tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29391580296790221082024-02-21T00:44:53.986-05:00Zackmans JourneyOur 16 year old son, Zack,(Zackman) was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma in June 2012. As a Senior in High School, his entire life changed. This blog follows the daily routine of chemotherapy and radiation, Home schooling, changes in lifestyle, friends,physical and emotional challenges. Join us on Our Journey in curing Ewings Sarcoma. (You are welcome to post comments , please be respectful!) Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger232125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939158029679022108.post-348001865137070572019-02-09T17:58:00.001-05:002019-02-09T17:58:25.134-05:00Where has the time gone? My how time has flown! It has been 6 years since he was first diagnosed and 5 (last summer) since his last treatment. The 3 month scans, x-rays, blood tests became every 6 months. The former adolescent is now a young man of 23, dealing with his own appointments and sharing his results (Cancer Free!!!) with US! We no longer live in fear, but a tiny bit of anticipation as the scan times comes around. <div>
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As he concluded with his last set of scans, we were all set to celebrate the end of Drs. visits, poking needles and big machines! Well, the Doctors shared that "they" now are stretching the all clear to 10 years!! This is for sarcomas, they say, to make sure that survivors are not caught off guard by a relapse! Zack returned home with such disappointment and anger. He shares the news with us and as I begin to tear up, I remember his words early on in the treatments. "It"s not about you Mom, so don't cry!" I start to suck in the tears, he looks at me and says "Mom, I know what I said before, but one of us has to cry this time, and I'm so angry, I just can't!" We hug, talk for awhile and I'm all of a sudden relieved. Perhaps for a very selfish reason. For another 5 years we will know that he is OK, we will know that this will not return and I start to see it as preventative rather than a negative. Of course that's easy for me to say, but in all his wisdom Zack understands my feelings and accepts what must be. </div>
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Where once his port was placed, now is a large tattoo with an octopus (which symbolizes regeneration). He plans on a treasure map and X marks the spot! He even had the surgeon removing the port to make another cut across the other! In fact that has been one of his passions, His entire back is covered as well as his arms. He is a walking piece of art! His other is his vehicles. He still has the "bumble bee" but it is now green and black, has a lift kit and new transmission thanks to Make a wish and generous donation of the Charlotte based Dodge dealership. </div>
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He has had relationships, some good, some not so good. He is doing what any normal 23 year old would be doing. Trying to find joy in the simple things in life. A good job, someone that will love him and treat him right, and his biggest blessing other than continuing to be cancer free? His friends!! they are the same awesome young men that have been through the journey with him. They have an unbreakable bond and what more could a mother want for their child?</div>
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I am now signing off with best of wishes to all whom have followed our journey. Those who have loved and supported us and those in search of answers. I can be found on Facebook at One of the many faces of Ewing Sarcoma. Love, Peace, Healing wishes and Hugs!! Sabrina</div>
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Zack and Dad, Frank </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zack and Me, Mom</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of his many awesome friends and support system</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bumble Bee no longer....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zack with his Meme (grandmother)</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939158029679022108.post-87900788267938437422016-04-22T09:25:00.001-04:002016-04-22T09:25:16.926-04:00Much needed update!I see there are many new faces visiting our page. Welcome and please accept my apologies for not updating. When we are in the middle of a crisis, we focus on immediate communication to keep posted our friends, family and those deeply connected though the same commonality... Cancer, specifically from my page and blog, children's cancer and even more specific Ewing Sarcoma.<br />
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June 2012 was the day our lives changed forever. Our son has remained cancer free since May 2013 which marked the end of his treatment.<br />
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To me at this stage of the game, it's hard to say we are blessed. I'm sure I used that word many times in my posts. But after everything and everyone we have met with this particular journey and many other of life's journeys, why would others who lost their battles be any less "blessed". My son, now 20, said to me the other day, " I'm the only cancer survivor out of five kids in our little town, why did I make it and not them?" I responded with the only answer I knew, we were lucky and you aren't finished teaching in this world and learning what you must. My feelings may not be politically correct and are by no means intended to insult anyone, it is simply my view and I speak my truth from my heart.<br />
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As Zack continues to have, now, bi yearly tests, there is still the anxiety and subsequent relief at the results. There is still the memories of how our lives changed, for the better, as we are able to look back and realise how much he taught everyone around him about being strong, never feeling sorry for yourself, accepting what is and making the best of what life has to offer, good and bad. I am grateful that he is not yet done teaching us, and am eternally grateful for what lessons those young Angels have taught us about their own journeys.<br />
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Our journey still continues, as zack, medically won't be considered cancer free until the five year mark, however, in our hearts he was able, for whatever reason, to conquer the beast! And we are grateful!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939158029679022108.post-32163443247800201922013-08-18T17:33:00.000-04:002013-08-18T17:33:27.702-04:00Three Month Scans.... <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zack and Angie,<br />One of our fav nurses</td></tr>
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The time has come, Zack's three month scans. To most that means nothing, to us, it means constant anxiety as to whether "IT" has returned. I keep repeating Moms words, "it hasn't been there since the tumor was removed". Was I trying to convince myself or being positive or simply stating facts. It didn't matter, that was the only hope I could hang onto. </div>
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We began at the SECU, childrens cancer center. This would be the first time the staff would see Zack since the end of treatment. Everyone is excited to see him and commenting on his growing hair and beard. They are thrilled to see how good he looks, how much color he has. He remarks that he has been working outside with his Dad almost every day, so with that comes the tan. Angie questions him about his left shoulder which is severely bruised. He laughs and says "me and one of my friends had a lickin contest, we called it a draw." Angie, who has always been a tell it like it is personality (which I love), yells at him and reminds him of everything he has just gone through. "You can't do that to your body, you have had a blood clot and this could cause another one!!! dummy!!!!" She then gives him a great big hug and tells him he better start taking care of himself or SHE will do it for him!! I explain that we did the very same thing after we saw this, but am glad she too is letting him have it! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSEUe6zD98UBlB81-REMFO-7qCmvV5RicDrF56l59yjsFW98SwMh537ysVh_wNFANY76we26UXwJBqLJtRz7fGpPwC45Yh2owK8sY5H9pGpAJoUFAaZH1tM_4hTQVkxTojVewxzAf_HIO/s1600/20130805_095923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSEUe6zD98UBlB81-REMFO-7qCmvV5RicDrF56l59yjsFW98SwMh537ysVh_wNFANY76we26UXwJBqLJtRz7fGpPwC45Yh2owK8sY5H9pGpAJoUFAaZH1tM_4hTQVkxTojVewxzAf_HIO/s200/20130805_095923.jpg" width="112" /></a>They draw his blood and notice that his liver counts are up. The doctor comes in and asks if he has been drinking? He replies with "just a couple of beers..then whispers and a little bit of shine." She looks at me and I explain that if we tell our kids no, they are going to do it anyway, at least this way, he tells us what he is doing and we (hopefully) have a little bit of control.. Judge is you will. She too has a teenager (Zack will be 18 in a couple of months) and understands this theory, however, she explains that the Chemo is still in his system and could have caused some damage to the liver, therefore he really shouldn't be drinking. <i>Maybe </i>a beer every now and then, but they really need to see his levels without alcohol. We both got more of an education, and having not realized this, he decides to be more responsible. She also explains the need to continue taking the Septra, which is an antibiotic. She explains that his immune system is still in healing mode and he is susceptible to pneumonia which could be life threatening. Back to reality!!! Just when you think you can breath again, there is still so much to learn of this diagnosis and the cure. </div>
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We leave there with his counts in good shape. We are expected at the Reuters Children Center for x-rays and MRI.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">"play" MRI </td></tr>
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As we enter, there is new paperwork to fill out, new insurance information to present. It has been three months, but all the faces are familiar as is the building. First the x-rays are done. This is to check his chest for any sign of the <i>disease . </i>Once those are completed, we move to another section for the MRI. There is an addition to the room, a small mock MRI where the table top moves and children can actually lay on it to see what it's like in preparation for their tests. Zack is called back. The nurse remembers us and quickly mentions he must stop growing or he won't fit on the equipment any more. Once I get settled into my chair, ipad on with a movie, I realize that this is more emotionally draining than expected. It doesn't take long before I'm sound asleep. I have read on my new friends support FB support page for Ewings this is not uncommon. You literally live from one set of scans to the next. It takes about three hours for all the scans to finish. We finally get out and grab some lunch and head back home. Me for work and Zack to hang out with his friends. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWLOsUJSkWGj-0H8wxi_3j7ayl8FHqymuBHnrz-9ar9XT81vfO5IP2k5ZkNneWqXqbj3wqvuhCs_XqVSHqAaAZxVLO4FYcJIkyLuGiCYPkFhOust7hvDM6w48zysJRvCvE_nDrnpldWAc/s1600/20130808_160043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWLOsUJSkWGj-0H8wxi_3j7ayl8FHqymuBHnrz-9ar9XT81vfO5IP2k5ZkNneWqXqbj3wqvuhCs_XqVSHqAaAZxVLO4FYcJIkyLuGiCYPkFhOust7hvDM6w48zysJRvCvE_nDrnpldWAc/s200/20130808_160043.jpg" width="112" /></a>It was only a couple of hours later while still at work, when we received THE call!!! "Hey Sabrina, everything is crystal clear, no sign of scar tissue, cancer, nothing is showing up!!" Did I already know this? In my heart yes, but in my mind? I start to cry with relief. I call Zack, Frank, Mom and later in the day touch base with Moms best friend (Aunt) Lee. I have made it a point to call her during each milestone, as Lee has been another one of my strong supporters through my at times crazy life. Now, everyone knows the good news. We are all too aware (again) at the path this journey is taking us, as we live our "normal" life in between scans. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKBSaMkDWQn3tyVmg-ZsMKrylWpTg_BM3Tjd-0AcaLlsM0ZhI9LhBbRC-V84DVUrmswHYNHCNVLYfhfZlP-QW3D3Kpv_-NwLJ4rzpihzGbaa3DkDCUKlfCxKXxuijRwc2TZEhwMz0oAvH/s1600/20130813_105309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKBSaMkDWQn3tyVmg-ZsMKrylWpTg_BM3Tjd-0AcaLlsM0ZhI9LhBbRC-V84DVUrmswHYNHCNVLYfhfZlP-QW3D3Kpv_-NwLJ4rzpihzGbaa3DkDCUKlfCxKXxuijRwc2TZEhwMz0oAvH/s200/20130813_105309.jpg" width="112" /></a></div>
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Zack has begun College. He is going to the local Community College to study automotive and is so excited. He has been working (as usual) on his truck, my car and Franks trailer (as proof in pictures). He has attended so many bonfires and pool parties we lost count. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8SkdgSgs0kE/UhEXMJ3A6TI/AAAAAAAAL04/GpvhFvaFoCE/s1600/20130813_105306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8SkdgSgs0kE/UhEXMJ3A6TI/AAAAAAAAL04/GpvhFvaFoCE/s200/20130813_105306.jpg" width="112" /></a>Having had a great summer with his friends and ready for school. It hasn't taken him long to get back into the swing of life. So, as he starts his new schedule with school and trying to find a part time job, we take everything one day at a time. There are some days I don't even think about it, okay, so I still think about it every day, but maybe not every minute. I can actually go a couple of hours without thinking about it.</div>
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Now, when people ask how he is doing, I can gladly say "scans continue to be clear!!!" </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939158029679022108.post-74773175633431901962013-07-29T22:50:00.001-04:002013-07-29T22:50:25.156-04:00Our Monthly photo album................<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the lake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_v34IY3tAiE7zKheXmAvQKJqWnpD5ZIwNT4_m9zlB_tAZKHXglIFuM6WOlt_OIBLy68ScljhgRfrUP1W7M5lGkoYAC92kF66aVab03NFitZPT0W8TAHunqoMcYurDlh0x_UegaJz7M4G9/s1600/20130727_152019_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_v34IY3tAiE7zKheXmAvQKJqWnpD5ZIwNT4_m9zlB_tAZKHXglIFuM6WOlt_OIBLy68ScljhgRfrUP1W7M5lGkoYAC92kF66aVab03NFitZPT0W8TAHunqoMcYurDlh0x_UegaJz7M4G9/s320/20130727_152019_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical teenager....</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGc7eKg1WNnjBw7Kj20FZwtaumXLdHOJdL4jr2ktw0OHkdsGjcG4gptSvOGAlQDkgznNfiCyEGiBHnWEEfkBRRxjeC3JHqS65RC_vxM9X2NNdQnOQUKitF7QLsbIrO_gmxPIe3YCyokxq/s1600/20130727_114122_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGc7eKg1WNnjBw7Kj20FZwtaumXLdHOJdL4jr2ktw0OHkdsGjcG4gptSvOGAlQDkgznNfiCyEGiBHnWEEfkBRRxjeC3JHqS65RC_vxM9X2NNdQnOQUKitF7QLsbIrO_gmxPIe3YCyokxq/s320/20130727_114122_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Danger, 300 foot dam ahead!!! I didn't dare!!!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfjmAli8S8QZF8jvo40RikG_-I9iFBG9l7h8JK037i_cdkswMHBAHUgIDFSBgaLxZOFFVGciOP7YSH-5-pZjqzjejV_Gosv6OTucpTlsEeBxEKOXs1Qv9I1eBP6UhOwf4TFKqkBOhq8bI/s1600/20130727_113522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfjmAli8S8QZF8jvo40RikG_-I9iFBG9l7h8JK037i_cdkswMHBAHUgIDFSBgaLxZOFFVGciOP7YSH-5-pZjqzjejV_Gosv6OTucpTlsEeBxEKOXs1Qv9I1eBP6UhOwf4TFKqkBOhq8bI/s320/20130727_113522.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQWX84_RAojWBbYaUxL3jrsy1ESWZRkTDuRFHFFLFiCtdBn-fCuyYcNHgPjR0HA63jg82JrzCXrmw7LyiGVgjS2x-akTkv03TYkjByXFjJuODSrc9i4x5wjqU0QDKMYkBw0PbznhxQG-M/s1600/20130727_113531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQWX84_RAojWBbYaUxL3jrsy1ESWZRkTDuRFHFFLFiCtdBn-fCuyYcNHgPjR0HA63jg82JrzCXrmw7LyiGVgjS2x-akTkv03TYkjByXFjJuODSrc9i4x5wjqU0QDKMYkBw0PbznhxQG-M/s320/20130727_113531.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kayaking with Kelly at Cascade Lake, July 26</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJBYdJlBgFl-QjGQ-N2fWox-lE8cIyJ67z7JK_qP3PQpeudHOb7rF91Zaz5lamnD919GBbkVZTFDtdsAEHZ2k3xP7QDir3gRJWjQrNfpBtbf67RnC2uGP2m8GAUHOnnDPQP0hts5JR494/s1600/20130713_183406_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJBYdJlBgFl-QjGQ-N2fWox-lE8cIyJ67z7JK_qP3PQpeudHOb7rF91Zaz5lamnD919GBbkVZTFDtdsAEHZ2k3xP7QDir3gRJWjQrNfpBtbf67RnC2uGP2m8GAUHOnnDPQP0hts5JR494/s320/20130713_183406_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fishing (well sitting, while he fished) with Frank</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGTQAeO4w2o_TNCT6BiK3949diCQbpgOSp6iRyc40L4NXItibNR-eDqRIpomoT8wt21RJJQ5iPkorI4jUarve3ez03s9ilYqiGbm_KGxzy7AuBxFhyphenhyphenw2fd7w9l4UXBTBtcqTz0gX8l9y_/s1600/20130713_183538_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGTQAeO4w2o_TNCT6BiK3949diCQbpgOSp6iRyc40L4NXItibNR-eDqRIpomoT8wt21RJJQ5iPkorI4jUarve3ez03s9ilYqiGbm_KGxzy7AuBxFhyphenhyphenw2fd7w9l4UXBTBtcqTz0gX8l9y_/s320/20130713_183538_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At our little pond, below the house</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDXuIfldvKascf7_pbLLFKEoYIdJ5jGAdfvUCiygJo0jQrUdVQFZVZMEKpo-qUcgNA3j522EO6mCImRzuUG6OQ56YQSI0PtwqApefyR_qoGQ7jp9zgQzrHiCxFTnCPKFjDjcUeqxl7WGQ/s1600/20130713_183910_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDXuIfldvKascf7_pbLLFKEoYIdJ5jGAdfvUCiygJo0jQrUdVQFZVZMEKpo-qUcgNA3j522EO6mCImRzuUG6OQ56YQSI0PtwqApefyR_qoGQ7jp9zgQzrHiCxFTnCPKFjDjcUeqxl7WGQ/s320/20130713_183910_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And... he caught one!!!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxWB5B7UuCt1hOLbmczakhzaEGVUIU63r26mPs8sJmgHzZ5r-1c3ehXwKs5EmnrU2r7BPInF52huNuyDX2u4DLKpWNy6Mlp-C4NiBF8UDwbUqrx3MrL6-UdSdrs7bNy0Tx9WCsGNkKQAd/s1600/20130713_183621_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxWB5B7UuCt1hOLbmczakhzaEGVUIU63r26mPs8sJmgHzZ5r-1c3ehXwKs5EmnrU2r7BPInF52huNuyDX2u4DLKpWNy6Mlp-C4NiBF8UDwbUqrx3MrL6-UdSdrs7bNy0Tx9WCsGNkKQAd/s320/20130713_183621_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWQC0uOBuNfYLTYe9srXthJ7UNW8lxZHewhBcNFbRprn0vLvsA-3up9rqhzll9HWLA0UQZoD0iLhTikqCbksOkVRHDF2WcltdfQWUFvB0tzjOzsZj0bUfrLYovAZ3sV7Re2EhWCvVJKJf/s1600/20130709_111552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWQC0uOBuNfYLTYe9srXthJ7UNW8lxZHewhBcNFbRprn0vLvsA-3up9rqhzll9HWLA0UQZoD0iLhTikqCbksOkVRHDF2WcltdfQWUFvB0tzjOzsZj0bUfrLYovAZ3sV7Re2EhWCvVJKJf/s320/20130709_111552.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garrett aka"Cookie aka Biscuit and Jelly aka Zack"</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31FPRZNzi8gBloLtGZlwvb2bJSL13YwycGDQIrKuFYvKZuCRdXSnogAmXKZPQjLfEojUgQt2_lsJbsAvB1TUmKty9tAsz73qQGJQFQ-e6865HTXO_gbD4ImU9aiILtZmdd8Z7qMqBRTbV/s1600/20130708_121808_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31FPRZNzi8gBloLtGZlwvb2bJSL13YwycGDQIrKuFYvKZuCRdXSnogAmXKZPQjLfEojUgQt2_lsJbsAvB1TUmKty9tAsz73qQGJQFQ-e6865HTXO_gbD4ImU9aiILtZmdd8Z7qMqBRTbV/s320/20130708_121808_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meme, Zack and Garrett... Biscuit (Cookie)</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMV01aLPbsNu5BfbHGy7ZeGBcf24GdXfDApQXB632x8l-EX5X35r1-H2WtLyv0TqMw4tqHaLTepI8IKHiNgyednZs_eJ14BXQMbTgH_Rn31PjXSRX-sfgvnL1LWybZoBO_57CkJQbAhmo/s1600/20130708_113831_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMV01aLPbsNu5BfbHGy7ZeGBcf24GdXfDApQXB632x8l-EX5X35r1-H2WtLyv0TqMw4tqHaLTepI8IKHiNgyednZs_eJ14BXQMbTgH_Rn31PjXSRX-sfgvnL1LWybZoBO_57CkJQbAhmo/s320/20130708_113831_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Jekyll Island from St. Simmons light house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2sTpvvZcClIpQixCfww7Y9SIRuF3ckuaEVwGFkil20nn_qpuRnZkqWEIg9y2gzFDlkkK5W1HDkrTPVQ1oZ56XlpB1oQpsEYLJmnntWfMZfnmsILv0wHPCetA5gKpKPXbHPpJMJXoJUkT/s1600/20130708_113815_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2sTpvvZcClIpQixCfww7Y9SIRuF3ckuaEVwGFkil20nn_qpuRnZkqWEIg9y2gzFDlkkK5W1HDkrTPVQ1oZ56XlpB1oQpsEYLJmnntWfMZfnmsILv0wHPCetA5gKpKPXbHPpJMJXoJUkT/s320/20130708_113815_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy11W2Tt4JDiaiG6_ncL9F9QNtgFeuZ8fsu7wALiURarGJkZkdmYo2M5x-BA_m4Zx5XS47tBJyDArz10FhOue_b37OhzNNzdxiTnEigXnTrqt8JnpqxztKd64bJX1DHjy-9KPTUt43c6PE/s1600/20130708_113737_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy11W2Tt4JDiaiG6_ncL9F9QNtgFeuZ8fsu7wALiURarGJkZkdmYo2M5x-BA_m4Zx5XS47tBJyDArz10FhOue_b37OhzNNzdxiTnEigXnTrqt8JnpqxztKd64bJX1DHjy-9KPTUt43c6PE/s320/20130708_113737_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0U5lIeAZ1MPjrBqjywKzpH-ePSlgRbGE72dPiXl2qLLJziOmiy6t-Ow_5x6yVLoBCcu4HZkw0pDeHT_6qRhgX9ibmeD5R4wdIQcoeI146GdkYGNra0XDjKGz4J3C0FLWATjSlQKtfdWZp/s1600/20130708_113541_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0U5lIeAZ1MPjrBqjywKzpH-ePSlgRbGE72dPiXl2qLLJziOmiy6t-Ow_5x6yVLoBCcu4HZkw0pDeHT_6qRhgX9ibmeD5R4wdIQcoeI146GdkYGNra0XDjKGz4J3C0FLWATjSlQKtfdWZp/s320/20130708_113541_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garrett at top of light house</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguLkuoqRtDYfbytk7G8WQo3AyGLVy58UBYGJPkzDWXIDkLWAQQESDWxujY4pxjUR3Jegy9IYAXafJmH4MIOjFi_7Gz2Wuz2hSLYlECVrYl_1-2-BBbJuJuKmimA2hMtWQrkYuyYUvf87d0/s1600/20130708_113643_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguLkuoqRtDYfbytk7G8WQo3AyGLVy58UBYGJPkzDWXIDkLWAQQESDWxujY4pxjUR3Jegy9IYAXafJmH4MIOjFi_7Gz2Wuz2hSLYlECVrYl_1-2-BBbJuJuKmimA2hMtWQrkYuyYUvf87d0/s320/20130708_113643_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSInQCDbpckuACLOapb6toaaoGap3SCzkMeDSRiOx2ULHjPK3hbvz5PuC8bWjBZIqm8UEMs40POzxQ69TjyaTbFvfX_5PgP-Nw9TxVeeVYmqfE9s7BpCGHEvQVMmUTsIMAZvov8fx8FlS/s1600/20130708_103627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSInQCDbpckuACLOapb6toaaoGap3SCzkMeDSRiOx2ULHjPK3hbvz5PuC8bWjBZIqm8UEMs40POzxQ69TjyaTbFvfX_5PgP-Nw9TxVeeVYmqfE9s7BpCGHEvQVMmUTsIMAZvov8fx8FlS/s320/20130708_103627.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boys being boys, Zack flipping Garrett</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxItmWZ5Y7FQnjfnRV9VSmBOWR1-hJqqaL6n7u9GoVB1OnTMnT6HFd14X0KBWj4E_dogzzamSSlrCsM5KxczHkmC3hTSmEoTrpqVjWEtiHdVwpFhgSCRl5zjh6c-RZvNV74uAucwLS6o3m/s1600/20130707_195938_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxItmWZ5Y7FQnjfnRV9VSmBOWR1-hJqqaL6n7u9GoVB1OnTMnT6HFd14X0KBWj4E_dogzzamSSlrCsM5KxczHkmC3hTSmEoTrpqVjWEtiHdVwpFhgSCRl5zjh6c-RZvNV74uAucwLS6o3m/s320/20130707_195938_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meme with "the boys"</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chilling at Jekyll Island Petrified forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zack, the poser</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6g53FXN5sXHXpqF9QvNGOQrSSiHXVbITtyIqulUdojyycjzxRQ-XrTAEE7oeO6H3NN5Qiu9ciEyGGa_oeat5HT_qhueVh8yaih-Wp-hu1Gd89BFTJhgr553zKx8cD727mjMxMYDjTXeLG/s1600/20130707_195247_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6g53FXN5sXHXpqF9QvNGOQrSSiHXVbITtyIqulUdojyycjzxRQ-XrTAEE7oeO6H3NN5Qiu9ciEyGGa_oeat5HT_qhueVh8yaih-Wp-hu1Gd89BFTJhgr553zKx8cD727mjMxMYDjTXeLG/s320/20130707_195247_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garrett, "I made it!!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CNgLwnJooB5LOWjMshr23iFxujwEA056L0Ech6Yr2icu-0Z9nwuQ3aaEstTJFgY0bOzzsZq4ceBL6rRbgT2XP3EMRx9oCQHlZoY7P8b80d7jB8j1mVT0oNAHvsaYBh5iYytK8hM38GHW/s1600/20130707_195335_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CNgLwnJooB5LOWjMshr23iFxujwEA056L0Ech6Yr2icu-0Z9nwuQ3aaEstTJFgY0bOzzsZq4ceBL6rRbgT2XP3EMRx9oCQHlZoY7P8b80d7jB8j1mVT0oNAHvsaYBh5iYytK8hM38GHW/s320/20130707_195335_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuSgG3me-tkmZ6wZnbBVCWNvYMijxBE1L20BE9iy4gW-Wos_G8JPBKQOlRmIh-7zqq9Q2FH_TUwzhAEVe0a9cBuxcTkCZyekdmAZLxDRkuZ2WBOcP3-yLMezT51XvhgkZVXv_3E5l-gDM/s1600/20130707_194324_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuSgG3me-tkmZ6wZnbBVCWNvYMijxBE1L20BE9iy4gW-Wos_G8JPBKQOlRmIh-7zqq9Q2FH_TUwzhAEVe0a9cBuxcTkCZyekdmAZLxDRkuZ2WBOcP3-yLMezT51XvhgkZVXv_3E5l-gDM/s320/20130707_194324_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "thinker" OR "I'm so cool!!!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiedt7VYrkEml9gv1H2NQacr17CAvVmh88ZvRyy7b2EahYDR7NtZIOqF_XV3uposINPZuzSwfETxmQnGsLRLtcvwai3lIOSmDBFMs5hbSuWywg9II1UIs_-RD5VWeu2K_yCvEtRbCc4jn/s1600/20130707_193609_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiedt7VYrkEml9gv1H2NQacr17CAvVmh88ZvRyy7b2EahYDR7NtZIOqF_XV3uposINPZuzSwfETxmQnGsLRLtcvwai3lIOSmDBFMs5hbSuWywg9II1UIs_-RD5VWeu2K_yCvEtRbCc4jn/s320/20130707_193609_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best friends!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdbpSCtDtAzsy7SXksJHZ-He86rwQ-RLgXwLOESpbje77dAri3UBLw9wDuhKt6cQyEd8uzkuKMbdXwqNuQSmVIt3ciyoSJYyds5C1BeqD-Z3rEh6ygxFXutfSbG6bpCQytp-jJsAtMNOqu/s1600/20130707_194233_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdbpSCtDtAzsy7SXksJHZ-He86rwQ-RLgXwLOESpbje77dAri3UBLw9wDuhKt6cQyEd8uzkuKMbdXwqNuQSmVIt3ciyoSJYyds5C1BeqD-Z3rEh6ygxFXutfSbG6bpCQytp-jJsAtMNOqu/s320/20130707_194233_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1LT3Aml1biJ19RjybA_LIJq3T2Z2P4bU77y4Q49B6i6yLycsEHMiQ2elBbuCXnrFMkNlYZYOiiCvj8pVrxE0f2GZVb6_B5EVfkVlC9UcjJ1_jDlNfsqQxiuRfvK9YaB5HZXJBEff0pRC/s1600/20130707_192913_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1LT3Aml1biJ19RjybA_LIJq3T2Z2P4bU77y4Q49B6i6yLycsEHMiQ2elBbuCXnrFMkNlYZYOiiCvj8pVrxE0f2GZVb6_B5EVfkVlC9UcjJ1_jDlNfsqQxiuRfvK9YaB5HZXJBEff0pRC/s320/20130707_192913_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUugjcFiprHDErVCP3NGLJxhBPS5nFIoN0VAl2UeyZN5XzDJi55DwuNGhP5Qs1-nGLjd_SO_zPMN0_OSDzH1nMO6g8-HfSpjnNwvoEAO4aJwzga3SehRJy34bhcIWPwgsQaybhHJec-GlW/s1600/20130707_193102_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUugjcFiprHDErVCP3NGLJxhBPS5nFIoN0VAl2UeyZN5XzDJi55DwuNGhP5Qs1-nGLjd_SO_zPMN0_OSDzH1nMO6g8-HfSpjnNwvoEAO4aJwzga3SehRJy34bhcIWPwgsQaybhHJec-GlW/s320/20130707_193102_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Say hello to my little friend!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VjtilShwz2rBVmZ3TD3cAfmvnI2e-_JD30Z9ZtyzPc7YDYgOT065aY13uED2ACcwTpG2zx1azH2KT-LmVnIZx7NxmZrELdWn1CauVrmz3ySX6qsg0LoSP1bPEk1yQgjuOO6YcmF6ihqM/s1600/20130707_192849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VjtilShwz2rBVmZ3TD3cAfmvnI2e-_JD30Z9ZtyzPc7YDYgOT065aY13uED2ACcwTpG2zx1azH2KT-LmVnIZx7NxmZrELdWn1CauVrmz3ySX6qsg0LoSP1bPEk1yQgjuOO6YcmF6ihqM/s320/20130707_192849.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIchJUoGHHTS_XiPEO6a516sQGlgMvm4ahPbUPAqdKeTuGURhR4M-YPtw8t7TdYwXeu_q8wXU6_XCw9F4QI8rh8wcLL2bZcrrNgBz1XaWofbSb9VjW2ZZxDlVt2FLve92bDPIkVcIHm8Y/s1600/20130707_140823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIchJUoGHHTS_XiPEO6a516sQGlgMvm4ahPbUPAqdKeTuGURhR4M-YPtw8t7TdYwXeu_q8wXU6_XCw9F4QI8rh8wcLL2bZcrrNgBz1XaWofbSb9VjW2ZZxDlVt2FLve92bDPIkVcIHm8Y/s320/20130707_140823.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYqgPHT6MxFsjZMkfh7OhsR0SRZciyxtt4r8YLxokhqYN3pD_mAykvYt_owtpObgarUBv2yfeSMNmX-n433Ade4u0HyCg-d1R2P-dEumdziCyHx6m24vj4IwQ616PvSYhEJJgUnVgeO_p/s1600/20130707_120934_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYqgPHT6MxFsjZMkfh7OhsR0SRZciyxtt4r8YLxokhqYN3pD_mAykvYt_owtpObgarUBv2yfeSMNmX-n433Ade4u0HyCg-d1R2P-dEumdziCyHx6m24vj4IwQ616PvSYhEJJgUnVgeO_p/s320/20130707_120934_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Push me Mommy... please......</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-9fIVA8pa7qOvu7zcTtBRuakvHPbeyIRcQToX6o-v6a3rMA9fzafKhboat_HBdvYFgiEBLYeu4SROSMDq75eOg-GfM93cJhmn2zpj5ABUGS9CZQfBCr5tXxPmwFdr7LaDuec3V6RqzbI/s1600/20130708_201540_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-9fIVA8pa7qOvu7zcTtBRuakvHPbeyIRcQToX6o-v6a3rMA9fzafKhboat_HBdvYFgiEBLYeu4SROSMDq75eOg-GfM93cJhmn2zpj5ABUGS9CZQfBCr5tXxPmwFdr7LaDuec3V6RqzbI/s320/20130708_201540_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from second floor room!! Breathtaking!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939158029679022108.post-85613513543503951962013-07-29T22:30:00.000-04:002013-07-29T22:30:00.351-04:00Back to and from the Island........... <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: small;">So it hits me…. I’m at lunch, my
cell phone rings… there in BIG BOLD letters…. CANCER CENTER. I hadn’t REALLY
forgotten about “them”. How could I? It’s always in the back of my head. “Three
month scans next month,” but until that phone rang, it wasn’t a reality. It was
just on my to do list. NOW, it’s Leena calling to schedule the scans. Partially freaked out, I tell her now is not a good time, I will call her tomorrow. I'm not ready to do this, I've just had a wonderfully, peaceful weekend camping and kayaking with my girlfriend who visited from Tennessee and I don't want to be jarred back into reality just yet. What difference is one day going to make.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTHxC-CeLj051SofLaiWlHOlmDzt1ruvKibF8DazTtDfrZ7l43TASXlPGP4d3gz5vkeNPlRsGuote3-uF6BlNWncRicuieqWY-qoZBvwcFseEKEEaTABmaK4lC2A4KO1IZVgQYnduSocC/s1600/20130728_095106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTHxC-CeLj051SofLaiWlHOlmDzt1ruvKibF8DazTtDfrZ7l43TASXlPGP4d3gz5vkeNPlRsGuote3-uF6BlNWncRicuieqWY-qoZBvwcFseEKEEaTABmaK4lC2A4KO1IZVgQYnduSocC/s200/20130728_095106.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">As you can tell, the blogging has
slowed way down. We have been living our lives, as if every day were out last. Mom, Zack, his friend Garret and I
were fortunate enough to make a trip just after July 4<sup>th</sup> to Jekyll
Island, GA. A gift, mom said from “someone”, she is never allowed to share whom.
