tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22465468866324145622024-03-05T23:56:32.839-07:00Butt If Not ...Steve's journey through rectal cancerSteve Chamberlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291399917978807911noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246546886632414562.post-42996275306790667342015-06-05T16:36:00.001-06:002015-06-05T16:36:04.080-06:00And now for an update...Here is what I posted to Facebook yesterday. Apparently it took me another day to remember I also had a cancer blog. That's good news, right?<br />
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"I just finished my penultimate check up with my medical oncologist. I couldn't count how many appointments I've had over the last several years during my cancer adventure, but I know how many I have left. One! We are talking five years cancer free (that's NED, as in "no evidence of disease") come this December. What an awesome Christmas present. Of course, there's the final CT scan, blood tests, and yet another colonoscopy between now and then, but those don't count. See you in six months, doc!"<br />
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My love and thoughts to my cancer buddies.Steve Chamberlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291399917978807911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246546886632414562.post-53974987073785849452014-04-14T22:47:00.000-06:002014-04-15T15:49:55.559-06:00Because of Him<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Happy Easter to all of my friends and loved ones.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://easter.mormon.org/"><u>The Meaning of Easter</u></a></span></div>
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Jesus Christ was my strength through cancer.</div>
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He is the first one I asked for help.</div>
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Because of Him I received excellent medical care.</div>
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Because of Him I endured all of my treatment.</div>
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Because of Him I met amazing people.</div>
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Because of Him I survived cancer.</div>
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Because of Him I am happy.</div>
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Wishing you all the best this Easter season. Easter means a lot to me.</div>
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Steve Chamberlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291399917978807911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246546886632414562.post-21979733391326252282013-04-24T22:01:00.000-06:002013-04-30T17:47:56.365-06:00Father and SonI ran the Salt Lake City Half Marathon this last Saturday with my son, Michael. We had a great time. It was definitely a neat experience. Even in the rain.<br />
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We signed up to run the race with the Huntsman Hometown Heros. Each runner in the program agrees to raise money for cancer research in order to get to the starting line on race day. The money goes to the Huntsman Cancer Institute where I was treated for my cancer. They are a research hospital that is part of the University of Utah hospital system.</div>
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After the race we were so excited we looked up more half marathons to run over the summer. For me, it was nice to be out running again. For my son, it was his first race ever, at any distance. I am very proud of him, and honored that he would run this race with me as we gave back to the cancer community.</div>
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On the back of my race number bib, I wrote the names of friends and loved ones who have had cancer. I included all of my cancer blogging buddies as well. A few, like me, are still here. (Hi, Fiona and Ang.)</div>
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I wanted to remember and pay tribute to some of the finest people I know.</div>
