Address for My Dad

Sorry, I forgot to post the new address to send cards to my dad. Here you go:

College Station Medical Center
Patient Harvey Wise Room 228B
1604 Rock Prairie Road
College Station, TX 77842

Since my dad is still very tired and needs all the rest he can get, we are waiting for the go ahead for visitors and the specific times. As soon as we have them, we will post them here with all the details.

Thank you for all the prayers. Happy Tuesday!

Getting Ready

Well, we're almost packed. We've had a lot of friends help us get ready to move. While I was in Texas, many friends helped Roger pack and they packed almost everything. We wouldn't be as far as we are if it hadn't been for them. This weekend was my first time to pack for this move back home and it made it feel more real. Little things have been happening to help us get ready mentally to move back home. Little annoyances, etc. So this Sunday as I'm driving to church, it's snowing like crazy and it just started. So there's snow all over the roads and the plow trucks weren't out yet. So we pull into the parking lot and the snow is deep and it's quite nerve wracking to drive in that. Then when we leave church, our truck is covered with at least three inches of snow. Thank goodness we had one of those ice scraper brushes in the truck. It took us about 3-5 minutes to get the truck drivable. So we proceed to drive to a restaurant for lunch with friends. I'm driving and Roger is directing. Thank goodness because I have no idea what I'm doing. It looks easy, but it's not. Each time I drove in the snow I thought, "I can't wait to get to Texas."

We have boxes every where. Wednesday we will begin to live out of the suitcase. Friday we will load the trailer, with help from more friends, and then drive off on Saturday morning. And there's supposed to be another snow storm on Saturday that we may hit on our way out. We won't have to worry about snow in Texas.

Please pray for our friends John & Tamra Rich. Tamra's mom had an aneurysm this morning near Fort Worth, Texas. She was flown to a hospital in Tyler. Please keep her mom and family in your prayers.

My Dad Update: Monday, February 26, 2007

Today's report from my mom:

Well I got to hospital about 4:45 p.m. Dad's weight is 122 and BP is 90/65. Doc said it's low because he is calm. As you know his knee was swollen and they did an x ray and it is "gout" but the color was not a gout color. They gave him some antibiotics yesterday and it was down and felt better today. I brought dad some pj's he asked me to get them out and I helped him put them on feet and he pulled them up, so he is a lot better.

I think he was tired this past weekend. He had meatloaf yesterday and said it was good. Today's breakfast was tolerable, lunch steak w/gravy and mashed potatoes with sweet peas.

He just wants to go home, he walked from old room to the new room where he has a room mate. Therapist came in today and wants dad to stay another week just for therapy, drive in three times a week or do home therapy. Dad choose the middle one. But he looks real good today.

My Dad Update: Sunday, February 25, 2007

So my dad's not in ICU anymore, but he's in between ICU and a regular room. They still monitor the same as ICU but it's kind of like transition or for all you Catholics think of it like purgatory. He's still very weak and his body is not strong enough so he's waiting to heal, rest and recover before he can go to the regular floor. His blood pressure is still low but stable. He only weighs 122 lbs (remember he's 6ft tall) and the doctors want him to gain more weight. He walked three times today, but his knee is swollen for some reason and it's going to be x-rayed tomorrow. They took out the central line but put an IV in just in case. He's in pretty good spirits, but ready to get out of there. He still thinks he's getting out soon. But we all know it will be a long road. He was finally able to get a visit from his grandchildren. And he played gold fish with Elizabeth and Phillip.

My Dad Update: Saturday evening, February 24, 2007

Well, my dad must be doing well. They moved him out of ICU. He is still very tired and gets tired really easy. He needs lots of rest and lots of sleep. Rest is the key to recovery. Our family is so glad he is doing better. Thank you for all your prayers. Please continue to pray for my father and family. More later!

My Dad Update: Saturday morning, February 24, 2007

My sister and all three of her kids are at my mom's this weekend. They went to the early morning visiting time and he was sitting in the chair when they arrived. His blood pressure cuff was not on his arm so they don't know what his blood pressure was but his heart rate was 80. He is completely off oxygen. He had eggs and cereal for breakfast. And he slept very well through the night because he asked them to give him something to sleep because he was so tired.

He walked down the hall and back but it tires him out due to pulling the stand of IV bags, etc and the stitches in his groin and calf. He may move out of ICU today onto the regular floor. We'll see.

My Dad Update: Friday, February 23, 2007

Friday report from my mom:

BP 116/80 HR 89...Well dad had a BM yesterday about 5:50 p.m. or so. (To which I asked if it was healthy.) Well yes, the nurses have been wanting him to have one but with nothing in him until yesterday (Jell-O and a few carrots), there won't be anything.
Dad said he could not get any sleep because they are always doing something to him. So I talked to the nurse about this and she said she would do all meds and other things early , but they have to draw blood at 5 a.m. because it gets sent to the lab ASAP.
Dad had scrambled eggs (he said they were powdered) and toast with jelly for breakfast. Chicken fried steak for lunch and some kind of steak for supper with green beans and mashed potatoes.
Eddie Hare came by and dad talked to him while I went to truck and got toothbrush, toothpaste, Scope and under arm stuff. This is about it. Dad still looks tired but that comes with it all. Heather, the kids and I will go and see him in the a.m. Dad also sat in chair three times and walked down the hall three times.

Slow and Steady: My Dad Update: Thursday Evening, February 22, 2007

My mom took a nap this afternoon so she missed the 1:30 p.m. visiting time. She slept for two hours and she felt great when she woke up. I'm glad she took the time to rest.

My mom, Bubba & Brandy went to the 5:30 p.m. visiting time. My dad's blood pressure when they first entered was 96/65. The lights were off in his room and she assumed he was asleep but when she peeked in his eyes opened. My mom said he is doing very good.

Remember I blogged earlier that he was supposed to get semi-solid food today. Well, dinner of three meatballs and carrots showed up. And my dad was surprised to get that. He ate two or three carrots and a staff person came in saying that was not his. Then they brought in a dinner with chicken. My dad hates chicken. And again, someone came in to take it away saying it was not his. Dr. Bond said it was okay for my dad to start eating solid food, but Dr. Kirby said not yet. So he got a dinner of two containers of orange jello and water. He's got to take it slowly.

He received two liters of oxygen today and physical therapy. His nurse today, Steve, informed my mom it was physical therapy. He sat at the edge of the bed for ten minutes. May not seem like much, but in his condition, he's got to take it slowly.

My Dad Update: Thursday Morning, February 22, 2007

Praise the Lord, my dad is doing very well. All those prayers are working. At 7:30 this morning, Dr. Amen (pronounced Ah-mean) ordered all the tubes taken out of my dad which means he is not on the breathing machine anymore. Awesome!! My mom said he was told not to talk but then the staff began asking him questions to which he had to answer. They are giving him ice chips for his dry mouth and sore throat. It won't take long for him to get over that. He was allowed to take the inflating shoes off his feet. And a therapist is coming to see him. My mom didn't ask what kind of therapist, but I'm assuming it's a respiratory therapist. He may get semi-solid food this afternoon. And he asked my mom to bring his glasses and a newspaper. My mom said he looks really good. He may be able to leave the ICU in a few days but he will remain for now so they can observe him to make sure nothing like Monday happens again. He still has the central line and nasal cannula in, but I know he's happy to have all that other stuff out.

Thank you all so much for your prayers, love and concern. Please pray for rest for my mom as she is getting worn out. This is taking a toll on everyone. So that prayer could apply to my whole family especially my mom, Bubba, Brandy and Heather.

My sister will be back tomorrow for the weekend with which ever of her three kiddos want to come. Cole has gone to the lake this weekend with his grandmother and hopefully when he returns my dad will be in a regular room then he can see his Paco. Brandy wrote me the following story early this morning and it's so cute I have to share it.

Being 14: "Well when we were in the ICU waiting room the other day with Elizabeth I had the kids playing I spy. Cole had already checked the sign and to his dismay it still said 14. During the I spy game I said I spy the number 14 and Cole took off running Elizabeth had no clue but of course with Cole and that sign he knew exactly where it was. "

Firecracker!

My good friend Kezia emailed me this morning stating that my dad sounded like a firecracker because of how he was fighting to live. So I wanted to share with you all how much of a firecracker he is. And for those of you who really know him, firecracker is an understatement.

On Sunday he was feeling good and when my brother and I were in his ICU room he wanted to show us something and said, "Watch this" very devilishly. He started breathing fast and heavy until the machine that displays all his vital signs started beeping. He was so tickled with himself. I told him he better stop before they kicked us out of there since it was past visiting time already. Then he told us that while he was on the breathing machine he would hold his breath and the machine would make a noise like a duck. I got on to him and he said, "You got to have some fun in here."

Firecracker. We have other words we use to describe him but we'll keep this post clean. :)

My Dad Update: Wednesday Afternoon, February 21, 2007

My sister reported at the 1:30 p.m. visiting time my dad was sleeping peacefully and his blood pressure was 93/64 and his heart rate was 69. Then he began writing a note to my mom and his heart rate sky rocketed to 101 instantly. He wrote, "They like to have killed me 5:15 am." They gave him a breathing test at 5:15 a.m. It must have done him in and he was not too happy about it. He got agitated and I guess a little fussy so he was given sedation so he'd sleep. I wonder if we can get some of that for when he comes home. Just joking (not really). :) As they were giving him the sedative, he wanted to make sure my mom didn't leave that note in there for the nurses to accidentally read. It does seem kind of strange to wake up an ICU patient with lung issues at 5:15 a.m. when they need as much rest as possible to give an exhausting breathing test.

