tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52176754095409017602024-03-12T19:18:44.168-05:00Just Keep GoingThis blog is about Carl Grisa's journey? challenge? experience? fight? (whatever) with cancerHangingInTherehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04869196173621242348noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217675409540901760.post-83014112777291353192012-07-18T22:06:00.001-05:002012-07-18T23:27:31.846-05:002nd Annual Carl Grisa Open Golf Event announced<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
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Sunday, August 19, 2012, Carl Grisa's co-workers from when he worked at Arandell Corporation are hosting a golf event, the 2nd annual Carl Grisa Open. The proceeds from this event will help fund college for Carl's four children.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbC9BlA64U0Ecsg7Bap3F2mI4XvC31UmZl8mly_1jWuQYha8xiegipmA2iJiDIgEJ-OcZdpbqqXdEfSC4Uo2QITqiTyXRwSebAEvIm0oT77-52RYyfTFCgK1tJe5CAsAJmdCe8pdtC5Acf/s1600/SIw_2006_WASH_6469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Carl Grisa" border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbC9BlA64U0Ecsg7Bap3F2mI4XvC31UmZl8mly_1jWuQYha8xiegipmA2iJiDIgEJ-OcZdpbqqXdEfSC4Uo2QITqiTyXRwSebAEvIm0oT77-52RYyfTFCgK1tJe5CAsAJmdCe8pdtC5Acf/s400/SIw_2006_WASH_6469.jpg" title="Carl Grisa" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Golfing T-off time will be 1:00 PM, (golfers could arrive around 12:30). Golfing may go as late as 4:00, and then Dinner will follow. (Non-golfers can show up anytime, or perhaps around 3:00 PM to welcome the golfers.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The location: </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The <b>Ironwood Golf Course, </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">W270 N6166 Moraine Drive, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sussex, WI, 53089</span></span>.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Here are some details:</b><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">$45/person includes 9 Holes of Golf, Cart and Dinner</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Over $1,000 in raffle and hole prizes, including a 50/50 raffle.</span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> To reserve your spot, or donate items for the raffle, or to sponsor a hole ($100 each) please call….<br />
Scott Conway </span><span style="font-size: large;">(262-309-5964) or</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Stacie Pike (</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">262-255-4400 ext. 280)</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">19897 </span></span>HangingInTherehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04869196173621242348noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217675409540901760.post-73046671610022340812011-12-15T23:53:00.003-06:002012-07-12T17:12:34.926-05:00Carl Grisa's obituary<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dA3LsVBiSLWjc7U7qELL6nCUNjig_i6WiXN0CEQXnk60AvpuYuCt4qaTSYVWcbWxhobFOrYNOE6dO8YyAbn5F_5b1CdsZsHRXmSLpgwuUB_tStzWSrQOEiawQXGZFwrVsFfdFgpUvqOD/s1600/SIW_CARL_9087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dA3LsVBiSLWjc7U7qELL6nCUNjig_i6WiXN0CEQXnk60AvpuYuCt4qaTSYVWcbWxhobFOrYNOE6dO8YyAbn5F_5b1CdsZsHRXmSLpgwuUB_tStzWSrQOEiawQXGZFwrVsFfdFgpUvqOD/s400/SIW_CARL_9087.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Carl Eric Grisa</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">March 25, 1963 - December 13, 2011</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Carl Eric Grisa passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 13, 2011, at the age of 48 years due to cancer. Carl was the cherished husband of Jeanne Selep for 26 years; the loving dad of Thomas Grisa, Anthony Grisa, Nathan Grisa and Miranda Grisa; and the son of Frank L. Grisa (married to Rose Grisa). Carl was the brother to Heidi Surprenant (Mike), Gregg Grisa, Mark Grisa (Mary); Frank Grisa (Janice), Duran Grisa (Shirley) and Dale Grisa (Kathy). Carl is survived by many nieces and nephews, cousins, friends and relatives. </div>
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Carl worked in the printing industry for years, most recently at Arandell Company. He was a member of Crossroads Presbyterian Church. Carl's hobbies included his children, scouting, rockets, cars, listening to music and cooking. </div>
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Funeral information: </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Friday, Dec. 16, 2011 </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Crossroads Presbyterian Church, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">6031 West Chapel Hill Road, Mequon, WI</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Visitation from 4:00-6:00 PM, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Funeral service at 6:00 PM, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Reception to follow.</span></div>HangingInTherehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04869196173621242348noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217675409540901760.post-39354907193048001332011-12-13T22:47:00.009-06:002011-12-13T23:38:00.639-06:00Nobody Won<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Carl Grisa finished his fight against cancer on Tuesday, Dec 13, 2011. Carl died, and the sarcoma died with him. Nobody won. He is in a better place now, without the cancer, BUT I WILL MISS HIM for the rest of my life. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UTHR5zTbi8bWIubbkRWgtSR6U_dsG5xEWtqop57menb0h35pWgO3zUZTWnK2leGe1POotoBoiPGpqpgqVxynocfPwxlanWVsLb7C_DlGsIFHucWpem2_bVuOdxX8pwD_z1BLcZCX-3K7/s1600/SIW_1992_CARRIBEAN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UTHR5zTbi8bWIubbkRWgtSR6U_dsG5xEWtqop57menb0h35pWgO3zUZTWnK2leGe1POotoBoiPGpqpgqVxynocfPwxlanWVsLb7C_DlGsIFHucWpem2_bVuOdxX8pwD_z1BLcZCX-3K7/s1600/SIW_1992_CARRIBEAN.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Carl Grisa, 1992</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Friday, Dec 16, 2011 we will have a service for Carl Grisa at Crossroads Presbyterian Church. There will be a closed casket visitation from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, Funeral Service from 6:00 to 7:00 PM and a Reception to follow. More details to follow.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNNZRocGMtG-vOKz4cVnaFbCpP5l5uZoUsjjdk4N8mulKsZQBhUUw4q45Xq-2mBUX5_BVrvljDFCof4AJBFBruNb-KJksQwoTLRzJzN6GWlNUfdJisRipDsLNJFzFlebOh-JrEhBQd-JE/s1600/SIW_2006_WASH_6469_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNNZRocGMtG-vOKz4cVnaFbCpP5l5uZoUsjjdk4N8mulKsZQBhUUw4q45Xq-2mBUX5_BVrvljDFCof4AJBFBruNb-KJksQwoTLRzJzN6GWlNUfdJisRipDsLNJFzFlebOh-JrEhBQd-JE/s400/SIW_2006_WASH_6469_5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carl Grisa as I will remember him, 2007</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The cancer altered Carl's appearance. I hope the children will remember him as he was before cancer.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepQJ1kfBzU1zOWvyKDrRya4lJk9DT8i2izUh1lLqSVbaDxp9Ksou7mse6YfnGpPAsA6OlXSzWqceaquGgpB01aEmKB0HqYVE84txHtKaW_Tp_Mc5m_S1Zs6_rCHxNLdxnG1Y8oyIrKpAW/s1600/SIw_201111_0125b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepQJ1kfBzU1zOWvyKDrRya4lJk9DT8i2izUh1lLqSVbaDxp9Ksou7mse6YfnGpPAsA6OlXSzWqceaquGgpB01aEmKB0HqYVE84txHtKaW_Tp_Mc5m_S1Zs6_rCHxNLdxnG1Y8oyIrKpAW/s400/SIw_201111_0125b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Our last family photo, 2011</span></td></tr>
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">13757</span></div>HangingInTherehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04869196173621242348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217675409540901760.post-24124083271347784902011-11-28T21:06:00.003-06:002011-11-28T21:10:22.381-06:00November 2011<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: medium;">November 2011 brought colder weather and some cold rainy days. November was quieter then preceding months - for one thing Carl stopped going to work. Despite the wheelchair for mobility, Carl's energy has continued to decline, and not working is one way to conserve his remaining energy. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfz34wKwal600-JlduQyG23DIp-ick9cQ3HV1Q3FaMe2MBtVFEqT5Ijw8ZLtNyvJMyhxZ1Ik_AZ1SH6-BP5cUa0TQabhGTfMErNqe4z8tc4QeBick2UwcsyNV5Vd0vhCuUlzOqZaQOMkG5/s1600/SIw_201111_9902.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfz34wKwal600-JlduQyG23DIp-ick9cQ3HV1Q3FaMe2MBtVFEqT5Ijw8ZLtNyvJMyhxZ1Ik_AZ1SH6-BP5cUa0TQabhGTfMErNqe4z8tc4QeBick2UwcsyNV5Vd0vhCuUlzOqZaQOMkG5/s1600/SIw_201111_9902.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Carl and some of his co-workers</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: medium;">So some of Carl's coworkers came and visited Carl. They told me that the music around the office has changed somewhat without Carl helping with the selections. Not for the better, Carl is guessing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Carl's nephew came into town with his first child - Carl's first great-niece Emily. Carl's experience with 4 children had little Emily smiling in his arms. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-ttkYq0zaJevrqygqXMl8KYOc7X3p_9ekK_5wmY1121H16yRt77alkFyS0KDg-pcErD4hIKd9mwPYLj1gBUjn7cdcNZlQc1ykXe3vtJ4OuzbNSMZzDpBPoZOtGMxJG90LUt4MBuvuCj6/s1600/SIw_201111_9966.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-ttkYq0zaJevrqygqXMl8KYOc7X3p_9ekK_5wmY1121H16yRt77alkFyS0KDg-pcErD4hIKd9mwPYLj1gBUjn7cdcNZlQc1ykXe3vtJ4OuzbNSMZzDpBPoZOtGMxJG90LUt4MBuvuCj6/s1600/SIw_201111_9966.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Carl, his sister, Emily and Emily's family</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQErlgWkcLCjdfzXCVbWb_dGKofR6r17tJprzNGZ7jSNsx_QZ7GsijuwIzu0QFNMaANvb5ocSGV33sXlRTLQjLC0zRCj4Nbb1DZOTPH2GAUY-Z4tPyvggaZyjwBwuCQgae8RAX8HbxH0i4/s1600/SIW_2011_0138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQErlgWkcLCjdfzXCVbWb_dGKofR6r17tJprzNGZ7jSNsx_QZ7GsijuwIzu0QFNMaANvb5ocSGV33sXlRTLQjLC0zRCj4Nbb1DZOTPH2GAUY-Z4tPyvggaZyjwBwuCQgae8RAX8HbxH0i4/s200/SIW_2011_0138.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: medium;">A highlight of November was going to our Church's "Great Getaway" retreat weekend in Green Lake Wisconsin from November 11 to November 13, 2011. Crossroad Presbyterian Church has had an annual retreat in November for many years, and our family has enjoyed going. (I think our family has gone at least four times.) The retreat is just people from our church (and the speakers), and so the participants can end up getting to know each other very well. For this weekend the sun came out and the weather was great. Carl and I were really hoping we could go as a family, and we surprised many people when we did. Carl was really tired after that weekend, of course. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7j-CZNcre9xWYvDmFGrtoCMm_dYCRKt14DWrsgtHf-iDBKNCPJua105Z5KyxnoG2-0A6C3b1-7F-ZRTCrL7Qje0SxrMVEfIajLajUyr8gMTcU9A9Ig7hYcvwrGAMlLMsTg9QG_cNVmGP/s1600/SIw_201111_0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7j-CZNcre9xWYvDmFGrtoCMm_dYCRKt14DWrsgtHf-iDBKNCPJua105Z5KyxnoG2-0A6C3b1-7F-ZRTCrL7Qje0SxrMVEfIajLajUyr8gMTcU9A9Ig7hYcvwrGAMlLMsTg9QG_cNVmGP/s400/SIw_201111_0013.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Dinner with adults at the Church retreat</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepQJ1kfBzU1zOWvyKDrRya4lJk9DT8i2izUh1lLqSVbaDxp9Ksou7mse6YfnGpPAsA6OlXSzWqceaquGgpB01aEmKB0HqYVE84txHtKaW_Tp_Mc5m_S1Zs6_rCHxNLdxnG1Y8oyIrKpAW/s1600/SIw_201111_0125b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepQJ1kfBzU1zOWvyKDrRya4lJk9DT8i2izUh1lLqSVbaDxp9Ksou7mse6YfnGpPAsA6OlXSzWqceaquGgpB01aEmKB0HqYVE84txHtKaW_Tp_Mc5m_S1Zs6_rCHxNLdxnG1Y8oyIrKpAW/s400/SIw_201111_0125b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Our Family at the Church Retreat</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Thanksgiving Day was a laid back day with the family and wonderful food. T</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: medium;">he children's Thanksgiving break was 6 days long, starting on Tuesday and going through Sunday. We watched a lot of TV and it was kind of noisy at the house. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglas2SijbmZ7VNw3jHgYT8iYfUxhBCianmOdEVuNLHlo4WuJOxguG3kc184pevXtXK6voFp5X-4riS-RcQubD5UrqjSBp3DEgYbmeneRA9tRqH_l0-EfNzHMIdDjA53DmxDaHWXpo-gMrG/s1600/SIW_201111_0427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglas2SijbmZ7VNw3jHgYT8iYfUxhBCianmOdEVuNLHlo4WuJOxguG3kc184pevXtXK6voFp5X-4riS-RcQubD5UrqjSBp3DEgYbmeneRA9tRqH_l0-EfNzHMIdDjA53DmxDaHWXpo-gMrG/s400/SIW_201111_0427.jpg" width="395" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving Dinner at our house</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: medium;">In spite of Carl's cancer, we feel we have so much to be thankful for. But I guess I'll leave that for another post. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">12829</span></div>HangingInTherehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04869196173621242348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217675409540901760.post-23498349979427700972011-11-27T22:57:00.004-06:002011-11-27T23:48:26.569-06:00October 2011 update<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">October 2011 seems to have come and gone very quickly. One of the highlights in October for our family was seeing Anthony Grisa, our sophomore, in the play play "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" put on by Homestead High School. Carl and the family went to all three performances. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUsoGNm8mt4Ad5Gt_akngxEQL5FGHn5hkV478hbTjlgphgvGfvgo3cKQGTzQDd3FcYWocFmOi2W_XWYwkrzyJHfXaBtHqJyDwC3-m4DqvI79CGqPYqpMcrvI3AoEy8f16ypvhxBTdGKy1/s1600/SIw_201111_9147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUsoGNm8mt4Ad5Gt_akngxEQL5FGHn5hkV478hbTjlgphgvGfvgo3cKQGTzQDd3FcYWocFmOi2W_XWYwkrzyJHfXaBtHqJyDwC3-m4DqvI79CGqPYqpMcrvI3AoEy8f16ypvhxBTdGKy1/s400/SIw_201111_9147.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Carl and the kids (and my sister Roseann) at the show</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">In the play "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" Anthony was a monster in the witches army. Anthony has never survived the fall plays he has been in. Anthony "died" in this play (once), and as a Freshman last year in 2010, Anthony "died" <i>three</i> times in the Homestead play "The Odyssey". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Other October highlights were the Boys Scout chili cook-off (October 11, 2011), a dinner for a friend from Italy at my brother's house, (October 16, 2011), and Miranda's Cross Country Banquet (October 17, 2011), and eating out with friends. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxnn-_JIc0RF-24nFLJQ2CMzzPa5QXjp8Ieow6ilMcjDDpz4cSHvjXDu8RCsU-hDdcSvEhbcAFL3QaDQ-yis-GzFWgez3rqrWRKSipSVLCdqOzICUshHvq2hgFiCF2qNPzUSG7DQXOHc9/s1600/SIw_2011_8627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxnn-_JIc0RF-24nFLJQ2CMzzPa5QXjp8Ieow6ilMcjDDpz4cSHvjXDu8RCsU-hDdcSvEhbcAFL3QaDQ-yis-GzFWgez3rqrWRKSipSVLCdqOzICUshHvq2hgFiCF2qNPzUSG7DQXOHc9/s400/SIw_2011_8627.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Our family of six at Francesca's dinner</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Carl's started working on a rocket kit at home, his most ambitious rocket kit to date. (Carl has had a lifelong hobby of making rockets and launching them.) The kit Carl is working on now is for show only, he doesn't plan on launching it.</span> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5Su6pHEeqLU90ttSc2pC1z-iU_GrRzpMdpfVfNHTYNJxLhjeM6-3DsjT-Xt-02mDEfo2HH8gX2YRH1E3cp2yBpjl2OhEcONQEaGNC9Uk1TefPEXCRPuzgsDJ5fFiCBf-k850ZiA3Z4hl/s1600/SIw_201111_9947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5Su6pHEeqLU90ttSc2pC1z-iU_GrRzpMdpfVfNHTYNJxLhjeM6-3DsjT-Xt-02mDEfo2HH8gX2YRH1E3cp2yBpjl2OhEcONQEaGNC9Uk1TefPEXCRPuzgsDJ5fFiCBf-k850ZiA3Z4hl/s400/SIw_201111_9947.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Carl working on his Saturn 5 Rocket Kit</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">Carl went to work at Arrandell many days in October, and had a Pet Scan and MRI's, but no Chemotherapy. The oncologist decided that the chemotherapy was only making Carl sick. Carl started using a wheel chair in October, and we learned just how surprisingly unsuited our house was for a wheelchair. For example, the smallest size wheel chair doesn't really fit trough the standard sized door into our bathroom, and turning in the hall is very difficult. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Next post - November...</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">12684</span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span>HangingInTherehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04869196173621242348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217675409540901760.post-34089542087282577852011-10-31T23:35:00.001-05:002011-10-31T23:40:54.404-05:00Incredible Support<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Carl has been going through a lot, obviously. One thing I have not really gone into on this blog is the incredible amount of help and support we have received from many sources.</span><br />
