SURGERY DATE CHANGED!

Latest news:  Surgery date has changed.  The new date is May 12th.

Update and Surgery Date

Total post drought, huh?  No news is good news folks!  Don't you know that!?

Spring is here!  Isn't it wonderful? When I think of Spring it just makes everything feel fresh and new... a rebirth of sorts.  It feels as though the dark winter has passed us (as dark as Texas winters get anyway) and now we are moving into a season all anew.  I suppose that is how our mindset has been lately.

We are in a new chapter of treatment.  It's a good one.  It involves stuffing dad's face with as much food as possible-- which has resulted in a 7 pound weight gain thus far for both Dad and myself-- and getting him a bit more buff and healthy before surgery.  My dad borrowed some of my husband's shorts because his waist size has shrunk quite a bit.  We are down to 34s and those are large!  Hopefully we can keep it where it's at.  I'm really going to have to rethink how I feel about my body if my dad starts being able to fit into MY pants.  Nevertheless, while he has lost a bunch of weight, he also has gained back 7 pounds in just a couple weeks and he doesn't look sickly or anything.

Easter weekend Mom and Dad went up to Dallas to visit those OTHER grandchildren.  That's right, 2/5 (almost 3/6... or 1/2 if you are simplifying your fractions) of their grandchildren are in Dallas and belong to my sister.  This is a picture of Dad and Kyra dying eggs together.  Miss those nieces of mine!

In other news Evan was home this past weekend and Pat (both my brothers) is here this week.  Of course, I neglect to get pictures of them with Dad as always, but they've been around.  Instead I treat you with more pictures of myself and Dad.  I've been making it my mission to harass Dad to work out.  He's wiped the floor with me playing racquetball a few times which I am finding quite embarrassing and is starting to effect my self esteem.  Nevertheless, it's really good and fun to play racquetball with my dad again.  Dad seems like his old self again, at least for now.  We are soaking up his 'normalcy' and aren't thinking about cancer so much right now, though it's there in our minds... and in dad's esophagus.

Surgery has changed to May 17th.  That's a Monday.  34 days away.

Radiation is OVER!!!

 Well friends and family, radiation is over!!! Yee haw!  Dad finished up his last proton therapy treatment on Thursday (sorry I am just now posting, but I do have a life... yeah, it's true).  I nagged my parents enough that they actually brought the camera and took pictures on the last day.  So, for your enjoyment, these are the pictures from the last day of Bill's radiation.

 This is the fancy certificate Dad got for finishing up radiation.  I don't really think of radiation as some sort of exciting celebration but I suppose the completion of a treatment that intrudes on your daily life so much is certainly something to celebrate.  Dad had to go for radiation treatments every day Monday through Friday.  The treatment itself only takes about ten minutes but it is a big chunk out of his day as he has to drive all the way down to MD Anderson and back plus whatever lines he has to wait in beforehand.  Some have asked why he has to go down to the main MD Anderson for the radiation and it is because of the specific type of treatment he was getting (proton therapy).  Plus, it's the best center for it and when you have cancer, you want the best.

 Billy boy ringing the gong!  Looks like he is being kind of timid as he is hitting it.  If it were me, I would be all into it.  I would use large gestures, putting my whole body into it and slam that gong so hard that the people in the next building over would hear it.  But, that's me and that's why my children are sure to become incredibly embarrassed of me.  Soon.

 Here is the radiation "team".  Apparently the radiation team consists of several girls in their 20's... must be part of the healing process.  Ha!  Seriously though, we are grateful to these ladies and the incredibly knowledgeable docs who picked, what we believe to be, the correct course of treatment.

These next two pictures are of my dad falling asleep while waiting....

 In the email my mom sent with these pictures she said she wasn't sure if I would want to include these... what is she talking about?  OF COURSE I DO!  Though I am slightly disappointed that we can't see drool coming out his mouth or that he didn't fall off that chair, but I am just one of those people who thinks that would have been funny.  It was nice to see these pictures as I was curious as to what the rooms looked like.  However, they are the same doctors waiting rooms that I have to wait in.  You'd think with all the money doctors are making these days that they would come up with some happier wall colors. 

