Update after weekend with my dad

We had a great weekend visiting my dad and step-mom this weekend. His spirits are high and he was so happy to see us. We also got a chance to see my brother, his wife and my nephew. Overall it was a great visit and we also got to catch up with other friends of ours in the area.

Before we came into town the incision for my dad's brain surgery was a little bit infected but it seemed to be getting better with antibiotics, etc.. When we were leaving it looked like his infection had gotten worse. They checked with their doctor and they were told to go back to the hospital to get it checked out. They were in the hospital all day yesterday, had some tests done and my dad was readmitted to the hospital (not a joy for him since he had thought he was done with hospitals for now after being there for 2.5 weeks for his surgery). They decided late last night to do a surgery to reopen a portion of the incision to clean out the infection.

At the point that I am writing this blog my dad is at the hospital waiting for the surgery. His spirits are down a bit right now but he is trying to stay positive. He hasn't been able to eat since midnight since they don't know when the surgery will be and he has to fast for it.

Please keep us all in your prayers.

Update on my Dad - not what we were hoping

We just found out today the diagnosis for my dad once they took the tumor out of his brain. He has stage 4 glioblastoma multiforme which is pretty serious. His spirits are up and he has been in alot of prayer and meditation since the surgery. We are going up to visit him this weekend.

I really don't know what to think at this point - it is all such a shock and hasn't really sunk in yet exactly what is happening - especially since he looks healthy enough. I'm going to continue to do research about it so that I understand exactly what is going on. He will start radiation as soon as they can get him in and then figure out what else to do after that.

This is a pretty advanced cancer and very aggressive. My dad is undaunted by the diagnosis and is putting alot of trust in his body's ability to heal, the power of prayer and of course advanced medical treatment. A positive mental attitude is the one thing he has control over and has been shown to have a positive impact on the healing process. For those who are interested, he has a blog about his experience.

And as you know my brother also has cancer. His is stage 3 oligodendroglioma and he has gone through radiation and has just started chemotherapy. It is a really hard time for him and his wife Christina and new son Aidan but they are working on staying positive.

So please send prayers in our family's direction. For any who may be wondering, these tumors are not supposed to be hereditary - and should not be a concern for my sister or myself. However the doctor did mention that it wouldn't hurt to see a genetic counselor to see if we should get screened.

Well that is all for now. I will continue to keep this blog updated as things progress. Send positive thoughts and prayers our direction!

Update after so much time

It has been awhile since I've blogged (I've been too addicted to myspace and now facebook (much better than myspace) to remember to get back on here)

Here is our most recent news: I have just started a full time job at Chase Bank (3rd largest bank in the US, 4th largest in the world) I really enjoy my job as a Personal Banker (the people in the bank who have the offices and open up checking accounts etc) and am looking forward to where my career may take me.

Karida is in childcare/daycare full time and is really enjoying it. It was a big transition at first (the biggest being getting out of the house by a specific time each morning!) but she is definitly thriving (She is an extrovert so enjoys the constant interaction with other kids, etc..) And it has been a big transition for me to be back at work full time. But I have to say, after being a stay at home mom, work is a breeze (even though its new and pretty stressful to meet my sales goals!)...

We just celebrated our 9 year anniversary and we are doing well! We are looking forward to planning a big 10 year celebration (I think we are going to try a cruise or something)

My brother (David) was diagnosed with cancer after they found a brain tumor earlier this year. He is doing as well as can be expected - he just finished radiation a few weeks ago and starts his first round of chemo tommorrow (he'll be doing chemo for a year). His son (Aidan) is now 5 months old (this is a picture of him in July) and is the happiest baby ever (what a gift!!) and his wife (Christina) is a great support for him.

My dad was also in the hospital recently for a brain tumor (how crazy is life)! They removed it and are now waiting for the pathology report to find out if it is cancerous or not. They are saying that this is not a hereditary issue - but it is too coincidental with my brother's problem... He will find out this coming Wednesday what the pathology report shows so please send your prayers his way!! He has a blog about his experience http://www.factbasedspiritguidedpath.blogspot.com

My mom now lives 1.5 hours away from us (Indianapolis) and is doing well - she lives and works (Borders corporate sales) downtown and loves walking to work, etc.. My sister (Leah) lives in Washington DC, has just graduated from massage school and is currently the education manager for the "Bodies" exhibit at the science museum there (plasticized humans that shows each muscle, organ, etc... - pretty fascinating)

My recent addiction has been facebook - I've found so many old friends on it and have found it a great way to stay in connection. So sometimes you'll see updates here and sometimes you may have to catch up with me at facebook (sign up there if you haven't already so that we can continue to stay connected)