Tuesday, October 30, 2007

We, Christi here, just got back home, of course the computer was down at Duke otherwise we would have posted sooner. The scans came back STABLE! Bo is still a little dumbfounded on the doctors saying that everything looks as good as before the collapsed lung, that he didn't know what to say when they told us things looked good. I would have to say he was speechless. Bo will update more later, but at this time we are going to stay the same course and enjoy the holiday season. There will be tons of pictures showing our celebrations and living life to the fullest. Thank you everyone for praying and pumping Bo up. You truly are amazing friends far and near. We love you all!
Love
Christi and Addi
PS Good Luck Freedom, she is one of our favorite helpers at Duke and she is due any day now with a little girl. I will see you January 2nd for our next set of scans.

Monday, October 29, 2007

I just wanted to quickly post that all is good with my Dad. All clear and he doesn't have to go for another scan until 2 years. Yeah! Just the beginning of good news! Tomorrow for us will be a long day, so don't worry if we don't post until late. Thanks and keep praying.
Christi

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Hello everyone, Christi here. I just wanted to Thank everyone for their support, kind words and silent prayers. Bo, Addi and I truly appreciate all that you do for us. We are hoping and I am expecting great news on Tuesday, but together with everyone we will handle whatever is thrown our way. I have no doubt that there is greater plan out there for everyone of us that we do not know at this time and in my heart I know Bo will come through. So Tuesday is big in Bo's mind, but in my heart it will be just a clarification on the path that we are to take. Please pray that we handle everything with grace and acceptance and good news will prevail. I would also like to ask everyone to say a prayer for my Dad. On Monday he is going in for his first yearly checkup since being diagnosed with colon cancer. I expect and pray that he will provide us with the first good news to report. Big week here and we will share whatever news with everyone when the time is right.
Thank you again
Love
Christi and Addi

Friday, October 26, 2007

When I typed the blog entry for yesterday, I had no idea it would cause such a stir.... I got many calls/emails yesterday and today, as well as several entries into the blog. My purpose of this blog is to always be as honest as I can about how I feel and what is happening. (remember the doctor and his finger from the beginning? :) ) During my time living with this mess, I have been very lucky from the standpoint of having a great support cast. I won't even talk about Christi and Addi because you know, but my parent, friends, and a lot of people just showing they care. This has carried me a long way and has given me many positive days. However, I knew there would come a time when I would have some bad days. What surprised me most was the same support really came through again. Candace called me and yelled at me, Caroline wrote me a long email as well as Jeanne, and Christi stood by me like she always does.

I am sick still, and I do not feel very good today, but I am feeling better mentally than yesterday.

I think that the pressure of dealing with this has gotten to me. I also think it is affecting my job as well, which is very important to me. Bill, Jo, Brian, and everyone at FIG is really stepping up, but it bothers me. I just want to go back to a normal life, and that is just not possible anymore no matter what I do.

Just wanted to make sure I explained a little more. I am still fighting, and will not give this up ever because of Christi and Addi. I am sure there are better days ahead....

Thursday, October 25, 2007

It has been awhile since my last post, and a lot has been going on. Christi and I just got back from Cancun, Mexico and we had a pretty good time. I got a little sick at the end of the trip, and in fact am still sick today. I am not sure if the two were related since there were different symptoms, but never the less, sick is sick. In Cancun, Christi and I relaxed some and we even swan with the dolphins. We stayed at a place called Le Blanc which was nice. Caroline and Mike, Justin and Rachel, Wade and Kenda, and Hamilton were also there from FIG. It was a reward trip for Annexus. I think everyone had a good time.

I also have been doing acupuncture for a little while. It has been interesting to be sure. It does not hurt, and they do not put the needles on fire.... Rumors. I will let you know how it is going.

Update on me - like I said, I am sick today. I have a cold. It seems that any time I travel I get something, a direct effect from chemo and my immune system being down. I do believe that my cancer is getting worse, and I think they will confirm this on the 30th. I am having more and more trouble breathing with any more than normal excursion. I am also going to for sure ask them to put me on the lung implant list. I feel like this is something I have to do. I do think the medical community is doing a lot now for detecting cancer early and better, but it seems to me that the things they are doing are all for stage 1 or stage 2 people. Also, for every death of breast cancer, they are spending $13 for research, for lung cancer, they are spending $1. This is pretty telling to me. The more "sexy" cancers are getting the dollars, while people have a stigma about lung cancer. I hope Duke says ok for the transplant.....