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Steve Chamberlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291399917978807911noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246546886632414562.post-66576472375076033822013-01-15T00:44:00.000-07:002013-01-15T00:51:53.086-07:00Each Life That Touches Ours for Good<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Each life that touches ours for good</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thou sendest blessings from above</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thru words and deeds of those who love.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What greater gift dost thou bestow</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What greater goodness can we know</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When such a friend from us departs,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We hold forever in our hearts</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A sweet and hallowed memory,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For worthy friends whose lives proclaim</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Devotion to the Savior's name,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who bless our days with peace and love,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We praise thy goodness, Lord, above.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">- Karen Lynn Davidson</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alice Pyne</td></tr>
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Thank you, Alice, for touching so very many lives for good, including mine. Well done.<br />
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Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time. May the legacy you created together bring peace to their hearts this day and always.<br />
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Love,<br />
The ChamberlinsSteve Chamberlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291399917978807911noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246546886632414562.post-65441214492336484192012-10-31T22:09:00.000-06:002012-10-31T22:09:12.339-06:00It's Lego TimeIf your name is Mason or Nolan and your mom has been using the word <i>cyberknife</i> lately, then this is for you.<div>
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No, I didn't build this one, but I'll bet you two could. A Lego cyberknife is definitely cool.</div>
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We think your mom is pretty cool too.</div>
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Sending smiles and prayers for your whole family,</div>
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Steve and Carla</div>
Steve Chamberlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291399917978807911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246546886632414562.post-18066024603509725492012-06-10T23:50:00.000-06:002012-06-10T23:50:17.486-06:00Pomp and Circumstance<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Westminster College, Class of 2012
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Steven Curtis Chamberlin</span></i></div>
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Bachelor of Science</div>
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Computer Science<br />
<i>Summa Cum Laude</i><br />
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On June 2, 2012 I graduated from Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah.</div>
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Yes, sir. I finally figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm the one in the black gown</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the very left of the stage about to receive my diploma</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzSy8Rv59FsFn_nnLzSaZM1KaaxcrBWKCkPg4Cc7fKkD0R5O3IcFuaEnILHU705badsV4l8G193pLvTHlb4h-oeIcbAVXzL48aY-sJRo_uTCRN5t6ZaXaxaOcqXFgCUzTIhiyr_LBuxsi/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzSy8Rv59FsFn_nnLzSaZM1KaaxcrBWKCkPg4Cc7fKkD0R5O3IcFuaEnILHU705badsV4l8G193pLvTHlb4h-oeIcbAVXzL48aY-sJRo_uTCRN5t6ZaXaxaOcqXFgCUzTIhiyr_LBuxsi/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saying goodbye to one of my professors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbSKD1EYzFy1RecwbjSGJWM5biTRHNxpmopgy3jvCMjVhrwEXw_Xyf5YQgm3DJoJ6BQG3iwMoJfyzFv_ClLcm77eUbxdeOdV2hBCxz5WTTQsACFzNipl4ZA2dTa9sBPglZ6ruiGnDEFkx/s1600/IMG_5187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbSKD1EYzFy1RecwbjSGJWM5biTRHNxpmopgy3jvCMjVhrwEXw_Xyf5YQgm3DJoJ6BQG3iwMoJfyzFv_ClLcm77eUbxdeOdV2hBCxz5WTTQsACFzNipl4ZA2dTa9sBPglZ6ruiGnDEFkx/s320/IMG_5187.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Afterwards with my parents</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJxMpZ8hujDETPPGp9318_hdeURjzUTpTvD-uT6nnC0UpCUwr2SD08PXHSdPyBplcx8e2hX1_f-dsQzDN79WyM6EOYA3fvGgrCPqGks4Vh45P40MBxFB2WAQjCMcXqQ6yPhxlYxhvKzjE/s1600/IMG_5183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJxMpZ8hujDETPPGp9318_hdeURjzUTpTvD-uT6nnC0UpCUwr2SD08PXHSdPyBplcx8e2hX1_f-dsQzDN79WyM6EOYA3fvGgrCPqGks4Vh45P40MBxFB2WAQjCMcXqQ6yPhxlYxhvKzjE/s320/IMG_5183.