As long as nothing happens, both tubes will be removed tomorrow morning. He will have to stay in ICU a few more days for observation. Then they will move him to the regular floor.

My Dad Update: Wednesday Morning, February 21, 2007

Here's the 9:30 a.m. visiting time report from my sister and mom. My dad's blood pressure was 115/84 and his heart rate was 85. He is doing very well. So well they will try to take one of the tubes out today and may try to wean him off the breathing machine. There is no fluid in his lungs and he is taking in 100% oxygen. Everyone is very happy about how he is doing today. There will be more updates this afternoon. Your prayers are working. Thank you so much for praying for my dad. Our God is an awesome God! Please continue to pray for him and my family.

My Dad Update: Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Sorry I couldn’t post earlier. I flew back to DC this afternoon so I haven’t been able to post until now.

My mom and I went to the 9:30 a.m. visiting time. His nurse Diane said he did well through the night and his blood pressure and heart rate were better than Monday. When we arrived his blood pressure was 136/89 and his heart rate was 90. His heart rate had been over 100 all weekend. But his heart rate fluctuates between 90 and 100. When I walked in his eyes were halfway open and he looked like he was staring at the ceiling but I’m pretty sure he wasn’t seeing anything. It kind of worried me and I hustled over to his side and watched his chest to make sure he was breathing. Diane said that he was a little more awake and the doctor’s said that was okay since he wasn’t trying to fight it like yesterday. This didn’t last long though. She said he coughed periodically and still had some excess saliva. Diane also told us they lowered the breathing machine again (16 to 8) meaning his lungs were clearer and he could take in more oxygen on his own.

I left at 12:30 p.m. to drive back to Austin to catch my flight. My mom and Aunt Sharon were there for the 1:30 p.m. visiting time. His blood pressure was 129/88 and his heart rate was 102. His urine bag was half full. I know you are wondering why I would share that information. The only way for the fluid in his lungs to clear is for him to urinate it out. So the more he urinates, the better. Diane said it would take a long time for all the fluid to clear and he needed a lot of rest. He didn’t have any real changes from the morning visit but he was better than yesterday.

Heather and Elizabeth made it for the 5:30 p.m. visit. Bubba, Brandy & Cole were there also. Heather said she felt a lot better being there. It was very hard on her to not be able to come right away. She had been upset and emotional about it since we told her Monday morning. His blood pressure was 133/95 and his heart rate was 95. His sugar level was 168 which is good since normal is below 200. He still looked good and he was awake. He held their hands. My mom asked him to squeeze her hand and he did. He responded by nodding or shaking his head to their questions. My mom was told there may be more fluid in his lungs and they will suck it out if needed. And he wanted to get out of bed.

Elizabeth went home with Bubba, Brandy & Cole. My mom and Heather intended to stay for a short visit at 8:30 p.m. Before they got back there he wanted to get out of bed and he was awake, uncomfortable and maybe a little agitated from all the stimulation. So they gave him more sedative because he was trying to breathe over the breathing machine. So they did not stay long because they wanted him to sleep and rest. His blood pressure then was 125/88 and his heart rate was 97.

This is going to be a long road for my dad. We knew he was going to remain in ICU and the hospital for a while and after this little set back he definitely will. Please continue to pray for my dad and my family. Pray for peace and rest for us all and for the Lord’s strength and healing for my dad. Thank you for all your prayers and love. We love you all.

My Dad Update: Monday Night, February 19, 2007

Here is more information regarding what happened this morning. Dr. Kirby told us this evening that all the fluid in my dad’s lungs was from the surgery on Thursday. He said they put a lot of fluids in him during the surgery and they knew that it would eventually catch up with him. And since his heart and kidneys are so weak (the ECHO performed this morning showed his heart is only working at 15%), it all dumped into his lungs. About 5:30 a.m. the nurse noticed his oxygen level had decreased and he was having trouble breathing and his heart rate and blood pressure were elevated although he was sleeping so well. So they put him back on the breathing machine, sucked as much fluid out of his lungs as possible, did some blood tests and the echo, heavily sedated him and gave him medicine to help his kidneys work better. This stabilized his heart rate and blood pressure. The blood tests showed that his heart was weak and they did the echo to check on the flow of his blood, etc. His nurse Diane said he was super white at that time. When we arrived he was pale but not as white as earlier.

He was a little better at the 1:30 p.m. visiting time. But there were no results of the echo yet and his blood pressure was at 104/80. At the 5:30 p.m. visiting time the nurse said he was doing a lot better. They were able to decrease the amount of supplied oxygen because his lungs were clearer and he was able to take in more oxygen on his own. They also gave him medicine by IV to help his heart work stronger. They will begin giving it to him in pill form tonight so when they are ready to take the IV’s and such out, it will be in his system. That may be a medication he may have to take for a while. We also discovered during that visit when we rubbed his arms and talked loudly it would stimulate him too much and he would try to wake up from the sedation and it would make him uncomfortable. And his response was kind of scary to us because he would open his mouth like he was gagging, arch his back and he would shake like a shiver. We didn’t like that and his nurse told us that it happened even when they stimulated him from changing tubes, etc and bathing him. So we all decided we’d be a little quieter and not rub his arms. It was very hard to see him do that. And yes, friends in the waiting room said, “The Wises not talk? Not likely.” Dr. Lammoglia who reviewed the echo is also on board now. I say the more specialists involved the better.

Before my mom and I went to Whataburger (Thanks Eddie) for some dinner, we ran into Dr. Kirby. He explained the echo results and what caused the fluid. He said they just have to wait for my dad to urinate it all out and they didn’t need any complications but now they have this one. He told us my dad can’t have any more complications and the only concern is the fluid on my dad’s lungs. He said he will have to stay on the breathing machine 2-3 more days then they should be able to take it out. He was disappointed to come in and see my dad was still in ICU and not on the regular floor. He was positive about my dad’s recovery.

At the 8:30 p.m. visiting time, his blood pressure was 121/85 and his coloring was very good. It was the best coloring I’ve seen on my dad in years.

My mom is getting exhausted. She has a hard time saying no, so I’m going to have to say no for her. Since I’m leaving tomorrow and will not be able to create emails for her and she will not be able to forward or reply to emails and return as many calls, please check this blog for updates (http://www.mommaerts.org/, click on “blog”) beginning today. As soon as things quiet down and after she rests she will return to doing all that. Also, while my dad is in ICU and on the breathing machine, please refrain from visiting the ICU. He needs complete rest. She wants to visit with everyone but it’s taking a toll on her. Thank you so much for understanding and for your patience at this time. We will update this blog every day.

Please keep those prayers coming! Please pray for the Lord's peace for my family. We really appreciate them and need them.

My Dad Update: Monday, February 19, 2007

The ICU nurse called this morning at 7:40 a.m. to tell us that my dad’s oxygen levels were going down and he was having trouble breathing during the night. His lungs are filled with a fluid and they put the tube back in his throat and put him back on the breathing machine. They gave him medication for sedation. His heart rate is stable and he is so sedated that he is not aware of who is there. Dr Kirby, the vascular surgeon and Dr. N, the lung specialist were both there this morning. Please lift my father’s health and healing up to the Lord. Thank you.

My Dad: Update Sunday, February 18, 2007

I’m happy to report that my dad is doing very well. He’s doing so well that he may be moved into a regular room tomorrow. Praise the Lord!

While Brandy and I were in his ICU room this afternoon, his nurse Dan removed the tube from his nose. That was interesting to watch. My dad told us that he wanted to sit up and hang his legs down and Dan asked him if he wanted to get out of bed. My dad was ready for that. I asked Dan if he would have to wait until he got to a regular room to get a bath and Dan said he would take care of that later also. He was in better spirits this afternoon. He even talked to a few friends on his cell phone. His brother Russell and Russell’s wife Bea came to visit and my dad was very happy to see them. I know he enjoyed talking to his brother. He held his hand while he talked to him and when we left to allow others to visit he asked Russell to come back before they left. Then his nephew James Keith showed up to visit at the same time we were all there. It has been nice to see so many family members while I’m here. His blood pressure was 104/74 which is great compared to 64/40 on Thursday.

When we returned to visit him at the 5:30 p.m. visiting time, he had already been out of the bed and bathed and was lying in bed covered up with a blanket because he was a little cold from being out of bed. His blood pressure was 131/90. Every time we visit his blood pressure is better. He said he felt so much better to be clean. He looked better too. They even changed all the sheets on his bed. And they removed all the IV’s and other stuff except the central line and the nasal cannula that delivers oxygen through the nose. He sat in a high back chair while he was bathed and the sheets were changed. I asked him how it felt to stand up and walk and he said it was a lot easier than on Thursday when he had no feeling.

He’s excited about the hope of moving out of the ICU. He really wants to see his grandkids, especially Cole since he wants to see his Paco so bad. On the way to the hospital at the 1:30 p.m. visiting time, Cole rode with my mom and I and he said, “I hope the sign says three today.” My mom and I looked at each other out of the corner of our eyes because we knew the sign was still going to say no one under 14 allowed in ICU. It was sad because we knew that once again he would not be able to see his Paco. So we recorded a video of Cole with my digital camera giving Paco a message about getting better and that the sign didn’t say three yet. It was so cute. My dad watched it and loved it.

