Just checking in with an update...

[I_Fly]

it's been a while since I've posted. Haven't even really been able to lurk much. Thought I'd give my friends a quick update on why I've been so seemingly un-social.

My Dad's done with chemo/radiation. He didn't take it very well. He's still recovering from the treatment. It doesn't look like it's done a lot of good, of course the tumor doesn't seem to be getting worse either. Surgery was essentially ruled out because of the size and location of the tumor. Too many risks for little potential for gain. He's got good days and bad days but is improving slowly from the low period after the treatment. We've got our spirits up and still fighting.

I also retired from the Air National Guard last month. I'm lucky enough to say that I didn't need the paycheck so I decided to call it quits after 20 years and several months. I felt I needed the weekends to be with my dad and my wife (see below).

Got some suprising news about my wife. Here's a picture I took last night (Monday Dec 6)



Here's a picture I took today (Tuesday Dec 7) about noon:



Yup, I'm a poppa! He suprised us by being about 4 weeks early. Fortunately, baby and mom are doing well. Dad is TIRED! He had to get up unexpectedly at 4:30 am! But it was worth it! I'll probably be posting a few more baby shots in the future!!

I had a nurse try to take a photo of the three of us. I thought I'd set the camera (a 20d) up so she couldn't mess it up. Guess what I forgot to set...the focus point. So I've got a nicely composed family shot with the monitor/wall behind us in focus! Oh well. I'll try again tomorrow.

Anyway, sorry for the rambling. I'm beat but thought I'd share the news with y'all since I'm sharing with family and friends.

[Lionheart]

Congratulations on the new baby. It's an exciting time in your life. New baby boy, no sleep=hanging out less on PR. It's actually a good thing (one of those balance out your life thingies-lol)


I'm glad your dad is pulling through the chemo therapy and you're all fighting and keeping your spirits up-not an easy thing to do under the circumstances. I had a similar experience when my son was expecting/born. My father in-law had a squamous cell carcinoma of the throat (went to three doctors/dentists complaining of mouth and throat pain-not one did a simple soft tissue exam which would have found the tumor.) which I discovered when he came to me complaining of mouth/throat pain (after he'd seen three different docs with three different diagnoses, all way off base). Surgery was also not an option, but radiation alone would be insufficient, so they combined proton therapy and radiation therapy to squelch the tumor, which was about the size of a golf ball when I discovered it. The treatment worked, and my dad(in-law), tough as nails, hung in there, motivated by my son's upcoming birth. He really wanted to live long enough to see his first grandchild, and Praise God, he did, and then some.
We will remember your family in our prayers. It's a very tiring and draining time that you're going through. Hang tough bud.

[Lara]

So nice to see your name pop up, and although you don't know me, I feel I know you through your participation here.

I understand what you and your family are going through with your Dad, first hand. My heart goes out to all and my best wishes for your Dad.

Congratulations new poppa!!! Mom and baby look fantastic. What's your son's name?

[Speed]

it's been a while since I've posted. Haven't even really been able to lurk much. Thought I'd give my friends a quick update on why I've been so seemingly un-social.

My Dad's done with chemo/radiation. He didn't take it very well. He's still recovering from the treatment. It doesn't look like it's done a lot of good, of course the tumor doesn't seem to be getting worse either. Surgery was essentially ruled out because of the size and location of the tumor. Too many risks for little potential for gain. He's got good days and bad days but is improving slowly from the low period after the treatment. We've got our spirits up and still fighting.

I also retired from the Air National Guard last month. I'm lucky enough to say that I didn't need the paycheck so I decided to call it quits after 20 years and several months. I felt I needed the weekends to be with my dad and my wife (see below).

Got some suprising news about my wife.

Yup, I'm a poppa! He suprised us by being about 4 weeks early. Fortunately, baby and mom are doing well. Dad is TIRED! He had to get up unexpectedly at 4:30 am! But it was worth it! I'll probably be posting a few more baby shots in the future!!

I had a nurse try to take a photo of the three of us. I thought I'd set the camera (a 20d) up so she couldn't mess it up. Guess what I forgot to set...the focus point. So I've got a nicely composed family shot with the monitor/wall behind us in focus! Oh well. I'll try again tomorrow.

Anyway, sorry for the rambling. I'm beat but thought I'd share the news with y'all since I'm sharing with family and friends.

Your life has now changed forever! That's not necessarily a bad thing, mind you! ;-)

Congratulations my friend! Give Collette and the little one a hug and a kiss from us!