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And my sister</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gL3IOHlrWZEaXv48hIW0CCZCoUdO5K0MMRFqDHr1oQiivtu3hbr7QAazFw1jpuM_266wZcW-ttN9npfNJWcw-gEfphwxU0PI0dbxf_dVT5kV6Nlk3co0Hty8T9P3SCqILGXxv_SXop7t/s1600/IMG_5195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gL3IOHlrWZEaXv48hIW0CCZCoUdO5K0MMRFqDHr1oQiivtu3hbr7QAazFw1jpuM_266wZcW-ttN9npfNJWcw-gEfphwxU0PI0dbxf_dVT5kV6Nlk3co0Hty8T9P3SCqILGXxv_SXop7t/s320/IMG_5195.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And my favorite niece and her husband</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM0dj5tcblT9hc8h2MTHsy3REpYXpU7uGsvNoOKkEP3m7seW7VLiwy8iJy1F-OpD-7rmToCzyAX9F-PrhT8yl0vAiEsVKL3B3ka9jwVo9FMSoti06jij8X2KLGZVWk8Oi5NFQULdgNL0gM/s1600/IMG_5181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM0dj5tcblT9hc8h2MTHsy3REpYXpU7uGsvNoOKkEP3m7seW7VLiwy8iJy1F-OpD-7rmToCzyAX9F-PrhT8yl0vAiEsVKL3B3ka9jwVo9FMSoti06jij8X2KLGZVWk8Oi5NFQULdgNL0gM/s320/IMG_5181.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And my best friend, Mark</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6u9sMrl_m4FrwvAK2pqTufsAbSlT1eqVEPfghAmPJE5JKCRrwzXCwRbBIra8vkPVFVtIL1omZZ91vPTBQ4xoArGVeZXQM5yNNTXjHb79lI0eQUiDfubHnBcFKBwsgCjevthVmIO63EEJ/s1600/IMG_5157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6u9sMrl_m4FrwvAK2pqTufsAbSlT1eqVEPfghAmPJE5JKCRrwzXCwRbBIra8vkPVFVtIL1omZZ91vPTBQ4xoArGVeZXQM5yNNTXjHb79lI0eQUiDfubHnBcFKBwsgCjevthVmIO63EEJ/s320/IMG_5157.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not to forget the really cool bag pipes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Thank you to all who supported me along the way!</b></div>Steve Chamberlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291399917978807911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246546886632414562.post-15379391419607211422012-03-30T10:02:00.000-06:002012-03-30T10:02:45.764-06:00Carole's Service<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYt_rxkeW3jkdmqSIEBoCRMHl-BPYB87LeNDss1ISu0oltA2TDhyphenhyphenBws9yF-RT3_PiQeClUE9eoaTPy_smb7fEFwoSAIRDOy5Lp67Pqzy28jBFKE8Du40iTKe9O71UqF8gw3Qzuk_mTi0/s1600/carole2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYt_rxkeW3jkdmqSIEBoCRMHl-BPYB87LeNDss1ISu0oltA2TDhyphenhyphenBws9yF-RT3_PiQeClUE9eoaTPy_smb7fEFwoSAIRDOy5Lp67Pqzy28jBFKE8Du40iTKe9O71UqF8gw3Qzuk_mTi0/s320/carole2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Please read this <a href="http://letyerhairdown.blogspot.com/2012/03/farewell-dear-friend.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">post by Shents</span></a> for a beautiful and touching account of Carole's service.Steve Chamberlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291399917978807911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246546886632414562.post-61315529895900936202012-03-19T12:01:00.000-06:002012-03-19T12:01:41.719-06:00For Our Favorite Pencil SharpenerHi Ang. We are sending you calm and peaceful thoughts as you start back on chemo today.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHerun2lMvJagYkW_IeM8gvRKNw3LLeHbYsO9bOP2NEu2Ewr0nkRiGQOtuK_UJwhKQWwW4zR3mwl_fo37w7dS3sfhqZTywvIWfGoYUBfW4u9-fqBV_Sc3Rr4f_0JEUdHOVRoAvlVCgTfIu/s1600/recycled-pencil-containers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHerun2lMvJagYkW_IeM8gvRKNw3LLeHbYsO9bOP2NEu2Ewr0nkRiGQOtuK_UJwhKQWwW4zR3mwl_fo37w7dS3sfhqZTywvIWfGoYUBfW4u9-fqBV_Sc3Rr4f_0JEUdHOVRoAvlVCgTfIu/s320/recycled-pencil-containers.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
And something else to keep in mind...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnAdBChdsQ2fcuYzRkmInBten4tSSZzFXPoBPsKyUf4yuxHtdOuHcO9wiMX2Bmj5M5jLR-kiI18Lmjp6AdhL3rySPOSiElLgfneNsQiNLDgy8Mh1hvL4of9uelqJTLb2ZXCU_VLM5iwDN/s1600/images-142.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnAdBChdsQ2fcuYzRkmInBten4tSSZzFXPoBPsKyUf4yuxHtdOuHcO9wiMX2Bmj5M5jLR-kiI18Lmjp6AdhL3rySPOSiElLgfneNsQiNLDgy8Mh1hvL4of9uelqJTLb2ZXCU_VLM5iwDN/s1600/images-142.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
You have our prayers as well.<br />
Much luv, Steve and CarlaSteve Chamberlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291399917978807911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246546886632414562.post-38830146488297155982012-03-14T21:38:00.001-06:002012-03-16T14:27:04.438-06:00A Stitch in TimeSo I am going to bed shortly because I get to wake up at 4:30 tomorrow morning. That's because I will be checking into the hospital at 6:00 a.m. for a 7:20 surgery. Remember that incisional hernia I mentioned a few weeks back? It's fix it time.<br />
