why I felt so bad. I felt relieved to know that it wasn't caused by the "mild" treatment and that the order was changed so it shouldn't happen again. But I felt really bad. I think it's probably the worse I have felt from a treatment. Friday I woke up and I could barely walk.It felt like I was walking on dry ice( not that I have walked on dry ice before, That would have really been stupid). Plus I was nauseated and no matter how much I slept it wasn't enough. By Friday night I felt a little better but still was in bad shape. Sally and the kids were gone for the evening. When they walked in the door Kaity was crying. She was crying for 45 minutes in the car before she even walked through the door.She is having the pains more frequently again. About 3 hours later she had calmed down enough to go to bed. She has another appointment this Friday. Hopefully if the doctor can't help her, he can send her to someone that can.

Saturday morning things were much calmer. Well......Kaity and I were better. I still wasn't feeling my best but I didn't feel like death either. I should take the first statement back. The kids and I were calm. Sally was like a crazy woman trying to make sure we all looked our best. This is the reason we don't dress up for church. I think we would end up in a divorce if we did.

Lisa's wedding was in Joliet, IL. The reason why she had it there was because my big sister Dawn married the happy couple (for now) in her church. She is a Minister. Sally told me Lisa was getting married in red. I thought she was kidding but she wasn't. My sister looked beautiful even though I am not a fan of red. Especially red cars but don't get me started on that one. My sister Lisa's new sister in-law brought some disposable cameras and put one on the tables to have people take pictures of whatever they wanted too. I quickly picked up the camera and went to take pictures of the most important thing at the wedding. I went straight to the cake and dessert table and started to snap away. At that point I was the best photographer in the world. The cake was made with fresh strawberries. It was very good. The wedding was very nice, a wonderful experience. I hope the best for my little sister and her new husband Dave. I told Dave if he needed any help or questions not to hesitate to ask. Then the happy couple started to laugh at me but what made it worse so did my wife. I just didn't get what was so funny, I was serious. I often wonder if it's just my kids or do all kids act up when they are suppose to be at their best. After the wedding Zachary and my nephew Evan, were at odds. These two little boys dressed in their Sunday best were pushing each other. At one point Zach pushed Evan down and Sally made him sit on the floor. When he was finally able to get up off the dirty floor, he told Evan to push him down so he would feel better about what he did and then Evan would now be the one in trouble. Evan was way to smart for that and told us of Zach's plot. So we made Zach stick his nose against the wall. No , actually we didn't put it sure would have been funny if we did. At the reception Zachary and Kaity were fighting about their plates. The both had the exact same plate but they were fighting over a plate. I have to admit though they were pretty nice plates. Then Kaity managed to knock over a glass of water and then Zachary topped her by spilling his glass of lemonade. Everyone at the table with us I could only imagine what they were thinking.I just ignore the situation while my sister in law Leann cleaned up the mess, thank you Leann. After dinner I was relieved. The kids were able to get up and walk around. Kaity loved being dressed up. You could tell by watching her. All the kids were running around but Kaity found interest in a pole with little mirrors on it instead. She spent almost the rest of the time pole dancing. She was really putting on a show. I am really getting a little nervous about her future career calling. She told Sally that she wants a pole for her birthday. At first she got upset if anyone wanted to use the pole but later on she had a group of kids she was teaching the tricks of the trade. She actually isn't so bad for a little girl who will be three on the 9th of April. When she wasn't pole dancing she was with my niece Rachele staring in a mirror. The food was good but the cake was better. I had to work for my piece of cake. The server came and gave Kaity a piece of cake. Then all the other tables were being served. I was really not happy.Obviously she didn't recognize who I was. Why would they serve one piece of cake to a table and instead of coming right back with the rest. They went to all the other tables instead. It was just very cruel and unusual punishment. Sally didn't help matters by laughing at her sick husband that was all flustered and talking to his self.

I am feeling better now. Tired but that goes without saying. Today I was able to get outside with the kids and enjoy the weather. I have the weekend off. Please pray for my niece Rachele. She is 4 and is having surgery tomorrow morning.

