Saturday, August 17, 2013
Beach Trip August 2013
Cannon Beach has always been one of our favorite places to visit. Our visit here this weekend holds special significance. I never thought we would be here--together--ever again. After all, we were divorced in mid May! I'm feeling especially grateful today for being married (again) to the love of my life. Life is good; God is great.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Quite a week
This is actually the first time I have posted anything to a Blog, so be patient with me. Honestly, it feels kind of weird to write about myself, Believe it or not, I don't like attention, and writing seems to be asking for it!
So here is an update of the last week or so. The last couple weeks I have been more tired than previously. Not surprising as fatigue is a common side effect of both radiation and chemo. Last Wednesday was a bad day. Staarted out good. I showed up for half of the district administrators meeting, and it was nice to see everyone. But then things turned south. Headaches and vomiting. Kind of scary as that's what was going on for my first trip to the ER back in June. Now that I think about it, that was also the same day as an administrator's meeting! Now things are starting to make sense. (Smiley Face!) So back to the ER we went. Got some IV fluids, pain medication and anti-nausea medication and felt better pretty quickly. Finding a balance of steroids seems to be the tricky part of this drug cocktail. The steroids make it hard to sleep at night (I seem to have no problem at all falling asleep in a comfortable chair)! But they also keep headaches under control. I think we are getting closer to that balance. Most of my headaches are dull aches behind the eyes kind of in the back ground. Those have been much better. I'm a little wobbly but other than that feeling pretty good. I get restless and need to get up and walk once in a while. Been riding my bike a little, especially enjoying rides when Kelley is right there with me!
Emotionally it's been a mix. Lately I've come face to face with some of my limitations, and that's been hard. Biking, Driving, running, reading, doing my job, for examples.
Last Saturday, Noah, Kelley, Noah's friend Jesse and I went to the Tillamook County Fair. The Andersons, Kuenzis and Zenchenkos weren't too embarrassed to sit by us!.
We had a good time at the horse races, even came out a few dollars ahead. Of course, the Pig N' Ford Races were entertaining, too. It's an annual event!
Yesterday I finished 33 days of radiation treatments. Nice to have that over with. Not exactly sure what's next, although I think I'm getting a short break from radiation and chemo, then it will be chemo only for a while. If you're looking for details, you're going to have to wait because I don't think the docs know them yet.
This weekend Kelley and I are celebrating the end of radiation with a trip to Cannon Beach.
I've been working a little bit via email from home.
Thanks for your continuing thoughts and prayers. There is tons of evidence that they are working!
So here is an update of the last week or so. The last couple weeks I have been more tired than previously. Not surprising as fatigue is a common side effect of both radiation and chemo. Last Wednesday was a bad day. Staarted out good. I showed up for half of the district administrators meeting, and it was nice to see everyone. But then things turned south. Headaches and vomiting. Kind of scary as that's what was going on for my first trip to the ER back in June. Now that I think about it, that was also the same day as an administrator's meeting! Now things are starting to make sense. (Smiley Face!) So back to the ER we went. Got some IV fluids, pain medication and anti-nausea medication and felt better pretty quickly. Finding a balance of steroids seems to be the tricky part of this drug cocktail. The steroids make it hard to sleep at night (I seem to have no problem at all falling asleep in a comfortable chair)! But they also keep headaches under control. I think we are getting closer to that balance. Most of my headaches are dull aches behind the eyes kind of in the back ground. Those have been much better. I'm a little wobbly but other than that feeling pretty good. I get restless and need to get up and walk once in a while. Been riding my bike a little, especially enjoying rides when Kelley is right there with me!
Emotionally it's been a mix. Lately I've come face to face with some of my limitations, and that's been hard. Biking, Driving, running, reading, doing my job, for examples.
Last Saturday, Noah, Kelley, Noah's friend Jesse and I went to the Tillamook County Fair. The Andersons, Kuenzis and Zenchenkos weren't too embarrassed to sit by us!.
