Thursday, October 7, 2010

Forge ahead

Today has been a very long day. Actually the week has been a long week. Not one of the best weeks I have had. The call on Monday from the doctor's office helped set the mood. Then there was a couple off rough days at work. During the quiet times my mind wondered about the impending CT scan results. I tried to convince myself the reason I was called was to come in for an appointment was just to let me know everything was fine. Deep down I knew something was up though. Sally thought maybe the tumor in the spine.I was having some back pains.

Then today came. It was a torture. Waiting and waiting for the results. Not that I want to hear bad news but the news that is given is always easier to deal with then what is playing in your mind. In the waiting room I had a hard time breathing. I am sure it was a near encounter with a panic attack. Then I was called into the doctor's office and that's when the real fear took place. After the nurse took my vitals and information we sat there and waited and waited and waited some more. We had to wait over an hour. In the mean time Sally and I try to keep our minds occupied. We watched the people walking in the parking lot making comments(making fun,old habits are hard break). about them. Finally the oncologist walked in and as soon as I seen his face I knew it wasn't good news. This is the part where I was hoping to write everything is fine and we were worried for nothing. Unfortunately, I am not able to say that. I knew the chances of cancer coming back was great. I knew that the doctor wanted to see me wasn't a good sign. Yes the cancer is back. It's back in the liver. The same spot where it was before but there are two more smaller tumors next to it.

What does this mean? Obviously it's a set back but that's all it is a set back. I have all the faith and hope everything will be fine. My prognosis hasn't changed. It's the same as the first day I walked in to the oncologist office. All the options I had then I still have now. The obvious I am going back on chemotherapy. I began treatment today. I am receiving bi-weekly infusion treatments of Avastin (which isn't a chemo drug), followed by infusion treatments of Oxaliplantin every 3 weeks, and I am taking an oral chemo drug called Exeloda. I go in every week for blood work. Also, I am going to be seeing the cancer surgeon at UIC. The tumors are all on the same lobe in the liver which means he might be able to remove them. He also mentioned last time about zapping them out with a laser type thingy. Tuesday I am going in for a PET scan to see if the cancer has travel else where. Which means more fun in waiting for test results.

The waiting for the results is actually worse then getting bad news. Once the news is out in the open it is easier to deal with. The not knowing is what takes years off your life. I am not looking forward to dealing with the side effects from chemo. But dealing with the side effects is a lot better then not having the option of having treatment. As long as there is treatment available there is hope. I have this thing about people having to blame someone or something for their misfortunes. I do not blame God, or evil, or fate. I blame Sally my wife. It's her fault. She jinxed me when she went back to school.So there I said it,I feel better now.

As I am writing this, I am reluctant to post this. It's not that I am ashamed , embarrassed, or want to be secretive. It's the fear of being pitied. I don't want people to feel sorry for me or treat me with kid gloves. Even though I know people have good intentions and mean well I just want to live my life like I did before the "C" word was mentioned. I am a guy who happens to have cancer, cancer does not have me.I may have lost this battle ,but I will win the war. I am confident of that.

Thank you all for your prayers,but we still have work. Lets get it done.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Feel like I am being discriminated


Update

A brief update. Kaitlyn's appointment at Riley's went well. The doctors still feel her pains are more or less "growing" pains. Sally and I are not so convinced but respect their expert opinion. Right now they are going to watch and wait. Which I agree, is better then putting her through more blood work and test. She did test positive for a marker that is linked to lupus and arthritis. However, she doesn't have enough symptoms to make the doctors believe something else is going on. She goes back in March for a follow up visit.

We had a nice day when we went to Riley's. We took the kids to the zoo. Kaitlyn really enjoyed looking at all the animals. Zachary had a good time as well but was disappointed because he didn't see many turtles. Also, he wondered why zoos don't have turtle shows. More about that in another blog.

