I am still here

I know I have not posted in awhile. It has been fairly busy since school started for the kids.

My counts are fine so the HCL issues for now are in the rear view mirror.

My hip is another issue. My right side is still giving me fits. There are times when I can not walk at all. Yet there are times I feel great. I have started to walk after work around the block. I am also trying to do some exercises to control my weight. I am hoping this will help.

It has been very frustrating but I need to focus on making it better instead of the pain. I don't think it will ever go away and I have no plans on having surgery on the right side. I have said this before, I cant go through the process again. It was hard on me and my family.

Other than that things are moving along.

Got pictures of some of fall activities I need to post.

Talk to you soon.

College Football is Back!!

Yesterday was the first weekend of College Football. I guess that truly means Summer is over!!

Went to see the Oregon Ducks kick the day lights out of the New Mexico Lobos...72-0!!!

Took the whole family and had a great time. Sat with old friends too. Even though it was never really close we all had a ball!! Aaron had never been to a game before and he really liked it.

The new face lift to Autzen is great. New turf and re-painted the inner walls around the stadium. Looks awesome.

Looking forward to more games!


As far as me, not so good. The pain in my right hip is getting worse. I am working hard to manage it with out complaining or making too big a deal about it. I have been icing down every night and limping around every single day.

When I rotate my leg I hear it popping and knocking. I can actually feel it in my chest. To fix this I am not sure what to do. Surgery is out of the question...cant afford it. Nor can I afford the 6 weeks of lost work. I will not put myself through the whole process so soon either. Too much for me and too much for my family. They are the ones who pick up the slack and it was a lot of work.

So I am trying to loose a few pounds hopefully that will help. I also need to re-commit myself to working out at the gym. We have so much going on its difficult but I have to find a way. I think I should of bought that exercise bike when I had the chance.

I just don't get it. I have come so far in my recover and been through a great deal over the last few years and I can't believe I am going to be struggling like this from now on. Its very frustrating.

Who knows. It could go away tomorrow we will just have to see.

Have a great Labor Day Weekend. I am going to take advantage and rest.

Summers almost Over

Can you believe it!!


The end of summer is coming. It has been quite the summer too. Tons of great trips and a whole lot of fun.

By the way, I just got back from VEGAS BABY!!!!

Theresa and I finally got a chance to get away and have a fun weekend just the two of us.

We saw her favorite singer Rob Thomas!! Ate, drank and hung out by the pool!

With all that she has been through it is finally nice for her to unwind and have some fun. We needed the time alone for sure!!!

She has stood by me through the biggest challenges of our marriage and I appreciate it. All I can say, is it was awesome...

My hips survived. I has some issues but made through it OK. It was the 2 hours in a plastic chair at the concert that did it. But very worth it!!

The last time we were in Vegas was about 17 years ago. We did not have as much fun. I did not win a nickel. Well I don't gamble either. So you can't win if you don't play.

I definitely think we will go back again.

Going to Dallas next week, all week for work! I have not been on a long business trip for a long time. I hope it goes well. I'm sure I will.

Any way, still having issues this week and a good deal of limping but it is almost the weekend.

Take it easy and I will try to keep up.

Cruise

The cruise was unreal.

We did Zip Line in Cozumel!!ParaSailing in Grand Caymen
Party Time in Ocho Rios!!

We had great friends and a once in a life-time trip!!

Now back to reality!!!

AWESOME TRIP

OK!! Had a wonderful time in Key West and on the Cruise!!

The Brinton Environmental Center on Marathon Key is a great High Adventure Boyscout Camp!

We did everything from Sea Kayak, Sailing, Snorkeling to Fishing.

No fishing pictures!! Camera crapped out but my Super Special Mom had a new overnighted to me!! She saved the day!

All in all the first 5 days of the trip was fabulous and very very special!!

I finally got a chance to spend a lot of time alone with Aaron and it was a great time. For him and me.

I did great! My stamina was good and my legs did not hurt as bad as I thought. I am so glad everything worked out.

I will get into the Cruise next post. That was the icing on the cake!!!!

See ya later.........

Next Adventure

2 Days away from an incredible trip with Aaron. 5 days in the Florida Keys and 7 days on a cruise ship in the Caribbean.

A trip to remember forever!!!

Cant wait. Finally feeling good and able to handle it.....

More to come later with pictures..... See you in about 2 weeks!!!

Amazing Wirl Wind Trip Back East

So, in one day my brother and I cooked up a plan for me and Cam to spend the long weekend in Boston!!

Toured Harvard

It was fabulous!!!
We ate at great restaurants and saw some cool stuff. Especially:

I cant believe we actually got tickets and it was a great game!!



A PERFECT WEEKEND!!!!

Memorial Day in Boston

Having a great weekend with Cam and my Brother Chris....more later!!

Getting ready for the Long Weekend

Looking forward to a nice long weekend. Even though we just had a weekend!! Monday blues I guess.

Check this out!!

Smashed my car! You should see the front!!

Good news, I am getting it fixed today! That's about all the excitement for the month..So Far....

I am hoping by end of this week my car will back to normal and in much better shape...

Not much else going on. About 4 weeks away from my Florida/Cruise vacation with Aaron.

Also, booked a Vegas weekend with Theresa. Its going to be a fun summer, which we all need!!

I go back for another CBC in about 3 weeks. Should be fine. Keep your fingers crossed.

Started using the Elliptical at the Gym. I am hoping it helps me feel better.

Well, I told you, not much going on...

Take it easy..

Posting again!!

I know, I have been very lazy about posting but it has been a very busy few weeks.

First of all the camping in Bend with Aaron a few weeks ago was great! He was very happy to finally go just he and I.
He did some hiking with Boy Scouts on Saturday looking for Geo Caches. The weather was awesome!

Had a great dinner Friday night at the Tumalo Feed Company! Great Steaks!!

I had a great set up. The Adults slept in Yurts! That's the way to camp! Bed and heat!!!

The hiking as I said was great! I stayed behind. The boys hiked about 5 miles Saturday!

Then on Sunday we took to woods and gathered poles for a Pioneering project for Camporee coming up in May.

Hard work but we had a good time! All in all it was a fantastic weekend!

Since then my stupid right side as been a nightmare! Very sore and not getting better. I even went and had a consultation with a Chiropractor. But I canceled my first treatment appointment as I really don't believe they can address a structural problem such as mine. They told me I need to relieve the stress on my shoulders. I can't justify spending $300 to unstress my shoulders when my hips are the issue. Next stop, Physical Therapy. I need a strategy to help relieve the pain. I just don't think I can continue taking 16 Ibuprofen a day for ever.

Until then, just focusing on the positive things in my life and ignore this as much as I can. Getting ready for the Sea Base trip with Aaron. Looking forward to fishing and snorkeling in Florida!!

Also a month away from getting a new CBC. I don't know what to expect but assuming everything is fine. Cross your fingers.

Thats about all that has been going on over the last few weeks! Cam is taking the subject tests for the SAT. Crossing my fingers he nails them all. HE WILL!! I cant believe he is going to be a Senior in High School next year and Aaron will be a Freshman! It is going too fast...


Have a good weekend!!

Spring is Here

I hope all is well..

Its been a rough week to be honest. Both my hips have been very sore. Despite the fact that I have been going to the gym. I was very excited about finally starting to run on the treadmill on Sunday.

Since then I have been limping around work and at home. Not asking for sympathy just reporting the facts. Really not sure when this is going to be over!!IT has gone on far too long.

I have really had enough.

The good news is that finally Aaron and I are going Camping together this weekend. It has been almost 3 years!! I am glad and it should be fun. However, I don't think I will be hiking!

I will post pictures next week. Should be fun!!

Happy Easter

I wanted to wish Happy Easter to everyone!!

Had a great brunch with my Dad, Brother, Niece and Family. It was great!!Church was great too. But the weather is not!! Typical Oregon Easter, RAIN!!

