News Update

To update everyone on Diane's health, let's back up a few months. Early spring of this year, things were going very well, health wise, Diane was going about her life in a very happy, positive way, because of all the support of her friends and family. A routine mammogram detected something in her left breast, so a biopsy was performed. This turned out to be pre cancerous cells in her breast, and after conferring with the doctors at Kaiser, decide on a bi-lateral mastectomy and reconstructive surgery at the same time. At the same time her other lymph node on the other side of her neck was bothering her, so she was concerned about that, and that is how her whole ordeal started last year at about the same time. Dr Fong decided to do a needle biopsy on her neck, and the results came back inconclusive so a PET scan was ordered. Back and forth to Kaiser we went, preparing for the double mastectomy on Sept 14, and going through the series of tests for her neck. We should have our own parking spot there.
Forward to today: Diane came through the surgery with flying colors! No nauseousness, not much pain, and having to take it real easy for two weeks made her a bit stir crazy. We had a few neighbors help out on the meals, and the kids and her WONDERFUL husband really stepped up to help with the day to day chores and errands. The test results from her needle biopsy/petscan/tonsil biopsy all turned out cancer free, so we have a lot to be thankful for.
So that's it - in a long nutshell, - life is good, Diane continues to go to Dr, Fong every 5-6 weeks for follow up on her throat, and she sees Dr Tina Smith, who was fabulous, for follow up on her breasts, or her "new girls" as Diane calls them. Anyone care to see photos??

New update! Wow

OK, we just had a wonderful dinner at Glen and Joyce Thomas' house, and it was a quick but very momentous occasion when Diane and Glen actually got to meet each other in person! I enjoyed watching that and knowing what they both have gone through, and to actually sit down and chat together was very nice to watch. There was about 8 - 10 couples at his dinner, and to just enjoy the company, the great meal and wine, and to sit down and talk among friends was truly enjoyable! What a great evening tonight. Lots of laughs, (and wine) and good friends. Thanks Glen and Joyce! We also talked about our blogs, and they quickly reminded me that our blog STILL said Merry Christmas! So I am now updating it, if you are still checking in.
Diane just the other day said "wow, I think my saliva is almost back to normal". It's these little milestones that happen that still remind me of what she went through. She doesn't need to bring her water bottle with her everywhere she goes now. Yeay!
Talking with Joyce and Glen, and discussing how the blogs helped with going through the whole process was good, I would recommend this to anyone going through any treatment. Glen also mentioned it helped knowing that people cared, sent their thoughts and wishes, and that made a big difference knowing that. I agreed!

Merry Christmas!

We are into the Holiday Spirit, celebrating so much this year. Diane is very busy now with the Family, house, and daily activities, I now sometimes forget all that we went through this past summer with her treatments. her taste is 80% back to normal, and she looks great. A neighbor just told me that tonight, so I'm not biased! (Well - just a little!!!)
Enjoy your Holidays, give a long blessed hug to your loved ones!
Wishing you and yours a very happy Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year!

3 weeks till christmas!

Our Thanksgiving was a wonderful, relaxing day, plenty of food, family and fun. Diane's Dad cooked the turkey and other items, Dianes sister and kids brought and cooked some, and friends Robert and Jessamyn helped out as well. The stress was off Diane to do it all, so we enjoyed the day with a boat ride out on the lake, a great meal and some wonderful family time. Diane is enjoying tasting food again, she saw her radiologist last Tuesday and he commented on just how good she looks. (Everyone else says that too, not just me!) He said she could drink wine again, no reason not to, but I think right now the taste still makes her mouth burn, so she is going to wait a while. Dr Carmel also mention there is a 10% chance the cancer might come back, but to me that means it's a 90% cure rate! Her oncologist will be looking closely at her for the next year, and her radiologist, Dr Carmel said at the end of her visit "I hope I never see you again"!
So...life is back to normal, driving the kids around, laundry, cooking meals, laundry, bills, laundry and house chores and, oh yea, laundry.
Should I continue updating this blog with normal family stuff? Or start a new one instead of Dianes Helpers? What do you think? Let us know and we hope all of you are safe, healthy, and employed during this time of year. Enjoy your family!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and boy, do we have a lot to be thankful for. What a year it's been. Diane is feeling pretty good nowadays, it's almost back to normal, where the main focus is kids, house, laundry, bills, groceries, sports, etc. We are very thankful for our Doctors that treated Diane, and all that went into it. The nurses, specialists, radiation staff and everyone who made this journey as easy as it could be. We will also give a BIG thank you to you, our friends who stepped up to the plate and offered anything/everything to make Diane feel more comfortable, and loved. It was overwhelming and I still begin to tear up when I think of all the notes and E-mails that started pouring in when friends found out what Diane was diagnosed with. Wow.

