July 2008 Archives

John sent out an e-mail about his recent scan and I thought it was worthy of passing on. I asked him if it was ok to put on the blog since he's so busy w/ work travel and he said it was fine. So, here's the great news from John....

Greetings -

John here with a quick update to friends and family. I had a comprehensive PET and CT scan done this morning, and Tracy and I just returned from the oncologist's office with good news. The scans remain "all clear" of any sign of recurring cancer. I will be moving to scans every 4 months over the next year, then every 6 months for the remaining three years after. These scans never get easy, as you might expect, as sitting for an hour while the radioactive solution searches for any cancer cells, and the barium CT mixure searches for any suspect tumors, the mind is able to retreat to those places once visited not so long ago. One year ago, I could not eat food, had a hard time talking, spent my days and nights in a chair, napped throughout the day, and doses up with narcotics every 2 hours(and according to some of you, didn't look so sporty, either). Last week I chuckled as I opened my "Gold Elite" information from NWA - miles acquire d since taking on my new job in February. I guess the activity level has picked up a bit since last July!

Tracy's activity level has not slid, either. She is still doing all she has done for many years with the kids, the house, friends, and other groups - in addition, she has been selling insurance and managing this place we call our home when I am on the road. Needless to say, we both are discovering new balancing skills. August and September will bring another family get together, a class reunion, a nephew's wedding, and the start of another hunting season. Happy to say we will be participating in all of those!

The boys are well, and they have fared well this past year with maturity beyond their years...tough at times, but humbling when looking back on the whole. These are good days to share with them! Mitchell is gearing up for a year of PSEO, his senior year will consist of college classes at North Hennepin Community College. The following year looks like he will be a UMD bulldog, and heading off to the Duluth, MN, campus. Lee just finished his behind the wheel training, and is counting down the days until his Nov. birthday; until then, football and bow hunting will be his primary extracurricular interests. Nicko and Lee just completed their baseball season, and Nicko is looking forward to fall hockey clinics, as well as starting 9th grade as one of the 3,000+ Champlin Park HS students. Howie is still a load, but happy that the 4th of July is over - he has recovered from another scary fireworks season.

That's the update. Thanks again to all who have sent prayers, well wishes, and continued support throughout this past year. Tracy, the boys, and I cannot say "thank you" enough! Please know that your outreach is greatly appreciated, now and in the past. All the best to everyone!

Love,

John

Janice asked me to post this for everyone. Great idea for a video and a fabulous song.

Wow, how time flies! I can't believe it's been 2 months since my little Jude was born. He's growing like a weed! We had his 2 month check up yesterday. He now weighs 7 lbs, 6 oz. and is 20 inches long. He's doing really well. We are scheduled to repeat the neumogram (sp?) in two weeks to see about getting rid of the apnea monitor. We'll have to go back to the hospital to spend the night, no fun! The boys have adjusted to having a little brother. The shine has not worn off him yet. We still have fighting over who sits next to him, holds him, etc. Our summer has flown by just like the days do. A newborn sure does take up a lot of your time during the day.

We are having Jude baptized on Sunday, which also happens to be Jackson's 10th birthday so instead of an elegant reception afterwards, we're going to the pool to grill Phil's Grill burgers and celebrate Jackson's birthday. I was at a party last night and many of the same children there are also invited to Jackson's birthday party and the parents were very curious to find out if we were going to have Phil's Grill burgers at the party. I have a feeling we'll have a good turnout for the party!!

Here are some pictures of Jude. You can't tell, but he has blue eyes. Jackson also has blue eyes, but you can't tell in pictures of him either. Jude looks very much like a blonde Jackson. That's Butch, our boxer, in the picture of the three boys.

Jude

I wonder if its possible for The Dark Knight to live up to its hype (See today's QOTD). Josh Tyler goes on to say about Heath Ledger's Joker, "He is at once funny and terrifying.". Bonus points if I'm ever terrified during this movie but I'll give Ledger this: Of the three Jokers I've seen and heard (Cesar Romero, Jack Nicholson, and Heath Ledger), Ledger has the best laugh. The laugh is such an important part of the Joker that it is reason enough for me to ante up. Circumstance has pretty much guaranteed that it will be this year's biggest blockbuster. I'll probably see it a week or two into its run. You?

Quote of the Day

Forget the great things you've heard about The Dark Knight. No matter how lavish the praise or how determined the hyperbole, it's all understatement.

Josh Tyler, CinemaBlend.com

We just returned from Ft. Walton Beach last night. We were there for 7 days. Joey's parents, his brothers and their girlfriends and wife came for the first 3 nights. We saw some great fireworks on the beach on the 4th of July. We couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather and perfect Gulf water! The first two days there we had lots of seaweed but after that it was crystal clear. The babies loved it. Luke didn't like it at first though. He'd put his foot in the sand and then lift it up and say to me, "toe toes, yucky mess Mama!" We stay at a resort that has a splash garden with water fountains for the kids to play in and a lazy river pool on the bay. We walked in the bay, which was also crystal clear, and found hermit crabs and saw fish and huge blue crabs. Having Joey's brothers there was really nice because they all do a great job entertaining Samuel and Luke. They did races in the sand and built sand castles. It was a lot of fun, and I miss it already! We'll go back next year- we have to see the beach at least once every summer. You Minnesotans need to come play with us on the beach one summer! We consider ourselves beach connoisseurs having been to many around the world, and Florida beaches (Destin and Ft. Walton) are the prettiest beaches around.

Joey, Angela, Samuel, and Luke

It's finally summer here in the north, have had a few 90degree days and the flowers are blooming. Where is everyone?? Not too many notes on the blog. We had a quiet 4th of July--picnic with John's dad, sister and brother-in-law and Anne's boyfriend joining us. Watched fireworks over the lake and saw an amazing firefly display on the way back to the house(must have been thousands of them---looked like fairy lights blinking)! That's all for now. Keep in touch Nancy

Summer 2008