Sort of a variation on a them inspired by Dr. Seuss
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Lucy has gone international
Lucy has some new friends in Germany. They stumbled across a couple of her videos and decided she would be a good person to get to know. So we exchanged a few messages (the dads, I mean, Tom and Dirk) and soon we go this video:
Lucy responded with a video of her own:
Lucy responded with a video of her own:
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Sunday, October 15, 2006
New phone
I finally got a new phone.
I broke mine about two days out of the hospital and had to wait two months to be eligible for the free Verizon upgrade.. well. free if you manage to complete the mail-in rebate.
I took the photo above in bed last night and e-maile it to Mary who was upstairs on the computer at the time.
Already the phone has made our lives better.
See my Homer pillow case?
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Friday, October 13, 2006
some more lunch notes
I cut these photos out of an Ohio vacation guide magazine. Looks like a fun state to visit, doesn't it?
Tomorrow I will tell you about my trip to the neurologist and what he found out was wrong with my brain.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Longest day of work yet
I think I was pretty productive yesterday. I still have a long way to go. I came home exhausted. Was barely able to stay up for my lastes tv obsession "Heroes"
Monday, October 09, 2006
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Lunch Notes the series
On one of the first days of school, Lucy came home wondering why one of her classmates got a note in her lunch and Lucy did not. So, being indulgent we started to include notes. I think it may have gotten out of hand. Here are some samples. If you click on them you can see them big, real big.
Lunch Notes - there are a lot of them.
Click on them to see them in their most enlargest state.
On one of the first days of school, Lucy came home wondering why one of her classmates got a note in her lunch and Lucy did not. So, being indulgent we started to include notes. I think it may have gotten out of hand. Here are some samples:
On one of the first days of school, Lucy came home wondering why one of her classmates got a note in her lunch and Lucy did not. So, being indulgent we started to include notes. I think it may have gotten out of hand. Here are some samples:
Lunch Notes Click on them to see them BIG!!
On one of the first days of school, Lucy came home wondering why one of her classmates got a note in her lunch and Lucy did not. So, being indulgent we started to include notes. I think it may have gotten out of hand. Here are some samples:
More Lunch Notes
On one of the first days of school, Lucy came home wondering why one of her classmates got a note in her lunch and Lucy did not. So, being indulgent we started to include notes. I think it may have gotten out of hand. Here are some samples:
Lunch Notes
On one of the first days of school, Lucy came home wondering why one of her classmates got a note in her lunch and Lucy did not. So, being indulgent we started to include notes. I think it may have gotten out of hand. Here are some samples:
Photo Pals
My buddy Chris Lenney is the chief photographer for Clarkson University. The Golden Knights are off to their best hockey start since 2000.
Barenaked Ladies and the Tragically Hip
The Barenaked Ladies do a much better job of describing the importance of the Tragically Hip than I could ever do.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Lucy drawing
I will have to scan it in later, but I gotta tell you now about something Lucy brought home from school. She was doing a letter exercisel. They had a piece of paper with letters on it and had to draw a picture of something that began with each letter.
For D she chose Dad and drew a picture of a bald guy with a round brownish-orangy thing hanging off his front.
"What's that?" we asked.
"Dad's bag of poo," she said.
For D she chose Dad and drew a picture of a bald guy with a round brownish-orangy thing hanging off his front.
"What's that?" we asked.
"Dad's bag of poo," she said.
Can't sleep
Big soccer match today.
Lucy had to miss Thursday's game because of a fever. She seemed fine last night, but I went to bed early.
I am debating shooting video at game, which means I probably will. I always lose debates with me.
Friday, October 06, 2006
What the doctors say:
Catscan looked fine, but there was a lot of scar tissue around the areas they are most interested in, so I need to have a pet scan. That happens next week.
While I was chatting with the oncologist I mentioned an unexplained dizzy spell last week.
He immediatly sent me over to the imaging center for a brain mri and got me an appointment with a neurologist.
The brain mri came back negative (insert you own joke here).
