Hmmmm So where have I been?

8 years ago

I wish I could remember how long it's been. Probably since I signed up with Face book.

My two little boys have both graduated high school. The youngest this past May. We've had some definite highs and lows over these few years. The biggest was my oldest son's diagnosis of testicular cancer just after graduation. He turned 18 in April, graduated in May, and was diagnosed with cancer in June. He had just moved away for school and was only four days into the summer football program when we had to bring him home for his urology appointment. If it hadn't been for the physical exam for football they wouldn't have cought it. He had the initial surgery to remove the tumor four days after his urology appointment. We took him to UCSanFrancisco to see a urology oncologist. Because of his age and otherwise good health, and our obvious diligence, we all agreed to have him go on active surveillance. Regular blood tests, xrays, and CTs. He took that football season off but went back to school in the fall. He did have a very difficult time emotionally and physically re engaging, but he is 100% back and then some. He just celebrated two years cancer free, and this year he will be the starting quarterback for his team. We realize deep down that he could have a recurrence at any time, but we are staying very positive and we are absolutely not sitting around waiting for bad news.

My youngest? He's staying home and will be attending our local city college. He's in luuuuuuvvvv so basically he's a walking, glassy-eyed blob of jell-o. Fun :/

So, Hi all :)

Featured Answer

kris_zone6

8 years ago

My father had testicular cancer at about the same age. He went on to father 4 children and was 83 when he passed.

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Comments (10)

nanny98
8 years ago
Gosh.... what a way to begin college for your son. Totally glad that he's cancer free now and grateful for that early diagnosis. I'm trying to remember where you are located....I'm transplanted from Central and Northern Ca to Southern Oregon. Good to have you back here at the table....come often!
danihoney524
Original Author
8 years ago
I've been in Stanislaus County for 13 years now, but I'm originally from the East Bay. I spent 9 years in the Santa Cruz mountains, and I think that's where I was living when I first started visiting garden web & the Kitchen Table.
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sjerin
8 years ago
I knew there was a reason I remember you--I'm in SJ. :) I'm sorry your son had to go through that as such a tender age and glad to know he's doing just fine now.
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nanny98
8 years ago
Almost neighbors....from Calaveras and Merced counties. I miss both places...even the heat of the summers. I dread winters here in Oregon, and we try to go to Arizona for part or most of the winters. Again, Glad you are back!
danihoney524 thanked nanny98
lynn_1965
8 years ago
nanny98,

I,m also from so. west Oregon. I am just a "lurker", have been for many years.

Lynn
nanny98
8 years ago
Hey Lynn...pull up a chair and join us more often. BTW, I live near the new South High School, if you would like apricots or plums email me here.
danihoney524
Original Author
8 years ago
Oh Kris, those are exactly the kind of stories I need to hear. Thank you.

We're a few years out from retirement, depending on Dh's temperment. Could be 3 or 8 or 13. You never know. I've been shopping around for locations, and southern Oregon has come up a couple times. As much as I want to stay in California, I really worry about it being affordable. I really like the Grants Pass area. I love Ashland and Bend, but it seems pretty expensive. I dread the idea of snow though. I didn't grow up with it, and I don't like to be cold. We told the boys we were going to sell everything and buy an RV. Then we'd just spend retirement parked in front of where ever they lived. They only sort of smirked at that.
nanny98
8 years ago
Dani... That is almost what we have done. Real Estate prices are going up (as the Ca folks sell their McMansions and move to Medford). Our summers are perfect and we love sitting on our patio every day as a pleasant breeze cools down any high temps. Rainy season just keeps going on, and the valley here with the lovely snow capped mountains (closer than in the central valley) brings cold temps that I just don't remember even up in the foothills. (well, I'm older, too). We travel with a RV (Winnebago) club, even meeting up in Arizona during the winter. We have noticed that RV parks are charging more these days, and we see lots of mega (size &$$$) RV's on the road..... but it is a lifestyle we like and being 80+ now, we realize our travel days are numbered.
Alisande
8 years ago
Thanks for the update, Dani. I'm so glad your son is doing so well. (Yeah, the one in luuuvvv too!) I hope you'll stick around. We're all a little older now, a little wiser. (Maybe, maybe not.)

Hmmmm So where have I been?

kris_zone6

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