Just a dream

Well, our much needed vacation was cut short due to Hurricane Faye! Our bright sunny days on the beach were soon overshadowed (no pun intended) by the fury building to the south of us. We debated wednesday night about packing up thursday morning and heading home, but thursday morning came and the sun was shining through the palm trees. Being that no hurricane was going to dampen our spirits, we decided to head to the beach. Once we made our way down the path and crossed through the little sand dune, our hopes were bombarded with 25mph winds and black clouds off the horizon. We tried to take one last walk down the beach, but the winds were so strong and the blowing sand felt just pelted us. Dismayed we took the final walk back to the beach house and finished packing up our things. Faye was not going to chase us back to Ohio though! We found a hotel in Charlotte thursday night and took the kids to the Discovery Place in downtown Charlotte. That place is amazing! It had such neat exhibits for the kids. They especially loved Einstein's Corner when Carolyn blew up a balloon filled with hydrogen! Not even Todd nor I expected such a loud bang! Friday afternoon saw us making the long trek home. Let me just say that while I'm glad Grandma Ivy let us borrow the movie "Cars" I will be more than happy to return it! Kael is a huge fan and we had to watch it nearly the whole way back to Ohio! Hours later I just had to put Jungle Book in, one can only take so much of Lighting McQueen! I must admit that I'm sure glad it was not Barney blaring through the speakers!

It was so nice to be away from home, to forget about all tests and doctor visits. It's that easy come, easy go lifestyle I love. I'd have to say that this vacation will definately not be forgotten. We won't forget about those sharks, dolphins or jellyfish that paid us a friendly, but scrary, visit. The sand dollars were amazing, not to mention the starfish. We have taken several trips to the beach, but I don't think my eyes have been open, nor my mind, to the colors, sounds or smells quite like this trip. This trip was much more appreciative because my husband was by my side to share it with me. Until this past May I never once thought of anything happening to him. I never thought there would come a day when I had to think about losing my best friend, my soul mate. Unfortunately, that day came. If there is anything I've learned from this is that I take to many things for granite.

We walked through the doors of the CTC for one last time today. I have to hand it to the staff in there. They are amazing! For the type of people they take care of and what they do, you can feel the warmth there. They truly care. In fact, as we walked in the receptionist was saying "Hi, Todd" with a huge smile on her face. Once down the hall I heard another ask, "So how was the vacation?" and she really wanted to hear about it. Really I can not say enough about the staff in there, I'm so glad that they took such good care of Todd. They really made him feel like part of the family and not just another patient coming in for treatment.

As for the actual visit- Dr. Seider is done with him until his check up next August!! He said he felt everything went well and all looks good. Our next step is Dr. Kraus, the Urologist, at Aultman. He will read the results from the CT and bHCG tests Todd had two weeks ago. If all goes well there it will be a series of CT scans and bHCG tests every three months for the next year or two.

Vacation ready

Pardon the delay in updates, although nothing has really changed since I last posted. Todd still has his bouts with nausea, but fortunately it's beginning to seem less and less. I'm beginning to think that maybe our vacation isn't meant to be! This last week our friend Berger, part 1 of the couple we are vacationing with in less than 2 weeks, ended up having an appendectomy this past weekend! Apparently it was largely inflamed and the surgeon really had to work to remove it. He now has to have an MRI because of a spot they found on the CT scan which he had while in the ER with his appendicitis. So while Todd 2 (Berger) is going to have an MRI early next week, Todd 1 will be having a follow-up CT scan on Tuesday! Seriously- will this not be a much needed vacation or what! Add to the multitude of health issues, I have been interviewing for a nursing spot at the Cleveland Clinic here in Wooster. Stress city here at the Mowrer house!

Our doctor visits will start next week. On August 5th Todd will have his follow-up CT scan for Dr. Kraus (Urologist) then on August 6th he will be seeing his Otolaryngologist Dr. Weber (more commonly known as the "ear doctor"). Following vacation he will have another PET scan for Dr. Seiders (Radiation Oncologist) along with a visit, and a few days later is scheduled to see Dr. Kraus.

This past Saturday there was an amazing article on the front page of the sports section in the Daily Record about a 20-year old junior A hockey player for the Wooster Oilers. Corey McDevitt made it known to the press that he is currently battling testicular cancer. Diagnosed in March of this year, Corey has already been treated once. Three weeks ago his blood tests came back to show the cancer had returned, this time appearing in the lungs. Right now he is currently undergoing chemotherapy at the Cleveland Clinic Wooster. Every three weeks he finds himself having seven-hour treatments five days a week. Yes, I said seven! What's even more amazing is that he wears his ice skates to every treatment. He has been proclaiming to be ready to hit the ice come Halloween! Talk about determination! That is what it takes to come out on top. He aslo mentioned that his inspiration comes from none other than Lance Armstrong. I have already sent an email to lend support to this young man, if anyone else would like to do so he can recieve letters at: Alice Noble Ice Arena, 851 Oldman Road, Wooster, Ohio 44691 or emails can be sent to coachhart@nc.rr.com. Also if anyone is interested, the title of Lance Armstrong's book is "It's not about the bike."

As for Todd's aunt Sandy, she had her surgery and is doing well. I believe she is going to be starting her chemo in the next week or two. From my understanding she will be seeing Dr. Stallings, a Medical Oncologist, here in Wooster.

Although everyone has done so much for us already, I would like to ask that you still keep our family in your thoughts as we are still not in the clear yet and unsure if we will ever be.