Mammogram

Mammogram was perfect! I passed the test. In 6 months I will repeat the process on both breasts, today was just the left one where the most recent surgery was. Yeahh..

Tests for both of us tomorrow

Tomorrow is a day of tests for both Barry and myself. I go in the morning for six months follow-up mammogram. Time to squash the boobs as tight as they can be! Hopefully it will be an uneventful appointment. And Barry goes in the afternoon for a MUGA heart scan. His heart scan is done every other chemo treatment which can show any damage that is being done to the heart as a result of it. His 5th chemoemobization treatment is next Friday Oct. 6th. Normally they are on Tuesdays, but his doctor is unavailable on the 10th so he's having it earlier. Works out better for me since I will only miss one day of work.

Tim plays Varsity

This evening Tim played his first Varsity soccer game after being asked to by his coach. First he played the JV game, followed by the Varsity game. I don't know where kids get their energy. You would never have known he had already played a game. Earlier in the season he had been placed in the Varsity roster, but was eventually taken off of it before the season actually began. Tim never had an attitude about that. He took it with his head held high and in fact I think that made him play even better with the JV team. I wasn't sure how he would do with the new team, or even how much time he would play. He played as if he had been playing with the team, and of course these are all boys that are friends of him anyway. Both teams did lose to this school, but as I've always told Tim: if you have played your best that is what counts.
As I walked away from the school with Tim, the coach commented that "Tim stepped up and it showed in his game tonight." We don't actually know what team he is on, only know that Tim likes to play soccer!
As I drove home from the games (Tim went with the team for Wendy's), I couldn't help but think of Tim. Here's a kid who has both parents dealing with cancer, gets put on and off a Varsity soccer team, doesn't complain but makes the best of the situation or does even better to prove that he can play a good game. I think I can learn something from him. And I must admit I shed a few tears, good tears because I am so proud of him.

On another note, I've just learned tonight that another member of my family has been diagnosed with skin cancer. My brother-in-law Roger. And just last week, my father was also diagnosed with skin cancer. I don't know about you, but I'm damn sick of this disease. A friend of mine was being examined/tested today for a lump in her breast. I can only pray for a positive outcome. Every where you go, another story is told. I have a friend whose sister has just been diagnosed with breast cancer. I feel blessed that my friend asks me for information, how I felt after the surgery and just all the stuff that goes with it. If I can help others, like others helped me, then something good does come from something bad.

Bills vs. Jets.

The Bills did lose 28-20, but you know to us that didn't matter. For us it's all about friendship. We've followed Mel Jr. since he was in College at Maryland. But no one has followed him more than his parents. They go to EVERY game, no matter what part of the country he plays. They have seen every game he has been in, from school days to the NFL. You couldn't ask for a nicer family. We are always treated like family when we go see a game. Truly nice people. A long and enjoyable day. The pictures can only show a small sampling of the good time we had today.

Go Mel Jr. and thanks.

One of the treats with going with the Fowlers is being able to see players after the game. Even the opposing team. Everyone seems to know each other

  

Look closely at this picture. Mel Jr. will always take the time to sign autographs. These people were about the last ones in the lot.

  

We were so pleased to see Mel Jr. once again.

  

We follow the player, Mel Jr. Wherever he may play...

  

#67 is Mel Jr. As you can see, many people had left stadium since they were losing..

  

Glad we had ponchos. Even though it never poured, it was heavy mist and very windy as you can see.

  

Mel is the center for the Bills.

  

Buffalo Bills vs Jets 9-24-06

  

Weekend events

Tomorrow we head to Buffalo to see the Bills vs. Jets game. But as Tim says, we're going to watch Mel Jr. play. He is the center for the Bills and we will be going to see him and his family. Should be a good time. Just hope that the rain stays away. Weather is one thing you can't predict. Will be as prepared as possible.

This evening we went to see Tim play soccer. I like the weekend games as it allows Barry to also see them. Am very proud of Tim this year (as I have been other years). It seems that every year the kids become so much better. He's been getting a good amount of goals, the skill level improves with each game. The rain did hold off for most of the game. Just a few sprinkles, otherwise nice evening for game.

Well, time to get my things together for the big game tomorrow. Been a couple of years since we saw Mel play. Last year he was in Minnesota, too far for us to travel!

