Where You're At

Hannah and Danielle: Hearts and Diamonds 2009

Clear scans! We are officially two more check ups, six months, from being two years out,.. or as I would like to think 730 days. The recurrence rate goes significantly lower once you get past the two year mark.

Dr. Laack shared with us the imaging done yesterday. Technology has come a long way - the imaging was a 3D model that laid out bone, tendons, and veins. It was like looking at 'Bones' the skeleton statue that every high school biology teacher has standing in the corner of their classroom. Dr. Laack was able to rotate the image in order to view all angles.

The Hearts and Diamonds Gala was another success as well. The girls, along with the guys who went looked wonderful. It's a truly amazing thing to be able to share this experience with other families as well. It's also tough to know that these kids had to go through some pretty tough stuff in order to get to this point. One young man, Tim, has his last radiation scans this week. The doctors have told him that it's at that point, treatments will stop - there's nothing more they can do. He will have anywhere from 3 days to a year. Remarkable to sit and listen to him talk. It's like holding any normal conversation, yet he's facing something more daunting than our everyday trivial worries. You can't help but be in awe of his courage and strength in God as his faith shows through strong.
Another little boy, Will, is on his third round of tumors on the brain. They go this week to see what the next step will be. Yet, there they stand in front of us, with smiles on their faces, proud to be a part of this group that gets to go to the Gala and share themselves and their stories with others who are coming out in support of the Ronald McDonald House.


Tim, Hannah, Will, Danielle, and Gustavo

Safety, Danger, or Just Plain Nerd

"I'm ordering these (holds up a sample for demonstration purposes) bright, orange safety vests for teachers to wear during recess,"  my principal announces to us during a staff meeting.  "We are having trouble with students not being able to find teachers on the playground."

It's official,...I'm extending the resume' to include: crossing guard,.. construction, road sign turner/holder,.. and hunter safety instructor.  These are all job fields in which you see people dressed in these bright orange vests.

What kid doesn't know where the teacher is at on the playground?  Half of my elementary life was spent as 'playground-teacher spotter'.  It was like reconnaissance Marine-style,.. only I was eight.  Anywhere you went on the playground you could hear the cries call out,...'Teeeeeeaaaccchhhheerrrrr!' as the teacher drew nearer to the action.  It was this help that allowed me the opportunity to climb up the poll, that was a slide down only poll.  It was this assistance that allowed me to kick the ball near the classroom windows, when I knew you were suppose to kick the ball a minimum 500 yards away from the building.  It was this very organized system that allowed me the opportunity to kiss my first girl.

Okay,.. that last part was just a recurring day dream I kept having about my present spouse.  But I think if she had been up for the moment, it could have happened.  

"Teachers!  Your orange vests have arrived and are ready for you to begin wearing them!"  Another staff meeting where my principal has seen her vision through to completion.  We don't have funds to pay for busing to go on a field trip, but there's enough money lying around to dress me like Elmer Fudd.  So be it.  I will wear the orange vest and be recognized by the very students who already know where I am,... but what about my safety?  Is it not an easy target for perhaps (and heaven forbid) a sniper who's looking to take out a teacher?  Have I not become more of a target for would-be vengeful deer who happened to survive the onslaught?  I feel that in the name of safety and the fact that children will be able to find a teacher on the playground, has just put me in mortal danger! 

The last point I question is the Nerd-Factor.  Oh sure, my principal is all smiles and wanting to save children from seconds of teacher disconnect.  But the true fact is, kids find me no matter what.  They will now not only find but they I will spend more recess time now telling me things like, "You look silly in that orange vest."  and "Are you leaving us to go work for the road commission?"

I can't wait for the next staff meeting.