Since radiation has been done....  Dad has been so happy.  He has snapped out of his "cancer 'tude" as mom and I have called it... it was just him being tired and uncomfortable all the time and being short with us.  He probably wouldn't agree but we are glad it has passed.  He can eat!!  It's coming back slowly, he hasn't eaten a whole cow yet or anything but it's coming back.  At church today he actually said he was hungry.  I haven't heard that in a long time so that was a most excellent sign.

In Dad's quest to "GET BUFF", he has been going to the gym.  He went last week for the first time in awhile and attended a barbell strength class.  My mom and I go to that class often in our own efforts to get lean and mean, but dad had never been.  Mom took him and his scrawny little self (he has lost some serious muscle mass.  I had never seen his legs that small.  Sadly, I think they were smaller than mine.  I told Dad that it looks like his head on my Uncle Rob's body).  Anyway, he lasted about fifteen minutes before he left the class.  His endurance just isn't really up there yet.  He'll get there though.  I think that for the first time back he did alright.  There was a guy who was teaching the class and I guess he gave dad a couple head nods of encouragement before Dad walked out.  I told Dad he should start wearing a shirt that says, "I have cancer so everything I can do is amazing".  I might have to find that instructor and tell him myself.. you know, defend my dad's manhood or something. :)  I keep telling him that if I had cancer, I would play it up as much as possible.  I wouldn't be able to do anything for myself as I would just use cancer as my excuse.  I'm a lot lazier than him though.

I am questioning whether or not to report the following as it embarrasses my mom and I quite a bit but I suppose for the sake of revealing how my dad is doing, I ought to share.  Yesterday my mom, my dad and myself went to the gym to play racquetball.  Mom and I play at least once a week together so we hold our own.  Well, the very first game dad spanked us.  I mean, by quite a bit.  We thought surely he would sit the next game out to recuperate, but he said he was good to go.  Second game, I won, but BARELY.  I was at game point for almost a half hour.  Finally I think I wore Dad down to the point where he was just out of gas.

I think that's what's going to happen... Slowly he will start building up that strength and endurance and then hopefully he will be as close to 100% as we can get him before surgery.  Even though mom and I were embarrassed that 'cancer boy' beat us... we sure were having fun playing racquetball with Dad again.  And now we will actually start playing and stop letting him win!!!

Chemo is OVER!

It has come to my attention... thanks to my aunts... that while most have enjoyed the added pictures to the blog, some of you might actually be wondering how DAD is doing.  Well, he is doing great!!  Chemo is over, port is out and he is finally free of the fanny--both pack and booty.  There really wasn't much to say about it.  It's kind of been the 'same old, same old' with getting chemo, feeling lowsy and feeling really tired.  

Yesterday the doctors took the pack back for the last time--I was saddened that he didn't get to keep it but apparently it is specially designed for a certain pump and wouldn't be good for much else.  They also took out the central line.  This was causing Dad some discomfort as it went up his arm, he could feel it right by his throat (which made eating even more uncomfortable) and down his chest.  There is something about having a foreign object in you that your body just doesn't like.  The port area was especially uncomfortable because he had broken out in some sort of a rash due to the adhesive or adhesive ointment that they used.  

Dad has certainly lost some weight since this whole thing began and before he started chemo he was feeling like his pounds lost were pretty ideal.  However, with chemo and feeling nauseous and not keeping too much food down, he did lose more.  He's mostly frustrated by his muscle loss.  Sooo....

So here is the plan.  After a couple more days of radiation Dad plans to hit the gym.  Hopefully this works out.  Like all of us, we all plan to hit the gym and pay the ridiculous gym prices to attain bodies like greek gods, but it sadly never comes to fruition.  But, he should be able to gain back some muscle tone.   This will help his body be stronger for surgery which is scheduled for May 13th.

Dad also hopes to gain back some L-Bs (pounds) by being able to eat more.  As of yesterday and today, he has been able to eat quite a bit more already and that is still with some left over chemo working its way through his system and radiation still going on.  So, this is looking very promising.

Also, the parents are each planning a mini trip here and there.  I'm glad that they will be able to get away for a little time.  I'm on dog duty--as always-- so I am going nowhere... just so you know.

