At Loyola, Again...

Good morning to all,

We arrived at Loyola at about 5:45 this morning.  Kari is doing well and is in good spirits.  This is her 4th surgery in 18 months.  She's just wants this to be over. 

They got her set up on her IV and were working through a few different options on pain management for her.  She has had issues with morphine post-op so they will be trying something different this time.  I just left her in pre-op.  The nurse will come down to talk to me once they start.  From there, Dr. Vandevender will come to talk to us after surgery.

I'll keep you all up to date as we make it through the day. 

Jay

And now we return you to your regular scheduled programming....

So, after a super fun weekend, jam packed with activity, I am today facing the reality that I am back to dealing with this cancer journey.  I had check up appointments with my oncologist and radiation oncologist last week.  All were good.  My white cell count is still a little low, but my skin has healed nicely from radiation and my vitamin D levels are now normal, so that is good. 

This weekend was filled with activity.  On Friday my mom and I took the kids to Lake Geneva for the day.  We went on the ice cream social boat ride around the lake, and took a walk along the lake shore as well.  It was very enjoyable, a beautiful day too! On Friday night my mom and dad, Jay and James all went to the White Sox game.  My dad got awesome seats, row 7, right behind 1st base.  They had a good time.  On Saturday I got things ready for James and Katie's birthday party and then my brother game me two tickets to the Bears preseason game.  I decided that this would be the perfect opportunity to take James to his first Bears game!  We had fun there too!  Then, on Sunday we had the kids party in the park.  They had fun even though things started out a bit wet and cool.  All turned out well and by midafternoon, it was beautiful.  Sunday night I got to meet up with some book club friends to watch The Help and it was a wonderful movie.  So good!  

Tomorrow I am scheduled for my reconstruction surgery.  They will be removing the expanders and putting in the implants.  I will probably spend one night in the hospital and then come come to rest for a few days.  Driving and lifting restrictions again for a few weeks, and then hopefully we will resume back to normal.  I am grateful that my mom is going to help out again, and take care of me and the kids. 

I am crossing the finish line of this journey.  Please say a prayer for all of us tomorrow.  Jay promises to update the blog after the surgery, so please check back tomorrow for updates.  Thanks! 

Happy Birthday to my Wife...

Today is Kari's 35th birthday and I want to wish her a happy day. 

The past year and half have been awful for her but she has fought cancer with strength and grace.  She has one rough patch coming up with a surgery and a few weeks of recovery.  From there, it is only up and up with more celebrations and many more birthdays. 

The kids and I love you very much.  Enjoy your day!

Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure

As I've posted before, my friend Jaime is walking the 3-day in my honor.  It is coming up this weekend and I wanted to give you all the opportunity to know the route, and if it's close to your home, stop by and cheer for the walkers.  Please read all the info and check out the website http://www.the3day.org/site/PageServer?pagename=CH_Spectator for more info.  If you want to contact Jaime directly, or make a last minute contribution, her email is jdeblieck@district158.org

Here is the shirt she is wearing in the walk...

I plan on being at the closing ceremonies to cheer them all on!  It will be emotional, but I hope to draw strength from all the decades long survivors that will be there! 



Friday, August 5

Northbrook Court
2171 Northbrook Court
Northbrook, IL 60062

Schedule for the Day:

4:00 a.m. - Crew members should arrive.
5:00 a.m. - 6:00 a.m. - Walkers should arrive.
6:30 a.m. - Opening Ceremony begins with community stretching.

Spectator Parking:
Follow signs upon arrival for spectator parking location designated on site.

Cheering Stations:

Friday, August 5

Mile 9.4, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Sheridan Road & Elder Lane
Winnetka, IL 60093


Mile 19.4, 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Flick Park
3600 Glenview Road
Glenview, IL 60025


Saturday, August 6

Mile 3.5, 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Evangelical Free Church of Des Plaines
55 W. Golf Road
Des Plaines, IL 60016
Mile 16.3, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Woodland Trails Park
1500 E. Euclid Avenue
Mt. Prospect, IL 60056


Sunday, August 7

Mile 8.5, 8:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Lincoln Park (Just north of Belmont Harbor and W. Addison Drive, near Clock Tower)
Chicago, IL 60657


Mile 11.7, 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Lincoln Park (Just south of Lincoln Park Zoo along Stockton Drive)
Chicago, IL 60614


On some portions of the route you may find areas that are deemed “quiet zones” which will be indicated by signage on the route. Please assist us in respecting our neighborhoods and communities during this time.


