Since the beginning of this school year, our days have been somewhat stressful. Dennis found out he had colon cancer, and so began his (our)journey of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Radiation and the first round of chemo were over in October, and Dennis got a break for several weeks. Then, right before Parker came home for Christmas heavier doses of chemo were started: one by IV through a port and one by pills. These final treatments last a week, and then Dennis is given a week of rest before another begins. They will last through May. Thus, June is our relief month.
For the most part, Dennis has not been sick through the treatments, but he has been extremely tired. Because he is unable to sleep, even with the help of medicine, he is even more exhausted. He is trying to continue working, not because he has to, but because of his students. Lately, however, it is becoming almost impossible, so he is trying to decide what to do. He has waited too late to bank his days because the city system allows this only at three times during the year. (I do not understand this, but it is a rule.) He could take a leave, but that may mean that his students will not have a math teacher for the rest of the year. There is a retired math teacher who originally told Dennis that he would help when he was out, but that hasn't worked out. So, not only is he stressed over not sleeping and being too tired, he is now stressed over his students not having a teacher for the rest of the year--before end of year testing.
I hate to wish our life away, but we are both looking forward to June when he will be through with the treatments, and our life will get back to normal. All of his blood work has been good, so we are confident that we are zapping any cancer cells that may have remained with these treatments.
Throughout this experience there have been many bright spots: friends sharing their experiences, making new friends who are going through similar experiences, hearing from friends via cards and calls, students who understand you are sick and behave, and family: brothers, sisters, in-laws, nieces, children, grandchild. Libby can certainly bring a smile to "Coach's" face no matter how tired he is!
J-U-N-E......bring it on!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Snow Skeptics
Every year when snow is forcasted, Dennis makes sure that we all know there will be no snow. So, when the Tuscaloosa County School System's million dollar weather computer predicted anywhere from 2 to 7 inches in Tuscaloosa, Dennis was the first to contradict the prediction. And, even though they were 95% sure that this event would happen, Dennis was still skeptical. So, when it began snowing Sunday afternoon (and it was beautiful when it first began), I started getting excited and disappointed at the same time. I wanted to see Libby with the snow, but I didn't want to take a weather day this close to Christmas holidays. The worst case scenario was the result: Libby would have to play in ice not snow, and we missed a day of work and will have to make it up in April. Needless to say, Libby did not play in the ice, and we missed worked.
Below are some pictures of our house and yard. We did get a little snow but nothing near what was predicted.
If you'll look close at the front door, you'll see Roe, as in Marilyn Monroe, peeping out the front door. She is the little white spot on the porch. She absolutely refused to go outside to do her business. Dennis finally had to carry her out and not let her back in until she did.
Here is a closer view:
We've had a good many birds at our bird feeders, but the bird baths were frozen over.
Last year when the weather got into the zeroes, the fountain on our pool froze. It was not quite cold enough to freeze this week.
Here's hoping that if we are out of school for another snow day it will be a true snow day!
Below are some pictures of our house and yard. We did get a little snow but nothing near what was predicted.
If you'll look close at the front door, you'll see Roe, as in Marilyn Monroe, peeping out the front door. She is the little white spot on the porch. She absolutely refused to go outside to do her business. Dennis finally had to carry her out and not let her back in until she did.
Here is a closer view:
We've had a good many birds at our bird feeders, but the bird baths were frozen over.
Last year when the weather got into the zeroes, the fountain on our pool froze. It was not quite cold enough to freeze this week.
Here's hoping that if we are out of school for another snow day it will be a true snow day!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Windle Christmas
Our final round of Christmas took place at Emily and Buddy's home on Monday, December 27. Usually, we forgo turkey and dressing for spaghetti, but since Parker was home, we decided to do turkey and dressing with all the "fixins". While this is a Windle family Christmas celebration, extended family members are also included, so it makes for a merry bunch. We thought everyone but Leigh Ann would be able to come, but Ann was sick, so Ralph, Jr. stayed home with her. Because they did not come, Nell did not come either. (Leigh Ann remarried and is living in England.)
The usual gathering place for the younger generation is the stairway. Here they catch up on the past year as most of them see each other only at Christmas and sometimes on Thanksgiving. For Parker it was a three year catch up.
As usual, we had more than enough to eat, and Emily had a place for all of us to sit. She goes all out with Christmas china, silverware, glasses, etc. It is part of our holiday tradition. This year Dennis and I got to sit at the big table (where the "older" folks sit) since Ralph, Ann, and Nell were not there.
The kids are in the living room at card tables which Emily had also decorated with the works.
Libby was the newest addition to our family, and I guess the next generation. She had a wonderful time entertaining everyone, but when it came nap time, it was hard to find a quiet place. Savannah went upstairs where there was a rocker, but she decided the antique rocker was too fragile for her and Libby. So, she sat at the top of the stairs and "rocked" her to sleep.
After eating, we all settled in the living room and eyed the Dirty Santa gifts. For some reason, Buddy always chooses the best gifts and fusses about each one. He picked an iTunes card which was stolen, a Tervis Alabama glass which was stolen, and a beautiful Alabama throw which was stolen. He ended up with house shoes which he stole from someone else. Dennis picked an oven liner early in the game (you can imagine how much he was looking forward to using it). Sweet Amy eventually stole it from him claiming that she really wanted it (really?), so Dennis was able to steal a tool set from Keith. Dirty Santa is always so much fun, and we never know what will be in the pile of gifts. I think this year was one of our best.
Another year has come and gone. There has been an addition to our family and some serious health issues. Whatever the situation, we know that the Lord has his hand on us. We are looking forward to the wonderful things that He has for our family this year and are praying that Parker coming home for good in October is on the list.
The usual gathering place for the younger generation is the stairway. Here they catch up on the past year as most of them see each other only at Christmas and sometimes on Thanksgiving. For Parker it was a three year catch up.
As usual, we had more than enough to eat, and Emily had a place for all of us to sit. She goes all out with Christmas china, silverware, glasses, etc. It is part of our holiday tradition. This year Dennis and I got to sit at the big table (where the "older" folks sit) since Ralph, Ann, and Nell were not there.
The kids are in the living room at card tables which Emily had also decorated with the works.
Libby was the newest addition to our family, and I guess the next generation. She had a wonderful time entertaining everyone, but when it came nap time, it was hard to find a quiet place. Savannah went upstairs where there was a rocker, but she decided the antique rocker was too fragile for her and Libby. So, she sat at the top of the stairs and "rocked" her to sleep.
After eating, we all settled in the living room and eyed the Dirty Santa gifts. For some reason, Buddy always chooses the best gifts and fusses about each one. He picked an iTunes card which was stolen, a Tervis Alabama glass which was stolen, and a beautiful Alabama throw which was stolen. He ended up with house shoes which he stole from someone else. Dennis picked an oven liner early in the game (you can imagine how much he was looking forward to using it). Sweet Amy eventually stole it from him claiming that she really wanted it (really?), so Dennis was able to steal a tool set from Keith. Dirty Santa is always so much fun, and we never know what will be in the pile of gifts. I think this year was one of our best.
Another year has come and gone. There has been an addition to our family and some serious health issues. Whatever the situation, we know that the Lord has his hand on us. We are looking forward to the wonderful things that He has for our family this year and are praying that Parker coming home for good in October is on the list.
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