Grateful and eager to get away from the weeks of thunder storms and constant
rain, I jump at it. Frank was unable to go as he has several contracts, for
which we are equally grateful. I rent a larger car for the trip, as the two “boys”
are 17, but each over 6 feet tall. To say we had a blast is an understatement.
Mom and I haven’t seen Zack this funny and relaxed in a long time. Garrett
(Biscuit to Zack’s Jelly) and Zack have known each other a long time. They have
recently re connected through mutual friends. Both like to hunt, trap, fish,
work on cars and of course girl watching is a constant with these two. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscd94o-VXge8misI4hsi-_62HCxSaY4woemoHnOUL2rSMISkA9xUGe2209IO8xJS_XXb787Ckq2ExO9KM0Yp6kQNmuqQ87yuvT8DYe5oF8FmXt-nnkJBCBBRNpPy7ZYHMb7TOuCQmemTr/s1600/20130708_201713_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscd94o-VXge8misI4hsi-_62HCxSaY4woemoHnOUL2rSMISkA9xUGe2209IO8xJS_XXb787Ckq2ExO9KM0Yp6kQNmuqQ87yuvT8DYe5oF8FmXt-nnkJBCBBRNpPy7ZYHMb7TOuCQmemTr/s200/20130708_201713_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">Mom could never remember his nickname
so she started a new one “Cookie” is how we now address him. He took to it
pretty quickly and didn’t seem to mind. With the two together it was an ongoing
comedy. This was “Cookie’s” first trip to the ocean, so it was awesome to
witness through another's eyes. He immediately fell in love with the ocean. He
and Zack spent hours in the water, jumping, diving into and running away from
the waves as they were breaking over their heads. Mom stayed in the room most of the time, it
was simply too hot and humid for her, but after two days I arranged for us to
move upstairs for a better view of the ocean. All she wanted, was to be away on a break and see the ocean.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCfM_4F6W59gfZVuFnAGKc3W3RtjQt3_98_V91xoH3YiXujwecH_WXPTA7QUlf_SRO7g2eivXUiJlWHJxB3_2yrzwyXUjSuXng39MJxMR2YQbdTdfzt1cbs62KQR3FB4l9XVC-XZo7zUd/s1600/20130708_113505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCfM_4F6W59gfZVuFnAGKc3W3RtjQt3_98_V91xoH3YiXujwecH_WXPTA7QUlf_SRO7g2eivXUiJlWHJxB3_2yrzwyXUjSuXng39MJxMR2YQbdTdfzt1cbs62KQR3FB4l9XVC-XZo7zUd/s200/20130708_113505.jpg" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Mom from above</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;">We would spend the days at the
pool or ocean and a couple of times would run out in the early morning to
visit the little shops on the Island. Our ultimate adventure was to climb 133 stairs to the
top of the light house in nearby St. Simmons Island. This was something on my
personal “bucket list”. Having had a fear of heights </span><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_aC00U1EGTGom-1mJtuUPHkpppCR-NmdOYcAHAmunG_0w1w1U0nqz3szu2tVlCvnZKSY4k3PkoE90HT23Q4b9EfqW9moJgf4hhxF5MSCHTAaLBN5bwLvIoUmScKlLeXhR0JbN7BLpGT9/s1600/20130708_114017_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_aC00U1EGTGom-1mJtuUPHkpppCR-NmdOYcAHAmunG_0w1w1U0nqz3szu2tVlCvnZKSY4k3PkoE90HT23Q4b9EfqW9moJgf4hhxF5MSCHTAaLBN5bwLvIoUmScKlLeXhR0JbN7BLpGT9/s200/20130708_114017_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">most of my adult life and
having conquered it by zip lining two years ago, this was just another
challenge I wanted to conquer. Since the
end of treatment, I challenge myself to do new adventures, some think to remind
myself that I am alive; mostly I feel it’s to remind myself that I am grateful.
Though Zack does have a fear of heights, he climbed to the top and stood at the
doorway. That, was something I never would have been able to do before, with my
fear, so I’m immensely proud of him for going that far. </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rgLUBZ1D1vm2CikpQO65SxbawkQ1e8dPDuecP2gcoRlUIVfuyh__EpcwpxFfTrEuhqBsuyYSgSNJQjiPhkqQ5M1oEGbruUx21XJZXHpDWF3kAVxV5Z66wE8L0ZyKeYy7z2CQWZp3OTJ6/s1600/20130708_113610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="44" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rgLUBZ1D1vm2CikpQO65SxbawkQ1e8dPDuecP2gcoRlUIVfuyh__EpcwpxFfTrEuhqBsuyYSgSNJQjiPhkqQ5M1oEGbruUx21XJZXHpDWF3kAVxV5Z66wE8L0ZyKeYy7z2CQWZp3OTJ6/s320/20130708_113610.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panoramic View from Light house</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kQ_ilTrUz2bgp0CFK2p_oHynEYFXbDAaWkiQSJIi6YHPuVZ8Z2zQq6auLshp-NdYXMvmIKAkaqe5ygxiw41mSPFPSVBBIM1Q49uzP5YDkM4dMMGd6qc_y0vMgoglS2jeYMHhnlbB-Dnw/s1600/20130708_121926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kQ_ilTrUz2bgp0CFK2p_oHynEYFXbDAaWkiQSJIi6YHPuVZ8Z2zQq6auLshp-NdYXMvmIKAkaqe5ygxiw41mSPFPSVBBIM1Q49uzP5YDkM4dMMGd6qc_y0vMgoglS2jeYMHhnlbB-Dnw/s200/20130708_121926.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">Of course a trip to the Island is
not complete without our usual fresh off the boat crab legs and shrimp lunch at the Warf. What was
wonderful was Cookie announced he was taking us all out and wouldn’t hear no!!
THIS from a 16 year old!! It was truly generous of him and we graciously
accepted. We stayed a total of five nights, staying one night on the road. It
was the perfect way to begin our summer, get plenty of sun, rest and fun all in
one, not to mention more memories. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">As I sat there on the beach, I couldn't help but remember where we were exactly a year ago. Zack was healing from the surgery that removed the tumor and we all we innocent of the future our life would hold. We "knew" it would be full of appointments, chemotherapy and radiation, whatever THAT meant. We simply guessed at how we would all handle this, how we would make it through the year. Little did we know, we would all become warriors in the fight of our lives. Here we are now. I'm not even sure how we have made it. Zack certainly has made the journey easier than I ever could have at his age. His strength, determination and total lack of self pity has taught many of us a lesson. We have all changed and for the better. Anyone that has come in contact with him, can't help but change. Yes, he has had moments of despair and anger, but when looking at the big picture, he stood strong and in spite of some of the obstacles throughout the year and the many changes he was forced to endure, he made us all proud to be with him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">It's hard to stay in that dark place. He has been cancer free since the removal of the tumor. In many cases, it returns, even during treatment. His has not! Many children have lost their lives this past year to this horrible type of cancer. Many more were diagnosed, with little hope, and yet there were equal amounts of NED (No evidence of disease) and celebrations across the globe. Having become connected with a few intimate sites involving Ewings Sarcoma, we become a unit, a family of Heroes, Warriors and Angels. Did I ever see myself and my family in this light? No, never, but I am a better person for having this experience. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The little pleasures mean so much more. Even to Zack, who still is running 1000 miles an hour. After returning from the Island, he has been going to more movies, swimming, hanging out at bonfires with his friends, starting his training at Rescue Squad, working on trucks, "chasing" girls. He is back to working at least three days with Frank and though it's not his perfect idea of a job, he loves the paychecks and what they can afford him. We see him less and less, as he returns home at 10, 11 and when he can really push the envelope, midnight. He reminds us that he will soon be 18 and we calmly remind him of the cost of living away from home and the fact that there are still rules to follow. With the rolling of his eyes he says, "I guess I can take it two more years". Oh the memories THAT brings back to when I was his age!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">It's breathtaking to witness him coming back to life. His eyebrows full and brushy, his eyelashes the envy of every young girl and woman who would love to have half the fullness and length from a bottle of mascara. His hair is returning with a light blonde color, feeling like a babies hair, so soft to the touch, you can't stop "petting" him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">He is in the works with Make a Wish to have his truck painted, detailed, new tires and rims and a "lift". Which pretty much means it is going to be higher than it currently is. He is so excited, he can't wait! He starts school in a couple of weeks with a full course load. He is anxious, but since having taken and passed his math entrance test, he's more secure in returning to school. So far all of his classes involve automotive, but the lady who signed him up, didn't realize he was getting his Associates, so that may change a bit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Well, having returned from the Island, the lake and any other place I could hide out, tomorrow is another day. I WILL call the Cancer Center, schedule his three month scans and KNOW that everything is going to be just fine!!!! Right?</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939158029679022108.post-15694730348299827872013-07-01T22:23:00.001-04:002013-07-01T22:23:41.027-04:00Surgery 101<div style="text-align: justify;">
It is exactly two weeks since we received the post treatment protocol. We had left the office resigned to leaving the port in until after the three month scans, which weren't until August. Zack wasn't thrilled, but understood the reasoning. He is healing and quickly. He has been able to work with both Frank and our neighbor, earning a weekly paycheck and feeling very much like the "it" guy as well he should! He keeps reminding us that after a year of physical limitations he can't wait for the port to be removed so he can move ahead with his plans.</div>
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On Tuesday he went with one of his friends who is a volunteer on the rescue squad and signed up. Through coincidence one of the Captains is my OB's nurse and was already expecting him after I shared his intentions of joining. I had explained the past year to her and with that knowledge she advised Zack of what training he could participate in and what he would have to wait for. He returned home from the first meeting excited and immediately sat down filling out the paperwork. </div>
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He went to the local community college, signed up and completed his placement tests. He scored well on everything but math and since it has been over two years since taking math, decided to retest after studying a bit. In typical bureaucratic fashion, he had to schedule a meeting to schedule the test. If I had my camera on me that exact moment when he explained this to me, the expression was priceless. His plan is to go for two years and take all of the automotive courses graduating with his associates degree. He then wants to move on to Nashville, TN and go to Nashville Auto Diesel to complete his education. We are so glad he is staying close to home for a couple more years as there is still a lot more scans to make it through and having him here will make it easier to monitor. </div>
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We had a special guest from Swedin, our nephew Kahleb (brother Bob's son). Kahleb is five months younger than Zack is a high functioning Autistic and though we haven't seen him in over a year, it's as if we saw him last week. Zack took one of his friends with him to Hendersonville, picked up Kahleb and spent the day with him, showing him his favorite spots in Brevard, mainly the auto shop, the Tractor Supply and later took him to dinner with a couple of friends. Kahleb had such a great time he asked to come and spend a couple of days with Zack. The boys were invited to a bonfire at T-Dubs house and Zack was so excited to introduce his cousin to everyone. They were having such a great time they spent the night, sleeping in the back of the truck (Kahleb slept in the cab). The next day was spent going from one friends house to another. Zack has truly become the social butterfly. <br />
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Saturday we finally laid Franks father to rest. His ashes were placed next to his parents (his wishes) in a graveyard in Toxaway. It was a brief service, consisting of two songs from Shawn's Ipad and the burying of a solid brass urn I had purchased as a gift. Kahleb decided to come and found the whole thing very interesting. Once the ceremony was over the boys couldn't wait to go yet again to another bonfire. It was so special to see how much fun they had together and Kahleb wouldn't stop talking about his experiences and how he felt so comfortable around Zack and his friends. He tells me "Aunt Sabrina, you know I feel very safe when I'm with Zack, no one is going to mess with me or him!" Of course Zack loved that!!</div>
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Once Kahleb returned to spend the rest of his time with his maternal grandmother, it was life as usual. Zack was back at work as were we. Nancy and I had set a time to get together for pedicures, (a gift card I had been hanging on to since my Birthday in April). Zack and I prior arrangements to meet after and go to Hendersonville together. As Nancy and I are saying goodbye, Zack walks up, gives us both a hug and when Nancy asks how he is feeling, he gives his usual thumbs up. When she asks if he feels more like he did before the treatments, he points to the area where the port is and angrily says to me "I want this fu.....ing thing OUT MOM!!!" He turns to walk away as he waved goodbye to Nancy. As I get into the car, he apologizes for his tone and explains that "he just wants this all done, he wants to work out, train at the rescue squad and be normal!" I totally understand and explain "message received","If you really want it out now, then we will get it done." I explain, again, that IF they do find anything with the three month scans he will have to have it re inserted. We all agree that he has been cancer free since the removal of the tumor, so the chances are quite good that the scans will continue to come out clear. On the way to town I make a few phone calls to arrange surgery for the following week. This is actually going to work out better since his insurance changes on the 1st of July and we start with another deductible and out of pocket. </div>
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The surgery was scheduled for Friday at 9 am. The week was spent with us all working. Zack got in as much of his normal activities as possible, knowing he wasn't going to able to do much for at least a week until the area healed. I received a call asking us to come in earlier, 6 am to be exact and still knowing we would have to get up and leave by 5 am, we were game. We arrived at an outpatient surgical center. Zack and I were the first to arrive, so we had all our paperwork cleared and were waiting for the rest of the staff to come in. As I am sitting there, looking around, I realize the room is filled with children. Most of them under the age of three. My curiosity gets the better of me and I ask a few of the parents, "tubes in ears" was the most common response. It was hard for me to keep quiet, but I did. Today was about Zack and I didn't feel like "preaching" to deaf ears (pardon the irony). "My own nephew didn't have to have tubes put in his ears after several adjustments" would be my usual intro into Chiropractic discussions. But today, my energy is gone, my desire to do or think about anything or anyone but Zack was simply not there.<br />
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The nurse calls me over thinking I was having the surgery. She asks for my name, I tell her Zack Fisher is here for the surgery. She looks me up and down and says "then why are YOU up here?" I simply say "because he is 17 years old and I'm his mother!" as she leans over her desk looking at Zack sitting in the chair by the window, she says "OH MY!!!, " We are called to the back and asked for him to put on the tie in the back gown. They end up bringing him one of the largest they have and bring him a surgeon's cap to wear as well. Over and over again, the head nurse, anesthesiologist, aide to the surgeon, aide to the anesthesiologist and finally the surgeon all walk in. Each time, they ask the same questions. By the time the surgeon enters the room Zack looks up at him and says "Zachariah Fisher, I go by Zack, I graduated this year and am going into college for automotive, I'm having the port removed from my left side, no I'm not allergic to anything, yes this is my mother, yes I'm only 17, I know... I'm a big kid!" The surgeon looks at him, then me and says "Well alright then, see you in a few minutes". "Oh wait please, can you make a vertical cut over the horizontal? If I'm going to have a scar I would love to tattoo a treasure map over my shoulder and the X can mark where the treasure was" The surgeon can't make any promises, but will see what he can do. When all was said and done, he did make a small incision as requested.<br />
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The surgery was not long at all. The staff were all amazing and kind. Zack woke up quite loopy from being put under and the fun began. He would tell the recovery nurse that he is going to have "your name" tattooed on his butt, so that he could win every bet and make a fortune. She looked at me as if to question what that meant. Zack then explained "if I have YOUR NAME on my butt, then I can bet everyone that I have YOUR NAME on my butt" It took her awhile, but she finally got it and thought he was hilarious!!! I offered for her to keep him!!<br />
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It took about three days of him staying at home and resting for the scar to heal. It is now Monday and just about completely healed up. He missed out on a couple of fun get togethers this weekend, but once I reminded him this was just for a couple of days, he lightened up. His attitude continues to amaze me and everyone around him. He continues on his new path and continues to teach us daily about the true meaning of life. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939158029679022108.post-48646415051609380132013-06-14T22:06:00.003-04:002013-06-14T22:06:49.015-04:00Post treatment protocol<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today was the first day of flushing of the port. This is the first time we return to the Cancer Center after completing the treatment protocol. I'm not sure what I expected, or Zack for that matter. We both had the idea that we would go in, the nurse would weigh him, measure him and take his vitals like every other time. We expected his port to be accessed and "flushed" or cleaned out. We did not expect them to take his labs and wait for the results. We were escorted to the "usual" television room and then asked to wait for the results.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We had a post treatment meeting with Anne, whom is a research nurse who works closely with patients, families, and staff. (When a child is diagnosed with cancer, Anne works with the family and the child in the hospital providing them with information that they will need over the next several years. After discharge, she will follow up with them in the outpatient clinic to ensure that their questions and needs are addressed. She works closely with staff addressing questions about the patient and family to help provide a continuum of excellent care. She most recently helped create a smooth transition for the hematology/oncology clinic from Mission Children’s Clinics to the SECU Cancer Center. She took on a leadership role and added responsibilities to make the transition as seamless as possible for staff and patients. As a research nurse, she worked with staff and physicians to prepare for a successful audit. She is also in school. Anne’s dedication and compassion for nursing is displayed everyday in her interactions with patients, families and staff.) </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anne entered the room with two pieces of paper. She is more serious than the other nurses. She was one of the first we met with to go over protocol, possible trials that are going on around the Country and to ensure we are on target with treatments based on protocol. She sits down and begins to explain our new schedule. The shocker was that Zack will have scans every three months for the next three years, followed by every six months for the fourth year and once a year following. "This is the only way we are going to know if it returns." said Anne .... those words shocked me back into the reality of it all! Walking back into the center was already a reality check. When you are away, enjoying the day to day, you put the past year behind you and try your best to move on. Anne had "offered" for Zack to have the port removed early, to which I was not amused! I firmly pointed out that this was major surgery and IF there are signs of anything, he would have to undergo two surgeries in a matter of months. The port is not affecting his everyday life and waiting another two months is in his best interest. Though Zack was not thrilled, he had to agree with the logic. Anne went on to explain the reasoning behind his continued need for antibiotics. She said there is a special type of infection that he "could" get from the port which could lead to pneumonia. Having had enough "information", we agreed to continue with the Septra. As Anne exited the room, Julia entered with the best possible lab results. She said all of his counts are in great shape and he is free to do as he wishes. His only limitation at this moment is lifting weights, and that is due to the port. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My plan was to go to the Red Cross and donate platelets, but once we left, I was so tired and Zack hungry. We had a nice lunch and were on our way home again. The Red Cross has been calling me every other day asking for platelets. One of my main missions is to work with the Red Cross about getting platelet machines in our own town. It is a huge problem as it takes about five hours from the day to drive to Asheville, donate and return back to Brevard. I have spoken with a lot of people in town and those that are able to donate simply say it is too far and too much time to go to Asheville. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When we returned home, Zack ran up the road to work on a water feature for Frank. I laid on the sofa and before I knew it, I had fallen asleep and continued to do so for three hours. I was emotionally drained. It had snuck up on me and hit me hard. Frank and Zack both returned about the time I woke up. Zack was getting ready to head up to his friends for a swimming party. Frank ran down to the pond to fish a little with the dog and I continued to process the day.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Zack has pre registered at our local community college. His plans are to continue working with Frank until he can get a job at a local store. He would like to work there in the evenings and go to school during the day. It is a very exciting time for us all. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">We have been celebrating his end of treatment, celebrating his graduation, celebrating life in general. We know that we must continue to celebrate each day. As Mom reminds me quite often, he has been cancer free since the tumor removal. THAT is what we will hold on to. To hold our breath each time we have the scans will honor this horrible disease and we refuse to give it any more power. We will know each day, that he is and will continue to remain cancer free. </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939158029679022108.post-65867187287090624322013-06-14T20:10:00.002-04:002013-06-14T20:10:08.801-04:00Life after graduation.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdtL5nXOC6x9if-adaQUNvf2bQdibbIwg6ZaemT1ooRA3ORts9yVXB5UXF_SMKv32zGygT3uWy6x96eVQH5hO-fXu2SPjEwh2sDq2o6VAvaPb7zt3qTXRaBcwCOGlFyUuMyA8jIXImbSX/s1600/20130608_140623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdtL5nXOC6x9if-adaQUNvf2bQdibbIwg6ZaemT1ooRA3ORts9yVXB5UXF_SMKv32zGygT3uWy6x96eVQH5hO-fXu2SPjEwh2sDq2o6VAvaPb7zt3qTXRaBcwCOGlFyUuMyA8jIXImbSX/s200/20130608_140623.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxGrFFKfGhBqZLjX_U4cwo0whcQnjTEnoj9M-L58M1HQf3iaJQwg65tSBqDDlH5RQzxBMxLiw_wMbHVSO6SkeHAckQXWzIVUyHMOjjx1-ThTbfXlrGIC_duSYQGgq53J8at5OZZPCKmcu/s1600/20130608_140705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxGrFFKfGhBqZLjX_U4cwo0whcQnjTEnoj9M-L58M1HQf3iaJQwg65tSBqDDlH5RQzxBMxLiw_wMbHVSO6SkeHAckQXWzIVUyHMOjjx1-ThTbfXlrGIC_duSYQGgq53J8at5OZZPCKmcu/s200/20130608_140705.jpg" width="200" /></a> Since Zack's and his friends graduation, we made a quick trip up to Blacksburg Va to see my nephew Nick Ladd be "hooded" which basically means, he is now a Doctor of Osteopath. Zack and Frank opted to stay home, as Frank doesn't travel well for long drives and Zack had multiple parties to go to all weekend. The following weekend, we had decided to throw our own party to celebrate not only Zack, but his friends as well.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJy9TZzoJ-XPZ4N4xUKnA7VWmPoxGUKEqTG6FMVfJgPbh_SqdwEEfAJHBlrnnBjQE1TEFHN8mxPr6Uy5fgl7-S_y0FFJOoOATsw9TwAx7pDauyQFS2Q_MF9hZOp5PXkIFeeDjq1DHB3US1/s1600/20130608_140717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJy9TZzoJ-XPZ4N4xUKnA7VWmPoxGUKEqTG6FMVfJgPbh_SqdwEEfAJHBlrnnBjQE1TEFHN8mxPr6Uy5fgl7-S_y0FFJOoOATsw9TwAx7pDauyQFS2Q_MF9hZOp5PXkIFeeDjq1DHB3US1/s200/20130608_140717.jpg" width="200" /></a> The day was simply gorgeous and we all had a wonderful relaxing time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8V35S_1gy0muMZmaenjMdt48qa17rXx2Ct4kth6pq1FO1AM0KXZ81fKzbtBBKg_DssRMtJ0sZAmXcwEkDXa92L9COAXG7zph8CtwEIBcovUr_DFfuKYTG30i3pD0ZghddpOOyB1pCdAI/s1600/20130608_140723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8V35S_1gy0muMZmaenjMdt48qa17rXx2Ct4kth6pq1FO1AM0KXZ81fKzbtBBKg_DssRMtJ0sZAmXcwEkDXa92L9COAXG7zph8CtwEIBcovUr_DFfuKYTG30i3pD0ZghddpOOyB1pCdAI/s200/20130608_140723.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Frank cooked hamburgers, hot dogs and freshly caught trout.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsWFLfwpfeChQeu9CH-dpihwPInM75gy2pSQ278uNg6nQUJ043AEyeyNxR9eKD2Bm8U264Ixg3vRQAyQgt2YIAUDXSc847E8B80QkWeR4ncVUF4HgHS9biv-G5zVIME25MyQbpysbvAuX/s1600/20130608_142053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsWFLfwpfeChQeu9CH-dpihwPInM75gy2pSQ278uNg6nQUJ043AEyeyNxR9eKD2Bm8U264Ixg3vRQAyQgt2YIAUDXSc847E8B80QkWeR4ncVUF4HgHS9biv-G5zVIME25MyQbpysbvAuX/s200/20130608_142053.jpg" width="200" /></a> I haven't seen Zack or Frank this relaxed in a year! It did my heart good to see them have such a great time with everyone and thoroughly enjoy the day, laughing, telling jokes and catching up with old friends and family.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939158029679022108.post-60111895668971066202013-06-09T20:59:00.001-04:002013-06-09T20:59:39.102-04:00Graduation Day.... Part One!!!!<div style="text-align: justify;">
How can you put an entire year into a few simple words? I personally have never been one for a "few" words. I ramble, talking so fast at times that some can't seem to catch up. As "we" all try and find the new "normal" path post cancer, I find myself taking it literally one step at a time.</div>
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Zack has been full steam ahead! Nightly bonfires with friends, running from one house to another. A simple text from me with "WRU?" (where are you?), requires only a simple response... "Drakes, T Dubbs, Donald's or the ever popular Walmart parking lot!" </div>
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It is 4 pm on Friday, May 31st, 2013. I arrive at the Brevard Music Center, the location of Zack's class of 2013 graduation. Today marks exactly a year we met with the surgeon to schedule removal of the tumor I had just discovered the night before. The ceremony was to start at 6pm, but in this small town, if you don't arrive early to save your seats, there is nothing left. Frank had to work until the last minute, so it was up to me to be the guardian of the seats. I brought a supply of paper and tape, found a row of 15 seats and started marking each one with Fisher. Eight rows in front of us were already roped off and marked with the names of many I knew throughout our years with Scouts, Schools and Sports. Slowly the Center started to fill with proud Parents, Siblings, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews and friends. As the seats start to fill, some are coming to me asking for paper and tape. As always, I was prepared to share and was eager to help others mark their seats. I was anxious and this gave me something to preoccupy my time. While waiting for everyone in our party to arrive, I had a mild altercation with a man and his father, both of whom had been drinking and became loud and obnoxious. I firmly asked them three times to please be pleasant as all of our kids are here to be celebrated. Each time, they mellowed out a bit, until I finally, turned around and advised that I would be glad to personally escort them out of the building! I had not trouble after that. As family arrived, our seats started to fill as well, Mom, Rhonda, Peter, Frank, then Bill and Amy (Zack's "other" parents), Shawn, Floyd and Darrick followed by nephew, Nick and Havely (his partner) whom arrived straight from Blacksburg, VA where he will graduate the next day, Jim (nephew) came in just in time from Chapel Hill, NC, and sister in law Jamie. Just as the procession of teachers, followed by students started to walk down the aisles, a couple stood next to our seats. BFF Nancy and her family were on the side of the Center trying to get to us, so their seats "looked" available. The lady approached Frank and I and asked if the seats were taken. I explained that my friends were making their way down and apologized. She then asked a couple in back of us, who also had their family walking down the aisle. The couple then stood in the middle of the walkway and announced they would not move until someone gave them seats. As the processional music started to play and everyone stood up to honor the students, I asked the couple to please move out of the pathway, the woman looked me straight in eyes and said "we don't have anywhere to sit!" I finally looked back at her and announced "IF you had arrived here at 4pm like the rest of us, YOU would HAVE a seat!!, now move!" Surprised, she looked at me and simply said "really?? seriously?" to which I replied "seriously!" She and her husband promptly left the area while folks around me started to pat me on the back and congratulate me. NOT my proudest moment to say the least, but as always, don't mess with big mama!!</div>