While I was chatting with the oncologist I mentioned an unexplained dizzy spell last week.
He immediatly sent me over to the imaging center for a brain mri and got me an appointment with a neurologist.
The brain mri came back negative (insert you own joke here).
A Colostomy Catastrophe!!!
WARNING!!!! THIS MAY BE A LITTLE TOO MUCH INFORMATION!!!!
So, I was in a colleague's truck, heading to the Port Columbus Airport at 6:30 a.m. Our final destination that day was McClean, Va. and the Gannett Editors Meeting.
We bought a cup of coffee at a convenience store on the outskirts of town and almost immediately I felt some stool moving from my stoma into my pouch.
Now, in my limited experience with this method of evacuation, I have noticed that I usually move stool in the afternoon. But, I was not alarmed. I had installed a new skin wafer (the part of the appliance that adheres directly to the body and surrounds the stoma) that morning and had a fresh, drainable, pouch attached. (yes, poppa had a brand new bag!! Hahahaha).
When we were checking our bags into the system I noticed a slight odor. I have been paranoid about odors since I got out of the hospital and I have managed to convince myself that I almost always overreact. I figured it was just a slight leak in the seal between the bag and the wafer and decided to check it in the bathroom the first chance I had. I was more concerned that I had to pee very urgently.
We proceeded to the security check in. While walking there I didn't notice any bathrooms, so I decided that I could hold the pee and take care of my leak on the other side of security.
We breezed through security. I was wearing my garden clogs. They are very comfortable and easy to get off and on when you go through the security check point at airports ... Ding Ding Ding
$$$$!!!!MILLION DOLLAR IDEA!!!!$$$$
Design clogs specifically for travelers and more particularly for business travelers.
Anyway, back to the story.
When I got through security I found a bathroom and headed on in. I met my publisher as he was walking out of the same bathroom. There would be four of us travelling together that day and I knew they would all wait outside the bathroom for me.
I went into the handicapped stall and pulled up my shirt.
(Pause for dramatic effect)
The entire colostomy collection system was hanging off my belly by a shred of glue on the bottom third of the wafer and a big ball of poo was pushing it off.
I started to panic. My hands were shaking and my breathing was out of control. I grabbed some toilet paper and started to try to clean up.
It was a big mess. A really big mess. Those of you with children might know what I am talking about. This was a 12 baby wipe mess.
Now, I had some spare pouches, but the skin wafers were in my bag that I had checked through. They need to be customized with scissors each time you use them and I didn't anticipate any problem with them.
It took a long time to get things cleaned up. But eventually, I got it done and replaced the collection bag. I got rid of the mess and then washed my hands for about 15 minutes while I tried to figure out my next move.
I decided that I would go back through security to an airport store and see if I could find some sort of tape. I also needed a new shirt. The shirt I was wearing had been soiled.
I pulled my publisher aside and gave the poor guy a brief synopsis. Then I rushed back to the other side of security and found the store.
Oh, I should mention, that in all this commotion, I still had not relieved my bladder.
In the airport store, I bought a Columbus, Ohio T-shirt, a package of two wet-wipes and three packages that contained two band aids each with little foil packs of neosporin.
The band aids came in impenetrable blister packs.
When I got back to security the line was huge. I settled in for the long wait with my hand pressed against my appliance and still nervous as all hell. I am sure I was not in the best shape to get through security.
For one thing, my ticket had been all marked up the first time as I passed through each station, that had to be suspicious. For another thing, I was obviously hiding something beneath my shirt. And, finally, I was shaking like a leaf. Also, at this time, my bladder began to remind me about its condition.
I breezed through, headed for the bathroom and finally emptied my bladder in the same handicapped stall where all the drama began.
I stripped off my shirt and noticed that the heat from my hand had caused the wafer to re-adhere to my skin. I was taking no chances and I began to try to open the band aid packages.
What a racket I was making. I was breathing fast and in gasps, the plastic rattled as I tore into it, then paper ripped as a tried to open the band aids themselves and of course I was muttering and cursing as I tried to get the band aids aligned along the rim of the wafer without folding them over on themsleves.
