Prioritize

Day 381:

"It's over! It's over!" the last day of school usually brings about these type of yells, but I thought that as a teacher, they should have restrained themselves a bit with the kids still in the building.

Personally, the last day of school means that I have a whole new group coming in that will have to get use to me. I just got these kids where I want them to be, about a month ago. It also means that I have another day and half to sit in a hot classroom packing everything up for the summer cleaning. We also have a mandatory recognition ceremony/party in the afternoon.

Do other businesses have this? YOU WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE for celebrating.

The last thing I would want at a celebration,... a group of people that I have to tell - it's mandatory. Not that celebrating the end of the year is not a good idea, but just saying, Hey, we're having a party, should be sufficient. Perhaps the thought of finishing up work in the classroom is more appealing. Work,... or,... party?



Hannah and Mojo - they both look like young ones.

Promised Pics

While the Hucke's are gone, the Kelly's and Decker's find a second home for play!

Looking Great

Day 365:

It's been one f u l l day that isn't done with yet; however, we received the ALL CLEAR report, so the rest of the day will be a great deal more tolerable.

The doctors report on the arm and hand progress is still unclear - they are happy with some things and not so happy with others. I believe the phrase they used was: We need to think about where we go from here.

Meanwhile, on the oncology side, we were given the news that Hannah will not require scans until November. This left Kim and I a bit speechless. The first thought is,... alright, scans are being moved out to every 6 months. Then the second thought hits you,... scans are being moved out to every 6 months. What will that do us? It's like yanking the safety net.

While going through scans every 3 months can be cause for high anxiety, it's good to know that in three months Hannah would be checked again and if anything popped up, it would be immediately taken care of. This brings us to a different spot on the cancer journey - moving away from the medical care blanket.

Dr. Kahn did say that she needed to confirm with a few more doctors to verify the timing of scans, but based on our protocol,... November is on the agenda next.

Thanks for your prayers. We really appreciate your support.

Friday Video

Foto Friday

Day 303: What kids can do with your computer when your not looking.

Foto Friday

Dy 255:

Ronald and the Ladies

Their Spectacular

Day 252:

Hearts and Diamonds
S P E C T A C U L A R,....billed as an evening of glitz, glamour, and glitter, the Ronald McDonald House hosted it's 5th annual black-tie fundraiser event, with a twist. For the first time, children were asked to participate in welcoming the guests to an event that's all about supporting the children of the Ronald McDonald House.

Back at Mayo for our 3 month scans, anxiety is always an issue as the week draws closer, but this trip had a bit of a diversion to it. About a week before hitting the road for Minnesota, we received a call regarding the gala and the invitation to involve Hannah, along with Danielle and Shanna as greeters.

There's always been the quality time spent at home where 'dress up' and 'princess plays' were a mainstay of a little girl's dream, but the smile that couldn't be wiped away was something special as Hannah prepared for the Night at the Ball. There's dress shopping, accessorizing, the picture posing, and you can't forget the red carpet treatment as the girls were taken form the RMH by limo. The girls spent their 2 hours of gown time, meeting and greeting all those who were attending the spiffy event.

Hannah was also asked to sit down with the RMH people and share her experience for their quarterly publication. We have the interview set for later today.

We began this morning at 7:30 with blood work, as we move through the MRI and CT Scan later this morning. By this afternoon we'll have a chance to sit down and speak with both oncology and radiology doctors to discuss the results.

I'll try and throw on some more information and photos a bit later.

Hannah, Danielle, Kim, and Shanna represented the Ladies at the Ball.






The moms had just as much fun as the girls (even though they didn't get to go to the gala).

Peace and Prayers

Arm Glad It's Friday

Day 242:

Hannah has been working everyday after school with the physical therapists in order to regain movement and develop strength in her hand and arm. Being new at this, we're not quite sure what to look for or really,... how fast progress should move.

One area that has not made much movement is her little finger (which is now casted to help maintain a stretch).

As for her arm, we can definitely see the size difference along with the work that needs to be done on the scar area. As we've been told, NOW is the time to loosen up the tissue and make it soft. This is Hannah's least favorite part of working her arm. The sensation she sometimes gets as we move over her scar with our fingers sends her squirming in her seat. The rotation of her arm is another area that she will continue to work on. As you can see in the picture to the left, the left arm is turned palm up, while the right is about as far as it will turn right now.





Another development that we DO know about is the hair!

"Dad, you missed my bed head the other day!" Hannah bellows at me as we took pictures this morning. "It was sweeeeeet! This side of my head had the hair doing this whoosh-thing! You should have been here to take a picture of that!"

The Shanna Blog for Christmas

He Came for You. And me.