We also got a huge delivery of food and beverages from the Smetana Ladies. You wouldn’t believe what they brought us: chicken spaghetti, potatoes au gratin, salad, rolls, garlic bread, cherry cobbler, cake, two pies, soda, ice, plates and forks. It was amazing and perfect timing. I was starving when they showed up. And of course everything was delicious. It was great to see friends that I haven’t seen in a long time. I was able to see my good friend Christy who I haven’t seen probably since my wedding and meet her little boy Britten for the first time. He looks just like her. Thank you Dorothy, Betty, Pat, Trisha, Christy, Marsha, Regina and Ann.

It was a great day. Our God is an awesome God. What joy and happiness He gave us today. I feel great knowing my dad is doing so well and getting better and better each day. I was also very glad to hear him say “I hope so” in response to my mom’s question if he thinks he can kick the nicotine addiction while he’s in there and to hear him tell his brother that he was going to have to take better care of himself. It warms my heart to know he isn’t giving up. Thank you Lord. And thank you friends for your prayers. They are working. Please don’t stop.

My Dad: Update Saturday, February 17, 2007

Well, I flew into Austin this morning. It felt so weird to be in the Austin airport. I can’t describe exactly what was weird about it, but it was like deja vu or something. Very strange. Then I drove to Bryan. I was starving when I left the airport and knew I wouldn’t last an hour and a half to eat in Bryan. So I went through the drive thru in Bastrop. I knew I was in the South when the girl working the window was wearing a banana clip. I haven’t seen a banana clip in years. I didn’t even know they were still being made and sold. I thought to myself, “I’m definitely in the South.”

I missed the 1:30-2:00 p.m. visiting time and went straight to my mom’s. I actually went to my brother’s across the street from my parents because the weather had left their long dirt road in a state that my mom thought my little rental car wouldn’t be able to make. My brother Harvey Jr (aka Bubba), nephew Cole and I drove to my mom’s. There she and my sister-in-law Brandy were cleaning up the hospital bed my parents’ had from my dad’s first bypass surgery. Once we got it cleaned, assembled in the house, mattress dressed and a table next to it for stuff, we drove to the hospital for the 5:30-6:00 p.m. visiting time. We waited about 30 minutes before the line started outside of ICU to go in.

My mom Helen, Aunt Sharon and I went in first. My dad was sleeping very well. We talked to his nurse Dan (who is exceptionally nice) and he informed us the trach tube had been removed at 11:00 a.m. and that he had been doing very well all day. I was a little nervous on the way here at how I might react to seeing my dad all wired and plugged up, but he didn’t look as bad as I thought he would. We surrounded my dad and stood over him talking about different things then all of a sudden we saw his left eye open. He looked at me and blinked and I asked him if he could see me. He said yes and then asked me why I had come. I told him that I wanted to see him and since it was a three day weekend and I wouldn’t be able to come at all until after we moved to Texas in two weeks. He told us that his throat hurt to talk and breathe. He sucked up his saliva when he needed with a stiff tube kind of like when you go to the dentist. We talked small talk for a while and read him some cards then some old family friends, Mr & Mrs Alderete, showed up outside his ICU door. So my mom and I left so they could come in. We went back to the ICU waiting room for a bit and then Bubba and Brandy went in for a bit. My nephew Cole wanted to go in so bad, but the sign on the waiting room wall said no one under 14 was allowed in ICU. He asked why the day before and they explained it to him. He asked when we first got into the ICU waiting room if the sign was changed to 3 yet. It was so sweet. So his mom told him as soon as Paco (that’s what my nieces and nephews call my dad) left ICU and was in his own room Gram (what they call my mom) would come pick him up and take him to see Paco and that maybe they could watch Open Season together. Too cute.

We visited for longer than the 30 minute limit and had more than the two person maximum. We finally left and went to Bubba and Brandy’s for grilled steaks, baked potatoes and salad. It was a great dinner. I was starving.

We told my dad all about the hospital bed and furniture being all set up for him at home. He seems to think he’s not going to be in it long. I don’t think he realizes just how sick he is. He was not aware of how many incisions he had so I don’t think he knows the extent of his problems. Now that the trach tube is out and he’s not so sedated, his doctors should be able to explain more to him. He won’t like it, but he’ll have to deal with it. My mom over heard him tell Mr. Alderete that he was going to have to change. So maybe he is learning from this experience. That’s one prayer I’ve been praying. We’ll see Lord.

Tomorrow I am going to ask his nurse what’s going to be done about his digestive system. I had wondered what was going to be done with the failing kidney and Brandy found out it was not going to be removed. They won’t remove it unless it is harming the body.

My dad also expressed to us that he’s not in pain when he’s sleeping, but when someone wakes him up he’s aware of the pain and they have to give him something for it. On Friday he wrote on my mom’s note pad, “No visitors, they wake me,” “I hurt when I am awake, let me sleep” and “I hurt when not asleep, don’t wake up.” So he doesn’t want any visitors right now for the pain reason and also because he’s exhausted. The ICU is very strict about visitors. They only allow visitors four times a day for 30 minute sessions. They really want their patients to rest. Rest is the key to recovery. We learned that with Roger. But we’ll let everyone know as soon as he has left ICU and is ready for visitors.

If you would like to send your regards, please send cards only to the following address:

College Station Medical Center
Intensive Care Room 6, Patient Harvey Wise
1604 Rock Prairie Road
College Station, TX 77842

My mom is doing well. She’s a trooper. Must be where I get it from. She has been tired though. She receives tons of calls every day. And yes, she answers and returns them all and tells the same story every time. And of course, we have tons of food. She really appreciates all the love, concern and prayer. My parents are truly loved by many. They are pretty cool parents. :)

Holly in Texas

Holly got into Austin on time at 12pm CT. She picked up her rental car and is on her way to Bryan. I spoke to Holly’s sister-in-law, Brandy, this morning and asked her about Harvey. They decided to leave the breathing tube in last night and he is stable, but still under observation. We’ll have more information later today after Holly gets there and is able to get a full picture of what’s going on. Our great friends, Matt and Julie, gave me and Holly a ride to BWI this morning at 6am. Then they helped me get the truck to the dealer to fix a blown light in the instrument cluster and to get it ready for the return drive to Texas. Then we had breakfast where we saw Kezia and Jana, who will be helping with packing later. Later today, all those folks, and another good friend of ours, Tamra, will come over to help me get as much packed up as possible. I think we’re going to have to pack all weekend since it’s almost 3pm and we haven’t even started yet. We’re going to pack as much as possible just in case we need to return to Texas earlier than planned. Our plans are up in the air right now and I’m feeling a little dazed here in VA. Please pray for us to get everything in order and please keep on praying for Harvey. More later.

Friday Update

My dad is doing a little better today but he is not out of the woods yet. He is asking for the trach tube to be taken out and it should be taken out tonight. I know he will be happy about that. His digestive system has basically shut down so he is being fed via the IV tube. It will take a few days for his digestive system to start up again since he was so malnourished. He is trying to write with his left hand since his right is covered with tubes, etc. The doctors expect a full recovery as long as there are no complications. But with a failed kidney, possibly more blood clots that the doctors couldn't get, malnutrition and potential lung problems, complications are possible. He will be in ICU for a while and he could be in the hospital for a long, long time. My mom is handling it very well. She has been there most of the day. My sister-in-law has been there since this afternoon and my brother visited tonight. My sister is on her way there now. I am flying there tomorrow morning and staying until Tuesday. So several friends are going to help Roger pack this weekend. THANK YOU!! Please continue to pray for healing for my dad and a thorough recovery. Praise the Lord he got to care when he did. Thanks for all the prayers. We need them.

Holly's Dad

My dad Harvey had to have emergency surgery today. His legs went numb at home after he felt a little sick. He called my mom at work to take him to the hospital. They made it to the emergency room in College Station where a cat scan was ordered and he was hooked up to many devices. The doctors suspected some type of blockage and once the results were given, blockage in the aorta, he was sent straight to surgery. My brother Harvey Jr and his wife Brandy were able to make it to the hospital and see him before his surgery. My dad was very upset about the surgery and got quite emotional knowing he was going to have to be cut again. He had a triple arterial bypass about ten years ago.

Surgery lasted about 4 hours. The surgery went well, but things were not good. Turns out my dad had many blockages, one developed today, one of his kidneys is basically dead and hasn't functioned in many years, he is malnourished due to his gastrointestinal problems he never returned to the doctor for last fall and they are sending a lung specialist to check out his lungs. They cleared out all the blockages including several in his legs, he is heavily sedated in ICU on a respirator and breathing tube. He will be in ICU for many days and in the hospital for at least a couple weeks. The doctors were very upset about the state of his health. He is very weak and the recovery will be very slow and long. Thank the Lord he got to the hospital when he did. I can't believe he was able to go this long with all those issues.

My dad is very stubborn and is to blame for his condition, but I'm sure my mom feels bad when she gets interrogated by the doctors and they complain and roll their eyes because of my dad's unhealthy habits. But if you know my dad even a little, you know talking to him is like talking to a fence post. I pray that he changes his habits and lifestyle because of this. Please keep my father in your prayers. He is very sick and needs all of God's healing to make it through this. And please pray for peace for my mom and siblings. Thank you all.

Big Three-Two, Thank GOD!

Today is my thirty-second birthday. I feel blessed to be able to celebrate the passing of another year. I didn’t do a whole lot of celebrating though. In fact, I think today was the lowest key birthday I have ever had.

