Black or White

When Blake was three years old I asked him what he wanted to be for Halloween and he said Michael Jackson. My first thought was how was I going to make a white boy look black? No matter how much I insisted Michael Jackson was black and Blake insisted he was white. After I thought about it - he did look white - so I went on a hunt for a silver glove. I had no luck but, I found this gold one. I then bought a wig , a black felt hat, rolled up his jeans to show his white socks and he wore a black jacket. When I heard Michael Jackson had died, I went on a hunt for the Halloween pictures. I remember the days when Michael Jackson music blasted from Blake's room.

Looking Good

So far, today, is another good day. I went to Dunkin Donuts and got Scott and I both iced lattes. Actually, while I was sitting in line the girl at the window had them already made so I didn't even have to wait : ) I love small town living. We also got a card yesterday from Satellite Beach Firefighters, saying they hoped everything was OK and each of their names signed. I will have to make a special appearance with a Thank You note and some homemade cookies. I heard one of the fire fighters say that remember last time we took him out the door by the pool. It turned out one of the fire fighters I did some fundraiser with 12 years ago.

Scott is wanting rice krispie treats so I am going to try and sneak out to the store to buy the ingredients.

What A Relief

Scott got up today around 3:00. It was a breath of fresh air to see him up , moving around and acting normal. His color looks really good. I got up this morning and made him an egg white, spinach and cheese omelet and biscuits - Pillsbury helped me out with the biscuits. I then poured him a large glass of Orange Juice - watered down just the way he likes it - yuck!! I guess after breakfast I expected him to jump out of bed but, I guess his body wasn't feeling what I was feeling : (
It was a scary time for both of us and I am glad it was not as serious as we thought it was. Dr. Nick will adjust his Interferon injection and hopefully next week will be smooth sailing .

Round 2

Scott was rushed to the hospital this morning. He woke up at 3:00 am He couldn't sit up, he couldn't stand, he was lethargic, sweating and clammy. I phoned 911 and followed to the hospital. My biggest fear was that we were right where we were 2 months ago. I was trying to be strong but, when I walked into the ER everything hit me. I had tears streaming down my face as I apologized to Scott. When the nurse asked me if I was OK I said yes it's just bad memories. When he pulled up Scott's patient chart - he understood. I felt so much better when Michelle showed up. I did feel bad because she was at the hospital and then she had to work by herself. They gave Scott phergan and morphine for his headache, they did a CT scan. The CT scan came back with significant tumor but, improved from the post op on 4/24. To be honest, it was not the news I was expecting.

I BBM Dr. Nick and he thinks it could have been a combination of the low cell count, the Interferon and physical therapy. So he is going to adjust the dosage on the Interferon and wants Scott to cut his physical therapy on Thursdays.

When we got home I got Scott into the house and put him to bed. Milo laid on Scott's chest and watched him.

White Blood Cell Count Low

Scott has to have an injection if Interferon once a week. We were hoping to get it delivered to our home but, I don't see that happening anytime soon. The last couple of CBC's test have shown Scott's white blood cell count low and today was extremely low. The nurse phoned down to Dr. Nick's office to see if we go ahead with the injection. Unfortunately, there is no way to raise the white blood cell count and if it isn't raised then he can't have chemo.

Weekend Work And Fun

Michelle and I took Scott to Yellow Dog for his birthday.We had yummy burgers and dog bones. Scott got a WII and games for his birthday. We then picked up Skylar from school and I got to meet her teacher. It seemed so odd her at school but, it was nice to see the interactions with her and other kids. Skylar went swimming and Scott and I watched , we were both so stuffed from lunch.







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Saturday I got up cleaned out both our trucks, vacuumed and washed them and put the Scott's sun shade back in his truck. Scott and I were waiting on a POD to be delivered so I could load things from the garage to the POD. Our friend Joe had stopped by to help me but, the POD wasn't being delivered until about 3:00. I was so dizzy and tired when the POD arrived I decided to put off loading it until Sunday. Scott and I figured out Saturday evening that our air conditioner was not working properly. With the evening getting hotter Scott, Milo and myself were all grumpy.

I woke up this morning went to Dunkin Donuts to get Scott and I coffee, went to Lowe's to buy a stand up portable air conditioner so we wouldn't be so miserable and Joe was coming over at 8:00 to help unload the garage. By the time I had gotten home with the air conditioner Scott had broken out in hives - from the heat?? I gave him liquid Benedryl and headed to the garage. Joe and I had emptied the garage and removed the homemade cabinets by 12:00. We went inside to cool off and Scott was pretty out of it from the Benedryl. So I moved the air conditioner to the bedroom and he slept for hours. I finished the laundry and although I had so much to do it was why to hot. So we spent the rest of the weekend held in our bedroom.