As I mentioned before, surgery is schedule for mid May.  When they went over their appointments at MD Anderson, they looked the months over and have absolutely ZERO appointments in April!!  That is so awesome.  Perhaps a little normalcy.  That will be oh so nice.  This will also include a slow in blogging unless I decide to post how proud I am that I am beating my dad at racquetball... it doesn't happen often so I may have to take advantage of this post chemo/radiation while I can.  Yes, I am totally one of those people that will relish in my win even though I am beating some 52-year-old with cancer. 

I am anxious to see how Dad will feel after radiation.  When that finishes up, I will have to post about how he is feeling.  Since he has done the chemo and radiation together it's been hard to distinguish what side effects are from which treatment.  We are almost done with this part of treatment!!

Countdown to the end of chemo!!! 1 days left

30 Years ago next month Dad became a dad---woah, that's a long time.  We love him.  He's been a good dad; Nay, a great one.  We are lucky kids... you know, for the most part.  There was the frequent adolescent embarrassment of our parents, Dad's sense of humor around our friends and his fashion over the years. :)

It was my assumption that when I started this blog that I would try my best to keep my siblings private.  After all, they usually prefer to not associate themselves with all of my weirdness.  I am usually embarrassing to them.  If I post something about them, they will have to claim me as theirs and I am not sure they are up for that not knowing what I will expose on this blog.  So, yesterday, when mom asked why I hadn't included any pictures of the other kids, I thought that this was just the post to make it happen.  So, Kim, Pat and Evan... if you are embarrassed by me in this post... it's mom's fault.

Ah, it all started here.  The birth of Kimberly... (30 next month... have I mentioned that yet?)-- Anyway, it's gotta be said that my parentals look pretty dang good in this picture--mom especially-- after just having their first child.  For some reason they gained a lot less weight for their first baby than Dan and I did.  Kim tells me that those first two years were the happiest of her life... why would that be?

Two years later came moi-Erin-.  I was cute and small once, it's true.  I can't help but notice that my dad is clutching  that dog so lovingly and tenderly.  He's even leaning toward the dog.  Hmf.  Well, at least I am looking cute and I must have given my parents lots of sleepless nights because the hair situation for my dad sure did change from this picture to the next...

My brother Pat was born in 1987.  That face is still totally him.... I am speaking of both my brother and my dad when I say that.  Nice Navy duds!  By number three, you get kind of tired of holding those babies and just park them wherever they'll fit I guess.

Here is Dad holding Evan for his first hair cut.  Evan is the fourth child, so you know that means that there are practically zero baby pictures of him and even less of just he and my dad.  But don't feel too sorry for him.  Now there are five bazillion pictures of Evan and hardly any of the rest of us. 

Now some more recent photos:

Dad and Evan on a cruise... like I said, don't feel bad for Evan... they've made up for the lack of baby pictures.  My parents have taken Evan on cruises and international vacations.  They've never taken me on a cruise and I've driven through Canada on my way to Michigan.  I know, I am a total globetrotter.  (this picture totally became about me, didn't it?)

Pat and Dad at Medieval Times.

Me and Dad.  I know, most of you are wondering if I look normal.  Most of the time, no.  As mentioned before, I am sort of an annoyer so it's always funny to me how my dad puts up with it.  He's putting up with it in this picture.

Kim and Dad.  Proud Papa in this picture!  This is Kim receiving her Masters degree.

I won't go on and on, but just so you know... it's good to have a dad like ours.

Chemo and pick line being removed Friday afternoon!  I will give an update about that tomorrow!

Countdown to the end of chemo!!! 2 days left

 My dad served in the Navy for 22 years.  He is retired--11 or 12 years ago now.  He joined after high school and continues to try to convince me that the smartest people are in the Navy branch of the military.  I was almost believing him until that Navy reality show came on and now I'm not so sure.  Seriously though, I am really glad that my dad joined the military.  It really has shaped him, our family and each of us as individuals and given us a real sense of patriotism.  Hardly a day goes by that I don't personally think about how fortunate I am to live in this country and how grateful I am for the freedom it affords me and my family.  I think all that comes from my dad's service.