Today was the day for my colonoscopy. It was the best one so far. It was the best one so far because we canceled it. More insurance woes. I really miss having HMO. I didn't have to go through all the hassles that we are dealing with now. Routine colonoscopys are covered 100% by my insurance. Mine isn't considered routine since I had a tumor. Even if they found a polp it wouldn't be considered routine any longer. Now it's considered a procedure. Procedures have a $250 co-payment. I feel like I am being punished by my insurance company for having cancer. First it was the pump not being covered and now this. I will have the colonoscopy done but I am going wait until January. In November, my work has open enrollment for insurance and we can switch insurance plans. Hopefully, there will be one that will be more accommodating for me. Right now it feels my insurance company would rather have me die from cancer instead of helping me with my care. Now I am wondering if I am going to be charged $250 for having the wax taken out of my ears. I was told to go to the ENT Doctor before I got retested at work( I failed miserably the first time).

I had my cat scan over a week ago. It left me a little nervous because the tech needed to take some more pictures after viewing the X-rays. I found out later that is very normal which eased my mind. I go Thursday for the bi-weekly Avastin treatment and received a phone call that my doctor wants to discuss the results of the cat scan with me that day to.I am nervous about this one. I will keep everyone posted on the results. In the meantime, I will be a cooking up another post and praying a lot.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Ozz Fest

Yep that's right. I went to the Ozz Fest. Not the Wizard of Oz fest but the Ozzie Osborne one. I have always been curious to go but I have never seen Ozzy perform live. Michael was given tickets (Thank you Ron) for the concert. Poor kid couldn't find anyone to go with (at least that is what I think even though he said that's not true) and asked me to go with. Motley Crue as well was playing too so I was excited to go. There were a lot of other bands with strange names. Which will remain nameless.

When we first got there we pulled up next to a car that had two stuffed animal in the Driver and passenger seats. I thought that to be quite odd. Michael and I just sat there staring.(I know its not polite to stare, but you had to see this). All of a sudden they started to move about. I was thinking man this is crazy. I could only imagine what must be going through Michael's teenage head. Then I saw his face,with the look of I think we need to go NOW! They started to remove themselves from the car. " No way," I thought. Then they started to what looked like talk to each other. They looked like a Care Bear experiment that went terribly wrong. There hair was very tall and red. They were both wearing hairy looking shoes/boots, that went up to there knees. A rubber band for shorts and a plastic grocery bag for a shirt. That is when they noticed us staring. I quickly picked up something that can posed as a cell phone,acting like I was talking on it. Little did I know it was one of Kaitlyn's dollies. So who is the goof here. Michael and I slithered out of the car hoping not to encounter them again unless we went to the zoo.

We finally went inside and walked around to gawk at the scenery. Surprisingly the crowd looked half and half, half drunk or half high. All ages ,shapes and sizes were there. There people there almost twice my age, at least that's how they looked (hard life I guess). Oh and the sweet smell of ,that smell.I can't quite figure out what it is, but I smelled it before. It seems it always at these musical get togethers with a lot of people. The more people the stronger that sweet smell. I'm thinking its a reaction to all the different perfumes and colognes in the air floating around. I then noticed this crowd forming just to the side of us and people snapping pictures, not sure of what at this point. I moved closer to the location of the commotion, thinking Ozzy came out to say hi to everyone. I got closer and people started parting the way for me (they must know who I am). I made to the destination and I immediately said "OH HEEEEEEEL NO". Needless to say it wasn't Ozzy or anyone else performing. It was the Care Bears and people were taking there picture like they were the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders. I quickly put my arm over my face because I didn't want them to recognize me and run after me.

Michael and I then went somewhere else to check things out. We saw a circus tent and decided to check it out. It was human oddities and we had to check this out. They had a guy who swallowed swords and he also let you staple money to his body. Depending on the denomination you can put it on different parts of his body. I thought of a spot but, didn't have that kind of money. There a midget lady who danced on glass, no comment, another guy who was able to put his body through a tennis racket. I could barely remember when I was able to do that. I think I was about 6 months old. The highlight of the show was a scantily clad lady who danced around. I think her special talent was she was a scantily clad lady who danced around. I paid 5 bucks to see that, I could have gone to parts of Gary to see the same thing for free. I got to see the most famous oddity of them all, the Cat man. Cat man was featured in a lot of shows including Ripley's. His face is totally tattooed looking like a cat and his teeth were grinded down to be pointy like a cats. I like turtles but, your not going to see me shaving my head,wearing a turtle shell from a hapless turtle, laying on a log naked and eating raw fish.

