Contest continued

Here are the other options:


Telly Savalas

Yul Brenner

Sigourney Weaver

LET THE VOTING BEGIN!!

Photo Look-a-like vote

OK...the time has come. This requires everyone who reads this blog to participate and cast your vote! You, the voters, get to decide who looks the most like Dad, or who Dad looks like the most. All the photos would not fit on this post, so I'll continue the photos on another post.



The star



Daddy Warbucks


Dr. Evil

Gandhi

Mr. Clean

Thursday update

Dad is currently receiving his 3rd chemo treatment now and is doing fine. He's been dozing most of the morning...the benedryl must have been extra strong today! He's had his lunch and the doctor just came by and said they would do another CT scan after the next treatment in 3 more weeks to assess the progress. Sara came over to visit on her extended lunch break so that helped pass some time, too. Guess that's it for now. He's doing great!

Chemo Update

Well...since mom hasn't updated this on here yet today, I thought I'd give one.

I went to visit over my lunch hour and dad was doing great! His bloodwork came back really good this morning, too! But I guess there was some delay in getting the chemo started so he was still a bit googly-eyed from the Benedryl when I was there, but in good spirits!

That's really all of an update I have to give you! Hopefully mom will remember to post more on here later this afternoon! :-)

Thursday update

Last Thursday Dad had blood work done and it was very good. All looks well for this upcoming Thursday and his 3rd chemo treatment. His hemoglobin was a bit low so we're loading him up on fresh spinach, raisins, red meat, and all that good stuff. So again he's going into the next treatment very strong and with a very positive attitude. He had a great Father's Day thanks to all the calls from you kids. He especially liked hearing the story of Delia on the airplane when she and Darcy were returning from Florida this morning. When the flight attendant came up to Delia and said "hi", Delia replied back "I'd like some apple juice"!!! Now that's one world- traveling savvy little girl!!!
I'll keep you all posted this Thursday when Dad has his next chemo treatment.

Anniversary thanks

Thank you to everyone who sent anniversary wishes and phoned us...we really appreciate that! We had a great day today...we drove to Nebraska City and then across into Iowa to Wobansie State Park for a picnic (as seen in the photo). We were at this exact place 36 years ago before we were engaged. I was trying to impress Dad with my cooking so at that time I made fried chicken and potato salad for our picnic at this park. When we got there, the chicken was under cooked (pink) and the potato salad was under cooked (crunchy). At the time, Dad didn't say anything, but years later when he told the story he said that even though things were not cooked, he still married me! Well, 36 years later we returned and I made fried chicken and potato salad and I redeemed myself!! We had a nice day...took a hike around the Lied Lodge and had an iced tea on the veranda and reminisced about our 35 years. We were sad to miss our favorite spot in the world...Salt Spring...but by a miracle, Salt Spring came to us today. When we arrived home, we found in the mailbox a package from our dear friends, Sharon & Bob Brewer from Salt Spring...and in it was Sharon's wonderful homemade granola that she always has for us in the cottage on the island! Also in the box were other wonderful treats and something so wonderful...some shells and sea glass that she found the day before she mailed the package. That was such a treat to have this wonderful part of Salt Spring come to us. Sharon, if you're reading this...you are so special! That made our day! And what great timing!!

35 Years!

Happy 35th Anniversary Mom & Dad!!!

I know Nebraska City doesn't exactly compare to Salt Spring Island...but I hope you're having fun!!

Blog Posting Troubleshooting/Tutorial

Are you having trouble posting on the blog? Are you lurking and don't know how to post?

We've got answers!

For whatever reason, sometimes the posting can get temperamental. I've found that whenever an error message comes up you can just post it again and usually it goes through that second time.

If you still have problems...it's best to make sure that you are signed into blogger (using your gmail account).

Up in the right-hand corner there will be a Sign-in link
click that and type in your gmail account information.
It will take you to your "dashboard" and you can just click on "View Blog" next to the Go, Grandpa, Go one.

If, for whatever reason, that still won't let you post....you can also choose to post a different way:

Under the comment posting box...there is a drop down list labeled "Comment as:"
Select Name/URL and just type in your name (you can leave the URL blank)

For all you lurkers out there...don't hesitate to comment! If you have a gmail account, you can just use the sign-in on the blog and put in your information. If not, as i said above, you can just "comment as:" Name/URL and type in your name!

If you have any questions or still are having problems let me know! We'll try to get them sorted out!