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Zack walked down the aisle opposite us, so we could only see him from afar. One by one, his friends were walking past us as we screamed with excitement. The usual speeches were given, this year was light and full of energy. The student body president was full of humor and the graduates interacted the entire time. As the graduates crossed the stage, you could hear the shouts, applause and horns blowing. We were all asked to "hold your applause until after the ceremony", but I don't know too many people that follow "the rules" at these events. As we were watching these "kids" cross, Frank and I remark where we knew each one from. We were walking down memory lane and had permanent smiles on the entire time. What amazing young men and women this group is, and we can't wait to see where life brings them. One young man was escorted across the stage in his wheelchair, the entire auditorium stood to honor him, a little while later another young man was helped by both parents and again everyone stood. When it came to Zacks time, all of the graduates and teachers stood, applauding, then (of course) as I'm crying, over half the auditorium stood up. As I looked around, I could see some looking around puzzled, almost as if to say "why are we standing for him?" I had to laugh and cry at the same time. A year ago, we had no idea of his graduating, let alone crossing the stage on his own. I was thankful that some didn't understand, it meant he "looked" just like everyone else. What a blessing!! After the ceremony, we all gathered on the lawn for photos. Fortunately Mom, Rhonda and Amy had cameras as Franks died during pictures as did my cell phone. I can only explain my emotions as those of someone getting married, I was there, but oblivious to anything around me. As "they" say, a picture is worth a thousand words, though I had to do both. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">waiting for the ceremony to begin</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">graduating class of 2013</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zack, Uncle Mitch and Trenton P</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zack with cousin Darrick</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zack with his Meme</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQ2XK_LVTePQ8xRlqYBHLkJXstzjSZ_zYLgWacmczDcfK6AKXkmGXJtLZ4zuoVFeZqeDvOPf0wVx_0YGfnBOJsrG1DeEgaJDxonzjL6VBskXThrUbzMryAvE9rjN_dYBm7YzjBiptgBqc/s1600/20130531_192620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQ2XK_LVTePQ8xRlqYBHLkJXstzjSZ_zYLgWacmczDcfK6AKXkmGXJtLZ4zuoVFeZqeDvOPf0wVx_0YGfnBOJsrG1DeEgaJDxonzjL6VBskXThrUbzMryAvE9rjN_dYBm7YzjBiptgBqc/s200/20130531_192620.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aunt Jamie, Dad Frank and Niece Abby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkY1OWSiAofjbxrIhI4d0XpUgbkBUA806U3HiYRdK9rUBRizHyAXGHCT9DFLxrVTdZe0gdXmteRHJa8JKk51CEumzVt4cKWq-gTpn4dZj7RZzAcK3q1NFv-vxnjrNoeNXTcQgqnFnEyqC/s1600/20130531_192836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkY1OWSiAofjbxrIhI4d0XpUgbkBUA806U3HiYRdK9rUBRizHyAXGHCT9DFLxrVTdZe0gdXmteRHJa8JKk51CEumzVt4cKWq-gTpn4dZj7RZzAcK3q1NFv-vxnjrNoeNXTcQgqnFnEyqC/s200/20130531_192836.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zack with 2nd Dad, Bill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEi6kSjhIwdeE8Il3virC0E7I6Xs0G1hNQ2FMSmhm5NyiO5Ozod_BiILqcfYBkmiZd7YlUZrInJufpYZ3Dtoi0uIkfkD3Edhg_hEN8TBinN70QnQyrWr2nwte_dLfQzJKHOjMMurZT4jl5kx/s1600/20130531_193034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kSjhIwdeE8Il3virC0E7I6Xs0G1hNQ2FMSmhm5NyiO5Ozod_BiILqcfYBkmiZd7YlUZrInJufpYZ3Dtoi0uIkfkD3Edhg_hEN8TBinN70QnQyrWr2nwte_dLfQzJKHOjMMurZT4jl5kx/s200/20130531_193034.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family friend Romona</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGc8zeLw6PXeK_OUW6IfEqX7lQ5EGgM1Z-AgviyzBhVtao82Q5iYFhXOMztg_J_xAwxxAOfzP68Hl3Uw6dhrgc1IJuZD8yvQx_TPusbxHrUW08yvQEHwlUYq_tlmnc7U97ARbwNSUJLOe/s1600/20130531_193049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGc8zeLw6PXeK_OUW6IfEqX7lQ5EGgM1Z-AgviyzBhVtao82Q5iYFhXOMztg_J_xAwxxAOfzP68Hl3Uw6dhrgc1IJuZD8yvQx_TPusbxHrUW08yvQEHwlUYq_tlmnc7U97ARbwNSUJLOe/s200/20130531_193049.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"my" two sons, Zack and Chris F.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEimZbMKemP8LakhpaU8VXPkUoNAWoYo0N-FTcwqpFLsVif9iC4oavsca_AgMKG8oCWNVWCKWsAuJxxOPN3gWGYzluHjcmAnVZE4CrYPwfkDvNKYePNMVfiuTpvNq6A5OQYI6J-F-3ufPEkf/s1600/Graduation+2013+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZbMKemP8LakhpaU8VXPkUoNAWoYo0N-FTcwqpFLsVif9iC4oavsca_AgMKG8oCWNVWCKWsAuJxxOPN3gWGYzluHjcmAnVZE4CrYPwfkDvNKYePNMVfiuTpvNq6A5OQYI6J-F-3ufPEkf/s200/Graduation+2013+002.JPG" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">waiting for guests</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiJgyijE1Y-r_4LFBXIOMrkTLTuJ2iKU6N9tBorhyPEzAEAckU9y1vNgB8uOvbAMQyxziYZc0eRKhKShkhs4JypMRVwydwN1ZhmHEHwCuIppjI8zt1xR_5gzAQqfTRyoTN-9booXcLfJq/s1600/Graduation+2013+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiJgyijE1Y-r_4LFBXIOMrkTLTuJ2iKU6N9tBorhyPEzAEAckU9y1vNgB8uOvbAMQyxziYZc0eRKhKShkhs4JypMRVwydwN1ZhmHEHwCuIppjI8zt1xR_5gzAQqfTRyoTN-9booXcLfJq/s200/Graduation+2013+039.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank, Havley and Nick</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEgj7V3AKtDLlM248fnbqEgrOBvdjYn8IYr5rIkVT3ZzeKelid66UC-b7iB-p9HgZto_HPo8vTiyLm7lj2Nkpc1Sz7HYbnUe6E14HNZBS1SglpHYKeAwPMKPsUgGoiucDDrTCaQcx8BBHP_d/s1600/Graduation+2013+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7V3AKtDLlM248fnbqEgrOBvdjYn8IYr5rIkVT3ZzeKelid66UC-b7iB-p9HgZto_HPo8vTiyLm7lj2Nkpc1Sz7HYbnUe6E14HNZBS1SglpHYKeAwPMKPsUgGoiucDDrTCaQcx8BBHP_d/s200/Graduation+2013+047.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank and Trenton P</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69gsKsYyr90-n6RXYPJBJBUBnRBenjafL1COWwRthvt3Qn2yJFTVVfHTG3mFv7PrMV41W4ZsoTTQvFpVMGr7N_aDax4VWgc9OpiVayMIgh29AqmSpjrnH6R66tv3ev7Hs-hUnWkFb0pUC/s1600/Graduation+2013+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69gsKsYyr90-n6RXYPJBJBUBnRBenjafL1COWwRthvt3Qn2yJFTVVfHTG3mFv7PrMV41W4ZsoTTQvFpVMGr7N_aDax4VWgc9OpiVayMIgh29AqmSpjrnH6R66tv3ev7Hs-hUnWkFb0pUC/s200/Graduation+2013+048.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mitch, Meme (Mom) and Nick</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEjVYyZJLClkg60ALmRthxuDFGc7_91NbcWRGt-znYnJWJkotQI6swrLWJ8_-hjwupEbk1wIhSuUtFF3p0JjIIGjr134t96yS5AHyuGn3sjzDJBjG6Mrg9pcnGEUKQF6QjFoYdxny7epCwBA/s1600/Graduation+2013+051+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYyZJLClkg60ALmRthxuDFGc7_91NbcWRGt-znYnJWJkotQI6swrLWJ8_-hjwupEbk1wIhSuUtFF3p0JjIIGjr134t96yS5AHyuGn3sjzDJBjG6Mrg9pcnGEUKQF6QjFoYdxny7epCwBA/s200/Graduation+2013+051+(1).JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zack and Cousin Peter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNGHumgA4S4vFyuAzGrJLlTEchukH5VG9B8_5RphTYlhJx11oE76WKfbgPA2Rncit1QEQ_fxVZie0OIHNH47VMafHQ-YiVwF_Tf9JH7nAudzBEnV_hOYobE6IVjvUkHQUcre3brBZYfGo/s1600/Graduation+2013+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNGHumgA4S4vFyuAzGrJLlTEchukH5VG9B8_5RphTYlhJx11oE76WKfbgPA2Rncit1QEQ_fxVZie0OIHNH47VMafHQ-YiVwF_Tf9JH7nAudzBEnV_hOYobE6IVjvUkHQUcre3brBZYfGo/s200/Graduation+2013+052.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">best buddies, Zack and Trenton</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxx_qrYv07_tKVFq4o22rM943gdvjdP2dyK9lPKwLH4S09TXsFhj8kZrDTAFijhScI_2BobU1i604UquJ5WeVMjdMjgWY7-NuXWfEmOuHZQ-AOTc3dgpMLEcPBHPEc1l6xjMc9P5pJ4qQ7/s1600/Graduation+2013+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxx_qrYv07_tKVFq4o22rM943gdvjdP2dyK9lPKwLH4S09TXsFhj8kZrDTAFijhScI_2BobU1i604UquJ5WeVMjdMjgWY7-NuXWfEmOuHZQ-AOTc3dgpMLEcPBHPEc1l6xjMc9P5pJ4qQ7/s200/Graduation+2013+053.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad taking photo of Mom and Zack </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryjd6O4sjjGh0qW_TRIVs-N5J1TYc0vmekxbS1ShyJo_A4C9lTXTVUtJIgCW1bm3ePn6YSLKoHPUaiDcb57tsP_8mRXurJ6a0ffg2hO0QpchcPSN3vvbM3cByFz4xQKMbMl1PvCQjYBpK/s1600/Graduation+2013+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryjd6O4sjjGh0qW_TRIVs-N5J1TYc0vmekxbS1ShyJo_A4C9lTXTVUtJIgCW1bm3ePn6YSLKoHPUaiDcb57tsP_8mRXurJ6a0ffg2hO0QpchcPSN3vvbM3cByFz4xQKMbMl1PvCQjYBpK/s200/Graduation+2013+057.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The master photographers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEiRE28rZ4gQX3yM-9DKJYpCeMO-bkjiu0afgHeGncAPs7zn89KB8oHQD3gR5mAgfIzx32ZFgSX4u5SxpNhy5oLAfNW61W6D4PtwNatQG0WN-Sy0DZc9mPutRphUnKj01r1shk4NXkA9Gqef/s1600/Graduation+2013+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRE28rZ4gQX3yM-9DKJYpCeMO-bkjiu0afgHeGncAPs7zn89KB8oHQD3gR5mAgfIzx32ZFgSX4u5SxpNhy5oLAfNW61W6D4PtwNatQG0WN-Sy0DZc9mPutRphUnKj01r1shk4NXkA9Gqef/s200/Graduation+2013+059.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AJkHW8_ye7UxCjvljL_TSaom95uVMWU7gaAJMJ2uR4RDolRxESlP9cY08EyptV6r6uJZQcFCoHzChs6pcQ1hrFTLaDbR9JsxYoUwWqSfmJkqIpum8xBM99XSAHK8jrlPn4nUfeFR0JVY/s1600/Graduation+2013+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AJkHW8_ye7UxCjvljL_TSaom95uVMWU7gaAJMJ2uR4RDolRxESlP9cY08EyptV6r6uJZQcFCoHzChs6pcQ1hrFTLaDbR9JsxYoUwWqSfmJkqIpum8xBM99XSAHK8jrlPn4nUfeFR0JVY/s200/Graduation+2013+060.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Aunts Sissy, Tammy , Uncle Mitch and Abby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGpf7d12JRdJKHTgmI_YIKOoa2jYjwuc6HYFqPGZZqX27RPOXlgs4lywzzCO9uuXtkJFu3PLk70V1rcQoncLzI02TW2oLreHKZ1h8SzZMYLZT2QNmoGqKjj4rh4bOaC-MwnlAQM_Subfn/s1600/Graduation+2013+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGpf7d12JRdJKHTgmI_YIKOoa2jYjwuc6HYFqPGZZqX27RPOXlgs4lywzzCO9uuXtkJFu3PLk70V1rcQoncLzI02TW2oLreHKZ1h8SzZMYLZT2QNmoGqKjj4rh4bOaC-MwnlAQM_Subfn/s200/Graduation+2013+064.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meme crying happy tears</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbQaTzOYddSPrNDR5egi7RJvQurchcCpPi25OLD4UDjEqnBLA0Z9jLt1UwwwX8HI2qssGx4h7Qpj6GBoQQLPs6EPWMSFaGdIRfQvb9vp07qLxue2m6WxmeslwWUVHLKNPcq3b4uKRpxCq/s1600/Graduation+2013+075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbQaTzOYddSPrNDR5egi7RJvQurchcCpPi25OLD4UDjEqnBLA0Z9jLt1UwwwX8HI2qssGx4h7Qpj6GBoQQLPs6EPWMSFaGdIRfQvb9vp07qLxue2m6WxmeslwWUVHLKNPcq3b4uKRpxCq/s200/Graduation+2013+075.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousin Nick congratulating</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlpbJTBEpO3AjKbdJN5ZHwbo8WxwCbHn3eRAcU4D7JFLqrQchQMun1TA44dWajLvkfv_CCSFcZsfoRHl3EntGmBnBHW8SOnEjyvOcOjK43DV77arIhck_z9QGf2CkGp4wmGkPHoDZ79Kt/s1600/Graduation+2013+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlpbJTBEpO3AjKbdJN5ZHwbo8WxwCbHn3eRAcU4D7JFLqrQchQMun1TA44dWajLvkfv_CCSFcZsfoRHl3EntGmBnBHW8SOnEjyvOcOjK43DV77arIhck_z9QGf2CkGp4wmGkPHoDZ79Kt/s200/Graduation+2013+076.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A smile for the camera!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVz9W58UBtPIK2vaLs7qSd9zErBRS4V63F87RK0Yh1jk6aSSi-8iRdA01gNp0U_qiXlXVontwxum85IrAdMaFRKRYU0XG_r-e2dCgKSG8QoV5fzJbQl9rnpmnONeRhNNwNosAUArKd3uE/s1600/Graduation+2013+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVz9W58UBtPIK2vaLs7qSd9zErBRS4V63F87RK0Yh1jk6aSSi-8iRdA01gNp0U_qiXlXVontwxum85IrAdMaFRKRYU0XG_r-e2dCgKSG8QoV5fzJbQl9rnpmnONeRhNNwNosAUArKd3uE/s200/Graduation+2013+080.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Zack, Cousin Darrick and Aunt Jamie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LItLOUA0dEMmBNM7ZPbUC8x71prp_FJaVjXzNEucURbclwW9S02d7ZgPMq4paBntLy6zVuvfslt2nt-ruhw5IeQIN_oygjSKGze-WpLekYPoKeOhuEgzK_3IcQh-26z8KWU3L8Ovw2VH/s1600/Graduation+2013+081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LItLOUA0dEMmBNM7ZPbUC8x71prp_FJaVjXzNEucURbclwW9S02d7ZgPMq4paBntLy6zVuvfslt2nt-ruhw5IeQIN_oygjSKGze-WpLekYPoKeOhuEgzK_3IcQh-26z8KWU3L8Ovw2VH/s200/Graduation+2013+081.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always keep the eyes on the camera!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjskVptXcFOGfqgo2a63akL2yM96ZtqOHAQbZSDDuC67k1B0s9wz78W-PWvRlxm_ozVYEf-cld5E_W5OE6BYadzfgeBFSD8FKUxGBYmckUV5OtK1ed5nDfq7Ti7pmxYI2VjGBfPlRW4Mc/s1600/Graduation+2013+083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjskVptXcFOGfqgo2a63akL2yM96ZtqOHAQbZSDDuC67k1B0s9wz78W-PWvRlxm_ozVYEf-cld5E_W5OE6BYadzfgeBFSD8FKUxGBYmckUV5OtK1ed5nDfq7Ti7pmxYI2VjGBfPlRW4Mc/s200/Graduation+2013+083.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fellow graduates!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMAj5lKbp_nLqQWkrXFeE-XprS5PgPTt920CEK5MajtomRdpmXCx1O9_kVxge05ee6JeSy5C4nnFuaI089AXY9O-FWWte_3eHfg_zlWdv_0_A6_P9lYfrBIOSZZmuXh6BprRAOBayNPWi/s1600/Graduation+2013+085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMAj5lKbp_nLqQWkrXFeE-XprS5PgPTt920CEK5MajtomRdpmXCx1O9_kVxge05ee6JeSy5C4nnFuaI089AXY9O-FWWte_3eHfg_zlWdv_0_A6_P9lYfrBIOSZZmuXh6BprRAOBayNPWi/s200/Graduation+2013+085.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill hugging "the mama!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiavu26Kh-kPASUZ-NxMo3Jq6r76fMPkYy21vWGa4gSErBOs-7tNjZvSTfwXkR3uCutU26V59JjCoc38uZR1gNHmdwncVLB8axxYBySkTGIePs32piNSoDXrfej5_IpNGqWqu_5pjA3o6QU/s1600/Graduation+2013+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiavu26Kh-kPASUZ-NxMo3Jq6r76fMPkYy21vWGa4gSErBOs-7tNjZvSTfwXkR3uCutU26V59JjCoc38uZR1gNHmdwncVLB8axxYBySkTGIePs32piNSoDXrfej5_IpNGqWqu_5pjA3o6QU/s200/Graduation+2013+086.JPG" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THE MASTER photographer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkl4XcJPsgGbZgv3LVL69BfyKxDnfJbfPzjO9S5sus598LRYzNuWfRCHYRCFth6Xp9T-rJ3oQTn-JYR585MfXBLfqvd9BemPZRF5g78q5TPJ6uWvfhLlIAQmqCaSXqF91fryqF2bVLiQO/s1600/Graduation+2013+087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkl4XcJPsgGbZgv3LVL69BfyKxDnfJbfPzjO9S5sus598LRYzNuWfRCHYRCFth6Xp9T-rJ3oQTn-JYR585MfXBLfqvd9BemPZRF5g78q5TPJ6uWvfhLlIAQmqCaSXqF91fryqF2bVLiQO/s200/Graduation+2013+087.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama and son!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic84FtUeN9aT9u8xHTYfvlBiyO03nsMyJTL3yP3UBDdh0GzitdLv0T98LmyhSaPqs64sI1uvNRSWByU_c1F-6SSBjNkGiotkmxuKRM82e8ppLAHLFUaMv3TjTN0bMgwDWBlyQ_0KLsBGF8/s1600/Graduation+2013+090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic84FtUeN9aT9u8xHTYfvlBiyO03nsMyJTL3yP3UBDdh0GzitdLv0T98LmyhSaPqs64sI1uvNRSWByU_c1F-6SSBjNkGiotkmxuKRM82e8ppLAHLFUaMv3TjTN0bMgwDWBlyQ_0KLsBGF8/s200/Graduation+2013+090.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the girls find their way to Zack</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcd-RufJ9WMt9QgDpQ6Jugdjl6Q01KuV-5kMRZGCk7RmV4_cVz-SQxG6_QQx1pkod4ZbHusUxHD71bfMMNYZw8mr7pRJ5vAvEl2_dnNGjkEl7Ye3dJWYLQvuEzKlXoaEMQG2_UbvV0q90V/s1600/Graduation+2013+091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcd-RufJ9WMt9QgDpQ6Jugdjl6Q01KuV-5kMRZGCk7RmV4_cVz-SQxG6_QQx1pkod4ZbHusUxHD71bfMMNYZw8mr7pRJ5vAvEl2_dnNGjkEl7Ye3dJWYLQvuEzKlXoaEMQG2_UbvV0q90V/s200/Graduation+2013+091.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another dear friend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2NPoM6Vfn3NPgb7dq5KB6PV1Bkk3HDYExyZgeggQb1EhsJsty9lFeGxOG7HJm5xrI-fLtPJMCLgLkZ-SfK3XRA4obXEDDifZs0eD8ZliPSmcc6jfNlH-DQjwkyK_8N39bb5DGG4lfwrw/s1600/Graduation+2013+092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2NPoM6Vfn3NPgb7dq5KB6PV1Bkk3HDYExyZgeggQb1EhsJsty9lFeGxOG7HJm5xrI-fLtPJMCLgLkZ-SfK3XRA4obXEDDifZs0eD8ZliPSmcc6jfNlH-DQjwkyK_8N39bb5DGG4lfwrw/s200/Graduation+2013+092.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and another.....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkq61zUzuD3YnK62MqqC_gsg53hHvX6VuoJcWZA_TtkRzwkVi6Y_42rUQq14KOvVB8gBmOwU4WLLTBZRlJpfeBGYKlrusek1kokVjjA4XyiCgQ0bAY3t9iUYCGH3KTxath3mIiUqBdoCJ/s1600/Graduation+2013+094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkq61zUzuD3YnK62MqqC_gsg53hHvX6VuoJcWZA_TtkRzwkVi6Y_42rUQq14KOvVB8gBmOwU4WLLTBZRlJpfeBGYKlrusek1kokVjjA4XyiCgQ0bAY3t9iUYCGH3KTxath3mIiUqBdoCJ/s200/Graduation+2013+094.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and another......</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdqa8v4eZlJ8UCS_jwOVCozyP6tkuuf4o7lil3hDD7EHWhfFdd2HLkernEIbe7UEElPqSwJvW-JAJmmfirCJgwIcBSQsVO_I2vmRW7mBsJzrrzwpCFMtTNXdPZiHtNrD4sYhNW-gC10SG/s1600/Graduation+2013+097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdqa8v4eZlJ8UCS_jwOVCozyP6tkuuf4o7lil3hDD7EHWhfFdd2HLkernEIbe7UEElPqSwJvW-JAJmmfirCJgwIcBSQsVO_I2vmRW7mBsJzrrzwpCFMtTNXdPZiHtNrD4sYhNW-gC10SG/s200/Graduation+2013+097.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"papa" Brian</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEhg0-oQP7_1Xx2MBfTIWXWlc8OCxbnqIGxv8agqFVjP_yWZircAzQYS83qHTlZlChXfnqDWgxK1DCtCnl7OHbrkf9_p8xSBk8Dd-euZEVPJz6d9RioCIFKFU_hWvQzlGaMtay-5rnrwGvH-/s1600/Graduation+2013+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0-oQP7_1Xx2MBfTIWXWlc8OCxbnqIGxv8agqFVjP_yWZircAzQYS83qHTlZlChXfnqDWgxK1DCtCnl7OHbrkf9_p8xSBk8Dd-euZEVPJz6d9RioCIFKFU_hWvQzlGaMtay-5rnrwGvH-/s320/Graduation+2013+102.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zack, Austin O. and Trenton P. best of friends!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEgpzRHwcRpqvBJR9Vc_4-ouabw1CudL3uMrWBFoSJnn9Ed85wNvr9Zb98CwGGt98F7zcOuFvEaH0ub5nG68rot7nX8Nk4de1Sw6zjXUPOgI0-_Js1oGcsK5f18oNhwx3v8_eaCUUx7H2ytn/s1600/Graduation+2013+104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzRHwcRpqvBJR9Vc_4-ouabw1CudL3uMrWBFoSJnn9Ed85wNvr9Zb98CwGGt98F7zcOuFvEaH0ub5nG68rot7nX8Nk4de1Sw6zjXUPOgI0-_Js1oGcsK5f18oNhwx3v8_eaCUUx7H2ytn/s320/Graduation+2013+104.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"My boys!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwo7i3PKj0_hdv2eTf2eiTpCdTfasD132Xgeb0hMxvtn_GYlcR8YAmgz2EcuJBbmbyjMN2kTHLI80FQHxkIFVO2YJZACLaZ9J2BaaMV1PsqRX5ojSNW1Ibl5V1Rxd52vGR9tr__5dkffX/s1600/Graduation+2013+109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwo7i3PKj0_hdv2eTf2eiTpCdTfasD132Xgeb0hMxvtn_GYlcR8YAmgz2EcuJBbmbyjMN2kTHLI80FQHxkIFVO2YJZACLaZ9J2BaaMV1PsqRX5ojSNW1Ibl5V1Rxd52vGR9tr__5dkffX/s200/Graduation+2013+109.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"He" did it!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RihA9H507U2N4SwPt9ZhOyVkP5r5kxRm2QOhwDMm-hcaThVD9GNhYwMm05KUePNJ95GpwiaqOUHf7a2ZnQys7VCAnlJkl1LM3iJLx76WjSQV9cy7hzk2UQv6sc_qD2zQS2SMwADHSXyt/s1600/Graduation+2013+118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RihA9H507U2N4SwPt9ZhOyVkP5r5kxRm2QOhwDMm-hcaThVD9GNhYwMm05KUePNJ95GpwiaqOUHf7a2ZnQys7VCAnlJkl1LM3iJLx76WjSQV9cy7hzk2UQv6sc_qD2zQS2SMwADHSXyt/s200/Graduation+2013+118.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The happy graduates!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7udwulEQClgpWhjmuWsmOqfvJiXxCEsDSCaHTCPgrkuC3VzfSdCJCLodyL1ylzMe3EnWL0EeZX6pg9Zy4WtuaIdZWhFsN-vj4oPZpiMeUt-vTbYe0ZG8WhCnXHmNBk0_D3Xh3h-bYpXG/s1600/Graduation+2013+125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7udwulEQClgpWhjmuWsmOqfvJiXxCEsDSCaHTCPgrkuC3VzfSdCJCLodyL1ylzMe3EnWL0EeZX6pg9Zy4WtuaIdZWhFsN-vj4oPZpiMeUt-vTbYe0ZG8WhCnXHmNBk0_D3Xh3h-bYpXG/s200/Graduation+2013+125.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousins Nick and Jim</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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_MtOIQANc2vZUeN9SZ6AbpncZdFfMvSD2K2RolgJefV6Ccf7EY5mHoiKSvZzadla93jE3z74SDWOM6bjJwphuRCXtT_hEj8sxiaHLV5XXtfEdRVA8vagudTbYX3gzcTfjBO064DxZrpMC/s1600/Graduation+2013+134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MtOIQANc2vZUeN9SZ6AbpncZdFfMvSD2K2RolgJefV6Ccf7EY5mHoiKSvZzadla93jE3z74SDWOM6bjJwphuRCXtT_hEj8sxiaHLV5XXtfEdRVA8vagudTbYX3gzcTfjBO064DxZrpMC/s320/Graduation+2013+134.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"A reason to be proud!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939158029679022108.post-12113892004581144832013-05-30T07:13:00.002-04:002013-05-30T07:15:25.806-04:00Ready To Move On After Cancer Scare - Brevard NC - Transylvania TImes (Local Newspaper)Prelude from Sabrina: <i>How bittersweet! Who wouldn't LOVE to see their child's name in the paper for his or her accomplishments. Well, he made it for one of life's biggest accomplishments I can think of, overcoming cancer!! Here is an article and photo that appeared in today's local paper. Please keep in mind that the camera adds 100 lbs!!! (Smile)</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ready To Move On After Cancer Scare - Brevard NC </span>- Transylvania TImes (Local Newspaper)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwV6TDqAQnaJJ-6zsO-FUdd-WihhMAmWfDBwL9EHq3bZOB7qtb-NZdMDmWp9YuDOcGfSTp1KssXMtRXjpnAgG1mYIITy0XipUD0Mv-npTgaNVeJr0n-fPIkB6fxsuOktiW_4nkQlPU45m/s1600/Zack.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwV6TDqAQnaJJ-6zsO-FUdd-WihhMAmWfDBwL9EHq3bZOB7qtb-NZdMDmWp9YuDOcGfSTp1KssXMtRXjpnAgG1mYIITy0XipUD0Mv-npTgaNVeJr0n-fPIkB6fxsuOktiW_4nkQlPU45m/s320/Zack.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.transylvaniatimes.com/search/Brevard">To Brevard</a>
High School seniors, May 31, 2013, will forever be a special day as
they walk across the stage with their classmates, receive their diplomas
and embark on the next chapter in their lives.<br />
However, for
17-year-old Zack Fisher, May 31 is the culmination of a battle that
began exactly one year ago and tested the resolve of himself along with
his entire family.<br />
While most other seniors spent the past year
finalizing plans for college, struggling to complete senior projects and
enjoying their final days at BHS, Zack’s life was an endless series of
hospital visits, blood tests and chemotherapy sessions as he fought
against Ewing’s sarcoma, a very rare strain of bone cancer.<br />
Zack
is the son of Frank Fisher and Sabrina Kensinger. Apart from his size –
6-feet-5-inches tall and weighing just over 300 pounds – Zack is a
typical teenager who enjoys hanging out with friends, has a passion for
working on cars and trucks and, by his own admission, is known to be a
bit of a risk-taker.<br />
“I’ll do pretty much anything once, and if I don’t kill myself doing it, then I’ll probably do it again,” Zack said.<br />
“He’s pretty much been trouble since the day he was born,” Kensinger said of the couple’s only child.<br />
While
Zack certainly lives his life to the fullest, all that changed on May
31, 2012, when Kensinger, going off what can only be considered as
mother’s intuition, discovered a lump on the back of her son’s leg.<br />
With
the family at home and settling down for the night, Kensinger said she
was in her bed reading when a premonition led her to go check on her
son.<br />
“My friends always tease me about being a witchy woman, but something just told me go and say goodnight to him,” Kensinger said.<br />
When
she entered his room, Zack was laying face down on his bed resting. It
was then that Kensinger noticed the lump on his leg, something Zack said
he had noticed but simply thought nothing of.<br />
After going to
Urgent Care the next day, physicians told them they weren’t sure what
the growth was, but they were sure it needed to be removed surgically.<br />
Once
the surgery had taken place, a local pathologist thought the growth
might be a cancerous tumor and sent the results to Cleveland, Ohio, for
confirmation testing.<br />
It was three weeks later when the family got
the devastating diagnosis of Ewing’s sarcoma. For Zack’s parents, the
news hit with the force of a sledgehammer.<br />
“I was just absolutely
numb,” Kensinger said. “I remember Zack basically had to guide me around
for those first couple of days after the diagnosis.”<br />
Zack’s father summed up his emotions in just one word: terrified.<br />
“I’ve
been scared before but that was by far the strongest emotion I’ve ever
had,” Fisher said. “I just kept thinking, ‘This isn’t happening.’”<br />
Ewing’s
sarcoma is a rare disease, afflicting less than five out of every
million teenagers between 15 and 19 years old. It has no known cause,
though it is prone to strike males more than females. <br />
While his parents were understandably in shock, Zack said his main emotion was anger.<br />
“I was really just mad, most of all because it was finally my senior year,” he said.<br />
Once
the diagnosis was confirmed, Zack began chemotherapy sessions shortly
thereafter. The sessions were done in Asheville, under the care of a
doctor who previously worked at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, a
leading children’s cancer research center, for 17 years.<br />
Zack
underwent chemotherapy for three weeks of each month. Two weeks were
outpa-tient treatments, but one week required him to stay in the
hospital. Throughout the ordeal, Zack maintained a matter-of-fact
attitude and said the only thing on his mind was going through treatment
and moving on.<br />
“I really just wanted to get it over with. Every time I went in for treatment I just couldn’t wait to leave,” he said.<br />
Kensinger
said her son’s willpower was something most nurses said they rarely see
among young cancer patients, but those who know him well said they
wouldn’t have expected him to respond in any other way.<br />
“We’ve
always taught him not to let things get to him, so his resolve wasn’t
that surprising,” said Fisher. “We always said, ‘There’s always an end
somewhere. It may be hard to get to, but there’s always an end.’”<br />
Even
with a defiant attitude, the chemotherapy took a toll on Zack and he
would experience bouts of nausea and sickness following some of the
treatments. <br />
For his parents, the process of watching their son go through such pain was the worst part of the ordeal.<br />
“The
hardest part was watching my son deteriorate physically,” Fisher said.
“Watching his hair fall out, watching the shadows appear under his eyes
and never go away, watching the way he lost out on some of his dreams.”<br />
However, in typical fashion, Zack maintained his resolve, as if he simply made up his mind that defeat was never an option.<br />
“I
remember there were a few times when I would fall apart and Zack would
just hug me and say, ‘Mom, it’s going to be OK,’” Kensinger said.<br />
Despite
the long hospital stays and exhausting rounds of chemo, Zack said he
was mostly sad that he didn’t get to have the normal experiences of a
high school senior.<br />
He completed the necessary coursework to
graduate through homeschooling, though he jokingly admitted there was “a
lot of procrastination” involved in the process.<br />
Zack recently
completed his final round of chemotherapy earlier this month and test
results indicate he is now 100 percent cancer-free.<br />
“We were
actually on our way from the doctor’s in Asheville when the nurse called
us and said, ‘(The tests) aren’t only clear, they’re crystal clear,’”
Kensinger said.<br />
Ewing’s sarcoma is known to be an aggressive form
of cancer and in many cases it returns even after a period of remission,
so Zack will continue to be tested and scanned every three to six
months to ensure it does not return.<br />
Zack said he feels fine
physically and if it were not for the hair loss and a scar on his left
chest from a port being inserted so doctors could administer the chemo
drugs intravenously, there would be no indications he ever had cancer at
all.<br />
Zack plans to attend <a href="http://www.transylvaniatimes.com/search/Blue_Ridge_Community_College">Blue Ridge Community College</a> and eventually would like to go to the Nashville Auto-Diesel College to work toward becoming a mechanic.<br />
His family says the past year has been a roller coaster of emotions, one that has given them a new perspective on life.<br />
“I’ve
learned that life is very fleeting,” Fisher said. “You’ve got to take
every little bit and enjoy what you can because you never know when you
won’t have that any more.”<br />
Kensinger said she wanted to use her
family’s experience to help others and also bring awareness to the need
for blood platelet donations, something that undoubtedly played a major
role in saving her son’s life.<br />
“There’s a lot of local blood
drives but to donate blood platelets you have to go to the Red Cross in
Asheville and there’s a real shortage of supply,” she said.<br />
Fisher
said his son’s graduation would be bittersweet for him as he’s watched
him overcome so many obstacles in the past year and now move on to start
life on his own. <br />
“It’s going to be a little sad to see him
graduate,” Fisher said, “because it means that he’s now a man. I’ve
taught him all that I can and now it’s his turn to apply it in his life
but he really has a great example in himself after all he’s been through
and all that he’s overcome.”<br />
If life was a script, there could
perhaps be no better ending to this chapter in Zack’s journey than
coming full circle this Friday, from one year ago and facing the biggest
challenge of his life to walking the stage, graduating high school and
celebrating a victory greater than most will ever know.<br />
Never
wavering, never complaining and never asking why, Zack said he’s ready
to turn the page and return to a sense of normalcy, daredevil spirit and
all.<br />
“Me and my friends, we say it all the time, ‘We’re idiots.’
We do crazy things and sometimes one of us ends up getting hurt. I’ll
probably cut down on that just a bit, but other than that I plan on
going on like everything is normal,” Zack said. <br />
<div class="author">
<a href="http://www.transylvaniatimes.com/author/jeremiah_reed"><img border="0" height="75" src="http://www.transylvaniatimes.com/cms_data/dfault/photos/author_photos/.TEMP/jeremiah_reedTEMP75x75-7724.jpeg" width="75" /></a>By <a href="http://www.transylvaniatimes.com/author/jeremiah_reed">Jeremiah Reed</a><br />
Staff Writer</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939158029679022108.post-60711883578183272182013-05-27T21:30:00.000-04:002013-05-27T21:22:39.879-04:00and the winner is....UPDATED.... EVEN MORE!!!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>ZACHARIAH ISAIAH KENSINGER FISHER!!!