This blog is getting long so I am going to end it soon.The main acts like Ozzy and Motley Crue did a good show. Ozzy actually did better than expected. I thought he would be stumbling around the stage. He did not fall off the stage not once or forget his words. Thanks for reading and Bless you all.

A Tale Between Two Families

This summer we went to two family reunions. As I sat at the latter one I pondered the similarities and differences between the two families. I will never say which family is better. That is just down right mean. I will share my observations so you as a reader can make in informed decision on which one you think is better.

The first one we attended was for my mother's side at my brother Mike and his family's house. He and his wife have been gracious enough on many summers to host the family reunion. So the setting is in their air conditioned house with a huge display of delicious food set up in a bug free home (for the most part). The outside has a little lake for those who want to go fishing or turtle hunting, a pool, a swing set, bag game or as they call it corn hole. There is also clean bathrooms and a pool table and air hockey game in the basement. Along with nice comfy couches and a large TV. Not that it really matters because we are outside for the most part. Mainly in the pool.

Sally's family reunion is on her mom's side. It is a yearly thing. Done on her grandmother's birthday no matter what the day falls on. It is held at a park. It's under a pavilion.It always begins at 3pm but we never get their until after 5ish. Usually the kids are in school at that time so we make sure their homework is done first. There is a huge set up with what appears to be delicious looking food. We don't eat because it's usually hot out and the food has been sitting out for awhile when we get there. Plus Sally does not eat outdoors because of the bugs and there is often times we see flies on the food. There is lake for fishing but you have to pay for fishing. We have to pay to get into the park as well. At least it is only 5 minutes away from home as for my brother it's a 45 minute drive. At the park there are 2 play areas which is away from the food. One of us has to go and watch the kids (it's usually me).

I will admit I don't spend a lot of time with Sally at my family reunion. I am busy playing corn holes, talking among relatives, sneaking food when Sally isn't looking and trying to avoid the look.When she turns and is talking to someone, I will cleverly make two plates. One is healthy food the other is sweets. I will put the plate of sweets by someone,so she will think its their's.The perfect plan, it works every time. Hey,what a minute, never mind. I was just kidding. Every time I do see Sally she is always talking to someone so I am not worried about her feeling uncomfortable. My family is very out going and easy to talk with.

Sally's family reunion always involves her Aunt Barbara and her children and grandchildren. I think she said her aunt had 10 kids. There might be a cousin or two from the other families thrown in there somewhere. When Sally's sisters go they usually sit and talk among themselves. This year the sisters were not there. Which made it for no one except for me for Sally to talk with. At least that is what I thought. I wondered off with Zach for a bit to look for turtles and Sally was at the play area with Kaity. When I went to the play area Sally was a little peeved at me because she couldn't mingle with her cousins because she was watching Kaity. So I stayed and she walked back to the pavilion. I was bored and I went to spy on her. I saw her in the pavilion. Sitting at a picnic table and talking with NO one. Yes you heard me nobody. The pavilion was filled with her cousins but she was talking with NO one. Just sitting at a picnic table all by herself,talking to no one! She got irritated with me because she wanted to sit alone and talk to NO one???? As for my family reunion we are there for several hours but for Sally's we stayed there maybe 2 hours.

Like said I would never judge the two families. Just stating the facts.
Thank you for reading and God Bless.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Current updates

The blog started to keep my family and friends updated about my health condition. How has it turned into the "Ceiga's Circus Life" I never know. I know everyone is more interested about my life them they are with me, Which I know I am a boring old man. Sally keeps telling me I do not have to write "I am doing well but tired" in every post. She did mention that once in awhile to write about current updates. I hope that is OK with all my fans.Unless you like reading "I am doing good but tired all the time" then let me know.