I started the day off late. I just couldn’t get out of bed. It wasn’t that I could hear my bones creaking or anything, I just didn’t want to get up. I woke up in the middle of the night around 4:30am and saw that it was lightly snowing. I went back to bed, but when my alarm went off I could hear the sound of cars driving through sloppy wet streets. The snow had turned to rain. So, I just wasn’t eager to get out of bed. Finally, I did. Both Holly and I got a late start. By the time I left for work, it was snowing steadily and I descended down into the metro for the long ride to work.

The ride itself was uneventful, but when I got to the last station on my commute, where the shuttle bus takes over, I had to wait… and wait… in the cold… and in the snow. Luckily, there was an overhang that provided me some shelter from the elements. The bus took so long to come that my Team Lead even called to see if I was still alive. I called back and assured him I was.

Finally, the bus came – and after waiting a few more minutes for more passengers from later trains, we were off. I had a feeling it was going to be a short day – the weather just seemed to be getting worse. Sleet and freezing rain were in the forecast – the worst kind of weather any big city can expect. I didn’t even wear my uniform because I figured it would be a waste of time to get into it and then back out again.

When I arrived at work, I took care of a few things and fit in a quick lunch with my friend Julia. She even bought me lunch – that was so nice of her. I treated myself to some fried chicken and a Dr. Pepper. This was a real treat, because Holly and I have been trying to eat healthier food these days. And fried chicken and sugar laden soda aren’t exactly on the menu!

I got back to work and managed to get a few more things done when the word came out that the Federal Government was closing up shop at 2:00pm (except for essential personnel – which I am not.) We got notice at about 1:40pm and I only had a few minutes to finish what I was doing before gathering my things to head out. It was important for me to head out ASAP because 5,000 people leaving a building at the same time and hundreds more leaving the base, and maybe half of them also using the metro, meant only one thing – MEGA traffic.

I made my way outside and onto a shuttle bus that only had standing room in the back – but we were told that we could not stand. So, off the bus I came and waited in the cold, and in the sleet, for another bus. Finally, one came, and I made sure I was getting a seat, which I did. The bus was packed and every seat was taken. There were hordes of people waiting for shuttle buses, so this driver said people could stand (wha?!?) The bus pulled away from the shelters, around the parking lot, out of the gate and onto the road… we were on our way! Or so we thought. Now we could see the disaster that lay before us… traffic – not even moving – brake lights as far as the eye can see. So we sat, and sat. Five minutes went by… then ten. Some people decided to walk the mile to the metro station in the sleet – they got off of the bus. I wasn’t going to risk walking in the icy cold with an unsteady right leg. So, I waited. The bus moved in feet – one at a time. It was unbearable. More people got off the bus. I convinced myself that I wasn’t in a hurry. But after waiting for half an hour and moving only – I’m not kidding here – only fifty feet or so – I began to grow impatient. The line of cars to the north gate was clearly over a mile long. The line to the south gate was meeting up with the line to the north gate! The south gate was over a mile away.

I then remembered that when I first started working there, I used to take the metro bus to and from work sometimes. The nearest bus stop to the metro rail was just outside the main gate, but the gate was under construction. I asked a few people if the gate was open to pedestrian traffic and they said it was. I whipped out my Windows Mobile Smartphone and went to the metro mobile website. I tapped in my starting point and the station as the ending point. Bingo! The W4 bus would be at a stop in fifteen minutes. I gathered my belongings, asked the bus driver to let me off, told the others on the bus of my plan and asked if anyone wanted to join me, but nobody did (boy was that a mistake for them.) I walked ten minutes over some pretty slippery stuff but made it to the stop with time to spare. The bus came early and I was at the station waiting for a train in five minutes. While waiting, I saw some very wet and cold people that got off of my shuttle bus earlier and walked the whole way. I felt sorry for them because they walked, but it’s not my fault that I am such a technically advanced problem solver, is it? Ha!

Anyway, I was home in thirty minutes. I just wish I had just walked to the bus stop to begin with. I wonder how long it took the shuttle bus to round the corner and make the mile long bumper to bumper trek to the station. My guess is that it took another hour.

Holly and I just came back from a nice birthday dinner at a seafood restaurant called Market Inn in DC. They’ve been in the same place since 1959. They had a piano player that has been performing there for over 27 years! The food was good, but slightly overpriced for the quality. Their broiled lump crab cake was pretty good though. But I don’t think I’d ever go there again. After dinner, we came home and now we’re going to bed. Like I said, it was an uneventful day. I actually think I spent most of it commuting! We are expecting more freezing rain tonight – in fact, I can hear sleet hitting the window as I type this. It is 25 degrees F right now and the temp is not expected to rise above freezing until Thursday, so tomorrow should be a nasty day. I’m personally hoping for a day off or at least a delayed opening.

By the way, I did have a big birthday party bash on Saturday. I hope to have pics from that up soon. Stay warm, wherever you are.

30 Days and a Wake UP

Yes I am counting down. I don't think I would have even noticed otherwise except Roger and I were abruptly awakened at 3:30 this morning by another baby crying it's head off for over an hour. You got to love living in a high rise apartment building. You know, I totally sympathise with the parents and don't blame the baby at all. But we went through this last summer for three months with our next door neighbors who, I hope they don't read this, were clueless about babies and we shared a bedroom wall with them and the baby. It was great. Not! I learned a lot about babies during that time. They can set their own schedule even if you don't try to at all. The baby next door to us would cry every 3 and half hours or so starting at 11:00pm the night before and at least for an hour each time. It was great. And somehow they were able to sleep through it every night. I really felt sorry for that baby. I don't know if that's normal and I don't want to find out anytime soon. I was so happy when they finally moved out.

I do believe God is preparing us to move home. The last two times we were supposed to move, we didn't have a preference. If we moved, we moved. But each time it became clear that it wasn't time to move yet. It's a different story this time. Numerous things are happening that are making our single family home in Austin more and more appealing. And I have to say that I'm ready to go home. I will miss many things here, but as the wise King Solomon said,

For everything there is a season,
And a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate,
A time for war, and a time for peace.

It is time.

Christmas Day? and Looking Forward

Holly and I are still gearing up to head out March 3rd. I’ll be taking 40 days of leave and currently am scheduled to return to DC alone to out-process from my work and report to Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC). Next week I have an appointment with my Neurologist who is going to write up some Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) paperwork. When I go to WRAMC, they will likely transfer me to a Medical Hold Company and I’ll be at their mercy until they decide what to do with me. We hear the process could take anywhere from a month to three months to six months. We really have no idea at all. The obvious outcomes from the MEB are: they keep me in the Army with limitations and some type of disability, or they decide to medically retire me with some type of disability. I still don’t have full use of my right leg and I still have seizures, so I’m hoping they’ll give me some type of disability. As for staying in or out, I’m just not sure what I’d prefer yet. Anyway, there is a lot still up in the air, so stay tuned.

I did book a 7 day Western Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines this week that Holly and I will be going on some time in March. We are really looking forward to that! It’ll be our first.

And lastly, I finally posted pictures from Christmas Day. I’m kinda’ working backward, I guess. Not sure why, but it seems easier. As you know, Mirna, Joey and Ariana came to visit us. We opened presents in the morning and then headed over to our dear friend, Megan’s house, for some great fellowship. We ate, played games and had a gift exchange. It was tons of fun! Click here to see them: Christmas Day 2006.

Pregnant!

Ha! Not us silly... my sister is having another baby! Today she is six weeks and six days (or so her doc says.) Mirna writes,

"Morning sickness this time around has been calm compared to 2 years ago when I was pregnant with Ariana, so I have to believe from a mothers intuition that this one is a boy. I feel great and only queasy at times and doesn't last to long, I pray it will stay that way. Please keep us in your prayers for a healthy pregnancy and for a job for Joey in Austin this Spring. Joey has decided to get out of the Army. His career has hit a brick wall and it's time to do something else. He was excepted by a Professional Recruiter named Cameron-Brooks, Inc. They work with only Junior Officers who are ready for a career change , they are based out of Fredericksburg, TX. We have a conference in Charlotte,NC in late March for 5 days and this will help in a lead for a job in TX (God Willing)."

Prayers for my sis would be appreciated.

Sandy Update; Freezing Wx and Return Date

I haven’t updated you on Matt’s mom, Sandy, for some time now. Here are the highs and lows…

• 11/18/06 – Completed radiation but white blood count (WBC) is too low for chemo.
• 11/20/06 – WBC is good enough for chemo for following week. All chest tumors are now gone. Skin is red and peeling like crazy and mouth and nose are sore and red.
• 11/27/06 – WBC still good and got chemo. Still peeling but still no chest tumors.
• 12/12/06 – WBC too low for chemo. Still red and sore from radiation.
• 12/18/06 – WBC still to low for chemo.
• 12/20/06 – WBC borderline for chemo but doc approves it.
• 01/03/07 – There is concern that the cancer has spread to the other good breast. Biopsy and MRI next week. WBC is extremely high – got chemo but now there is a lump in right arm.
• 01/17/07 – 2 of 3 biopsies are positive for cancer. MRI results were improvement in the left armpit area but spreading to the right breast and armpit area; also cancer in the left chest. Doing old IV chemo and a new IV chemo and a new drug that technically isn't a chemo but is an antibody type drug that doesn't allow the cancer to form new blood vessels to feed it (I recently heard about that in the news.) Off of oral chemo. There are plenty of new side effects with the new meds, but she’s is feeling pretty good regardless.

