no news is good news

My friend Steve Talbott, who does not have a facebook account texted me yesterday and asked me how are things, am I ok because I have not updated my blog in 2 months. well as in Steve's words "No news is good news" my excuse .... well besides surfing the internet for shoes ... I've not had the energy to pour out my thoughts onto a keyboard.  Sounds easy but my new normal is a fraction of the old normal. The energy will return as Chemo ends, pain subsides and I heal up from surgery ... another 6 months.

I am good.  I am about to go through the 12th round of Chemo this Wednesday and then I am done with that part of the fight.  I have had a couple rounds that have put me on the mat but have been able to come out the next round swinging and fighting.  This 11th round has been one of the wins, and rather than just covering up for the 12th round I am gonna come out swinging for the knock out shot. I am making plans to travel next week to celebrate my great Auntie Nan's 90th birthday. but plans are just fore thoughts and over the past 6 months I have learned to just live the day.  If I can, I will, If I can't, I won't.  Take the "I can" days and live them, accept the "I can't" days as a nudge to celebrate the gifts I am given. like kissing my wife, telling Connor I love him, Getting a hug from Zip and a long telephone chat with Brooke.

Since my last post, Football has started and we have 3 regular season games left.  I have not "physically" missed any practices but there are many times I am on the field and my mind isn't as clear as it should be ... fortunately I have some great coaches that surround me and pick up the ball when I drop it.... literally they pick up the ball because I drop it ... often ... the Neuropathy caused by the Chemo has stripped my hands and feet of feeling... hopefully I get most of the feeling back someday. Coaching has been the bar that I hold onto when days drag and I just want to stay on the couch and look at the wall. The team knows about my fight and is patient when my brain can't get the words out or I mix up a play.  I enjoy game days because it is the most focused I can be and I stay that way for the entire day ... then crash.

Everybody around me has been incredibly patient and understanding.  I hope you all know how important your support, prayers and concern have made the past 6 months bearable. As you can see in the picture I have managed to put some weight back on which has astounded the Dr's and Nurses.  Not really supposed to gain weight during Chemo but I've managed ... it's a good thing.  After everything is done we (which means Lori) will go back to worrying about my weight ... I really liked being thinner just not the process that made me thinner.

Next step after Chemo will be a surgeries to fix things and put all the pipes back together.  I am planning on surgery around the 1st week of December so I can enjoy Thanksgiving and be up and around by Christmas ... plus that is the week after the State Championship game ... I do still have an eye on the prize.

I will try to catch you up next week.  Have Saturday College Football to watch.

Love and appreciation to you all
Dave