Big drum role everyone............. I am doing well but still tired all the time. I will be having a CT done in the next couple of weeks. I still have to schedule it. I will let you know the date. I have a colonoscopy scheduled for October 4th. Kaitlyn has an appointment in Indianapolis tomorrow(the 21st) with the rheuthmologist. We are actually making a day out of it. Taking Zachary with us and going to the Indy zoo before her appointment.

Because of Kaity's appointment I will have 5 days off from work in a row. That's a vacation for me. It's been probably at least a year I had that many days off in a row. I did manage to hang up a book shelf I was going to do 3 years ago and other odds and ends that needed to be done. I also have new blog material to write. Boy do I have a good one coming. It's not that I look for blog material it always finds me. Living with Sally and the kids help. It helps a lot. I really appreciate them more and more each day for that.

Please keep in your prayers my dad. He had out patient surgery this past Thursday. Everything went well. He has to take it easy and no driving for several weeks. That is going to be hard on him. He is the type (unlike me) that always has to have something to do and does not like staying at home.

Hope everyone has a great week.
Thank you for all your well wishes. I am greatful for that.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Found My Lost Love

Another adventure we had this summer, was taking the kids to Indiana Beach. Honestly, it wasn't something I was looking forward to, but I was looking forward to seeing the smiles on my little ones' faces and spending the day with the family. The heat and rides isn't my idea of fun though. I use to be a wild man when it came to rides. I would ride all of them and never feel queasy. Now that I am older I can't handle them as well. My kids on the other hand. love rides. Even when they have the most serious look on their face as they spin around and they become pale after they hop off it's always followed by "Again!, Again".




I did go on one roller coaster with Zach. It was either going with him or going on a spinning ride with Katy. The roller coaster I knew would be easier for me to handle. So instead of the queasiness,I came off with whip lash. Now, I knew as the day went on I had to reevaluate my discussion's or convince Sally to make better ones for me. We did manage to pick one of the hottest days of the summer to go. We kept filling up on drinks. As I stood around bored waiting for the kids and Sally to get off the ride, and looking at the clock on my phone wondering if we stayed here for a total of 4 hours if the kids would mind. Then I looked up and couldn't believe my eyes. There it was, the sign that I have sought for , for over 25 years The rare and elusive"Dog-n-Suds" sign. I haven't been to a "Dog-n-Suds since the one I worked at closed in the mid 80's I have had many sleepless nights dreaming of the scrupcious Coney Dog. I have been to Indiana Beach before but never saw Dog-n-Suds there. Sally must have seen it and led me a stray. Oh my I was positively hippity, hop pity, skippy by now. I would have clicked me heels but, peoople were staring at me by that point. Dog-n-Suds was my very first job. I loved their food. I was very upset when they closed down and the building was torn down. It has been over 25 years since I had one of the most delicious Conney dogs. Did I mention that already? Then I remembered the kids were having fun on the rides and Sally doesn't eat hot dogs. I would sell this to them. I needed to be clever and charming. When the kids and Sally came walking towards me after the ride, I told Sally we should take the kids to eat. The kids didn't seem that hungry but she did agree(score one for me). She mentioned about getting them some bread sticks and I told her there is a restaurant right here as I pointed. She looked up and saw the sign and I knew she wasn't happy but she agreed(score two). We walked in and I couldn't wait to share this experience with my kids. Corny dogs was my very first love. We went to the counter and I ordered 2 corny dogs. I would have order at least 4 if Sally wasn't with me. Then Sally orders fries and my kids well...... they both ordered dots. Dots the ice cream! Come on! They can go to the mall and eat dots but this was once in a life time chance to have a corny dog, but they were not open to that at all. Everyone did order root beer which made me feel a tad better. When we sat down to eat I couldn't believe my eye. We received two extra corny dogs.( He throws the long one and touchdown) 2 EXTRA!!!!!! It was a sign from heaven. I'm gonna be OK. The kids enjoyed their dots, I was loving my 2 dogs, and Sally's Cheese Fries were terrible.(Fumble) I told her that Dog-n-Suds didn't have Cheese Fries when I worked there, that is why they were terrible. You have to have something there know for. I really didn't feel so bad about the fries( she'll have to learn) because my corny dogs were so dang delicious. So on the tray sat the 2 extra lonely corn dogs. I tried playing cool. Asked Sally if she wanted one which I knew was a no. Then asked Katy and she said no to but Zach did not fail me. He ate one and he loved it to. By the way the I couldn't let the extra one go to waste so I finished that one(Game winner).




