Hmmmm So where have I been?

11 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

11 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.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

nanny98
11 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
11 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.
Related Discussions
I have never been so outraged...(Bonny High School Graduation)
Q
Comments (4)
Some folks live their lives in a constant struggle for power and control. When they don't get what they want they have a temper tantrum... poor Suzanne. Power seems to elude her... so does the respect of her Graduates. It's sad for everyone around her. And for her as well. "When you're a hammer, everything looks like a nail." This reminds me of a story that was passed around a few years ago. Snopes lists it as partly true, a few things are a bit off... but it is based on fact. The Sneeze More than one way to have a benediction at at college graduation ... They walked in tandem, each of the ninety-two students filing into the already crowded auditorium. With their rich maroon gowns flowing .... and the traditional caps, they looked almost as grown up as they felt. Dads swallowed hard behind broad smiles, and Moms freely brushed away tears. This class would NOT pray during the commencements----not by choice, but because of a recent court ruling prohibiting it. The principal and several students were careful to stay within the guidelines allowed by the ruling. They gave inspirational and challenging speeches, but no one mentioned divine guidance and no one asked for blessings on the graduates or their families. The speeches were nice, but they were routine ... until the final speech received a standing ovation. A solitary student walked proudly to the microphone. He stood still and silent for just a moment, and then, it happened. All 92 students, every single one of them, suddenly sneezed! The student on stage simply looked at the audience and said, "God bless youÂeach and every one of you!Â And he walked off stageÂ The audience exploded into applause. This graduating class had found a unique way to invoke GodÂs blessing on their future with or without the courtÂs approval. (This is a true story; it happened at the University of Maryland)
...See More
I have been staying calm so far !
Q
Comments (13)
I'm starting to get frustrated. Winter is hanging on this year. Normally I've been out cleaning up the beds by mid-March. This year temps are running 10-20 degrees below normal, and when the ground isn't covered with snow, it's a muddy mess. More of the same is forecast for the next week. Oh, well, it can't last forever. By August I'll be whining about the heat and wishing for 20 degrees below normal and mud. It's just so exciting, wondering if this will be the year some of the hostas leap. Oh, man - if that's my idea of big excitement, I must be one of the most boring people on earth.
...See More
I have been so busy and not checking in
Q
Comments (5)
Soxxxx--how do you fill your time? I have no plans in particular but I never lack for things to do. I enjoy gardening (as most here do), knitting, volunteer at the library, help with my grandson, time with friends. We've been in our house 30+ years and the "stuff" is getting out of hand--so some serious closet and garage cleaning. I look forward to a more leisurely pace in my life.
...See More
Got a pics for all who have been so kind to put up w/me!
Q
Comments (53)
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Thanks for your kind words - here are some answers to your quetions. The counter stools - I'm pretty sure that I got them at the website below - I had them stained walnut. Looks like the website is down for maintenance right now, but try back later. Her's a close-up of the stools - THe mmirror is from Bombay Company - but I've seen somthing similar in Ballard. Topiaries came from a local Florist Called Johnsons (got them during an after Christmas sale). Yup, I have some quimpoer from Pierre Deux on the walls. The lamps came from different places - the red ones from a store called Kellogg Collection and the mustard ones from a place called Annapolis Lighting. As it turns out they both have pomegranates on the sides on the lamps. Didn't plan it that way - I just liked the scale. They look VERY similar. I wanted to have kind of have a ying yang thing going on with the red and mustard color. One side - golden couch w/red lamps, other side - red couch golden lamps. Yes we'll be decorating the tree will go (I think) in the room with the red couch - the side chair w/wood arms will go to the office for the holiday season! Thanks all! Here is a link that might be useful: Counter Stools
...See More
sjerin
11 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.
danihoney524 thanked sjerin
nanny98
11 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
11 years ago
nanny98,

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

Lynn
nanny98
11 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
11 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
11 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
11 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

Comments (10)

nanny98

danihoney524
Original Author

Related Discussions

sjerin

nanny98

lynn_1965

nanny98

danihoney524
Original Author

nanny98

Alisande

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Hmmmm So where have I been?

Comments (10)

danihoney524Original Author

Related Discussions

danihoney524Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

danihoney524
Original Author

danihoney524
Original Author