Closing Ceremony

Sunday, August 7

4:30 p.m.
Soldier Field
1410 S. Museum Campus Drive
Chicago, IL 60605

SO PROUD OF YOU JAIME! 

Wishing Well...

Wishing my brother, his wife and my two adorable nieces well as they start a new phase of their lives in Texas.  We sure will miss you all (or should I say y'all?) but will enjoy visiting!  Hugs and kisses!

Katie sure will miss having sleepovers with her twin cousins in their barbie pajamas and tutus...

We're in Trouble Now!

So, Jay and I returned from CA (him for work, me for CAbi) and this was sitting on the table in the kitchen...

The book about what I want for my birthday by James Harris

Do I want a pet for my birthday? yes.

Do I want a turtle? no

Do I want a zebra? Nooo....

Do I want a dinosaur? Noo.

 Do I want hamsters? Yes

DO I WANT HAMSTERS? NO!!!!!!!   BUT I GIVE THE BOY CREDIT, HE IS LOBBYING HARD!  HOPEFULLY THE PET PHASE WILL PASS, AT LEAST UNTIL WE HAVE MORE SPACE FOR A PET. 

My Happy Girl is Three Today!

July 6th. 2008.  That little ray of sunshine entered our lives that day.  It wasn't easy to get her here, though, little did we know that wouldn't be our biggest fight in the next few years....  I went into labor with Katie at 20 something weeks.  I knew something wasn't right, so I called the doctor, who saw me right away, and then sent me to the hospital.  After confirming the active labor, and stopping it,  I was sent home with strict instrutions of complete bedrest and medication every four hours to stop the contractions.   Not easy to do with an active toddler than no longer napped at home.  Luckily, my mom and mother in law stepped in, and we had a babysitter, and friends from playgroup helped out.  I had quite the elaborate schedule worked out for him.  That wasn't the only scare Katie gave us either.  At the ultrasound when we found out that we were having a girl, we also heard that there may be something wrong and we should have an amnio.  Which we did and waited anxiously to hear that everything was ok.  Katie's arrival wasn't without a hitch.  My doctor took me off the medication to stop the contractions on July 2nd, and then went on vacation.  On July 4th my contractions were close so we called and went to the hospital.  After a few hours there, the contractions were deemed to not be active labor and I was sent home.  Kinda bummed as I was really thinking a 4th of July birthday would be awesome!  So instead, Jay and I got in the car, got burger king to eat as we were hungry and there is not much open on 4th of July, and watched the North Riverside fireworks.  July 5th came and went, and finally on July 6th I went into active labor.  By early afternoon our princess had arrived.  We were so happy to have our beautiful. perfect little girl. 

God blessed us with such a happy girl.  She is always smiling and is so full of sunshine.  She loves everyone, and brings so much joy to our lives.  Every day she brings a smile to my face and joy to my heart.  I love her songs, her love of dance, love that she is a "girly girl."  I love that she tells me she loves me numerous times each day, blows me kisses and draws me pictures.  She loves ballet, Dora, singing, dancing, candy and the color pink!  She is always picking flowers for me and giving me hugs.  She is so excited when daddy comes home, and it is so nice to watch her face light up when she sees someone she loves.  She loves talking on the phone, especially to her mama Diane and her boy Schautize (my mom's dog).  She has been telling everyone her birthday is the "6th of July" and here it is! 

This past weekend we particpated in the 4th of July parade in Jay's ISIS truck.  Katie completely stole the show.  She sat in Jay's lap while he drove and threw candy to the people on that side of the parade.  She was saying "Happy 4th of July" as she was throwing the candy and the people would say it back to her.  Some would say thank you for the candy and she would heartily reply "Your welcome!"  Too cute!

We went to the dentist a few weeks ago and Katie did not enjoy the experience.  However, the hygentist complimented her manners and said she may not have enjoyed it, but she did say thank you after everything!

She is my sweet, happy girl and I will do everything I can to love her and protect her, and give her everything she needs and deserves.  She has captured our hearts.