After that, I was a happy man. The kids wanted to go on the water log ride so we went as a family. The lady that was working the rides was an older woman. She looked very grumpy and you could tell she hated her job. We went on the log. Zach and I sat on the front half. When the log went down really fast I lifted up my hand and nooooooooooooo I knocked Zachs Cubs cap off. When we got out of log we looked for the cap. A lady told us it's in the water and if we wait it will becoming down the stream shortly and soon there was the Cubs cap floating in front of us. I quickly bent over and snached it right up. While I was saving the Cubs, but not there year, the worker started yelling at me. I walked away and said it's a Cubs cap and it was worth the sacrifice. The kids wanted to go right back on and I was to chicken to face the crab again, besides I had to use the facilities. So Sally took the kids as I stayed behind and guarded the cap. After they were done the kids walked back almost in tears. As they were getting on the log the crab yelled at Sally. She said what I did was very wrong. I am sure Sally didn't keep quiet. In fact after the altercation, Sally found a manager and complained. The lady is lucky I wasn't there. I would have laughed and yelp with delight as this lady was getting tatooed from my wife and as I was getting escorted off the premises.(Goal for the mean lady)




We ended the day by riding the bumper cars like 20 times in a row. That is our mentality level, thinking its fun to ram our cars into other people and laugh when they get stuck and can't go. As we were walking out we just had to stop at the gift shop. Sally told the kids they could get one memento. Katy had no problem deciding. She quickly grabbed a pink Indy Beach cap. Zachary on the other hand took an hour to decide. During the process he accidentally knocked off a ceramic shaped boat soap dish . It landed on the floor in a couple of different pieces. I quickly told Zach that was his memento as stood there in embarrassment and tears. The kids put theirs things on the counter and I added mine. Sally gave me that face. Well.........I like mementos too. She handed everything back to me except for an Indiana Beach pen which I was allowed to buy. She did mention I have enough mementos from everyone else's trips. Since we can't afford to travel I live vicariously through others. I have a drawer full of collectible spoons others have picked up for me from their travels. I should display them and invent stories about all my travels.




On the way home we were trying to find a place to eat. By this time we were hungry. To make this day complete for me was dinner at Shakey's. Why in the world did they ever close Shakey's? I am still crushed 10 years later.Not as crushed as D-N-S. Sally googled and found one that was 200 miles away. I would have tempted if I knew they would be open when we got there. We stopped at a KFC because they had a buffet. When we walked in we heard "Sorry the buffet is closing". So we drove some more heart crushed and hungry. We found a truck stop that had a buffet. We ate and left hungry and heart crushed again because it was terrible. It took almost three weeks for my belly ache to go away(score for Sally,game over).

Thanks for reading my blog and God Bless.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

A Day at the Beach




It was a day at the beach but no picnic in the park.

One Sunday, we decided to take the kids to the air show in Gary after church. This is our second time to go. The first time we went Zachary was 1. We didn't stay very long because Michael was more interested in the food and Zach was more interested in how much sand he could throw at Sally. We were hoping this time would be a tad better.

This time we decided to park at the beach and from there take the shuttle to the other beach where they were flying at. When I went to pay the parking fee the gentleman at the gate told me that we would be able to see the jets from our location. The kids were happy because they have been wanted to go to the beach all summer long. Then they realized they didn't bring their swimming suits and cries were followed. Giggles were followed after the cries when my wife and I knew bathing suits were secretly shoved in a very over sized purse. The adults (being my wife and I) had decided earlier that morning we were not going to go in the water. Sally told me I should wear shorts so I could be quote more comfortable unquote. So I did, which was my mistake. Sneaky wife. She keeps following in Eve's footsteps and I continue to be the loyal gullible Adam.