BTW, what's his name?

PS: Congratulations on your retirement as well!

[another view]

Wow, that's a lot of news! Congrads on the birth of your son and hope all goes well with your dad. Stop back any time!

[Axle]

Congrats! One of my dad's cousins has a daughter also named Colette, it's a nice name.

[natatbeach]

Life has a way of checks and balances between joy and sadness...

Glad your dad is hanging in there day by day.... for Christmas and to meet his beautiful grandson....and so that the two of you can spend good time together now that your a free agent and have some time on your hands...

Congratulations....

[I_Fly]

You are correct, my time hanging out here may be less. However, I now have a good reason to expand my photography skills, which may also motivate me to come here more than I have the last couple of months.

My dad has been really looking forward to my son's birth. His tumor is very large. Really large...about 4 inches across large. The radiation/chemo treatment didn't seem to affect the size. He's going to get a PET scan soon. That should give us an idea of how active the cancer cells are.

We just try to keep a positive attitude and move on. Humor has played a big part. I've joked with him and my wife because they had similar symptoms at about the same time for the last eight months. Both were easily fatigued, short of breath, nauseous, dizzy, had headaches and pain in the torso. I kept asking him if he was sure he wasn't pregnant! We're just making sure we take care of him and know that we all love him a great deal! I'm glad your father-in-law made it through his treatments and was able to see your son. Thanks for the prayers!

Congratulations on the new baby. It's an exciting time in your life. New baby boy, no sleep=hanging out less on PR. It's actually a good thing (one of those balance out your life thingies-lol)


I'm glad your dad is pulling through the chemo therapy and you're all fighting and keeping your spirits up-not an easy thing to do under the circumstances. I had a similar experience when my son was expecting/born. My father in-law had a squamous cell carcinoma of the throat (went to three doctors/dentists complaining of mouth and throat pain-not one did a simple soft tissue exam which would have found the tumor.) which I discovered when he came to me complaining of mouth/throat pain (after he'd seen three different docs with three different diagnoses, all way off base). Surgery was also not an option, but radiation alone would be insufficient, so they combined proton therapy and radiation therapy to squelch the tumor, which was about the size of a golf ball when I discovered it. The treatment worked, and my dad(in-law), tough as nails, hung in there, motivated by my son's upcoming birth. He really wanted to live long enough to see his first grandchild, and Praise God, he did, and then some.
We will remember your family in our prayers. It's a very tiring and draining time that you're going through. Hang tough bud.

[I_Fly]

Hi Lara,
I've seen your name quite a bit, glad to know that you recognize my name. My son's name is Troy Joseph. Fourth male with the first name Troy on my side, however we all have different middle names. Hopefully I'll be participating a little more frequently now that I have a new photography subject!

So nice to see your name pop up, and although you don't know me, I feel I know you through your participation here.

I understand what you and your family are going through with your Dad, first hand. My heart goes out to all and my best wishes for your Dad.

Congratulations new poppa!!! Mom and baby look fantastic. What's your son's name?

[I_Fly]

I've given both kisses and hugs, although I have to admit I've taken the credit for all.

His name is Troy Joseph.

I'm excited to be retired, although I probably put myself at a higher risk of actually being activated. Two of my former jobs in the military were heavy vehicle mechanic and vehicle operator. Not really the skills I won't them to notice when looking for volunteers to reactivate. Oh well, it's still exciting to carry a military id that says "retired" on it.

Your life has now changed forever! That's not necessarily a bad thing, mind you!

Congratulations my friend! Give Collette and the little one a hug and a kiss from us!

BTW, what's his name?

PS: Congratulations on your retirement as well!

[I_Fly]

Thanks! I'll try to be back more often!

Wow, that's a lot of news! Congrads on the birth of your son and hope all goes well with your dad. Stop back any time!

[I_Fly]

I like the name also. My wife spells her name with two Ls and two Ts, which seems to be someone unusual.

Congrats! One of my dad's cousins has a daughter also named Colette, it's a nice name.

[I_Fly]

Thanks Natalie! I'm hoping to spend a bunch of time with all of my family over the holidays. One of my goals is to get a three generation Father/Son/Grandson shot. I'll be sure to share when I do.

Life has a way of checks and balances between joy and sadness...

Glad your dad is hanging in there day by day.... for Christmas and to meet his beautiful grandson....and so that the two of you can spend good time together now that your a free agent and have some time on your hands...

Congratulations....