I’ve been trying to think of something to write for a couple days. I have had some ideas but they don’t pan out. And then I thought I could just give an update and be done. The update is we are in week 5. After today (Tuesday), I have 5 more radiation treatments. Then I…

These flowers are called lily of the valley, and I picked them this morning from the back side of our house. They only produce flowers once per year in spring, and only then for a few weeks. Their smell is amazing – it’s incredible that such a tiny little flower bell can produce such a…

My oldest child was a preemie, born at 34 weeks. I had preeclampsia. I remember going for a check up and my blood pressure was 200+ / something else high. As I was wheeled to labor and delivery, I thought I was going to spend the next 6 weeks pregnant and in the hospital. I…

There’s my one lame attempt at an eclipse joke. But it’s also suitable for my mindset right now. We just spent the weekend at Great Wolf Lodge outside of Cincinnati (this was planned prior to Liz’s diagnosis), the kids had a blast and in the end that’s why we went. But I couldn’t help myself…

There are two things I distinctly remember about Easter as a kid; pink sponge rollers and my Dad’s purple tie. Easter was one of those special occasions where a braid wouldn’t suffice for church that morning. Much to my mortification and dread, after my Saturday night bath, my mom would roll my wet hair in…

Yesterday, I was in the waiting room for my radiation appointment when I was aimlessly scrolling Facebook. I came across a post about one of my former high school basketball teammates. She had just passed away from a two-year battle with colorectal cancer. I had only read the first two lines of the post, but…

A little mid-week update: I am in week 2 of radiation and oral chemotherapy. This week has been much better than last. I feel good. And I am thankful, grateful and happy to be feeling this good. I think last week I was recovering from being in the hospital so long. I still lay down…

As Liz is settling into the rhythms of her chemo/radiation regimen, I haven’t found much to share. Liz continues to work, go to the gym (dialing back the intensity a bit), and be a great wife and mom. Nausea and fatigue have crept in at times, especially in the afternoon. I can definitely tell something…

I think before the cancer diagnosis, I would not have called myself an optimist nor a pessimist. More of a realist. The cup isn’t half full or half empty. It’s just half. Far too often, I have this same outlook about myself. I can be a great encourager to everyone else but me. Sometimes this…

First week of chemo/radiation is done. From an outsider’s perspective, it seems Liz got nauseous more often as the week went on. She hit a lull most days around 3:00-4:00, even took a nap one day! I’m looking forward to our couples therapy (partner workout at the gym) tomorrow morning and some quality time together…