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Our church family, friends, relatives, Carl's coworkers, and even complete strangers have helped our family in many ways throughout 2010 and 2011.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3EdT9VR_j3bRWwojHxaHJu3wFxo_qy0QrlUdafUe_Tz6ZsqLfzown7nc-ZKAjiXBFsPde05Shc_KCsMfH9sAPL0BjVgeZoASHtPq6VqXkUrW7P8AAsAVqST2c43M3qsl0OhaYiFCSo0M/s1600/SIW_20110603_9582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3EdT9VR_j3bRWwojHxaHJu3wFxo_qy0QrlUdafUe_Tz6ZsqLfzown7nc-ZKAjiXBFsPde05Shc_KCsMfH9sAPL0BjVgeZoASHtPq6VqXkUrW7P8AAsAVqST2c43M3qsl0OhaYiFCSo0M/s400/SIW_20110603_9582.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carl and his Pricing Analyst Co-workers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>People have helped our family by watching our children, transporting our children,transporting Carl, praying for Carl and our family, bringing us meals, visiting Carl at home and in the hospital, giving us treats and gift cards, helping us with yard work and home repair, fixing our cars, and more.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I want to say a big Thank You for all the support. </b></span><br />
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I remember a story about Saint Patrick - were one of the most powerful ways of saying Thank You was to say "Thanks be to God";<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>so I say "Thanks be to God" to all of you.</b></span><br />
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In September 2011, Carl's co-workers held a golf tournament fund raiser, which I blogged about here. I never wrote about another large fund raiser picnic that Carl's co-workers organized and held on June 3, 2011, and so today I wanted to rectify that. Both events had many things in common, but both days stand out as days of exceptionally nice weather; "God Blessed" Days.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fnnnRF4soodTHAxYtoY-dtBJGHX1X710FJjJR0OBa0du0WRZZyo0xb2EeSpSkCq-e4PHVBdEaMeiO_F-oJYDVIsXDfF420wKcakn5ddzscRmNVpqD2RHvcCyqtYSV_VoseIortxULQV-/s1600/SIW_201106_9584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fnnnRF4soodTHAxYtoY-dtBJGHX1X710FJjJR0OBa0du0WRZZyo0xb2EeSpSkCq-e4PHVBdEaMeiO_F-oJYDVIsXDfF420wKcakn5ddzscRmNVpqD2RHvcCyqtYSV_VoseIortxULQV-/s400/SIW_201106_9584.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris, Carl and Scott, the Pricing Analysts<br />
(Pricing Analyst is Carl's Job title)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
It was very odd to be half of the focus of the fund raiser like the Arandell folk held. I remember trying to gear up to not cry at the picnic. I never thought that I might someday be the recipient of such goodwill, assistance, charity? It was an unfamiliar situation. I don't know if I was too unemotional, if I was shaky, if I seemed too party like. Suddenly you are at the center of attention, where people are giving generously of their time and money and support. The Arrandell event was even more emotional - many of the people there were strangers to me, but good friends of Carl. I had heard stories about some of these people over the years. I wanted to make a good impression, and convey gratitude, remember people's names, and not cry. <br />
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Usually I take pictures at an event, happy to enjoy things from behind a camera lens. It didn't seem right to snap a lot of photos at a fund raiser for our family, so I only took a handful of shots at the end of the picnic.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMtgWonEAu6R_f0LqtqLAwknttDe7wi_KdGs7QFnGdmBzvnrKI4i4vHr4s-xIhof5BsW-K3zOjQ43k51X8_rba_WpJiMJsc6Vtyf9_9QKHlOJa6yCpbaqxzuO01dS0Yujm2cNY2JIPFXA/s1600/SIW_20110603_9572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMtgWonEAu6R_f0LqtqLAwknttDe7wi_KdGs7QFnGdmBzvnrKI4i4vHr4s-xIhof5BsW-K3zOjQ43k51X8_rba_WpJiMJsc6Vtyf9_9QKHlOJa6yCpbaqxzuO01dS0Yujm2cNY2JIPFXA/s400/SIW_20110603_9572.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm going to tell my children Carl flies kites at work.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Here are Carl and his co-workers, flying kites.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-0qBKxi6M4bhy_wpbVPff0Lcqxw0tni8ELRuoFT9Buv1GpKZBVCOCaw5n3wVQ957zYCu4nuUF5AT_0X13DnHUfstaNW8seMDAiFq4DWXea_4CUg4KbeqjpjJrB6qCFVVdQVk9nEw7zRc/s1600/SIW_201106_9585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-0qBKxi6M4bhy_wpbVPff0Lcqxw0tni8ELRuoFT9Buv1GpKZBVCOCaw5n3wVQ957zYCu4nuUF5AT_0X13DnHUfstaNW8seMDAiFq4DWXea_4CUg4KbeqjpjJrB6qCFVVdQVk9nEw7zRc/s400/SIW_201106_9585.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris, Carl and Scott, the Pricing Analysts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>This photo makes me laugh. It reminds me of taking pictures of my children. People goofing off and only one person is looking at the camera.<br />
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The money raised at the fund raiser picnic really helped my family financially and with medical bills. The money raised at the golf outing was raised for my children's college education. For both fund raisers, I want to say, "Thank You, and Thanks be to God".<br />
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I want to say Thank You as well to the people who spent a ton of time organizing both events. I don't have a photo of you - but I really want to say THANK YOU for all the effort both events required. I have volunteered for many things over the years and know how a small project grows and doesn't always fit seamlessly into a schedule the way you hoped it would. <b>Thanks again, and Thank you to everyone who has been helping my family, in any way, big or small.</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">11887</span></span></div>HangingInTherehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04869196173621242348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217675409540901760.post-85778246165499445442011-10-22T23:02:00.003-05:002012-07-12T17:15:35.367-05:00End of September update<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">After the 17th dose of chemotherapy, (infusion Sept 7-8, 2011) Carl had a rough time regaining his equilibrium and energy. He didn't go to work for nearly two weeks after the infusion. This chemotherapy round was probably the hardest for Carl. It does not help that Carl's left leg has become unable to bear weight. Carl walks with a walker or crutches at all times now.</span><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">On Monday September 12, 2011, Carl's dad and mom came for a visit from Michigan. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nPl7DVWzT2zS_SuVJwnTKtMFalhPkg0nRlH-mP3jacAhQuxhKJf1q3awesNcG8Ouh1yTqJutj2CBWFF45EQUn2iLNKIe_NxIO-lm_kNsfdm5Z35X8P6mKTXMfTg6FDeW_L6xUCz3jMV5/s1600/SIW_20110912_4726.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nPl7DVWzT2zS_SuVJwnTKtMFalhPkg0nRlH-mP3jacAhQuxhKJf1q3awesNcG8Ouh1yTqJutj2CBWFF45EQUn2iLNKIe_NxIO-lm_kNsfdm5Z35X8P6mKTXMfTg6FDeW_L6xUCz3jMV5/s1600/SIW_20110912_4726.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carl, Carl's dad Frank, and Carl's sister Heidi</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">We had a family pizza party and we took a group photo.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQ486aJU9svX7qiEJTN6GocB6H_5wkZ2DIK3Dvkhl9jx31vYEeVAF2OB7KNqt-1vssygTAUt9qmggLhrbSf3gMKT4oigJOLBXx1-5qJJHIS8lk3KEC-7cjUNBAM_1vmaJsM2J0kKG3ur0/s1600/SIW_20110912_94731_C.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="blank"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQ486aJU9svX7qiEJTN6GocB6H_5wkZ2DIK3Dvkhl9jx31vYEeVAF2OB7KNqt-1vssygTAUt9qmggLhrbSf3gMKT4oigJOLBXx1-5qJJHIS8lk3KEC-7cjUNBAM_1vmaJsM2J0kKG3ur0/s400/SIW_20110912_94731_C.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">We also took a quick family photo, shown below. Left to right, Miranda (12 years old), Anthony (15 years old), Nathan (13 years old) and Tom (17 years old). Carl and I are in the front.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80QcRLME3v7SACnS9VMIyOfmXyXOBhXmtKxS0ANF4_g_exOypL2E204UyVMt_TSi79ftL9Tdj2b-xyyQnXmXNckVlvbRUKXPEdTIKYhVNIpBJ5fSvjbKeQzYY7AqTkBeTlsLXNgguJ5EN/s1600/SIW_20110912_4748.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="blank"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80QcRLME3v7SACnS9VMIyOfmXyXOBhXmtKxS0ANF4_g_exOypL2E204UyVMt_TSi79ftL9Tdj2b-xyyQnXmXNckVlvbRUKXPEdTIKYhVNIpBJ5fSvjbKeQzYY7AqTkBeTlsLXNgguJ5EN/s400/SIW_20110912_4748.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Later in the same week Carl's brother Greg came to town for a visit, on the way to visit Carl's Dad. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">On <b>Monday, September 26, 2011</b>, Carl started his 18th course of Chemotherapy with a 24 hour infusion of Trabectedin, (also called Yondelis). Again, he stayed overnight at Froedtert to get this infusion, and came home Tuesday. On <b>Wednesday </b></span><b><span style="font-size: small;">September 28, 2011</span></b><span style="font-size: small;"> Carl got a Nuelasta shot. </span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">Carl was determined that this course would not knock him out like round 17 had, and he was able to recover better. He actually felt like working, and building models, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Carl got some interest in cooking back, here is his first attempt at a French baguette. Carl's hair does not seem to be falling out with the latest chemotherapy drugs. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLU0f5jykjKnmln4RbhdfifnUy5556vwX9rdbjwIqRMt1qKLJOAc9qEsdhCKcnBQUayKYaX1YffNa0_-2h0_2Jabq_Ju33BfLR7gOl1e_mkFlDkCBF_P1UHwt4B8i0F2ZgZPf41RuiTeiQ/s1600/SIW_BREAD_6515.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="blank"><img alt="Carl Grisa" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLU0f5jykjKnmln4RbhdfifnUy5556vwX9rdbjwIqRMt1qKLJOAc9qEsdhCKcnBQUayKYaX1YffNa0_-2h0_2Jabq_Ju33BfLR7gOl1e_mkFlDkCBF_P1UHwt4B8i0F2ZgZPf41RuiTeiQ/s400/SIW_BREAD_6515.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carl making French Baguettes</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXmy_EBskBB4gPBtrjz5lMzeCoiaERskUicny4XmlS6D1fDlcGZdWzwKMSo4wfY9SIS6ElRr8KOvKYbQgZLK-V1SJ95E9VLpSKBeE_N2y07S6kjyxfL_ZHEFOBjegCryNNgj91u9c92dv/s1600/SIW_20110928_6516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="blank"><img border="0" height="82" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXmy_EBskBB4gPBtrjz5lMzeCoiaERskUicny4XmlS6D1fDlcGZdWzwKMSo4wfY9SIS6ElRr8KOvKYbQgZLK-V1SJ95E9VLpSKBeE_N2y07S6kjyxfL_ZHEFOBjegCryNNgj91u9c92dv/s200/SIW_20110928_6516.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">In the back of the photo above you can see a odd gadget on the counter. The photo at the left is a close up. The item is Carl's favorite cooking gadget, the "Thermo-Pen". It's probably his favorite cooking toy (of many). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">11440 </span></span>HangingInTherehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04869196173621242348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217675409540901760.post-21391565522749618542011-09-14T21:51:00.136-05:002011-10-11T23:05:51.122-05:00Sunny Day (Sunday) Golf<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's been a busy month since I last updated with blog. I'll try to give a partial update on September. </span> </span><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The children were back in school and getting into multiple activities. Miranda joined cross country and has practices or meets 4 days a week, and Anthony is in the Drama club, stage crew and the first play. The three boys are in Boy Scouts, Tom is in best buddies, and Nathan has to get up the earliest of all the children in the morning. All four children are involved in religious education. Three of the children take piano lessons. All of the children have lots of school work, and multiple field trips are pending and etc. etc. etc. </span></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">On Thursday, September 8, 2011, Carl finished a 24 hour infusion of a new (for Carl) drug - Trabectedin, (brand name Yondelis). This was his 17th course of chemotherapy. He stayed overnight at Froedtert to get this infusion, and came home Thursday. On Friday September 9, 2011 Carl was back at Froedtert to get a Nuelasta shot. </span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5wkkSjnSoyPuzO7ugoKyxeuDlWqSXWaAJJhlFPLrh_4OytXf0X-yfZRCUs1Ov3tDD-RMeu1ryT0FlNgegEF-YuboBdwjftLpJR_ekMNHTUpx4nu8zzOn3AAE6phlH5mDAjZpoO7c_RLp/s1600/SIW_CG_GOLF_4308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5wkkSjnSoyPuzO7ugoKyxeuDlWqSXWaAJJhlFPLrh_4OytXf0X-yfZRCUs1Ov3tDD-RMeu1ryT0FlNgegEF-YuboBdwjftLpJR_ekMNHTUpx4nu8zzOn3AAE6phlH5mDAjZpoO7c_RLp/s1600/SIW_CG_GOLF_4308.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carl at the Golf outing</td></tr>
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Carl basically slept most of the days that followed, until Sunday. On Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, the whole family loaded into the car to go to the </span><span style="font-size: large;">Ironwood Golf Course, where we </span><span style="font-size: large;">attended a golf event put on by some of Carl's coworkers from Arandell. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrLuAzP8WBGotrQeqeNVXFXHc87GshzFJYSYRCGp9td2tmenPYWHcx3n-9IzbbB2jd1mJih3QqNB3w8f5lN461eeGURgrZ9q8nlZCZQ6mo4s7vxZ4aM7gZZrfSLhyphenhyphenLileC_-NE-M-0mCh/s1600/SIW_CG_GOLF_4325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrLuAzP8WBGotrQeqeNVXFXHc87GshzFJYSYRCGp9td2tmenPYWHcx3n-9IzbbB2jd1mJih3QqNB3w8f5lN461eeGURgrZ9q8nlZCZQ6mo4s7vxZ4aM7gZZrfSLhyphenhyphenLileC_-NE-M-0mCh/s1600/SIW_CG_GOLF_4325.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anthony Golfing</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The weather on Sunday was perfect. Beautiful blue skies, green grass and trees, and a warm day really made for a wonderful day on the golf course. We were watching the golfers and snacking, when Anthony spotted three of my brothers golfing. He went over to join them, and soon Carl and I and the other three children followed. </span> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7a4DAkisKEWNj7yEJbxf6vh2l05VueSKK1XDvoCbOiDm7Ofk4ru_5PxAbjtiCc8eh6E1bWXcnjF7-repFv6Q0QPgwmfwDiwKJ2ub9Vrsa5RLX-LIdOJ9XV20oGYhxWPU907SPTvZ2GKR/s1600/SIW_CG_GOLF_4316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7a4DAkisKEWNj7yEJbxf6vh2l05VueSKK1XDvoCbOiDm7Ofk4ru_5PxAbjtiCc8eh6E1bWXcnjF7-repFv6Q0QPgwmfwDiwKJ2ub9Vrsa5RLX-LIdOJ9XV20oGYhxWPU907SPTvZ2GKR/s1600/SIW_CG_GOLF_4316.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom Golfing</td></tr>
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVI7Ti0d6oB6TlRN8PNu5qu50pq4GABByTEMKABv29z9nSaFt3sBMrx-BXWJNsgyYxwu-hYMUkpUDx2C2c2XIFsFOGowW8Lz2OSjTd2H0ldcLxomRt1KINtFLyDD48sYjlzcLyKlsjhiE/s1600/SIW_CG_GOLF_4301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVI7Ti0d6oB6TlRN8PNu5qu50pq4GABByTEMKABv29z9nSaFt3sBMrx-BXWJNsgyYxwu-hYMUkpUDx2C2c2XIFsFOGowW8Lz2OSjTd2H0ldcLxomRt1KINtFLyDD48sYjlzcLyKlsjhiE/s200/SIW_CG_GOLF_4301.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">We 'helped' my brothers finish golfing their last four holes. My four children and I had never golfed even one hole of golf, so the entire family had an adventure while Carl watched from the golf cart. We had a great time, and none of the golf carts broke... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSgl7nvRDpNXT90bUMHhiGnVAJbU2-JFDIVqVQeeLAihq0mc_-MeYqoIlQaadYJLcVpNgxil9r-PGFzEVkGhYcMczPbi8eVeYt2BsRIEQd1tQX2R5QVWfuUUqQdiOpPMSw-O-dqa1U11V/s1600/SIW_CG_GOLF_4306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSgl7nvRDpNXT90bUMHhiGnVAJbU2-JFDIVqVQeeLAihq0mc_-MeYqoIlQaadYJLcVpNgxil9r-PGFzEVkGhYcMczPbi8eVeYt2BsRIEQd1tQX2R5QVWfuUUqQdiOpPMSw-O-dqa1U11V/s400/SIW_CG_GOLF_4306.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you Scott, Stacie, Elle and Stef, for setting up this event. It was a great day for our family. Thank you also to the other 30-40 golfers and friends who joined us. I hope all had as nice of a day as we did. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQUST-V6ww2MQfkl6-uRuIEpgu3Eo9EvEk55Jz7C7BuJX1n78TbWcSicCSc9AbGXsa1MgcBJqkXC2jGAtNMUZBv0H4ELGeXp9YmUVTQFKknsozXq5MNz-Ntd5n3vqLoQ3I7TJpyixB4HA/s1600/SIW_CG_GOLF_4347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQUST-V6ww2MQfkl6-uRuIEpgu3Eo9EvEk55Jz7C7BuJX1n78TbWcSicCSc9AbGXsa1MgcBJqkXC2jGAtNMUZBv0H4ELGeXp9YmUVTQFKknsozXq5MNz-Ntd5n3vqLoQ3I7TJpyixB4HA/s1600/SIW_CG_GOLF_4347.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carl and some of the golfers</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The money raised from the Carl Grisa Open was raised for and will be used to fund the children's college education. </span><br />