<br />
Plan A is to go in laparoscopically, patch things up, examine the rest of my incision from the inside, maybe have the surgeon tattoo mine and Carla's initials on the back side of my naval and then send me home tomorrow afternoon. I am feeling bloated already.<br />
<br />
Here's to a restful weekend.Steve Chamberlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291399917978807911noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246546886632414562.post-43387520665114799952012-03-07T09:09:00.007-07:002012-03-07T09:42:36.711-07:00Forwarded Update on Carole<div style="color: blue;">From Carole's Facebook page:</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; line-height: 17px;">"Update on Carole. Since being taken into hospital by ambulance early hours Thursday morning, my lovely sister Carole is loosing the flight. She will be moved from the hospital into the hospice when a bed is available where they will care for her on her final journey which I wish to be kind and peaceful for her"</span><br />
<div style="color: blue;"><br />
From the UK Cancer Chat forum:</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; line-height: 17px;">Hi everyone, my name is Sarah. I am Carole's little sister. Carole has given me permission to use her account and I just wanted to thank you all soooo much for all the support you have given to my sister over the last 2 years. I believe, that just by having somewhere to come and vent and also be able to support others has somehow made this illness easier to bear. Although, I can't imagine what my sister has had to go through or any of you for that case, it gave me hope that my sister had such good cyber friends and that you all take the time to pick one another up, even if its with just a few words.<br />
<br />
No one should be alone through times of illness, worry, stress and confusion. I see there are many people on here that were not as lucky as my sis and not having the love of family or friends around them. This is something I would dread in my life and am grateful for this forum that you all can find yourself grabbing some sane moments from others that actually care online.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I'm not great at writing, my sis to me always wrote beautifully. Those of you that read her blog may agree. She encouraged me to "blog" my way through living in Greece the last 2 years, but I was useless. Now however, I wish I did as there are many moments that I would have liked to re read as life seems to go to quickly. However, I did blog about her visit to see me in Rhodes last March so it will be lovely to have that clear memory in writing and photos.<br />
<br />
So guys, Update on my lovely sis,<br />
<br />
"Carole was moved into the hospice today where she can rest for her final journey. Her wish is to NOT have visitors outside of our immediate family. I'm sure you can understand that. She has no energy at all now and cannot do much for herself apart from sipping a drink. She still has much pain but I believe my sister will be at peace very soon. Anytime will be too soon for me selfishly but I want her to have her wish and die peacefully and with dignity. I sat with her yesterday for 4 hours and held her hand. She told me how much she loves me and I told her how much I love her. We have been best friends since she was expecting her baby James, 31 years ago. I was 11 years old and she was just 19. I will miss her terribly, but for now I will stay strong as it is not me that is dying. I will visit her tomorrow and will come back to update you all."<br />
<br />
Love and peace to you all.<br />
<br />
Sarah (lit sis) xx</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7TF7FFUloje77gXQt7MY1khyphenhyphen7fy_EBFer3AcpeHSPHKo4z7ZPN2LKnx1fC7o8ZBsT4cXq0FAak__eWD3yOj9UuixmdBGWtIhYyFz0NPUr-X9S2K6n7ZMv7ivHEkg63MQhpIQUUuNNSDC/s1600/rhodes+2011+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7TF7FFUloje77gXQt7MY1khyphenhyphen7fy_EBFer3AcpeHSPHKo4z7ZPN2LKnx1fC7o8ZBsT4cXq0FAak__eWD3yOj9UuixmdBGWtIhYyFz0NPUr-X9S2K6n7ZMv7ivHEkg63MQhpIQUUuNNSDC/s320/rhodes+2011+019.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah and Carole in Rhodes</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span>Carla Chamberlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07714770221725703427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246546886632414562.post-14113124431599000662012-03-04T22:36:00.000-07:002012-03-04T22:36:04.779-07:00We love you, Carole!You have a gift of making people feel like they are your best friend and that they are special. No one feels so alone in your love. You genuinely care for others. Thank you for your support, your friendship, and your love.<br />