Who as of Tuesday, May 22, 2013, 6 pm was declared crystal clear of
cancer!! Following a few days of extensive testing, there are no signs
of cancer anywhere in his body. I will not use the word remission, and
if previously explained, my apologies. I can't say it enough. Remission
to me gives this permission to return and WE DO NOT!!!</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>We
had already received the all clear from the MRI and bone scan, however.
as I'm still learning, five tests can show and all clear and BOOM!!!
One scan can show a problem. A new and very dear friend's husband is
battling his fifth time with Ewings Sarcoma, he just got the all clear
on his scans and then an MRI showed several small tumors, so "you" never
know.</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>OKAY..... My internet crashed right in the middle of writing and nothing was saved so.... three times is a charm, thus this delay (it just got repaired with a new internet box!! YAY)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Tuesday was all too familiar for us. We started the morning out with an EKG and Electrocardiogram. </b><i> </i><b>It
was actually quite humorous. With Zack still being "underage" we go to
the Pediatric Unit. The nurse who is all of 5" 1" has Zack stand on the
scale, no problem, she then looks him up and down and looks at the
stadiometer ( yes I looked that up!), she says "okay, make it easy on
me, how tall are you really?" Zack responds with a grin, 6'5"." "Oh
my...." We are let down the hall and around a corner to a dark room with
a children's size table where his feet hang over about two feet.
Without even thinking another nurse walks in, says hello and turns the
DVD player on with a cartoon. Zack and I look at each other and start to
laugh. The technician arrives and completes both tests. Already anxious
and knowing that she really can't tell me until the Doctor reviews
everything, I ask if everything looks okay, she assures me she doesn't
see anything that "jumps out" at her. </b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Our next appointment is for the CT and PET scans. Zack hasn't been able to eat since midnight, so he is now the anxious one, only because he is so hungry. We arrive at the lower level of the Cancer Center where they insert an IV into his arm for the contrast part of the tests. I found myself entering the elevator to the second floor. This is "home" to me. I know the people, the couches are comfortable and the sun shines in through the big windows. I walk into the great room and Carol looks at me, then at her appointment book. She is confused, but I immediately tell her that Zack is downstairs for the scans and I needed to be home while he was having that done. She knew what I meant and told me to make myself comfortable. It was a slow day for them, so only a few parents came in with their children, all looking pale without hair, but in great moods, eager to run to the art section and start to paint with the social worker who had been eagerly awaiting their arrival. I had asked Carol if she could just tell Karen, our social worker and now friend, that I was there, I wasn't in need of anything, I just wanted to give her a hug and say hi! She came out and we ended up talking for over an hour. We talked a little about Zack's treatment ending and what to expect, but mostly we just talked about life and how the past year has changed us all for the better.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>I shared that I'm just now feeling like I can breath, but it's still not over for me. I keep looking at the three month "mark" and his port being removed. I talk about how far we have come, spiritually and emotionally. We joke about my joining Weight Watchers and I tell her so many people are offering excuses because of the past year, when the truth is... I have been heavy for a very long time. But, finally I want to get healthy and feel better in every way, so..... Right about the time we finish our conversations Zack texts me and tells me he is at the car. He doesn't want to come upstairs and who can blame him. To me it is a sanctuary where the people cared for him so well, to him, it is where the people stuck him with needles, and kept telling him "you must return for blood and platelets", one of his least favorite things to do. Karen and I hug goodbye and Zack and I are on our way to eat. By this time is is 4 pm and he is starving! Rhonda and Peter join us for a nice relaxing dinner and bringing something home for Frank, we are home by 7 pm. On the way home, Zack tells me that he has decided to join the local Rescue Squad. Garret is a member and tells him that they really need more young people and he thinks Zack would be great. Zack doesn't want to be a fireman, but to help people in some capacity. Of course we are thrilled, that's what you hope your child will do, help others, though I do think a big part of it is carrying the radio and "maybe" getting to drive faster? Whatever the reason he is moving forward.</b><br />
<br />
<b>Frank has been sitting on the front porch when we arrive home. It was still very light outside and all of a sudden I hear a "man scream". I don't know how to describe it, but he got my attention. A raccoon had come onto the porch, was eating out of the bird feeder and looked right at Frank as if to tell him "this is MY porch." Unfortunately, our neighbors had advised us that there could be a rabid one in the area, so we had to trap it. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Wednesday and Thursday, Zack was anywhere and everywhere. It is as if he is making up for lost time and every now and then we have to reel him back in so he doesn't get overly tired. He went to Blue Ridge Community College to sign up for Fall classes (Automotive) and was told where to apply and to return to meet with an administrator on the following Tuesday. He is nervous and yet eager to move on with his life. In the evenings he has a bonfire to go to at a friends house. He has been hanging out with new and old friends and having a great time, still trying to push coming later and later, but home at whatever time we give him. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Wednesday evening, we met with Make a Wish. Two very nice ladies came to the house and filled out tons of paperwork. Zack was already prepared with a list of items he wanted done to his truck, two tone paint job, new stereo, wheels, etc..... The women were very impressed that he had it all prepared and he said "are you kidding, I'm so excited I can't stand it!" We aren't sure what (if anything) they can do, but we were advised they can make it look nicer, but not make any engine repairs. His backup wish (they require that in the event the first wish can't be done) is to have his tuition paid at Nashville Auto Diesel School, in Tennessee. His plans are to go there after his two years here in Brevard. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Frank left on Thursday for a much needed and planned "Guys fishing trip." He left shortly after work and by the time I was done with work, Zack had already texted me and said he was at yet another bonfire with friends. That night I told him he could stay out until midnight, but he ended up returning at 11:30 very tired. He is smart enough to know when he needs his rest and tonight was just that night. Hearing that Frank had arrived safely at his destination, three hours away (sorry I forget the name) and Zack tucked safe in his bed, I finally was able to go to sleep. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Friday I had a scheduled physical (part of my taking care of myself) and later in the day drove to Asheville to the Red Cross to donate promised platelets. </b><b>On my way to Asheville I called my dear friend Sue and we met for a quick lunch. We had such a nice time catching up on everything and being able to be spontaneous is a new "high" for me. I never could do this when I had my panic attacks (and Sue remembers that well), so ever little impromptu visit is a blessing. </b><b> I didn't feel like going all the way to Asheville again, I was tired and wanted to sit home and nest some more, but there is a drive in me to help that is stronger than ever. When I think about how many units of blood and platelets Zack needed, what if there wasn't a supply. Someone out there made the trip and took the three hours out of their day to donate, who am I not to do so as well. Zack kept in touch and was home most of the day resting. He was feeling well, but since being out late a couple of days already this week, decided to stay home and chill. We had an invitation from Shawn and Floyd (sister and brother in law) to come to their house for dinner. I teased and said it was a "pity" dinner, since Frank was gone. Zack agreed to meet me there, since I was coming from another direction. He shows up with Drake, who we explained was more than welcome, but it taught Zack to always ask first when going to someone else' house (just in case they didn't have enough food). This angered Zack as he is very protective of his friends, but once we explained the why's (I thought we taught him that years ago!! Yikes!!!) he understood. He later told me that he is so used to us feeding whomever he brings home, he thought is was okay. I told him, home is different and left it at that. We still had a great visit, it was nice to sit and catch up with them as well. We seem to be able to finally take some time to see our family and friends again. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>It took a couple of days for "us" to trap the raccoon and with Frank out of town Zack took charge. I have never been one to like doing anything like this, so it was a new experience for me, but Zack had talked with his friends who handle this kind of situation and he took care of everything in a humane way. He saw me on the porch crying and came up to console me. The raccoon's are not so bold to come on our porch, this has never happened and not to be frightened away is not good at all. We have too many little children and animals running loose. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Saturday, Zack was going to hang out with his friends, so I went to pick up Mom and go to the local Main Street Show "Garden Jubilee". We went out for lunch, then to Steinmart to see my "sister" who used to be Moms manager, then off to walk on Main and see all the cool garden plants, instruments and gadgets. Luckily, we both left without anything, but a good time. I received a call from my brother, Bobby, late in the evening and he shared that he drove several blocks away from the house. He is working so hard to overcome his agoraphobia and as he was sharing his experience with me (he hasn't gone further than one block in over a year), I started to cry with happiness! We are all ready for positive changes and eager for them to come. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-HGfznlDTc3FZHZDy9mbodv-Ri0_UbQoau1zXt-jW7nO9FJlccTsU95Vcklj_IkidujrYlC-fhtAqwtQ1gQy6FcSUKVJaea1Erqy8RYNKV_G_-aUstQiBIhAHpEuc5uRIAVRahXQ6ztQ/s1600/20130526_180723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-HGfznlDTc3FZHZDy9mbodv-Ri0_UbQoau1zXt-jW7nO9FJlccTsU95Vcklj_IkidujrYlC-fhtAqwtQ1gQy6FcSUKVJaea1Erqy8RYNKV_G_-aUstQiBIhAHpEuc5uRIAVRahXQ6ztQ/s200/20130526_180723.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>It is now Sunday, I am excited to stay home, nest a little more and just chill. I get a text from Sue who offers to take me and two other friends to see Reba McEntire in Cherokee. (about an hour and a half away). She has an extra ticket from a friend that couldn't' go. Another opportunity for me to be spontaneous! Of course, I check and make sure Zack has somewhere to go as I will be late when returning home. He wants to stay at Drakes and said "get out, go have fun!!" The concert was wonderful! I felt so spoiled, being driven there, having a great dinner at Harrah's Casino and the seats were ground level where you could see her every expression. I still was constantly thinking about Zack, how he loves Reba, should I get a t-shirt or CD, is he okay, then there is Frank, is he okay, having fun? I get a text from Frank during dinner simply saying "done with fishing, having dinner now!" I text him back saying "having dinner with Sue at Harrahs and getting ready to see Reba." He later tells me he had no idea where I was, how I got there and who Reba was, but decided he would find out once he returned home. He never knows what he is going to get with me, and that makes life interesting to say the least. Zack texts me with an answer to my question, can I please have a cd? So, once the show was finished, I see the young star who opened for Reba and asked for an autographed photo for Zack (she is gorgeous and you never know, could be famous one day). I tell her (like I do everyone I meet) of Zacks journey of survival, she gives me a great big hug and tells me to share that with him. She signed the photo, "Zack, Congratulations!"</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>It is now Monday. Memorial Day. Zack is still at Drakes and since we opened the office for half a day, I am out the door by 6:30 am. To say I am a flake this morning is an understatement. I have been running around since Friday and not sure whether I'm coming or going. I thrive on routine and this weekend was anything but! I am anxious and talk to Nancy who helps to ground me again. She remembers all too well the feelings I am going through. "You have been in fight or flight mode and now it's time to tell yourself to stop and breathe." How many times have I been told that and "forget." Nancy shows me a breathing technique for when I do feel anxious and for the rest of the afternoon I am practicing. It has worked beautifully. Once again, I feel grounded and being Taurus I really need to stay that way. I am home by 1 pm, and my amazing computer repair man came out to repair our internet, (another reason I've stopped breathing properly!) It turns out both of my internet boxes were fried during the last storm, so he replaces two with one and voila! we are again online! Zack is home doing his chores, not very happily I might add, but he does them anyway. By 3 pm Frank is home and my family is once again under one roof. Everyone had a great weekend. Frank shows pictures of his catches, the waterfalls they climbed and after eating dinner falls sound asleep on the couch exhausted! I tease him and say "YOU went on vacation and YOUR tired?" It never stops!! Women and Men and their differences, but it does make for an interesting life at times! Zack is now on his computer filling out forms to bring in to the college tomorrow. Life IS moving on and it is great!!!!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>PS. My bff Nancy lost her Aunt today and will miss her terribly. Please keep her and her family in your thoughts!! She has been an amazing support for many years and I would love to send some loving energy her way.</b><br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939158029679022108.post-6830639189032498872013-05-18T23:40:00.000-04:002013-05-18T23:40:01.814-04:00"Crystal Clear"....so far<div style="text-align: justify;">
I spoke with my "aunt" Lee the other day and find that as I'm speaking, I realize the personal changes I have gone through in this past year. I knew this week was going to be a "heavy" week, full of tests to determine if the Ewings is still gone. I won't use the word remission. To me that gives "it" permission to return and we do not! I have become more of an observer (which is something I am still working on through counseling). I feel as if I have been inside a glass bubble looking at the world outside, everyone is talking, but all I hear are muffled sounds. I am slowly "coming back" as my mother refers to me, as if I've been gone on a long journey and returning. She is spot on! I find myself relaxing more as Zack can do more and continues on with his life.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oU3sUAoAGrafnEi4Iz7AQiDZIjM5O7mPnZd_jLea1IczMNrEeUYlUS26nl0W0hRvf0MM_yu4POS-KlmaR6OZcu8HCwJ2oaqLO9Jouex4bvFxkFUhiiiGWBh47DX9cnZBVV_A4bN1Vo5Y/s1600/20130514_144004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oU3sUAoAGrafnEi4Iz7AQiDZIjM5O7mPnZd_jLea1IczMNrEeUYlUS26nl0W0hRvf0MM_yu4POS-KlmaR6OZcu8HCwJ2oaqLO9Jouex4bvFxkFUhiiiGWBh47DX9cnZBVV_A4bN1Vo5Y/s200/20130514_144004.jpg" width="200" /></a>Tuesday, Zack was scheduled for labs. I have been in this room a thousand times and never really notices the train table Zack was sitting on. I remember the "clock" room, but all of a sudden we are sitting there and I begin to laugh! Of course, he looks at me like I've lost my mind, but he simply smiles and lets me have my moment of crazy. We are told soon that his counts are great!! We are then given a whole new schedule regarding the tests. For some reason there has been more confusion at the front office. Luckily I didn't go completely crazy on everyone, as I found out later that Lena, who had gone to visit her mother, ended up losing her unexpectedly while there. My heart was so sad for her, I can't and don't even want to imagine what that would be like. You might as well wrap me up and throw me out!! We got our appointments all lined up and within an hour were on our way home. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My senses have been pretty sharp lately. If that doesn't make sense, just like in the very beginning of this journey when "something.. I call my Angel...told me to go back in to say goodnight to Zack (after already having done so before) and discovering the tumor. That sense has been very sharp of late. I knew, when we left the Cancer Center that "something" was going to happen and I needed to be aware! As we were driving out of town, traffic got backed up at a railroad track, I stopped a few yards away from the tracks when all of a sudden the train is there and a woman in a van was stuck right on the tracks! The arm (that was supposed to go down first to stop traffic) suddenly started to come down on her car. It caught onto her luggage rack and she couldn't back up. I motion for the man in back of me to back up more, so that I could give her even more room. She was stuck and the train was coming fast! I jumped out of the car, ran over to the arm, pulled it up as she backed her car to safety, I then discovered that another car in the other lane would be stuck with the arm on his car, so he moved until everyone was clear. I'm not sure if they would have been cleared by the train or not, but I wasn't going to take a chance. A few feet after we moved again, we were missed when a car ran the light and nearly hit us and two other cars. Stopping at the light, Zack looks over at me and says "Mom, you need me to drive?" It hit me, what all just happened. I have been so in survival mode, that I did all of that and didn't even realize what I was doing. I told him I was fine, but to keep his eyes open!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Wednesday was Senior "skip day". His friends joked with him that he "skipped" the entire year! But Zack wanted to be a part of it all. He told us all, "I haven't been able to do shit for school this year, I am going to hang out with my friends that skipped school and have a good time!" They all ended up going to Connestee Falls lake Atagahi and had a great time. Zack did return with a slight sunburn, but promised he wore sunscreen. It was nice to see him with a big smile on his face.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfVz5Yc3rRIfhI4Zbtl2Ii7LxhXfvwt_Cy_O77PMVNM7VC8AibsXOnkPRgWF8f2LFVAwU81cFSwEjhcoH3xMM4981msRxCYCXmIrt_mBkjuuIyblOF6-eZtm8zKp_lmHlXK_xdmCAPTOu/s1600/20130516_132606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfVz5Yc3rRIfhI4Zbtl2Ii7LxhXfvwt_Cy_O77PMVNM7VC8AibsXOnkPRgWF8f2LFVAwU81cFSwEjhcoH3xMM4981msRxCYCXmIrt_mBkjuuIyblOF6-eZtm8zKp_lmHlXK_xdmCAPTOu/s200/20130516_132606.jpg" width="150" /></a>It is now Thursday and we are scheduled for MRI and Bone Scans. We arrive at the Cancer Center where they access Zack's port for the days scans. Once we are at the Hospital, Zack becomes angry. He THEN tells me that he wanted to have the MRI at the Reuter Center, where their machines are bigger and less closed in. I tell him that THIS is why he must communicate with me. I can't fix a problem if I don't know what he is feeling. He immediately reassures me and says he just hates these tests. "I have only had one MRI in my life and they had to drug me to do it, so you are a lot tougher than your Mama". He make some comment like "DUH" and we were again laughing. A very nice male technician came in and was all set to insert the iv, when Zack lifted his shirt and showed he was already "plugged in" and ready to go. I sat out in the hall for about an hour, when he phoned and asked for his clothes. Excited I thought we were all done. He looks at me and reminds me there are still bone scans and we must return in three hours. Since he hadn't eaten since midnight, we went and grabbed lunch. He tells me that he is feeling kind of tired and must drink a lot as they just injected him with radioactive dye. Something every mother wants to hear!! NOT!!! I push my thoughts to the side. I won't make it if I really think about everything he has had put in his system. I can't think about that!! </div>
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When we finish lunch, we still have two hours so I take him to one of my favorite places in Asheville, The Tobacco Barn. It is an old tobacco barn filled with booths of Antiques, Art and Furniture. If nothing else, it's like a museum and art gallery mixed in with a lot of dust from the old building. We stroll through one aisle at a time. Zack is in a great mood, the MRI wasn't as rough as he thought it would be and it was done fairly quickly. He picks up a spiral candleholder and ask what it is. (you really couldn't' tell), then a plainer, he shows me how that works, he is fascinated with the new, old and recycled items. He forgets he was raised in an Antique Shop. He is looking for an octopus. He is obsessed with them and the symbology doesn't go unnoticed. I think I mentioned in a previous blog, how some octopi can regrow limbs once the fall off. He thinks of his body as an octopus, it heals itself. What a great image to keep!! I firmly believe that is how he has been able to bounce back each time, he is thinking like a healthy person and why shouldn't he!! He finds a couple of things he would LOVE to have, but alas, no room and too much money. After previewing most of the contents of the store, it is time to head back for the bone scan. </div>
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We again arrive at the Hospital. I jokingly ask if he wants to run upstairs and say Hi to the nursing staff. He looks are me and says "Ah.... NO!!" Too early I guess. I just want them all to see how healthy he looks, but that's MY thing, being a Mom and all!! It's strange to see peoples expressions when Zack walks into a room. They look up at this big guy and all of a sudden their eyes are sad. There is an older couple in the corner and when they saw Zack, they immediately looked at me and managed a smile. When he was gone for his scan, the woman asked about him. I shared our journey and assured them he was doing great!! "So good to here, prayers are with you!" I thanked them. I hadn't realized how tired I was until I sat in the oversized chair with my feet up and fell asleep snoring up a storm. The television was so loud in the waiting area that no one heard me, or at least they were all polite enough to tell me they didn't. By 3:30 pm we were done for the day. I had decided to go back to work, where Jessica was covering for the day and close out everything. Zack desperately wanted and needed an adjustment, so we headed straight back home. After I dropped him off to pick up his truck to meet me at the office, I get a call from Angie at the Cancer Center. She said "Sabrina, the scans came back and not only are they clear, they are CRYSTAL CLEAR!!!" I am elated!!! I immediately call Frank and Mom to tell them the good news! We passed the first set of tests!! The MRI was of the area where the tumor had been, CRYSTAL CLEAR! I then meet Zack at the office and tell him the great news. I am standing with Nancy and Jessica as he looks at me and says "Ya, I knew that!!!" "Did Angie call you?", "No?! I just know Mom!!!" He is right, it is his body and he has become quite familiar with his own health this year. Once he is adjusted he heads out to his friends house. It isn't until later that I find out he hadn't even told them the news. They asked me and when I shared the news with Drake a day later, his eyes teared up a bit, "that's great news Mama!!" </div>
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Friday I was scheduled to donate platelets again. They have called me stating there was an extreme shortage. I had decided though, on Thursday, that I was just too tired of driving to Asheville and next week we would again be returning for the second set of scans. Echocardiogram, PET and CT scans are set for Tuesday and I have an appointment with my OB on Friday, so I postponed until then. Friday, was Senior Awards Day at the High School. All of the Seniors wore their caps and gowns and entering into the Auditorium in a procession, they all walked past all of the other classmates . Zack was able to participate and I so wanted to go and hide in a corner just witness it all myself, but it was for students only and Zack threatened to make my life miserable if I even attempted to show up. He knew he wasn't getting an award, but said that he wanted to be a part of the celebration. A couple of his friends were upset with the school and said he should have at least been recognized for having graduated in spite of everything he has gone through. Zack, being just like his Dad said "I don't care about that stuff, I know what I did, besides, I didn't want to have to get up from where I was sitting, I was in the middle of a bunch of other people and when you're as big as me, you don't move that easily!" He came home with his yearbook and said "darn, I only made it in the senior picture". When I asked why that bothered him (already knowing the answer) he said "because it is proof I wasn't there and shows on paper what all I missed out on." I noticed there were no signatures or notes from his classmates. He said "the people I am friends with, are still my friends and I don't want a book full of phony crap Mom!" Typical Zack, once he made that statement, he was again out the door to hang out with his friends. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zack and Austin</td></tr>
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This entire week, he has been going to a new friend (whom he met through mutual friends). This "kid" Tyler lives a couple of miles from our house, his parents have a lot of land and Zack and his friends go there to go 4 wheeling and sit around a bonfire. Each night, Zack has called or texted and asked if he could be just a little later. By the time he reached 11:30, we said last time!! Don't ask again!! Don't push it right now!! You still need to rest and heal. He is having such a good time and feeling so free, not having to go so often now, that he too is trying to find his way. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKDzR4UB_xyF3HoIT50-21Nur3D1PX4-_WRyjA845jx3kyCvswglgRgrEWz-BgggpC0a6_qOjih4nKZ2eoQ9N0_mUXtR1_1nLmnuaTsvhlO62TvVA9ilzE80mqt84_jNYGeZ416kFQZlV/s1600/20130518_150735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKDzR4UB_xyF3HoIT50-21Nur3D1PX4-_WRyjA845jx3kyCvswglgRgrEWz-BgggpC0a6_qOjih4nKZ2eoQ9N0_mUXtR1_1nLmnuaTsvhlO62TvVA9ilzE80mqt84_jNYGeZ416kFQZlV/s200/20130518_150735.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">painted cabinets and new hardware</td></tr>
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In my usual fashion, I took on repainting the kitchen cabinets and a few of the outer walls. Frank was the one that finally said I needed to take it easy today, after having painted all day yesterday and this morning. The results are wonderful though, and our house is becoming bright and new! I guess you could say I'm again nesting! I forgot to take before pics of the kitchen, but you get the idea. Before the cabinets were a pale, dirty looking yellow, now.... Voila!!! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvLpmgsp297kXk9ZhNobNyMCb91_9FRiRFYfAXL8i-yI4GGqq8l0HlRpIsce3jTtneyeR3NFiY4PNrdgLiLAagD6fqMYmA_m39Xi2bg73M2hfKcKPLBnWba6V3lQsv65qmIXPn4e9u3Jo/s1600/20130518_150712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvLpmgsp297kXk9ZhNobNyMCb91_9FRiRFYfAXL8i-yI4GGqq8l0HlRpIsce3jTtneyeR3NFiY4PNrdgLiLAagD6fqMYmA_m39Xi2bg73M2hfKcKPLBnWba6V3lQsv65qmIXPn4e9u3Jo/s200/20130518_150712.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">painted two walls, and re caulked counter top</td></tr>
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Tomorrow we pay homage to Frank's Aunt Jane who turned 70 this week. It will be nice to see the family and share in a little family reunion. Tuesday is just a couple of days away and once those scans are finished, Zack will move on with plans to register for Blue Ridge Community College automotive classes. Graduation is nearing as well, all I know is this particular mother is going to need an entire box of kleenex!!!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939158029679022108.post-41244430146903134402013-05-13T19:36:00.001-04:002013-05-13T19:36:09.898-04:00Final Chemotherapy!!!! <div style="text-align: justify;">
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It is again Sunday, Mothers Day!! Another week has passed with less ups and downs, but we are still reminded, the journey is not yet over. Monday morning I call the Cancer Center for Zack's appointment time and they "forgot" he was supposed to come in. I said "well, we are coming in tomorrow for his last chemo, can you just do the labs then?" "Oh yes, sure, wait he is supposed to come tomorrow?"... "HELLO???" I'm not sure what was going on, but this is not the most comforting reaction. Are they so ready to get rid of us already? I inform both Frank and Zack they can take the day "off" from the center and go ahead in to work. </div>