Christi has been really worried about me and my attitude towards this situation. I do not think I have changed at all, just think I am not going to live in a dream world either. I am worried there has been a change, and it does bother me. I am still eating great, doing all of the alternative things I can do, and praying every night. It is hard to get up every day and face the facts. I think every understands life and death, but most people do not face it daily. I am not going to just die one day suddenly, it would be a process. I wonder if that is better or worse?

Monday, October 15, 2007





















Some Pictures from her Big Day!
She really liked, but didn't understand the bull's tongue.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Hope everyone had a good weekend. We sure did. This was Addi's birthday weekend. On Saturday, we had a party for her at the Lazy 5 Ranch. This is a place where you ride a wagon around and see different animals. Many of her friends joined us, as well as Tracia, Caroline, Mike, Grams, and Bill. We saw zebras, elk, giraffes, pigs, prairie dogs, and many other animals. I think everyone had a great time. We had pizza and cupcakes as well. That night, we had a second celebration with my dad and my grandpa. Tracia, Caroline, Mike, Grams, and Bill came as well. It was fun.

Today we are going to take it easy and let Addi play with the many toys she got. She is such a good little girl. It is really amazing have Addi around.

A big thanks goes to Christi for this weekend. She planned and did everything for Addi. She is a great Mom and deserves the credit.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Hello everyone, sorry for the slow post but things are getting busy here with our little girl turning 2 on Saturday. She is going to have a birthday party at Lazy 5 Ranch. There everyone gets to ride a wagon through this animal farm and feed them from the wagon. Do not worry I am sure there will be tons of pictures posted.
Bo also took his first plane trip, we all sure did hold our breath, but everything turned out fine. I think he was excited to get that little bit of independence back since the collapsed lung. Looks like the procedure worked. I know this is early to ask, but please pray for Bo's scans on the 30th. We are extremely anxious about these scans, since we haven't had any since the hospital stay. We are really nervous that the uncomfortable feeling Bo is having is the procedure and not the cancer. So a few extra prayers for good results and something to calm our nerves. (3 weeks is a long time from now)
We will post pictures soon of Addi turning 2. It truly is hard to believe she is two.
Love Christi and Addi
PS A special shout out to our new friend Preston Jon Graham who arrive Monday at 5:37, 8 lbs an 20 1/4 inches long. I can't wait to take Addi over to meet him!

Friday, October 05, 2007

Just wanted to make sure everyone knew that we got two big donations in today. Equitrust gave a donation to Addi's Cure today. It was very nice and I was really appreciative. Heather Kane brought it to the office.

Allianz also gave a donation as well. They doubled what they did last year, and it meant a lot that Eric Thomes brought it in.

I hope everyone is having a good day!

Wednesday, October 03, 2007




I thought you all might enjoy some picture of the corn maze and bike race...

Monday, October 01, 2007

Hope this email finds everyone well. It has been awhile since I posted, so I wanted to make sure I let you know about last week. We did a lot of work, Addi went to school, and it was a good week. This weekend Kevin and Theressa Meyer came down to visit from MI. Friday night, we went out to eat. Saturday we went to the Amazing Maize with some people from work. Christi, Addi, Bill, Jo, and the Meyers won the competion in 42 minutes. It really was neat. That afternoon we went to a fund raiser for Addi's Cure. More below. Sat night, we just hung out and watch all of the shows we put on DVR and had Chinese food. Sunday, we went to play golf. I shot a 94 and did pretty well. (43-51) I got tired at the end. Trying to get back into it. I really hoped the Meyers could have stayed longer. We owe them a trip, so we need to go to MI next summer.

I wanted to talk more about the fund raiser that happened Saturday afternoon. It was really awesome. 49 bikers had a poker run for the charity. Interstate Motorcycles was a big sponsor, as well as Red Bull. They had a cookout after, it was really cool. Lauren in my office helped with it, but her parents were the ones that really brought it together. I could not believe what a good job they did.

It is very endearing to see people working together to do things that show society cares.... Very nice. For as much bad as we have in the world, we do have good. Keep the faith!