It was a surprise to everyone that the cancer has spread, and although it is a downer, it certainly has not crushed their resolve to fight this thing off. She still has the will and as long as we all do and keep on praying and sending our best wishes to her, she’ll make it. Please keep praying for Sandy, Mike and the rest of the family.

As for me, I’m feeling fine. I have really not been very anxious at all recently regarding more seizures. But I have made a few changes in the way I conduct day to day things. For example, I no longer walk right next to the drop off to the tracks on the Metro. I stay a good distance away from the end of the platform until the train slows down. The last thing I need is to have a seizure and fall onto the tracks like that dude in NYC did! And now that I'm physically feeling better again, I've started working out in the gym again doing weights and cardio. Sure feels good to get moving again!

We got about 1.5 inches of snow yesterday – it started around 1pm and stopped around 8pm. Then we had freezing rain during the night. It is nice to finally get some snow here. Many of you heard about all the snow and ice in Austin last week. My good friend Jill took some pictures. Click to see those pics: Austin Blizzard 2007. She also came to DC back in Dec for a conference and we had a chance to hang out a bit. Click this link to see those pics: Jill in DC. We had a really good time. Jill, it was great to see you again!!

Lastly, Holly and I have picked a date to leave DC and head back to Austin. We’ll be driving out of DC on Saturday, March 3, 2007… more details on that to follow soon.

Much Better

I felt much better today. I got a late start, but I really slept well (that's why I got a late start) and went to work and actually got some stuff done. Thank God! We're looking forward to the three day weekend. Holly and I need to go pick up a bunch of stuff that we took over to our friends John and Tamra's house while my sister was in town. Then we need to do some shopping and exchanging of gifts and maybe dinner with friends. It looks like Sunday and Monday might be rainy, so who knows what we'll do. The temps here have finally dropped to normal and we hear that they might get even colder in the next couple of weeks - we'll see. Maybe we'll finally get to see some darn snow.

My good buddy Ryan sent me a link to some pics he took of me, him and Matt O from the spring of 2005 when we went to a Beer Festival up in Maryland. Click here to check them out - pretty funny. By the way, the last few pictures look kinda gray like a storm was coming... it's because it was. We barely made it to the car before the skies opened. We drove him in a downpour. Ahhh... good times...

Feeling Slightly Better

I’m feeling much better today. I slept through the night without waking up. My head is still congested, but I’m going to work tomorrow. I think my doctor did the right thing with my treatment plan. Thanks doc!

So, while at home today I uploaded tons of pictures from the past few months. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be posting links to sets of pictures for you to peruse. The first set is from just a few weeks ago. My sister, Mirna; brother-in-law, Joey and cute as a button niece, Ariana, came to spend the holidays with us. They got here on Dec 23 and left Jan 2. Initially, they were going to come just for New Years weekend and we were going to sit Ariana as they were going to go to a wedding in PA. But after they decided that they could not drive to both TX and then to DC within a week, they decided to just come here! We really enjoyed spending time with them. And it was so fun to be able to spend some quality time with Ariana because the next time she’ll be so much bigger. I’ll have more pictures from Christmas Eve and Day up soon. Enjoy!

Relief in sight?

I went to see a doctor today about my continuing crappy health. I got an Air Force doc today and was pretty happy with my experience this time around. She listened to all of my symptoms and past issues and thought hard about what could be going on. She took a look in my mouth and was astonished to my uvula was so swollen it was almost touching my tongue! Okay, that sounds pretty gross.. you know what a uvula is, don’t you? It’s that little thing that hangs in the back of the throat and looks like a punching bag. It it all swollen thanks to my post-nasal drip either caused by allergies or a cold. Anyway, this explains why I felt like there was a ball in my throat when I swallowed the night we went to the hospital and why I have been having trouble sleeping. The darn thing blocks my airway and is just a nuisance. She prescribed some 800mg ibuprofen tablets to help with the swelling and gave me a full ten day course of antibiotics just to make sure I don’t have anything. Like most doctors, she didn’t want to have to give me an antibiotic if I don’t need it, but in my case, she didn’t want to take anymore chances. They also did a blood test to make sure there’s nothing funky going on – the doc didn’t cal me today so I’m assuming there’s nothing to worry about there. Anyway, I still feel crappy but I’m hoping that tomorrow I’ll feel a lot better. I sure am sick and tired of being sick and tired!

On a more pleasant note… I did have a chance to have some fun this past weekend. Holly’s company has a suite at the Verizon Center and they occasionally have tickets available. She snagged a few to the Georgetown vs. Notre Dame basketball game there on Saturday. I snapped a few pics with my camera phone and posted them. They look okay for a phone cam. Click the picture to see the rest. The suite was nice… it had its own restroom, lots of locked cabinets where the good stuff is hidden, a nice sitting area, a bar sitting area and about 20 very comfortable stadium seats. Man, those things were the most comfortable seats in an arena I have even sat on! Anyway, the guys and I had a good time. Holly and I are going to check out a Wizards vs. Celtics game in a few weeks – should be fun!

Happy *sniff* New Year

Happy New Year 2007 from Arlington, VA! And what a better way to bring in the first full week of the new year than with a nasty cold and trip to the emergency room for relief.

I started to feel a cold coming on last Thursday and it stayed pretty mild through the weekend. Last night (Sunday) my throat started to feel sore. I went to sleep and twice Holly woke me up to ask if I was okay. She said I was making a murmuring sound. After that, I felt like my throat would close up on me and I would struggle for a breath and it would wake me up immediately and scare me a bit. Well, I let that go on for two hours or so and I finally decided I had had enough torture. I got up and wandered around in the dark for a while, but I decided I wasn’t getting any better and I didn’t know why I felt that way either. So I finally broke down and woke Holly up and told her that we needed to go to the ER.

We drove through the drizzle to the ER at Bethesda and I tried my best to explain to the staff what I was feeling. I’m not quite sure I did a good job explaining how I felt though. The doc took an X-Ray of my throat and they also tested for strep, both were negative. They gave me a nebulizer of Albuterol to puff on for a while and then the doc told me that he was diagnosing me as having bronchospasm. I’m not exactly sure he was right, but whatever… I was feeling better.

We drove back home in a steady rain through some rush-hour traffic and made it home around 6am. We went back to sleep for a while but after a few hours, I felt like my throat was closing up again! Then I thought that I might be allergic to something in the apartment or something. I got up and took my allergy pill that I take every morning and I was able to go back to sleep. So, maybe this funky weather is just messing with my allergies or something?? I mean, it was a record high of 73 Saturday and then today we had rain, wind and temps dropping through the 40s. Tomorrow (Tuesday) it is supposed to only be 44 with a chance of more rain. Some of the cherry blossoms have started to bloom in the area. It’s just nuts for my body. Anyway, I have another appointment with a doctor at my primary clinic tomorrow just to follow up and get more meds to dry me out.

I’ve been having a hard time staying healthy recently. I think what I have been through is a big factor. And I have a lot of work to do at work and having to stay home is not good. I’m trying to get all of my work done and transitioned over before I leave. Please pray that I get better so that I can concentrate on wrapping things up here!

Here we go again..

Well, I had another major seizure tonight. Holly and I were eating dinner in the living room. I was sitting on the sofa with a plate in my lap and she was sitting across from me. I started getting the feeling that I was getting a cramp on the bottom of my right foot. You ever get one of those? Where it gets tight from your big toe to the middle of the underside of your foot? When I get a cramp like that, I usually just grab my toe and pull it back; so I put my plate down and did that, but it didn't help. Suddenly I started to feel a pins and needles sensation slowly move from my foot and up to my right calf, and that's when I realized that I was going to have a seizure. I remember telling Holly that I was going to have a seizure and she immediately jumped up to help me, but there wasn't much she or I could do. The sensation worked its way past my knee and then through my side. Soon, I wasn't even able to control my leg or arm - they were sticking straight out - I remember trying to control it, but it was no use. I distinctly remember Holly having a very frightening look on her face and she said something to the effect that she hated to see me like this. I was starting to have trouble breathing and my back arched... I felt the stiffness take hold of the right side of my torso and then my neck. Then I could feel the right side of my face grimace as I struggled to breathe. I tried to lean over to the left onto the sofa because I started to feel like I might need to vomit...


Then, everything was quiet. I came to in bed. I was very confused at first, just like last time. I think I was coming in and out of it as I think she had to tell me several times what was going on. It took me a good while to finally sit up, and then I felt like I was going to throw up again. I went to the restroom twice, but I finally started to feel better. Holly tells me that the seizure started at about 9:05pm and I stopped seizing at 9:08pm. Then she says I laid there for about ten minutes before I sat up. She then says that I got up and was walking around. She said I tried to walk to the front door several times. Apparently I ended up in bed but tried to get up again. I even walked into the night stand next to the bed and cut my knee. Funny thing is, I don't remember any of that at all. I just remember waking up in bed. It wasn't until almost 9:45pm that I started to get what happened.

I think that Holly's take on what happened will be better and more detailed than mine. Maybe she'll decide to blog to write about it soon. My last seizure was July 15th and I have been on meds - but it looks like I'm going to have to get a stronger prescription and I definitely will not be driving anytime soon, which really sucks. I know that my right foot has been having the hardest time recovering from the surgery, and this seizure tells me that the most damage in my brain is located in the area that controls my foot. A neuron misfired there and then spread throughout by brain within a minute and involved my entire body. Freaky, huh?