It seemed like I was in there for an eternity. All along, people were in and out of the bathroom.
Someone, I thought, has got to wonder what the guy in the handicapped stall was doing. It was obviously out of the ordinary.
I finally got myself back together, stuffed my soiled shirt in my briefcase (I really like that shirt) and washed my hands for 15 minutes.
Then I headed out into the airport concourse, slighly relieved but still shaky.
As soon as I started walking towards my gate, a security guard spotted me, looked me right in the eye and started walking towards me.
"uh oh," I thought, "they were just waiting for me to leave the bathroom."
The guy walked right up to me and leaned forward.
"Dude," he said, "zip up your pants."
The rest of the trip was uneventful.
So, I was in a colleague's truck, heading to the Port Columbus Airport at 6:30 a.m. Our final destination that day was McClean, Va. and the Gannett Editors Meeting.
We bought a cup of coffee at a convenience store on the outskirts of town and almost immediately I felt some stool moving from my stoma into my pouch.
Now, in my limited experience with this method of evacuation, I have noticed that I usually move stool in the afternoon. But, I was not alarmed. I had installed a new skin wafer (the part of the appliance that adheres directly to the body and surrounds the stoma) that morning and had a fresh, drainable, pouch attached. (yes, poppa had a brand new bag!! Hahahaha).
When we were checking our bags into the system I noticed a slight odor. I have been paranoid about odors since I got out of the hospital and I have managed to convince myself that I almost always overreact. I figured it was just a slight leak in the seal between the bag and the wafer and decided to check it in the bathroom the first chance I had. I was more concerned that I had to pee very urgently.
We proceeded to the security check in. While walking there I didn't notice any bathrooms, so I decided that I could hold the pee and take care of my leak on the other side of security.
We breezed through security. I was wearing my garden clogs. They are very comfortable and easy to get off and on when you go through the security check point at airports ... Ding Ding Ding
$$$$!!!!MILLION DOLLAR IDEA!!!!$$$$
Design clogs specifically for travelers and more particularly for business travelers.
Anyway, back to the story.
When I got through security I found a bathroom and headed on in. I met my publisher as he was walking out of the same bathroom. There would be four of us travelling together that day and I knew they would all wait outside the bathroom for me.
I went into the handicapped stall and pulled up my shirt.
(Pause for dramatic effect)
The entire colostomy collection system was hanging off my belly by a shred of glue on the bottom third of the wafer and a big ball of poo was pushing it off.
I started to panic. My hands were shaking and my breathing was out of control. I grabbed some toilet paper and started to try to clean up.
It was a big mess. A really big mess. Those of you with children might know what I am talking about. This was a 12 baby wipe mess.
Now, I had some spare pouches, but the skin wafers were in my bag that I had checked through. They need to be customized with scissors each time you use them and I didn't anticipate any problem with them.
It took a long time to get things cleaned up. But eventually, I got it done and replaced the collection bag. I got rid of the mess and then washed my hands for about 15 minutes while I tried to figure out my next move.
I decided that I would go back through security to an airport store and see if I could find some sort of tape. I also needed a new shirt. The shirt I was wearing had been soiled.
I pulled my publisher aside and gave the poor guy a brief synopsis. Then I rushed back to the other side of security and found the store.
Oh, I should mention, that in all this commotion, I still had not relieved my bladder.
In the airport store, I bought a Columbus, Ohio T-shirt, a package of two wet-wipes and three packages that contained two band aids each with little foil packs of neosporin.
The band aids came in impenetrable blister packs.
When I got back to security the line was huge. I settled in for the long wait with my hand pressed against my appliance and still nervous as all hell. I am sure I was not in the best shape to get through security.
For one thing, my ticket had been all marked up the first time as I passed through each station, that had to be suspicious. For another thing, I was obviously hiding something beneath my shirt. And, finally, I was shaking like a leaf. Also, at this time, my bladder began to remind me about its condition.
I breezed through, headed for the bathroom and finally emptied my bladder in the same handicapped stall where all the drama began.
