Oligo Woe Is Me

Just a brief hello to let everyone know things are going well and I’m feeling solid.

Something I also want everyone to know. I am so very grateful for all the support, emails, letters, cards, voicemails, books, etc. It’s important that you know that…because being honest it’s been a challenge to keep up with responding to them all. So please please please don’t feel like your love and support are not coming through. They are. They really are.

You all make a difference with my strength and ability to face this.

Thanks and love,

Rob

I woke up, fell out of bed. Dragged a brush across my head.
Made my way downstairs and had a stroll.
Thirty-five on the treadmill and I was ready to roll.
Made my way upstairs and had a cup.
Looking up I noticed I wasn’t late.

Picked up a guitar and strummed a few, realized I was out of tune.
Grabbed my electronic gizmo to fix the fault, played a few loops and had enough.
So I thought I’d sit and start a stream, to tell you all about my morning routine.

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So here I am day one of my first ever Radiation Vacation. In a half and hour I take my Zofran, half and hour later my Temodar. First one is supposed to make me not get nauseous and second is my chemo drug of choice. Then an hour later I begin my vicious attack on Tawd…my brain tumor. That little bastard has no idea what’s coming. He thinks he’s got it all warm and cushy in there. Wait till he get his first blast of accelerated protons…which will clearly ruin his day…and maybe put the fear in him. I think that once he gets the clue that he can expect this sort of torture every 24 hours he’ll get the hint that he’s not dealing with some sissy man.

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Dear Tawd,

I hope you’ve enjoyed your stay. Now get the @&$! out.

Yours truly,

Rob

It’s quarter-to-seven and the house is still and quiet. The family and I had another “parlor campout” which is where we throw mattresses and pillows on our parlor floor, enjoy the wood stove and a movie and/or audiobook, and “the men” crash for the night. It’s not that the girls aren’t invited or anything like that. I just think they enjoy a real bed. Meh…parlor camping is way cooler.

Probably in the next few minutes, the “still and quiet” status will change into something more like rush hour traffic. It happens every day, and it happens fast. Coffee, breakfast, kids with full fuel tanks, and a 80 pound German Shepherd all grabbing for attention at the same time. Life and family truly are grand…and even chaotic mornings, which this one is sure to be, are a gift that are more precious than anything material.

This morning Kasey and I will pack up the family wagon and make our way to Boston to the place I’ll be hanging my hat for the next 42 days. Being away from my kids will be the thing that will bother my mood the most. Being the techo-Jedi that I am, I’ve prepared adequate video-conferencing gizmos and Skype for both ends, and taught Cooper how to call and reach me anytime. I added a phone in his room so we can “hang out” and listen to our Clone Wars audiobooks as usual. And I can connect into the neural-network of my house and fix anything that runs on electricity remotely. (Ok, maybe not everything.) I don’t expect Sadie to be as concerned with my physical absence nearly as much. At least I don’t think so. Time will tell. Winter school break is in three weeks, and my family will be reunited for a full week in Boston.

I think time will pass quickly. The daily treatment routine will keep much of each morning hopping, and there are many opportunities for personal growth to look to for occupying my mind.

Well, the morning is sweeping in and I hear movement upstairs. Cooper, who is right beside me here in Campsite P is starting to come out of his deep children’s-style sleep that they are so lucky to have.

Until next time…

Rob