Bad News

I got called down to the office today at school.  Apparently, some of the parents don't think I am at school enough to help their kids (I miss two days out of the month to recover from chemo), and so called up to the school and complained.  So Mrs. Turner asked me to step down as the Spanish teacher, but stay on as one of the long term substitute teachers.  So I will still go to school everyday, but not be teaching Spanish anymore after next week.
i am sad about that.  I have enjoyed teaching.  But I can understand the concern of the parents.  I am just so close to being done with my treatments!  And it's just disappointing that the parents can't bare with me while I finish up.

17 Nov 2010

CT Scan today.  That means drinking that nasty contrast drink.  But Matt thinks I am so lucky because now I am radioactive.  So I can be picked up by satellite and stuff like that.  Very Jack Ryan CIA stuff!  How cool am I!!  ACtually, just a sip of this stuff and you will know how not cool this is!!!

Happy Birthday Miranda!

What a special day!  Miranda is the most important person in my life.  I am so grateful that she is 

my wife.  I am grateful for her strength, support, encouragment, and love.  She has been 

amazing through this whole trial of cancer.  She fights for me when I can't.  She keeps the 

doctor's appointments on the calender.  She knows what pills I can take and when.  

She encourages me to take care of myself as much as I can. 

I love you Miranda!  Have a wonderful day!!!!

Kick the Chemo party

WOW am I tired!!!  But we just ended the funnest night.  Miranda put together a huge party and invited family and friends to the Robertson's house for another night of happy celebrating and thanksgiving.  Greg made a huge bonfire in the back yard, and all the children loved it!
Now, let me make a disclaimer.  There were lots of people there.  I know that I didn't get pictures of everyone, and I am so sorry that I didn't!  In fact, I think that's another great reason to have another party!  So if I missed you, please accept my apology and appreciation.  Also, I have pictures of spouses and/or kids.  The whole family was there, but I just wasn't able to get everyone together.  So some families are represented by a child or a spouse!

Will Cummings

Miss Cummings, Grace Schlosser, Bobby Cummings

Janet Price, Debbie Ferguson, Mom

Laura, Nicole Johnson, Natalie Johnson, Megan Johnson, Camille Bunnell

Laura, Nicole, Natalie, Megan, Camille

Laurie Miller, Melody Fisher

Dawn Sciavolino

Darlene Stubbs, Leroy Stubbs, Hank Ferguson

Garrett Fisher

Fabriena

Miranda, Katie Andrews, Bonnie Andrews, Joel Andrews

Samantha Dudley, Emma Dudley

no idea?  Any Identification?

Parker Dudley, Spencer Dudley

Heather Dudley

Jeff Johnson, Matt Dudley

Greg

Ryan Sasse, Julie Sasse

Andrew Greenstreet, Brooke Greenstreet, Emma Greenstreet

Greg, Kara Jones, Karen Miller, Maddie Cummings

Garrett Fisher, Randall Fisher

Julia McIntyre, Chi Chi Dudley

Jim Arnold, Jack Arnold, me

Emma Greenstreet

me, Miranda, Andrew Greenstreet, Brooke Greenstreet.  

Husband, Mike Greenstreet, was deployed serving our country as a helicopter pilot.  We missed you Mike!  Thank you for your service!

Dudley Family

Heather, Spencer, Samantha, Matt, Parker, Emma, Warren

Thank you to everyone for making is a great and special celebration!!!

Bronchoscopy Results

No infection.  Good news!!!
Bleomisine toxicity.  Bad news!!!

So we know what is wrong.  Dr Duckett is going to put me on some steroids that should clear up this little mess in a few months.  he told me that there will be some weird side effects, but it will help me breathe.  So I will take it.  Dr Lee said that for the rest of the chemotherapy treatments, we will just take out the bleomisine, the drug that is causing this problem.
This is really getting interesting!!

Family Party

Great night tonight.  My parents had everyone over to their home that is here, including the Robertsons, and we had a nice intimate congratulatory party.  It was great to get everyone together.  These are some of the people that did the most for me, prayed the most fervent for me, and fought the hardest for me.
I felt so blessed and fortunate to have such an incredible group of people as a support.  Thank you to you all.  For those who couldn't come, I missed you, and honor and thank you for your prayers and love for Miranda and me.

Dr. Duckett

I met with a pulmonologist, Dr. Duckett, to evaluate what is going on with my lungs.  We did a PFT that told us that my lungs are not functioning the way they should.  Yes, we already knew that!
So I am going to have a bronchoscopy to find out if they are infected or if I have another problem.  so they are going to take a camera and some forseps, stick them in my nose, down my throat, and into my lungs to see if there is a problem.
Sounds like fun...

Deeper Reflections

I have been thinking about this new trial of not being able to breathe.  I have had to ask myself the question, "Is this because I missed a lesson that I should have learned?  Is it because I have forgotten a lesson?  Was I just careless so a lesson blew right by me?"
I shutter at each possibility.  I mean, how careless and and unappreciative can I be?  I pray that this is not because I have missed something along the way, and this is the only thing that would make me stop and reflect deeper on what Miranda and I are going through.
With all the possibilities, I am still amazed at the mercy and love from Father.  I will get these lessons right!  And I know that He will be there, right along with me, until I do!  Honestly, through most of this, I am sure that He has been carrying me, and I have just been too blind to see it.
I love this poem.  I heard it a few times growing up.  One of my best friends in high school gave me a small copy before I left on my mission.  I used it countless times there, to help other people.  And now, it's helping me.  Most of all, it helps me to remember that the Lord will NEVER abandon me.  All I need to do is ask, and He will be there.

Chemo Postponed Again

Well, this isn't by choice.  Yesterday I was int he ER again with coughing spells.  What happens is I begin to cough, and then I can't breathe.  It's like my airway just closes, and I am gasping for air.  After it opens back up, I begin to cough again, and the whole viscious cycle starts all over again.  During this, I get chills, and then sweat.  When I sweat, I take off my blanket, and then I get cold again.  And the temperature change causes me to cough again.  So it's no fun at all!
So I went to Dr. Lee today, and actually had a coughing spell right in front of him.  So he decided that until we figure out what is going on, he doesn't want me to have chemotherapy.  It kind of stinks, but I understand where he is coming from.  I don't know when I will be able to resume treatments, but I am sure that when I do, everything will at least be under control so I can breathe again!