I want to start tonight with a quick thanks to the people who had me on their mind end of the week last week. I know there are many people that are "rooting" for me and think about me frequently, but Friday seemed to be a heavy e-mail day. Timing was really good, so I thank those of you that picked that day.
We received news indirectly that one of our friends from Germany is not doing well and was advised while at the clinic to go home and be with his family. My heart aches for Paol and his family because I know what kind of man he is and the fight he had to beat this disease. I saw how well he was doing just six short months ago and I pray that he and his family are at peace right now. As always, any challenging news takes a toll on me even when it doesn't ultimately effect my health because it brings out all the what-ifs again. I know I shouldn't do that, but having that worry about your own disease coupled with the news of someone you feel connected to struggling with their battle made for a tough day. So again, good timing for those e-mails Friday...they really helped keep a smile on my face.
I have nine little pills to swallow tomorrow to end my last round of chemo before I head back to Germany. As always, I'm a little anxious about the trip...more of the unknown than anything. The ride I'm on has been a roller coaster. I've learned that you never know what kind of news you will receive so not to expect anything. That's tough and will continue to be that way, but not sure I have any other choice. I'm looking forward to having Eric and Doug with me and hoping that I'll continue to receive positive news that will make the trip even more enjoyable.
I've had better weeks physically, but I carry on. Had Will's first tee ball game this Saturday, which is one big lesson in patience, and a wedding on Saturday. Finally able to do basically nothing on Sunday which was nice for a change.
This will be a busy week getting things wrapped up at home and at work before the trip. Although I will be working as much as I can in Germany and Crystal will be home holding down the fort, I always feel like when I leave I'll be disconnected from everyone from awhile. I'll try to get back to my more regular updates while I am over there. I fly out Monday, land Tuesday and have my procedure Tuesday afternoon. We'll be busy (and tired) the first couple of days!
More updates to come...
Love,
Tony
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Back to reality...
Back from vacation and back into the jaws of a busy everyday life. The vacation was much needed, but as I told several people when I returned, I could have used a vacation from our vacation. Joking of course... I have no complaints about spending the extra time with Crystal and the kids and I can't say I really missed working (although I did work a little), but we kept very busy during our vacation so we didn't really return well rested.
We sandwiched Disney between a couple beach days. Disney was overcrowded, we hear to the tune of 70,000 people, but don't know if that is true or not. They even stopped allowing people to enter the park one day due to the amount of people. Nothing better than standing in line for hours waiting on a sixty second ride or to get an autograph from a person dressed up as Pooh, but we still had a good time. We weren't in a hurry and had nothing else to do, so it really didn't matter. Besides Ashley complaining about to many people running into her, the kids were great. We were able to spend a day with Crystal's brother, Steve, and his family one day as well since they were on their break too.
I started slowing down after a few days, but physically I felt pretty good overall. I typically experience some pain on my off chemo off weeks, but didn't really have any issues. Maybe it was the Florida sun or the exercise or the absence of stress. Bottom line...physically and mentally it was good to get away.
We returned to what we left...our busy world. Both Crystal and I have been going non-stop since the moment we came home. To put it in perspective, Crystal even has a stack of clothes that haven't been unpacked yet. If you know Crystal, that tells you all you need to know about how busy she is. Crystal and Ashley went to Pittsburgh this weekend for a dance competition so there was no catching up for her last weekend. I haven't slowed down either. I did get a round of golf in Saturday with my dad, but worked all day Sunday while Will stayed with grandma and grandpa.
I'm one week into my last chemo cycle before my return to Germany. I think this chemo is catching up with me a little, but as I told Crystal the other night, I'm getting used to it. I still have the pain in my chest and some of the other physical issues, but I'm learning to cope with it everyday. I still believe the pain is caused from the medication so that makes it easier for me to deal with it mentally.
Two weeks from today I will be on a plane back to Germany. I'm sure I'll get a better idea when I am there as to what is going on internally.
That's my update for now...just wanted everyone to know that we are doing well and back from a good vacation. As always, I appreciate everyone's well wishes and support. There aren't many days that go by where we don't receive a call, note, e-mail, letter, etc. from someone expressing their support for us. I continue to be grateful for our wonderful support system.
More updates to come...
Love,
Tony
We sandwiched Disney between a couple beach days. Disney was overcrowded, we hear to the tune of 70,000 people, but don't know if that is true or not. They even stopped allowing people to enter the park one day due to the amount of people. Nothing better than standing in line for hours waiting on a sixty second ride or to get an autograph from a person dressed up as Pooh, but we still had a good time. We weren't in a hurry and had nothing else to do, so it really didn't matter. Besides Ashley complaining about to many people running into her, the kids were great. We were able to spend a day with Crystal's brother, Steve, and his family one day as well since they were on their break too.
I started slowing down after a few days, but physically I felt pretty good overall. I typically experience some pain on my off chemo off weeks, but didn't really have any issues. Maybe it was the Florida sun or the exercise or the absence of stress. Bottom line...physically and mentally it was good to get away.
We returned to what we left...our busy world. Both Crystal and I have been going non-stop since the moment we came home. To put it in perspective, Crystal even has a stack of clothes that haven't been unpacked yet. If you know Crystal, that tells you all you need to know about how busy she is. Crystal and Ashley went to Pittsburgh this weekend for a dance competition so there was no catching up for her last weekend. I haven't slowed down either. I did get a round of golf in Saturday with my dad, but worked all day Sunday while Will stayed with grandma and grandpa.
I'm one week into my last chemo cycle before my return to Germany. I think this chemo is catching up with me a little, but as I told Crystal the other night, I'm getting used to it. I still have the pain in my chest and some of the other physical issues, but I'm learning to cope with it everyday. I still believe the pain is caused from the medication so that makes it easier for me to deal with it mentally.
