In memory of Anna Marie

We have gotten a few calls and "letters" from loved ones worried that my blog was not updated. Time flies when you're having fun. I received my 3rd chemo infusion on Thurs., May 7th, based on a CT scan that showed enough of a favorable affect from chemo to warrant another 2 infusions then a repeat CT. I had more discomfort after this last infusion than the previous 2. The antibiotic that I was taking for a Staph. throat infection contributed to the GI discomforts. I am much more tired as well and have a low-grade fever. I will get some labwork this coming week to monitor anemia, etc..

Despite the pains of post chemo I had the pleasure of my family visiting and viewing The Music Man show on Sunday afternoon and its last weekend. It was good to see my Aunt Catherine (my mom's sister) and my sister's family (except for Sarah away at college) who always cheer us up. Cindy and I helped out in the dressing rooms but got to see the last show together as members of the audience. I wasn't well enough to help-out during scheduled break-down but we all got to go to the cast part last Friday.

We have had a lot of help in the last 2 weeks. Sincere thanks to our neighbor and friend, Dave Burker, for cutting our grass. Dave is a 4th grade teacher at our son's elementary school. Also thanks to my Mom for coming-up last week to help. She actually drove-up herself this time, which was a bit of a surprise (Tommy was not available to bring her.) I thought we all agreed that interstate travel was too challenging for Mom but apparently she's still got it.

Sad news ended this weekend. My Mom called to tell us that Anna Marie, my cousin Kenny's wife, died Friday evening. It was expected after a long battle with brain cancer but sad nonetheless leaving 2 young children behind. My Mom and Aunt Catherine will be going to the funeral services this Wed. and Thurs..

One of the things that cancer does is take a big chunk of your life and leaves you seemingly somewhere in the future before you expected to be there. For example, the other day I got a mailing from the government; "welcome to Medicare." I didn't expect to deal with Medicare until I retired 15+ plus years from now. Long-term disability leaves you with no ability to work, provides limited income, and out-of-pocket expenses without an adequate "nest-egg". I guess when you are transported to the future you can't put any money aside because you skipped those earning years. I can't even imagine how Kenny must feel. He must be weary enough having gone through the terminal illness of his wife but now the children are still young and need to be raised without Anna Marie.

Please join me in praying for the Carey family, that God will guide them through this period of grieving and help them meet the challenges of life without Anna Marie.