the first days back

Kathleen...is back!
She has finally started to feel better from the side effects of the treatment. A long time coming, this week has been marked with a change, a change back to feeling like she is ready to move on.

This past week, she has had her first workout and her first full day's work. More than that, there is a bounce in her step that hasn't been for quite a while. Not to say she didn't handle her illness and treatments well, you all know her ;-). But now there is that feeling of having won...at least for now. Of course you never fully win, until remission has lasted 5 years. What a day that will be I can tell you!

Until then, Katt, Charlie, and I will keep on keepin' on.

Love to all.

much to report

First, Katt's progress:
With her last dose of radiation behind her, she and I thought that she was home-free. Unfortunately, what was unclear to us was the amount of side-effect that was yet to come. With pain in the areas radiated, sore skin, a sore throat, and fatigue, she also caught a head cold that turned into an upper respiratory infection...I mean really. What next, right? Well, take that sore throat you get and factor that by at least 10...and a lost voice is what you get.

Yep, Katt lost her voice for about 10 days. She started to get it back two days ago. AND is beginning to feel better! FINALLY! The corner is turned. Beginning to think about her business and working again, my wonderful wife is getting better.

During this journey, Charlie has had his first haircut, he is in the 'big boy' bed, he turned the knob and opened the door to the pantry to get his food he wanted, he strings sentences together now, and daycare bumped him into the toddler room...boy how things change FAST!!

Katt has surely been a part of the first two years of Charlie's life. But they weren't healthy years for her. She can't wait to be pain free for the first time in his life. He doesn't realize how lucky he his, yet. He will know that the amazing care she gave him was with the proverbial one leg and one arm tied behind her back. Now she will be 100%...watch out world!

Love to all,
Charlie's dada, and Katt's hubby.

Static cling...or was it the light socket?


After the snow, CB still likes the 'digger!'


What to do when it's cold and snow outside? WII!! (Thanks Susan).


Ready for camping!


Ready to take on the world!!

long overdue!

(Above is Charlie, me and Granda Bonner building a split rail fence out back.)

Alright, lots of things have happened over the last 3 weeks:

First, Katt's folks came over and enjoyed a GREAT visit...time with Charlie and Katt and my family, time that I wish could have lasted longer!

Second, Charlie is growing, mentally and physically. He has learned so much. His brain continues to be sponge-like! He has learned to close doors with his bum, climb on stools to get to things he shouldn't, say the mama says "seriously" (among other sayings from other people), learned to climb out of his crib (so we've lowered it and concerted it into a toddler bed), and has begun to know numbers and letters. And there is lots of other things he has learned as well! It is simply awesome (another word he says) to watch and experience.

Third, Katt's chemo is over and she is the middle of radiation. One more week to go, but the side effects are some pain, more importantly though is the soreness in her throat...she says multiply a sore throat by 10, and that's what she feels. But she struggles through, with the grace of Audrey Hepburn.

And finally, we continue to grow as a family doing things that normal families do, and trying NOT to do some things that some families do!

5% of 2010 is gone. So far so good...
Me and Charlie taking a walk. (He loves to ride on dada's back!)


My family...

My Uncle Randy, Charlie, and my dad out back by the fire pit...while I cook some steaks!

Our friend Rick, teaching Charlie who knows what!!!

Holidays and then some

From being in the front, to...
The back, in just 3 months!

"I know you..."

Here he is drawing with Granda Bonner.

Happy to have lived through 2009, and then some!

It has been a long year. Fortunately, Katt's chemo treatments are over. However, radiation awaits her in the new year. Through it all, she has been courageous, outstandingly resilient, and approaching things with grace, the way she always does.

Charlie has been her driving force, keeping her motivated to battle on. He has grown immensely, physically and mentally...just I can't believe how FAST! Doing so many new things each week, sometimes, we don't seem to keep up. But onward he goes and grows.

Thanks to each of you for your kind thoughts, prayers, and words of encouragement. We can only extend the same offer of courtesy and compassion each of you have shown us. Thanks for everything, and may your 2010 be as brilliant as it can get!!!

charlie just said....

As he looked at me, he said, in a uh-oh voice..."Poop." Sure enough, time to change the diaper!
Awesome. He is a sponge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Watch out world. He can tell us when he's pooped.

one more to go

Katt had her treatment this past Wed. AND a CT scan just to see where the tumor is...and guess what...NO TUMOR!! Just scar tissue. We couldn't have been more happy!!

Now there is just one more treatment to go. And MAYBE some radiation. We speak with radiologists next week to determine what to do next, if there is anything left to do.

Charlie's vocab is growing leaps and bounds. He has become a sponge, repeating everything we say...yes everything! So watch what you say around him!! But he is growing up so fast. We werer looking at video and pictures from last year...wow, I can say last year. I can't believe its his second Christmas. This one he will remember!

Have fun with the Holidays, and remember to be kind to a stranger...someone is always looking.

waving to friends and family!

Hello from the Duke game!!!!

SUSAN!!

a dook fan lost a bet...

Katt's 9th treatment today

Here are some "bob the builder" inspired pics...he's a natural!








The space invaders still are doing their magic. So far, the trend is that the cancer symptoms are going away, but the chemo side effects are coming full tilt. I guess that is a trade we will make right now.

On to OTHER positive things. The boy is unstoppable. Let's see, he says "a, b ,c"; "grandma"; "paw paw"; he runs to me when I come through the door at night after work (I love that); he can count to 5 (sort of); he says "bath"; and when it's time for bed, all you have to do is say nite-nite to him, and he looks for mom to kiss good nite...now that is priceless!

Katt's sister Aisling and her hubby Conor are coming over this Friday and staying next week. We can't wait to have family over. It helps Katt look past the bad weeks, kind of like when I look past UNC losing a game in the 4th quarter...well not quite like that........

Katt's 8th treatment

Just had to put this one up...stroller parking...a first time fo rme to see that one!

"I sure am hungry..."

Grandpaw reads to the boy...he does love his books!

Went ok today. Katt said that she knew this one would be hard when she woke up this morning. Just something about the way she felt tired, sore, already before she went in. But, good thing is that she is doing ok, and the treatments are working, and Charlie is doing great! So far, no flu, nor bad sickness (knock on wood).

We hope ya'll are good. Sorry this is a short one, but I am tired tonight. Time to prop up the legs.

Charlie has had some firsts: he now walks himself to the crib when it's bedtime. He knows how to say 'cheers'. And he also can give a kiss like nobody's business!

Love to all.