2/27/2013

Treatments are still going on....and she is still pretty un-phased, though her stomach has stayed a bit upset.

Getting Melissa to treatments has been an uphill battle.  Just a few weeks left.  Many people have helped...don't get me wrong.  It is just a pretty big chore to remember every day...and when no one is around, I miss work.  Not an ideal situation, but temporary....just a few weeks left.  Just have to get a tab bit more organized and plan ahead....something neither of us have ever been great at.

Little man had a project for Black History Month, that I mentions a few days back.  Funny, he went from spelling "is" to having to write and read a oral report to the class...given, we kept it fairly simple....but even still, there were words he just has no idea how to read yet.  So, today was the day he was to present said project.  We rehearsed for hours...we worked on the project for hours upon hours.  Because there were words he was not going to remember (like "lawyer" and "senator")...he memorized what to say.  Well...he froze when it came time to do his project and was given a 0.  I am upset....not just because we worked hard and he froze...I half expected that (honestly)....but also because he was asked to go above his grade, beyond what he has been taught ALL OF A SUDDEN and was cut no break, seemingly, at all.  Granted, he was not behaving today either....if the teacher would have asked him just "Who is your project on?" and "Who was he" he would have been able to tell her....at least, he should have been.  I have to also go back to the fact that this is kindergarten....and not a place for written/oral reports....and I respect the hell out of Black History Month, ok, but come on?  I can flipping guarantee you no Prince George, Col. Heights, Chester, or any other more ethnically balanced school system would have kindergartners being asked to accomplish such a task for Black History Month.

2/26/2013

Lately, all that comes in the mail are bills.  Mail time, from most, is not the most fun part of the day.  Today, it was a bit better.  After checking the mail, finding bills, I chocked it up to another bad mail day...then there is a knock on the door...."FedEx".  I was not expecting a package.  I always let Melissa open the packages.  When she did, she was pleasantly surprised to find some very kind gifts and a substantial donation from the Matthew Renk Foundation (http://matthewrenkfoundation.org/).  I had contacted them, among many other organizations, for help with our coming rent and power bill payments.  When I initially emailed them, I gave them our story, links to the blog and fundraiser, and asked for any help we were eligible for.  Mrs. Renk, Matthew's mom, replied simply "We would love to help!".  I replied offering any of my info she might need...but since, I had forgotten about it.  They helped us without asking probing questions, complicated applications, and or any helps....just pure help.  They are the first organization, among the hundreds I have reached out to, to extend real help...no questions asked.  It was nice to see Melissa cry for a good reason this time.  I will wear my "Think GREY" bracelet every day....and always thing about Matthew and his fight.

2/25/2013

Rough Monday.  None of us felt like getting out of bed to start the week...including the little man.  I literally dressed him as he slept.  I forgot all about a coworker being out today in the office...oops.  Typical Monday stuff....haha.

I have received several touching messages from friends and family, of course, but also from several complete strangers, frankly.  Here are a few worth mentioning...

First was nice fellow who commented on 2/15/2013's post.  He and his wife are a little younger than us but have faced very similar health issues, if not, in an even more challenging crisis.  He found my blog through Twitter.  Though I tend to ramble on my blog, somehow, my blog seemed to help him some.  I am so glad my blog could help.  Not sure exactly what prompted me to start my blog, but since, I have found it serves SO many purposes.  It is my 'confidant', Melissa News Blog, a record of our story, and a resource for fellow cancer survivors and patients.  I am proud of this blog.  Somehow, it really seems to help...help me, others, family, friends...it helps people.  Though sometimes I may regret my inherited gift to burst into an occasional tangent, it is what led me to blogging and what gives me the power to engulf myself in writing....it makes me feel bigger than just some guy who's wife has brain cancer.

The second message was from a Twitter follower and Redskins fan.  I was shocked when, in response to my post about the fundraiser, that a complete stranger would go out of his way to message me, get my address, and send me a small note of inspiration and a donation to help us.  Redskins fans in general have been incredible supportive...they always RT my posts about the fundraiser and offer kind words....but this guy went above and beyond.  It is not that he sent some amazing letter or some huge donation, it was that he took the time to help a stranger.  I think if more people made a point to do decent things like this, the world just would be a better place.

2/22/2013 & 2/23/2013 &2/24/2013

The weekend is finally here, and so ends the the first week of treatments.  Nausea is still an issue, but she has found a few coping tools...aka, Luigi's Frozen Lemon Ices.  Funny thing, she really does not normally like them, but the lemon helps somehow.

Little man had a super weekend, filled with games, movies, GameStop, and even chocolate cake.  Yes, I tend to spoil him some...bribe even....but we had a nice weekend, so it paid off.

Little man a written project for Black History month, that he will be required to orally present....KINDERGARTEN.  Hello?  Funny, but so far they are barely writing sentences...spelling words are only 4-5 letters at the most....I mean, is it just time for these kind of projects or are they reaching?  I think reaching, but we will do our best to get him ready.

Worked around the house some this weekend....not quite my fancy, but somebody has to do it.  Worked a few hours....looked as if someone who knows how to clean worked for 10 minutes.  Uphill battle on the best of days....

Played music Sunday....finally.  Got to get back to that...time is limited but just have to make time for it.  "Make time"....if only I had that recipe.

2/19/2013

"Living with Cancer"....huh, maybe if you could see the future.  Honestly, even for those only close to anyone with Cancer, your life changes.  From my standpoint, the spouse of a cancer fighter, it is hard to "live"...have a full, productive, and enjoyable time.

First treatment....no problem!  She said it was quick, though the mask hurts some...I am guessing they all do.

2/21/2013

It has been a long week...again.

Melissa is still rocking out these treatments, though, the nausea is still there...it was kind of rough after pizza for dinner.

Little man rocked out his spelling words tonight.  There were only 5 very easy words, with "HOW" being the one he was hung on.  He can spell it in his sleep now.  He struggles with sentences, but he wants to be able to read the writing on video games so bad, he is trying hard.  haha...

I have to say for the record, Melissa is the least deserving person I know to have to deal with brain cancer.  Cancer don't discriminate though.

2/20/2013

Melissa has been pretty tough through her treatments so far.  Little nausea but that is it.

Thanks for all that have given to the fundraiser....any money raised is a success, but we are well underway and hope to reach close to our goal thanks to so many great people.  Keep sharing the link!  It is working!