Grandpa sez

Matt I have been very wary of my excursions in the sun. I think if I did burn I would certainly look like a tomatohead.
Shanna 3 cheers for Amgen. That neulasta works like a charm. This time I never got the backache that I did with the first one.

Friday Update

Dad had blood work done today and everything looked really good...white blood count normal...hemoglobin normal...so that's really good! He's feeling great and headed back to work this morning. Just wanted to let you all know

Bad-ass with class!

Well, Dad came home from work today and he just looked so sharp that I had to take his picture! He's doing fine...no complaints at all. Today was his last day of the mega-dose of prednisone so that's good (although Sara was quite amused by his antics while on them!). He goes in for blood work on Thursday and I'll post an update then.

Steroids and Business plans

I was telling mom about this plan I had to develope a multiple jet engine model Test Cell facility while we were at the doctors office and wasn't sure when I would get the opportunity to present the idea to upper management. We finished at the doctors office and went home and I relaxed for a few minutes to get my thoughts in order and then went to work about 10:30. Sold about $60,000 worth of parts and ate lunch. About 2:00 I got a call from Aaron the president to say he had some time available to talk and I'm sure he was wondering what was on my head this time. I had prepped Jon the head of engine service sales a few days earlier and asked him to attend.

Aaron's thought about Test Cell construction has been a constant over the years and that is that he would never build one unless we became a complete overhaul facility for a specific engine.

I had my chance to explain my thought on the sensible way to proceed in a minimalist plan with expansion provisions.

Aaron who is a very bright man saw the light almost immediately. He gave us permission to pull together the finacial study for construction. Jon has been pursuing a test cell (though not this concept) for 10 years atleast and through boom times and was never able to get to square one. He just did not know how and what to present it.

Aaron told me at the end of the meeting that no one had ever explained the need and the sensible approach with vision the way I had articulated it.

Those Steroids are amazing stuff.

Friday update

Dad is doing great today. He's fairly hopped up on prednisone...very large amounts but at least it's for 5 days only! Prednisone is a steroid...so Matt, he may be as close as he gets to fitting his new persona...hopefully he won't pick a fight at work today! And yes, he went to work today and is actually proposing a new business development to one of the big guys there. I hope it goes well....prednisone, loaded with chemicals, bald and badass....hmmmm...this could be interesting!
Last night he decided it was time to shave his head (as you can see by the pictures). We were concerned that Delia might not recognize him with a shaved head so along with Andy & Darcy's approval, we shaved his head in front of Delia...on the webcam. She was pretty intent on watching the whole thing...even though she was also very focused on trying on her new big-girl undies. Darcy requested that I shave it first into a mohawk...or as Dad called it a "chemohawk"! Of course that was followed by something about Chemo-sabe and for a moment I thought Andy and Dad would take off on a pun tirade...but it was mercifully thwarted by my continuing to shave Dad's head. So after that was all done, Darcy cut off one of Delia's locks (she hasn't had a formal haircut yet) and handed the hair to her. Delia looked at it, threw it on the floor and said "Go Delia Go!!". Well, Grandpa laughed so hard he inhaled some of the flying hair in the room!! The evening came to a sweet end when Delia gave Grandpa a big hug (that's when she goes to the tv screen where their webcam is hooked up and opens her arms for a hug around Grandpa on the screen...and you thought you knew what virtual reality was!). She then followed that up with blowing Grandpa kisses. Needless to say, that was the perfect way to end a full day of chemo and having your head shaved! So this morning we went back to the oncologist's and Dad got the usual Neulasta shot which will help boost up his white blood cells again in about a week. Then he came home and relaxed for a bit and then took off for work, undaunted, with his bald head and sunglasses. He was ready to take on the world today!

He is the egg man

I think dad looks totally badass!! What do you all think??!

A picture of dad getting chemo and actually smiling like a photogenic person!



