"One plus one"

I haven't added my "two cents" in a bit so thought I'd put something in writing.

Chuck has been doing very well and I'm proud of how he's handling all of these new situations and challenges! I think he's got the showering down - thank goodness!! He still gets the fanny pack belt up the middle of his back so he can put his pants on, but he's working on remembering to bring it back to his belt area. We have discovered the wonderful use for IMODIUM. (Can't you just heard the music when you say that word - imodium or immmooodium or imoooooddddiiummm!) Hint: you MAY want to buy stock in the stuff! I don't want to say it too loud in case others are listening - they may think I have insider information! He's adjusting to the treatments pretty well - even laying on his stomach which he REFUSED to do before. All of his doctors are pleased with his progress so far, so, he must be doing something right.

At this point, you wouldn't be able to tell there's a "problem" other than the port (don't hit his chest which is fun with the grandkids around) and the pump (making noises every three minutes - hey, three minute eggs anyone!) and the doctors visits and the bills and bathroom "runs" (oh, I'm so witty so late at night) and the medical statements and the hours off and the bills and the chemo and the radiation and, did I mention, the bills? I am a bit afraid to add the numbers all up. And this is just the tip of the iceberg as we've not gotten into the surgery or hospital stay. I am soooooooooooooooooo glad that I have Blue Cross & Blue Shield with an AFLAC Cancer policy on the side. I wouldn't be surprised if we weren't looking at $500,000 when we're all done! (I had originally gotten the cancer policy in 2006 for the mole on Chuck's neck as I didn't like the way it looked. Who would have thought three years later it would be for his butt. Either way you COULD say Chuck was a pain in the neck OR a pain in the butt!)

We've also been successful in spreading the message regarding the importance of getting a colonoscopy. Chuck has had a few people commit to getting theirs and I have one special person I'm working on (Lee, you know who I mean). All of you out there that read this and follow through with getting yours, please comment and let us know! Even if it's just a "It's finished" or "Done" or "Did mine" or whatever. We want to keep track of the success of our message!

But even more important than that is the fact that we care about you all! As a supporter of someone with cancer going through all of this, I would not wish this on anyone else. It's hard work to keep track of everything not to mention having to do all of your normal activities while keeping a positive attitude. And, if you are the unlucky one with the cancer, I would not wish this on you for all that would be ahead of you. However, I don't want that to scare into NOT getting it but rather INTO getting it. Early detection is so much better than catching the cancer in its advanced stages. IF there is any history of cancer in your families, please keep up with your tests - any females you KNOW which ones I mean - as cancer may show itself differently in the next generation. It is a tricky character and we need to unite to stop it!

That all being said, I want to take a quick minute to thank all those who have shown concern and/or interest in Chuck's progress. YOU have proven to be a FANTASTIC support group! We are able to succeed because of YOU! YOU keep us uplifted and encouraged so that we can keep in a positive frame of mind. YOU even laugh and maybe groan at my silly jokes and blogs. We need YOU to keep going and that's probably why Chuck is doing so well! I know that we've still a long way to go but we've a great start! If we all stay together, we'll have a FANTASTIC ending!

So, THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR BEING THERE FOR US!!

Next survey questions:
Maybe we'll have a pie party for Chuck's 10th anniversary! Instead of "BYOB" it could be "BYOP". Who thinks it should be a DESTINATION party? Where should we all go/meet? Who's coming?