Beginning note: I didn’t know weather patterns could move SW. I thought they were supposed to head from MN to MI! But, it is Christmastime, so maybe there’s an exception to the rule. As I was sitting here, staring at the lovely Minnesota blizzard that seems to be taking the state by storm (no pun intended), I remembered that I was yet to write my December guest blog. (That high school thing just seems to keep getting in the way. ;-)) So, I’m sorry it’s a bit late, but without further ado…

I have a song that I’ve always greatly enjoyed, but one that I didn’t really take the time to understand until yesterday, when I began to REALLY think about it. Please allow me to set the scene for you. The snow was falling, the fireplace crackling, laughs filled the room, and two guitars were strumming. Well, I should say 1.5 guitars were. My cousin knows how to play well, and I, well, like to pretend I can. ;-) Anyway, the family (all 32 of them) had requested a concert of sorts, so my cousin and I were flipping though the book, when the song “Who Am I?” by Casting Crowns came up:
Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours
Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who Am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me
I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours
We sang our little duet, and it sounded lovely, of course. ;-) But, what struck me at that time, were those two bolded lines. Being in the cancer world is a constant reminder of how fleeting this earthly life is. On a grand scheme, each of our lives are nothing but “A wave tossed in the ocean”, “a vapor in the wind”, or a single snowflake in a blizzard (for all of us Midwesterners. ;-)). The thought originally makes us feel so very small, but, then it all changes. As the song goes on, we are reminded that God sent His Son for us. Also, He is in control of each and every moment that we live. His gift to us is the ultimate one of love, and that who we are, is not because of anything we do, but because He has chosen us as His own. And, this thought, leaves us with nothing but a feeling of joy.
In the spirit of this wonderful Christmas season, I pray for you all a blessed holiday, a fantastic start to 2008, some good company, and even some good turkey. And, I also pray that in the hub-bub (since we’re known for making up words) of the Christmas season, you stop to remember the real reason we are blessed to celebrate the 25th of December: because Jesus Christ came for us.
Merry Christmas everyone!
End note: To the Kellys: if there’s one thing I’m thankful for as the New Year approaches, it’s that I got to spend 2007 with you.

It's a Bloggert World

Bloggerts - those who read, but never respond.

At the National Bloggert Meeting of America:
"Hi, I'm Dave,....I'm a Bloggert."
"HI DAVE!" - actually that wouldn't really happen, it would be more like:

"Hi, I'm Dave,....I'm a Bloggert."
(complete silence) - nobody wants to commit to a response.


Over the course of the blogging experience since we began this journey back in the Spring of '07, I've met many who read Rooseveltdav (formally known as Rooseveltdave,.. until I switched to a fancy shmancy header that holds me to only 12 characters - and how many factors would that be, 'oh smarter than a fifth grader?),..told me that they have been faithful readers and prayer warriors, but are uncomfortable when it comes to responding (that or they just don't have the time to compete in what has now grown to be a NEW Olympic event - not sure if it's going Summer or Winter Olympics just yet). To them I say,...welcome to the world of Bloggerts - for I too have a blog that I have been a frequent reader of, yet never once responded. The writer of the blog has a way with daily life that I enjoy reading. I think it's because she's a teacher and says things that would get most teachers fired.

It's been only recently that 'My Blogger' has announced the possible end to it all. She's become a blogger with little to blog about, besides her new baby (yawn - not into the baby thing at this point). Call it a terminal writers block, or the need to move on, but she is seriously considering hanging up the keyboard. As a Bloggert, where will I go? Do I leave a first and last comment letting her know of my Bloggert ways,...thanking her for her take on everyday life? If I would have known that the end were so close, would I have shaken my Bloggert status and taken the committal plunge? You know, once you comment, it's over. The Blogger knows you are there and you are reading. There's no more true Bloggert status. You're outed!

Not quite sure I want to be outed as her Bloggert. I know that there are those of you out there who know of the Bloggert way (read and go - no commitment to responding). To you I simply say, "Thank you for reading, for praying, and for following. I'm in no way running short of topics, information, or our life in cancer, but I may run short on time for a few months(it's Basketball Season Baby! - little Dick Vitale).

Peace and Prayer

PS: it's Day 188

Foto Friday

Day 180: Ready to Celebrate! Minnesota folks - it's a mere 8-9 hour ride.

Back to the Pumpkin Carve - One Handed Style

Ready for the Party

Time with Great Grandpa

Foto Friday What

Day 173:

I know,... Foto Friday and NO photos.

This is commonly known as Hey, what's wrong with my computer, Friday.

It seems that no matter how many times I click on the same button, I get the same response - Try Again Later. The only problem is that later is now (after all it is Friday).

Hannah went to school today after getting the all clear on her counts. It was actually picture day for her. Kim said that the photo people stopped by to make sure she was having it done today. When I asked, "Are you going with or without hair?" she proudly responded, "Without of course."

How far have we come in six months? The moment she first lost her hair flashed through my mind as she stood before me smiling with all that baldness,... she was going to have her picture taken natural What a difference.

Speaking of difference,....Kim and I are torn about the party. Looking at the future forecast they have the temperatures fairly low. Now that's not a big problem - we're Lake Michigan People for Pete Sake (dress in layers)! They also have rain in the forecast - slight problem. With a house that can hold about 50 people, our numbers might be grossly over that (which is an AWESOME thing). We were thinking of opening up the party to mid afternoon once again to spread out the masses. In short,... party on the 10th starting in the afternoon and going into the night- we'll see you at some point.

People are still asking what they can bring. Side dish for 150 people would be wonderful. Thanks!

Seriously, I thought we would originally have around 70 people, but as always,...Kim is right and I'm wrong. I believe her words were: "You want to throw a party? Do you know what that means?"

If you want to bring a side dish, put it in a consumable pan. However, it is not necessary,... I have a bag of beef jerky in one of my bike saddle bags we can pull out after the pork and hot dogs are gone.

Peace, Prayers, and No Shoes Up Stairs on the Newly Shampooed Carpet

Foto Friday

Day 166: