What a week!

It has been crazy around here this week. I got home last Sunday and have slowly felt better everyday. My energy peaks about 2 PM then I take a nap and then I am pretty good until 9 to 10 PM. I really think the Juven helped me heal faster. No one can believe I came home from the hospital with no pain medicine. God is good.

Not coughing much today, best night was last night in a few days. Getting more active, loaded the dishwasher last night. Increasing gradually is the key, they say.

Amy just called and Brooklyn is coming home today! She has to have a full body bone scan next week to make sure they know where all of the infection is. Jakob has been here for a while, but goes home today! He is so cute, but it is hard to have a little one around for this long of a time, I know Angela is exhausted and will sleep good tonight.

Time for a shower, enjoy the Memorial Day weekend and remember those who paid the ultimate for our freedom!

Thank a veteran today, fly your flag this weekend!

Pressing On! In Christ Alone!

Thursday Update

Every day is getting a little better. Still have a nagging cough, but no fever or pain. Go back to Doctor tomorrow to get staples out.

Pray for my niece Amy's little girl, Brooklyn. She complained of soreness in her leg, and to make a long story short, tomorrow at 9 AM she will be having a biopsy on her leg. More to come later

As part of my recovery I had promised myself to catch up on my reading. I finished my 1st book today, "Quiet Strength" by Tony Dungy. Tony is a strong christian man who has had success as a football coach in the NFL. Even if you do not like football, I think you will like this book. Just like us he and his family struggle with life sometimes. This book shows how his faith has sustained him.

Favorite quotes:
"God's definition of success is really one of significance-the significant difference our lives can make in the lives of others. This significance doesn't show up in win-loss records, long resumes, or the trophies gathering dust on our mantels. It's found in the hearts and lives of those we've come across who are in some way better because of the way we lived."

"And so we press on. We press on with our memories, our hearts buoyed by a God us and want us to know Him deeply. We press on with our sense that life's not always fair. And we press on with the knowledge -and assurance- that even though we can't see all of God's plan, He is there, at work and in charge, loving us. We press on with the conviction that even though we don't deserve the gifts and blessings we've been given, He gives them anyway. We press on into an abundant life on earth, followed by an eternity with God"

"We got it all"

While no one wants to hear they have cancer, after surgery this is what you DO want to hear. Friday night Doctor Kaufman came in with the good news. The cancer was contained to my prostate gland, nothing spread to lymph nodes. With that past I can now focus on my recovery.

Some of the "memorable" moments since last Wednesday:

• Surgery on Thursday went pretty well, got back to the room in the afternoon.
• Was not in a lot of pain, so I was surprised when the nurse came in and told me the more I hit the morphine pump (a wonderful invention I might add), the smaller the dose that comes out. I couldn't figure it out, I had only hit it 2 times, so I could take a nap, all day. After she left everyone started laughing and told me, Corey had been helping me out by hitting the button for me! No wonder I was feeling good!!!
• Food was interesting, ice chips on Thursday, all liquids on Friday (think bland pureed baby food), and regular food on Saturday home on Sunday. My brother in law John added "Royal Red Robin burger", from Red Robin to the whiteboard in my room under "Type of Diet"as motivation to get out of the hospital. You will have to ask Donna and Michael George what they added to my diet.
• Amazed at all who stopped by to visit, [note to self, buy Billy Andrews map of Columbus.] Must have been 20 people over the 4 days. THANK YOU!
• Tammy and Gary's car got hit from the back while coming over to see me. Not much damage, but Tammy was shook up a little. Since that is the same car that someone backed into when Corey was driving, might be time to get rid of it. Never heard of a car being an accident magnet, this one might be the first.
• Tyler and Rachel drove all night Wednesday to be with us, Tyler me us in the parking lot when we first arrived a the hospital. Later during the weekend they went to dinner with Angela, and Rachel got up to leave and almost knocked knocked a lady walking past the table. The lady almost ended up in Angela's lap!

That's all for now, getting tired, so will post more later

Pressing on, in Christ alone!

Counting down

Just got the call from Mount Carmel and they moved the surgery up tomorrow. I have to be there at 5:45 AM with the Surgery at 7:45 AM. In a way I am glad, so we can get this done and begin the recovery. I adjusted the countdown clock on the left to reflect the correct starting time. It feels strange that it is almost here. Seems like only yesterday that I found out I have prostate cancer. God has been good to keep me busy these last few weeks.

Today is "clear liquid diet" day, and I am starved! Wish I could have a Royal Red Robin burger or a large beef, bean and cheese sopapilla, but there will be plenty of time for that. Angela even made some Angie Bars and Marshmallow Puffs for the boys, but nothing for me today, except my Juven. I guess my diet starts today and will last for at least a few more days.

Still getting cards, e-mails, and calls of support, one of my best friends in TN called last night and prayed with me. Very humbling, but I am thankful for all my friends, coworkers, and church people who are thinking of me.

Pray tonight for Doctor Kaufman and the others that will be with me in the Operating Room tomorrow.

Pressing on!

42 Hours

As I write this, it is about 42 hours before my surgery. it is getting down to hours, not weeks or days, until I go in to Mount Carmel East, for my 1st hospital stay ever.

today is my last day of work, so everyone is coming by and telling me good luck, or giving me hugs, and telling me they will miss me. I keep telling them I will be back in 4 weeks, but that can be a long time.

Tomorrow I will be working from home, clear liquids all day, no Angela desserts for awhile, as I prepare for surgery.

Stocked up on some books to read during my downtime. Jim Tressel, Tony Dungy, Charles Stanley books I have been wanting to read for awhile. Thanks to Julie for the gift card, I got 3 books with it.

I heard about a new Darryl Strawberry book just coming out. How Christ changed his life and got him back on the right path. Have to get that one later.

Also, been recording some shows on my DVR to watch later. Also, have some DVD Civil War programs I want to watch. I am sure the 1st few days I'll be moving pretty slow and taking it easy.

Happy Birthday to Donna Sipes in TN and Gail Leiber in Chicago!

Happy college Graduation to my favorite niece Jordan this weekend, your Aunt Angie and I are proud of you, we would be there if we could.

Pressing on! For my self proclaimed theme Song click here