<br />
We are with you on your final journey.<br />
<br />
All our love, thoughts and prayers,<br />
Steve, Carla and FamilySteve Chamberlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291399917978807911noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246546886632414562.post-33831049058992153422012-02-05T13:06:00.000-07:002012-02-05T13:06:19.620-07:00Sweet SixteenEach Sunday morning since Christmas I have weighed myself on our bathroom scale.<div><br />
</div><div>In six weeks I have lost 16 pounds.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>For Christmas I gave my wife 50 pounds of sugar and a 10 gallon fish tank for storing the sugar. She looked at me quizzically until I explained.</div></div><div><br />
</div><div>My present to her was a promise to loose 50 pounds by my 50th birthday five months away. The sugar represents the weight I have to loose and the junk food I am giving up to loose the weight.</div><div><br />
</div><div>For each pound I loose, I remove one pound of sugar from the fish tank. We can all see the sugar level going down.</div><div><br />
</div><div>So far I have given my wife 31% of her Christmas present. She is very happy about that.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I made my sweet sixteen!</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gQioar8qmHpMUYh2toptJevD-ojcXnf45smbgddcp-ds0R9-PotKxbLIv6amGz6dF_tfzf6jayktnXA9PtQ6EvSaS_-I7h_bnGc21I9owF5l6bEF169gGva32k2BRqLZc4IPqEkkiiaQ/s1600/IMG_4923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gQioar8qmHpMUYh2toptJevD-ojcXnf45smbgddcp-ds0R9-PotKxbLIv6amGz6dF_tfzf6jayktnXA9PtQ6EvSaS_-I7h_bnGc21I9owF5l6bEF169gGva32k2BRqLZc4IPqEkkiiaQ/s320/IMG_4923.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div>Steve Chamberlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291399917978807911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246546886632414562.post-40500248372192203322012-02-02T04:20:00.001-07:002012-02-02T04:29:19.184-07:00Done and DustedI have been following four cancer blogs since just after my own diagnosis.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>Fiona's blog, <a href="http://fiona-onwardsandupwards.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Onwards and Upwards</span></a>, is the only one of those that was not about colorectal cancer. She was diagnosed with liver cancer.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>She was also diagnosed with hepatitis and cirrhosis. Her poor liver took a triple hit.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The real conundrum is how did she get hepatitis and how did it go undiscovered and untreated for some 25 years, especially considering her consistently heathy and active lifestyle.</div><div><br />
</div><div>It took cancer to expose the hepatitis and the years of liver damage left in its wake.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Like me, Fiona is on the other side of her cancer treatment. We both go in for quarterly checkups.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBIzh3Rr_boIA6PybKeE2Rohzu7DTKa6OI74A-KhovmwfM2CTYGpWYU8b3fN7q_QGQDDIA5AfEEAnc-sYactfDn8J9VbsYQzJEDT5_6Du6favpz2P8QaYNdgvpM9BIphk_aV0V45osFPS/s1600/liver_function_blood_tests.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBIzh3Rr_boIA6PybKeE2Rohzu7DTKa6OI74A-KhovmwfM2CTYGpWYU8b3fN7q_QGQDDIA5AfEEAnc-sYactfDn8J9VbsYQzJEDT5_6Du6favpz2P8QaYNdgvpM9BIphk_aV0V45osFPS/s320/liver_function_blood_tests.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Fiona also monitors her hepatitis on a regular basis. She just posted her January clinic results.</div></div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpRxPfx7AHPBsKAnfDT6drSrAjmQPS6rNHmGC0pWtUTN0RDnh5ijxXwk1W2UcQp8UQoSSQXFRTcU_YxcDR56FiP8uP9G-ZqYAusMEYT1hKH8gULfGK0wNq77rvCgZOexdCmBeLewjrWTB/s1600/images-141.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpRxPfx7AHPBsKAnfDT6drSrAjmQPS6rNHmGC0pWtUTN0RDnh5ijxXwk1W2UcQp8UQoSSQXFRTcU_YxcDR56FiP8uP9G-ZqYAusMEYT1hKH8gULfGK0wNq77rvCgZOexdCmBeLewjrWTB/s1600/images-141.jpeg" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>Now I am not a nurse like she is, and I don't even try to write the type of technical posts she churns out. But it doesn't take a heppy doc (her affectionate term for hepatitis doctor) to realize that she just got some pretty descent news.</div><div><br />