I felt like I got allot done but, I still had so much to do.

Happy Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABY

Celebrating your birthday means so much more to me than just another birthday. It means we have made it to another milestone. You make "life" worth celebrating. No matter what life throws your way - you roll with the punches. Non intentionally you touch so many lives. You have given more to life than what you have received.You light up a room with your presence. You are the most amazing person I know and I am so glad you are my husband.
May all your wishes come true
All my love to the love of my life

Happy Early Birthday

This is Michelle and I wanted to post something to Scott for his birthday while Dalana was not around. It worked out great because she is off this morning bringing Scott to his doctors appt. and the computer at work saved her password-thanks Dalana.

Scott I love you very much. This past couple of month have been very difficult for me as I know they have been for you. I really thought for a split second that I was going to loose my brother. I know it may be selfish to say but I don't know what I would have done if I would have. I thank God everyday for keeping you here with not only me but everyone else that loves you. You are one of the most important people in my life and always will be. I look forward to not only celebrating this birthday with you but many many more.

Some Many Things

Last week Scott had a doctors appointment everyday. My mom came up on Friday, we had a garage sale Saturday to get rid of unwanted and useless junk in the garage. My mom cleaned my house for me on Sunday -Thanks Mom. I always feel so guilty when she comes over and cleans.
Scott felt green on Sunday but, I think it is because he had to much caffeine. I asked him to please start the juices and water again and he seem to feel allot better.

This week is just as crazy. The weekly injections that Scott is suppose to get haven't been delivered to the house, so he needs to be in Orlando at 7:30 am for an injection that takes a second. I am hoping that we don't have to drive to Orlando every week. Sea Pines picked him up for his physical therapy and brought him back home. I think this is going to work out better.

Friday is Scott's Birthday and we decided on The Yellow Dog for lunch. Skylar wants us to pick her up from school and then we will have Cold Stone Cupcakes. I am to look for a unicorn per Skylar for pappy's birthday.

We are having Garage Teck redo the garage so Scott is having a Pod dropped for me Monday so I can get everything out of the garage. It will take them 2 days to do the walls and the floor. I am excited for Scott he has wanted the garage done for years now. Because Scott's I also want to find a stand up air conditioner so it will be cool when Scott is working out.

I have made reservations for Scott, Skylar and I at Disney over the July 4th holiday. I am in the process of making character dining reservations. Then Scott will have his 2nd round of chemo on the 9th. We were going to hangout at home but, I think this break will be nice. Scott still has his wheelchair so he can sit back and enjoy the ride.

I am also in the process of designing Skylar's birthday party. She choose Wizard of Oz theme for this years party. I have a great idea for her invitation. I can't wait to get the supplies in to see if it is going to work.

Michelle and I are also planning to set up a table at Founders Day in Satellite Beach to display a couple of our parties.

Blake is trying to get a Compassionate Reassignment , allowing him to be closer to home. If it the reassignment doesn't go through then he will be leaving for Iraq in October. He will come home for a short leave in September. Leave in October for Iraq , where he will be gone for 15 months.

Scott has chemo treatments the day before Thanksgiving and the day before Christmas Eve , so our plans to be away for the holiday's are going to be per how Scott feels.

Our First Round Of New Chemo

I had packed Scott's chemo bag earlier in the day. Trail mix, granola bars, peppermints and 3 bottles of water. I forgot the Tylenol but, when we got to the hospital I went down to their pharmacy and they had a small box of a four pack so I bought a couple to add to my bag. I have done a ton of research before this chemo. what are the best things to eat and drink to flush the chemo out of the body. So the day before I told Scott to drink fruit juices and water. For breakfast egg whites, toast and orange juice.