Zachary had been asking for a couple of years if we could take them to the beach. The first and last time he had went was with his Aunt Stacie when he was 3. Obviously, this was Katy's first experience at the beach. At first she was fascinated with all the sand and Zachary drove right into the lake. Then Kaity discovered the water and loved that as well. Did I mentioned we went to watch the air show. Apparently, the kids forgot as well. For they barely noticed the jets that were flying above their heads. Zachary look another jet coming. Yeah , OK thanks Dad. Back to his turtle shaped sand sculpture. Zach a turtle plane, look over there! "Where Dad Where, show me, show me NOOOOOOW !"' Oh, I'm sorry Zach, you missed it, hee hee hee" ."Maybe next time "hee hee hee ". While I was trying to watch the jets the kids kept going from the water to the sand. Both couldn't make up their minds on what they liked best. We had to tell them several times not to run. Then when we were about to scream it again, Zachary made sand fly as he was running all over a family that was sitting near the lake. I think that was the first time in my entire dad hood where I wanted to disown my child. I said, "Lady you really need to control your kids better",than I walked. away . Not forever but at least for the day. I looked back to see Sally staring at me. At least I think it was her. It was hard to tell with the hot sand resonating off her skin, made her look like a fire ball. Luckily, the family was nice about it. At least they seemed nice. I am sure when we walked away they talked about us for awhile. I know I would have not been to happy if I was them.

After we found another area to be at ,we decided it was best, after that, to keep the kids in the water. Sally was with Katy but Katy decided she wanted to go further in the water. The problem was, Sally wore pants that were folded up to the knee. However, I had the shorts on because she told me to. Now I realize she is evil and plans my every move even when I don't realize it. So I grabbed Katy's hand and went further into the water with her. Then I realized I had the car keys, wallet, and cell phone in my pockets. I went to turn around to hand them to Sally and poof she was gone. I was a little annoyed. My feet were killing me because of the rocks. The chemo made my feet very sensitive and walking on the bottom of the lake was very painful. I need to buy a pair of water shoes for the next time I go.

I gathered the kids out of the water so we could find my wife. It didn't take long when we saw this huge glow coming from where we had our towels and blankets at.There was a crowd that was forming there. There was a glow that was blinding, then I realize the glow was coming from my very very white wife laying on the blanket. Maybe the crowd thought she was a crash landed UFO. So me being the loving husband that I am had to say," Don't be afraid she comes in peace". She didn't think that was very funny but, I did and that is all that mattered to me. Not only is she pasty white she was laying there with her jeans on. It was a funny site to see. I should just leave it at that so you would think Sally is really bad. The truth is, she was not feeling well that day. She had been fighting a sinus infection for a few weeks this summer. It was still funny to see her laying there. Everyone around her tanned and wearing bathing suits and shorts then there was her. To this day I still laugh about it and she still doesn't know what was so funny.

The kids had a great time. They never mentioned a word about the jets though. I enjoyed watching the jets. It was awesome to have a front view. As the beach was clearing out by people it became infested by seagulls. We took it as our sign to vacate as well.





Thanks for visiting and thanks for all the prayers and thoughts,




It's Not like its Hiroshima, or even Nagasocki!!!

First off I have had two of the Preventative infusions,since taking about a month off. I don't have the normal chemo anymore.So now I am only there for about 1 and a half hours as compared to about 4 and a half before.Now I don't have enough time to watch all my court TV shows. As far as the side effects go, I don't really have anything major except I got really sleepy during the session. I felt some fatigue as well when I was at work but,still managed pretty well.

Warning this entry might be offensive to some or even to most or all. If you continue to read you are advised that you are reading at your own risk.

Most of the time I do not have a clue what I will write about until I actually sit down and write. The other day while we were in the car I announced "It's not like its Hiroshima!" and Sally thought it would be a good title for a blog. In order to use it as a title I need to explain why my comment was warranted. Do I dare explain is the other question I am pondering at this very moment. For I know if I elaborate, this posting will take a turn, a turn that might make a few never want to read by blog again. But then again, do I even have a few readers? I am a guy and I really don't see the up coming subject matter to be offensive. For the average person does this about 14 times a day( yes,I actually looked this up for this blog).So don't ever think you won't learn anything be reading my blog. You may want to wash your hands after reading this blog. Here it goes.