I stripped off my shirt and noticed that the heat from my hand had caused the wafer to re-adhere to my skin. I was taking no chances and I began to try to open the band aid packages.
What a racket I was making. I was breathing fast and in gasps, the plastic rattled as I tore into it, then paper ripped as a tried to open the band aids themselves and of course I was muttering and cursing as I tried to get the band aids aligned along the rim of the wafer without folding them over on themsleves.
It seemed like I was in there for an eternity. All along, people were in and out of the bathroom.
Someone, I thought, has got to wonder what the guy in the handicapped stall was doing. It was obviously out of the ordinary.
I finally got myself back together, stuffed my soiled shirt in my briefcase (I really like that shirt) and washed my hands for 15 minutes.
Then I headed out into the airport concourse, slighly relieved but still shaky.
As soon as I started walking towards my gate, a security guard spotted me, looked me right in the eye and started walking towards me.
"uh oh," I thought, "they were just waiting for me to leave the bathroom."
The guy walked right up to me and leaned forward.
"Dude," he said, "zip up your pants."
The rest of the trip was uneventful.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Back in town
Off to the oncologist this morning.
I have an incredible colostomy catastrophe story to tell about my trip to Washington, D.C. but not enough time this morning.
If will horrify and amuse you....honest....
I have an incredible colostomy catastrophe story to tell about my trip to Washington, D.C. but not enough time this morning.
If will horrify and amuse you....honest....
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Going away
I leave early Monday for a meeting in Virginia.
I will be back late Wednesday night - which is garbage day for our street.
I probably won't post until Thursday morning.
I haven't been that regular since I went back to work I know.
It just occured to me that if you know me, when I say regular, there is now one thing I don't mean.
If you know what I mean, and I think you do.
I will be back late Wednesday night - which is garbage day for our street.
I probably won't post until Thursday morning.
I haven't been that regular since I went back to work I know.
It just occured to me that if you know me, when I say regular, there is now one thing I don't mean.
If you know what I mean, and I think you do.
Irish Dancing has gone viral
Honest!
It's had 377 page views and 2 comments! That's a world record for me... If I kept world records for me, which I really haven't since that time I was 9 and stayed up until 11:30 which was a world record for me at the time.
It's had 377 page views and 2 comments! That's a world record for me... If I kept world records for me, which I really haven't since that time I was 9 and stayed up until 11:30 which was a world record for me at the time.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Birthday highlights
The big double birthday was last week. As usual, we kept it to ourselves. We had one of the neighbor kids and his mom over for icecream and cake after dinner.
We went to Chuck E. Cheese on Saturday... Now we are just older and wiser and we have not as many organs as we used to have.
Cat scan results next week.
Had my catscan on Friday and all went well. Won't have the results back until Wednesday. I head to Washington for three days on Monday..
Lucy's soccer match got postponed and we will be playing at 6 p.m. on Thursday... hope the weather cooperates.
Lucy's soccer match got postponed and we will be playing at 6 p.m. on Thursday... hope the weather cooperates.
Friday, September 29, 2006
The final cat scan
I get a cat scan today at 8 a.m. It will be my third in the series. Quite fascination viewing. Actually there was not much different from Cat Scan 1 "What's That Thing on Your Kidney" to Cat Scan 2 "You Haven't Changed Much in Two Months."
Cat Scan 3 "Hey! This Guy Has no Rectum!" should be a barrel of laughs.
I don't remember much of the first cat scan. I was still doped up from my colonoscopy. I had just finished chemo and radiation for cat scan 2 and was getting nervous about upcoming surgery.
I don't know how I feel about Cat Scan 3.
All I know is that it is the prequel to Pet Scan 1 "Total Body Scanning" which is coming in February.
I should have some movies to post this weekend. I still have footage from Lucy's birthday and her first soccer match is Saturday.
She had a good practice last night. During a scrimmage She made a goal-kick that was actually directed at a teammate and she had a throw-in that went to a teammate. She also looked spiffy in her new spikes and shorts.
