See, I Know This Guy...

Seldom do I blog about anyone outside of my immediate family, but today I am going to try to share something with out blasting other peoples business all over the internet.

I have a friend going through a rough time in his life...one of my favorite people.  I am not going to go into details, names, and anything...but I will say this, real friends and people who really love you look past your mistakes and short-comings...see the person past all the "mist"...simply put, good, hell, GREAT people often have problems.  Postman, Doctors, Presidents...anyone can have a crutch or issue that troubles them their entire life, but that issue does not define them as a person, parent, employee, or friend or determine their success, unless they that person allows it.  I just think you should treat good people LIKE good people, despite what troubles them.  That is what real friendship and love is...unconditional.  Not to say that a person making bad decisions should get off "scott free"...but if they are a good person, build them up, don't tear them down.

Thursday Shmursday...

Both Melissa and the midget are home sick today.  Yesterday, little came straight home and crashed.  He acts just like I do when I am sick...sleep it out.  I plan on delivering a good lunch and a movie to make them feel better....that's how I role.

My Brother Is Moving!

Proud of my baby brother for making one of his dreams come true...moving far away from Petersburg, VA.  He and his family are moving to Johnson City, TN!  I think I am actually gonna miss the guy.

Blogging Is NOT About Pity

Sometimes I worry that blogging about the cancer could be interpreted that I am seeking pity.  

That is certainly not the case.

What is "pity"?  

•  A feeling of sorrow and/or compassion caused by the misfortunes/suffering of others.

Well...I might cause pity or it my be a result of a post or update on our life, but in no way do I expect people to act on those feelings.  Telling someone in crisis you feel sorry for them does nothing but make them realize just how bad things actually look, from the outside looking in.  Sure, at times we have needed and received help...we all have, for that matter...and I am thankful each time...but I will have to pass on the pity party.

Update 2/24/2014

Melissa is still battling nausea.  She has another appointment this coming Monday for a follow-up.  Frankly, I think it is time to see new doctors, but I do not think she is interested in more doctors.  This issue has basically left her in the bed most of the time, which just sucks, family wise.

On a positive note, I received 2 consecutive days of good school behavior out of my son...greatest gift I could ask for.  I rewarded him with toys, launched rockets, video games...ok...ok...so maybe I over-did a bit with the rewards, but if this kind of good behavior sticks around, who cares what it cost me?

One Small Victory...

I have been trying for months to encourage my son to behave better in school.  He has had many good and bad days...none extreme, but there is room for improvement.  Wednesday night, on a whim and out of frustration, I said to him, "Son, can you just be good tomorrow?  Just give me one day, please."  I followed that up with the promise of something...some kind of very special reward.

I did not expect instant results...but I got them.

He was good.  Finally!  Like, "almost perfect" good.  He was so good, in fact, his teacher tracked down Melissa, who was just leaving with our son headed home, to tell her that "whatever we did last night, do it again."  News of this instantly improved my mood...something I really needed.

You win wars one small victory at a time.

I Can Get Paid For This?

I never started blogging for money.  As most of my readers know, I started this blog for 2 reason...to keep friends and family informed and to keep a record of our battle with cancer.  Despite the last year and a half being crap, I did manage to fall in love with blogging.  It is becoming more common for people to earn a living doing it...something I hope to do one day.  Oh, how I would love to work from home just doing what I actually enjoy doing.  I have started to probe into ways to make that happen.  Advertising, reviews, pay-per-post stories...so help me out and visit the blog!  Share my posts...invite your friends.  I need 1,000 visits per month to make this happen and I am already pretty close!

Tune In To "Turn"

Check out AMC's new series "Turn".  They filmed much of this new series right here in Petersburg, VA.

http://www.amctv.com/shows/turn

Checking out the Appomattox Iron Works

Still Sick...

We are going on almost 3 months of Melissa battling nausea.  Countless tests, medicines, a hospital stay...yet still, she suffers.  I try to not get out-right pissed off at any of her doctors...but wow, it is hard to resist.  Each time she goes in, it seems they want to try the same tricks that have yet to work.  If you took your car into the shop for an issue and every time they ran diagnostics, then said, "you need a tune up", by the 2nd tune up, you would be looking for a new auto repair shop.  Fixing people is much more complicated than fixing cars, but you get my drift.  Melissa seems uninterested in seeing more doctors and I can not blame her...back to the automotive analogy, I think she would rather just opt to ride the bus and ditch the car all together.

Take It Up The...

Prior to Melissa's most recent hospital stay, her medications were adjust several times.  After her hospital stay, her medicines were adjusted.  Upon trying to fill these medicines, the insurance company rejected one of them, stating that she had received the same medication already and should not be out yet.  Problem is, the other meds they are speaking of were suppositories.  Yep...I had to laugh as me and the pharmacist basically came to the same conclusion right away, the insurance company basically told us to "Stick it up your...".  Nothing new about health insurance companies practicing THAT kind of customer service...just not used to be it being so literal.

Happy Valentines Day!!!

I am very glad to have Melissa home in time for Valentines Day.  We do not have any special plans, really.  When you are sick, well, it is just not best recipe for romance.  Hard to plan a dinner or night out...and a night in is just not the same with a kid and roommate.  Here is a romantic notion anyone can appreciate...it's FRIDAY!!!

