Happy Halloween!

At least two of the kids still love dressing up and trick-or-treating! The Littles celebrated their classroom harvest parties this afternoon at school. A few games, treats, and crafts set up by the room parents. Then a quick break at home before walking the St. Michaels trick-or-treat street here by the house. Big Andrew arrived to take them to Mountain View and the church's party. Then back home to walk the neighborhood and fill their bags! Beautiful night here in Greeley, with temps in the 70's today and clear skies tonight.

505

Here are a few sights from room 505 last week. Thanks to the awesome people who took time to drive down and see me during the week: Andrew, Travis, Dudley, Shep, Janet, Noah, Mark, mom and dad. I am so thankful for the amazing staff on the 5th floor. The day nurses, night nurses, CNAs, cleaning staff, PT and OT. What a great bunch of professionals. Can't wait to see them all again in December when I get put back together!

5k

It was just a week ago today that the family participated in Frontier Academy's first ever 5k. It was a great turn out on a rather chilly and overcast morning. Our entire group finished the race and looked great doing it. Maybe some more cross country runners in the family?? Sorry none of these pictures seem to be posting in order. One of the frustrations with the new Blogger app on the iPhone.

XC

Several weeks behind in posting a few things. Been kinda busy. Here is Noah finishing up his middle school cross country career at their last meet. Such a proud father to see the way he matured into one of the leaders of the team.

Room 505

Good morning and greetings from room 505 at Presbyterian St. Luke's in Denver, Colorado! I am now 48 hours post-op and am thrilled to report that the recovery is going great! I was able to get out of bed yesterday, make 2 laps around the floor, and sit in a chair for almost two hours.

I guess I should back up a bit first. The surgery was a complete success! Dr. Sellers and his team did an amazing job removing my rectum and setting up my stoma. I was so thankful to see all my family in my room when I returned about 2 PM on Monday.

So now it's early Wednesday and I'm ready to make some more steps forward today. I had a great night sleep and feel rested and strong. Dudley will be stopping by this morning as well as Janet for my stoma teaching class. I think I will start weening myself off the morphine today to begin to prepare for my release on Friday or Saturday. More walking, sitting and standing are also in the schedule for today.

I can't stress enough how thankful and encouraging all your support has been. Whether you visited me, called, posted on Facebook, emailed me, prayed or brought meals to the family at home, the team I have around me is simply amazing! That has also been a huge help to my successful recovery. I love you guys! And thanks to Big Andrew for the great balloon. It has been quite a conversation starter for all the people who have been in and out of my room this week.

Wrapping Up

Finished my last day at Frito for the year yesterday. Still hard to believe things will be so different there when I return. But that is pretty far in the future, and there will be plenty of time to deal with it later.

In the present, Travis and I enjoyed a few beers at Grimm Brothers Brewery in Loveland to kick off Saturday afternoon and evening. It was great sharing some laughs with him over a tasty brew!

For the last supper, Andrew and Rebecca joined Jen and I at Roma for some carolis and margaritas. Then some Starbucks and a quick stop at Walmart! They are such great friends and we are so blessed to have them in our life. Thanks to everyone for the fun last evening in Greeley for a few weeks!

Dance

The annual Costume Ball was held last night at Frontier. Lots of dancing, sugar, pizza, fun costumes and LOUD music. I must be getting older if the volume of the music is starting to bother me. Sarabeth is going as Red Riding Hood this year while Nathanael chases her at the Big Bad Wolf. He got a little sweaty by the end of the two hour dance.

12

Happy happy happy birthday to Little Andrew!! Wow, 12 years old. I'm feeling real middle age tonight. He had his friends Andrew, Andy and Levi over for pizza and video games tonight. Grandma Janet found some cup cakes he likes and dad found candles. Although they were the ones we used on August 20. Sorry Andrew. The bottles the kids are drinking out of aren't 40's, they are home brew root beer that Levi brought for everyone. Thanks for the thoughtful gifts everyone!! The gift you don't see from his parents is a blanket Jennifer knitted for him to keep warm with. Happy birthday Little D. I love you.

Banquet

We celebrated the end of the 2012 Cross Country season last night with the awards banquet and some pizza! So proud of Noah that he finished three years of middle school cross country. Hope he sticks with it next year in high school.

100 Hours

I cried today. I hope that's ok to admit here on my blog and for all of Facebook to read. The emotions are beginning to ramp up again as the time for surgery draws closer. A little more than 100 hours or so from now. As I continue to say goodbye to people and places I won't see again until after I am cancer free on Monday, the emotions have started bubbling to the surface. Today I was in the middle of my work out at the gym when I set my weights down and realized its going to be awhile before I can do this kind of physical fitness again. After an emotional morning talking with my friend Dudley and my counselor, the tears found their way out. It was the first time since last Thursday, and I'm sure it won't be the last time before Monday.

Which brings me to last Thursday. I know I posted to Facebook about my appointment with Dr. Sellers, but not all my readers are on Facebook. In short, the check up went very well. Dr. Sellers said I had dramatic response to the treatment over the summer. He wouldn't be surprised if next week when the pathology report comes back that it will show no cancer in my rectum. While we are still planning on the surgery and temporary bag, the chances of a full time colostomy bag are now at 0%. That's down from 50% on May 31. So Thursday was a great day with much rejoicing. The pictures are from the Irish Pub we had lunch at in Denver. It's also where I cried after reading the emails and Facebook posts from all my friends and their amazing words of celebration and support.

So the time is drawing closer. I have an appointment in Denver on Friday with my ileostomy nurse. They will mark me for my bag and have a quick education seminar on living and adjusting to a bag. My in-laws have arrived and are ready to stay with the kids while we are in Denver for the week. Jens lesson plans are wrapping up for the two weeks she will be gone. The meal train is in place to feed the family while mom and dad are gone. Hotel reservations have been made. One more day of work for Ryan for 2012. Prescriptions are being filled. The time draws closer and closer. 100 hours.

Hoops

It was midnight madness last night at UNC as the men's and women's teams hosted a fun evening for their fans at Butler Hancock Sports Pavilion. There was a scrimmage, three point shooting contest, dunk contest and autographs! The littles each caught a free shirt and Sarabeth got a mini ball. Andrew even seemed to have a good time. Our new favorite player is #24 on the women's team who won state last year with Rod Tyson and the Lady Plainsmen.