Thanks for visting and hope to post again this Sunday. God Bless you all!

They were huge!!

I usually try to write my blog on the weekends when possible. With the combo family birthday party for Zach and kaity and myself being sick throughout my 3 plus days off. My sinus's were really bothering me. My throat was a little scratchy and slightly sore. I would have to cough only when I needed to clear my throat and that would cause me to get a headache that would get worst each time I coughed. Poor Zachary was off from school last week for spring break. He started the week sick with a fever. When he started to feel better Kaity came down with the same thing. Then I think I must have gotten it and Michael became sick on Saturday. It seems to be that when ever Zachary has a break from school we are sick. hmmm

Saturday we celebrated Zach's 8th birthday and Kaity's 3rd. Zach's real birthday was 2 weeks ago and Kaity's isn't for another 2 weeks. It's easier to combine their birthdays for the families. We had their party at Edwardo's Pizza again. They have one of the better pizzas around in our area. As the kids were eyeing their pile of gifts I was eyeing the pile of frosting on the cupcakes . I know I wasn't feeling well but come on these were not your ordinary cupcakes. The cupcakes were more like miniture cakes. The frosting itself left a delightful experience in my mouth. It was like Christmas all over for the kids but honestly I don't remember what they received. The cupcakes still consume all my thoughts and most of my memories right now.

Today had a couple of interesting happenings(anything that happened before the party I still can't remember). Michael was at Walgreens and he spotted his grandma. He wanted to surprised her so he sneaked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her give her a nice size squeeze.To Michael's surprise she turns around and said "Oh My! Do I know you?" Nice job Michael .He is lucky the elderly nice lady didn't file assault charges against him and/or didn't suffer a coronary.I think all he had to do was to walk her across the parking lot to her car and she was all better. I wouldn't be surprise when the next time I walk into Walgreens and there is a mug shot of Michael posted up.

This evening I went to have blood work done for this Wednesday's chemo session. Zachary wanted to come with because he wanted to go to Target. When they called my name I told Zachary he could stay in the waiting room. He's just like his dad and does not like needles. While I was getting the blood drawn I heard a "WOOOOooo WWWooooooo" The lady drawing my blood and I looked over at the next area and saw my little boy in fear making his I am scared sound effects. We immediately looked at each other and busted out laughing He tried to use his scared pathetic look to manipulate me to buy him something at Target. It almost worked, until we started to laugh again.Then I remember my scare pathetic look never works on Sally and she is one who keeps tight control over the money I work hard for.

Like I mentioned earlier I have chemo this Wednesday. Saturday is my sister Lisa.s wedding day. My oldest sister is performing the wedding. I am sitting here wondering about the wedding cake. I hope it will out perform the cupcakes but I know that is a stretch.No pressure Lisa.

I am still not 100% so there is a possibility that I may not receive Chemo. I hope I will be able to. I want no delays in my treatment.

Hopefully, I will get a chance to write during the week. Have a great week. God Bless you all.

How can you call it a cake walk without cake! Title two: "Bedtime for Salzo "