Anyway, I feel fine now. I just have a sore back and a big headache. My jaw hurts and I'm sure my muscles will be sore tomorrow. One good thing though - I didn't bite my tongue this time! I already called my boss and am taking the day off tomorrow, but I still have to go in just to pick up my promotion packet that I have to complete and mail off next week so that I can try to get my E-7.

Anyway, I just ask that you all pray that I feel better and that the Lord keeps a close eye on us next week as we celebrate Christmas.

It's All Good!!

Roger just called me at 12:43 p.m. with the results from his MRI this morning. He says everything looks good to the oncologist. There's no evidence of new tumor growth and the area where the tumor was is slightly smaller. Praise the Lord! No new cancer. Yeah!! So he is healing slowly which is what our neurosurgeon and oncologist told us would happen since the brain heals on a molecular level. It will take a little longer for Roger to return to "normal" but we are both very, very happy with the news we received today. I'm sure Roger will blog later today. He's on the road from Bethesda Naval Hospital back to our apartment in Arlington. And when he finds time after resting a bit and the long honey-do list I left him, he will blog.

I wanted to include a picture from my company's holiday party last night. We had a great time and the food was fabulous! Love you all, Holly

MRI Done - Results Later Today

I just got home from the NNMC in Bethesda for my MRI. I asked my good friend, Ryan, if he could join me to make sure I stay awake and he was happy to agree at the 11th hour. Thanks again Ryan, you rock. The MRI was uneventful and I even managed to doze off only to be awakened by the machine at least three times. Now, if you’ve ever had an MRI, you know how loud and tight they can be. You know you’re comfortable with the machine if you can fall asleep several times! Anyway, it took about an hour and I’m going to go back later today for the results. But right now – I’m going to bed – two more hours and I’ll have been awake for 24 hours straight. Pray for the best!

MRI Tonight!

I've been bad at posting - but we have been extremely busy lately. I neglected to let you all know that my next MRI is tonight... actually, very early tomorrow morning: 1:45am Wed. There are a bunch of reasons behind picking that time. There basically wasn't anything available except for middle of the night appointments. And, I decided that since we are going to Holly's work holiday party tonight, I can afford to stay up a bit later since I'm sure we'll be getting home late anyway and then I can rest a little and head over to NNMC. After the scan, I'll come home, go to sleep and then return to meet with my Oncologist around 1000-1100 Wed. As soon as I know the news, I'll let you know. I'm not worried like I was before the MRI three months ago. But I am aware that if things aren't right my life will change drastically again tomorrow. Please pray that the cancer is still gone... more tomorrow.

Back from NYC

Holly and I are home from NYC. We had a fantastic visit with Su and Dan! It was low key because we have already been to NYC, so we weren’t interested in seeing all the sights – we just wanted to hang out with our friends and chill. So we slept in, had morning coffee with breakfast, went to a few museums and went downtown to see some Christmas stuff. And of course, we ate a lot – eating is always important on vacation in a fun place. The train ride home was a little crazy – we got into DC 30 minutes late and the train was packed, but we both managed to get a little nap. I hope to have pictures up later this week. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving weekend, we sure did. Thanks Su and Dan!

NYC

Holly and I made it safely to NYC. We took the Amtrak up here and it was a heck of a lot nicer than taking the bus. We took the subway to the train, right to Penn station where we had to walk one block to jump back on the subway to head over to Roosevelt Island, where our friends Su and Dan live. I took my GPS on the train with us and the GPS told me that our top speed was 125MPH! I was surprised that they go that fast - I guess I just didn't think it would go that fast. Anyway, I'm probably not going to blog from here so I want to wish my loyal readers a very happy Thanksgiving. Eat turkey and sleep, then eat a little more. The holiday eating season has begun!

No Whooping Cough, Pants and Pics

Yeah – so there’s no way I have Whooping Cough. Friday morning I woke up early with a heavy cough, but after Holly left for work, I went back to bed and slept for about five hours. That was the first time I had slept more than four hours in a row since Sunday night and I felt really well after that rest. Holly and I actually headed out to get some dinner and ice cream Friday night too. Saturday I woke up late in the morning and figured I had gotten about nine hours of uninterrupted sleep and felt even better. I let Holly sleep in another few hours because I had kept her up at night all week with my coughing. We went shopping and to church and to a friend’s birthday get together too. I felt much better yesterday with a slight cough still. This morning we woke up after about ten hours of sleep and I felt better yet. We did some more shopping and chores around the house. Up until today, I needed to use an inhaler several times a day to loosen up my lungs, but I haven’t taken one puff at all today. So, there’s no way I had Whooping Cough because I’m not really coughing today and my lungs feel fairly clear. I am beginning to think that I had a very bad case of Bronchitis or some other upper respiratory bug. So, back to work tomorrow! Thank God it’s a short week.

As I mentioned earlier, Holly and I went shopping earlier. We went to Old Navy and we bought four pairs of pants. I knew I needed new ones and mentioned getting them to Holly. She was slightly ticked off because she was going to get me clothes for Christmas, but I beat her to it. I guess she’s going to have to get me something else! Like possibly a Logitech Harmony universal remote. Man that would be terrific. But, don’t tell her I told you. Anyway, I now have pants that are apparently considered trendy and in – as opposed to gaudy and old. Sweet.

I got a reminder today that one place where we have pics stored was going to be deleted unless I clicked some link to make it not be deleted. Check out these newly saved pictures from our wedding, honeymoon and family reunion a few years back: MSN Pictures.

Whooping Cough?

I went back to the doctor this morning and because I feel pretty normal except for the cough, the doctor thinks that I might have Pertussis, also known as Whooping Cough. It is very hard to diagnose, but it is the only thing that makes sense. Holly did a little research and found a very good website that pretty much exactly describes my symptoms, minus the vomiting: www.whoopingcough.net. The Symptoms and Sounds page is spot on – so much so that it’s amazing. I’m going to call the doc again tomorrow and ask him about this website and ask if I should go ahead and get tested. Apparently, it’s not uncommon for adults to get it. The test requires a swab or something to be inserted through the nose to the back of the throat. But if the test is done too late, the results can be inconclusive. So, that’s why he didn’t want to do it. He did give me a Z-Pak, or Zithromax – an antibiotic. I’m to lay off all the meds except an inhaler of Albuterol and a decongestant. I feel a tad better, but I’m not looking forward to going to sleep again. I just can’t figure out where I might have gotten Whooping Cough. Maybe I got it from Holly’s mom – after all, she is from Aggieland and she was here last week (I’ll let you think about that one for a bit.)

Our friend Matt, from LA, did manage to stop by. We walked down the street to El Pollo Rico(always fantastic) and brought it back to the apartment to eat. We talked and called it a night. He heads back to LA tomorrow morning. It was good to see him again.

My friend John sent me the following link this week. I thought the video was pretty interesting – a good job on the editing:

Even Sicker, Sandy Update and Scalp Sliding

I had a heck of a time trying to get to sleep last night. The new cough medicine didn’t really do much to stop my cough. All it did was make me woozy with a cough. I went to bed around 11pm but woke up at 1am since my throat felt like it was closing up. I immediately started hacking again. Ii tried to go back to sleep but I was up again at 2am. I decided to sit in the other room for a while to see if my cough would go away. I ended up on the computer for a while and then tried to lay down again at 3am with no luck. Finally, at 4am I thought.. duh! Why not put pillows behind my back and try to sleep propped up a bit? It took me a bit of trial and error, but I finally found a good position because next thing I knew, the alarm was going off to wake up poor Holly. I know I was keeping her up all night. She went to work around 8am and sometime between when she got up and left for work I pulled some of the pillows from behind and went back to sleep. I woke up around 11am with a very sore back and neck and coughing again. I have been coughing all day and I fear that I’m going to have trouble sleeping again tonight. I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I’m going to have to get up early again (if I’m not already up) to make another doctor appointment so that the doctor can take another guess at what’s going on. I’m tired of coughing, my lungs feel congested and I’m tired. I hope they can get me feeling better soon because tomorrow will be one week that I’ve been sick.

A friend of ours from LA, another Matt, will be in town tomorrow for a meeting downtown. He wants to stop by tomorrow to say hi. His wife, Yoli, and he and their daughter stayed with us for about a week last summer as they visited DC. I hope I’m feeling better – it’ll be nice to catch up for a few hours.

Next, I got another update from Mike and Sandy I wanted to share with you:

Hello all - I wanted to provide an update from today's exciting trip to St. John's Cancer Center… Today went pretty well. In the last update I mentioned that there was a good possibility that Sandy's blood count would be too low for her to get her IV chemo today. That would have meant that she had to get shots for the next three days to build her up enough so she could get the IV chemo on Thursday. Well - Praise the Lord, her blood count was high enough today that she could get the IV chemo. That is really good news that her body is holding up to all the abuse. The bad news is that the blood count was not all that high and it probably needs to improve before next week.

Sandy got two more radiation treatments today and is looking pretty crusty. She continues her two a day radiation through Friday and then is done. For those of you keeping count; that means it is 32 down, 8 to go! Sandy sees the radiology oncologist tomorrow so she may know more, but I don't think anything is going to change at this late stage of the treatment.

