As New Year's Eve is upon us, I supposed it would be best to say that this year has certainly been full of surprises. While on the health front it has been a messed up year, I am very lucky to have such a successful business and such a great family life and friendships. I will have to say that 2006 has been a success overall.
I know that life gives you things sometimes that people think they can not handle, but I am her to tell you that anyone can handle it. I want my daughter to know that her daddy always handled things with a great attitude, whether I am here to tell her or not.
I hope that everyone has a great 2007. The Johnson's hope that 2007 brings joy and happiness to you and to yours....
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Today I was sick with a head cold so I had to miss Christmas with my dad in Hendersonville. Christi and Addi went so we were represented, but I was pretty sad since I do not get to see my dad a lot. Christi and Addi said it was a lot of fun. I will get up there soon.
Latest donors to Addi's Cure:
Lindsey Tidrick
Walker and Candace Ham (2)
Rosalyn Proctor
When I go back to Duke on Jan 3, I will present them with a check for Addi's Cure own source code. What this means is that we will know exactly what the money is going for, and I can report back to you what your dollars are doing.
I hope everyone had a happy holiday and spent a lot of time with friends and family.
Latest donors to Addi's Cure:
Lindsey Tidrick
Walker and Candace Ham (2)
Rosalyn Proctor
When I go back to Duke on Jan 3, I will present them with a check for Addi's Cure own source code. What this means is that we will know exactly what the money is going for, and I can report back to you what your dollars are doing.
I hope everyone had a happy holiday and spent a lot of time with friends and family.
Monday, December 25, 2006
Today was a great day. I got to spend Christmas with Addi and Christi. We woke up and let Addi play with her present, then we went to church. When we came back, Christi fixed turkey, stuffing, corn on the cob, green beans, and pumpkin pie. Jo and Bill came over with Tracia and Aunt Bobbie. We all are and had a great time.
Last night, we spent time at Moms and Bill's house. We always do Christmas eve there, at least when I was growing up. Since Christi and I got married, we did Christmas sometimes in Kansas. When Addi was born, we decided that it was important for Addi to wake up at her house for Christmas. That is why we went to Kansas earlier.
Caroline and Mike moved into their new house. It is really nice and they did a great job in picking out stuff.
Tomorrow we are going to go to my dad's for a little while to see Papa and Dad. Then we will head to Lee Bradly's.
I wanted to say a big thank you to the Wiese family for their donation to Addi's Cure. Kristen, their daughter, was an intern for FIG a couple of summers ago. We got to be really good friends, and she comes over when she is in town to say hey, and also does some things for us like watch the dogs, etc. They have an unbelievable family and were very nice in their donation. David Bidwell donated this week as well. He also sent me an article that was really interesting. Bill and Jo also are donating this week. They wanted to see where we were for the year before they donated. I am certain that we will be over $75,000 in 2006! UNBELIEVABLE.
Letters will go out to all that gave in 2006 this week. This will be your receipt for the donation as far as the IRS is concerned. I am so thankful to everyone, and I am hoping people will see the value in making this an annual donation....
On June 1st, 2006, a doctor told me I might not be here for this Christmas. I am here, and feeling great. This is due to God, your prayers and positive thinking, my wife making sure I eat right, and Duke Medical. I want to thank everyone for that. My goal is 5 years, and I am going to make that goal as well....
Last night, we spent time at Moms and Bill's house. We always do Christmas eve there, at least when I was growing up. Since Christi and I got married, we did Christmas sometimes in Kansas. When Addi was born, we decided that it was important for Addi to wake up at her house for Christmas. That is why we went to Kansas earlier.
Caroline and Mike moved into their new house. It is really nice and they did a great job in picking out stuff.
Tomorrow we are going to go to my dad's for a little while to see Papa and Dad. Then we will head to Lee Bradly's.
I wanted to say a big thank you to the Wiese family for their donation to Addi's Cure. Kristen, their daughter, was an intern for FIG a couple of summers ago. We got to be really good friends, and she comes over when she is in town to say hey, and also does some things for us like watch the dogs, etc. They have an unbelievable family and were very nice in their donation. David Bidwell donated this week as well. He also sent me an article that was really interesting. Bill and Jo also are donating this week. They wanted to see where we were for the year before they donated. I am certain that we will be over $75,000 in 2006! UNBELIEVABLE.