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[By the way, Carl's work (Arandell) held another very successful fund raiser for Carl at the start of summer. I don't want anyone who helped with that one to feel that I am not grateful for that event. I hope to post photos and blog about that event soon. It is so easy to get behind on a blog.] <br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">11075 </span></span></div>HangingInTherehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04869196173621242348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217675409540901760.post-92075757633365257972011-09-08T10:30:00.008-05:002011-09-08T11:47:32.459-05:00Golfing Benefit for Carl<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">On Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, Carl's co-workers are hosting a golf event to benefit Carl. Golfing from 1:00 PM to 4:00++, Dinner to follow. This notice may be a bit last minute, (my bad) but if you are interested you can still register. (As late as noon on Saturday, even with a foursome). On the positive side of signing up this late, the weather forecast is good. This might be a nice spontaneous Sunday adventure.</span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqiX97jbI8v5aRR_CHzBIJrxZD2ZDUPE91iDOsXCptySIH15OLztZNWY7m28Lcb2aNu5fBgoq7bWy837STnhrPpeUln5j4GB2hwjklYDnpEKDKAUMFPnc7CMFFxoIVzkRRnhSxV4AZx3M/s1600/CARL_GRISA_OPEN_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Carl Grisa Golf Open" border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqiX97jbI8v5aRR_CHzBIJrxZD2ZDUPE91iDOsXCptySIH15OLztZNWY7m28Lcb2aNu5fBgoq7bWy837STnhrPpeUln5j4GB2hwjklYDnpEKDKAUMFPnc7CMFFxoIVzkRRnhSxV4AZx3M/s1600/CARL_GRISA_OPEN_01.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The location: </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Ironwood Golf Course, </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">W270 N6166 Moraine Drive, </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sussex, WI, 53089</span></span>.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjUXFkNY91DV6Rw28DyC3fGmefjF3ObPTuo4IQZCTLaO3maeqcF2utdcFdfHYspKRYOwOb0ac3SuomE0VWHZN5V_Sxo5BqftQo-kL62mlatoESckEivfXAoZh0XGegdJiU66gTvrIUVXs/s1600/CARL_GRISA_OPEN_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Carl Grisa Golf Open" border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjUXFkNY91DV6Rw28DyC3fGmefjF3ObPTuo4IQZCTLaO3maeqcF2utdcFdfHYspKRYOwOb0ac3SuomE0VWHZN5V_Sxo5BqftQo-kL62mlatoESckEivfXAoZh0XGegdJiU66gTvrIUVXs/s1600/CARL_GRISA_OPEN_02.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here are some details:<br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">$45/person includes 9 Holes of Golf, Cart and Dinner</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Over $1,000 in raffle and hole prizes, including</span></div><ul style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">50/50 Raffle</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">2 tickets to attend the Pebble Beach National Pro‐Am tournament </span></li>
</ul><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> To reserve your spot please call….<br />
Scott Conway </span><span style="font-size: large;">(262-309-5964)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">or (Thursday or Friday only) </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stacie Pike (</span><span style="font-size: large;">262-255-4400 ext. 280)<br />
Elle Little (</span><span style="font-size: large;">262-255-4400 ext. 152) </span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stef Raasch (</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">262-255-4400 ext. 297)</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">10036 </span></span>HangingInTherehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04869196173621242348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217675409540901760.post-81014240918563121422011-09-08T00:09:00.010-05:002011-10-09T22:35:12.335-05:00School starts and so does Chemotherapy<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">The children are back in school, and Carl is back to getting chemotherapy. <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">The children started school September 1, 2011, and have had four days of school so far. Tom is a High School Junior (11th grade), Anthony is a High School Sophmore (10th grade), Nathan is in 8th grade, and Miranda is in 7th grade. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Carl started an overnight 24 hour infusion on </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wednesday, September 7, 2011, and that </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">chemotherapy infusion is ending today, Thursday, September 8, 2011. It is a new chemotherapy drug for Carl - an experimental drug with some weird name. (I'll find out the name later) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>I would love lots of prayers that this new chemotherapy drug works wonders</b> - the stupid cancer cells have been growing again. Please put Carl on your church's prayers list as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I guess I shouldn't be surprised that some cells are growing, since Carl has had only one other chemotherapy course in 2011, but I admit that the new cells are discouraging. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">By the way, Carl started out this chemotherapy course weighing 136 lbs.</span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">9978 </span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />
</span>HangingInTherehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04869196173621242348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217675409540901760.post-735850787233922842011-08-24T13:51:00.002-05:002011-09-08T00:10:20.012-05:00Weighty issues<b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">As I mentioned in the previous post, on July 11</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, 2011</span></b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> to July 14</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, 2011, Carl had his 16th </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">course </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">of Chemotherapy. It was the hardest course of chemotherapy Carl had had to date. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Carl's weight had been holding stable within a 10-15 pound range for the duration of his cancer since 2009. He may have been at 160-165 pounds in 2009, and during chemotherapy he might drop up to 10 pounds, which he would then usually gain back most of the weight before the next round of chemo. The surgeries (in 2011) really knocked Carl down, but he would gain most of the weight back. But here is a recent history of weight. All of the weights here were taken at the Doctors office on the Doctor's scales.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">On May 16, 2011, Carl weighed 154 pounds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">On May 18, 2011, Carl weighed 153 pounds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">On May 23, 2011, Carl weighed 149 pounds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">On May 27, 2011, Carl weighed 146 pounds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">On June 9, 2011, Carl weighed 148 pounds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">On </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">June </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">16, 2011, Carl weighed 158 pounds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><b> JUNE 18, 2011 - Neck surgery </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">On July 7, 2011, Carl weighed 141 pounds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">On July 14, 2011, Carl weighed 142 pounds.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> JULY 11</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, 2011</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> to July 14</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, 2011 inpatient Chemotherapy</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </span></b> <br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">On July 28, 2011, Carl weighed 131 pounds. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> This is the lightest Carl was been since high school. </span><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">On August 2, 2011, Carl weighed 137 pounds.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The July </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">2011</span></b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Chemotherapy </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Course really left Carl with little appetite and strength. Of all the cancer months, this is the time Carl spent the most time in bed. The next chemotherapy course was postponed, and then postponed again. Carl has regained his appetite, a bit, and his energy, somewhat, and he is now back to work when he doesn't have doctor appointments. Now it seems he may have chemotherapy on August 29, 2011.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">In the meanwhile, Carl leg has been hurting more. This has not helped things. Carl uses crutches and/or the walker all the time. An MRI on July 16, 2011 gave us the information for a procedure that might help (a cyto ablation followed by an injection of epoxy directly into the bone), but we only met the the doctor to talk about the MRI on Aug 2, 2011. I wish now we had not allowed the 6 week delay, but Carl was really dragging and we dropped the ball. We set up a procedure for August 26, 2011, the earliest time available with all the doctors vacations and what not. Now the leg has gotten worse, and so we wait again, to find out more. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">At least the summer weather has been great for all this waiting around that Carl and I seem to be doing. I hope your summer has been going well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">9698 </span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />
</span>HangingInTherehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04869196173621242348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217675409540901760.post-33279002366144280932011-08-03T20:02:00.006-05:002012-07-12T17:16:09.132-05:00Chemotherapy Course Summary<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Carl asked me recently how many chemotherapy "rounds" or "courses" he has been through. I didn't know, so I thought I would summarize them. Websters dictionary defines a "course" of chemotherapy as </span><span class="ssens" style="font-size: large;">a "series of doses or medications administered over a designated period". Carl's doses of </span><span style="font-size: large;">chemotherapy are three week blocks time. <span style="font-size: small;">He gets the chemo drugs to start the chemotherapy course, and the rest of the "course" is built in recovery time before he can get the drugs again. </span></span></div>
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</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Dec 28, 2009</span></b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> to </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Jan 1, 2010</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Chemotherapy Course </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">No. </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">1, <br />
Main drug was Ifosomide, with concurrent radiation to the neck.<br />
<br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Jan 18</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, 2010</span></b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> to </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Jan 22, 2010 Chemotherapy </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Course </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">No. 2 - five days inpatient (meaning he stays at the hospital the whole time, overnight as well.)<br />
</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Main drug</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">s were Ifosomide and Adryomycin.<br />
<br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Feb 8</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, 2010</span></b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> to </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Feb 12, 2010 Chemotherapy </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Course </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">No. 3 - five days inpatient<br />
</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Main drug</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">s were</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Ifosomide and Adryomycin.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">[ Feb 22, 2010 Pet Scan and MRI's. ]</span><br />
<br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Mar 1</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, 2010</span></b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> to Mar 4</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, 2010 </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Chemotherapy </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Course </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">No. 4 - five days inpatient<br />
</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Main drug</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">s were Ifosomide and Adryomycin.</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />
<br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">April 19</span></b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><b>, 2010</b> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Chemotherapy </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Course </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">No. 5 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">dose of ? on day 1 and day 8 with concurrent</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">[ April 20</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, to May 7</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, 2010] Weekday radiation treatments to the leg.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />
</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: trebuchet ms;">[ May 17, 2010 Pet Scan ]</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">May 24</span></b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><b>, 2010</b> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> Chemotherapy </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Course </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">No. 6 - </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Day 1 and Day 8 dose of </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Gemzar</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> (also known as Gemcitabine) and<br />
</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Taxotere, (generic name - Docetaxel)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">June 24</span></b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><b>, 2010</b> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> Chemotherapy </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Course </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">No. 7 - Day 1 and Day 8 dose of </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Gemzar</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> (also known as Gemcitabine) and<br />
</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Taxotere, (generic name - Docetaxel)</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">July 12</span></b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><b>, 2010</b> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> Chemotherapy </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Course </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">No. 8 - Day 1 and Day 8 dose of</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Gemzar</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> (also known as Gemcitabine) and<br />
