Well, we can officially call my treatment over half way complete.  I am in my 3rd of 4 cycles and will be discharged from the hospital on Wednesday.  I can't wait.  When you are in the hospital time seems to slow way down.  I really think they should take all of the clocks down so that you can't look at them.  It seems that "getting" chemo really isn't the hard part except for the isolation of the hospital.  The difficult part is the week or weeks following treatment.  That is when the drugs start to destroy your body.  You get tired, weak, depressed and just generally kinda watch the days go by knowing better times are coming.  This is something I am doing to live and I really have to remember that.  

The only memory I have to go on to compare this situation to is when I was sent to Korea in the Army back in 1996...1997...something like that (chemo brain) for a year.  Not to sound like an old timer, but we didn't have cell phones, facebook, social media or anything like that.  I could call home or write a letter, which is unheard of these days.  Now I can facetime, call, post or whatever.  Time passing is still painful.  I miss my family so much it hurts.  I am a homebody. I love talking, hugs, physical touch...all that stuff I can't get here.  So, after you read this, go hug someone you love, even if they stiffen up when you hug them.....you know who you are:)

When I think of who to thank so far the list is very long.  My wife has been sent to protect me and get me through anything that is thrown at me.  She is determined, powerful, beautiful, smart and has thrown herself in front of every bullet that has been shot at me.  I don't feel like I deserve such a devout Christian soul like hers, but we are partners for life and I love her so much.

Too all of those who have contributed their time and money to help my cause and sustain my stay here in Houston, I am forever in your debt.  Your Christian devotion and just down right love in your heart to help is something that I truly hope I can get an opportunity to hug and thank you and help you when you are in need.  At the risk of forgetting someone or leaving someone out, I am going to have Felicia help me put this list together as I am not in a good state to remember really anything right now.  Just know, your help is something that I will never forget.  

To all of those who have so far traveled out here to stay with me.....My sister Julie who was able to experience the camper in 110 plus heat, thank you.  Stuart, my brother, who got to experience the camper, the emergency room and the Airbnb, thank you.  My aunt and uncle (Liz and John) who helped me get out of my head and just power through this.  Thanks for being my surrogate parents, I love you both for that.  To Aaron, no relation yet, but hopefully soon.  You by far pulled the longest shift and actually physically pulled the camper back to Lafayette.  You are my friend and a son-in-law type person, thank you.  To Pam, my brother's wife, thank you for taking such good care of me.  You probably got to experience the most appointments which translates to the most boredom.  Grace, my step-daughter is with me now and I get to see Felica on Friday! I can't wait.  

My last thought is for all of the people (adults and children)here in this hospital that are so much worse off than I am.  Please include them in your thoughts and prayers.  Their candles are being extinguished by this terrible disease as I write this post.  I pass them in the hallways every day and nod to them and exchange a glance of hope and despair as we both know as we look at each other that we are scared as hell.