Here's to a wonderful time to give thanks, and to recieve thanks. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Slowly but Surely, It's Almost Over

Since our trip back from Yosemite, I have noticed an "almost" return to normal for our family. Diane is eating a bit more, her taste buds are slowly coming back, she is trying new food items and saying "I can taste a little bit of this". Things aren't as bitter or sour tasting as they were before, and it is SO COOL to see her back to eating salad, oatmeal, pizza, raisins, freshly juiced fruit drinks, chicken and mashed potatoes. And that's all for her breakfast one morning! (just kidding).
The other night was a rare occurence where Diane and I and all 3 kids were home for dinner AT THE SAME TIME! And we all sat down at the dinner table and actually had a real nice meal, with the whole family conversing and enjoying each other's company. To me, this was just heaven, one of the simple pleasures of life that you thoroughly enjoy and savor. Diane and I both said, "we have GOT to do this more often!"
I am seeing little cameos of everyday life sneaking back into our world, and I couldn't be happier.
Well, I could be happier if it weren't for this damn recession, but that's a different subject. My wonderful wife is recovering quite well, I have the best children in the world, and I love what I do for a living. As my sister Maria says, "just living a dream!"
Is it "over"? After having cancer, it is hard to say it is over. Your life is changed. You are a survivor, and after going through this whole ordeal and treatment since last Spring I think I can say the worst is over and it's a lot closer to normal than ever before. We thank God and all our family and friends for the amazing amount of love, support, and concern that was shared and given to us. I honestly think it helped Dianes' journey through all this knowing she had such wonderful support and friends that were there for her.
Every day is a blessing, every hour is a gift, every minute of life is special, so embrace this time as much as you can, enjoy your journey, and tell your loved ones how you feel about them!

Back from Yosemite

Our quick trip to Yosemite ended up exactly liked I had hoped for: A fun time with just the family (minus Brian) in a most beautiful location. As we drove there, we noticed big dark puffy clouds on the horizon. It started to mist as we climbed to 6000 feet elevation, and Diane noticed some snow on the ground! The temp started dropping, down to 37 degrees! We really didn't plan on very cold weather, just brought some heavy sweaters and jeans. Uh Oh! As we approached the valley floor, one of the most spectacular sites I've ever seen appeared as we came out of a tunnel. There was half dome all lit up from a setting sun, white clouds were floating mid air and a rainbow was arching over the sky! We all went"wow" as we decended into the valley.

It "warmed up" to 45 and we got settled in our trailer, playing games and reading and keeping toasty warm. Tyler kept making Diane laugh, it was so good to just be together and hang out. We took our dog Lexie for a walk up to Bridal Veil Falls, had lunch at the Ahwahnee Hotel, and rode our bikes around a bit, freezing our hands and noses.

I know this sounds like a broken record now, but Diane is slowly recuperating day by day. She is taking small bites of food, beginning to taste some things, and is getting good sleep time at night now, not coughing as much. She visited Dr. Fong today, and he said she looks SO good, and after putting the scope down her throat said it is looking very good as well, there is one spot that is very raw, probably from the radiation still. She still has a very sore throat, but it is slowly going away.

trailer trash?

Tyler and Diane on the trail

Jim Danielle and Lexie the guard dog protecting us from bears and dubious characters