</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Taxotere, (generic name - Docetaxel)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />
</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: trebuchet ms;">[ July 22, 2010 Pet Scan ]</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Aug 9</span></b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><b>, 2010</b> to Aug 13</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, 2010 Chemotherapy </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Course </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">No. 9 - five days inpatient<br />
</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Main drug</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">s were Ifosomide and Adryomycin.</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />
<br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Aug 31</span></b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><b>, 2010 </b>to Sept 4</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, 2010 Chemotherapy </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Course </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">No. 10 - five days inpatient<br />
</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Main drug</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">s were Ifosomide and Adryomycin.</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />
<br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Sept 24</span></b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><b>, 2010</b> to Sept 29</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, 2010 Chemotherapy </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Course </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">No. 11 - five days inpatient<br />
</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Main drug</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">s were Ifosomide and Adryomycin.</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: blue;">[ Oct 4, 2010 Pet Scan ]</span><br />
<br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Oct 18</span></b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><b>, 2010</b> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> Chemotherapy </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Course </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">No. 12 - Day 1 and Day 8 dose</span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Main drug was </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Irinotecan</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Nov 11</span></b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><b>, 2010</b> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> Chemotherapy </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Course </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">No. 13 - Day 1 and Day 8 dose</span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Main drug</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">s were </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Irinotecan and Vinecristine</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Dec 6</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, 2010</span></b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> to Dec 10</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, 2010 Chemotherapy </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Course </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">No. 14 - five days inpatient<br />
</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Main drug was </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Ifosomide </span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Dec 27</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, 2010</span></b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> to Dec 30</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, 2010 Chemotherapy </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Course </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">No. 15 - five days inpatient<br />
</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Main drug was </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Ifosomide </span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">July 11</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, 2011</span></b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> to July 14</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, 2011 Chemotherapy </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Course </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">No. 16 - five days inpatient<br />
</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Main drug</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">s were </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Ifosomide and Etopocide</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: large;">Lance Armstong only had to have 4 courses of Chemotherapy, according to Carl, who recently read Lance's book. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">9122 </span></span>HangingInTherehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04869196173621242348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217675409540901760.post-35285763019504968682011-07-18T19:26:00.004-05:002011-10-22T23:21:17.758-05:00Michigan Vacation 2011<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>We have visited Carl's Dad in Michigan every summer for years, often over the 4th of July weekend. </b></span> </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOGHsqR3ZZDSTHOy4OlYDJ_BjR3gZw_fi5LJkpoxHu-Mc2x-LduilglGBBZWc1K00feyYYWdppOrDx-mt0Eqa9zDSJuGrmLEuXVxhRqGz7H5ltuYLNlSwnfAbOABtEjn27dXQ637M-SRW/s1600/SIW_MI_2011_FAM_CB_1028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOGHsqR3ZZDSTHOy4OlYDJ_BjR3gZw_fi5LJkpoxHu-Mc2x-LduilglGBBZWc1K00feyYYWdppOrDx-mt0Eqa9zDSJuGrmLEuXVxhRqGz7H5ltuYLNlSwnfAbOABtEjn27dXQ637M-SRW/s400/SIW_MI_2011_FAM_CB_1028.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carl and the children, Michigan, July 2011</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This year, we loaded the car and headed to Michigan on <b>Thursday, June 30, 2011.</b></span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We hadn't been sure we could fit the Michigan vacation in because of Carl's chemo and surgeries schedules; but fortunately, Carl had recovered enough from his neck surgery (on June 18, 2011) that we could go.</span> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfw8cAXDVLVXTDrMiXYKKoopBCA7N2y47UTM_6jAyBZ9KLMipfAYsoFvVxlh6K1m8QcErudO2EYLDrTEJr18XFwNTEGUP81zjHmFcIqVLVkFTlLHsULK7g33o4AVpPtS9dTLMOm0n1qRj/s1600/SIW_MI_2011_0368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfw8cAXDVLVXTDrMiXYKKoopBCA7N2y47UTM_6jAyBZ9KLMipfAYsoFvVxlh6K1m8QcErudO2EYLDrTEJr18XFwNTEGUP81zjHmFcIqVLVkFTlLHsULK7g33o4AVpPtS9dTLMOm0n1qRj/s400/SIW_MI_2011_0368.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Chicago from the road (I94)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;">Carl and I usually split the driving, but this time I drove the 350+ miles each way.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_0XKXpF-slsnqnhQ3k9EKzI0q6BqWQAh-FCpVDzRjZ_YvgjxNKzirzM_it1oYnkeNUTXYxr_RUm3gpTDU4-32IgaJ3SS3gf9K3AmE5IaPFylPT8qv-akOgsKcahf3oy4U4h0ZwLY6WSb/s1600/SIW_CBG_2011_0337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_0XKXpF-slsnqnhQ3k9EKzI0q6BqWQAh-FCpVDzRjZ_YvgjxNKzirzM_it1oYnkeNUTXYxr_RUm3gpTDU4-32IgaJ3SS3gf9K3AmE5IaPFylPT8qv-akOgsKcahf3oy4U4h0ZwLY6WSb/s400/SIW_CBG_2011_0337.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fountain at the Chicago Botanic Gardens</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We decided to stop more often so Carl could stretch his legs. The first stop was the Chicago Botanic Garden, were we ate lunch.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KxySKLTkjOXV5rfzgKJezIo2WM3zjCCCbilck9fMqfx9C-yIzuxccX1NgHIoix85bCeyp3ghuCaWl6Rl5BauQwUZ7YhEdd0HbQfqrdvFLeYupPtxx80Rj5RDIUzmdPtzTa3hIezPeRbP/s1600/SIW_CBG_2011_0322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KxySKLTkjOXV5rfzgKJezIo2WM3zjCCCbilck9fMqfx9C-yIzuxccX1NgHIoix85bCeyp3ghuCaWl6Rl5BauQwUZ7YhEdd0HbQfqrdvFLeYupPtxx80Rj5RDIUzmdPtzTa3hIezPeRbP/s400/SIW_CBG_2011_0322.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch at the Gardens</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>We stay at Carl's Dad's log cabin on Little Wolfe Lake when we travel to Michigan.</b></span> The cabin's address is in 'Grass Lake' Michigan, which is kind of confusing. There are so many beautiful lakes in Michigan. Grass Lake is in the middle of the Michigan, between Ann Arbor and Jackson. We almost always spend time in Livonia, Michigan as well, where Carl's Dad lives. Livonia is a nice suburb of Detroit. This was the first time that we didn't travel on into Livonia, but Carl was tired enough from the ride to Grass Lake. </div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1Pr9gavrn6VaGujs5ONenYKhl38VdwRbGVZZabh07yWTkQ2P7D7v_XCIegTKtg8e23BGNGWnuLSW1a_fbeFpx2Ta5ALw1DLcdjIPoWjM5OO3BpIsA9mgB9RmQwyXbkG-iqPhwtPSJJPJ/s1600/SIW_MI_2009_CABIN_6124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1Pr9gavrn6VaGujs5ONenYKhl38VdwRbGVZZabh07yWTkQ2P7D7v_XCIegTKtg8e23BGNGWnuLSW1a_fbeFpx2Ta5ALw1DLcdjIPoWjM5OO3BpIsA9mgB9RmQwyXbkG-iqPhwtPSJJPJ/s400/SIW_MI_2009_CABIN_6124.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Cabin from the lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Grass Lake Michigan is a great place to have awesome $1.50 ice creams. The dollar gets you a LOT more ice cream at Grass Lake's "The Lovin Spoonful" ice cream parlor then at home.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRD4iCCRKfPO8rEwCtdZphvfYj1GHyLmEUre5Fu8J2z8KWnQeypkRHGHWYJ2e0y3cI9wmHShyphenhyphenfGm4A7F7_KF6J-ab8_m7_XSKqLj02XKlhbJc-kWv3I9ZC7mMyNn1DrieVRUWdYpWdHmrO/s1600/SIW_MI_2011_IC_0397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRD4iCCRKfPO8rEwCtdZphvfYj1GHyLmEUre5Fu8J2z8KWnQeypkRHGHWYJ2e0y3cI9wmHShyphenhyphenfGm4A7F7_KF6J-ab8_m7_XSKqLj02XKlhbJc-kWv3I9ZC7mMyNn1DrieVRUWdYpWdHmrO/s400/SIW_MI_2011_IC_0397.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carl and company at the ice cream shop</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(Carl is wearing a winter coat because he was having a hard time regulating his body temperature in air conditioned places.) </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">This year, Miranda, Nathan, Anthony and Tom built two cardboard boats for a Cardboard boat race on the 4th of July in Grass Lake. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwCoGuOnr9B4WH-Xk5kTv4OqHQJryVrq57QgFD3tfEFXKmxuaINDhIFQnzot9zsLbsmA0or6KZ6e2I6hyphenhyphenKY9Ix8n4Bt_u1CnpvLPEvdNU12rSTrMwba8Uc6YgI1oS0Jq3LBsmhiSQ-i-K/s1600/SIW_MI_2011_CBB_0717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwCoGuOnr9B4WH-Xk5kTv4OqHQJryVrq57QgFD3tfEFXKmxuaINDhIFQnzot9zsLbsmA0or6KZ6e2I6hyphenhyphenKY9Ix8n4Bt_u1CnpvLPEvdNU12rSTrMwba8Uc6YgI1oS0Jq3LBsmhiSQ-i-K/s400/SIW_MI_2011_CBB_0717.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cardboard boats. Ours were the only ones not painted</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Miranda, Nathan, Anthony and I raced them, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Tom and Carl cheered the boaters on. </span></span> </div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnePQmcYXkwwy3BiR_3yxVV40PQHU1y0O0HAqddkp-kGKiPquYQ1ZP7VAg7INriyIDz8Qb7OA83aOD2FFIQmIa7OyB-Hl_CBVokWr2AWTSuLHfVp_TCAWwSzPO1Xh21fyxLJ3ek63ggt_t/s1600/SIW_MI_2011_BRM_0745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnePQmcYXkwwy3BiR_3yxVV40PQHU1y0O0HAqddkp-kGKiPquYQ1ZP7VAg7INriyIDz8Qb7OA83aOD2FFIQmIa7OyB-Hl_CBVokWr2AWTSuLHfVp_TCAWwSzPO1Xh21fyxLJ3ek63ggt_t/s400/SIW_MI_2011_BRM_0745.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miranda placed 3rd in the one person boat race!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Surprisingly, our unpainted boat (above) held up almost as long as the painted boats. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbLG9nvB_7qZ4CmU6XDTDhWYSjQUjhJY0qe9njJ6b0Tt_lUHDw9mmVJ8_E1Otf_hd3swF2j2qwoOQyvRbR-88HYSnyLEct5MvWZXFJtZgCWEIQAB9UI6mR2LtlVux9O2hljrD3y6K0Dul/s1600/SIW_MI_2011_BR1_0764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbLG9nvB_7qZ4CmU6XDTDhWYSjQUjhJY0qe9njJ6b0Tt_lUHDw9mmVJ8_E1Otf_hd3swF2j2qwoOQyvRbR-88HYSnyLEct5MvWZXFJtZgCWEIQAB9UI6mR2LtlVux9O2hljrD3y6K0Dul/s400/SIW_MI_2011_BR1_0764.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The start of the 2 person Cardboard boat race</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There was an extra two person boat that the organizers gave to Anthony and Miranda for the two person race. Anthony and Miranda are loading in the pinkish boat above. They finished 1st in the two person race.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEelXIxxnPPiuxnr7-CmWIgPPeB71NoHJ3ooN6bNsBdi2Rs82R4P5HiWYJuz6C7VF_wNf4q3kq_2pr0sd_fQiyjfrHDG5LoqzTxgsQO5y4V7niYrzFKw385Sys0gaVUrqY0O6L8QEDk1c9/s1600/SIW_MI_2011_BR_N_0790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEelXIxxnPPiuxnr7-CmWIgPPeB71NoHJ3ooN6bNsBdi2Rs82R4P5HiWYJuz6C7VF_wNf4q3kq_2pr0sd_fQiyjfrHDG5LoqzTxgsQO5y4V7niYrzFKw385Sys0gaVUrqY0O6L8QEDk1c9/s400/SIW_MI_2011_BR_N_0790.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nathan and Nick in the two person race</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRamqVFcG6ZL-_QHHTcpFRsAnNrKgAkj-PUZKRGF6rZNCqhjP4tM9Np2FVdmvP-hiP3ZuhW9T4VmZK_QrlQf3S0UTDZEBJAEL2iTrmML421CJB5wFS6xh8UmVG9Mn3rVMroLGlbvNG0Ja/s1600/SIW_MI_2011_BR_GROUP_0818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRamqVFcG6ZL-_QHHTcpFRsAnNrKgAkj-PUZKRGF6rZNCqhjP4tM9Np2FVdmvP-hiP3ZuhW9T4VmZK_QrlQf3S0UTDZEBJAEL2iTrmML421CJB5wFS6xh8UmVG9Mn3rVMroLGlbvNG0Ja/s400/SIW_MI_2011_BR_GROUP_0818.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cardboard Boat Race winners</td></tr>
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<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Other activities over vacation included boating, tubing, eating and relaxing. </b></span></div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohwJDAJRwp9TFgPDgTDorZL-mHD0lHd-pN9VcJwhHUx6kkrMA0a3J-Vf6bYja7XSKSNZHMntlJ8aeomjeSpCDP0pgPkqmajjiX-VdjWNGTf6RIzs7DWxDlk_2U55OnF0z6Y4fbsF-WhBw/s1600/SIW_MI_2011_BOAT_0490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohwJDAJRwp9TFgPDgTDorZL-mHD0lHd-pN9VcJwhHUx6kkrMA0a3J-Vf6bYja7XSKSNZHMntlJ8aeomjeSpCDP0pgPkqmajjiX-VdjWNGTf6RIzs7DWxDlk_2U55OnF0z6Y4fbsF-WhBw/s400/SIW_MI_2011_BOAT_0490.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carl's Dad, Carl, his Aunt and Mom</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlD5IoPnSH6Zb9-2XEswz2RXyqGTNUjnqT9j7aw44dMLiZB3S8qQC-lypwe4YRXDoyBe-bIUs2p4SSL6_lrnYmC44dgRS2b8rST-3DBIkGMwfOCnWXgPtf6U9aBXJUmoWs8N3bcYjrMBE/s1600/SIW_MI_2011_REFLECT_0471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlD5IoPnSH6Zb9-2XEswz2RXyqGTNUjnqT9j7aw44dMLiZB3S8qQC-lypwe4YRXDoyBe-bIUs2p4SSL6_lrnYmC44dgRS2b8rST-3DBIkGMwfOCnWXgPtf6U9aBXJUmoWs8N3bcYjrMBE/s400/SIW_MI_2011_REFLECT_0471.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Nathan and Carl</span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;">We took the pantoon boat to a sand bar in the middle of Big Wolfe Lake, where boats hang out while people play in the water, and a DJ broadcasts fun music. One thing we really missed was seeing all the cousins, the schedules didn't work as well this year. Otherwise, we had a nice 4th of July vacation, and then headed home on the 5th of July.</div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBxhGVhtANTypL5LNsHbOAg6IkOJSZ6j-nO224X66uvKRLKDVw8wt8FbJKi0eIHTDbRs9cGQzeD_AcxM7tJAOVTjC08okmXG-OGF2f64HJqLGToyfFlrpUMSVEXy1WdLc3oncSdb7FG0U/s1600/SIW_MI_2011_BRI_1027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBxhGVhtANTypL5LNsHbOAg6IkOJSZ6j-nO224X66uvKRLKDVw8wt8FbJKi0eIHTDbRs9cGQzeD_AcxM7tJAOVTjC08okmXG-OGF2f64HJqLGToyfFlrpUMSVEXy1WdLc3oncSdb7FG0U/s400/SIW_MI_2011_BRI_1027.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A Covered Bridge Somewhere in Michigan</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;">Carl used a walker most of the vacation, (he uses the walker on uneven surfaces and grass), so we had the walker tied to the top of the car.<br />