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Tuesday Zack and I aren't scheduled until the afternoon, so he runs some errands, helps out some friends and I run around the house cleaning, doing laundry and getting the house in order. It's nice to be home and have some time to get stuff done and not rush. We are usually heading out so early in the morning, that I'm left to catch up on "chores" in the evenings. Zack tells me that "Biscuit" wants to ride with us, so the three of us load up (literally) in Zack's truck. I barely fit in the back seat, sitting sideways ( I offered to do so), with two guys, both well over 6 feet tall in the front seats. The boys are making fun of people, checking out pretty girls, much the same as with his other friends of the same age. They are all young men, with lots of testosterone and full of themselves. I couldn't tell you what exactly they were saying, all I can remember is we didn't stop laughing from the moment we got in the truck to the moment we arrived at the Cancer Center. Luckily, most of his friends tell me I'm "cool", which pretty much means I swear, am a smart ass, let them talk about anything they like and just hang out as if one of the guys! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2FbHpp9Mfa_jehS_9oW1UvDoI4iBR_vZQarZeOm9idvwycFgiBjaRr9beW6yBXFcFQdnsTQGoh24EKES0DTLFLSwYSbf599whLZyC8uGWxGrIbvwFdKn_tEfz4ghPtXMnP9W9brSzag8/s1600/20130507_152804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2FbHpp9Mfa_jehS_9oW1UvDoI4iBR_vZQarZeOm9idvwycFgiBjaRr9beW6yBXFcFQdnsTQGoh24EKES0DTLFLSwYSbf599whLZyC8uGWxGrIbvwFdKn_tEfz4ghPtXMnP9W9brSzag8/s200/20130507_152804.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zack with Angie</td></tr>
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As we enter the building, I'm telling everyone (the security guard , the store clerk, the woman at the front desk of the main lobby) "This is his last day of chemo!!" and everyone starts to come out and congratulate Zack. Everyone knows everyone there. They see the same faces come and go daily and we are greeted each time with a smile and hello. There are a couple of teary eyes, as Angie tells us how much she is going to miss us. Mind you they all tell us how they don't want us there for "this" reason, but love having Zack around. Angie gives his last dose of chemo, which today consists of a "push". It's a vile with the fluids and after his port is accessed, Angie, pushes the fluids into his port and while doing so announces "FINAL ONE!!!" Each one of the Nurses and Doctors come into the room to see us, sharing their favorite story about their time with Zack. One mentions how Zack and Donald were in the room dancing around and laughing. Another shares how another young patient would look at Zack and say "that football player is here!" Walking down the hall, compared to the other kids, he IS a GIANT!! .Angie asks if she was the first to give him chemo, so I quickly research all of my pictures and share that Melanie first did chemo, Angie was first to access his port, first to give him his platelets and she also taught him how to give himself the shots, he thankfully no longer must have. She is satisfied with that answer, AND all of the pictures to prove it! Dr. B ("the chihuahua" as she likes to call herself, because she will bark until "her" kids are taken care of) enters the room and tells us that we will now have all of the scans scheduled in the next couple of weeks. We then must come in once a month to have his port accessed and flushed (cleaned out). The scans consist of MRI's both with and without contrast dye, PET Scan, CT scan , X-rays and also full set of tests from the cardiologist ensuring that his heart is in good shape. As they have explained to us, due to the location of the port and the chemotherapy there is a risk of damage to the heart, but if Zack's energy is any indication, we are sure all will come out great! </div>
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On our way home, we drop Biscuit off at his house and Zack takes me shopping for my Birthday and Mother's Day presents. Of course, we go to Lowes, where I pick out three very pretty plants for the front porch. His budget was $50.00 and I keep it at $40.00. I am excited ,as this year, I know I will have the energy and will be home to care for the plants. It's the simple things, like planting flowers, having hanging baskets, none of that was even on my mind or in my heart last year, and now... that's all I want to do. Plant and nurture my flower boxes and home. What a wonderful place to be both mentally and spiritually. Zack was feeling tired and went to watch shows in his room. </div>
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Wednesday Zack stayed at home, finished a couple of chores and rested. Thursday he worked with Frank for the entire day. Frank said he did a great job and was surprised at him lasting that long. By Thursday evening, Zack was confused and asked "why, if everyone else is congratulating me on the end of my treatment, haven't I heard from any of my friends?" I tried to explain that "he can't just look at this one time or a few times they haven't called. They have been there the entire time. They probably don't realize how big a deal this is, and hopefully they will never have to fully understand what you have been through. " My thoughts didn't seem to help very much, but I know in time, he will be back with his friends having a great time.<br />
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For the first time in a long time, we didn't have to return to the Center for the rest of the week, so this gave him the opportunity to reach out to his friends and hang out with them. Luckily he gets over his frustration pretty quickly and was out the door with a "see ya later guys!" Friday he had plans to hang out with a group of guys, work on his four wheeler and just do random stuff. I had already planned on taking Mom out for Mother's Day (a few days early). <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like mother.......</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFqeKxR4lvkGV5hccBfc6W8Y0KCZh04AMW7sAmNaofPURqB8MziPNoAImLojiybZXVtB1cR11pn3DGkXmgy7IsXK7Mlc-Ggb0GeMBQzC5uRP3EOM-TuZ8OaT-C3R6ZxL0Y2pXwG8yG2fl/s1600/Brie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFqeKxR4lvkGV5hccBfc6W8Y0KCZh04AMW7sAmNaofPURqB8MziPNoAImLojiybZXVtB1cR11pn3DGkXmgy7IsXK7Mlc-Ggb0GeMBQzC5uRP3EOM-TuZ8OaT-C3R6ZxL0Y2pXwG8yG2fl/s200/Brie.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like daughter</td></tr>
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I pick up Mom, but not until after receiving five phone calls along the 18 mile drive to Hendersonville. Each time, it is another appointment being scheduled with regards to Zack's tests. Each time, I stop, pull over, grab my I-pad (a gift from Rhonda, sister, neither of which I can live with out!) and start checking off dates and marking down appointments. EKG on Friday? Sure, MRI, CT scans, no food or drink after midnight, Thursday, 8 am? Okay.. oh wait, you need to access port first at Cancer Center, oh, okay so we come there first, then go to Hospital, gotcha!! As I'm making one of these appointments, the "Bumble Bee" pulls up next to me. "Mom, you okay?" He sees that I'm on the phone, I give him a thumbs up and he waits for me to finish. "I was making your appointments for the scans", all of sudden his facial expression changes to a pout, Okay Mom.... I blow him a kiss, tell him I love him, Donald comes around to my side, leans in and gives me a big hug and they are off! I arrive at Moms, we hop in the car and are on our way to our favorite spot. Biltmore Estate. My gift to Mom (and myself) was an annual membership, which includes discounts on everything inside the Estate Walls , entrance into the house and grounds and use of their bike path, etc.... It's not far from home and has in the past been a way to "escape" the real world. For a day, you can go and see how the truly rich lived and pretend you are a Vanderbilt. Wait, not everyone does that? Oops!!!<br />
We had a wonderful lunch at The Bistro, which included five different cheeses with crusty bread and honey ( my idea of heaven). We then went down to the plant shop, where I was able to get several ideas for plantings. We spent the entire day, window shopping, of course we came home with a couple of treasures, like a stained glass (looks like) bird bath, plants for my "new" idea of turning my non functioning water fountain into a planter, and a couple of odds and ends. Grocery shopping was soon to follow as well as another trip to Lowes for more plants and paint for my weekend project. By the time we returned home it was close to 9 pm and both mother and daughter having had a great day together, were exhausted! Zack having reached out to his friends, had gone to spend the night at Drake's house which was the perfect end of the day. He was with his friends having a good time, Frank was home enjoying some quiet and I again have more memories to store away of my time with Mom.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TyTahaDXYwqw7Qm8xW4OCFBoSPCdwf0ikzkfAIL4hZjj_O3TLM50ql37AVdn_dVUqs4eXQzrbdTmnuKFyao986TmIXy5_TSF2SgHtpkazNq6WWBIqB-PUVVH_AuFGOdmRsce_lmQfuIF/s1600/20130511_135843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TyTahaDXYwqw7Qm8xW4OCFBoSPCdwf0ikzkfAIL4hZjj_O3TLM50ql37AVdn_dVUqs4eXQzrbdTmnuKFyao986TmIXy5_TSF2SgHtpkazNq6WWBIqB-PUVVH_AuFGOdmRsce_lmQfuIF/s200/20130511_135843.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbF3ky5U6AILeGSzavesUO2ZIq2kR4L4ciHWoOjrLu6I4lTPDxbV5qOCo3M9ir9QGhEyYJ_2bitBAwuPUVoZAfIxRDN0QGj7cna4rKF4068qrXyNZedVgskxKN3hVOxCxeuloFlSUS2MV/s1600/20130511_140140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbF3ky5U6AILeGSzavesUO2ZIq2kR4L4ciHWoOjrLu6I4lTPDxbV5qOCo3M9ir9QGhEyYJ_2bitBAwuPUVoZAfIxRDN0QGj7cna4rKF4068qrXyNZedVgskxKN3hVOxCxeuloFlSUS2MV/s200/20130511_140140.jpg" width="150" /></a>It is now Saturday, usually Franks day to fish, but today, he is staying home to work around the house. He tells me that he and Matt and his brother Mitch are all going fishing on Mothers Day, "because you're not my mother". Well!!! I am actually pleased, as that is when I am going to paint several walls in the house and work better when not surrounded with testosterone telling me the "correct" way to do it. I take full advantage of the beautiful sunny day and plant my flower boxes. Then I plant my new creation, while Frank and Donald hang up the brackets for my new hanging baskets.The porch and patio are taking shape while Frank continues to clean up, blowing leaves from the roof and gutters, washing off the skylights and finally cleaning off the seating areas. If you haven't figured it out by now, I like things in "order", that's when I'm my happiest, though I am learning to relax a bit more than in previous years. It's so nice to have all these beautiful plants and flowers around the brighten up the place, and for me to have the time to care for them once again. Donald had a date, so Zack went up to hang out with his friends. Frank surprised me by cooking a nice steak dinner and we spent the rest of the evening just chilling and watching TV.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEB4ZCspMy82H0nOkE21UcQPXo7Q6MZIelzxkdqp_61_c1raC7QycsZ7SlRZF6BZHr9h6t83t6NGB1L8nmQPyxf9VWvIQIIUiyGYWXXzZQ8z4cs8ZVnAc8eSQo9ONj0Sb-F5H2YUmyhy2/s1600/counter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEB4ZCspMy82H0nOkE21UcQPXo7Q6MZIelzxkdqp_61_c1raC7QycsZ7SlRZF6BZHr9h6t83t6NGB1L8nmQPyxf9VWvIQIIUiyGYWXXzZQ8z4cs8ZVnAc8eSQo9ONj0Sb-F5H2YUmyhy2/s200/counter.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiwK8vt4PIYgqXbH40YmYp7NtGd4gayuyhEoGz86jtNOk6AtX8kz5ybAGS4Kz6MlQ6ybn1qTENOf3KDLCPfjZGtu7e_CHtQKKwMQOIhExU7ZPAOxgtNIw0ZXjGNZE41pZ3tOMTgP9mIgi/s1600/20130512_143027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiwK8vt4PIYgqXbH40YmYp7NtGd4gayuyhEoGz86jtNOk6AtX8kz5ybAGS4Kz6MlQ6ybn1qTENOf3KDLCPfjZGtu7e_CHtQKKwMQOIhExU7ZPAOxgtNIw0ZXjGNZE41pZ3tOMTgP9mIgi/s200/20130512_143027.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ45HKgIFOlnUqDSGQyjM3-RRooid1sEjxIlDIfBMR2dQX6BDC4V6RbBZWVFGkmGcjSGxk7aHEpndurthOeADuZJBvfWxzTFW0AripgazzP3g4i7fpl2POorfMv5GXqCP1DQkJKSU7CjmY/s1600/20130512_095456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ45HKgIFOlnUqDSGQyjM3-RRooid1sEjxIlDIfBMR2dQX6BDC4V6RbBZWVFGkmGcjSGxk7aHEpndurthOeADuZJBvfWxzTFW0AripgazzP3g4i7fpl2POorfMv5GXqCP1DQkJKSU7CjmY/s200/20130512_095456.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a>We are back to Sunday, Mothers Day. Frank has gone fishing for the day and Zack is still sound asleep in his bed. I start to remove paintings, mirrors, etc.. from the walls and fireplace mantle. I start painting one wall, then get a brilliant idea! "why not install a chair rail! that will brighten it up even more and protect the wall". Zack comes out, eyes half shut and wishes me a Happy Mothers Day. I can barely keep my excitement contained when he looks at me and says "okay... what's the idea and how does it involve me!" I tell him and he is just fine taking me to the store in his truck. I measure and re measure, write down everything and by the time he is ready I have everything figured out. We go to the store, he drops me off and goes to another store to buy some shorts. We both finish at the same time and are back home within the hour. Zack dropped me off and went up to Chris' house to swim. He kept asking if it was okay to leave and I reminded him, though it may sound corny, every day he is healthy and happy is Mothers Day for me. He makes them all special and one day here or there with a "title" isn't going to matter to me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha556g8kbM_xFeW9WQ0xWt_wb-uBik7WWBuwR0cMRXzrU_IsiovjpQDNiROtsptjmxCplc1jWMe0R1nzBpHWbsCHnJ-eKuARirRoDaFKoVQOS8mVppdzKpOA1fPKKZkJWw5UOMMatwbp3D/s1600/20130512_193319.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha556g8kbM_xFeW9WQ0xWt_wb-uBik7WWBuwR0cMRXzrU_IsiovjpQDNiROtsptjmxCplc1jWMe0R1nzBpHWbsCHnJ-eKuARirRoDaFKoVQOS8mVppdzKpOA1fPKKZkJWw5UOMMatwbp3D/s200/20130512_193319.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLXmzKRqk42O7lZjFidczKETP3qpKCYOzQcJZM99mmZT7f56MtzvAHr1azJ7gj_rsj1_9TP7Np_JdXv56R-e_AyE02Cko5titUmKTUm8lkh6NPOmvtK6v_j51efAwhUnWtfTNC6zUULAG/s1600/20130512_193219.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLXmzKRqk42O7lZjFidczKETP3qpKCYOzQcJZM99mmZT7f56MtzvAHr1azJ7gj_rsj1_9TP7Np_JdXv56R-e_AyE02Cko5titUmKTUm8lkh6NPOmvtK6v_j51efAwhUnWtfTNC6zUULAG/s200/20130512_193219.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvYCz9DOuEtBhut2wugqtHaGAffSJtZbBzQQsCSVPzBQZCiOyWWdeTRraSI9Zty3XQODDzNvSCg6bVWMJuf2nfJ3g0fRYA-zCI7uwDQIuQdiX1X2VK3TlnQvi2jOPU_VZDmKlMjv9n17Q/s1600/20130512_095436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvYCz9DOuEtBhut2wugqtHaGAffSJtZbBzQQsCSVPzBQZCiOyWWdeTRraSI9Zty3XQODDzNvSCg6bVWMJuf2nfJ3g0fRYA-zCI7uwDQIuQdiX1X2VK3TlnQvi2jOPU_VZDmKlMjv9n17Q/s200/20130512_095436.jpg" width="200" /></a>While working on this project I realized, when we first moved into the house I wanted warm and cozy, thus the red, now all I want is open and airy. Maybe my inner being is "lightening up". It took me all day to finish with a short lunch break, but I was so excited at the transformation and when Zack and Frank came in and saw it, they too were blown away. I did have to get Frank to help with the chair rail. I didn't really trust myself to cut the paneling at the right length or straight. He also LOVES it when I need his help, most of the time I wing it, but I wanted this to be perfect, so pride be damned! Zack had come home long enough to change his clothes and was back out the door to Chris' house. I was so excited that he was out having fun, Frank fell asleep on the couch "fishing is hard work," he would remind me later, so I ordered a pizza for him and sub for me. He woke up around 9 pm, about the time I was crashing and the house was finished. I have this thing about putting everything back right away, like "instant makeover". Maybe I DO watch too much HGTV!! As I lay in bed, I can't stop smiling. Everyone had a wonderful weekend and though we have a week of tests in front of us, I can't help but think the results will be great and we have a whole Spring and Summer ahead of us.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939158029679022108.post-71810804887776784352013-05-05T22:44:00.000-04:002013-05-05T22:44:55.045-04:00Remembrance <div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, here we are a week later! This was the polar opposite of last week. Zack was able to work with Frank on Monday in Asheville. The very city all of his treatments / care have been given. He said it was strange to go there and not have to be at the Cancer Center. Knowing that Tuesday would be the last full day of chemotherapy, he actually was glad to be working and keep his mind off of the next day. </div>
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Tuesday was the chemo (as I refer it) that causes his hair to stay gone (or to loose it). The history of this particular combination has been known to make him very sick. He is more tired and nauseous for several days following treatment. He is in a fairly decent mood considering, but I still tread very lightly about "trying" to make him feel better. He hates this, it sucks!! enough said!! His appointment is 8:30 am and knowing that he will be sleeping most of the day, I have scheduled my next platelets donation at 9:30 am. They had called from the Red Cross last week and said there was a desperate need for platelets so why not? I actually was told that I could donate every other week, but could only donate a maximum amount of 24 weeks a year. </div>
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As we pull into the center, I am reminded of an incident that I failed to share last week. We had pulled next to a man on a beautiful, fully loaded motorcycle. Even though I sold my bike ( I dropped it one too many times in my driveway) I still have a passion for them, unfortunately, so does Zack (Frank was a rider most of his adult life). We walked around the car to check out the bike as the man was getting all of his gear on. He mentioned that he had just dropped some gift cards and was headed up the mountain for a long ride home. I asked which floor he went to and he said the second. I asked if he was with "Emily's Kids" (<a href="http://emilyskidsfoundation.org/">http://emilyskidsfoundation.org/</a>). He smiled and said "I AM Emily's Dad!!!" I ran up to him and asked if I could hug him. He was so surprised and said "Of course you can!" He looked at Zack and asked why we were there. Zack told him about his fight against Ewings Sarcoma (the very same thing that took his daughters life in 2009, only five months after graduating high school.) She, together with her father started the foundation to help families when they are away from home. What they do is have fund raisers, motorcycle rides, music, food and since the organization is 100% volunteers, all of the proceeds go to the families. He had actually just dropped off over $2,000 in gift cards which he purchased at Walmart, Subway, Atlanta Bread Company. We have been recipients of several of these cards during our times in Hospital. He was quick to say that he didn't NEED to know who was benefiting from this, but it was great to meet a family that has received this. He told about his daughter and how excited she was to start this foundation and he will continue as long as people are willing to help, and they are! I told him how there were times when I would go to the store because Zack just didn't want to eat Hospital food and his gift cards enabled me to buy everything Zack would want. He was thrilled and as we headed upstairs, we were able to both give him a great big Thank You hug!!!<br />
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Back to Tuesday. Zack got settled in, had his labs drawn and before I was even ready to head out, we were advised that his counts were high enough for him to get chemo. I gave him a big hug and was on my way, leaving him in the best possible care. I arrived in time for my appointment and within ten minutes was in the chair having a rather large needle placed into my vein. Again, they were able to do everything from the right arm which left my other arm free. One lesson I learned from this time..... wear a warm jacket, when you start to feel uncomfortable.. ASK for help!!! The blood pressure cuff was too tight and I developed a cramp in my arm, not a good feeling when you are not supposed to move, they also had to put two heated blankets on me as I couldn't stop shivering! It turns out the saline solution was cold and going through my blood. I will be honest it's not sitting in the park, surrounded by beautiful music and flowers, but if you remember what you are doing it for, you will be smiling the whole time. The staff, as before was awesome, always attentive and interested in our journey. When everything was done (about two hours) a woman approached me. She is the lead recruiter for platelet donations and wanted to know if I could come and speak to a group about the meaning of donating. She said they have donors that come on a regular basis, but no one ever shares their feeling about what it means to receive the platelets. She commented that I was so excited and talked about recruiting people through Facebook, Email and my blog, that I should be their "spokesperson." The next day I would speak is the day before Zack's graduation. I'm not sure where I will be emotionally and I explained that I am more than willing to do so. but he comes first, so I will get back to her on the date.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBT4yfGKgEQhsD4ovoZsZ0UKU0fuZQSd-Mx9U6YLV_wRgJtFwYR_E5H6FWcZt7oyGBacGRWf2P1IJyfk10_T35MSi2mnIMkRgAI9JhczJy_gla-g5yL4D8n-SGD-aJPyTI1BjFPmN2PPs/s1600/securedownload.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBT4yfGKgEQhsD4ovoZsZ0UKU0fuZQSd-Mx9U6YLV_wRgJtFwYR_E5H6FWcZt7oyGBacGRWf2P1IJyfk10_T35MSi2mnIMkRgAI9JhczJy_gla-g5yL4D8n-SGD-aJPyTI1BjFPmN2PPs/s320/securedownload.jpg" width="320" /></a>Once I left there, I stopped and grabbed lunch for Zack. I had been invited by our dear friends (of over 40 years) to have lunch together. Zack was doing well and told me to go and say hi from him. We met at a cute little natural foods restaurant around the corner from the center. I had no idea it was there and was excited to try something different. Louis and Celia are both published authors and Celia had just finished her latest book. Of course, I asked to purchase an autographed copy, she had stated that she would have loved to give me one, but has other people to account to. I wouldn't dream of accepting one as a gift, you appreciate things more. Most of lunch was filled with Zack, our journey and how we are all doing. Once we finished, I was asked to follow them to their car. Louis had something for me. He presented me with a painting my father did back in 1972 when we lived in Spain. He told me how Dad (Robert George Kensinger), who at this point had won two medals (Gold and Bronze) and title of "Commandeur" (which means master of painting) out of several hundred International Artists from the Queen of Belgium. This is not one of his "typical" paintings. He usually painted Trompe l'oeil (fool the eye) which you can barely tell is a painting. What makes this gift so special are the memories it bring back to me. We lived in Nerja, Spain a small fishing village (at the time) under Generalissimo Franco's dictatorship. I was ten when we moved there and twelve when this painting was created. It is of a small village , Frigiliana, up in the mountains behind our village. I have many memories of Dad, Rhonda and I hiking up those mountains, most of the time with the goats, and exploring. Dad would teach us about eating the flowers from the cacti and we would explore a ghost town not too far away. With Zack's treatments and his graduation up ahead, I have been thinking about Dad a lot and how he would have reacted to all of this. Being raised a Christian Scientist (not the same as Scientology) he would have looked at me and putting his hand on my head, would say "He is the perfect child of God and created in his image and likeness." Dad was always calming like that. To see and receive this precious gift, reminds me of him yet again! Louis had collected several of Dad paintings and I think this was the last he owned. He simply stated that he wanted to make sure it was in good hands.<br />
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When we finished I went back to the Cancer Center. Zack was still in the middle of his treatment and relaxing in the recliner. He was watching one of his shows and the next thing I realize, I was sound asleep on the couch snoring rather loudly. Melanie came in, Zack's nurse for the day, and put a heated blanket over me and a pillow under my head. Zack was making fun of my snoring and said soon he would have to move into another room. I can't believe he was in such good spirits. I had found a knot on his back a couple of days earlier and though it didn't look threatening I wasn't going to take any chances. I had told Julia, another amazing nurse, about the knot and the fact Zack didn't want me to mention it. She figured out a way to see it without mentioning my name, but I told her if he ever asks if I told them, to be honest and tell him I did mention it to them and just didn't want to embarrass him. It is a tight rope at times, but one I will walk every time! He told me "oh by the way, the nurse and doctor looked at my back and said it looks okay, so you can stop worrying!! He never did ask if I told them, but with that grin on his face, we both knew that I had. One day when he is a parent (of course I keep telling him this) he will understand!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_DnxKiATAI5GslRFFiVfBzFnV1UmOxsfBoPCQCEYFfwmPhuZr9suOUF6cVkKdjol7SlKygWu-n7vySq2afpJ8_juEfVRgTYS43yClqU30YWTl6O7r-TNmxbNZ1cKaA3d6_TbsU6M0e5y/s1600/20130505_150821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_DnxKiATAI5GslRFFiVfBzFnV1UmOxsfBoPCQCEYFfwmPhuZr9suOUF6cVkKdjol7SlKygWu-n7vySq2afpJ8_juEfVRgTYS43yClqU30YWTl6O7r-TNmxbNZ1cKaA3d6_TbsU6M0e5y/s320/20130505_150821.jpg" width="240" /></a>We wrapped up the treatment about 5:30 pm. Zack was hungry, so we invited Rhonda and Peter to dinner. We had a great time together and I was so surprised that Zack was feeling well enough to eat. By the time we turned the corner from our house about two hours later, he looked at me and said "Ugh... here it is!" He was nauseous and just wanted to go to bed. Unfortunately he had to drink the stuff that smells like a camels behind (okay, I've never really actually smelled a camel behind, but I could guess, but then again that's really insulting to the camel) He paced and paced until he finally took a big gulp while holding his nose and took a sip of water to wash the rest down. SUCCESS!! Exhausted from the day, he crawled into bed, where he stayed the rest of the night. The next day he was to go and get his neulasta shot and had a good friend (Biscuit) go with him (Zack is Gravy when they are together). On his way out of town, he went by the school and picked up his cap and gown. It's never easy to get the kid to smile in pictures, but it sure does make a Mama proud to see him in this!!<br />
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Frank and I worked both Wednesday and Thursday. We were both pleased to hear that Zack didn't have to return to the Center until Monday, when he goes for labs. Once Zack returned from Asheville, he went home and both friends just chilled out the rest of the afternoon until his friend had to go into work. Zack stayed in bed the rest of Wednesday and all of Thursday feeling worse each day. He would wake up and move to the couch for a change in scenery. Friday morning he woke up and was feeling better, though still a bit tired. I was going in to work on Moms jewelry booth and he wanted to come and have lunch with me. Since Mom decided not to sell her chair that was in the booth, Zack offered to pick it up and take it to his Meme. We had a nice lunch and it warmed my heart to see him feeling better. He said he was getting tired, but was tired of staying in bed. He would go and deliver the chair and return home to rest. Biscuit went with him again, so it made it more fun, plus he had backup. He was excited when he got home, as Mom had given him her recliner to "dispose of", he has always wanted one in his room and now he has one! When he got home, his friends arrived one by one. Next thing we knew there was a room filled with laughter. Frank and I just looked at each other and smiled. "It's good to hear them all laughing!" The boys then moved outside to the patio area and continued for a couple more hours. Zack came into the house and announced that he had "kicked them all out" and is going to bed. Worried that something had happened, I asked what that meant, he simply said "Mom, I told them I was tired, they told me to go to bed and they will see me later!"" They all know my routine by now and are cool with it!" Whew... I can breathe again!<br />
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Saturday was another soggy day. It has been raining here since Wednesday, non stop and getting old very quickly! Zack announces that his cousin Darrick is coming over to spend the night. We haven't seen much of Darrick as he is going to school full time (high school and college courses at the same time) and then works almost full time. He is a great kid and a pleasure to have around. Zack tells me that we are ALL going to the movies to see Iron Man 3! He knows this is something I have wanted to see and if he sits in the far back and wears his mask, he will be okay. What a great time we had too! He and Darrick sat in the very back and Frank and I up front. It was like date night!! Something we haven't done much at all in quite a long time. It was all so "normal" and fun!!! I'm still smiling thinking about it.<br />
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Sunday was literally a day of rest for us all. Darrick stayed until about 3 pm and they just chilled watching movies. I played my computer games and rested the entire day. To me, a couple of loads of laundry is not work so that doesn't count. Zack had "allowed" me to take his picture in cap and gown, so I could include it in some of the invitations. He is never one to smile in his pics and he didn't disappoint today either. I think he does it just to bug me, as soon as I turn the camera down, he starts to laugh!! The brat!!!<br />