Two weeks from today I will be on a plane back to Germany. I'm sure I'll get a better idea when I am there as to what is going on internally.
That's my update for now...just wanted everyone to know that we are doing well and back from a good vacation. As always, I appreciate everyone's well wishes and support. There aren't many days that go by where we don't receive a call, note, e-mail, letter, etc. from someone expressing their support for us. I continue to be grateful for our wonderful support system.
More updates to come...
Love,
Tony
Monday, April 6, 2009
On vacation...
I'm in the midst of a much needed vacation. Thanks to the Eneix family for "donating" / letting us borrow their condo this week in Daytona. The condo is fabulous and so far we have been able to get some rest and enjoy ourselves, but most importantly get away from the every day routine of life. We haven't been on a true "family" vacation for over two years...something that has been tough to do lately with our schedules. Crystal and I promised ourselves we wouldn't go another year without one, so here we are.
My sister Tonya and her family were in Orlando this weekend so we had a chance to visit with them Saturday and Sunday which was really nice. We rarely get to see them unless it is a holiday, so it was nice to relax and visit for a day without all the distractions a holiday can bring. Today we had some rain in the afternoon, so we went to lunch and a movie and then came home to some sunshine, sat out at the pool and cooked dinner out on our deck. So far we have been very relaxed, but things ought to get a little busier the next couple days as we try the Disney thing. Can't say I'm overly excited about going to see Mickey, but William is and Ashley is too (eventhough she reminds me that she is to old for the characters and the princesses). I know William is excited to see the characters, but hoping for my sake he wants to see some princesses too. I'll make sure I tell him it's important to get their autographs as well.
Tomorrow starts my second week off of chemo and so far have been feeling fairly good. I was a little tired today, but not having any pain which is the most important thing. Although the vacation is good for me, having so much "down time" helps remind me of my cancer. It's not a poor me type thing, just easier to think about what I'm going through when I'm not so busy. Unfortunately cancer doesn't take a vacation...I'd be happy to oblige if it would ask. A very, very long extended vacation would be great.
Not sure if anyone has been reading the news, but Farrah Fawcett was in the Indy Star today and Ted Kennedy has been in the news recently too about their battles with cancer. Farrah had some complications with a surgery she had in Germany, so I was happy to find that the article didn't bash what she was doing in Germany. I think the article was more informative on her status than anything. Of course they didn't name a specific clinic or doctor, only that she is working on a documentary that will be airing soon about her treatment over in Germany. I'm really interested in seeing the documentary...hoping it may open some more doors to what is going on overseas. I don't know for sure that Ted Kennedy is going to the same clinic, but I hear he is. What I found so interesting about his article was how the German treatment was portrayed. Maybe I'm a little sensitive to it, but the article seemed so grim...Ted Kennedy in his last stitch effort is going to pursue some radical treatment in Germany. I try to find some humor in this rather than getting angry, but seems to me that my initial treatment in the States was much more radical than what I'm doing now. Bottom line is I'm happy some high profile people are pursuing other options. The media will do there job and report (maybe not in a positive light), but at least that will open up more eyes to the opportunities that are available for those that want to listen.
I'm on vacation so I'm not going to get on my soap box tonight...that will come again soon enough I'm sure. More updates to come...
Love,
Tony
My sister Tonya and her family were in Orlando this weekend so we had a chance to visit with them Saturday and Sunday which was really nice. We rarely get to see them unless it is a holiday, so it was nice to relax and visit for a day without all the distractions a holiday can bring. Today we had some rain in the afternoon, so we went to lunch and a movie and then came home to some sunshine, sat out at the pool and cooked dinner out on our deck. So far we have been very relaxed, but things ought to get a little busier the next couple days as we try the Disney thing. Can't say I'm overly excited about going to see Mickey, but William is and Ashley is too (eventhough she reminds me that she is to old for the characters and the princesses). I know William is excited to see the characters, but hoping for my sake he wants to see some princesses too. I'll make sure I tell him it's important to get their autographs as well.
Tomorrow starts my second week off of chemo and so far have been feeling fairly good. I was a little tired today, but not having any pain which is the most important thing. Although the vacation is good for me, having so much "down time" helps remind me of my cancer. It's not a poor me type thing, just easier to think about what I'm going through when I'm not so busy. Unfortunately cancer doesn't take a vacation...I'd be happy to oblige if it would ask. A very, very long extended vacation would be great.
Not sure if anyone has been reading the news, but Farrah Fawcett was in the Indy Star today and Ted Kennedy has been in the news recently too about their battles with cancer. Farrah had some complications with a surgery she had in Germany, so I was happy to find that the article didn't bash what she was doing in Germany. I think the article was more informative on her status than anything. Of course they didn't name a specific clinic or doctor, only that she is working on a documentary that will be airing soon about her treatment over in Germany. I'm really interested in seeing the documentary...hoping it may open some more doors to what is going on overseas. I don't know for sure that Ted Kennedy is going to the same clinic, but I hear he is. What I found so interesting about his article was how the German treatment was portrayed. Maybe I'm a little sensitive to it, but the article seemed so grim...Ted Kennedy in his last stitch effort is going to pursue some radical treatment in Germany. I try to find some humor in this rather than getting angry, but seems to me that my initial treatment in the States was much more radical than what I'm doing now. Bottom line is I'm happy some high profile people are pursuing other options. The media will do there job and report (maybe not in a positive light), but at least that will open up more eyes to the opportunities that are available for those that want to listen.
I'm on vacation so I'm not going to get on my soap box tonight...that will come again soon enough I'm sure. More updates to come...
Love,
Tony
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