Cat Scan 3 "Hey! This Guy Has no Rectum!" should be a barrel of laughs.
I don't remember much of the first cat scan. I was still doped up from my colonoscopy. I had just finished chemo and radiation for cat scan 2 and was getting nervous about upcoming surgery.
I don't know how I feel about Cat Scan 3.
All I know is that it is the prequel to Pet Scan 1 "Total Body Scanning" which is coming in February.
I should have some movies to post this weekend. I still have footage from Lucy's birthday and her first soccer match is Saturday.
She had a good practice last night. During a scrimmage She made a goal-kick that was actually directed at a teammate and she had a throw-in that went to a teammate. She also looked spiffy in her new spikes and shorts.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Saturday, September 23, 2006
It is going to be a big weekend
First, I will be recovering from my first three days back at the office. I had to leave yesterday in the middle of a budget meeting because I was experiencing a little bag emergency.. Still trying to figure out how to use the suckers.
Next, Lucy has a soccer practice ... Go Blaze!
Next, when we came home from the PTA meeting last night we discovered that we had a bit of a sewer back up in the basement.... Plumber is coming this morning.
Anyone spare a dime?
Next, Lucy has a soccer practice ... Go Blaze!
Next, when we came home from the PTA meeting last night we discovered that we had a bit of a sewer back up in the basement.... Plumber is coming this morning.
Anyone spare a dime?
Friday, September 22, 2006
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Hi Ho, Hi HO!
Back to work I go this morning.Good thing I lost some weight and my clothes are baggy - helps hide the baggy I have attached to my belly.
Today is Lucy's birthday! And mine!
I think I will go home early to celebrate and recuperate.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
The Wheel Keeps Turning
Oncologist gave me the all clear today... No more treatment!!!
IF ...
The cat scan that he scheduled for me at the end of the month comes back clear.
The concern was the T2 tumor removed from my rectum (along with the rest of the rectum!). We need to be vigilant about possible spreading ... So it looks like a yearly cat scan and plenty of blood tests for me... HURRAH!
Back to work at the newspaper tomorrow....Can't wait to open my e-mail folder.
IF ...
The cat scan that he scheduled for me at the end of the month comes back clear.
The concern was the T2 tumor removed from my rectum (along with the rest of the rectum!). We need to be vigilant about possible spreading ... So it looks like a yearly cat scan and plenty of blood tests for me... HURRAH!
Back to work at the newspaper tomorrow....Can't wait to open my e-mail folder.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Work beckons
I have appointments with the oncologist and the radiation therapists tomorrow (Tuesday). Then I head back to work on Wednesday... I am ready mentally. I hope everyone is ready to put up with a short tempered tired guy in the afternoon.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Friday, September 15, 2006
Cortland Soccer
Our nephew Mike Jock is a freshman at The State University of New York at Cortland where he plays on the soccer team.
His team, on Friday, visited Clarkson University for a match.
Our friend Chris Lenney is the Clarkson University photographer, so we got these pictures!
At halftime Cortland was leading 3-0, no word yet on how the game ended. I have a hunch, Cortland hung on to win.
Mike's mom and dad and grandma and grandpa got to go to the game to watch him play.
Return to work
I will be returning to work on Wednesday, Sept. 20. That's my birthday and Lucy's birthday and the 5th anniversary of me finding out that I had prostate cancer.. too mucy to celebrate.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Birthday coming
Lucy's birthday is coming up.
It will have a rubber chicken theme.
really.
She was awarded a green card on Monday! Hurray!
It will have a rubber chicken theme.
really.
She was awarded a green card on Monday! Hurray!
Monday, September 11, 2006
Friday, September 08, 2006
a slip up
Mary and I had to go to Columbus for a medical appointment. This time it wasn't me!
We decided to make a day of it.. Lucy was in School!!!
So we went to the appointment, then to Sam's Club. The big plan was to have lunch at Caraba's using a gift certificate we have. We haven't used it, mainly, because we haven't wanted to go there with Lucy.
