My New Hero

Well, I told Julie today that I have a new hero.  First, my old heros.

Mohammid Ali.  Do I need to say more.  The one that said "I don't have nothing against those googs."  The army was trying to draft me at the time.  He gave me the courage to try to be a conscientious objector.

Dr. Frank E. Rizzo, a professor who believed in me.

My dad, who  also believed in me.

Ronald Reagan, who believed in America.

And, now Julie.  Who always says she is doing fine, no matter what.  We did the 5K Cancer walk on Saturday, then drove 2 hours to Maryland College Park.  We walked around for a couple of hours with Olesia showing us her college.  On the walk back to Olesia's apartment, Julie got tired and asked us to go get the car.  We did.  After a short rest, Julie went shopping with Olesia at a linen store.  We drove home for two hours and went to bed.

I got up this morning and went to play tennis.  Went I got home, I told Julie she was my new hero.  She laughed, but its true.  Most of my heros I never knew well.  It is easy to have heros when you don't know someone well enough to know their faults, their shortcomings.  But, I know my wife's shortcomings.  And still, the way she has handled cancer, I can say with confidence, I have a new hero.

They told Julie last week that they were accelerating her chemo treatment because of the nerve damage.  Her feet are tinging and loosing feeling.  I hear it and think bad news.Julie just says she is glad it is not her hands so she can still do her art work. But, it says we are getting to the end of what can be accomplished with chemo, or at least the type she is now getting.

Better Week

Julie's white blood cells recovered last week which allowed chemo to proceed.  Julie, I and a friend (David Noble) did some hiking at Turkey Point.  Julie did well, sitting only one time after a steep climb up the hill.  I was behind her and breathing hard myself.  Julie's back has been hurting some today and she has spent most of the day in bed, in part, worn out by the hiking and perhaps some by having company.  Allison also came to visit on Sunday.  She needed her rent paid, etc.

Tomorrow at 8 am they are doing another mammogram on her breast to check the size of the tumor.  Originally 2.6 cm, I think 1.6 cm after the first three batches of chemo.  We would like to have it cut out, but the risk of infection for Julie is too high now.

She is upstairs clearing her throat.  A sound I hate to hear.  It has only been three months, July 1, since the diagnosis.  It seems like years.  They are good times when one can stay in the present.  Julie's dad, John, wants to visit.  She suggested that he come to visit with Russ and Chris since that would be less work on her ... they would entertain him some.  But, John thinks that would be too big of a crowd so he wants to go at another time.  Julie's sister is coming next week for a week stay.  I plan to be in Olean for most of  her stay.  Olesia wants mom to come down for Parent's day at the University of Maryland at College Park.  Julie also wants to go on the 5 km cancer walk at Fairhill this week.  Hard to keep up.