Amy’s Stay, Day 4

As you might imagine, I’ve been busy and tired. The Dexamethasone (the steroid) has been bugging me, and I think the chemo is hitting a little faster this time.

PET Scan results have shown some regression; the tumor has gotten larger since the last PET Scan. I figured as much because of the problems I have eating the farther I get away from a Round. Or to say it another way, the closer I get to my next Round of chemo I start to have trouble with my stomach. I’ve had my first Ensure in quite a while.

So the hiccups have started again, I seem to get tired a little earlier, and my muscles are starting to fail and it’s only what, Day 2? At least I don’t have any nausea. And although the hiccups are disconcerting, they don’t cause much pain.

Amy, her mom, and Ken have run out to the mall. I’ve begged off pleading being fatigue. And it is true; I do better earlier in the day. So I thought I’d update my schedule and pass on a little info.

If you noticed my schedule there is a couple of consults scheduled for next week. For the first time, maybe because it was a different doctor, they have me scheduled for a Radiation consult. And I have another surgical consult. Por que? No se! The last one wanted to take out my esophagus; maybe they’ll talk about just moving the stomach up a little.

I did get some records finally. I still don’t have the scans to post here, I don’t have the records I paid for, and they still haven’t gotten my name right! How’s that for belly aching? I mentioned that I might get a little more critical when I’m not feeling well due to my chemo and Amy started laughing. I don’t get it! What was that about?

Feliz Navidad!

"As a juror, I will exercise my 1000-year-old duty to arrive at a verdict, not just on the basis of the facts of a particular case, or instructions I am given, but through my power to reason, my knowledge of the Bill of Rights, and my individual conscience. When needful, I will judge the law itself." -L. Neil Smith

Amy’s Stay, Day 2

Thought you guys might like a picture of Amy’s monsters.

I was RTR (Riding the Recliner) when I asked Mazeru (Maz) up for a cuddle. Maz it is the one closest to my head. Apparently, Mia got jealous and decided to “hop” up as well. Do you know what it’s like to have 140 pounds of squirming dogs in your lap and on your chest?

I asked Ben to take a picture with my camera. Since he was unfamiliar with my camera, it took him a short time to get it figured out. So I ended up encouraging the dogs to stay just a little longer.

If you notice, the snowman’s hat is empty to keep the dogs from eating the M&M Peanuts that were there. The squirt bottle is close at hand to keep the monsters in line. They respect water! Especially here in cold Wisconsin. Florida dogs, what wimps!!!

The cats have done pretty well. Mousebane has decided that he is the King of the House and decided to exercise his Royal Prerogative. We would cage the dogs and allow the cats a chance at full run of the house. Everyone handled things pretty well, so we decided to leash the dogs and see how things went.

I took a photo—which I’m including—of the general encounter, which went pretty well.

I have a futon sofa that opens into a bed that we opened to allow the dogs to ‘sit’ on. Mia was lying down in the spot that shows right between Mousebane’s ears in the photo, next to the futon. Mousebane eventually snuck up behind the recliner and suddenly jumped into the seat of the recliner from behind. Maz jumped straight up as did Mia and Amy.

What was remarkable was that Mia started attacking Maz, protecting Mousebane!!! Remember that all of this is taking place on top of Amy on the end of their leashes! 140 pounds of mock dogfight, because Mia wasn’t trying to hurt Maz, just prevent him from getting Mousebane.

What was remarkable was that later, Mia defended me against Maz’s playful antics. I have a defender! Mia, as we said before, is a Pit Bull Terrier but just as sweet as they come. BUT, she is a strong-willed bitch that needs attention and direction. Her motto is “Kiss me of kick me, just don’t ignore me.” If you can live with that, she’s a great dog!

So, I need to get off here and get ready for Round 5 Day 1 tomorrow.



Feliz Navidad!



"As a juror, I will exercise my 1000-year-old duty to arrive at a verdict, not just on the basis of the facts of a particular case, or instructions I am given, but through my power to reason, my knowledge of the Bill of Rights, and my individual conscience. When needful, I will judge the law itself." -L. Neil Smith

Amy Watch!

Thought I'd just keep everyone who is interested updated on Amy's progress as she makes her way back home. I know that she considers Tampa home now, but as her father, I still consider HERE as home for my kids. For my son, it is.

I'll post this as a "sticky" post for a while. All times are Central Standard Time. This post will be updated until she is home, here.

As of today, Saturday, December 15:

11:00 AM She texted she is crossing into Georgia. That puts here only one hour behind the schedule I provided for her. No, it wasn't set in stone; it was just a ballpark schedule to give her an idea of what to expect timewise. :-)

5:19PM Amy just entered Tennessee!

08:22PM She's a little closer, she just entered Kentucky! That's 42 miles past halfway!!!!!!

09:33PM She stopped for the night in Paducah, KY. That's just across the river from Illinois. Heck, Illinois is almost home! More tomorrow!

Sunday, December 16

07:03AM On the Road Again and she just entered Illinois. Only 574 miles left to go. And Maz has seen deer for probably the first time. He won't shut up! And they HAVE seen snow for the first time.

01:47PM Kankakee! The old home stretch. I used to drive from K3 to GB and vice versa all the time. 4 to 5 hours to go!

02:58PM And she hits downtown Chi-town! Isn't that just south of the border? :-)

03:48PM She's in Wisconsin!! Just about 2 hours now!! We started texting back and forth when I got a cell phone and started driving down to Florida. Ben and I got to share our progress and Amy knew where we were. So it kinda evolved into a ritual. It beats the heck out of not knowing until she shows up at the door, don't 'cha think?

06:20PM She’s “finally found her way HOME!!!” Thanks for watching with me! Now, I’m gonna spend some time with my son and daughter and her doggies!!