Life in the Fast Lane

As I sit home all day with little to do, I have some time to reflect on life maybe a little more then some of you. Although I am sure many of you are sitting in your office/cube day dreaming also. I was thinking about how quick our lives move. It seems like the KPB Classic was months ago. We have so many memories and things going on in our lives it is sometimes hard to really think about what matters in life.

What does? Right now for me it is my family and friends. You may ask shouldn't that always be what matters the most. Yes, but if you look back at high school and college you might remember that other things may have been a priority like sports, members of the opposite sex, etc. I love my family and they provide me with the joy and companionship that I need to get by on a day to day basis. When I wake up in the morning, I feel good when I look over and see my beautiful wife next to me and hear my son breathing over the baby monitor. I can not imagine not having that in a lifetime. Having the opportunity to shape and teach a little human is like no other opportunity you will get in your life. Any how quickly this happens. It seems like yesterday Alek was coming out of the womb and now he is turning into a little boy. So many parents say time goes so fast and indeed it does. It is really crazy.

My goal in this fast paced life where every one of us (friends and family) have so much going on is to find time to get together and enjoy this time together. For three years plus, Kath and I tried to get pregnant. Over that time we developed some special bonds with our friends and friend's kids. I want that same for Alek. I want my friends to be Alek's family. I want them to enjoy him as much as I enjoyed their kids. We all know if we don't time will have passed us by before we blink. I wish every month we could have a get together like the KPB Classic. Maybe we will have to organize a winter Bowling event or something like that. The KPB Bowling Classic. Sounds cool to me. I love bowling and I know many of you do too. Let me know what you guys think. It would be for fun and to get together.

That is my ramble for the day. Put a smile on your face!!!!

More Side Effects

The side effects continue!! My throat is now soar again. Eating is starting to hurt. My mouth has sores and my tongue is sensitive. The bottom line is it hurts to eat almost anything. Of course ice cream and popsicles feel good.

I am also getting blisters on my feet. I know it is kinda gross to talk about but that is what is going on. It hurts to walk now.

I know I have said this before but I will say it again. Pain is not fun. It really gets into your head and wears you down. While in pain is mentally exhausting. Even with Alek and Kath there it is tough to always stay positive. I don't like not being able to do certain things. I don't like being limited in what I can do without feeling pain.

I am very anxious to have my follow up appointment next week. I am not sure what I will do if the results are not positive. I am so hoping this drug works. I don't feel like having to travel into Boston (Dana Farber) to take part in a clinical trial. Plus, if my counts don't go down, I have to stop the chemo and wait four weeks as a cleansing period. It is very scary to think that my counts could sky rocket even higher over this period. When the Prolactin counts rise the tumors increase in size and numbers. I am just so scared, so scared.

Well it is 1:30pm and I am tired from the weekend. Alek did not feel well and did not sleep well. So I think I will take my daily nap and catch up on some sleep.

I have discovered that FACEBOOK is very cool. If you are not a member please join. Trust me you will not regret it.

Over and Out

Pain in the Hands!

Every chemo has its own side effects. Nexavar's, the drug I am on, common side effect is called hand/foot/mouth syndrome. You get these burning blisters under your skin. And yes I have them. It feels like your burnt your hands. I can not pick up anything. It hurts to get water out of the fridge. I hurts to pick up Alek. Anything involved in using your hands hurts. Typing actually hurts. So I have become totally useless around the house. Once again my stud of a wife is stepping up to almost everything around the house.

I just joined FACEBOOK. That website is pretty cool. I have connected with a bunch of H.S and College friends. You should check it out. You can post photos, chat with people, say what you are doing and find friends. It is addicting, especially for a person that is not working.

Alek has a slight fever today. Bruno is here to help me. It is tough for me to take care of him be so tired and now with my hands.

Congrats to Stan and Bridget on their adoption. I can wait to meet her.

Later Skaters

Telegraph Article

http://www.cabinet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008809199992

9th Annual KPB GOLF CLASSIC

The 9th Annual KPB Golf Classic was a huge success. I want to thank everyone so much for all you support. Fundraising wise it was the best year. Every tournament is special and this was was very special. It is really cool to everyone grow and see their families grow. It seems as if the kids are starting to outnumber the adults. I don't think there was one kid at the first tournament (maybe one little Spaulding) and now there were 12 kids/babies there and Kerrie and Kim with another two on the way. In addition Stan and Bridget's new addition. Crazy!!! I can not wait until the kids are actually playing in the tournament. That will be wild.

I would also like to thank all the sponsors of the golf tourney. Without them we would not be able to raise the money we do.

Once again thank you Mom, Dad, Frank, Betty, Jason Perkins, Kathy Perkins and Sherri Calkins for helping put the raffle and food together.

Thank you all for those who helped set up the raffle and clean up.

The biggest thanks goes to my wife Katherine. She is the one who keeps the day moving and ensures the day goes right. She is a star. Baby I love you so much.

Another special thanks goes to TK sports. Every year they provide the T-Shirts. Thanks Jim Keene. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Thanks and we will see you all soon.

Additional Posts include: Newest Chemo Results and Telegraph Article.

Ponny Ride Benefit

Our neighbors just stopped by to inform us they will be holding a pony ride for my family. They have a horse farm called the Apple Tree Horse Farm. They have a riding ring and they will be holding a pony ride on September 21st. This is the day after our golf tournament. So anyone who wants to come down and take their kids for a Pony ride you are more then welcome to stop by. It is right down the road from our house.

It is an amazing gesture and it is really appreciated. We will have to drive down from Lebanon on either Saturday night or Sunday AM but we will be there.

It is Day 18 of my chemo cycle. I will see Dr. Fadul on the 16th of September to get my blood test to see if the Prolactin level drop further. I pray and hope they continue to drop. Please drop. Please.

See you all soon.
The Cancer Fighter

Tired!!!!

The Chemo is kicking in and I am starting to feel tired. I have become a professional nap taker. If I lie down I can sleep almost anytime of the day. I am also sleeping well at night since Alek is pretty much sleeping through the night.

Alek is a crazy little baby. Now I know what it means to have to babyproof your house. They get into every nook and cranny. It is truly amazing.

I am looking forward to the KPB Classic. It is one weekend away. I can not wait to see everyone.

See you there.