</div><div>So this post is for you, Fiona.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Well done, my done and dusted friend!</b></div>Steve Chamberlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291399917978807911noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246546886632414562.post-81227314017634094392012-01-28T08:32:00.000-07:002012-01-28T08:32:22.652-07:00Dreaming of Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHsWNLdzsuh46o6O4E5iEZL1VZWah_K63Wq-X58DzbLrk7EF6EyeC-_46WpoIsXPAq-m8H97juFdkKSvN8IMqO-ezCHCQyr-1Ouwwd1ArpxRnyeu3bxQeaDVvJHIAglrgg38tu86ZHcAq/s1600/images-137.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHsWNLdzsuh46o6O4E5iEZL1VZWah_K63Wq-X58DzbLrk7EF6EyeC-_46WpoIsXPAq-m8H97juFdkKSvN8IMqO-ezCHCQyr-1Ouwwd1ArpxRnyeu3bxQeaDVvJHIAglrgg38tu86ZHcAq/s1600/images-137.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">This is my friend <a href="http://tonysonghurst.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Tony</span></a> dreaming of spring.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Winter and chemotherapy</div><div style="text-align: center;">are keeping him and his bike</div><div style="text-align: center;">inside right now.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sweet dreams, my friend. Sweet dreams!</div>Steve Chamberlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291399917978807911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246546886632414562.post-89590340185797091852012-01-20T07:18:00.002-07:002012-01-20T08:18:34.833-07:00Incisional HerniaIt turns out that about 15% of abdominal surgery patients develop incisional hernias.<br />
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So NOW they tell me!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJwRzzMShZN9klG9l3dfDWwF3INlu3H4kv6_YFv-TVeg4PSCFoGDPoYmk00ZCKIb5qYdcu8mL4ebouOq63tOzp0qhbtoYEYzJfFiG-hMwzpLtp_aM9ktTkIbP-MR1r-d_qhVUI8Uvxu29/s1600/hernia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJwRzzMShZN9klG9l3dfDWwF3INlu3H4kv6_YFv-TVeg4PSCFoGDPoYmk00ZCKIb5qYdcu8mL4ebouOq63tOzp0qhbtoYEYzJfFiG-hMwzpLtp_aM9ktTkIbP-MR1r-d_qhVUI8Uvxu29/s320/hernia.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
My rectal surgeon referred me to a hernia surgeon to get mine fixed. This will be surgery number three for me. Cancer certainly leaves its mark!<br />
<br />
I saw my rectal surgeon yesterday for my three monthly check up. He put his nifty little camera up my bum again to see how things are healing inside. Carla was with me and got to watch the whole thing on the monitor. She said my insides looked pink and healthy. I thought she was pretty lucky to be there. Not everybody gets to see this side of me. My surgeon told me that my anastomosis was almost invisible in places and that I was a great healer.<br />
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From all reports I'd have to say I'm doing a good job keeping it together. :-)) Too bad I'm not doing so well keeping it all in...Steve Chamberlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291399917978807911noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246546886632414562.post-20825321317202083562012-01-16T23:15:00.003-07:002012-01-19T22:58:51.224-07:00Extra! Extra!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Read All About It!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKBxAUb1fuzI9572ljdMnd7vdaZlXeYO2yIUxso5RJiM4aog9WJgvWpbv2YX8lVjWHWR-vHn23CuNVsal_qjoDavs9CrXykFp8UbHQNVmGmhqao4X0Oa6Iww1NBkPAt12akr_peU9b7xe/s1600/IMG_4908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKBxAUb1fuzI9572ljdMnd7vdaZlXeYO2yIUxso5RJiM4aog9WJgvWpbv2YX8lVjWHWR-vHn23CuNVsal_qjoDavs9CrXykFp8UbHQNVmGmhqao4X0Oa6Iww1NBkPAt12akr_peU9b7xe/s320/IMG_4908.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">If you thought the movie was great, now you can read the book!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpnXUpc31mLAGbyitPxcKe_gA2at9ehF7U9xG8IpLqbzw22ZJNxridz_Pf4l3MskbCr9Bo5HX3_2hhH1kcpv9fpwzFKh00fgf1WWl4DEhpJktzat9Bm0hEC2lYIxls4z3Mp0o57H_nfDo/s1600/IMG_4915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpnXUpc31mLAGbyitPxcKe_gA2at9ehF7U9xG8IpLqbzw22ZJNxridz_Pf4l3MskbCr9Bo5HX3_2hhH1kcpv9fpwzFKh00fgf1WWl4DEhpJktzat9Bm0hEC2lYIxls4z3Mp0o57H_nfDo/s320/IMG_4915.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">That's all 12 months of my cancer blog</div><div style="text-align: center;">squished into 112 pages...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHag5jnXfy4RmSD1mc8_ILR3Qn0Z57Wq36GU-cx9wDcF9AZhOpA3nA08lRNvDElodblFdDGg6LnssFeqHyBPaYGVSeMFY0zWGjxBrwhS36op1PxzNAwZ6CE0iqiioI1EIr3YUSiEDIr3_E/s320/IMG_4913.jpg" width="240" /></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">...including many of <i>your</i> comments,</div><div style="text-align: center;">plus never before seen photographs</div><div style="text-align: center;">from our Alaska Cruise at the end of treatment!</div><br />