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He goes tomorrow with Frank for labs to determine if he needs blood or platelets. This coming Tuesday will mark the final chemo treatment. This is not one that makes him as sick, so he will be able to start healing again afterwards. He will have a couple of weeks to build up his strength and counts before graduation which is May 31st. The significance of that date will be with me forever!! It is the day last year we met with the surgeon to remove the tumor. Just the night before I had discovered the growth on his leg and here we are a year later, knowing everything that we do about something we never thought would be a part of our lives. How many lives have been touched this year!!! Too many to count, but each one a blessing to us!!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939158029679022108.post-77325715120047984062013-04-28T23:17:00.000-04:002013-04-28T23:17:37.744-04:00Two more to go......<div style="text-align: justify;">
What a week this has been. I have found myself trying to play "catch up" with the normal things, laundry, bills, phone calls, as well as fit some fun in between. Today just happens to be my Birthday. I am 53 years young and all of the wonderful wishes I received from friends and family near and far, again remind me of how much I am loved. </div>
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This week started out with us attempting to live the "normal" life. Work has been great. The weather was perfect for Frank to get in an entire week, cleaning, repairing and re-designing water features. Zack went to the Cancer Center on Monday for lab work. His counts were too low for him to begin the next chemo treatment on Tuesday, but luckily not enough to warrant transfusions. They wanted to schedule the chemotherapy for Thursday and Neulasta for Friday, but I didn't want to miss work and since it was okay to wait a couple of days he is scheduled for this coming Tuesday (April 30th). This will be the next to last treatment and will last all day. This is also the one that takes his hair away, so after this whatever grows back, he will keep!!! This is the one thing he has missed.... his hair! I am scheduled to donate platelets again as they called and are very low. Zack usually has something to help him sleep during these all day treatments, so he won't even miss me. After my appointment, Louis and Celia (friends / family for over forty years) and I are meeting for lunch. I haven't seen them in quite awhile, so it will be nice to spend a little time with them. </div>
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Zack was feeling well enough this week to work with Frank Tuesday, Wednesday AND Thursday. It was so good to see him get out, get fresh air and some sun (though he must use heavy duty sunscreen, his skin is fragile due to the chemo). Frank was even surprised at how long Zack lasted at the job sites, the first and second days, they worked all day together and the third day he worked half with Frank and the second half with a friend on his new job. His mood has been great and he has been thoroughly enjoying his week. In the evenings he spends time with his friends either at their house, here or playing pool at the bowling alley. Several of his friends went to Senior prom Friday night and a part of me was sad that he wasn't able to go, but then I am reminded how he has never liked to go to dances and I quickly laugh. The "pressures" of being a teenager, to conform, I guess MY High School issues came back to haunt me, I'm relieved that he doesn't put the same pressures on himself. He does what he wants and doesn't care what others think. He is way ahead of the game and I learn from him daily. </div>
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Since it has been so long since Nancy and I have had one on one time, we spent most of Tuesday together , just being two "girls". It was the first time in quite a while that there weren't any appointments so she and I took full advantage. Nancy and I went out for a nice Thai lunch (she treated me early for my Birthday) and continued the rest of the day with stores around the area. We had a great such a great time together. </div>
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Wednesday and Thursday were full work days for me. It was a nice, easy couple of days and it was so nice to report back to everyone at how great the fundraiser was. Each time I shared, I had a huge smile on my face. What a celebration it was!</div>
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Friday, Zack had labs scheduled. This time his counts were good, so we are going to proceed with the chemo next week. We ran to get my hair cut as I couldn't stand it any longer and met Rhonda for lunch. Again, another surprise, as she bought lunch for us both to celebrate my Birthday! We had fun catching up for about an hour and half and were on our way home. I had already decided to go and spend the rest of the day and night at Mom and Bobs house. Bad weather was coming in and I wanted to get Mom's water feature cleaned out for the Spring. Zack was planning on coming and helping, but he was set to help Frank install a statue he made and I didn't want him wearing himself out. It took me a couple of hours and the water feature was crystal clear!</div>
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As Mom, Bob and I head back into the house, he decides to order Sushi for Mom and I to pick up and we have yet another celebration for my Birthday. (I told you I am spoiled!!!) We settle in for the night and watch an old Mel Brooks movie (Blazing Saddles). As we watch, I can't help but think how totally politically INcorrect this movie was, but back in the time, that was the humor everyone loved. I almost felt guilty at times laughing at certain parts, but what can I say, Mel was a genius and we all needed a good funny movie filled with laughter!</div>
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Saturday, Zack was spending with his friends, Frank was fishing ,so Mom and I headed out to some shops, just to get out. It was pouring rain and not the best day for shopping, but I didn't want my time with Mom to end yet. We haven't had much quality time so we were going to make the best of it!! She took me out to lunch at my favorite Thai restaurant (can't get enough of my Chicken Pad Thai) as an early Birthday present... (more spoiling.. geez) We didn't realize what time it was until we felt hunger and exhaustion, it was 5:30 and we had been running around all day! We went for a Belgian break and headed back home. Once I dropped her off and stopped to pick some dinner up for Frank, I arrived home in time for Zack and I to watch a movie together. Frank glanced over every now and then, but was totally engrossed in a new novel he had picked up at the library. Once he starts on a book, you have to cover it with your hand and stand right in front of him to get his attention! He LOVES his books!!! Of course, we could say the same about my shows.... but we won't!! (smile)</div>
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Sunday, today, I wake up around 7am and decide it is way too early to get up on my Birthday! I'm not sure what THAT has to do with, but what the heck... I'll indulge myself! I finally get out of bed around 10 am. The house is a mess, laundry, dishes piled up, dirty floors and reality is back to bite me in the butt! Zack is half asleep, but the first thing out of his mouth is Happy Birthday Mom!! Frank is gone, but I know where he is... his annual "surprise" is to go to Lowes and pick me out a bunch of flowers to put in my flower boxes along the back of the house. As I finish up on the dishes (not in the best of moods about it) he walks in with frozen waffles and syrup. He tells me to STOP everything!! He and Zack are going to do it all, they just didn't want to wake me up! I realize right then and there that I could spend the rest of my day mad, or I could lighten up and realize just how lucky I am!! </div>
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The rest of the day was wonderful! We all had our frozen (hey they were good!!) waffles, talked about the rain, which will be with us until Wednesday and I started in on all the Thank You notes for the fundraiser. As I read out the long list of people and business' that helped Frank is amazed. He really didn't have a lot to do with any of it and I wanted to make sure he knew just who and how many people stepped in to contribute. He looked at me and said "I had no idea how many people helped!! how nice is that!" I had to agree!! Once finished addressing all the notes and stamping them, I started in on the invitation to Zack's graduation. WOW with everything he has been through, now graduation, another celebration! They have set the date for Friday, May 31st at 6 pm. A friend of mine emailed me yesterday and said the gowns are to be delivered to the High School tomorrow. My plan is to go and pick up his gown, take his picture and include it with most of the invitations. Of course, as soon as I have one, I will post it here for the world to see!!! Every young man and woman crossing that stage has a reason to celebrate. I am so proud of each and every one of them. Knowing what Zack has been through and how much he has grown and helped those around him grow, will make this day even more special and memorable to us all. </div>
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The best Birthday gift I have received is Zack out there with his friends, having fun and being himself! Life is pretty damn good right now!!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939158029679022108.post-51559479699269584472013-04-22T23:18:00.001-04:002013-04-22T23:18:57.095-04:00"A great time was had by all!"<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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A great time was had by all!!! That was the consensus from everyone present at Saturday's Fundraiser for Zack. The day which followed Friday's double blood transfusion, assuring Zack would be better protected. A day that was filled with old friends and new friends. </div>
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The weather couldn't be more perfect if we had "ordered" it! Friday was full of rain and overflowing rivers, we weren't sure what to expect and here, it was perfect! The view, breathtaking. The Pavillion was closed in on three sides and open in the front, overlooking a man made lake filled with ducks splashing around and entertaining the little ones. Picnic tables spread out around the grass for those who wished to take advantage of the warm sunlight and the smell of grilled hamburgers and hotdogs filled the air.</div>
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Six young men from Zack's old Boy Scout Troop 701, set up chairs, tables and did everything from parking duty, poster placement and pouring drinks to trash collection and break down at the end. They were so eager to help and though I offered to sign off on community service hours, they all said "they were here for Zack and us!" It was especially touching when one of the younger Scouts, at my request, led us all in the pledge of allegiance while standing in front of the two flags they had brought. </div>
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Tables were set up inside with chips, beans, drinks and desserts. On the other side were tables filled with donated items for the silent auction. Three bands were present, each taking an hour set to play their own special music. "The Bishop Brothers" were a group of three men which Frank and his Brother Mitch had grown up with. They are as Southern Gentlemen as they come, with every sentence followed with "'Mam". Their voices blended in together in such harmony, you couldn't wait for the next song. There were several occasions to dance and Nancy, Jamie, Shawn and I took full advantage!! We didn't care who was there watching us, we were going to loosen up and have a great time!! There was plenty of dance floor and plenty of good music! At one point the band members father asked if I "two stepped." I said that I never had, "well, here we go then!" He took me all around the floor, teaching me the two step while his sons played and sang. I haven't laughed so much in a long time.</div>
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As people followed the bright red balloons that marked the long winding pathway, they were greeted by Jessica, (my associate and dear sweet friend from work) who would take their ticket and stamp a smiley face on their hand. Most of the time I was standing beside her to be the official "hugger." Nancy and Sue would walk around greeting folks and showing them where everything was, while thanking them for coming. Behind the grill was Doc Steve and another great friend Mike. They worked endlessly preparing all the food, which was then brought to Romona ( a long time friend from Boy Scouts) and Sue's friend Jennifer who was collecting food money and handing out desserts. Jamie stood by the silent auction items and had a home for everything by the end of the party. </div>
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The turnout was great! All of Zack's closest friends were there as they have always been, supporting him and making sure he was having a good time, which he did!! As I watched the picnic table where he choose as his home base, there wasn't a time he wasn't surrounded. My routine when someone would ask about him was to point to him and smile. I would share the latest news, that he only has two more chemo treatments and is cancer free! Music to everyone's ears! Frank would be found milling around from one person to another. Not being one for small talk, he remained close to those he knew, friends, clients, business associates and family members. He almost didn't come, as he was embarrassed about the whole thing. "We were raised to pay our own bills and not ask for help!" I would have to explain several times that this is more about Zack and our friends wanting to to do this for us. It is a celebration of the end of his treatments!! He did have a good time and was finally able to relax and appreciated all the effort and hard work that went into making this an amazing gathering. </div>
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<img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTOmGr-2FSCSHc76haJ7E4NN71nAI3bXoE4bAmtZC0k6usi2WIkPaGtEb2lhyEicZVg0LdktXwskJWqnIf-4AJJeHTwVT3xV-LEpbUZ-NkFrksr3Ba-Dz4kROYy6y_rrMLsUNn0tiizc9/s200/zack+fundraiser+2013+001.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bishop Brothers</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank conversing with several guests</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zack's shirt pretty much tells it all!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BFF Nancy and I with Boy Scout Will</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Franks sister and brother, Jamie and Mitch</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Several items offered for silent auction</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zack surrounded by friends</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landon leading us into pledge</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doc Steve and Mike M. "Chefs"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother in law (blonde) and guests</td></tr>
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<br /><span style="text-align: center;">Three bands played! We had Dust n the Wynn, two men who played and sang their original music. Moon Shine Babies with folk songs and the Bishop Brothers singing Blue Grass, older rock and roll, southern type music with lots of pep! At one point I looked at someone and said "I need to have one of these bands just follow me through life, while I sit by the lake, go camping and whatever else we need to do. They can be my "backround music", just like in the movies. </span><div>
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Mom stayed close to Linda, my mother in law. I had mentioned to her earlier that Mom couldn't hear and that made her very uncomfortable around large crowds. Linda immediately said "I'll keep her with me!" She has (as do all of my friends) a soft spot for Mom. Linda and Mom have an especially close bond, since they were both caretakers of their husbands for so many years. </div>
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A reporter from the newspaper came out and told us that the local paper has decided to do a feature on Zack following his journey from the beginning to graduation. I told him that three kids in our small town have cancer and something good has to come out of all of this. I want to make sure that childrens cancer is getting the attention it needs. Breast cancer is getting a lot of attention, I understand how important that is, but no one seems to know much about childrens cancer and the lifelong effects it has on our kids. I also shared the importance of donating blood and platelets. I explained that Zack received two to four units of each a week and we don't know what we would do if the supply weren't there! He promised to help get my message across in the article. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JzmabyJ6_1Ox-rBYT-socGsJjagzCY7DUKVqfvvGkG5nX_cIkL5JoQ591vbcMLF4bipFwKquXIQcpKo49yToU_1bCGpNzQxgIqQEF9j0Bwp4thx4nAUywBzrq9AekEjcdYivyQ9Q1nFY/s1600/zack+fundraiser+2013+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JzmabyJ6_1Ox-rBYT-socGsJjagzCY7DUKVqfvvGkG5nX_cIkL5JoQ591vbcMLF4bipFwKquXIQcpKo49yToU_1bCGpNzQxgIqQEF9j0Bwp4thx4nAUywBzrq9AekEjcdYivyQ9Q1nFY/s200/zack+fundraiser+2013+046.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Franks sisters Jamie & Shawn with me</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXfe6U9INzuFYClOI2khYAFAjl7qwriYgM660TfUhgiZqkYVJ3KxHT5p_6rLieQ3muznj6f8IoqtyTFa7ckkcjZbwcCU74oTKNexdNJgc1LP7a5AMC_JQJ8UDbSn2Y1dXCPG16V4XXIf8/s1600/zack+fundraiser+2013+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXfe6U9INzuFYClOI2khYAFAjl7qwriYgM660TfUhgiZqkYVJ3KxHT5p_6rLieQ3muznj6f8IoqtyTFa7ckkcjZbwcCU74oTKNexdNJgc1LP7a5AMC_JQJ8UDbSn2Y1dXCPG16V4XXIf8/s200/zack+fundraiser+2013+050.JPG" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friend Lawrel enjoying the weather</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0DIQZzAazNUK02iqLWCPch4FF8jpLLKAjMdTGcN81x0CfOt0_ffOC9K3vMuPU-eBtJVpPXt62vfMbcSxijozaokiMBVsdWmwdWyX-_hrXPwrF-N2t2VC7TSmULFUAnXLFb2Gngglcuim/s1600/zack+fundraiser+2013+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0DIQZzAazNUK02iqLWCPch4FF8jpLLKAjMdTGcN81x0CfOt0_ffOC9K3vMuPU-eBtJVpPXt62vfMbcSxijozaokiMBVsdWmwdWyX-_hrXPwrF-N2t2VC7TSmULFUAnXLFb2Gngglcuim/s200/zack+fundraiser+2013+063.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nephew Curtis and I playing on stairs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwS-nLWLos0lRKXYSKaHc1d2C2gH-fS2_vcwJnOZ8RyQXLNDwFkNjBNniJkrAbO92xTtOrmhr78hqbKZYtV32-63d24lN-HPE-4zAWT0E9Fh06Qg69Dl9v_7QGEytgLm1s1UlmyhBw7cQr/s1600/zack+fundraiser+2013+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwS-nLWLos0lRKXYSKaHc1d2C2gH-fS2_vcwJnOZ8RyQXLNDwFkNjBNniJkrAbO92xTtOrmhr78hqbKZYtV32-63d24lN-HPE-4zAWT0E9Fh06Qg69Dl9v_7QGEytgLm1s1UlmyhBw7cQr/s200/zack+fundraiser+2013+093.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zack was surrounded by friends the entire day!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyerQBT4B9cE_I1RzuV_qefDfko3g9h5bu-K6sosNLmxNXQmIR3htLkXYK6LONnw3psD4z8za6zpwjyca4Qyy-2U9Fh9qXxg5g-eNbcQPpAezOqlnSrlZUVPs9LlKaCjf3F48lbPYrD4W6/s1600/20130420_152035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyerQBT4B9cE_I1RzuV_qefDfko3g9h5bu-K6sosNLmxNXQmIR3htLkXYK6LONnw3psD4z8za6zpwjyca4Qyy-2U9Fh9qXxg5g-eNbcQPpAezOqlnSrlZUVPs9LlKaCjf3F48lbPYrD4W6/s320/20130420_152035.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our master photographer "Mom"!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_AfcGxHjw0JKVtBYiZoFijxcBjfM0ZXCiefh_WS9LlppHbGYMMyUs_nN31BoiX8jAviXy_bAHygqAPawA7_UgCvFuyN9dax6pR_W4A3agWCWqtTZ7PMAMAxzEQj0lrT3rjIOryFQj9J1X/s1600/20130420_152158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_AfcGxHjw0JKVtBYiZoFijxcBjfM0ZXCiefh_WS9LlppHbGYMMyUs_nN31BoiX8jAviXy_bAHygqAPawA7_UgCvFuyN9dax6pR_W4A3agWCWqtTZ7PMAMAxzEQj0lrT3rjIOryFQj9J1X/s320/20130420_152158.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Troop 701 Boy Scouts </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIv6Uj0U-o_zYYVvr2guuGJe4hSzUqda4qkSkZO3AB3fq9vPjnoKJEn0QFS-GZ1QLHLq7VRMI6VO3GWfcpo_LjHtbrqiJL3Xx-kFI8zKVPh7o2f8iV6ibRMuI6e9YcHIgUcjefAi_iYgNG/s200/zack+fundraiser+2013+108.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">long time friends<br />
Larry & Debbie<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The day was long and exhausting at the end. But the memories it created for us all, including those who came will last a </span>lifetime<span style="font-family: inherit;"> We are so grateful for who we have in our lives and wouldn't trade one of our friends for their weight in gold!! Without the Love and Support this past year, I don't know where we would be! As Zack was pulling out of the parking lot to bring Mom home, I ran after the truck yelling for Mom. Zack stopped the truck, Mom opened her door and hugged me as I lay my head on her lap sobbing! I was finally able to release the pressure cooker inside of me. I'm not all the way there yet, but I am well on my way. I know, just as Mom has said, that I must give myself time to recover from all of this, but with each day Zack gets healthier and can again live his life in a normal way, so will we. </span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939158029679022108.post-32067121283306072122013-04-18T22:47:00.002-04:002013-04-18T22:47:43.910-04:00Good news, Bad news, Happy Face, Sad Face I'm soo confused!!!!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1mquPSANjXlhdGSxOzTfmdyHfIWOYk9-A6EMbv7HjDTVxX34L1wv9F9hZ_1ruJpKeHXNKyYD8eOVYUpya6jzZeAyViFypMqIgyPi8O4gq4TZV0pNHwpj070DlHr4RSa2iQkipGKM1BfI/s1600/20130416_120757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1mquPSANjXlhdGSxOzTfmdyHfIWOYk9-A6EMbv7HjDTVxX34L1wv9F9hZ_1ruJpKeHXNKyYD8eOVYUpya6jzZeAyViFypMqIgyPi8O4gq4TZV0pNHwpj070DlHr4RSa2iQkipGKM1BfI/s320/20130416_120757.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhonda and I at Neo Cantina</td></tr>
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I seem to take a couple of days in between blogging. It's not that life is back as it was, it will never be, it is simply exhaustion setting in. One would think the closer we are to the end of treatment (not the journey, it still has a long way to go), we would have more time and less anxiety. Not true! Zack, Donald and I headed to the Cancer Center on Tuesday morning. I, for whatever reason, am very anxious and Zack can tell. This irritates him, he wants me to be calm all the time, be quiet unless a question comes up and just be there if he needs me. Well, at least that's how I felt on that particular day. We arrive at the Center early this time, I have told the boys no more being late, it is rude and simply unacceptable!! Zack's blood is checked and soon after we are told that he will need both blood (two units) and platelets (also two units). His counts are down very low and with the infection he had earlier, they need to make sure he has everything needed to get strong again. I'm not really surprised at this news, he rested most of the weekend and that is not really like him. We are told to go get lunch and be back in a little over an hour (it will take that long for the blood and platelets to arrive). The GREAT NEWS!!! NO MORE LOVENOX (blood thinner shots). Rhonda agrees to meet us at the Mexican restaurant in Biltmore Village, again, I go more for ambiance than anything else. The restaurant is relaxing, with large booths, great food and we have "our" booth at the back of the restaurant where we are away from crowds so it is safer for Zack when his counts are low. Even Rhonda can tell that I am on edge, rushing through lunch and hearing half of what is being said. I am again on overload in my mind. </div>
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We finish up lunch and I drop off the boys at the Center while I run to the office supply store for a few items. Let's face it, it's an excuse to do something alone, without anyone talking to me, rushing me, making comments or asking me questions. I am alone and it's quiet! I am even irritated when the sales person asks if I need help, but then decide, why not? I don't really feel like looking through a thousand items, so they direct me to what I need and I'm on my way back to the Center. The boys are settled in and Zack has already had the port accessed and the platelets transfusing. He is in a bad mood and when I ask him if there is anything I can do, he responds with "get me the f.... out of here!!", "I DON'T want to be here!!". I look at him and say "well, I'm just having a grand ol' time! I don't know what YOUR problem is." There are times in this journey where the punching bag, punches back! This is one of those times. I then calmly let him know that I DO understand and wish there was something, anything I could do to make it better, but I can't. The longer I stay in the room the more rambunctious the boys get, playing their ring tones louder and louder, Donald is finding the most irritating noises for his ringtones and I am ready to snap. I ask for a little more quiet and it falls on deaf ears. Angie and the other nurses, seeing that I am getting claustrophobic come and get me and place me in the room right next door, but with enough space in between the two rooms. There is a heated recliner and it is quiet! Before I know it, I'm sound asleep! At one point Zack comes in and smarts off to me, and I tell him, he may be frustrated, but STOP giving me a hard time!! ENOUGH!!!! He got the message and left me alone for most of the afternoon. He of course apologized later in the evening, but I wasn't in the mood to accept until later. We stopped for dinner on the way home, yes another $..... and that's when we all lightened up. We were done for the day and on our way home. Knowing we were going to be later than usual (we got our at 6 pm) Frank went ahead and ordered a pizza and (I'm sure) enjoyed the peace and quiet after a long days work.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdPtNUjGnTdXZScLjlHGtR1VDVbVg1Yw7el4WejSiCP7ehvuLj9RLj_pT6LFZNVYG2BWkb3Ps8XS15hS3R2vIdnlSzzhKCCGgeNSGwasqTT6pNgcVEHoDlcwtbyuM0D-Gn9gj6f3pfsIw/s1600/20130417_184830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwm-OGkg1lBD1B9ytiMnUyj6qQe-0C_hx__BoOlQMLg7Y6kKkP0R9lDDD67_z5FwbIz-B5iTCKvJDtgExweKR980XqHOjJvcKbjQpkijE3IgGZ3U6bUkrSbeArf1UWXYNrYKjY1Fiqql9d/s1600/20130417_185019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Wednesday and Thursday were full days of work. Zack was going to help Frank, but still not feeling well enough to do so, simply stayed home and did some small things around the house. We are getting closer to the fundraiser on Saturday and the excitement is building up now. So many donated items for the silent auction are arriving (I'm going to share it all on another blog page), it is getting exciting!</div>
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Nancy and I were going over all the great food that was donated by Brian Long (Sysco foods) and determined that we still needed to get a bit more. I went online to Sams Club and found hamburgers, buns, ketchup and mustard as well as beans. I called and the sweet guy on the other line said that he could not only get it all together for Zack to pick up on his way back from the Cancer Center (he had labs today), but then the manager gave us a $50.00 gift card to go towards the cost of the food . All on the fly!! Not bad at all!! Zack went by, picked everything up and we are now set to go!!! While at lunch I got the "bad" news. Zack will need another double units of blood and possibly platelets tomorrow. This last round of chemo at the hospital really knocked "it" out of him. He is angry and smarts off that HE had plans, again, I let him know that we all did, it sucks and it will all be over soon!! He changes his mood by late afternoon and is a bit more relaxed about the whole thing. He knows that this will help him feel better and he will be much safer around everyone on Saturday. Luckily most of it is out in the open. </div>
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Today was rough. I'm on overload with Zack's moods, my emotional state and well just about everything. I ended up being very stupid and jumped from our upper parking lot to the bottom one, landed on both feet at the same time and fell forward landing on my hands. Luckily Doc Steve adjusted me, but let's just say, the mind may be 16, but the body sure as hell isn't. I can barely move tonight from the tight muscles and my legs feel like I've been kicked by a donkey (not that I would know what THAT feels like). Lesson learned?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIi24Vh31JVSbrSYUAufuV95XEmn4Q8UHC8Nfjei6bls4UVWDvCGMmPU3lQcmZxeYM7T5sQgsapjCVaNnuH_fbVancAHyUjHlzAW6Dn2hyphenhyphenjeNot5-_F5cx1D66fXiZxQS_yNQt9_t9agt3/s1600/necklaces+for+Zack+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIi24Vh31JVSbrSYUAufuV95XEmn4Q8UHC8Nfjei6bls4UVWDvCGMmPU3lQcmZxeYM7T5sQgsapjCVaNnuH_fbVancAHyUjHlzAW6Dn2hyphenhyphenjeNot5-_F5cx1D66fXiZxQS_yNQt9_t9agt3/s200/necklaces+for+Zack+004.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPX1ePm33E0uhW5mYtmiXyiEqUV0YsLLeWxKCOC9mEcLWeVZp2LO4v1fYpF3MmbuqmouWeNp1o6l-xpOD9hKv1fN2MxoWnXCo1ihUAF4d0uEqmigEcJaHugqpIjQelFG6pOkyKjeFmnri0/s1600/necklaces+for+Zack+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="66" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPX1ePm33E0uhW5mYtmiXyiEqUV0YsLLeWxKCOC9mEcLWeVZp2LO4v1fYpF3MmbuqmouWeNp1o6l-xpOD9hKv1fN2MxoWnXCo1ihUAF4d0uEqmigEcJaHugqpIjQelFG6pOkyKjeFmnri0/s200/necklaces+for+Zack+002.JPG" width="200" /></a>Mom has been working very hard on her five necklaces she is
donating.Each one is so beautiful! Is it "proper" for the fundraisee (I