So the other day, I was in the car with the family. All of a sudden I heard an "ewww", followed by "grossssss"and then topped off with "Daaaaaad!". I am thinking so what's the big deal I farted. It's not that bad and that is when I replied "It's not like it's Hiroshima".

So I decided to be brave and dedicated this blog to farts. With a little, OK a lot of encouragement from my wife. Maybe if more people talk about it, it wouldn't be so embarrassing when it happens. Just like in America burping is impolite and frowned upon but in other countries it's an compliment. Maybe I can start a new trend.

I never understand why people over react when I pass gas. I don't mind the smell of mine. I guess they don't mind me either because when I try to walk away the smell always follows me. I once had an incident at work where I leaked one out( I mentioned this in an earlier blog). Everyone blamed the other person while I remained hidden and laughed at the commotion I had caused. Then there was the time when Sally (who was pregnant at the time) vomited in the hallway after an encounter with my ghostly fumes. I felt really bad at the time but, did get over it quickly. Why dwell on it?

I thought about it for awhile and realized each person in my family has their own way of releasing themselves. I will start with my mom. I can because she doesn't read this blog that often and if anyone in my family tells on me they are subjected to me writing a dirty secret about them on a future blog. So my mom.... Here is the best way to describe hers. Take your hands and slap them together like a quick clap.Not to be confused with the clapper they sell on TV. She does this all with no special gadgets involved. That is exactly what she sounds likes it.

I can always tell with Sally because hers is always followed by a giggle. Unless we are out in public then the giggling is replaced by a red face and a quick pace..

Then there is Michael. Not sure if you really want to know about Michael. Michael laughs when he hears the word "fart". All you have to say is "fart" and Michael will laugh. Yep, at almost 20 years old he will laugh at the word "fart". Michael has no shame when it comes to this subject matter. You can hear him from another room in the house. If for chance he has the urge and you are in the same room with him, you will see him lifting up a leg before hearing a "rumble". Usually in the direction of Zachary's face. Followed by Michael I'm going to get you. Usually Zachary does what the do on to others as they have done to you,and he does with pride.

Now there is Zachary. Zachary has mastered this skill. He takes after his dear old dad and I am proud of him. He is silent and someone else is usually blamed for his. Or sometimes he is blamed for mine. Ir's kinda like a game with us. I usually win.

Katy is more like her mother. She laughs and announces "I farted". She takes pride and ownership with what she has accomplished.God Bless her.

In case you are wondering I have not ran out of material to write. I was thinking about how I could make the title my wife chose fitting for the blog. So if you were offended or disgusted blame Sally.

I have a question that maybe some of you would like to put your two sense in on. Why when Sally yells at Kaity, Kaity says " Mommy is mad at me ""sob sob". When I yell at her,for usually the same reason its," Daddy is mean""!@#%$^?**&^%$#." I don't get this and probably never will.

Thanks for visiting and God Bless you all

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Pierogi Fest veruses Corn Roast

This summer we were not able to take a family vacation. Not that we have ever taken a family vacation but it sounded better saying it that way. We tried taking the kids to different things this summers. Places they haven't been before. Somethings I haven't done before either.

One place we took them was to the Pierogi Fest. To be honest I was looking forward to the food but not the fest itself even though I have never went before. On the way there we kept seeing signs for PR Fest. I was thinking Public Relations? I thought it was a little weird to have that type of fair especially in East Chicago Indiana, but stranger things have happened. I drove on pass the signs listening to my new "Kings of Leon" CD when I noticed a car with a Puerto Rican flag hanging from it. I told Sally whats with all the cars with these flags on them. Just then Sally started to laugh .Whats the problem,ooooooooooooooo never mind.I guess I was just thinking about all the Pierogi's I was going to devour and all the buttery goodness that will drip on my freshly pressed shirt. I later thought about going to Wal-mart on my way home and get a huge American Flag for my car. Then we can up to a 4 way stop lights and saw a line of cars with Puerto Rican flags hanging from them and thought otherwise.I might be a little slow but eventually I do catch on to things or Sally helps me to catch up to speed. I know the Sally helping me part is scary too.