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We got home, and the next week (July 11-14, 2011) Carl had inpatient chemotherapy at Froedtert Hospital. Well, at least we managed to fit the vacation in!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Click on any photo to see it larger</span>.</b> <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">8609</span> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>HangingInTherehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04869196173621242348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217675409540901760.post-15694361854576808372011-06-27T00:25:00.007-05:002011-08-03T18:43:43.804-05:00Rest and Recovery<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am writing this <b>Sunday, June 26, 2011</b>. Carl was discharged from the hospital just over one week ago </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">on Saturday, June 18, 2011</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">, after a </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wednesday June 15, 2011</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> neck surgery that removed the remaining visible tumor from his neck.</span> [Actually, before the surgery, no tumor was visible. (It was on the inside, ha ha) But once the neck surgeon cut him open... The surgeon looked around and removed all the tumor in the neck that was visible to the surgeon, and visible to the imaging (CT/MRI/X-ray?) equipment in the operating room.] </span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0rHK7t6MEOgWXVYqtcRIofhW11fPOM2jGMBDV4MWcPBOf5ULDSCz7JAVUgLgYG64z0YSNuvQaDML_AiJ1LIqpP-Rfo16PUWtqPyXRWdpFwg2DUX3Ibw230ve-3ynuaFjoCc3v7LcHixg/s1600/SI_GRISA_20110613_ROOM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Froedtert Hospital interventional radiology operating room" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0rHK7t6MEOgWXVYqtcRIofhW11fPOM2jGMBDV4MWcPBOf5ULDSCz7JAVUgLgYG64z0YSNuvQaDML_AiJ1LIqpP-Rfo16PUWtqPyXRWdpFwg2DUX3Ibw230ve-3ynuaFjoCc3v7LcHixg/s400/SI_GRISA_20110613_ROOM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Froedtert's Operating Room used for Angiograms</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The photo above and below shows the operating room used for Carl's two Angiogram procedures on <b>Monday June 13, 2011</b> and <b>Tuesday June 14, 2011</b>. </span>Above, the large white structure with the large curved arm is an imaging machine that rotates and slides forward and back to takes images before, during and after the procedure. A second curved arm in the center of the above photo takes images from the top and bottom of the surgery table. Carl's bald head is visible on the far right. Carl is still in the transport bed, and will be transferred to the operating table shortly.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The photo below shows the same operating room from a different angle. </span>This is the view of the operating room from the monitoring station, a room next to the operating room that has glass windows viewing the operating room. I believe this is where the machine technicians operate the imaging machine from. Carl is still on the transport bed. The curved arms of the imaging machine are visible at the far left. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSp_X24-FcPgxwoS9K5kQeSS3cWm47ASCJGTQXCX4cZDuUM3lJb-zbOUov9076Yoyk3gWkls6GdcLclWRt0WonWfPpkOKlnXspdNJkOjheXC_xf9BijDmfTZVqJHeMv0L1qajHrYow5OY/s1600/SIW_GRISA_ROOM_9823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Froedtert Hospital angiogram operating room" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSp_X24-FcPgxwoS9K5kQeSS3cWm47ASCJGTQXCX4cZDuUM3lJb-zbOUov9076Yoyk3gWkls6GdcLclWRt0WonWfPpkOKlnXspdNJkOjheXC_xf9BijDmfTZVqJHeMv0L1qajHrYow5OY/s400/SIW_GRISA_ROOM_9823.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Froedtert's Operating Room used for Angiograms</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Carl has spent the last week resting and recovering at home. He did get lots of rest, hours of it a day, but there were still four children running to and fro - so not all of the hours in the day were 'restful'. </span>I estimating that Carl slept more then 12 hours a day, and Carl didn't move around too much. He has started being a bit more active this weekend, and was exercising a little bit on a reclining exercise bike I bought at a rummage sale. He went in to his work only for a short visit to say hi on one day. Of course he didn't stay at home all of the time, though. Probably once a day we/he left the house for some reason or other.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Carl came home from the hospital this time with a walker. So now Carl has had a cane; crutches; a foot orthotic; and now a walker. Today was one of the first days since the surgery that he has been able to move a bit without using either the walker or the crutches.</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We went to church for the first time in weeks (with the walker). </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVQbMfW1YwFbBZGtA7LpZLXD6Pe9qzskVR_0-OPEDAHnIehPZ30yYLyMgAvupi-YzH5EzWURVhWnfWMpqh5NfC4yEZ4XR-tQtWwbgiIyvIjIwq_ZMeSIXmfgmvdLToKtJeF8w1KxREQCE/s1600/SIW_GRISA_0618_9864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVQbMfW1YwFbBZGtA7LpZLXD6Pe9qzskVR_0-OPEDAHnIehPZ30yYLyMgAvupi-YzH5EzWURVhWnfWMpqh5NfC4yEZ4XR-tQtWwbgiIyvIjIwq_ZMeSIXmfgmvdLToKtJeF8w1KxREQCE/s1600/SIW_GRISA_0618_9864.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Carl on June 18, 2011</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">The photo above is from the day Carl was released from the hospital, </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Saturday, June 18, 2011</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">. Miranda came with me to pick Carl up from Froedtert hospital, and since it was a Saturday, we stopped at the Wauwatosa Farmer's Market. Should we have? Probably not, but Carl wanted to. </span>We did buy a couple of plants from local farmers for Carl's "earth box" garden. One of the things accomplished this week was that Carl and the children planted tomatoes and cilantro and basil in two "earth box" gardens. I can tell that Carl has lost weight in this photo. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">One of the highlights of this weekend has been a family film-festival viewing of the Lord of the Ring trilogy - tomorrow night we hope to watch third movie in the series, "The Return of the King". We have decided that Nathan would make a good Frodo, the ring-bearer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Thank you once again for your prayers. We continue to welcome them. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Click on any photo to see it larger. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">7955 </span> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span>HangingInTherehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04869196173621242348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217675409540901760.post-32962788537510053352011-06-18T23:46:00.002-05:002011-08-03T18:34:10.755-05:00Carl is back home!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am HAPPY to report that Carl was discharged from the hospital on <b>Saturday, June 18, 2011</b>, after 3 long days of procedures and a neck surgery on Wednesday. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Carl is glad to be out of the hospital. I am looking forward to a good night's sleep, and sleeping late tomorrow morning. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am hopeful that Carl's recovery time at home will be quality family time. This week has been challenging since the children were out of school for the entire week, and I was gone on most mornings before the two middle boys even got out of bed. Things at home ran a little crazy. Here is an example. The lawn needed mowing all week, and yet with three teenage boys in the family, none of whom had pressing or scheduled commitments ALL week, the lawn didn't get started until after Carl got home today. (Don't worry, Carl didn't mow it...) Finally, with a parent (or two) actually around to say "no going to the pool before you mow the lawn", Nathan tackled the overgrown front yard. Perhaps Monday Carl and I can establish a good start of the summer routine for the children.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Thank you once again for your prayers. Carl's surgery seems to have gone better then originally thought possible. And thank you to those who fed and/or watched and/or drove and/or entertained some and/or all of my children at various points through out the week. We are blessed to have all the prayers and help, we are blessed to have friends like you.</span>HangingInTherehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04869196173621242348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217675409540901760.post-58126299473291579452011-06-17T00:33:00.007-05:002011-08-03T18:32:07.080-05:00June 15 Surgery update.<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Carl's neck surgery at Froedtert on </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Wednesday June 15, 2011 </b></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">went well according to the surgeon. Now Carl has to recover, which is painful, but the hard part is (hopefully) over. I don't want to jinx anything, but I want to give out an update. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Monday June 13, 2011 </b>Carl was in SICU (S=Surgical Intensive Care Unit) after a angiogram with embolization procedure, which was done under full anesthetic.</span> Carl did not eat at all on Monday. He had to lay on his back from 9:00 AM until midnight. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Tuesday June 14, 2011 </b></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Carl was in NICU (N=Nuerological</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Intensive Care Unit</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">) after an angiogram procedure was done to balloon and block off his left vertebral artery. </span>This procedure had to be done with Carl fully awake, not even lightly sedated. Carl didn't eat at all until past 9:30 PM, when I tempted him with whatever I could find from Froedtert's all night cafe, because he couldn't eat or drink anything after midnight. He ate a sandwich, applesause, milk, a candy bar, 3/4 of a pear, and a blueberry muffin. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHm-CkUibvKICna3qb8mfjER7SfO3Czw8ZrUoyn4FUKMIf8ybxogYqBhPb3f18XNMMDekwXD74zK9LOALACLBTwseAkPbzrRdV3DBdkWeF4M7i9MSChlrT_5l2FbCI3dXhbqv5SKQ1Npzl/s1600/SIW_GRISA_20110614_9836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHm-CkUibvKICna3qb8mfjER7SfO3Czw8ZrUoyn4FUKMIf8ybxogYqBhPb3f18XNMMDekwXD74zK9LOALACLBTwseAkPbzrRdV3DBdkWeF4M7i9MSChlrT_5l2FbCI3dXhbqv5SKQ1Npzl/s400/SIW_GRISA_20110614_9836.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Wednesday June 15, 2011 </b></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Carl was in NICU after the neck his third neck surgery in 2011 - this surgery debulked the tumor in his neck. (Carl got operating room # 13-sigh...). </span>This surgery was done under full anesthetic. He didn't eat at all on Wednesday, and had to lay on his back the entire day, except for when he was being operated on, when they rolled him to his stomach and the surgeon worked from the back of his neck. Really, though, I haven't figured out if Carl even remembers anything after they took him to surgery at 8:30 AM. Carl got heavy duty pain medication - including Morphine. It seems almost wrong to type 'Morphine' - like it is a bad drug, and he shouldn't have gotten any, but I am glad that he was able to sleep with apparent comfort.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Thursday June 15, 2011 </b></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Carl graduated out of NICU to the Spine care 'floor', walked a tiny bit, had soup and a pastrami sandwich (from Benji's - a deli we both love), and ate several times, watched a movie. His pain medications are back to oxicodone and oxicontin. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I will be happier once he is home. Then I will be freaked out that he might get a fever, fall, etc. That's just kind of the way it is. Stress either way, but at least at home things are calmer. </span>HangingInTherehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04869196173621242348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217675409540901760.post-171171739862598282011-06-15T09:33:00.001-05:002011-08-03T18:28:18.796-05:00Neck Surgery No. 3<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Today, (Wednesday, June 15, 2011), Carl is having a neck surgery to debulk / (remove?) the tumor there. (The neck tumor had grown back over the past 4 months without chemotherapy.) Long procedures done on Monday and Tuesday have allowed us to get to this surgery today. Again, I would appreciate your prayers for a great outcome. Carl is a trooper.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-jsid="text"> </span></span></h6><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span data-jsid="text">Carl was wheeled in to surgery at 8:30 AM. at Froedtert Hospital, and there now as I am typing this.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span data-jsid="text">I hope to update my blog with details later this week. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span data-jsid="text"></span></div><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">I really believe the prayers over the last several days have been helpful. Carl was so calm yesterday; and today, so far. </span></span></h6><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span data-jsid="text"></span></div>HangingInTherehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04869196173621242348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217675409540901760.post-24621426356604774912011-06-13T22:29:00.004-05:002011-08-03T18:27:57.260-05:00Prayer Request<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Carl is having medical procedures done over the next several days at Froedtert Hospital - I would appreciate your prayers for a great outcome.</span></span></h6>HangingInTherehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04869196173621242348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217675409540901760.post-25714483574467863722011-05-31T21:08:00.012-05:002011-11-27T23:42:00.217-06:00April 2011 update - one month late<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaaHjmnYZD0k9oZE9eqDLy0p6pzmZ_rxKlaojCe-AHMbEDdv4jLM7cboe3Jc597KdeEs5X447ig5XqRoTR2uoDabTy4BDo7bsEHupXsZ2z7QvA3EwQR24h_ix5hRd6FnSQlrVk2c7f6Q2/s1600/SIw_2011_BAPT_6285.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613074125129858770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaaHjmnYZD0k9oZE9eqDLy0p6pzmZ_rxKlaojCe-AHMbEDdv4jLM7cboe3Jc597KdeEs5X447ig5XqRoTR2uoDabTy4BDo7bsEHupXsZ2z7QvA3EwQR24h_ix5hRd6FnSQlrVk2c7f6Q2/s400/SIw_2011_BAPT_6285.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 267px; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I had felt bad that I didn't update the blog in April, and now May is nearly over. So now I really feel pressured to post something. It's been a busy 2011, so I will give a relatively non-medical update of April, at least.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> <span style="font-size: 130%;">April started well. Carl was feeling fairly good. Carl was actually able to drive to work again on </span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Friday, April 1, 2011</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;">. (No fooling) . He had been counting the days until he could drive again, and it was now six weeks after Carl's second neck surgery. The Dr's. gave him the go ahead. </span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;">On </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Saturday April 2, 2011</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;"> Carl and I got to see our very talented niece be Carlotta in the musical "Phantom of the Opera" at Marquette High School. </span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;"> The photo below is from </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Sunday, April 3rd</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;">, when Carl, Miranda, and I went to a show at the Art Museum. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpDL4-5jPppmCZVN8tDfGaPzBe_OQI8PmaQvLw8Jkj7y87kb7XSqPunOXVSgPT2UCHWIOc_PEau1yuRfjQzQC0f4HnKYqXAYkt_16L705OcuC-L5T_2kecZvPiCb9cD4OZhgN7wlR24_c/s1600/SIW_201104_DSCN3035.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612958857341685058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpDL4-5jPppmCZVN8tDfGaPzBe_OQI8PmaQvLw8Jkj7y87kb7XSqPunOXVSgPT2UCHWIOc_PEau1yuRfjQzQC0f4HnKYqXAYkt_16L705OcuC-L5T_2kecZvPiCb9cD4OZhgN7wlR24_c/s400/SIW_201104_DSCN3035.