know it's not a word!) to bid??? Ha Ha ! So, I'm going to end with a beautiful display of her works that will be sold on Saturday. In the mean time I'm going to go home and chill until tomorrow, when we start this all over again </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloa9y4NYufGn0MkxaZtna1I9rr8HZzaLeBstsLVnMhDRoyrxe4PIA7Dx8WKIG4Of8BYKmLhDReuAq1lQ4twC1AJ7B2msin7hWfSJ4uOnbuM_Gyg7evXq3SUgb0XrJCsFqFtB2Eo9_yvcN/s1600/necklaces+for+Zack+010(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloa9y4NYufGn0MkxaZtna1I9rr8HZzaLeBstsLVnMhDRoyrxe4PIA7Dx8WKIG4Of8BYKmLhDReuAq1lQ4twC1AJ7B2msin7hWfSJ4uOnbuM_Gyg7evXq3SUgb0XrJCsFqFtB2Eo9_yvcN/s200/necklaces+for+Zack+010(1).JPG" width="200" /></a> Going once, going twice...<br />
SOLD to the highest "silent" bidder!!!!!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFT_YM3UBnqRbS0NE0MjINwbCSW_P8pufjPdZhEZCJqpWNHmBlRFUUrhF2H9-obnSV47Qbz4HeXxnoim_32ZispLuUN8WSfpVEXT1CLNUVGI_WTQ6LojnAHHyJxvh-SdNDRlXDWd7-hpGx/s1600/necklaces+for+Zack+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFT_YM3UBnqRbS0NE0MjINwbCSW_P8pufjPdZhEZCJqpWNHmBlRFUUrhF2H9-obnSV47Qbz4HeXxnoim_32ZispLuUN8WSfpVEXT1CLNUVGI_WTQ6LojnAHHyJxvh-SdNDRlXDWd7-hpGx/s200/necklaces+for+Zack+007.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
Tomorrow, will post pics of all the other awesome silent auction items and gifts!!! <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939158029679022108.post-29384687411955923812013-04-15T22:21:00.001-04:002013-04-15T22:21:46.967-04:00I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK INTO THE EFFIN HOSPITAL MOM !!!"<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sunday started with Zack waking me from a sound sleep "Mom, we have a problem!" I bolt straight up in bed and for the first time am thinking "it's the plumbing... the washer... " I think of everything, but him!! How nice to do that! Wrong!! As he stands in front of me, blood is running down his stomach, from his belly button. Since he is on blood thinner shots every morning, I'm not surprised at how fast he is bleeding, just the fact that he is at all. I have him lay down on the bed and cover the area with a towel, I immediately pick up the phone and call the Cancer Center. While waiting for her call, Zack starts to tear up, "Mom, they are going to make me go to the hospital, I DON'T WANT TO GO TO THE EFFIN HOSPITAL!!!" The phone rings and it is Dr. Bottom, she is surprised. She said at first she was trying to think of a baby "they would have this issue, but not a young man, not Zack!" All we can figure is he has some sort of infection that is bleeding easily due to the blood thinners. She tells me there is no need to come in, it is not related to the treatments and to simply clean the area and keep it bandaged. She is perplexed, but not worried. I tell her "Well... I haven't REALLY cut the umbilical cord yet, could it be that?" She laughs and says, "It''s entirely possible." We are advised to keep an eye on him for fever or any other symptoms that are not "normal". Zack is finally calm, realizing we don't have to rush out. I clean and dress the area and he returns to bed to rest. </div>
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Still a bit shook up, I settle on the couch in front of "24". It is a great distraction for me and slowly I am working through the fear. I know he is okay, but man, enough is enough already. This kid needs a rest from all of this! The emotions take over as soon as I see Frank, who had been fishing with Matt, I comes up to me and I start to cry. I explain what happened and that Zack is okay, it just freaked me and HIM out! He goes into the house to check on Zack and offers his support. By this time, Zack is calm and resting. He doesn't have the energy to do much and continually has a headache. This is unusual after a double transfusion but I think it's more the fear of what happened. Fear is debilitating and can drain you very quickly, this is something I have found from personal experience through this journey of ours. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWToVH3E3x9zCPwd5RIR1kPEivGydwCVdAmmwH6DBR-1mAAB5h5nqUgFPd5QLFhMwF9crE8r_-1fQoWoT9Pa4VxX0To_89-PP_I8Rt7BUvLSMl6YFubp0YrDu_PZm_doHLU3k_YN7eCrL/s1600/20130414_194555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWToVH3E3x9zCPwd5RIR1kPEivGydwCVdAmmwH6DBR-1mAAB5h5nqUgFPd5QLFhMwF9crE8r_-1fQoWoT9Pa4VxX0To_89-PP_I8Rt7BUvLSMl6YFubp0YrDu_PZm_doHLU3k_YN7eCrL/s200/20130414_194555.jpg" width="200" /></a>Zack spends the rest of the day in his room, resting and watching television. I get a burst of energy and decide to mop and wax all of our floors. It's amazing how a relatively "small" 1500 square foot house, becomes 3000 sq. foot. It sure felt like it. The funny part is, I finished seven loads of laundry and the floors and THEN realized at 9:30 pm, that I forgot to wash our on suite bathroom floor. Naturally, I couldn't go to sleep without that one being done as well. There is something about having clean floors, what can I say, I'm barefoot all of the time!! Frank and I check in on Zack throughout the day. He is upset because some kid owes him a refund on a defunct car part, for 8 weeks now and keeps making excuses. He will learn, money first then return!! Life lesson! Again..... I finally settle in around 10 pm, watch "The Atlanta Housewives", yes I'm one of <i>them. </i>Frank is comfortable on the couch with the two animals, or maybe <i>they </i>are comfortable with him! "They love their Daddy". </div>
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We awake early Monday morning. Both Frank and I are ready for a full days work. We let Zack sleep in and rest. With the headaches and the bleeding (which was off and on all day yesterday), we know he needs the rest and possibly another transfusion tomorrow. (Headaches are usually a sign of that, although the pollen count in our small town is pretty high). Our days went quite nicely for both of us. Zack did get plenty of rest, which pleases me. Once finished at work, I head over to the Boy Scout meeting to see if we can borrow their grill for the fundraiser. It has served it's purpose many times when Scouts had their family cookouts and will be perfect for the expected crowd (75 tickets sold so far and many expected at the door). It was a lot more relaxing this time around to see everyone. They had arranged for six boys to help on Saturday as well, they will bring the American Flag and Troop 701 Flag as well. The leaders told me there were even boys that didn't care if they got service hours, or that they didn't know Zack, they wanted to be there to help!! These are some amazing young men..</div>
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Zack and Donald (yes, he's back in the picture again) met me at the church where the Boy Scouts meet. They were there to pick up the grill, so we could get it cleaned up and ready for the big event! Things are coming together so smoothly (or at least from where I am sitting). I arrive home to a wonderful meal, I started the stew last night and Frank finished up with the "fixings". </div>
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As I close the blog for the night, I would ask that everyone reading this send positive energy to Boston. We may not know for awhile what happened, but one thing is for sure, they need positive thoughts!! We have dear friends , Lee's daughter Benna, her husband Seth and their children and family there. I have heard word that they are all okay, but this must still be so frightening to them. Let's hope this mystery is solved quickly without more incidents. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939158029679022108.post-76610996150715873182013-04-14T00:06:00.001-04:002013-04-14T00:06:28.458-04:00What is Normal?<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>I just realized today, how many days it has been since I last wrote in the blog, my apologies. We have enjoyed several "normal" days, which has truly been heaven. Wednesday and Thursday were spent working for Frank and I. Zack stayed home and rested, tired from the latest chemo treatment. He didn't feel quite as bad this time around , but is more tired than usual. It hasn't really hit us yet that we don't return to the hospital, I'm sure we will realize it when next month comes around. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Friday, we were scheduled for labs to see if Zack needs a transfusion. It is harder than usual for me to wake him up. Knowing this is one of the signs that he may need blood, we make arrangements to take Mom shopping today, no matter what time it is. Zack knows that he will feel more energetic if he does get blood, he can't even tell this time whether he needs anything or not. </b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkXzWTQ4Uc1Wtlo9_X5uUWpEf3aAUduE-1jWNxgTNIec4EvRcC42y06QMH5n5mQnaqXO7tXcp8z5YpU2_siAqRligC5KhwUKwQ7ASVxyUESrztzKZTlncTpjjyO4SalUYSKmZxoGDgsdy/s1600/20130412_120346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkXzWTQ4Uc1Wtlo9_X5uUWpEf3aAUduE-1jWNxgTNIec4EvRcC42y06QMH5n5mQnaqXO7tXcp8z5YpU2_siAqRligC5KhwUKwQ7ASVxyUESrztzKZTlncTpjjyO4SalUYSKmZxoGDgsdy/s320/20130412_120346.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TGI Friday's, one of Zack's fav hangouts</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>We arrive fifteen minutes late, not something I'm proud of, but they are understanding and they immediately take him in. His port is not accessed for labs, instead they take the sample from his arm, just in case he doesn't need anything, it is less invasive. Twenty minutes later we are told he needs blood, but his platelets count is very good! Our nurse tells us to go ahead and grab some lunch as it will be at least an hour before the blood arrives, so we head out to one of his favorite places. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>As soon as we return, about a little over an hour later, they are ready for us. We go back into Zacks favorite room #8 and get comfortable, well as much as having a needle stuck in your chest is comfortable. Since we are still planning on getting together with Mom, I take a short nap, while Zack texts his friends and looks up funny stuff of youtube. He shows the nurses all these funny stunts guys are doing with their trucks and they are all hysterical. It doesn't take much to entertain him, that's for sure. </b></span><b style="background-color: transparent;">We were able to talk the Doctor into waiting until the week following the fundraiser to start his next round of chemo, as this is the one that tends to make him pretty sick. He really wants to go to the fundraiser so this way, we will do labs next week and ensure that his counts are high enough to protect him. </b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAUhF-0Zhgr5uuaLbK_LXAiyztcxiw7uCtsU56qa1IZ-kQLAsFrrctr-4fEue6hFOJOEPJMSx1-f9IpqbDhgChCAomT9QQqOqmXXCBwknHORchwCfxShcoeaLCkpqKpbuSy0CKabzFOqJ/s1600/Mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAUhF-0Zhgr5uuaLbK_LXAiyztcxiw7uCtsU56qa1IZ-kQLAsFrrctr-4fEue6hFOJOEPJMSx1-f9IpqbDhgChCAomT9QQqOqmXXCBwknHORchwCfxShcoeaLCkpqKpbuSy0CKabzFOqJ/s320/Mom.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous Meme / Mom</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>We finish the transfusion by 4pm and are on our way to Mom. I'm so glad we brought the Bumble Bee this time, as Mom has started with her gardening and needed four bags of soil and eight bags of mulch! We were both glad to have some time with her, grocery shopping, eating dinner and going to my favorite hang out , Lowes, though it's too early for me to start planting, so I left pretty much empty handed. Since shopping is not one of Zack's favorite things to do (unless it involves truck parts or hunting and fishing) Zack stayed in the truck. By the time we were wrapping it up, Bob calls and tells us that the vet contacted him and Courage's ashes were ready to bring home. I tell Zack, one more stop and we have accomplished everything on our agenda for the day! The vet presents a hand carved box holding our sweet Courage and a card for Bob. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>We bring Mom home and I present Bob with the box, we then all unload the truck. Mom is exhausted, but what a trooper! Zack all of a sudden has a ton of energy, I guess the blood kicked in! Once we arrive at home, around 9pm, he helps me put away our groceries and as Frank and I head to bed, he decides to go outside and chill in the evening air. It turns out that he fell asleep outside on top of his four wheeler and woke up at 2 am, coming into the house and crawling into his bed. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>It is now Saturday. Frank has to go out early for work, I slept so well, that I wake with a day full of ideas, none of which panned out. As the day progressed, I got more and more tired. Zack slept in and once awake, he too just wanted to sit and chill. I find out from my sister in law, via text, that we are going to Steve and Karen Ann's for dinner and poker tonight and confirm this with a phone call to Frank, who is now fishing. He had forgotten to tell me, since Zack and I came home so late last night. This is one of the many things I have learned through this journey, something I NEVER was good at prior to the diagnosis, when something comes up, it's okay, just go with it. What a gift this is for me, I'm less uptight about needing to know things in advance and in the long run, have so much more fun with "surprise" get togethers. Zack has no plans and since none of his friends know how to play poker (and he starts to really enjoy the game), he came with us.</b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJmMDvH3flbHiNZWx9Gurrl3y33aU2cRsJ-DnkjZvg2l2IzrtTyqfuAMqKYC1makqMG82ERpLeWHEH8a8HFOwNrrqrE2rtil255Rt7vPb9nuhzqGotoRqurYDqcfesLiD23C3B1qzbLYb/s1600/20130413_205513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJmMDvH3flbHiNZWx9Gurrl3y33aU2cRsJ-DnkjZvg2l2IzrtTyqfuAMqKYC1makqMG82ERpLeWHEH8a8HFOwNrrqrE2rtil255Rt7vPb9nuhzqGotoRqurYDqcfesLiD23C3B1qzbLYb/s320/20130413_205513.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve, Tammy and Zack (at the poker table)</td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;">The evening was so much fun. Frank, Zack and I joined Steve his wife Karen Ann and Franks brother Mitch and his wife Tammy. Steve fixed a delicious wild boar sausage and ribs on the grill, with steamed vegetables, potato salad was brought by Mitch and Tammy and pies for dessert. Frank had picked out an h'orderves platter to snack on while we wait for dinner. The whole thing was </span><span style="color: #454545;">impromptu</span><span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> even Karen Ann didn't know until last night that we were all coming over. (Steve is a last minute kind of guy, and we love it!) We stayed outside and caught up for several hours. Everyone seemed to enjoy Zack's company as well, he was raised with adults (in our Antique Shop). so he is equally comfortable in their </span>presence<span style="font-family: inherit;"> not to mention, these friends have been in our lives since High School and he adores his Aunts and Uncles. We move inside the house to play poker for a couple of hours and had a blast! Tammy and Karen Ann decided not to play , so I was included as "one of the guys." Zack is becoming quite the player and at one point had a pretty big pile of change, but in the end, Frank and I took all the money home with us! </span></span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZglg3YuN7V6PUXtuCD_T9mfXqYH6ZIcqUdqLe01K0p47x5wKigZ6d8HRoguHHe9cXRRR2hT49B7TSNA5lR89qcenOdppe9l__V4aQNluSgoqILt0pm58jtLTJAwyayFFBGoEfkWI8gpQ/s1600/20130413_203354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZglg3YuN7V6PUXtuCD_T9mfXqYH6ZIcqUdqLe01K0p47x5wKigZ6d8HRoguHHe9cXRRR2hT49B7TSNA5lR89qcenOdppe9l__V4aQNluSgoqILt0pm58jtLTJAwyayFFBGoEfkWI8gpQ/s200/20130413_203354.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brothers being brothers, Mitch and Frank</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #454545;"><b>This week has been filled with so much laughter and fun here and there. I was spoiled by my sister who paid for an early Birthday present (2010 Ipad) one of Zack's friends sold to me at a very good price. In fact, while we were at the party tonight, I managed to sneak in some time to type almost half of the blog. Yes, I can multi task (not at the same time though... smile). </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545;"><b>As the fundraiser gets closer, we are all getting more excited! A lot of work has gone into this and the more I talk to people, the more excited everyone is getting. It is going to be a celebration of what Zack has accomplished! His treatments will be done soon, he is cancer free and a High School graduate all in the same year!!! That's a hell of a lot for a kid his age and I for one am one PROUD Mama!!!</b></span></div>
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</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939158029679022108.post-58470079281938452892013-04-09T21:47:00.000-04:002013-04-09T21:47:10.541-04:00"Elvis has left the building"<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhxTq6oQhQyckWVRr35G7gWT9bgZOpQjauIlmkPIh9_mwFN6ebzfTB8qrePFQDYVA8uohxcA44dRNVTcbnj81OCFVlttikuXzAdQ6F1tmnwGmiTCX6tb6KkejBfyQf7q01QzaoDUR2rJG/s1600/20130409_162600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhxTq6oQhQyckWVRr35G7gWT9bgZOpQjauIlmkPIh9_mwFN6ebzfTB8qrePFQDYVA8uohxcA44dRNVTcbnj81OCFVlttikuXzAdQ6F1tmnwGmiTCX6tb6KkejBfyQf7q01QzaoDUR2rJG/s320/20130409_162600.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Heading towards the exit "</td></tr>
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The time has come to say goodbye to the Hospital staff. Zack had his final day of chemotherapy today. Yesterday went well, Zack slept and played his video game most of the time. He had Leah come by to visit with her boyfriend and little man. Later in the afternoon, shortly before I arrived, Mom had surprised him. She has never been able to get to the hospital to see him and was determined to do so before the end of his treatments. Finding a ride for groceries for her is one thing, but finding someone to bring her to Asheville is quite another. My brothers friend came up from Georgia and told Mom she would take her anywhere she wanted to go. Meme (Mom) brought Zack all sorts of treats and he was glad to see her and spend time with her. Amy (our nurse) was able to meet her as well, and simply fell in love with her. I arrived around 7 pm with dinner in hand and before long was spread out in the recliner and fell fast asleep. </div>
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This morning, Zack was still asleep when treatment started at 8am. They have been moving the time up by two hours each day in order for us to get out early today (we usually are not out until 9 or 10 pm). </div>
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Amy is right on top of things and once we are halfway through the treatment, Zack has asked for Benadryl so he can continue to sleep through the day. He is anxious about getting out and prefers not to watch the clock all day, not to mention the fact that as each day progresses he is more nauseous. </div>
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As he sleeps, I eat breakfast and start to pack the things we no longer will need throughout the day. Around lunchtime he awakens. His appetite has been off, as is usual with his Hospital stays, so he tells me just to grab anything in the Cafeteria. I return a little while later with two kinds of sushi, knowing he would not have liked anything else they had. We split the variety and neither of us could finish, it was simply horrible this time! He was up and sitting in the recliner this time, so I finished the packing and took a couple of loads to the car. It was 1 pm and we were scheduled for release at 4:30 pm. </div>
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The Doctor stopped by to check in on him, scheduled a 10:30 am appointment for the Cancer Center tomorrow for his Neulasta shot and congratulated him on his last day!! Amy had purchased him a small elephant and named it Alf (short for Alfredo). I got teary eyed a couple of times and she would tell me to stop or she wouldn't be able to finish out her shift. Karen stopped by as well to congratulate him. </div>
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By 4 pm everything had been packed and all that was left to carry out were a couple of bags and a rolling suitcase. Zack finishes up with the Mesna <span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>(</i><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: start;">Mesna assists to detoxify these metabolites by reaction of its </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfhydryl" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-style: italic; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none;" title="Sulfhydryl">sulfhydryl</a><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: start;"> group with the vinyl group. It also increases urinary excretion of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cysteine" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-style: italic; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none;" title="Cysteine">cysteine</a><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: start;">.)</span><i> </i>and by 4:30 his port is de-accessed, a cute little Dora band aide is put over the area and we are out the door. We meet Amy at the entrance to Peds and turned around to say goodbye. Everyone was waving, wishing us luck and saying they will miss us, they made Zack promise to return for a visit with hair!!! Since last month, the policy is (or is again being followed) to be escorted downstairs to our vehicle. Amy offered to roll the suitcase and walked us to the second floor exit. As I hugged her goodbye, thanking her for everything, we again got teary eyed. She laughed and said "I told you to stop that!!!" I still have to work!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My emotions are all over the place. I am feeling relief, fear, anxiety and disbelief that we are at this part of our Journey. Trying not to show any of these emotions, we listen to music on the way home, grab dinner at a drive through and I lighten up a bit on the way home. I am tired and Zack for some reason (he thinks because he slept all day) was wired. </span>Unfortunately<span style="font-family: inherit;"> when we arrive home, none of his friends are returning his texts or coming by and he is bummed. I remind him that this is a school night and they probably have homework (knowing full well, that has nothing to do with anything). We try and protect our kids at every turn and if that helps him through today, then that's what I have to say. We all know teenagers they have one track minds... even Zack does that, tomorrow he will be surrounded!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As I settle in for the night, after a short time of catching up with Frank, (we haven't seen each other except for a couple of minutes during changing of the guard) I crawl into bed. Frank totally understands my exhaustion, saying he came home yesterday and was sound asleep by 8 pm. Some might think sitting in a </span>Hospital<span style="font-family: inherit;"> is rest, but the emotions are what's draining. I lay in bed and write the blog. It is my way of processing everything that is and has </span>occurred<span style="font-family: inherit;">. I'm now seeing that I will need to read everything from start to finish one day, to see what we did, 'cause I have no earthly idea!!! The rest of this week should be easy. Mesna and perhaps transfusions later in the week, with Zack one never knows. His body is fast at healing and his mind is strong. </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939158029679022108.post-73590887351976313322013-04-09T08:39:00.000-04:002013-04-09T08:39:08.160-04:00How do you say Thank You?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1TORdq1x7mQQhxX96tdEwozHnn-ohDP7n65XLc2jiUdusfLmEqbai09-d-_zwLPZnOLaE5BWuuPpAkGZeLC91ghE608qkJvqe0GVxBZBhnUFlPjTJ6_uwiBE0ecl1kbDP9oab_0l-iKR/s1600/20130408_171254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1TORdq1x7mQQhxX96tdEwozHnn-ohDP7n65XLc2jiUdusfLmEqbai09-d-_zwLPZnOLaE5BWuuPpAkGZeLC91ghE608qkJvqe0GVxBZBhnUFlPjTJ6_uwiBE0ecl1kbDP9oab_0l-iKR/s320/20130408_171254.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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How can two simple words be so hard? According to Hallmark there are millions of ways to say Thank you. But can you really say it enough when it comes to the care of your child?</div>
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With this being the last hospital stay, I have spent many days pondering on how to Thank the amazing nurses for being such great care givers of our son.</div>
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Because of their unselfish care, my son continues to be Cancer free. Because they give 200%, Frank and I have been able to continue with our work, KNOWING he is in the best possible hands. </div>
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When you go through a "tragedy" like this, you become close to those caring for you or your loved one. You get to know their families, their ups and downs, they become family. You can't help but connect with them in a special way. These nurses are the ones that devote their entire 10 hour shift caring for and ensuring the safety and comfort of their patients. In this case, my child, my only child, my most precious gift from God. Add to that, your care!! There hasn't been a time that I'm not asked if they can help me with, or get me anything. They have been my listening board for my fears, advised me on how to cope through certain feelings, situations and they have been spot on!</div>
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I haven't "allowed" myself much time to really think about this past now, ten months. You are so busy making it through each day and surviving the next treatment or the next blood transfusion (or pneumonia). You don't really take the time (or have the time) to stop and reflect. This week, I have forced myself to remember and give thanks. Without the nurses giving such care and connecting with Zack, this could have been a totally different experience. Pediatric nurses are a special breed. Add to that Pediatric oncology nurses. They put themselves at risk by administering the chemicals to their patients. So much care must go into administering just the right amount, at the right time, in the right order. All of this must be with extreme caution for both patient and nurse. For a cancer patient, it means survival, for a nurse should they spray or spill on themselves it is toxic, yet they take this risk every day for so many. </div>
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I would name each awesome nurse by name, but just as the Oscar winners, would fear of leaving someone out, not because I don't remember them, but because so many have been here for us. They are a team and one by one as they have stopped in this week to congratulate Zack and share their experiences of caring for us, I realize what a large family we have here. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, to all our <span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">astonishing, astounding, remarkable, wonderful, incredible, marvelous, miraculous nursing family. We give THANKS!!!!!</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939158029679022108.post-91010803904967317702013-04-07T22:02:00.000-04:002013-04-09T07:50:42.124-04:00Bikers of the world unite!!! with UPDATES!!!<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The butterfly is for chemo patients,<br />
This is one Sign I will not miss seeing!!</td></tr>
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Sunday started out with a nice breakfast in the Hospital Cafeteria with Rhonda. Well, the company was nice, the food was okay. Zack was again sleeping in and I didn't want to disturb him. He had a decent night, with the help of Benadryl, which makes him go into a deep sleep. Each day he has been more and more nauseous. He has been playing his game most of the time and when not playing he sleeps. </div>
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I noticed this time he really liked the room to be quiet. When I would have to make a call I would go out into the hall, so as not to disturb him. It also forced me to sit, relax and not do a whole lot. This is not something I am used to, but enjoyed the "time off" from the rest of the world. Zack has been in a good mood considering everything and every now and then would look at me and raise one eyebrow, then the other (his version of a funny face). </div>
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The chemo treatments are again being moved up two hours each day, so that we can get home early evening on Tuesday. Several of the nursing staff have stopped by the room to say how much they will miss seeing us, but are glad the treatments will be over for him. I want to do something special for each of them, but haven't come up with anything yet. I'm brainstorming and maybe will come up with something before we leave on Tuesday. Lord knows, I don't want to have to go back up there unless absolutely necessary. I did find out that, God forbid, should we ever need to go back in after Zack is 18, since he started in peds, he would go back there again. They don't like to let go of their kids either, just like the Cancer Center. I hope and pray this never happens again, but it's nice to know we have some options, other than throwing him in with the adults right away. Yes, these are things a mother thinks about. </div>
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We had Amy, her son Barron and Bill come by for a visit. It's always good to have a visitor, it breaks the monotony and they are so fun to talk to, we all three like sharing our teenager stories, though I'm not sure why Bill keeps wanting to trade his kids with mine... (smile). We are all three blessed to have the kids we do, they are all great and your typical "try and push the limits" kids. Bill took the tickets I had in my purse for the fundraiser and promised they would all be gone. He is going to a meeting with his Biker group (The Defenders) tomorrow and told them whether they go or not, they are buying a ticket!! I think he said there was a big biker tour that day. Too funny!!! If Bill tole ME to buy a ticket I would!!</div>