-- Post From My iPhone

Chemo today

Dad got rave reviews for his blood work today...his white blood cell count and his hemoglobin "couldn't be better" according to the doctor! So he definitely was ready and strong for today. The other good news is that they don't need to do blood work for the next 3 days like they did the last time. And all he needs to do from now on is come here once a week to have the dressing changed (at the picc line site) and have blood work done...he doesn't have to see the doctor again...at least until the chemo sessions are done. Other than that, he comes in every 3 weeks for the chemo. He does have to come in tomorrow for that shot that stimulates the white blood cell count. He is currently getting the chemo right now and doing fine. He has slept most of the morning because of the benadryl they gave him...that stuff really knocks him out! So while he was napping, I changed into my running clothes and walked around Holmes Lake which is right across the street...I did a 2 mile hike so got that in for the day. The only mishap of the morning was when I emerged from the restroom and walked through the chemo ward...and then discovered I had my running pants on inside out! And I thought I was stylin'!! Then about half way through my walk, I discovered the tag of my shirt was sticking out (usually Leo finds these and tucks them in!)...the good part is that the tag says "MED"...so that's alright with me if it's sticking out! Sara recently came over on her extended lunch break and is visiting with Dad. They both are eating their lunch. Dad's hair is still coming out...he says he's shedding worse than the cat at work! We'll be buzzing it either tonight or tomorrow. So that's it from here...Dad is feeling and doing great!

Solidarity announcement

So Sara has inspired me...with her amazing committment to raise $4,300 for the lymphoma/lukemia foundation and then participate in a 100 mile bike ride in October. That takes some major guts! Then she tells me that I might be interested in another part of the Team In Training (the fundraising for Lymphoma/Lukemia and personal training for an event)...walking. Well, here's the deal...I don't walk. I swim & do water aerobics and a circuit exercise program...but my knees are not fantastic....BUT...I checked it out and went to the informational meeting ...and before I knew it (that translates into "I lost my mind") I signed up for it. So I also will be doing fundraising...not as much as Sara...mine is just $1,800...and then I will participate in a 26 mile marathon in Des Moines, Iowa in October. I can tell you I won't be running it...I will be walking it. So I've started my training...for about 10 days now. I am the only walker in Lincoln (the rest are runners) and I have about an extra 30 years on everyone else...but whatever. I have a training coach (and got some further good coaching information from John Ash!) and I have a schedule that at this point includes walking 2-3 miles a day ...5 days a week....soon to be bumped up to 4 miles....and then much more. I got new running shoes, non-cotton socks that wick up moisture, lycra capri pants, a nifty waistband with 2 water bottles on each hip and a pocket to carry my ID and a cell phone, a training shirt, and most amazing...a training...oh, I mean a sports bra. Now the latter was the only unpleasant item to purchase (other than the price of all of the above!). The first attempt at trying on sports bras ended up getting caught in one...and never actually getting one over my shoulders...and...it ended up calling Sara on the cell phone to ask her how in the hell I was supposed to get into one of these things...was I supposed to step into it???...because it was NOT going much past my head! Needless to say, Sara was hysterical! It took a second trip to actually find one (the first attempt had ended with a full blown cardio work out...and I didn't even need to leave the dressing room!). Anyway...I'm now all decked out and stylin'. My routine includes talking myself into going out to walk, really enjoying the walk itself, and then coming home each time and blasting down 3 ibuprofen and a big glass of water and loading up 2 bags of ice and icing my knees. This, hopefully is a temporary fix until I gain more strength in my knees. I've just started doing some leg weight training (thanks for the suggestion, John!) so hopefully that will make a difference. The bike trails here are fantastic for walking and I am really enjoying that. I use a very cool website to map out my walks to determine distances...so I can start wherever I want for the day and go until I hit my mark. Sara is doing incredible with her training...she rode 31 miles on Saturday...and usually rides 8-10 miles on a given evening. I'll keep you all posted as to my adventures with this. So, Leo, this is for you...solidarity to Leo!!

Tuesday update

Dad continues to feel good and strong and is ready for the next round of chemo on Thursday. He went to the surgeon that did the lymph node removal and that has healed up nicely...so he gets to take the steri-strips off. It turns out he could have taken them off sooner, but we didn't know...but it's good and healed now. Dad's hair has started to fall out...just yesterday. They seemed to be surprised that it hadn't started to fall out before last Thursday when we were in to see the doctor, but the nurse practioner thought it would for sure by the next chemo. I went to the store today and bought a hair buzzer so it's ready to go when Dad says to. It will probably be within a day or two I would guess. Dad's fine with it. Sara thinks he should start wearing his sunglasses with the new style. We'll keep you posted. This time for chemo Dad is planning on taking his laptop and doing some work while having the treatment. We go in this Thursday at 8:20. They do the blood work first and then will start the chemo a bit before 9:00. I'll try to get online there and send off an email to let you all know how he's doing. I may even try to post something on this site. Keep sending those positive thoughts....they really help!