The regular oncologist visit next Monday may be more exciting. We really aren't sure what we do next. The oncologist wants to see the radiation results to decide for sure what to do next. Sandy is off the oral chemo this week (the off week in the cycle) and will finish the radiation on Friday, so the oncologist wants to regroup before deciding how much of what and how often starting next week. We will meet with the oncologist on Monday and decide the next course of treatment. Based on the previous conversations, it should be the two chemos that she is on now, but different frequencies and dosages.

Even though things are starting to look better in beating the cancer right now, Sandy could still use all the prayer she can get. Her blood count really needs to rebound a bit this week so the doctor can continue to treat the cancer rather than the blood count. And some of the treatment side effects are starting to kick in. Sandy is having trouble swallowing which is caused by the radiation irritating the esophagus. In addition, the skin on her hands, mouth and lips is very sensitive. Even toothpaste feels like it burns her mouth and lips right now and bending her thumbs is a little sensitive. This is normal from what we are told, but still not pleasant. And her left arm is still a source of pain since the surgery. Once again, normal but not pleasant.

All in all, a day to celebrate the successes and pray for God's guidance and relief for the challenges. Speaking of leaning on God, Sandy and I had a very moving experience on Sunday. The elders of the church, our Spiritual Council, organized a "laying on of hands" for us before services on Sunday. We met in the chapel and the Spiritual Council members along with the Pastors laid hands on Sandy and I, anointed her with oil and prayed for us. There were about a dozen people in all. A real encouragement to us and an example of leaning on each other as the Bible instructs us.

Sandy and I are both looking forward to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. We really need a chance to have some time off work and hopefully away from treatments to spend some "fun" time with family and friends. Matt and Julie are coming in from DC and of course Jessica and Kimberly will be here. I think that is exactly what we need right now.

God bless you all and thank you so much for your continued support. Love, Mike

PS--- Mike covered it all for me. Thank you for your continued prayers & please keep praying. I'm still very tired but at least I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel w/radiation if nothing else. I hope & pray that you & yours are doing well, staying healthy & having fun. Thanks. love, S

I am encouraged by Sandy’s progress. Keep on praying for them, they need it. One last thing – I spoke to my neurosurgeon, Dr. Rosenbaum, today via email (I guess that’s not really talking, eh?) Anyway, I asked him again about the possibility of fixing a problem I am having at the left end of my incision. I keep on getting ingrown hairs that get painful because they closed it up and put skin over more skin where hair is still growing. It’s not pretty. He said that they might be able to fix it in Jan and we might also look at closing the gap where no hair is growing on the incision line. It should be a simple procedure. He said, “I think you could have a better job done… For now - I want you to start holding your scalp and sliding it back and forth across your skull. I know this sounds crazy but if you are able to wiggle the fibers loose and make the whole scalp slide freely we can avoid the prolonged application of a tissue expander.” So, next time you see me, I’ll be sliding my scalp back and forth!

Sicker and Good news for once

I woke up this morning and immediately started coughing up colorful stuff. I knew that I needed to see a doctor since there’s no way I was going to make it to work. Over here, if you’re sick, you can usually call in sick one day, but anything after that you need to see a doctor if you need to stay home longer. In order to see a doctor the same day, you have to call the clinic starting at 7am for a “sick call” appointment. I started calling the clinic at the Pentagon right at 7am, but a recording said they were still closed. I called back every three minutes or so until they answered the phone at 7:20. The only latest appointment they had was at 8:10! That was less than an hour away!! I had to rush into the bathroom and brush my teeth, jump into some clothes and get on the metro ASAP. I didn’t have to wait long for either of my two trains and I made it to the Pentagon and through security by 7:55. I walked briskly (no small feat at the Pentagon) to the clinic and made it there by 8:05 – just in time!

Because I was coughing and stuff, I had to wear a mask over my nose and mouth to prevent the spread of my germs. It was a little embarrassing - people kept looking at me like I was some kind of freak. But when the doctor called me back, he thanked me for thinking about everyone else by using a mask. The doctor had a chest x-ray done just to make sure I did not have pneumonia – I don’t. He figured that I just have a very bad upper respiratory infection brought on by a nasty virus and assigned me to quarters for 48 hours – which means I can’t go back to work until Thursday – unless I still feel bad. I got some more meds mainly for my cough and got home around 11am. I’m looking forward to seeing how my nighttime cough medicine works tonight!

Now for some good news regarding a cancer fight! Around the time that we went to St. Louis for Matt and Julie’s wedding, I told you about Matt’s mom, Sandy, who is fighting breast cancer. She’s responding to the treatments and is doing pretty darn well. Here’s an update that Sandy’s husband, Mike sent me last week:

Hello all - I am once again the guest writer for tonight. Don't be surprised if you get an update within the update from San if she is feeling up to it later. Today was a good day, of course, everything is relative. We went to see the oncologist and she was thrilled with the response we are getting from this new drug/radiation combination. The small tumors are almost gone, the bigger ones are smaller and no new ones are appearing. It looks like our plan to cook Sandy twice a day while feeding her poison both daily and weekly is working. Whoo-hoo!

Sandy is on week two of her oral chemo. That is the on two weeks off one week chemo. She received her second dose of the IV chemo today. This is probably the last one of those for a while though, because her blood count is dropping to the point that she probably won't be able to tolerate the drug next Monday. The plan will be to check her blood count next Monday. If it is too low (as expected), then they will give her a shot each day for three days to build her blood count up. They can't give her any of these shots if she is on the oral chemo, so next week works fine because it is her off week. Then, after the three shots, they hope to be able to give her the intravenous chemo on Thursday the 16th. That should be about the time her radiation is wrapping up assuming they keep the 2 a days going. Sandy sees the radiology oncologist tomorrow to verify that. Then, the oncologist will probably change the drug sequence - oral chemo on a week off a week and the intravenous chemo every other week or every third week in bigger doses. We will have to wait to see how things look and how Sandy's blood counts are after next week. All in all, a pretty good report for someone who is being tortured. I am not as good as San with the other stuff. I think everyone else is still fine. Thank you all for the prayers and please keep it up. Love, Mike

PS---Now you see why I have to take Mike w/me to keep straight what the docs tell me. OMG! I'm still very tired & for the most part go to the cancer center, come home, sleep & go back. Once in awhile Mike feeds me & I shower :) That's it for me. Please keep praying. We're making headway :) PTL Love, S

Sandy is doing remarkably well after hearing that the cancer was getting aggressive a few weeks ago. It looks like the doctors have figured out what cocktails are working for her. I’ll post more entries from Sandy and Mike when I get them. Please keep praying for them! They really need it.

Still sick and News about a cousin

I didn’t go to work today. I took a shower last night, shaved and everything with the intention of going; but after I got in bed on my back, I started to cough. No matter which way I turned, I still coughed. I think I finally fell asleep around 2am. When my alarm went off at 6am, I was exhausted and the cough came back. I’m taking a prescription decongestant to prevent getting bronchitis like the last time I got a cold; so I’m not supposed to take anything else. But I do lay off the decongestant and take Nyquil at night hoping that it will help me sleep. Anyway, I’ve had a cough all day – I hope it is gone tomorrow.

My cousin Sandi emailed me last week to share some news with me. Here is the email:

I wanted to let you know- and to pass on as needed about one of our cousins... Paul Mommaerts (I think he's about 47 years old now,) who is Ken's son (he wasn't at the reunion...) Kelly, Mary and Tim/Ford's brother. I haven't seen him since I was about... Maybe 7 years old?? Anyway, he has suffered from some kind of mental illness over the years and has distanced himself completely from our/his family. Kelly called me about 2 weeks ago, and told me she was going to try to find him again - which she does every so often. Well, I hadn't talked to her at all until this morning when she called me... Over the weekend, she was looking for her Brother Tim's phone number for something else, when she stumbled across some old work numbers of Paul's, an IHOP Restaurant in the Detroit area... Out of the blue, yesterday, she called the IHOP. She introduced herself and was immediately handed over to a manager who said "Thank goodness you called; we've been trying to locate family for Paul...” Yesterday (Saturday, I think) he suffered an ischemic (massive) stroke; he is currently on life support with very little brain function and last I heard from Kelly, is not expected to live. Kelly was in shock at the situation and of course of the timing. She was leaving today to go to Detroit to try to see him and find out more about what is going on.

I immediately forwarded the email to my sister and father and replied to Sandi. An hour later she replied back to me:

Well, since I sent this to you, Kelly called me and let me know that Paul died at 7:09pm tonight. They kept him on life support until she got there. No one else in the family is going up there. Kelly will handle the arrangements (Strange family, no comment... whatever.) Anyway, she said that she is trying to arrange a memorial service for his co-workers who have been so wonderful in the past few days (the coworkers at the restaurant are paying for Kelly's hotel room for 4 days) and there will apparently be a memorial service later. Weird thing, apparently before he died, phone calls were going around saying he died... I would imagine your parents might even already know. *sigh* I don't know much else, except that it is probably a very sad story overall. Kelly said he had been homeless at times... I am just so thankful that God had Kelly call and was able to be with him when he died so he could be with his family. Isn't that just amazing??

Apparently he has an ex-wife and a daughter. Lisa, my step mom, who is a private investigator is going to try to find her, however, I think it will be difficult. Her name is "Kara Smith, married to a John Smith" and no one knows where she is…

My dad wrote back and told me that, in fact, he had heard from his brother Mike earlier that same day. Anyway, even though we weren’t close to him – he is part of our family. I ask that you please pray for my uncle Ken and the rest of our family that are dealing with his death. And thanks to Sandi for letting us all know what going on. We miss you guys up in Wisconsin!

