4/4/2013 and 4/5/2013

4/4/2013

The countdown to the end of radiation continues.  Melissa was energetic today.  Her right eye has bothered her some.  Her hands still tremble at times...but besides that, she seems to feel better than ever.  I think this weekend we will take a day trip...test out her ability to get out there and have some fun.

Oh, how important those little feet are.  Let me explain....today I decided to clean behind my work monitor and keyboard.  In doing so, I had to pick up my monitor.  Didn't know the entire base just comes off the thing...thus, I drop my monitor on my keyboard, destroying the little feet that boost the elevation of my keyboard.  So since, I have been trying to compensate by moving my monitor up and using the base of it to keep my keyboard up....needless to say, it sucks.  We are getting some new computers soon....just have to tough it out.

4/5/2013

Friday is not the 2nd most anticipated day of the week....closely followed by Saturday.  I don't want it to sound as if I hate my job....much the contrary, actually...it is just, I like having time to make my wife's day a bit brighter...motivate her...spend quality time with midget...not to mention, the house always seems to be in a  bit of a wreck, one room or another.  Oh...and there has to be some time left over for me.  Lately, I have been staying up late, just to have some quiet time....Madden, Tiger Woods, bad reality TV....me time.

I really worry, sometimes, that I may make Melissa sound lazy or negligent...that is not the case.  I have never witnessed someone go through so much in such a short time, much less that person being the woman I love.  She is not lazy....she is more or less preoccupied battling brain cancer and the side effects of countless medications.  Lately, she has really perked up...and you have no idea how much that pleases me.  I allow her to do (or not do) whatever makes her feel better.  Don't be jealous.

4/3/2013

A couple of days ago, my dad showed me a new "piece", as pickers call them, he found.  It was some kind of four-barreled cast-iron booby trap, of sorts...had to be 1850's-1860's.  Anyway...on a whim, and in response to an advertisement for being on the show, I contact the producers of Pawn Stars...who then quickly replied.  We have exchanged several emails about the item.  Though I have not heard back yet, I would have to think that gives me a shot at being on the show.  Problem...finding the time and money to go to Vegas.  haha...well, who knows....you never catch a big fish without casting out a line...unless you are noodling or spearing....ok...you get the idea.

I also sent on some preliminary emails on getting media access for the upcoming Redskins Training Camp in Richmond....as most of you know, I run a popular Redskins blog too....wish me luck!

Enough about me...Melissa is doing great.  Seems to mysteriously have a bit more energy...maybe a a little sleep is occurring at night after all.  Besides that, she is doing well and still counting the minutes until Tuesday's last treatment.

Also, because I gave the wrong info like 3 times, her last day is in fact the 9th of April...this coming Tuesday.  

4/2/2013

A Twitter account I follow ( @IHadCancer ) asked a very good question to it's followers today...

What has Cancer taught you?

If I had to choose one thing I have learned, or perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is...

There are some things in life that you just can never truly be prepared for...but, some how, you get by.  At times, things are so flustered and jumbled that you may not know how, but you get by.  It may take the help of every friend, family member, and even some complete strangers....but you get by.

I have to admit, I have learned much more than just that, though....I am now a novice neurologist.  I understand blood work, many medications (and the related side effects), oh...and that cancer sucks.

Tonight was date night.  I was not sure if she would feel up to it, but when I got home, she was showered and ready to go out.  K&L BBQ (in Hopewell, VA) was the restaurant of choice.  Best deal around for a wide spread of food.  It was quite pleasant...and yes, we ate way too much.  After that we wondered to our favorite spot in Old Towne Petersburg...Longstreet's.  We just do not get out much anymore.  It is hard to find the time, much less the money, to go out much anymore.  Seems I always have more pressing issues at home.  Those couple drinks last night reminded me....we need to get out more.

4/1/2013

No April Fools jokes for this joker today.  Little man is on Spring Break this week.  The YMCA's Spring Break program has him staying pretty busy while I work.

Melissa found out today that her last day is in fact the 9th, NOT the 11th I reported to you last week.  Sooner is always better.  They did some kind of CT scan today to....hope to hear something on those results in the coming days.

3/31/2013 - Easter!

Happy Easter everyone!

Like Christmas morning, I was awakened by a very stealthy 5 year old around 6 something (it was too early to focus on the clock)...he said "Dad....psst....Dad....the Easter Bunny came."  Begrudgingly, I got up and went into the living room.  He did have a decent spread, though, it is so easy to please the little ones.  He is a awful gracious kid, though....I have a pretty good feeling that regardless of how plentiful holidays are in the future, he will be happy.  This year, the highlight seemed to be the fake mustaches.

Such a ham....he insisted on wearing it to 7-11...they got quite a kick out of it.

On the way home, he asked if my uncle was coming for East dinner at my parents.  Not knowing, I said, "Maybe"...by which he replied, "Yes!  He is so tall, like a giant.  He has a mustache."  Kids...

We had a nice simple dinner at my parents, followed by a short, but fun egg hunt....

Melissa was worn out, by the end of the day....but here is a pick of her with her hawk spiked, scar showing....

3/30/2013

I had high hopes of getting out of the house early today...but both me and little man where not moving too quick this morning.  Eventually we left out, in seek of a hair cut.  This is always a crap shoot.  I never have quite a plan where to go and almost everyone who cuts his hair is equally as puzzled as to what to do with it....on the advice of my 5 year old (who really did not want his hair all cut off), I took him to the mall to a place Melissa would go.  There, a nice lady untangled his hair and trimmed/shape it some.  Really, it did not look much different, thus, no before/after photos to speak of....though tomorrows post will have some for sure.  Honestly, though it was only $10, I ended up touching it up at home....but with a little curly-hair product, he is handsome.

After the mall, which was a mad house, we ventured over to a new restaurant, the Tilted Kilt.  Ok....probably not the most "family friendly" of places, though I had heard they reeled back the skimpy uniforms some at this location....we could not tell.  Little man had fun...probably never acted better in a restaurant.  Maybe he or I was just distracted...haha...who knows?  Food was good.

It was nice to get out of the house some.  I suppose this thing is starting to take some tole on me, as well.  I have a lot more head-aches now.  Battling heartburn more lately.  I suppose it is mostly stress.  I could use a few worry-free days in the sun....suppose we all could, though.

3/29/2013

This was yet another well anticipated Friday.  Not sure if I mentioned this on the blog before, but Melissa's last day of treatments has changed.  Unknowingly to us, her doctor add 6 additional "boost" treatments to her radiation schedule.  Not sure why or for what reason, but I would assume because she has handled it well so far, they are ending with a "bang", so to speak.  Her last days is now the 11th of this month.

Melissa has had some trembling issues with her hands.  I doubt this is a neurological side effect.  It is most likely a side effect of the piles of medications she is required to take.  It certainly deserves paying some attention to it.

So, I am know learning more about insurance, than ever before.  It turns out, when your insurance has a "Max Out-Of-Pocket", you must read the fine, fine print.  It seems we have reached ours, for this year already, and for the first time I am finding out that it only applies to doctors visit co-pays and surgical/hospital co-pays only.  It does not cover ER visit co-pays or medicine co-pays.  So far, I have yet to send a payment...but that time has come.  Monday some of the first payments will go out.  I felt like even though it is more than we could ever afford to pay, even over a couple years, making some effort is the right thing to do.

Melissa has prepared for Easter like crazy...though, I have not had to worry one bit about it....so it has been very nice.

I am taking midget for a hair cut tomorrow.  I never know where I am going to take him or what to do with that wig...this should be fun.