I figured out the bestest fastest way to get to the Caraba's on the north side of Columbus and we got there in a flash ... only to find out that they don't open until 4 on weekdays....
So, we ate at a place called Carabean Jerks. I had a jerked chicken sandwich and Mary had a chimichanga that was bigger that a chiauhauhua.
Meanwhild Lucy picked up another yellow card and had to move her desk. I think we need to talk to the teacher, the stories we get from Lucy are all out of synch.
Early in the day we learned that she had to move her desk because she was hugging the boy next to her.
Later we learned that the teacher had her in the hallway telling her it was not OK to climb over her desk.
yeeesh.
We decided to make a day of it.. Lucy was in School!!!
So we went to the appointment, then to Sam's Club. The big plan was to have lunch at Caraba's using a gift certificate we have. We haven't used it, mainly, because we haven't wanted to go there with Lucy.
I figured out the bestest fastest way to get to the Caraba's on the north side of Columbus and we got there in a flash ... only to find out that they don't open until 4 on weekdays....
So, we ate at a place called Carabean Jerks. I had a jerked chicken sandwich and Mary had a chimichanga that was bigger that a chiauhauhua.
Meanwhild Lucy picked up another yellow card and had to move her desk. I think we need to talk to the teacher, the stories we get from Lucy are all out of synch.
Early in the day we learned that she had to move her desk because she was hugging the boy next to her.
Later we learned that the teacher had her in the hallway telling her it was not OK to climb over her desk.
yeeesh.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
And the Big News is ....
We're still not sure.
Saw the oncologist yesterday. The last time I saw him he would not make a commitment to my treatment because he had not seen slides for the biopsies from my operation.
This time he had seen the slides, but his pathologist had not... so ... I go see him in two weeks.
He did say that it was very likely that they would say no more treatment ... still the wait has been a bit of a trial.
Remember this whole mess started in February ...
Meanwhile, still not 100 percent positive when I will return to work. Felt like death warmed over yesterday... yeesh.
Saw the oncologist yesterday. The last time I saw him he would not make a commitment to my treatment because he had not seen slides for the biopsies from my operation.
This time he had seen the slides, but his pathologist had not... so ... I go see him in two weeks.
He did say that it was very likely that they would say no more treatment ... still the wait has been a bit of a trial.
Remember this whole mess started in February ...
Meanwhile, still not 100 percent positive when I will return to work. Felt like death warmed over yesterday... yeesh.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Getting Lucy ready for school
Having trouble with Youtube lately and I am too impatient. So I posted this on Google.
Oncologist today
Today we see the oncologist and hopefully get the word that my treatment has been completed.
I still have a bit of pain in my bottom and in my stomach when I do any sort of activity, but I think it is getting better.
I plan on returning to work in about two weeks. hurray!
I still have a bit of pain in my bottom and in my stomach when I do any sort of activity, but I think it is getting better.
I plan on returning to work in about two weeks. hurray!
Monday, September 04, 2006
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Friday, September 01, 2006
Second green card
Lucy scored another green card at school on Thursday. We let her stay up to watch the penultimate episode of "Stan Lee's Who Wants to be a Super Hero."
The showed the final episode last night. I have to either make her forget about it or keep my eyes open for an encore showing that she can watch. We could use a little TIVO about now.
Now I think the ultimate show would be to have the crew from Project Runway design costumes for the folks on Who Wants to be a Superhero.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
An improvement
Lucy was given a green card yesterday. That means she got through the day without an infraction of the rules. I knew it was only a matter of time - wait ... I hoped it was only a matter of time.
We are still having trouble in getting her to go to sleep. She hits the hay at 8 p.m. but is still up at 10 p.m. Hopefully, school will eventually tire her out.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
For those keeping score
Lucy was given another yellow card on Tuesday. That's two for the first full week of kindergarten. She is going to try real hard to come away with a clean day today, but I think sometimes she has trouble with rules interpretations. The teacher tends to be broad "don't touch your classmates." Lucy tends to be specific. "I only touched him on the neck, with my pencil."
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
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