Yesterday I finished 33 days of radiation treatments. Nice to have that over with. Not exactly sure what's next, although I think I'm getting a short break from radiation and chemo, then it will be chemo only for a while. If you're looking for details, you're going to have to wait because I don't think the docs know them yet.
This weekend Kelley and I are celebrating the end of radiation with a trip to Cannon Beach.
I've been working a little bit via email from home.
Thanks for your continuing thoughts and prayers. There is tons of evidence that they are working!
Friday, August 2, 2013
Our Story ( a link to Our Town article)
Thank you Kristine Thomas for the article written for the Silverton Our Town newspaper. Here's a link to our story:
http://ourtownlive.com/ourtown/?p=3824
Sincerely,
Mark & Kelley
http://ourtownlive.com/ourtown/?p=3824
Sincerely,
Mark & Kelley
Saturday, July 20, 2013
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| A beautiful celebration. |
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| The best hug ever! |
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Mark & Kelley's Wedding Info
July 6 / 7pm / 285 SW 3rd Street / Canby
We are getting remarried! Those who know our story, know how difficult these past few years have been. We could have never anticipated this most recent turn of events, but we are determined and committed to spend our lives together. We have always been surrounded by family and friends who love and care for us. Those of you who can offer support, encouragement and a dose of laughter are invited to attend.
Bring: 1) A dessert or appetizer to share, 2) picnic blanket or folding chair
We are getting remarried! Those who know our story, know how difficult these past few years have been. We could have never anticipated this most recent turn of events, but we are determined and committed to spend our lives together. We have always been surrounded by family and friends who love and care for us. Those of you who can offer support, encouragement and a dose of laughter are invited to attend.
Bring: 1) A dessert or appetizer to share, 2) picnic blanket or folding chair
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Sunny Days. . .
the title of this blog may seem to most to be a contradiction when you consider the diagnosis that Mark's been given. We talked about what we should call this blog. Mark didn't hesitate when he came up with the name. He is very happy right now. The sun is shining, it's summertime and he is surrounded by people he loves.
Also, the blog address: 6andahalfwrecks is significant. Our email address used to be 5wrecks (Mark, Kelley, Tyler, Keenan & Noah). . . we've added a daughter-in-law to our family and she & Keenan are expecting in September (baby is the 1/2!).
the title of this blog may seem to most to be a contradiction when you consider the diagnosis that Mark's been given. We talked about what we should call this blog. Mark didn't hesitate when he came up with the name. He is very happy right now. The sun is shining, it's summertime and he is surrounded by people he loves.
Also, the blog address: 6andahalfwrecks is significant. Our email address used to be 5wrecks (Mark, Kelley, Tyler, Keenan & Noah). . . we've added a daughter-in-law to our family and she & Keenan are expecting in September (baby is the 1/2!).
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Practical ways you can help:
1) Sign up to bring a meal.
Visit: www.takethemameal.com
Password: green11
2) Yardwork: mowing the lawn, weeding the flower beds, trimming hedges, bushes and all sorts of living things. Mark takes great pride in his yard and we would like for him to enjoy it this summer without feeling stressed and worrying about how much there is to do. Contact Keenan (503.853.5355), Tyler (971.322.9467) or Kelley (503.936.5128) if this is something you would like to help with.
3) Taking Noah to his job site(s). This could be to Tualatin or Portland or Hillsboro. He is working with a carpenter-craftsman this summer at various sites in/around Portland. Call Kelley if you can help with this.
1) Sign up to bring a meal.
Visit: www.takethemameal.com
Password: green11
2) Yardwork: mowing the lawn, weeding the flower beds, trimming hedges, bushes and all sorts of living things. Mark takes great pride in his yard and we would like for him to enjoy it this summer without feeling stressed and worrying about how much there is to do. Contact Keenan (503.853.5355), Tyler (971.322.9467) or Kelley (503.936.5128) if this is something you would like to help with.
3) Taking Noah to his job site(s). This could be to Tualatin or Portland or Hillsboro. He is working with a carpenter-craftsman this summer at various sites in/around Portland. Call Kelley if you can help with this.
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