Latest Update on Michael ~

Sorry for the delay in updating. Since Michael has been in remission, life has gone back into full speed. I would not say normal, I would just say back to the busy schedule I have… Between working full time and helping mom run her flea market; trying to get a business started and off the ground; taking care of the house, cars, animals or other odd jobs; trying to find time to jump in the pool to play with my nieces and nephew, spend time with Michael, spend time with our daughter or just to enjoy life; time just gets away. Days just run together. I cannot believe it is already July.

First, Michael is doing pretty well. He has his days if you know what I mean. He just had his second haircut since completing treatment in October. Before, he would have to get a haircut every 3 weeks, now it’s more like every 3 months. He has lost some weight over the past few months, which is a GREAT thing. He is down 2 pants sizes and still has a few more to go. He continues to work on his weight loss. He still has spells of weakness and overall fatigue. He still has pain on and off in his back, which at times can get pretty severe, and still gets his headaches every now and then. He still has not gone back to work as they will not let him be a mechanic with all his back problems.

He saw his oncologist, had labs and a chest x-ray in April. His counts still are low and the doctor said it may take a while still before they start to climb back towards his “pre-chemo” levels. His chest x-ray looked good. We will go see his oncologist again in October and have labs and another chest x-ray unless any problems arise before then. He’s not schedule for any scans until January 2011. I have been trying to talk him in to going and seeing his orthopedic surgeon about his back pains, but he just brushes me off… Men what are we going to do with them.

Michael has been doing “odd jobs” around the house to keep himself busy. He did finally get his 454 re-built and in his truck (for the second time) and it looks like they are working on another project out in the shop now. He can spend all day and night out in that shop. You still can not get him away from working on cars.

My mother had surgery on her hand about a month ago for the arthritis in her hand and is in a cast for a few more weeks, so on the weekends, Michael and I have been going out to Quinlan, TX to run her booth at the flea market out there. We will continue to help her with is until she gets her cast off and goes through her rehab. That seems to be the only time now that Michael and I get to see each other, which could be a good thing or a bad thing…

July 4th is fast approaching. We wish everyone a safe, happy 4th of July. And remember to thank those serving our Country. Because of these brave men and women, we can continue to celebrate our freedom. THANK YOU! We usually have a big 4th of July / birthday celebration but will put that off once again. We still don’t have a place of our own yet and we aren’t in the celebrating mood lately. I am just looking forward to having the 5th off of work, but I am sure I will be busy that day. This year, most of the nation will get a day off work to celebrate my son’s 19th birthday. How great is that!!

We have a few birthdays coming up in the next two months. Our son Michael will turn 19 on July 5th. Happy Birthday Michael, we love you and hope you have a fantastic day. Time sure does fly, it seems like yesterday he was this cute lil’ guy running around enjoying the 4th with us. Now he’s off doing his own thing. Hopefully you will read this message and know we think of you daily, we pray for you, we love you, and miss you. You have been on our minds a lot lately. We would love to see or hear from you soon.

My brother in Kansas City has a birthday on July 7th. Happy 38th birthday Steve. Wow, you sure are getting up there in age… Kyle, my nephew (one of Steve & Julie’s boy) in Kansas City, has a birthday on July 8th. Also, our nephew, Anthony, will be turning 1 on July 21st. Lil’ Turkey is already walking or should I say running. He is such a hoot and calls his Uncle Mike, Dodge… Yes, Michael has already taught the boy how to say Dodge. He has to teach these kids early of what a real car is. Then August 2nd, my sister-in-law will have a birthday and then I get to turn the big 4-0 towards the end of August. Yes, I am looking forward to it!!

I am working extremely hard to bring our NASCAR Nick & Friends car back. Yes, you heard it right. Be watching here, on facebook, and on twitter. Be sure to watch on Nick & Friends Sarcoma Foundation website or their facebook page. We will be once again asking everyone to vote to help us bring more awareness to this dreaded disease. We MUST get this car into the TOP TEN this round so we can get this car on the track in Phoenix this fall. Yes, that is almost right in the back yard of Nick & Friends!!

If you are on facebook, please go and friend “Fight Sarcoma”. Right now, they have a few other voting contests going on to bring more awareness to Sarcoma. Once is the Chase Community Giving and the other is one of our Sarcoma Mom’s (Ronda) asking for votes for her myown Oprah audition “ Ronda's Recover and Redecorate Audition Video” where she wants to help cancer patients by giving them a little piece of “heaven” while they recover. Go check them out and vote!!!!! You can also find those links on my facebook page.

With that, please continue to keep all these beautiful warriors in your thoughts and prayers along with their families. These warriors go through so much.

Sending everyone big warm Texas hugs and I promise not to be so long before our next update!!
Love ~
Melodie