Scott and I were not sure what to expect this round of chemo. MD Anderson is so different than Florida Hospital, we thought it would be like running cattle. We were pleasantly surprised. Most of the rooms are private. Scott's chemo only takes 45 min. But, maybe because it was the first time and we got started late it took a few hours. We have never used MD Anderson pharmacy so I ran down to the first floor to give them all Scott's insurance info. so they could key the insurance in their system. I then went back up to the 5th floor where Scott was having chemo. After chemo I went back to the pharmacy to see if the nurse had called in the Phenergan an anti nausea medication - not yet. I went to the 2nd floor (Dr. Nick's office) to pick up the RX and take it to the pharmacy. Then I went back to the pharmacy where they said it would be 45 min. I then went to the cafeteria to get Scott an Apple juice. Back to the pharmacy and the RX still was ready. After another 10 min. the anti nausea RX was filled but the injection Scott needs once a week needed pre approval because a box of 4 is $3,000. So I may have to take him back next week for the injection and hopefully then they will deliver it to the house where I can administer it to him. I gave him his first one after chemo. in the office.

Scott felt great on the way home. We stop at Michelle's to pick up Milo. THANK YOU Michelle for picking up Milo and letting him play with Boston and Turner he was as wore out as Scott and I were. When we got home I rolled roast beef around a cheese stick for Scott after he ate that he drank an Ensure, ate fresh blue berries , an assortment of mixed nuts and drank grape juice. So I think the first round of chemo went pretty well.

I am going to continue to buy fresh fruits and vegetables hoping Scott will continue eating them. I can't believe how much fruit antioxidants have in them. He loves the prunes that come individually wrapped and those are the highest in antioxidants. At the hospital I found Tropicana Apple Juice with vitamin C . I haven't seen it in the stores but, I haven't looked for it. I'll have to see if I can find it or order it.

No Longer A Virgin

Scott is no longer has virgin skin. He had his tattoo today. OUCH!!! I can't believe how many people show interest in Scott's story. He is truly a walking miracle but, others call him superman.
The stenciling before . I asked Scott if he was feeling a little like Clark Kent. He said it wasn't to painful yet.
The finished product. So many people called Scott Superman that he thought he should get a superman tattoo. He didn't want it to look like a kids tattoo that you would get out of the bubblegum machine so we found a picture that made it look like it was ripping through his arm.
Tim from Old Ghost Tattoo did a great job. Scott is pleased with his tattoo. "You rock Tim"After Scott's tattoo Tim rang the virgin bell.

Doctors, Doctors And More Doctors

Scott had an appt. with Walkaide yesterday. The walkaide is an electrical stimulate that helps remind your foot to pick itself up. Because of the electrical running through the body Scott needs to be clearance from his neurologist due to a risk of seizures. Have I mentioned Scott has not had a seizure post op surgery.

Today Scott has an appointment to see about getting his AFO adjusted to help with walking. Scott also called me today to tell me Dr. Nick wants to start chemo on Thursday. It took the wind out of both our sails. I think we both knew it was coming but, seemed like it came out of nowhere. Of course I am a wreck and Scott was to begin it so he will be done with it.

First Outing

June is full of Birthday's for us. This weekend was Dr. C's, Jackie and Matt's Birthday. For Matt's birthday he chose a movie and dinner. It was our first outing since Scott's surgery. We saw Hangover - funny movie but, not for kids and went to Duffy's for dinner.
The birthday fairy delivered Cold Stone Cupcakes to Duffy's before the movie so Matt would be surprised after dinner.
Sunday Scott and I thought about Church but, didn't make it that far maybe next weekend. I cleaned and did laundry. I don't know how we have so much laundry from 2 people.

Milo keeps going to the back of the waterfall and barking. I thought Scott's squirrel was in there. We had Skylar over for a sleep over and swim. I opened the door to the waterfall and a possum laid there looking at me. I got the water hose to try and get her out and she started running and so did her babies. I felt bad that she had babies so I closed the door and hoped she would move during the night. Milo wanted to go out that night and he was barking so I went out to see what he was barking at, he had a baby cornered. I chased him back in the house and hoped the mommy wasn't to far away. I got up in the morning opened the door to the waterfall and there was one baby. I shut the door and hoped the mommy would come back for it that night. I got up Sunday morning opened the door again to the waterfall and no baby.
I heard Milo barking went outside and Scott's squirrel came home to be fed. Damn wildlife was everywhere. Guess it doesn't matter how close you live to the beach.

Patient Update

Scott hasn't had a seizure since his surgery. His headaches have been minimal, nothing two Tylenol can't handle. Friday night we had friends from Georgia on their way to West Palm Beach stop to spend the night. We visited until about 3:00 on Saturday and then they headed to their destination.

Saturday Scott got up to get dressed and brush his teeth and his left leg was bending and his foot was perfectly straight. Sunday he had a difficult time walking but, his leg was still bending and that leg has not bent in a year and a half.

Things seem to be going well. I am still trying to figure out how I balanced a job and a family.