Guestbook - A New Addition to the Blog.

If you look on the right side of the blog, you will see a "guestbook" link. This will allow for public and private communcation with me. By clicking "private," when making a comment, your thoughts will remain private and only be visible to me. This is also a way to keep all comments in one place. Also, if you leave your email address, it will not be visible to anyone, even if you did not check the private box. I hope to hear from you soon.

- Frank

The place I spent my summer.

Jason & Monica tie the knot

Hey – Remember Jason Meyer? He recently got married. Congratulations Jason and Monica – best wishes from all of us.

I’ve been following the flow of the Stryker guys in and out of Iraq. I’m sure you all have your hands full. I would love to be there and try to help those guys and gals.

Meet The Klutz

You cannot read further unless you already know that the number one person in my life is Kris, my wife. I don’t need anyone to tell me – she is the most beautiful, most intelligent, loving wife, mother and grandmother in the world. After 35 years I would be very happy to repeat, start from scratch or just spend my remaining days seeing her smile. If you understand that – she is the principal person who has taken me from the brink of death to where I am today – then and only then – you may continue to read now and in the future about the Caregiver Klutz.

What’s a klutz – yesterday was a good day that went south. Kris had nothing to do with it going south but one of the incidents on the way didn’t exactly help. Kris was taking me out so I could have a change of scenery. Getting in and out of the car is a venture in itself. I was snug in place with seat belt secured – which I am no longer allowed to do for myself, because one afternoon I almost bled to death by getting a big gash on my arm from just putting it on. However, here I was now snug and feeling secure – Kris had done a great job with my pillow under what’s left of my behind and had fastened my seatbelt. We were ready to high tail it.

At the last second Kellan (3) – my grandson - came out of the house screaming – grandma, I want to give you a kiss good bye. He gave her a very big smooch. She then said go around and give one to grandpa, and he very dutifully came around to my side, I put my window down 3/4 of the way, but we just couldn’t reach each other – my seatbelt was just too tight, but I was able to get my head fully through the window – that is – until Kris hit the “close” button and caught my neck between the window and top of the door. Not only was I scared out of my senses, but I hurt – I hurt – I hurt. The more I screamed, the more she pushed the button up. She was just trying to get even for the day I ran over her foot. You be the judge – who is the Klutz – her or me? I don’t even know if I got the kiss.

Laura – My Therapeutic Kitten

It works! You’ve read all the stuff about animals improving the morale of the sick. Well! Why not give it a shot and that’s exactly what we did.

We went shopping at the Pound for a kitten. The first time they (family) went without me and came back discouraged. The youngest kitten was about 96 yrs. old. About two weeks later I went with them. There was Laura and we knew right away – that’s our gal. She had been left on their doorstep at two hours old and been in foster care till that morning – 2 months old. The woman who had her was there. They had already rejected two families. The woman told us that Laura was a dream – all shots – housebroken = spayed – people friendly and a television freak. We got her.

Presently, we’re fighting about whose room this is and whose stuff in said room is mine. I’m losing. You know those little finger protections you use when you’re dealing with a lot of paper - her favorite toy. I’m teaching her with a modicum of success – how to fetch. Some of the no-nos requiring a water shot to the body: nails or claws on me (no longer a problem) playing with wires, climbing on screens, not saying thank you when I give her a treat.

I can’t speak for her, but I think we have a great relationship. She frequently sleeps with me during naps, fetches when I play with her and just loves to be stroked. We got us a winner. You know what – when I’m running after her – I don’t have much time to think about cancer. We should start one more program – Kittens for Cancer.

It’s been a good week. I keep stretching myself out – at my pace – under my guidance – with a smile on my face. I still feel selfish – because of the many people who want to come and I just can’t accommodate. That stress really sets me back. All should know that there is not a single thing that has been done for me or my family that has gone unnoticed. They are all welded in our hearts. E-mail allows me to control communication and it is the best vehicle for me. Phone is just a no-no for me. I can’t handle it right now. My daughter Tara says – so what’s new?

Have a great week and hang in there.

- Frank

On the road to recovery

This has been a big week for me. I continue to try and stretch myself to some new accomplishment, Yesterday afternoon, I participated in Jason and Monica Myers wedding. He asked me to perform the ceremony a while back, but I couldn't accept the responsibility. Glad I didn't - I would have never made it. I got a very good friend to do it who did a wonderful job. However, they all insisted that if I could make it, I should participate in some way. I did the readings. A stretch, but doable. I'm learning to make better use of my wheelchair. Got some great pictures which I'll share in a future blog. I kept wondering why I was stepping on the back of my suit pants - then I realized that the last time I wore it I was 6.1 - now Im 5.7 - it does make a difference.

I also went to the Zoo with the grandkids. My daughter, Tara, her husband, Jim, and kids, Kellan and Zoe Brooklyn, are moving to CO. They have hung out here for over a year now becoming a very big part of my recovery and providing the stuff that motivation is made of; it will be a sad day for all when next Jan or Feb they take off. Healing has a lot of side effects.

I'm about 85% finished writing my book about these last few months. I'm calling it, My Cancer - Personal Ownership.

I'm sort of tired of writing about myself. I'm beginning to sound like an old broken record. Would you please write me on the blog and tell me what has been happening in your life this past year - I had hoped that's what I would see here - you need not sign it - perhaps just a quick down and dirty incident report on your journey. You know you've gotten older.

- Frank