Even though I can not grow a manly beard...I thought this was neat...

Home!!!

Melissa is HOME!!!

Freedom Pending!!!

Melissa is will be released today.  Snow is expected after 3 today.  Melissa will get to smell the fresh air, though the nausea is still there, at times.  She does feel better, despite doctors still not knowing the cause for the nausea.  I am just glad to have her home.

No News...

Melissa is still in the hospital.  I am trying to be patient today and not push anymore.  I am expecting a call from the head of Neurology at VCU Massey Cancer Center.  Depending on how Melissa feels about it, we may be making an appointment.  I am not sure what else we can do.  I know that my pressure yesterday did attract some attention and more doctors...so let's see what comes of that today.

New Hair Cut

So, yesterday, my mom took midget for a hair cut.  She was not crazy about the curly, matted fro-thing he had going on.  His new cut looked great!

At some point late last night, though, he did some custom work to his new cut.  I thought it was odd he fell asleep with his head and all under the covers.  This morning, about the time we leave for the day, I found this...

So, he is going to school with it.  It is likely going to be yet another bad day.

Pressure Applied.

So I finally snapped.  My son asked me when his mom was coming home.  When I responded, "I don't know...they are still checking to see what is making her sick."  His response was, "Are you kidding me?"  Man, I wish I was kidding....and he was SO right.  So today I decided to push some buttons at the hospital treating Melissa...demanding answers and some kind of diagnosis.  Of course, they had neither, but hopefully the pressure I have placed has pushed her up on their "priority list".  For the first time in over 14 months of care, she met the mythological "palliative care" doctor...not a myth after all...she does exist and is now reviewing Melissa's care and quality of life.  After all, what is the use of beating cancer if it leaves you bed-ridden, constantly exhausted, and barfing...unable to enjoy life?

One thing is for sure....I have the hospitals attention now...let's see if that helps.

If not, well, who knows...

Frustrated...

I am thinking of coining a new word for being well beyond "frustrated"....because that is what I am feeling right now.  Melissa has suffered through MRI's, poor IV sticks, countless tests, ultrasounds, and scopes yet there is still no idea of what is causing her nausea.  If this was my car being worked on, I would have taken it elsewhere already...but because this is medicine (a far from exact science, at times) I have tried to give her doctors the benefit of doubt and time to do their job.  Frankly...not so sure they are capable...and if nothing else, they have shown me that they will recklessly rack up bills with my insurance company (and me, for that matter) without even thinking once about what it will cost.  Now, if these costs ended in results and a diagnosis, then ok...whatever...but for no answers, should we even have to pay for this?

For these kinds of situations, most hospitals staff a "Patient Advocate"...and trust me, they will be hearing from me today.  I will also be placing a call to her treating physicians as well.

Getting Sick of Getting Sick...

I never expected for my wife to be on day 4 in the hospital for nausea and still have no answers.  No shortage of tests, scopes and labs though.  Are we just running up the tab here or are we healing people?  For the first time, I am weighing seriously whether we should change facilities.  Maybe VCU would be better. 

GI Scope Clear, Diagnosis Not So Clear...

Scope was clean...nothing to see in there...so the mystery continues.  I am encouraged but hope an answer comes soon.  More tests are coming...and for now, Melissa seems comfortable and able to ingest fluids as long as she is on IV meds for the nausea.

Admitted and Testing.

Melissa was admitted yesterday for extensive testing.  She met with the GI doctor yesterday.  Among the many tests scheduled, around noon today she is having an Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscope...see below!

Due to the "improvements" made in Obamacare, my premiums jumped and our deductibles went sky high...so a hospital stay cost me $1,000.00 plus who knows what else...but what choice do we have.  There is no such thing as "Affordable Healthcare"...let's not kid ourselves with slogans.  Healthcare is only affordable if you never have to use it.

Hospital Bound Today!

Melissa is headed in for a stay at the hospital.  Hopefully, they will solve the mystery of this stomach ailment that has made her life so miserable lately.

I will keep everyone posted!

Oops, Missed World Cancer Day.

You would think someone who's life is turned inside-out by cancer would know if it was "World Cancer Day"...well, I did not get the memo.  haha...so YESTERDAY was World Cancer Day!

Read more here!
http://www.worldcancerday.org/

Mystery Stomach Issue

Yesterday, Melissa has her follow up in regards to this stomach ailment she has yet to shake.  It has been over a month, maybe longer, since she ate a full meal.  Really, she has been ill since Thanksgiving.  Doctors actually witnessed her getting sick this time...and for once, they have started to take this much more seriously.  I suppose they think if you are not bothering them about something constantly, it must not be worth treating...but if you barf in the waiting room, they jump to service.  So, they gave her yet another dose of IV fluids and anti-nausea meds.  If she does not feel better by this afternoon, she will be admitted for all kinds of fun tests.  I am planning Longstreet's Deli for lunch...if that doesn't work, she needs to go get checked out!

So, on a positive note...there was one Christmas present I had to get midget this year.

Here is a picture!

I just knew he would love this jacket.  I also knew, it would likely land him in trouble in school...but so far, no notes home.  Cool Daddy wins again!