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 400px; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The children's spring break vacation from school started on Saturday, April 2 to Sunday, April 10, 2011. Starting </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">Monday, April 4, 2011</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, Carl was happy to drive off to work and leave me at home with the children. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">As spring break progressed, Carl's left knee and the area just below the knee started to bother him. By </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">Thursday, April 7, 2011</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, Carl's left knee was painful enough that he had to start using crutches to walk. The children's spring break vacation continued, though, with Carl escaping to his work when he wasn't at something medical or recovering from something medical. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> <span style="font-size: 130%;">On </span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Saturday, April 9, 2011</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;"> we 'left town' for the baptism of Cooper Schmidt, my niece's 1st baby, and the first grandchild in my family. We took the family picture at the beginning of this post before Cooper's baptism in Green Lake, Wisconsin. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;">Here is Carl with Cooper. Carl is now a Great Uncle, but we already knew that before Cooper was born.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiwKXBiU9ufJqZRueM5TT8P1A4YdHlRYMKF9Fk1G0t0Xt0trEuxn3g8w2kdHeuD4AAjKFUuL3b6YJHvIAFmwzw-7laRXQI5oX9f0oeUI9cFl5hLa7Zvc6p0fmNH2XQjqi3gKsCaRlgp7G/s1600/SIW_2011_BAPT_6380_4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612958671093368050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiwKXBiU9ufJqZRueM5TT8P1A4YdHlRYMKF9Fk1G0t0Xt0trEuxn3g8w2kdHeuD4AAjKFUuL3b6YJHvIAFmwzw-7laRXQI5oX9f0oeUI9cFl5hLa7Zvc6p0fmNH2XQjqi3gKsCaRlgp7G/s400/SIW_2011_BAPT_6380_4.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 400px; width: 268px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;">After the baptism (the very next day, even), we started celebrating Miranda's 12th birthday. We celebrated Miranda's birthday several times, actually. (Her actual birthday is April 11) </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidq6TOxr_cr-mWAQVYw9s3DCNQrM5Pj35L-dXiOjiZUjbwbxxhzMHCLXie_-6WCMke0aR74G6YAOYIgbh-nEniF5VovKS9TK0RudtLClwkPB-k6yssxLcPqk972YFQnHmjpgbhJhE40nPL/s1600/SIW_201104_DSCN3441_4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612959101215128434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidq6TOxr_cr-mWAQVYw9s3DCNQrM5Pj35L-dXiOjiZUjbwbxxhzMHCLXie_-6WCMke0aR74G6YAOYIgbh-nEniF5VovKS9TK0RudtLClwkPB-k6yssxLcPqk972YFQnHmjpgbhJhE40nPL/s400/SIW_201104_DSCN3441_4.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 267px; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;">On <span style="font-weight: bold;">Wednesday April 13, 2011</span> Carl had a small surgery for a hernia repair. </span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />
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On <span style="font-weight: bold;">Thursday, April 14, 2011</span> we celebrated Tom's 17th Birthday.</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uBxvuYt2KN5sRPwpjyxRu6L_FxtaRycT5_nXmgFnrHM-aOphyphenhyphenz9tWgtHHT7530c6_JeMSr-JjdGBX6WLYp0c4-WHMHk65sW4-v8jdT1MVjf16bhLDUysWtFz9xfw92XmhRxCxyScnXjg/s1600/SIW_201104_TOMBDAY_6536.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612958937275330754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uBxvuYt2KN5sRPwpjyxRu6L_FxtaRycT5_nXmgFnrHM-aOphyphenhyphenz9tWgtHHT7530c6_JeMSr-JjdGBX6WLYp0c4-WHMHk65sW4-v8jdT1MVjf16bhLDUysWtFz9xfw92XmhRxCxyScnXjg/s400/SIW_201104_TOMBDAY_6536.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 268px; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;">On </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Sunday April 17, 2011</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;"> we celebrated my niece's birthday, and Tom's and Miranda' birthday again!<br />
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On </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Monday April 18, 2011</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;"> we finished our taxes. </span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkij4PoTmtecN5I2XWJvUPwj7I7SuFGlatWj0SfDCoFJhP3XbNobHoDrCyL-fxj4BqBQ_OmBD1Dtc_a0fEvlWjV8q0opsG9wY-NlXmt9QF0RnKu8ss8FXh76HpBp-KRZ5QXHKhUKl6Lid/s1600/SIW_2011_EASTER_6654.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612958740148744722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkij4PoTmtecN5I2XWJvUPwj7I7SuFGlatWj0SfDCoFJhP3XbNobHoDrCyL-fxj4BqBQ_OmBD1Dtc_a0fEvlWjV8q0opsG9wY-NlXmt9QF0RnKu8ss8FXh76HpBp-KRZ5QXHKhUKl6Lid/s400/SIW_2011_EASTER_6654.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 286px; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Sunday April 24, 2011</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;">, Easter </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;">came, and we decorated Easter eggs and more. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjTsr4IMdWoXoDoFcu8wZV80kq3tN0tX63ucAb8YKAXmIzviUB2SGKNCt-LBlg9OE1nHW7hMFGt-nhv61nrrA7ilpakCh057bUvhLUn5Z0DvoC_FiU_rF4k3s_MTwLRTFJ0fMXuAGHuWH/s1600/SIW_2011_EASTER_6746.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612958801564929042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjTsr4IMdWoXoDoFcu8wZV80kq3tN0tX63ucAb8YKAXmIzviUB2SGKNCt-LBlg9OE1nHW7hMFGt-nhv61nrrA7ilpakCh057bUvhLUn5Z0DvoC_FiU_rF4k3s_MTwLRTFJ0fMXuAGHuWH/s400/SIW_2011_EASTER_6746.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 286px; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;">We saw both side of the family on</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;"> Easter - lunch with my relatives, dinner with Carl's relatives. </span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;"> On <span style="font-weight: bold;">Monday April 25, 2011</span>, Carl's neck was swelling up. </span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;">On <span style="font-weight: bold;">Friday, April 29, 2011</span> we went and watched a play at Homestead High school that Anthony was very active in. Anthony was the lighting stage crew manager, and had been working on this play extensively through out April. </span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Many other things went on in April 2011. Almost every weekday in April, Carl got a dose of radiation to the neck. </span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;">So, as I said before, April was very busy. </span>HangingInTherehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04869196173621242348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217675409540901760.post-16584948159751680462011-03-28T23:31:00.023-05:002011-08-03T18:26:37.489-05:00Neck MRI and CT scan images<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Figure A below is a MRI image of a sarcoma in Carl's neck as of Jan 5, 2011</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;"> with some added 'visual' information. </span>In photo shop I added colors and labels, and drew a rough outline to help you orient the placement of the head, which hopefully helps you better understand the MRI.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMMVOmWJRRrvTm1Z2pBAaMlGxYGfpzXZj_1UskuXPdO3dX39BI5PQZdvGvNtP6SbX_BBlKYqgN5soAN1YGMxwnCqz9kTIou_MFGGcbZHlHj-MAnWTLlsiagOoUN3bEFKqMrfSimUlY-vb/s1600/SIW_GRI_MRI_0105_SIDE_01B_2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="MRI image of neck cervical vertebrae and sarcoma tumor" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589355523763701842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMMVOmWJRRrvTm1Z2pBAaMlGxYGfpzXZj_1UskuXPdO3dX39BI5PQZdvGvNtP6SbX_BBlKYqgN5soAN1YGMxwnCqz9kTIou_MFGGcbZHlHj-MAnWTLlsiagOoUN3bEFKqMrfSimUlY-vb/s400/SIW_GRI_MRI_0105_SIDE_01B_2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 400px; width: 349px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">In Figure A, the vertebrae (neck bones) are in green. The vertebrae part on the left in green (front of the neck) rings the spinal column and connects to the green part on the right (in the back of the neck). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The photo below shows a neck vertebrae bone as it would look if your were looking from the top of the head. You can see how the bone has a ring. The ring circles the spine.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdtE_i242F2vprjuZ0HC-hsIMkUAXiKe7LfnU6L4FBL-Sx6hl__mk8UEXLFlB9kizpUHxtD0Mn4X2gqwPKA5zLKGlLML7xS5gsPcXRhYsTHtiPDI0EgDARfI15b5vr6JlpSWBGDF70ujeB/s1600/C_VERTEBRAE_02.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="human neck cervical vertebrae bone" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdtE_i242F2vprjuZ0HC-hsIMkUAXiKe7LfnU6L4FBL-Sx6hl__mk8UEXLFlB9kizpUHxtD0Mn4X2gqwPKA5zLKGlLML7xS5gsPcXRhYsTHtiPDI0EgDARfI15b5vr6JlpSWBGDF70ujeB/s400/C_VERTEBRAE_02.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 328px; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />
The next visual labels different parts of the vertebrae.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDceBZxZLroyY3D3hxcfrcRNf7hz7wMFoUopCtn4lYMyWoi-LYAka2_Cm19UkDzQlPXQDXhRupYNyk0IR52pSNA4FtF45bKYB1TpbNEsjg43yne9TIiIxjVBIsXYyq-yXEFgA3_oe9PdXv/s1600/C_VERTEBRAE_01.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDceBZxZLroyY3D3hxcfrcRNf7hz7wMFoUopCtn4lYMyWoi-LYAka2_Cm19UkDzQlPXQDXhRupYNyk0IR52pSNA4FtF45bKYB1TpbNEsjg43yne9TIiIxjVBIsXYyq-yXEFgA3_oe9PdXv/s400/C_VERTEBRAE_01.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 251px; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">In Figure A, the spinal column (in yellow) is protected by a fluid filled sack. Perhaps you can now see the bad news of Figure A.<br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: 130%;">The nasty sarcoma tumor (shown in red on Figure A) is impinging (almost touching) the spinal column. It is squishing the fluid filled spinal sack. Unfortunately, the sarcoma tumor has also eaten away and destroyed part of the bone in the back of the C2 vertebrae, and possibly others (C3?). Destroying parts of the bone of the vertebrae - Bad. Touching the spinal column (i.e. the spine) - Well, that would be way worse. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;">Below are images from a CT scan of Carl's head taken from the top of the head looking down. This CT scan is from January 5, 2011. CT scans show bone details clearly. You can see the vertebrae glowing in white. <span style="font-weight: bold;"> Instead of being shaped like the photo above, the white bone has been replaced on the right with ominous gray tumor material.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1h5j69rk3cH3sW-iWtRFwkLvmVCgmcbsg9B8hrmojim-XePfxCjpw4Jd1gr9bxYPCJf0KfJNAMlOpmtZ0QvJvfClh-K1LtG4KoK1fhPpfE5x53G_3ghUxwUyakbYWcyEBvWNtx-e_VlhM/s1600/SIw_CTSCAN_0105_OVERH.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="CRT image of skull and neck cervical vertebrae and sarcoma tumor" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1h5j69rk3cH3sW-iWtRFwkLvmVCgmcbsg9B8hrmojim-XePfxCjpw4Jd1gr9bxYPCJf0KfJNAMlOpmtZ0QvJvfClh-K1LtG4KoK1fhPpfE5x53G_3ghUxwUyakbYWcyEBvWNtx-e_VlhM/s400/SIw_CTSCAN_0105_OVERH.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 302px; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;">Below are three MRI images </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;">of the same cross section, again, from Jan 05, 2011. Above, CT scans, below MRI scans.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPSGUCWol9wLjuu7nTjcTzoVTnm4ckDDfYcg_YwTZoMX2WPWfD9OFE9FUZhY7owyXwKfGc-JnEVilGq8qvgSJVPcySTsQ8fsujCxfrE9z7IsSePAfsA3mklSadVhEUXjdnNs_Rtxl7New/s1600/SIW_MRI_0105_OH_6OF10B.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="MRI image of skull and neck cervical vertebrae and sarcoma tumor" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPSGUCWol9wLjuu7nTjcTzoVTnm4ckDDfYcg_YwTZoMX2WPWfD9OFE9FUZhY7owyXwKfGc-JnEVilGq8qvgSJVPcySTsQ8fsujCxfrE9z7IsSePAfsA3mklSadVhEUXjdnNs_Rtxl7New/s200/SIW_MRI_0105_OH_6OF10B.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 142px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiE6vV3ai8Dy4Pes3Riudhephi5PcK4rjxnNX8hQOlepFxDjhT3idm2j_6Vbot9ZMpq1q8cebeJPRovyw5nSRlToCc1OW-DtbxAlvg9CvgRtu5qor_gvei9bcf5Qyr9Zow5G9-nZYUFWtg/s1600/SIW_MRI_0105_OH_8OF10.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="MRI image of skull and neck cervical vertebrae and sarcoma tumor" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiE6vV3ai8Dy4Pes3Riudhephi5PcK4rjxnNX8hQOlepFxDjhT3idm2j_6Vbot9ZMpq1q8cebeJPRovyw5nSRlToCc1OW-DtbxAlvg9CvgRtu5qor_gvei9bcf5Qyr9Zow5G9-nZYUFWtg/s200/SIW_MRI_0105_OH_8OF10.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 143px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfly9vX1459no1KqgVmHBtiZmyV0Bw9NMjqqAMOJFSKKhdo7fTtU8r3TvhykTjTxWp5fiY0HRI0L-We12aj0Qttw2wrkOf8J2jyrNl2ZK71fntoZbNiSjAGERCEQEefrmH5v4oKrMFw_yx/s1600/SIW_MRI_0105_OH_5OF10.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="MRI image of skull and neck cervical vertebrae and sarcoma tumor" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfly9vX1459no1KqgVmHBtiZmyV0Bw9NMjqqAMOJFSKKhdo7fTtU8r3TvhykTjTxWp5fiY0HRI0L-We12aj0Qttw2wrkOf8J2jyrNl2ZK71fntoZbNiSjAGERCEQEefrmH5v4oKrMFw_yx/s400/SIW_MRI_0105_OH_5OF10.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 142px;" /></a><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">The three MRI images show different ways the MRI contrast can be adjusted to better see various types of tissues. </span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">The final two images below are from a CT scan adjusted to show different structures. The views are a cross sections of Carl's neck from the back (image on the left), and a side view of the neck (on the right). </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyn-G_-df1x2LIbkErLvpPSuHYn-DkAKFi8Ck9GNW9VPr11pCeXiHh3aDD8brS6WZChgbqMJ_LyIkawl5GrH7FkQgU5XXVsAAJr7X-YRyu9kzd4IehCl4QeSlx8tKuIeyO5X0b8mXhEkT/s1600/SIW_GRI_CTSCAN_0105_STRUCT.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="CT scan of head and neck arteries and veins" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyn-G_-df1x2LIbkErLvpPSuHYn-DkAKFi8Ck9GNW9VPr11pCeXiHh3aDD8brS6WZChgbqMJ_LyIkawl5GrH7FkQgU5XXVsAAJr7X-YRyu9kzd4IehCl4QeSlx8tKuIeyO5X0b8mXhEkT/s400/SIW_GRI_CTSCAN_0105_STRUCT.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 278px; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">These images document why the sarcoma tumor in the neck had to be surgically removed. Carl had surgery to remove the tumor on January 24, 2011. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Click on any images to see it larger (and less blurry.) </span><br />