Letters will go out to all that gave in 2006 this week. This will be your receipt for the donation as far as the IRS is concerned. I am so thankful to everyone, and I am hoping people will see the value in making this an annual donation....
On June 1st, 2006, a doctor told me I might not be here for this Christmas. I am here, and feeling great. This is due to God, your prayers and positive thinking, my wife making sure I eat right, and Duke Medical. I want to thank everyone for that. My goal is 5 years, and I am going to make that goal as well....
Friday, December 22, 2006
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Latest additions to Addi's Cure:
Cindy Harvey
Michael Dolce
Jon Davis
Jamie Prillaman
Heather & Jeremy Koster
Peggy & David Yountz
4 Our Fans, Inc (Livis)
Renee Purdy
Keith Russell
Terry Morgan (2nd donation)
$65281.56, close to the goal of $70,000
Christi, Addi, and I just got back from Kansas and visiting Christi's parent and family. We had a great time, although Addi was sick some of the time. I hope everyone has a great Christmas..... God Bless....
Cindy Harvey
Michael Dolce
Jon Davis
Jamie Prillaman
Heather & Jeremy Koster
Peggy & David Yountz
4 Our Fans, Inc (Livis)
Renee Purdy
Keith Russell
Terry Morgan (2nd donation)
$65281.56, close to the goal of $70,000
Christi, Addi, and I just got back from Kansas and visiting Christi's parent and family. We had a great time, although Addi was sick some of the time. I hope everyone has a great Christmas..... God Bless....
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Here are the latest donations for Addi's Cure. Thank you.
Larry and Tammy Pike
Made In Russia (Dennis Easter)
Jerry and Jackie Shoaf
Trey McIntyre
Brian Williams
J.S. Wallin (Wally)
David Williams
Jon and Donnelle Graham
Myles Standish
Angie Roark
Kelley Greene
George Dixon
Catherine Prosser
Bethaney Weber
Jason Tillery
Mark Wiles
Judy Munson
Karen McFarland
Robert Kanoy
Ricky Harrell
Matthew McBee
Donna Weaver
Kemal Atkins
James Sutton
Nataliya Evert
John Causey
Beth Worsley
Scarlett Liles
David English
Susan McCracken
New total: $63,926.56 I am hoping to get to $70,000.00 by the end of the year. This is unbelieveable.... Please go to addiscure.org to see a new picture that is WAY better.
Thanks!
Larry and Tammy Pike
Made In Russia (Dennis Easter)
Jerry and Jackie Shoaf
Trey McIntyre
Brian Williams
J.S. Wallin (Wally)
David Williams
Jon and Donnelle Graham
Myles Standish
Angie Roark
Kelley Greene
George Dixon
Catherine Prosser
Bethaney Weber
Jason Tillery
Mark Wiles
Judy Munson
Karen McFarland
Robert Kanoy
Ricky Harrell
Matthew McBee
Donna Weaver
Kemal Atkins
James Sutton
Nataliya Evert
John Causey
Beth Worsley
Scarlett Liles
David English
Susan McCracken
New total: $63,926.56 I am hoping to get to $70,000.00 by the end of the year. This is unbelieveable.... Please go to addiscure.org to see a new picture that is WAY better.
Thanks!
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
I made it back from Florida and flew right into Raleigh, thanks Brian for letting me stay at your house and for picking me up from the airport.
I had a great time in Orlando. Eric Thomes, Steve Kerns, Dennis Brown, and Tim Otto came down to play a little golf. We stay at Reunion in Orlando, and it was really nice. We play 3 courses in two days. Eric Thomes cheated and was the overall winner. (Handicap questionable...) Steve Kerns was the big $$ winner, but had to suffer through playing with us hacks. (He is a 5 handicap, legit I will say) Dennis talked a lot and we realized he needs glasses on when a putt should be good. Tim and I battled it out on side bets and at Boo-Ray, a card game. We went to Shula's for dinner, and all in all, had a blast. We decided we need to do this as an annual deal. Maybe we can make it a big deal for any golfers out there....