Marching band show

This evening I was able to chaperone Tim's band to a local marching band presentation. It consisted of about 7 local bands. The bus left the school at 5:30 p.m. and we got home at about 10:15 p.m. A long but enjoyable evening. I must say, and it's not because I'm biased, that our band was one of the best. The kids practice many hours during the summer with the guidance of their music teacher. And it does show. It was one of the first outings I have chaperoned this year. Afterwards, I helped put away all the band members uniforms and hats. Lots of them!

It's now 11 p.m. and Tim is still on his first subject of homework. Of all nights, he has a lot to do. And now just getting to it. A busy day for him, since he had soccer practice right after school and then off to the band outing.

Geez, another week has ended

It's a Friday night and I'm not at a football game. Barry had to work, and I decided to stay put. Took the time to file away about 3 months of receipts that have been piling up on my stairs. and did some vacuuming/laundry. Tim did go to play in the band.

This has been a very dreary week weatherwise. Lots of misty rain, very little sun.
Have heard perhaps the sun will shine this weekend. Most of the week consisted of Tim having either soccer practices or a game. Very busy.

Today Tim chaperoned a 4th grade class camping trip. He was funny when he told me about the kids. He said that they had lots of energy! Even mentioned that he himself felt old compared to them... Did enjoy himself and having the opportunity to do so.

My new job is getting a little better. Still enjoy not having to hear the phone ring all the time. Am kept busy ALL day, just enough time to go to the bathroom. I do enjoy the job, just need to become more comfortable at it. The department presently consists of a manager, 3 other ladies and myself. Looking to hire another position like mine. There is just one person who has come across negative towards me, but I am hoping this will change. Just has the attitude that I should "speed it up", but I am doing the fastest I can do. Not at the comfort level for speed. I am not quite sure why she has this attitude but I will just continue to do the best I can. Heck, I am a friendly person! God just likes to give me stumbling blocks to overcome.

Did hear from Barry's doctor's office. It looks like he will continue with the 8 week course of chemo. There had been some mention of taking off a couple of weeks. But the way I look at it, keep the chemo going and fight back. As soon as I get definite date of treatment I will make reservation for the Family Home to stay there.

Weekend events

Last night was football and another chance to socialize. The football team won 49-0. When the score is so one sided, it's not that fun to watch. Our team did allow the 2nd and 3rd string of players to play which was good. We do enjoy watching and listening to the band.

And today Tim had his second soccer game. They lost 2-0, the same score as the Varsity team had. Each season you can see such a change in the way the kids play. Tim is much more focused this year, and his speed has picked up. It's fun to watch them play.

As for tomorrow, I think I heard Tim's going to play racquetball again. No shortage of activities here. As for me, lawn duty calls.

New job

Today the manager of my new department met with me, the other new girl and the woman who is teaching us the job. Wanted to know how we stood with the training process. I gave my honest opinion that the process takes a long time and involves many steps just to verify a currency transaction report. Even though I did these CTRs a couple of years ago, the process had changed dramatically by a new software program. And quite honestly, it takes me awhile to do this job. The other new girl (about 1/2 my age) seems to have a better grasp on picking it up. I'm one that learns best my having some kind of procedure to follow, and this job does not have such a luxury. It's hard to explain the process, so I won't even try. Will just say this, you have to research what is on our computer system and match it with the CTR. The problem is finding the information. I wonder if perhaps others are really not verifying the information, and just assuming it is there. Heck, it's only been a couple of weeks. But it seems that the manager is expecting me to learn this quickly. Wants the trainee to be able to go on and do other jobs, but still be able to answer questions. I consider myself a smart person, and am trying not to doubt myself. I've been told in the past that I don't give myself credit, and I'm just going to keep those words in my head. Do what I can, and do a good job. Hopefully the speed will come in due time.

Our first pig roast

Today we went to our first pig roast. It was our friend's 40th birthday party, plus a celebration of her getting a masters degree. There was so much food there. I didn't think I would actually eat the pork but I did, and I enjoyed it. Delicious. They cooked two pics, each weighed about 45 lbs. Considering all the rain we've had recently, it was a nice day. They had postponed it from yesterday due to the bad weather. It was great being with so many friends, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Today was just another reason why I love this country. Previously we never had been sociable, but here there is just something special. I can't explain it.

Friends are special...

There is nothing better than friends.

  

Kids enjoying a plastic duck race on the local creek.

  

God's country.

  

Barry and me. What a body!

  

These men were the chefs for the day.

  

I thought this was a good picture. Dog looking at the roasted pigs.

  

My first pig roast!