</span>HangingInTherehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04869196173621242348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217675409540901760.post-86411386494915008762011-03-28T20:29:00.013-05:002011-08-03T15:00:32.246-05:00Awesome Technology<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">When it comes to cancer care in 2011, in the United States, here in Wisconsin, the engineer and photographer in me is grateful and proud of the available digital diagnostic technology. The technology is improving exponentially.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Like the expansion of the Internet and the digital camera, diagnostic imaging is improving cancer detection, monitoring, and care. I don't like the fact that Carl has cancer, but if you have to get cancer, (and you can't delay getting cancer into the future), now is the time to get it over any other period in time, any other millennium, century or year. The 'technology', drugs, and care is improving. Teams of engineers, scientists, technicians and doctors have created the technology I am going attempt to show you below.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Don't let the fact that this technology is cool make you think I am in any way happy that my husband has cancer. The pep talk above does not make it any easier for me to use photo shop to try to document this tumor. I am doing this (originally) for my children; also my spouse, our relatives and friends; and others who may stumble across this post trying to understand cancer. I do not like spending time trying to make the images understandable. But I think I can use my time to help some people understand more about cancer, or Carl's cancer, where ever their interest might lie.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Below are some MRI images that show the tumor in Carl's neck as of Jan 5, 2011. MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. See Wikipedia for technological information on MRI's. Basically, MRI's use a large machine, a lot of physics and a lot of engineering to take multiple cross section photos of a part of the body, in this case Carl's neck.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">If you can't see how Figure 1 or Figure 2 are images of a view of a neck, see Figure 3 and 4 below for some added 'visual' information which may help you to be able to better understand the MRI's.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Figure 1 is a MRI of a sarcoma in Carl's neck as of Jan 5, 2011. This is a view as the doctor or technician can see it on their computer screen. On the computer, the doctor can manipulate settings like contrast.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlJpnCoyWMUWwoUJXBkStcvpXqHIouxJBvneSDvy9MXpBs5rclx7miRoH5s7DrkPKJueAqaWk6PW2ohjn-NTwvgKTMlaLlq4GAU93BCCnjJCAFmv4lQa9IhIaDz-GtRl126p90R5msk1P/s1600/SIW_GRI_MRI_0105_SIDE_01A.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="MRI of sarcoma tumor near spine and cervical vertebrae C1 C2 in neck" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589333347367038114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlJpnCoyWMUWwoUJXBkStcvpXqHIouxJBvneSDvy9MXpBs5rclx7miRoH5s7DrkPKJueAqaWk6PW2ohjn-NTwvgKTMlaLlq4GAU93BCCnjJCAFmv4lQa9IhIaDz-GtRl126p90R5msk1P/s400/SIW_GRI_MRI_0105_SIDE_01A.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Figure 2 is a MRI of a sarcoma in Carl's neck as of Jan 5, 2011 with different settings, as the doctor or technician can see it on their computer screen. Notice how the neck vertebrae (the bones) stand out differently then in Figure 1 above. In Figure 1 the vertebrae (bones) are gray, in Figure 2 the bones are dark and stand out more. The tumor is more visible in Figure 2 when the bones are dark.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEBGpBzyc3I5okGYo6MBLkRogl1Sm0tCvwYemis-pRLb1xksW6YO-kQeIJXyNfSLyTEaVNtXg9Ix0Zz4O-VJPSfSsOH09NXNf3cfoOzA5sWNZW5dQVOTRY8xBrqYA3eHj8_BJJqB7XGz0/s1600/SIW_GRI_MRI_0105_SIDE_01B.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="MRI of sarcoma tumor in a neck" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589333734409620978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEBGpBzyc3I5okGYo6MBLkRogl1Sm0tCvwYemis-pRLb1xksW6YO-kQeIJXyNfSLyTEaVNtXg9Ix0Zz4O-VJPSfSsOH09NXNf3cfoOzA5sWNZW5dQVOTRY8xBrqYA3eHj8_BJJqB7XGz0/s400/SIW_GRI_MRI_0105_SIDE_01B.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Figure 3 is Figure 2 with some added 'visual' information. I took the Figure 2 above and in photoshop I added colors and labels, and drew a childish outline to help you orient the placement of the head, which hopefully helps you better understand the MRI. Figure 3 is NOT what the doctors see on their computer screens.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DYJ_02TmtgrcWq0MdKcC3d2uWU2dBg5pVTduD30H2aP2LBwZlQO3VGgapbsrtl7h3mDOj-RBzqsiVd8IYBeGT-b88FfjPHfpkYgW0BA_NqbB9eroYGZzAtsxCFGT5qh2sGzEqSArLDZh/s1600/SIW_GRI_MRI_0105_SIDE_01B_2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="MRI of sarcoma tumor near spine and cervical vertebrae C1 C2 in neck by Selep Imaging" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589333655427794802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DYJ_02TmtgrcWq0MdKcC3d2uWU2dBg5pVTduD30H2aP2LBwZlQO3VGgapbsrtl7h3mDOj-RBzqsiVd8IYBeGT-b88FfjPHfpkYgW0BA_NqbB9eroYGZzAtsxCFGT5qh2sGzEqSArLDZh/s400/SIW_GRI_MRI_0105_SIDE_01B_2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 400px; width: 349px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Figure 4 is Figure 2 with some added 'visual' information. It is my first attempt at showing what parts are what. I took the Figure 2 above and in photo shop I added labels, and drew a childish outline to help you orient the placement of the head. Figure 4 is NOT what the doctors see on their computer screens.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmbSBIaQ6_Kne0a5nO2sF5i3sQ97v6PaGfnMZRG-Pv97gEGgOJmota6E2NvqPa8J3tZGpATpROkpLa0OyHXm6jrKYWr3iNBDbKiBnvKB8o0A_tL3BbI49nCa-GevbZFiNlMyI1_Ge25XZ/s1600/SIW_GRI_MRI_0105_annot.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="MRI of sarcoma tumor near spine and cervical vertebrae C1 C2 in neck by Selep Imaging" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589333568286530834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmbSBIaQ6_Kne0a5nO2sF5i3sQ97v6PaGfnMZRG-Pv97gEGgOJmota6E2NvqPa8J3tZGpATpROkpLa0OyHXm6jrKYWr3iNBDbKiBnvKB8o0A_tL3BbI49nCa-GevbZFiNlMyI1_Ge25XZ/s400/SIW_GRI_MRI_0105_annot.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">MRI's are good for showing tissues, and differences in tissues. Carl also gets CAT scans. CAT scans are good at showing bone and structures like veins. I hope to show you CAT scans on a different future post. Carl also gets some X-Rays, which are good for showing bones, although differently then in a CAT scan. The combination of MRI's and CAT scans give doctors knowledge (and a visual picture) of things inside the body that used to be able to only be seen once a surgeon cut the body open. Now, the doctors and surgeons learn much before any cuts are made.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">My children find these photos interesting for several seconds, and then at some point the information creeps them out and they need to walk away. It is not just a screen shot, it is a tumor that once was in their dad. (Surgery removed almost all of the tumor in Carl's neck on Monday Jan 24, 2011.) I am telling you about my 11-16 year old children's responses so that you may be aware of and accept your own feelings. I find it easiest to view these images when I detach them from being my husband's neck images. (It is easier to view them 'clinically'.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I waited months to post these images. Maybe you will understand why. Whatever.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The next blog post will talk about Carl's MRI more specifically.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Click on any images to see it larger (and less blurry.) </span><br />
</span>HangingInTherehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04869196173621242348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217675409540901760.post-803491369998829592011-03-14T04:35:00.008-05:002011-09-08T07:47:10.771-05:002011 Summary (so far) and 2nd Surgery update<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Wow, it has been a while since I have done an update. Perhaps no news is good news? It's been so long I'll do a brief summary of 2011 with regards to Carl's medical journey. I'll start with December, just 'cause.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">Dec 27-Dec 30, 2011</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> Carl had inpatient Chemotherapy at Froedtert. They let him out one day early so that he could enjoy New Years Eve and Day with his family. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Carl had the hardest time recovering from this particular chemotherapy, and pain increased in his neck. The Doctors decided to operate on his neck to stabilize his neck and debulk the tumor, and the neck surgery was done on </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">Jan 24, 2011</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">. Carl was sent home from the hospital wearing a neck brace, which he wore for 23 plus hours a day, except in the shower, for weeks, and instructions not to drive.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">After the surgery Carl was recovering (sort-of) but then the pain in his neck was getting worse. The surgeon saw Carl, took an X-ray, and determined that Carl's spinal fusion had failed, and included a screw pulling out. Carl had an emergency surgery on </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">Feb 14, 2011</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> to repair the failed hardware. On this surgery they pulled out the screws and put in larger screws, used acrylic glue and more hardware, and fused Carl's neck from the base of his skull to C7. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Carl was released from the hospital on <span style="font-weight: bold;">Wednesday, February 16, 2011</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span> <span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">After a week or so, Carl felt good enough to start working again, although with reduced hours.</span> <span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Again, Carl was sent home from the hospital wearing a neck brace, which he wore for 23 plus hours a day, except in the shower, for weeks.</span> <span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">He won't be able to drive a car for at least six weeks. </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;">Life with the children, of course, continued, and the weekend of Feb 25-27, 2011 was particularily busy. Anthony (a freshman) was in a great musical for 4 days, Miranda (6th grade) was in forensics, and the three younger children had a piano recital, and poor weather made some things more difficult. We survived the activity, but Carl overdid it that weekend. The funny thing about overdoing things is that "hindsight is 20-20". After you overdo something, you know that hey - you overdid it, you shouldn't do that. But by then it is too late. Fortunately, Carl survived, with no ill effects.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The 2nd surgery's spinal fusion has lasted longer and worked better then the first surgery, so far. On Thursday, March 10, 2011 I took Carl to see the surgeon for a post-op appointment. Carl had an X-ray and the surgeon said things look great. He even said Carl could start wearing the neck brace less (an hour or two each day), and that Carl should start PT (Physical Therapy) next week.<br />
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This week, later today, in fact, Carl will meet with the radiation Doctor, and 'the doctors' will start planning the next link in the chain of treatment.<br />
</span></span>HangingInTherehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04869196173621242348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217675409540901760.post-12849366719716093442011-02-15T22:46:00.010-06:002011-08-03T15:18:46.202-05:00Valentine Day - 2nd Neck Surgery<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg4drs9y84_v3bxGANUJtxPGuy5aYVrmO71yOyxM1O921_jT7AAhxFMhb2k937P3a16v7Y28HpnPtv94ZECGtjAUn8LlckMJeehzn8Ywr4_CMkaUDj8AQTRrig6Ie9_yeO5BBT6MYeNK-/s1600/SIW_QUILT_VAL15_C.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574145030038903282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg4drs9y84_v3bxGANUJtxPGuy5aYVrmO71yOyxM1O921_jT7AAhxFMhb2k937P3a16v7Y28HpnPtv94ZECGtjAUn8LlckMJeehzn8Ywr4_CMkaUDj8AQTRrig6Ie9_yeO5BBT6MYeNK-/s400/SIW_QUILT_VAL15_C.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 279px; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;">Wow. Is today only </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Tuesday February 15, 2011</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;">? The weekend seems weeks ago... Yesterday (only yesterday, really?) was </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Monday February 14, 2011, </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;">Valentines Day, which we celebrated by taking Carl to Froedtert Hospital for a surgery - for "Cervical Device Failure". </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: small;">"Cervical Device Failure" - I just had to google that. We (almost all humans) have cervical vertebrae (vertebrae which are in the neck), and almost all women have a cervix which can get cervical cancer, which is a cancer south of the belly button. NO WONDER Doctors have to go to school for so long, these </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: small; font-style: italic;">very different</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: small;"> parts share a common name. How confusing. Can you imagine opening a catalog for Cervical devices? Spine things and cervical caps all on the same page. ( But I digress.</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: small;">)<br />
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</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">We were scheduled to come to the hospital at 8:30AM for a 10:30AM surgery, but a nurse called and asked us to come earlier. Apparently one of the surgeries before us was going to be a no-show. Did they cancel out or did they die? We could only guess. </span><span style="font-size: 100%;">[</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">4-22-2011 note: Wow, in retrospect as I re-read this in April, that comes off very harsh. The humor did not work. I never for a minute really thought the patient might actually have died.]</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">Carl's procedure started at 9:45AM, and the surgeon's first incision started around 11:45AM. B</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">efore that the medical team put in a breathing tube through the nose while Carl was awake, put Carl out with a general anesthetic, established more IV's including something called an arterial IV, inserted a catheter, did positioning things and X-rays and more. I guess that's why surgery is called an invasive procedure. The surgery went longer then I expected. It wasn't over until about 2:30PM when Carl was moved to the recovery area, where the medical people keep him until they think he is responsive and stabilized, usually about two hours. </span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">I went and shuttled my children around two counties, and came back to the hospital shortly after Carl was moved to his room in the spine injury area - 5SE room 6. They were giving Carl morphine (4mg) as I arrived, and giving Carl more morphine (4mg) as I left two hours later. Carl rated his pain at about a 6 on a 10 point scale. Carl walked several steps to earn the reward of the catheter being removed. </span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">Interestingly enough, Carl's memory starts later. His memory starts with him waking up after the catheter was out. He didn't remember me being there, but then (when reminded) he </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">remembered me saying to the nurse that I was going to go gather my children from a two county region.</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">I picked up three of the children from a nice Valentines Day dinner at their Uncle and Aunt's house (Thanks guys!), and then took them home to do homework and get them settled into bed. Miranda in p</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">articular missed her Dad, but I think we all wished Carl would have been home. Happy Valentines Day...</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">On </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">Tuesday February 15, 2011</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;"> when I went to see Carl, he was mostly exhausted and tired. The nurse said he had rated his pain around 3 on a 10 point scale, where 4 was tolerable (to Carl). Just before I left Carl at around 2:00PM, Carl said he didn't really have pain, at the moment nothing "hurt" him, but he was drained of all energy. The procedures in previous weeks had drained his energy, and now what little energy he had remaining was gone. He didn't watch TV or anything, and when he talked he kept his eyes closed and didn't move or sit up. I brought him two pints of blueberries, and he ate one pint while I was there, mostly without opening his eyes. He didn't want any phone calls or any visitors, he just wanted to rest. </span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">While I was there, I had 3 questions I was trying to ask him. 1. How do you feel? 2. How did he feel the surgery went? and 3. Did the surgeon come and talk to him? During the five minute time we were trying to talk about these three things, we were interrupted three times. The nurse came in, the pharmacist came in and 'interviewed' Carl, and someone else. (Maybe the nurse returning with something?) It was incredible. The pharmacist interview took probably 25 minutes alone. (Starting with the questions are you allergic...) </span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">The surgeon came by and talked to us for a (very) brief time. He feels the surgery went well. We hope he is right. The surgeon did not see any sign of new tumor growth, which is really nice to know. The Jan 24 surgery was important (to me) for removing 90% of a not controlled tumor. In that alone, the first surgery was very successful. </span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">I guess the important thing about today was that Carl's pain was under control, momentarily at least, and that he was already eating. After the last surgery he pretty much didn't eat for 2.5 days. So, Carl appears to me to be in significantly better shape after this surgery then after the one on January 24, 2011. Maybe he will recover faster. </span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">Carl should be coming home tomorrow. Then he will be able to get rest. You don't get rest in the hospital. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Please keep Carl in your prayers, and hug your loved ones for Valentines Day. </span>HangingInTherehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04869196173621242348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217675409540901760.post-66123499416044089252011-02-12T18:20:00.014-06:002011-09-14T22:05:54.984-05:00Neck Surgery Update - Try Again<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Today is <span style="font-weight: bold;">Saturday, February 12, 2011</span>, and I am finally writing to bring this blog up to date. The last chaotic jumble of posts can be referred to or ignored, but I'll try to recap here.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Carl's Angiogram </span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: large;">with embolization </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: large;">procedure done at Froedtert on <span style="font-weight: bold;">Friday, Jan 21, 2011</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">. </span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: large;">It was a long day and a long procedure that attempted to kill off blood supply to the tumor in his neck, and the Doctors felt it went well. Carl remained in the hospital through the weekend, and on <span style="font-weight: bold;">Monday, Jan 24, 2011</span> Carl had a surgery to de-bulk the tumor in his neck and to stabilize his neck. Monday was a </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: large;">long day and a long procedure, and the Doctors felt it went well. </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: large;">Carl stayed in the hospital a few more days and came home from the hospital late </span><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Wednesday, January 26, 2010</span><span style="font-size: large;">.</span><br />