Christi drove up and picked me up for the doctor's visit. I was a little worried about this one because I had been coughing some and when I laid down it feels like liquid is moving around in my chest. We got the scans done and had some lunch. Then we met with Dr. Crawford, he might think I am crazy by now and need another head scan. Dr. Crawford found out what the problem was. The scan of the right lung came back the same as previously, still cancer there but no growth. The left side was a little harder to tell. I have a partially collapsed lung which made it difficult to tell if there was any change or growth. This is good and bad. Good in the fact that it is unlikely with my type of cancer to have growth on one side and not the other, which means since there wasn't growth on the right side then hopefully there isn't growth on the left. There is no guarantees, but looks like the Tarceva might be working. The bad news is I have a partially collapsed lung. They are unsure what might have caused this, but since it wasn't due to any surgery they will take the wait and see method and let my body heal itself. There are numerous reasons why this can happen, coughing, sneezing, (Christi thinks hunting and having the gun hit my left side, therefore no hunting in Kansas) If I wasn't in such fabulous, haha, shape I might have had to stay the night and have them take the air out, but since I played 36 holes on Monday and another 18 holes Tuesday, along with hiking a mile with Dennis, he thinks I might be able to handle it. I am just going to rest over the holidays, let me family and friends take care of me and when I go back in 3 weeks they will do more scans and hopefully things have healed themselves. I also have a mild viral infection that I am taking antibiotics for that could have caused me to cough and tear a hole in my lung. The collapsed lung explains the sensations I have been feeling in my chest. I have been so worried that it might have been the cancer, I didn't want to worry everyone. I have never been so happy to have a collapsed lung!
Thank you everyone for the well wishes and prayers, looks like they worked again.
I also received a big surprise from Brian when I was at his house. He works for the UNC university system. He does the secret santa stuff for their office, and this year he was very surprised at the results. The people there, everyone, gave to Addi's Cure for their present. Brian was overwhelmed and I think he might have cried! Just kidding, Brian never cries...) I think this was an unbelievable gesture. I will have everyone listed tomorrow so please check back. They raised $945.00.
I will tell you, I am pumped. If I can be this happy with a partially collapsed lung and cancer, then you should be happy too. We all have battles, we just need to win the war so to speak. I am very thankful to be spending this time with my family.
Thanks!
I had a great time in Orlando. Eric Thomes, Steve Kerns, Dennis Brown, and Tim Otto came down to play a little golf. We stay at Reunion in Orlando, and it was really nice. We play 3 courses in two days. Eric Thomes cheated and was the overall winner. (Handicap questionable...) Steve Kerns was the big $$ winner, but had to suffer through playing with us hacks. (He is a 5 handicap, legit I will say) Dennis talked a lot and we realized he needs glasses on when a putt should be good. Tim and I battled it out on side bets and at Boo-Ray, a card game. We went to Shula's for dinner, and all in all, had a blast. We decided we need to do this as an annual deal. Maybe we can make it a big deal for any golfers out there....
Christi drove up and picked me up for the doctor's visit. I was a little worried about this one because I had been coughing some and when I laid down it feels like liquid is moving around in my chest. We got the scans done and had some lunch. Then we met with Dr. Crawford, he might think I am crazy by now and need another head scan. Dr. Crawford found out what the problem was. The scan of the right lung came back the same as previously, still cancer there but no growth. The left side was a little harder to tell. I have a partially collapsed lung which made it difficult to tell if there was any change or growth. This is good and bad. Good in the fact that it is unlikely with my type of cancer to have growth on one side and not the other, which means since there wasn't growth on the right side then hopefully there isn't growth on the left. There is no guarantees, but looks like the Tarceva might be working. The bad news is I have a partially collapsed lung. They are unsure what might have caused this, but since it wasn't due to any surgery they will take the wait and see method and let my body heal itself. There are numerous reasons why this can happen, coughing, sneezing, (Christi thinks hunting and having the gun hit my left side, therefore no hunting in Kansas) If I wasn't in such fabulous, haha, shape I might have had to stay the night and have them take the air out, but since I played 36 holes on Monday and another 18 holes Tuesday, along with hiking a mile with Dennis, he thinks I might be able to handle it. I am just going to rest over the holidays, let me family and friends take care of me and when I go back in 3 weeks they will do more scans and hopefully things have healed themselves. I also have a mild viral infection that I am taking antibiotics for that could have caused me to cough and tear a hole in my lung. The collapsed lung explains the sensations I have been feeling in my chest. I have been so worried that it might have been the cancer, I didn't want to worry everyone. I have never been so happy to have a collapsed lung!
Thank you everyone for the well wishes and prayers, looks like they worked again.
I also received a big surprise from Brian when I was at his house. He works for the UNC university system. He does the secret santa stuff for their office, and this year he was very surprised at the results. The people there, everyone, gave to Addi's Cure for their present. Brian was overwhelmed and I think he might have cried! Just kidding, Brian never cries...) I think this was an unbelievable gesture. I will have everyone listed tomorrow so please check back. They raised $945.00.