We finally made it to Whiting to the Pierogi Fest. Of course my dear wife had to start making Polish remarks about me. Even though I am not Polish. Slovak is nothing near being Polish ,I told Sally . We finally get there and the food lines were really long. A guy could starve waiting in these lines. There was lots of vendors though. We finally got our delicious food( fried mac and cheese) and pierogis. Wait I only had one pierogi and the one I had was good. Katy took over the pierogies and ate them all. It was hot and the kids were miserable. I was kind of glad because walking around and looking at food booths was kind of boring and I figured we would eat and leave. It would be different if each booth gave out free samples then I would be at my glory but seeing almost every booth selling pierogies is ludicris to me. As we continued walking there was a sign for a craft sale. Yikes! There was no way to hide the sign from Sally. So we ended up walking around there. The kids were miserable and complaining so she didn't look very long and bribed them and me too with desert if we behaved. So on the way out there was a booth for chocolate covered fruit on a stick. I love frozen bananas dipped in chocolate so that was an easy choice for me. Katy wanted strawberries. She took one bite of her then a bite of mine and then the next think I know she took over the entire banana. Oh she did manage to save a forth of it for me, without the chocolate of course. Which by that time was squishy and slimy.

I went to school at Bishop Noll and spent time in East Chicago because of family and friends. On the way I decided to drive past some of the areas I would hang out. Sally was annoyed when she finally after a half hour of my driving we weren't close to being home. That is what she gets for snoozing in the car.

I have never been to a corn roast before. Sally said she had went to a few when she was younger. I was looking forward to it. Especially when I found out the ticket price included unlimited corn. I love corn on the cob and so does my little ones. It was a corn lover's dream come true. The corn was really sweet. I have to have butter and salt on my corn but this time there was no reason for the butter. It also came with 2 hots dogs or sausages but I really wouldn't have cared if I didn't get one. My family and I sat on bleachers eating our corn and watching everyone else at the picnic tables eating theirs with bits and pieces of corn on there faces.There was corn pieces flying everywhere and that was just where we sat. There was this older couple sitting behind us. It was a great experience. If I never go back to the Pierogi Fest I will live. However, I must go back to the Corn Roast every year until I die or until I lose all my teeth.

I took over a month off from infusion treatment. I started back today. I will only be getting Avastin and no more pump. From what I read it can still make me tired but It won't cause the other side effects( I still have the tingling in my hands and my feet are very sensitive). Not sure how long the infusions will be. I am hoping it will only be for a couple of hours. I will blog again sooner then this time. Lots of stories to tell.
Take care and God Bless you all!


Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Up date on me

It's been awhile since I posted. I have been enjoying summer with my family. Zachary started school last week and I have a feeling things are going to start getting crazy around here with us trying to juggle everything. One good thing (at least I hope it's good) I am not receiving chemo any longer. If I knew how to do a cart wheel I would be doing them all the time. I am so over joyed not having to wear the take home pump any longer. Originally, I had until February for chemo but because of insurance coverage caps the take home pump was no longer covered. There were other options but my oncologist felt comfortable with me ending treatment now. I am still going in every 2 weeks for Avastin infusion. Avastin is just a preventative medication so the side effects are mild. I go in September for a CT scan and will still be having scans every 4 months.

Today I am off. Once again (Yeah!) I found a way to avoid my honey to do list. Michael was given tickets to the Oz Fest and invited me to go with. I hope I don't cramp his style having his old dad at his side. I have a feeling though,, he is going to cramp my style though having my lad at my side while I rock to Motley Crue. By the way,thanks Ron for the tickets, I feel really bad (cough cough) you couldn't go. I actually would have felt a little bad for you if I wasn't going to be benefiting from it.

Sorry no funny stories about my family or a long blog to make you tired and help you sleep. Don't fret there will be plenty to come.

Enjoy your day!
God Bless
Bill