This is the beginning (notice we are still in black and white...seriously?).  1976.  Dad's initiation and the end to his stylish coif of hair.  Shortly after that it was buzzed for boot camp.  I can tell by how he is standing and looking that he is pretty excited about his joining and I am actually feeling proud of him for that very moment just looking at this picture.  Joining the military is a pretty big deal and I feel fortunate that he (and my mom) made that choice.

Ah, a man in a uniform... even if it is my dad, he isn't such an unfortunate looking fellow in this picture.  Now I am not meaning to be too prideful here, but I really am proud of my dad and hope I can instill my children the values that were instilled in each of us kids because of my dad's service in the military. My dad's kind of a big deal you know--- well to me at least.

When I was 8, my mom, my sister and I were able to board the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier and cruise with it from Bremerton, WA to California.  Pretty awesome and certainly a once in a life opportunity.  I have a horrid memory, but I remember a few things vividly:

• My dad was an officer at the time so we were able to dine in the officer's dining room.  The other levels of people either got the cafeteria style or fast food looking style.  I found that interesting, but paid little attention as I downed at least 10 gallons of chocolate milk only served in the officer's dining room.  Fondest memory of this trip.
• The "dog machine".  That's what they called the ice cream machine aboard.
• My sister crushing on all the young military guys whose responsibility it was to watch us
• Going under the Bay bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge
• Getting lost.  I found someone to help me but he made me wait until he finished his rounds before returning me.  It was like an hour and at 8 that is an eternity.  This ship was huge, you would have gotten lost too.
• A lot of ladders and uncomfortable bunk beds

Thanks for serving in the military Dad!  Ya done good!

Countdown to the end of chemo!!! 3 days left

I'm calling the following pictures "The Glory Days" as these are all pictures of my dad (and my mom) during the high school years.  Something you ought to notice in these pictures is how my dad has a thick head of hair--not that you wouldn't notice it... it was the 70's.  His hair is exactly like my brother Evan's hair so lots (or little) for Evan to look forward to.  Well, probably not as my mom's dad still has his locks and Dad's hair was already in recession by the time he was Evan's age.

Football!!!  Here's dad doing what he loved best in high school---you know, when he wasn't making out in photo booths with my mom.  My dad has one grandson (mine) and another on the way (my sisters') and so I think more football could be in the future.  Sometimes on Turkey Day my dad will go out and play in the morning with people from church.  He goes all out and practically kills himself (along with the other middle aged men who attend) just to keep up with all the youngins.  It's fun to hear stories of my dad playing.  He has an old black and white jersey that all of us kids have worn around the house at some point and it always makes me smile when he wears it.  He wore it Friday morning when I went over for a pancake breakfast.

Alright, alright... here is a picture of moi sporting the jersey (and some pretty sweet roller skates).  This picture is kind of blurry but I can already tell the jersey was a lot less "holy" back then.

PROM!  My parents met each other in second grade.  It's a little fuzzy to us kids when they actually started dating or if they ever dated anyone else.  My dad said that I should definitely include this prom picture because he said, "Your mom was looking pretty hot"--egh, ugh... sorry, I threw up a little in my mouth right then.  Anyway, my dad is wearing a pink suit.  Even back then I can't imagine that was the best fashion direction to go.  I mean, my mom looks timeless, but my dad... *sigh*.  That whole ensemble is screaming for me to make fun of him.  The ruffles, that tie, and.... is that a ring on his left ring finger!?  Woah, I think it is.  If that is a promise ring I might have to be revived after dying from laughter.  Well, maybe it's just a school ring or something, but the left finger is kind of suspicious.  Anyway, it's probably good we can't see his feet because I can only imagine what shoes were worn to match this pink suit.

Ah, Senior picture.  For me, I look at this and see how very much my brothers look like my dad.  Each of them took different characteristics from my dad but I can see both of them in this picture.  Also, I know that the hair is real in this picture--all of it, sideburns and eyebrows included--but seriously, it looks a little like a toupee.  Well, if I can look past all that and that ruffle shirt, I can see that my dad is a pretty handsome guy.  In fact, I don't think he has changed much at all.  He still pretty much looks like this to us.

3 days left!  Hallelujah!!