Spring Break was Awesome, last week!! Spent the week in Seattle, WA. Cameron had a Robotics Competition. While he was in the Key Arena doing his Robotics thing, Aaron, Theresa and I were running all over Seattle.

We went on the Underground Tour.

Kinda Crappy????

Learned a lot about the City's history which was fun. Went on the Ferry too. Very nice day!

Also went to the Music and Sci-Fi Museum.

I had no idea how many artifacts Paul Allen owned!!

Then we picked up Cameron and went up to the top of the Space Needle.

After that, we went home and had dinner. It was a great weekend. Did a ton of walking and made it through. Can't wait to do it again, soon.

Next up, Summer Vacation!!!!

Take it easy........

As the kids get older it is more apparent that these types of trips are few and far between.

BIRTHDAY WEEKEND!!

Happy Birthday Aaron!! My little boy turned 14 yesterday!

We went and raced Go Karts on Saturday. It was a BLAST!!



His Brother and his Cousin went! I think we are going back since we had such a good time!!

I cant believe he is now 14 years old and starting high school next year.

Had a great party for him Saturday night. It was a good time.

Got a bunch of work done around the house again this weekend which is very nice!

Taking it easier today. Missed church since we forgot to set a clocks back!!

Where did the day go!!

Did not get to the gym or swim which sucks!! Starting to do situps to get rid of my belly!! We shall see.

Getting ready for another week of work!!

Take it easy.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY???

I can't believe it but it has been 2 years since my diagnosis and treatment for HCL!!!

A lot has gone on since then. Looking back, I can honestly say that the treatment and recovery from HCL has been straight forward and truely the easiest of all my challenges.

Not to minimize the effects of being diagnosed and treated for Cancer but to assure everyone who reads this. There is life after HCL and there is no limitations after treatment.

Hears to a long remission!!!

Have a great weekend.

The Sun is Shinning!!!

I had my appointment with my Hemo Doc Tuesday and the results are below:

Everything is looking very strong and my Doctor was very happy. He still wants me to come back again in June. However, all indications are I am going to continue with a strong remission. Coming up on my 2 year anniversary. I can't believe it. No reason to expect things to change at all!

Regarding my hips, I have been working out everyday. Either riding the stationary bike or swimming. It really has made a huge difference. The pain is less and less and I have not limped in about 4 days. Both sides are getting a lot better!!

Spent all morning working on little projects around the house. It is amazing how doing the most "everyday" activities can be so satisfying. Here's to things finally turning around for good!!!!


Take care!!!!

Great Weekend

Aaron and I went to TImberline on Mount Hood and stayed in a Boyscout lodge:

Aaron also participated in the Boyscout Klondike Derby. I was a volunteer. The boys had a great time and showed off there Scout SKills.

He and I had fun together and it was great to spend the weekend with him. After the Derby we went back to the lodge and did some night time tubing!!
All in all a great weekend! Now its time for the Super Bowl!!!

Getting closer to the Weekend

Well, it has been another long week! My right hip is up and down this week. It is interesting because it is popping when I rotate it away from my body and it is loud.

The pain is deep in the joint and radiates to the right side of my butt. I guess it feels like someone hit me with a board across my right side....

At least I have been able to concentrate at work. It has not been easy but what else is new! I have not walked normally for almost two weeks. I know it is going to screw up my left side but if I don't limp I can't make it through the day.

I am going to try swimming again on Sunday. The worst that can happen is it continues to hurt like hell....AND like I said earlier...WHAT ELSE IS NEW.

I am all of the sudden not feeling good about all the money I spent and all the wasted weeks in recovery!!

Some day its just got to get better...Until then I guess we just keep on pushing forward!!!

Have a good day and talk to you later!!

Beautiful Day at the Moutain!

Nothing to say but Awesome!!

Aaron is taking Snow Board lessions!! I am nursing my leg in the Lodge Bar. It is all good. We have very little wind and tons of sunshine. It was a great idea to get out the house and go up for the weekned with the Boyscouts!

We have a great house as well!!

EVEN AN OVER SIZED HOT TUB!!!
This is High Class BoyScout Camping!!!

Talk to you later !!