Sick Again

I am sick again. It started Thursday evening – my throat started to feel tight. Later in the evening Holly said I felt hot. I took my temp, and sure enough, it was 100.4. It was just a slight fever, but enough to tell me something was up. I started popping Cold-Eeze and took Nyquil to make sure I got a good rest. I took all of the weekend easy and didn’t do anything to overstress myself. In fact, Holly was out Sat afternoon and I happened across Cinemax which happened to be showing all six episodes of Star Wars back to back to back all day long. So, I watched all six of them in glorious high definition and surround sound. What a great way to spend a sick Saturday.

I’ve had a hard time finding time to blog with Holly’s mom in town last week and just a bunch of stuff going on. I have quite a few cancer related items to share with you that I’ll touch on in the following days. Some good… some not so good. For me – I’m doing well. Besides getting a cold again (just over a month after my last one – I guess my immune system is a little shot) I’m feeling extremely well. My hair really is growing in well. I’m letting it grow, but the rectangle on top has very thin light brown hair. If I let it grow out long, there is a pretty significant contrast, so I keep my hair pretty short these days, but I’m not worried about it. Physically, I feel great! In fact, I decided to run on the treadmill last Monday. I started slow but gradually worked up to a pretty quick pace: an 8:30 mile! I held that for about five minutes and gradually worked back down. At the end of 30 mins I had run almost three miles! But boy, did I pay for it the rest of the week. I was pretty sore but I’m not anymore. I tried running on the ground again, but it is just too hard since my right foot still comes down hard. The treadmill platform gives just a bit and is easy on my leg. I’ll run more and more on the treadmill and maybe my ankle and foot will get stronger.

So, here’s some not to good news… one of Holly’s co-workers, Randolph, has a son, Randolph Jr, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor shortly after I began radiation. He had surgery and was doing fairly well until he had a seizure while he was in radiation one day. He fell into a coma for a few weeks. He started coming out of the coma and started receiving treatments again. Two weeks ago I went over to Holly’s work after I was done at work and we walked over to Randolph’s office to ask how his son was doing. He said he was doing very well and that they were going to move him to a Rehab center (much like the one I was at) very soon. That very next Sunday (one week ago today – Nov 5) Randolph Jr’s three kids came to visit him at the hospital. They started to administer his Chemo treatment and he again fell into a coma. Details are sparse, but they tried to revive him – eventually, he passed away (obit here.)

Holly and I attended Randolph Jr’s funeral this past Thursday. He leaves a wife and three boys, age 6 and twins age 4. The “Homegoing” ceremony, as they called it, was very uplifting to me. His family seemed happy with his passing – and it is an occasion to be happy about. Randolph Jr was a believer and gave his life to Christ at a young age. He’s in a better, pain free place now. But I can’t help to feel somewhat guilty for something. Holly and I talked about visiting him at the hospital. When we thought about it, we asked his dad how he was doing, and he said he was doing better. We always got good news about him, so we never made it to the hospital. I never once got to talk to this young man. Would a visit from little old me have made a difference? Maybe. But I think my life would have been touched by visiting him. The only time I ever got to actually see his face was during the viewing. I’m never going to make that mistake again. If someone is sick – go see them. If they end up in the hospital, visit with them. Don’t make the same mistake I did. Make the effort to see someone if you are moved to do so. I was so moved – and never acted. Thanks for the lesson… may he rest in peace.

New Order

I finally got my orders extending my deployment through the end of April 2007. We’ll hopefully be heading back to Texas at the end of Feb. What a relief! I have been working to get my Army paperwork in order so that I can go up for the E-7 promotion board. I am hoping to get promoted to Sergeant First Class before I head back home.

I discovered today that my friend, Matt P, also had various pictures of Matt O’s wedding in St. Louis. There are several albums, so here they are: Album 1, Album 2, Album 3. He also has some pictures from Tacky Prom 2006.

There is a lot of rain heading our way tonight. It should all be gone by tomorrow afternoon though. We’re having a Halloween party Saturday night. I thought I had a costume set, but now I’m having second thoughts. Ideas anyone?

Wayne Rooney Mo-Cap session

Here's the ad that W+K created for EA Sports. It is basically a motion capture session for the video game. They made Rooney do a bunch of weird stuff and got it all on tape and then had him interact with things that were not there. Anyway, check out the other three players they did mo-cap sessions for - they're pretty funny. I think the best part is that almost every one of the guys asks during one point of the shoot, "Is this in the game?" The tagline for EA Sports is, "It's in the game." Enjoy!

Yeah... It's been a few weeks

Alright – back on the blog again. Ever since we got back from the wedding in St. Louis, we have been downright busy. Since then I have logged about 15 hours editing a video for church that we finished and showed this past weekend. It was hilarious and one of our best videos yet. I’ll have it posted to the internet soon. There are a lot of things that I am running behind on here on the blog: MRI pics, St. Louis trip pics, the video that was used in the ad… I’m going to get them on here soon enough. I do have pics from the wedding posted though – I was ushering and had to sit at the back of the church. We were pretty busy, so we got very few pictures during the wedding and while the group photos were being taken. We had a great time in St. Louis and Holly and I are enjoying watching the Cardinals lead the Tigers 4-0 in the top of the 8th inning. This game should put the Cards squarely ahead of Detroit 2-1 in the series. Here’s a link to the rest of the pics from the wedding. Congrats Matt and Julie!

Lots Going On

Wow – when it rains, it pours...

I’m finally getting over this cold and Holly and I are off to St Louis for a wedding this weekend. On top of working on a video for church, having very busy evenings after work and getting ready for this trip, even more important things have been going on.

A friend and co-worker of mine lost her father to Cancer two weeks ago. He was battling it several years before it took his life. I’ve had the opportunity to talk to her at work about it. We also talk sometimes on the train as we take the same one toward home and often get the chance to meet up. He was still in his 40’s, her mom is 42 (I think) and a widow. Please pray for her.

Here’s something I didn’t share with you for some reason. I sent this to our prayer announcement email list right after we got back from Nashville:

On Sep 3, during a church service at my sister's new church, they invited folks to come to the front for prayer, I was thinking of going down for more anti-tumor prayer when the pastor then prayed for a man named Mark Foster, who was in the hospital fighting brain cancer. It struck me and I heard my sister say, "oh my God." I think we all focused our prayer on Mark and that's when I realized that it was six months to the day since my surgery on Mar 3. Anyway, it was an amazing thing to happen on that day. I spoke to the pastor and asked him to pass my contact info to Mark and his family. I'm not exactly sure what's going on, but please pray for Mark Foster's brain cancer.

I never mentioned the six month anniversary of my surgery here since I felt like this overshadowed it. A week later I got an update and sent this out:

First of all - Thanks to everyone for your prayers for Mark Foster, the man with the brain tumors in TN. His surgery was last week and he came through with no lasting complications - and... they got all of the tumor!

Finally, my mom called me today with the following news:

I have an update regarding Mark Foster, the man we learned about while in TN that had surgery to remove a brain tumor. As I shared a few weeks ago, the surgery was a success and had no immediate complications. But in the past few weeks he developed an infection in his spine somehow and also got pneumonia while in the hospital. He was having trouble breathing over the weekend and suddenly passed away early this week from complications due to the pneumonia.
Apparently, he was doing very well, but his condition deteriorated rapidly. His death was unexpected and his family is having a tough time dealing with it. These are the only details I have at this time. Please pray for Mark's family, especially his wife as she tries to cope with this turn of events.

Yeah – so I feel like I’m in the line of fire with cancer sometimes. But it is a good thing, I guess. I helps me realize how human we all are and that I need to keep fighting for myself and for others who are also affected around me.

I never gave you an update on Holly’s dad and his procedures. He fared the tests well and no abnormalities were found. I think he heeds to get back to the doc soon for more tests, but I think his immediate problem was an infection of some type.

Lastly, my friend Matt’s mom, Sandy, had surgery for her breast cancer a few weeks ago. Here’s what she emailed herself to the prayer broadcast:

It's a real blessing to see prayers being answered every day! Even though I've always known of the power of prayers it's something totally different to feel them on a constant basis from so many dedicated prayer warriors & I thank you from the bottom of my heart… I am doing incredibly well. I am totally astounded that since leaving the recovery room I have had NO pain at all!! I certainly didn't expect to feel this well at this point & it didn't even occur to me to pray for being pain free after surgery so somebody must be praying overtime!! :) THANK YOU :)

Before surgery I was taking Vicodin every 4 hours in an attempt to kill the pain so this is a real blessing indeed. Praise God. Next up for me today----------a shower!! I think I will take a nap
first since I am still pretty tired. On Thursday I will call the surgeon to report my drain totals & hopefully they will be such that I can see her on Monday to have the drains removed. That's the best case scenario. Please pray that it happens that way for me. I will also be seeing the oncologist on Mon just for a regular follow up. I'm not sure when I'll hear about the results of my latest blood work but since I feel so well I tend to think it's a lot of nothing. That's it for me. I hope & pray you're all doing well. Please pray for a fast & complete recovery for me. Thanks so much. :)

I think that says it all. I get to meet this remarkable woman this weekend and I'll let you know how's she doing. I’m looking forward to it. Oh – and don’t forget… October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Ladies – you know what to do.