I will tell you, I am pumped. If I can be this happy with a partially collapsed lung and cancer, then you should be happy too. We all have battles, we just need to win the war so to speak. I am very thankful to be spending this time with my family.
Thanks!
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Hey Everyone it is me Christi...Addi and I are hanging out at home together for the next couple of days. Bo is golfing and working with some friends and we are missing him already. We had an interesting week last week. Addi and I thought it would be fun to get this really great stomach bug that knocks you out for a couple days. At one point her and I were sharing the same bucket to be sick in. Bo had to go out of town so Grams and Aunt Tracia came to help with Addi, only to get it themselves. We are all about sharing in the Johnson house. Needless to say, I think everyone is better. Addi is scared of throwing up every time she burps, but we can manage that.
I wanted to ask everyone out there that is speaking with the "Big Man", as Bo would say, to maybe mention Bo's name to him. We have scans on Wednesday and these are pretty vital in figuring out how and if the Tarceva is working. Bo has been off chemo long enough to figure this out. Bo's is still feeling good, a little head cold, we think, but all in all good. (I am sure he wishes his golf game was better, but that is just him) So if anyone is still reading this, Wednesday is a big day for us and any extra prayers would be greatly appreciated.
Love you all and have a Great Holiday Season
Christi and Addi
PS That is a picture pre-sickness
Friday, December 08, 2006
This week flew by!
Here are the latest donors to Addi's Cure:
Reliance Standard
Amerus Annuity Group
Linda Hoitt
I want everyone to know that we have raised $36,801.56. This is awesome so on December 31st, I will be matching it at the $25,000 level..
I am so thankful to all of my friends and the companies. I honestly can not believe the outpour from you guys. Over $61,000 is tremendous....
Here are the latest donors to Addi's Cure:
Reliance Standard
Amerus Annuity Group
Linda Hoitt
I want everyone to know that we have raised $36,801.56. This is awesome so on December 31st, I will be matching it at the $25,000 level..
I am so thankful to all of my friends and the companies. I honestly can not believe the outpour from you guys. Over $61,000 is tremendous....
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Hello to all!
I hope everyone's holiday season is going as well as mine. It has been a lot of fun watching Addi and seeing her get excited about something, she just isn't quite sure what...
*** Important Announcement - addiscure.org is up for you to view! Please visit the fundraising part and submit a recipe. Send all of your friends there as well.
I am back from Iowa where I had a meeting (Equitrust) and did some hunting. My group got 24 birds, but notice I said my group. Good thing Addi and Christi are not waiting at home for me to bring the food! I would have a VERY skinny baby.
It was nice to see everyone at Equitrust. It was a little hard when they talked about a former employee that just died of lung cancer. She was a really great person, and she had even been to our office. It really hit their office hard and I am sure everyone will miss her.
Here are the latest donors to Addi's Cure:
Equitrust (FBL)
Jennifer Semon
David Whitehead - personal
David Whitehead - on a bet he won from me on the Panthers/Eagles (Thanks Dave)
Sharon Havener (with match form from LFG)
Tony Brown (with match form from LFG)
Jay Robinson
I was really pumped with all of the excitement with Addi's Cure.
I hope everyone's holiday season is going as well as mine. It has been a lot of fun watching Addi and seeing her get excited about something, she just isn't quite sure what...
*** Important Announcement - addiscure.org is up for you to view! Please visit the fundraising part and submit a recipe. Send all of your friends there as well.
I am back from Iowa where I had a meeting (Equitrust) and did some hunting. My group got 24 birds, but notice I said my group. Good thing Addi and Christi are not waiting at home for me to bring the food! I would have a VERY skinny baby.
It was nice to see everyone at Equitrust. It was a little hard when they talked about a former employee that just died of lung cancer. She was a really great person, and she had even been to our office. It really hit their office hard and I am sure everyone will miss her.
Here are the latest donors to Addi's Cure:
Equitrust (FBL)
Jennifer Semon
David Whitehead - personal
David Whitehead - on a bet he won from me on the Panthers/Eagles (Thanks Dave)
Sharon Havener (with match form from LFG)
Tony Brown (with match form from LFG)
Jay Robinson
I was really pumped with all of the excitement with Addi's Cure.
Friday, December 01, 2006
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