Today I had Chemo and it didn't go exactly well. I was getting some on and off dizziness, not nausea but, dizziness.That was kinda frustrating for me.My side effects with this new preventative treatment is better for the most part. My tingling in my mouth when I drink something cold isn't nearly as bad. So I think this summer will be better,as long as I could drink the cold liquids. Last summer was bad as far as that went. I always had to wait to drink or eat cold things until about 4 days before my next treatment. My numbness in my hands and feet is a little better. Although I do feel that it easier for me to have minor hand injuries.I will explain later what I mean some other day. This is going to be a long blog. It was a little at chemo too ,because most of the other patients were just getting shots or just went to see the Doctor and left. So I was mainly the only one there for four hours all by myself. I did all that I could not to tear up. Sally was gone to get our plates for our car. When she did return, she did not fail me. I was not bored no more. Sally was at my rescue. She came and we just talk a little and then she fell asleep in one of the Chemo beds. You could imagine what that did to my self esteem.I quickly got over my esteem issues when I started hearing what sounded like farm animals. Mostly sounds of pigs. I looked over at Sally and couldn't believe it was coming from her. Of course I had to share in my joy. I tried to get Angela, Stacey and Goody's attention but, they were to busy in another room to share in my joy of laughing at my near perfect(?) wife? So I was still all alone. Get over it I thought to myself. The only thing missing was the drool.
I wanted to make a quick mention that Kaity isn't having as many issues with the pain in her hands and legs. We still haven't heard anything from the Doctor. Sally and I both think it may be some sort of arthritis. Now that is is getting warm her problems have lessen. I want to thank everyone for all the prayers for my little girl,God Bless you all.
This past weekend was Zach's birthday (Sunday). I wanted to make his Birthday special,so that is why I haven't posted in awhile. On Friday was Zachary's fun fair at his school.There was numerous things for the kids to do, like the cake walk, oh yeah! I coax Zachary to the cake walk. I was walking with Kaity at my side and Zach walking on his own. I didn't want to look at the prize delicacies so I would be pleasantly surprised if we won. I knew that Zach being the special boy that he was plus he was getting his own cake made by his mom, would undoubtedly let me pick out the cake. Kaity and I only went around 5 times and we won. I couldn't control my joy. Basically what I am saying is I was embarrassing myself.You don't see a adult man clicking his heals together like Ron Santo did in 1965 to often if at all and most of us knows what happened after that.. After the applause I worked my way to the cake table like Ralphie did in a Christmas Story after he wrote his essay on the Red Rider BB Gun. I looked at the table and my pleasantly surprise turned to you gotta be kidding me.Who took the cake. All they had was cookies,rice krispie treats ,brownies and Hostess Cakes(?). I grabbed a baggy that had 3 cookies in it. I had to make a important decision on what to do now. So I got back in line so I could be pleasantly you gotta be kidding me again. Zaity and I went around about another 6 times and won again, Zach was still winless.I had Kaity pick something out this time. Guess what she picked, cookies. They were chocolate chocolate chop cookies, good choice Zach finally won after going around for about 50 times. He went and picked out cookies on a stick. After the cake walk Zach wanted to go elsewhere and play some games and do other things.He wanted to make a sand bracelet. He was standing in line when a guy with 4 kids jumped ahead of Zach. So I did the first thing that came to me. A gave the guy a mean look. Good thing he wasn't looking at me. He no doubt would of ran out of there screaming. I saved him some embarrassment because his kids were there so I didn't press the issue. I am normally a nice guy by nature.

Sunday was Zachary's 8th Birthday. He wanted bacon and bagels for breakfast so that is what the master received. He had Faith Formation in the morning and we went to mass afterwards Kaity was crabby so we took a break in Zach's "fun" day so she could have a nap. Zach didn't mind because he was anxious to play with his new Star Wars lego set. We also got him an electric scooter but UPS didn't deliver it until the day after. After Kaity's nap we took the kids to the movies. We saw "Alvin and the Chipmunks". The movie kept Zachary's full attention. Sally and my attentions were mostly focused on Kaity. We enjoyed watching her watching the movie. Seeing her eyes lit up and dancing to the music. After the movie the master chose "Tylers Tenders" for dinner. It's one of those places the food is so-so but the kids really love the atmosphere which makes up for the mediocre food. We sat up at the counter so we could have our food delivered by the train. Afterwards, Kaity and Zachary went on a train ride. They both wanted to ride in front. Zach wanted to play with the bell and Kaity just sat there with a huge smile on her face. On the way home we stopped to pick up the masters ice cream. I was hoping he would choose rocky road or something with chocolate but he picked out "take the cake" ice cream to go with his banana birthday cake. Before he went to bed he kept thanking us and told us he had a great day. It made me a proud dad. I hope he remembers this birthday. I am hoping to get the computer fixed so I can start posting pictures again. My nephew will be home from school for a week so we are hoping he will want to come over to look at it.
I hope the next blog won't take me as long to post. Isn't the waiting worth it though(be nice ).
Thanks for visiting and god bless you all!