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Since Frank was arriving around 6 pm, I went ahead and took a short nap. Knowing I would be doing a few things around the house when I got back tonight, I wanted to grab a few minutes. Frank came right at 6 pm, dinner, guitar and chips in hand. I tuned Zack's guitar and with a great big hug and kiss to the guys, told Zack I would be back to bug him tomorrow and bring him home Tuesday. He was half asleep until Frank walked in, so I'm sure he was in bed pretty soon after. I showed Frank the new sleeping arrangements and was out the door. </div>
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Nice, easy short day. Two more to go and we say good bye to the Hospital (at least for overnights!!) Yeah!!!<br />
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Update!!! It is now Monday night and Bill met with The Defenders. This is his exact message to me: "You gave me 7 tickets, I sold 14, I have 5 now in my possession to sell, you do the math." Thank you so a group of awesome guys and gals, who not only "enjoy the ride" but do so much for others in the name of their group!!! You guys are awesome!!!! Stay safe on the roads and to those non bikers, please keep an eye out for them!!!!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939158029679022108.post-84695232447556336822013-04-06T22:05:00.000-04:002013-04-06T22:05:01.269-04:00Never underestimate the pain of another person.......<div style="text-align: justify;">
It is Friday and we are headed to the Cancer Center first for labs. Zack is not really in the mood to go in, so we make a deal. IF the lab work shows that his counts are good enough, we go in and get it over with (sometimes they will let him skip a week just to give him a break), if the labs show his counts are down, then the decision has been made for us both. He reluctantly agrees as he knows once it's over he will be that much closer to the end. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zack and Richard</td></tr>
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Sure enough, his counts are good, they access his port and within an hour of arrival time, we are headed out the door to first grab a to go lunch and then come into Hospital. We arrive to a clean room, welcoming room, with towels folded in a fancy pattern and sign marked "Your room has been cleaned especially for you". It is again one of the two we usually get, in the very back of the Pediatric Wing. First thing I spot when we enter is the couch and chair. First thing I request is a recliner. We were told last month that we would no longer be able to get mattress' for us to sleep on, so we would have a choice between the couch (chinese torture chamber) or a recliner. As we are unpacking, Zack asks when the guitar man is here? He had spoken with Karen (social worker) this morning and asked if he could see him, she simply said just ask and he will come down to your room. Zack really wanted to be taught banjo, but when Richard came into the room, he advised us he only played guitar. He brought out a rather small guitar (we are in peds after all) and started to show Zack notes and chords. He was impressed with Zack's knowledge as we told him the various musical instruments Zack has played during school..(the stand up bass, saxaphone and bass guitar) none to perfection but well enough to be in concerts in both elementary and middle school. The fact he was able to pick up the notes made it easier for Richard to teach. They spent the first hour and half playing, talking and getting to know each other. Richard and his wife are also geologist, so he was explaining how he will bring in geodes and show the smaller children how they float, and shine. He volunteers a couple of times a week and I thank him for spending so much time with us. I enjoyed just sitting there watching them play so much that I hadn't even unpacked anything. Once he left, the couch went out and the recliner came in, I unpacked everything and got settled in. Kim (head nurse) came by and asked if I had received the letter showing the timeline from last month, when "someone" messed up and got the chemo to Zack four hours late. Wishing to move on, I simply thanked her and said I had received it. She said "we learned a lot from that experience and Thank you!! (you know when someone is feeding you a line of bull and you know it?" Yea, well...... whatever! I am determined to make this stay as calm and relaxing for Zack as possible and we are off to a great start.</div>
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As we settle in our day nurse arrives with the scale and everything else needed to get Zack prepared for his first days (of five) chemo. The nurse, whom I have gotten close to, was all smiles and sweet. She had "heard" about last month and embarrassed I told her everything was good and not to worry. Wanting to put some focus on her I asked how she was doing and when her due date was, only to find out she had lost the baby. Here she was just a month later caring for my child and smiling. I promised her God had a plan and pointed to Zack, calling him my miracle child!! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFPUmZEXV6YydcbSREZSyHy9QvpUPr40cMsQsQ5nxuQChdCSQy8Z83_khHYPYRSKxNT6opj5et6xjnfAU-BKPAw_hkz2_sxi_QKYexhMZGSYU8nQcsSZR83HrAzhfOcUaEW8-QLxGA3Wl/s1600/544385_605570759470762_1154453345_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFPUmZEXV6YydcbSREZSyHy9QvpUPr40cMsQsQ5nxuQChdCSQy8Z83_khHYPYRSKxNT6opj5et6xjnfAU-BKPAw_hkz2_sxi_QKYexhMZGSYU8nQcsSZR83HrAzhfOcUaEW8-QLxGA3Wl/s320/544385_605570759470762_1154453345_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>Rhonda ended up going into work yesterday, as her computer came up with a virus (she works from home as a phone operator for Gunther Renker... Wen, Proactive, Victoria Secret..etc..) She asked if Peter (my nephew 14 ) could come and hang out with us after school. I picked him up around 4 pm and we headed over to the local grocery store for this weeks supplies. Zack isn't quite sure what he wants so when we arrive I call him while standing in front of the drinks and chips isles as he tells me what to pick up. Peter is a huge help, pushing the cart and asking questions about his cousins treatments. As we go into the bakery I see the lady with whom I spoke last month. Her daughter has severe health issues and I couldn't help but ask how she was. She remembered me as well and told me her daughter is now in a nursing home (in her forties) and on Hospice care. I offer my prayers and Thank her for taking such good care of us when we are in town (she will grab anything she can find that is fresh for us in the freezer). What else can we do? I find myself more and more looking into people's eyes when walking around. "The eyes are the windows to the soul" has always been my favorite quote. It is true! How many of us really look into another persons eyes? This lets them know that we are really there, really present and interested in what they are saying or how they smile, or say good day!! The smallest and easiest thing to do is look in someones eyes, even those you don't know, and acknowledge that you know they are here!!! I make it a routine and it's so much fun to see someone light up. I have met so many wonderful people this way, they have learned of our journey and have been able to share theirs with me. I found this quote by Will Smith on FB the other day and it is so true!! </div>
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Peter and I return to the hospital, bags in tow. Zack was finishing up with his chemo treatment. Thank goodness Peter was here to help me, it would have taken me three trips with drinks and food without his help. He gets settled in as the three of us eat dinner. Tonight is pizza for the boys and spaghetti for me. Zack is playing his Xbox games and Peter, having played this particular game before is 'advising' him along the way. The boys are having a really good time together and once Rhonda arrives to take Peter home, Zack is ready for his nightly Benadryl. By now it is 11 pm and Zack gets into bed and I move into the recliner.</div>
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Around 2 am, we are awakened by the smell of something burning. Not knowing where it was coming from, I ask the night nurse, who says maintenance is trying to locate the source. They are not worried though, as no alarms have sounded and there is also sprinklers in each room. I walk out into the hall where the scent was stronger and try and follow it, to no avail. I then locate the fire extinguisher and exits closest to our room. When I go back into the room, I ask the nurse what the procedure is if there were to be an evacuation. She says they first take care of each patient and have back up nurses to come and help. Zack teases and says he can pick up the "tower" and carry it down the stairs if he needed to. SO, In my eyes we had a plan. I also put all my jewelry in my purse and had it all ready so that was all I would need to grab. Hey, I'm still practical!!! </div>
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I was able to go back to sleep once I had calmed down and woke around 8:30 am. Dr. S came in to check on us and the "theme" is "Hey, this is your last in house!!!". Everyone is excited! It has been a long haul and at times it never seemed like it was moving anywhere, but here we are! The Doctor decides to let Zack sleep after I told him of our exciting evening. He has ordered the chemo to start two hours earlier each day, that way we can get out of here early Tuesday afternoon instead of the evening. I get ready as Zack continues to sleep. Once he is up, I fix him a plate of cheese danish and orange juice and settle in for a couple of hours. My appointment to donate platelets isn't until 11am, so I have a little time to hang out. I find out from the day nurse that the fire smell was from two buildings not far from here that had been torched last night. It turns out they have an arsonist going around Asheville burning old abandoned buildings and unfortunately, he got another two last night. Luckily no one was injured.</div>
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Rhonda calls me just as I'm getting ready to leave and Peter is being your typical teenager, giving his Mom a hard time. Frustrated and having about thirty minutes until my appointment, I head over to her house and play the "tough Aunt." I take his laptop, which is his favorite thing and tell him I will return it when he can be respectful to his mother! Stunned, he all of a sudden is yes mam this and that!! Knowing (as most teenagers can be) that he could be "playing me" I follow through and exit with his laptop. Being a single parent, at times I will step in to help her out. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6eV64N8aMSpxAE4pvK6Y2NiQNvgRIhWWB0LjruQT_Vld9e2Xk_PCGRGGxA_VVYu6Cbu_TKpfyUdNGdkiEqL7ohezXGe-2fLPF0fgI7RZ8az4_i3K870kqHQIEsXuSzNuBKgEzh_wg1Eb-/s1600/20130406_134856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6eV64N8aMSpxAE4pvK6Y2NiQNvgRIhWWB0LjruQT_Vld9e2Xk_PCGRGGxA_VVYu6Cbu_TKpfyUdNGdkiEqL7ohezXGe-2fLPF0fgI7RZ8az4_i3K870kqHQIEsXuSzNuBKgEzh_wg1Eb-/s200/20130406_134856.jpg" width="150" /></a>I arrive at the Red Cross, I am anxious, but ready to do this!! I will need to have some way of feeling I am helping others after this is all done, so what better way to pay it back. I see how much Zack has been given because of others, so it makes me want to give back even more. The young nurse is very bubbly and we are immediately comfortable together. She is trying to figure out my accent and asks where I'm from. I tell her NJ, California, Belgium, Spain, NC... She then proceeds to laugh and says, I can here my Uncle (from NJ) my friend (From Boston) and my Italian grandfather (with the hand motions) all in one sentence from you!! I have NEVER heard anyone talk like you, it's so much fun!! I tell her I'm one of a kind!!! It takes about an hour before I'm seen, but the nurse makes it seem like everything is going to be smooth sailing. They offer me a movie of my choice (from 100+). There is a long reclining chair, large flat arms rests, headphones and a television with cable or movie right over the chair. Since I am going to be there at least two hours (which is normal) they want you to be as comfortable as possible. Usually they insert a needle in each arm, but for me, since my veins are large enough, she used a "double needle" in my right arm.She did a great job, as I never felt a thing! I am fitted with a blood pressure cuff to increase blood flow and given an inflatable ball. My instructions are to squeeze the ball each time the cuff inflates (counting to about 25 on and 15 off). That part was exhausting, as I don't have strong arms and am working muscles I didn't even know I had. The bags hang next to me (you can see in the picture) two with blood one with the platelets. This is exactly how Zack's look when he received the transfusions. The blood is pumped out, platelets sorted out with this machine and then at the end of the process, all the blood is then returned back into your system. THIS is when it was weird! The blood was cold and I got major chills when it was returned, but that only lasted about ten minutes. The entire time I am in the chair, someone is coming by to check on me, offers heated blankets (it gets cold in the room), drinks and snacks. They are very appreciative of the donations, especially now, they are very low all around the Country. Once everything is finished, the needle is removed, my arm bandaged in a bright red tape and sent on my way with a big Thank you!!</div>
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I arrive back at the Hospital by 3 pm, tired, hungry and ready for a nap. Zack is doing really well. He was already started on his chemo and playing his video. His mood has actually been very good. He has asked Frank to bring his guitar to the Hospital tomorrow night, so he can practice some more and maybe play again on Tuesday, when Richard returns. I take a short nap and fix him hot wings for dinner. I went down to the Cafeteria and saw the young man that delivers the food trays to the rooms. He has also been a constant through all of this and even if we don't have the trays delivered anymore, he still manages to pop his head in to see how we are doing. I tell him this is our last stay and he gives me a big hug!! Everyone is celebrating! He tells me he is going back to school to get another degree. He currently has his bachelors in business and went to law school for one year, but hated it. He is going back to get his nursing degree and wants to work in pediatrics. I told him I couldn't think of a better place for him, he is wonderful with people and has a kind heart. He will not only be an asset for the kids, but the parents as well. He told me he will miss seeing us but is glad Zack will be able to move on with his life. </div>
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I am now back in the room. Picked up a couple of heated blankets for Zack, who was burning up last night (ac was at 62) and now is freezing cold (heat on 68). The chemo drugs do that to him each month. He is still in very good spirits and as the night nurse comes in to mark his board, she crosses out the 2 and puts a 3 for day 3 of 5!! We had the same day nurse as yesterday and now the same night nurse from last night, both amazing and both very good at what they do. This week will end as I envisioned, peaceful and easy. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2939158029679022108.post-77927703000071723712013-04-04T23:19:00.002-04:002013-04-04T23:19:45.681-04:00"It's Five days of Hell Mom!"<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was on Tuesday that I realized, how many weeks, no months it has been since Mom and I have had a full day together, just the two of us. Zack was scheduled to have his lab work done to see if he needed blood or platelets. We "knew" he was in good shape and as always had a back up plan in the event he needed some. He was spending the day with Drake, Leah and "lil man".(Leah's baby). He was going to tell them he would return on Wednesday if he did indeed need blood. He wanted the day off as well and was going to take it! </div>
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As usual, there were a few obstacles before I could actually get on the road to see Mom, once they were completed I was singing all the way to Hendersonville. Though Mom and I haven't had as much time together, our bond is still as strong as it was before the diagnosis. She is my rock, though at times throughout this journey, she was more like a broken rock that had fallen. She has been devastated by everything Zack has gone through and luckily she is able to see the light at the end of the tunnel and is coming back around. We started out with lunch, a delicious variety of sushi for Mom and a "bento box" of Teriyaki chicken, brown rice and steamed vegetables for me. We then proceeded to hit all of our usual thrift stores. Zack checks in with me and lets us know his counts were good, so he is on his way home to hang out with his friends and chill. Once finished with five or six stores, we get the urge for our usual "Belgian break". I won't go into that detail! (smile) On to WM (they don't deserve free advertising). The experience in that store was less than stellar. We were unable to find a lot of the groceries we needed and then waiting in line for 25 minutes because there were only 4 out of 20 registers open.. Customer Service be damned at their place! It is now 8 pm, Bob has checked in to see if he must fix his own or if we are bringing him dinner. "Fix your own it is!" Mom is finally getting tired. This woman is amazing, she is 81 years (young) and because of her constant walking of the dogs up and down her hill and around the cemetery several times a day, she can outlast me!! In my defense, I have been told to rest a lot!!! I know.... I know... don't tell me!! Spring is just around the corner (the calendar may say it's Spring, but the weather doesn't agree) and with that, I am outside a lot more. I check in with the guys and tell them Mom and I are having dinner together, then I will be home. They have ordered a pizza and are in good shape, so no worries. Mom and I arrive at her house, unload the groceries with Bob's help and I jump in their shower in a hurry. Our water heater has arrived just today, but will take a couple of days to install since the floor needs replacing. By the time I arrive home it is 10:30 pm. What a great day we had together! I'm so glad that Zack was able to go with his friends and have some time AWAY from his Mama and I some time WITH my Mama!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySCcyQdQeJk0nK6pC5Let5pTm_ILWoq0FdstsrYt1BAp5tFCUrP9SGGhmUJw-QWUuQ6KUkO87WSwrEJ9uxODCCJsayAGLwWofgzy3U3cPa_9ioeUwTRWE2_6ZdMXfo87kSmQ_AX72MEm_/s1600/20130403_095610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySCcyQdQeJk0nK6pC5Let5pTm_ILWoq0FdstsrYt1BAp5tFCUrP9SGGhmUJw-QWUuQ6KUkO87WSwrEJ9uxODCCJsayAGLwWofgzy3U3cPa_9ioeUwTRWE2_6ZdMXfo87kSmQ_AX72MEm_/s200/20130403_095610.jpg" width="200" /></a>Wednesday is a day of work for us all! Frank has started a new water feature and Zack is up to working and eager to make some money. I am the first out the door at 6:30 am, followed by the guys, who must get everything loaded and out the door around 8 am. Frank told me later that there was one point where Zack started to loose steam, took a 15 minute break and bounced right back to finish up the day. He said he tried to get Zack to go home, but he was determined to work the entire day. This was an especially physically challenging day as they were moving big boulders in place. I had a lot of fun at work. I love my job and still can't wait to get to work in the mornings, as long as I know Zack is fine, I'm fine. At one point today the "egg man" delivered four dozen eggs to our office. He hands me a dozen and says "check out THESE eggs". Anticipating they were green or some other odd color I open the carton. Within seconds I screamed and cussed, yes I said a cuss word TWICE!!! In between 11 eggs was a little chic, I'm not sure what I thought it was, but it scared the living daylights out of me AND my reaction gave everyone in the office a big laugh! </div>
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When I arrived home, I went into Zack's room to say hi. He had COLOR!!! He was not pale, he actually looked really good, even without eyebrows (which are already completely gone again). He had been working all day in the sun and didn't wear his hat, so he had even color on his beautiful bald head. At first I was worried because the medicine he is on, makes it bad to be in the sun, but he wore 70 SPF sunscreen and it gave him some color and vitamin D! He had advised us that Chris F was coming over to spend the night and hang out the next day. We haven't seen Chris in a long time. He has had to work on his Senior Project, is in band (one of their first chairs), golf, sports, etc.... Basically he is doing everything a Senior <i>should </i>be doing! It was so good to see him again. Frank was exhausted and apologized in advance if he fell asleep while talking to me. I just laugh and tell him we can carry on better conversations when he is sleeping. I know, the ultimate smart ass! </div>
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It is now Thursday and the mood is slowly changing as the day progresses. Zack and Chris have spent the day with Sam J. These three boys have been friends since kindergarten and though they haven't spend a lot of time together, reconnect easily when they do see each other. They are all Seniors and going to cross the stage together. Sam who walks in with bright orange/red hair is the lead singer / songwriter in a band and I have made him promise to buy me a house (as his second mother) when he makes it big! The three together are a sight. Zack, of course, is the tallest, most casually dressed with his camouflage pants, matching jacket and hat, Chris is the "dapper" dude who loves to play golf and always looks like he is ready for an important meeting. I have such a soft spot for these boys, having watched them grow up and knowing their families closely. We are all Moms and Dads to these boys and that's as it should be. (It takes a village) The day is nearing it's end. Frank has managed to replace the floor and install the new water heater. Yeah!!! A shower tonight!!! Life is good!!! Zack is showing signs of frustration and anger. He doesn't want to go back into the hospital tomorrow! Even though I try and cheer him and tell him this is the last one, he still says, "but it is five days of hell Mom." My usual reaction is always to make a joke, so I tell him "three of those days I'm there with you!!, oh wait maybe THAT'S what you're talking about." He quickly laughs and tells me I'm nuts!! I have been anxious all day and finally realized it's because I am going in to donate platelets on Saturday. It's not the actual needles in the arms thing, it's my past coming back to haunt me. I had suffered from panic disorder for many years and could not do things like this. When I would go to the grocery store, I needed a list of what I needed by aisle, if I missed something I couldn't even go back for it. I haven't had this for at least 7 years now, but whenever I am challenged with something new, the old fears tend to pop up. It is then that I must talk to myself and remind myself that I don't do that anymore! On the long way home from work, I stopped at several business that aren't open during the day. One in particular "The Quarry" is a quaint restaurant/ bar which strongly resembles the set of "Friends". Sofas and big fluffy chairs are all around. There is a small stage where live music is played six days a week. I ask the owner if I could put up one of the posters for the fundraiser, she stands up and we immediately hug. She is the young lady that Sue (my friend who is working on the FR with Nancy) had asked to originally play at the event. Her band was unable to, so she helped Sue get the other two bands together. It felt as if we had known each other our whole lives, she introduced me to her wife and other band members, who were all rooting for Zack. With a promise to return and a couple of menus in hand, I stop at five more places and all were thrilled to help us out! Each stop gave me another opportunity to not only share our journey, but to help some of them share theirs as well. Before I know it, I'm pulling into our driveway and it is 8:30 pm. </div>
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For the rest of the evening we will pack, load up the car and be ready to head out early in the morning. This will be our last hospital stay and THAT is something to celebrate!! We will make the best of the week and hope that Zack doesn't have a strong reaction to the chemo. As more beautiful items arrive for the silent auction, we are all getting excited about the upcoming fundraiser. It will be nice to celebrate "surviving" this past year and opening new doors for the changes ahead. Until Tomorrow my dear friends, thanks for being in our lives, being our support system and being YOU!!!!!</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have been holding on to this for awhile now. This journey is about Zack, why would I post something for someone I've never even met? Because they asked! Part of why "we" are here, is to share and if one person can benefit from this, then they will find his post. Cameron, this is for you, your wife and precious daughter!!</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Caring for My Wife Through Her Cancer Journey</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
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</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On the 21st of November,
2005, my wife Heather and I received a devastating piece of news that has
affected our family to this day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will
always remember the fact that I learned that I would become responsible for the
safety, comfort and security of a person who was diagnosed with <a href="http://www.mesothelioma.com/mesothelioma/">mesothelioma cancer</a>. Just
prior to the diagnosis, Heather and I had our first and only child, Lily, and
were preparing to celebrate the holidays with our family. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of the joy and excitement that came with
our holiday preparations for our daughter’s first Christmas was ripped away
when we found out that my wife had cancer.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
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</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The weight of caregiver
status began even before Heather and I left the doctor's office where she was
first diagnosed. During the initial discussion, our family physician informed
us about mesothelioma and the treatment options that were available. Our
physician gave us three choices: a local university hospital, a regional
hospital that had a great program but not a mesothelioma specialist, and a mesothelioma
program in Boston that had a world-renowned specialist – Dr. David Sugarbaker.
After we learned of our options, I waited silently for my wife to say
something, but I quickly realized that she was still paralyzed with shock and
fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked back to our doctor and
said, “Get us to Boston!”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
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</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">During the following two
months, our lives swiftly dissolved into chaos, and our daily routines were
quickly shattered. Heather and I had previously both worked full time, but now
Heather would no longer be able to work, and I had to scale back my hours in
order to provide Heather with the care that she needed. As a full-time project,
I took over my wife's health care and worked hard to ensure flights were booked
for appointments in Boston, hotels were secure, and our daughter had someone to
take care of her while Heather and I were gone, all on top of trying to provide
for my family with my job. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Heather and I traveled
to Boston shortly after the holidays for the first real leg of her treatment: a
radical and invasive procedure called an extrapleural pneumonectomy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The surgery went smoothly, and as soon as she
was well enough to travel, we left Boston and Heather went to South Dakota to
stay with her parents while she recovered and prepared for the next phase of
treatment, chemotherapy and radiation. I returned home to go back to work, as
the bills didn’t stop once the cancer arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately, we would have to remain apart for two full months while
she recovered.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
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</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After our encounter with
asbestos, it took my wife Heather and I years to overcome our situation and
return to a normal life. We quickly learned how to deal with stress, fight
cancer and balance the most important things in our lives. Shortly after my
wife's cancer diagnosis, I would never have guessed that I would be in the
happy situation that I am in today. I also learned the power of hope, and that
everything is possible with belief. As a result of our experience with asbestos
and <a href="http://www.mesothelioma.com/mesothelioma/">mesothelioma</a>, my
wife and I have forged a stronger bond and created a loving home for our young
daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hope that our story can be
a source of hope and comfort to all those currently battling cancer today. </span><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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