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Carl has been mostly staying at home and trying to recover from the surgery. He has been in a lot of pain at times, and takes a lot of pain medication. Carl takes 60mg of Oxicontin, (a long acting pain pill) twice a day, and he takes 10 mg of Oxicodone between these doses for break through pain. He takes a version of Valium to relax the muscles, up to four times a day.<br />
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Carl didn't have to return to the Medical complex until <span style="font-weight: bold;">Monday February 7, 2011</span>, when he had three appointments: 9:00AM with the Oncologist, 10:20AM with the Radiation Doctor, and 11:30AM with the wound check people. The wound check lady removed the stitches in the back of Carl's neck. The meetings with the Doctors were surprisingly unenlightening. (A friend once told me that with cancer you have to remember that every Dr. meeting <span style="font-style: italic;">is not</span> going to answer all your questions, or even tell you a whole lot. There is no great answer at the next appointment.)<br />
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On <span style="font-weight: bold;">Tuesday, </span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">February </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">8, 2011</span>, Carl went to work for about four hours. He felt good about getting out of the house and going to work. (I drove him both ways. Carl won't be able to drive for weeks)<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">On <span style="font-weight: bold;">Wednesday, </span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">February </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">9, 2011</span>, Carl went to work in the morning, and then I drove him to a 1:10PM CT simulation appointment in radiation oncology. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: large;">On <span style="font-weight: bold;">Thursday, </span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">February 10</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">, 2011</span>, Carl had a 9:00 AM MRI appointment in </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: large;">radiation oncology. </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: large;">Carl's pain, usually bad, was even worse today. It was wincingly bad, and so while Carl got his MRI I tried to get appointments to address the pain. The Oncologist could see him at 12:30 that day, but recommended we contact the surgeon. At around 10:00 AM I call the surgeon, and they made an appointment for Carl to see them at 12:00 noon the same day. We were in the surgeon's office at noon, and the surgeon reviewed the mornings MRI (which were taken from angles appropriate for Radiation planning, not the angle the surgeon was used to). The Surgeon then ordered an X-ray which Carl had 20 minutes later. At 12:40 we were back in the Surgeon's office. He studied the X-ray and indicated that the mechanical parts placed in Carl's neck were not in the right position, a plate had slipped and a screw was out of position. He said we should have that fixed in surgery on Monday, was that OK? Carl just kind of stared at the guy numbly. The surgeon was good. He said let's schedule the surgery time to hold the time slot and you can decide later whether or not to do the surgery. I said, Carl, your going to go along with this, right? (and probably some more things...) and Carl agreed he had no real choice. (We could edit that to "Carl agreed"... but I am not sure either edit defines the real moment)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">So... Carl will once again undergo neck surgery, this time on Monday, February 14, 2011, Valentines Day. Sigh....</span></span><br />
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The rest of Thursday afternoon included a pre-op appointment and expediting a CAT scan through both insurance and the hospital, and we were home by 4:00PM. Carl went home in pain, (not really numb, was he?) and so both Carl and I will <span style="font-weight: bold;">just keep going.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;"><span jsid="text" style="font-weight: bold;"> Carl is like a exotic sports car - He's finicky. He needs a custom tune-up.</span></span>HangingInTherehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04869196173621242348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217675409540901760.post-58772807145198786252011-01-31T14:37:00.011-06:002011-08-03T15:15:44.423-05:00Monday and Insurance<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Monday, January 31, 2011</span>. The weekend was Long. I </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">was looking forward to Monday, don't know why, but Monday seemed like it would be simpler then the weekend. Le</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">ss noise, activity, etc. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Insurance</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> lady called Monday. <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">[I am reviewing this post on 4-22-2011. I called her a lady. Now I am changing that word to machine. She is not a lady, and I don't even think she is a human.]</span> Now that is stress. She wants permission to be the case manger for Carl. Her husband died of cancer, so she knows what I am going through. Rea</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">lly? I don't know what I am going through, but talking to her, God my stomach gets in such a knot, I feel like I really want to barf. Her questions, comments, insinuations of 'help', they made me feel like I was talking to Sata</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">n. I</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> DO NOT TRUST ANY INSURANCE COMPANY. I THINK THEY WOULD PREFER MY HUSBAND DEAD SO THE CASH OUTLAY WOULD STOP. If an insurance company could</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> get away with it, I think that there are people in the top echelons of insurance that would like to send a hit man to finish the capital outlay so they can 'make more money'. </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">[I am reviewing this post on 4-22-2011. Today, I calmly and skeptically wonder if the insurance's machines' husband really existed, or had cancer, or if it was all a line to establish 'report'.]</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The principles of good honest business are that you make a contract, initially believed to be </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">good</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> for both parties, and you honor it. If your business involves you taking a risk, you accept it. Trying to renege on a contract for profit is Evil perverting business.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Any F-ing individuals who think that what is good for business is good for the country, who think Fraud will self regulate, who think greed is good, who think consumer rights are anti-business, who think tangled contracts with loop holes are a good thing - they are EVIL, and sure sign that Satan is winning. How the HELL does the conservative party in any way </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">equate with Christianity - caring for ones fellows man, that has to be the LIE OF THE</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> CENTURY. And Satan is the prince of lies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">So now you might think I am a religious freak. (But then I'd be a very conservative Republican?) I am not, really, at least I don't think I am.<br />
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</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Carl took his first shower / bath today post chemo. It makes me want to cry. I think they put his head back on wrong. I think a first year resident stitched him up. And yet this totally conflicts with my also Genuine feelings - I am so damn glad he had the surgery and much of the tumor was gutted. </span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6i2SId2ByOHJen-Xgtf0RO3foA_YDNk-554-sD_GpCk8TNYXonIQgbAh9tAd0pPjHerszLY7NPxIPt1I4V1KEN9Q91L-eIQGijDn0m7ynlDPwnrhZrKaMQHTv5uX_SRGrgJiaWB0HX1Ho/s1600/SIW_20110123_PREOP_LEFT.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598514089832999842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6i2SId2ByOHJen-Xgtf0RO3foA_YDNk-554-sD_GpCk8TNYXonIQgbAh9tAd0pPjHerszLY7NPxIPt1I4V1KEN9Q91L-eIQGijDn0m7ynlDPwnrhZrKaMQHTv5uX_SRGrgJiaWB0HX1Ho/s200/SIW_20110123_PREOP_LEFT.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 200px; width: 150px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6b0JlbVFRmEGvfhbQ58Ptnuz5lbce0IDwnTUyoy9iue7IoAH7A4SqREBQqRZcy8W95tchiYvu1M0Kze3yr1PL-sfDU2UZewlzUQbGmL9ktLoM22H9styu1eDORViNBrC80mFtVazPqWyu/s1600/SIW_20110123_OP_0125_LEFT.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598515925105621090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6b0JlbVFRmEGvfhbQ58Ptnuz5lbce0IDwnTUyoy9iue7IoAH7A4SqREBQqRZcy8W95tchiYvu1M0Kze3yr1PL-sfDU2UZewlzUQbGmL9ktLoM22H9styu1eDORViNBrC80mFtVazPqWyu/s200/SIW_20110123_OP_0125_LEFT.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 200px; width: 150px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tamRcwGa4RGRjYJfe1m1C1DKG70bGK2J3z014z-ggvhIMDZy7cl7__Jd4K62c8Li2qyYvQMnMdJohB3juwm0R71hyRMrIUV5PaMkHq_tnupAUBUIq6TeLhBQ_1fZdDmBI6TptKET4AFe/s1600/SIW_20110131_OP_LEFT.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598514182226938130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tamRcwGa4RGRjYJfe1m1C1DKG70bGK2J3z014z-ggvhIMDZy7cl7__Jd4K62c8Li2qyYvQMnMdJohB3juwm0R71hyRMrIUV5PaMkHq_tnupAUBUIq6TeLhBQ_1fZdDmBI6TptKET4AFe/s200/SIW_20110131_OP_LEFT.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 200px; width: 150px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCneF4L3KSX9KV2R3JEK5EwaFbR9q810qDJq8IHFjI0FB2ckWn4wiYK_KFFG0tNBZBjDA1UcNM4SFFPySwKwWrcay1zBQy0GJ529nIzFBXbAaZlF2ffiBq2YyhIDbvm_3Q96JThHLqOrdu/s1600/SIW_20110131_OP_LEFT_ASPEN.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598518151307567074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCneF4L3KSX9KV2R3JEK5EwaFbR9q810qDJq8IHFjI0FB2ckWn4wiYK_KFFG0tNBZBjDA1UcNM4SFFPySwKwWrcay1zBQy0GJ529nIzFBXbAaZlF2ffiBq2YyhIDbvm_3Q96JThHLqOrdu/s200/SIW_20110131_OP_LEFT_ASPEN.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 200px; width: 150px;" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">[4-22-2011 addition: I added the photos above </span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">on 4-22-2011. These photos were taken Jan 23, 2011, </span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">the </span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">night before the neck surgery; Jan 25, 2011, the day after surgery; on Jan 31, 2011 right after his shower; and Jan 31, 2011 with the Aspen collar neck brace Carl wears 24 hours a day except when in the shower. <br />
Carl is not holding his neck that way to be funny. That is the only position his neck can be in.]<br />
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</span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">You might think I am in a crisis . Yes, I think I probably am. It's weird that a crisis can be helped by punching keys. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I don't know why, but I feel better after writing this. I am not sure I should ever publish this, but writing from the heart is supposed to make your writing powerful. Raw, yet real. I want to let this rip out there - maybe it will touch someone for a good purpose. Waiting, rewriting, would make this more objective, but is all writing supposed to be objective? Perhaps we should not be afraid of raw emotion now and then. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I pray that this post will go out and do God's will - that this writing will touch someone in some way for Good. I pray that God only allows those people that should see this see this. I am not against any political party, of any person employed in any job anywhere. Many businesses do good, some do evil (drug dealers, for example). Many people are employed to do good, some to do evil, many work just to have a paycheck to take home to their family and don't think about their job in terms of good OR evil. I hope you always try to do what is right, which to me is what is Christian. But <span style="font-weight: bold;">the 10 commandments span more religions then just Christianity, and include the basis for many business rules - contracts are formed from thou shall not lie, thou shall not steal, thou shall not bear false witness, thou shall not covet... Thou shall not put false Gods (profit, money, gain) before the real God.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">God Bless. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">[NOTE: I could try to edit this into something better, but I don't want to spend the time and effort. Here are some real feelings, raw and unedited. If they make no sense, then let it be. I'll be honest, my notes above are, shall we say... conflicted...; to me now as I read them, they just remind me of a frustration I tried to bury on Monday, the last day of January.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I do feel the need to say this though: There is good and evil. It is mixed into our lives. The internet can be used for good or evil. Books can contain good or evil. People can do good or evil. Policies can be good or evil. Businesses can do good or evil. Politics can be good or evil. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I in no way feel that any political party is good or evil. I think all political parties have a little good and evil. Anything a reader reads into the rant above about politics should know that I consider myself fortunate to have friends who want good for this country in both political parties, and I have voted for people in both political parties.<br />
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[I finally posted this Saturday Feb 12, 2011.] </span>HangingInTherehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04869196173621242348noreply@blogger.com0