Thanks for the inspiration, Lisa (Shents). Carla and I presented each of our children with their own copy. That was the best part of the project. We realized that my blog was the only record of my journey through cancer.<br />
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I was able to make the book completely accessible on the publisher's web site if anyone is interested in viewing it online. Just click on this image.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2752851"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5rHLezDvNtZZYYw8VnYP3E-SZBRZdTLSSWC-FKJM6Zp_Wh5GBfsnTf5DfAftLDH0Tc9FPLUrmXHykB3CAitR4fB3H0QZj7SVIYR6xtFhlq4mSamr1jLjPOs5yn1Pz4mj1plr_Z7bXn0z/s1600/2988834-2af01e714e421009072bceb2fd72e88f.jpg" /></a></div>Like Lisa, I have made it available for sale at cost. The idea was to preserve a tough year of my life for my posterity, not to make money on a book. When we purchased the books for our children, I went to Google and searched for "blurb coupon code". That got me 20% off our order!<br />
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We hope you enjoy the book. It was a lot of fun putting it together.Steve Chamberlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291399917978807911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246546886632414562.post-68303192052410318062012-01-13T08:23:00.001-07:002012-01-13T17:13:28.238-07:00Once Upon a TimeOnce upon a time there lived a young man who loved his Father very much.<br />
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When the young man was diagnosed with cancer he did not ask his Father, "Why me?"<br />
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Instead, he asked his Father to "Pretty please (with sugar on top)" accompany him on the dark and scary journey that lay ahead.<br />
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And it came to pass that a very loving Heavenly Father heard the pleas of his son and granted his request.<br />
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From that very moment the tender mercies of the Lord began to pour forth upon the young cancer patient to the comfort of his soul and the blessing of he and his family.<br />
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In due course, four angelic emissaries from Cancerland emerged in his path. Their names were Carole of London, Fiona of Bollington, Angela of Kent, and Tony of Matlock.<br />
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The strength and support, the example and encouragement, the love and laughter of these four friends proved most effective in vanquishing the vicissitudes of cancer.<br />
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This is but one example of the team effort needed to fight cancer. Truly the young man was blessed in his journey.<br />
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Ever after he remembered with fondness these four fighting cancer warriors and the unbounded love of a Heavenly Father for each of His children.<br />
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May we all live happily ever after to the end of our days in the arms of our Father's love.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">The End</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;">“The Lord's tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ.” ~David A. Bednar</span><br />
</i></div>Steve Chamberlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291399917978807911noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246546886632414562.post-12852900388254092732011-12-25T21:18:00.000-07:002011-12-25T21:18:43.344-07:00Missing My Friends at ChristmastimeI am sitting here missing all of my friends in the cancer community. Many of you have posted Christmas greetings on your blogs. Thanks, guys. For me, it is just what I needed to get back on here after a four month absence and wish you all the season's best as well.<div><br />
</div><div>Today has been nice and relaxing. Last year we stayed home for Christmas because I was just a few weeks out of surgery. This year we decided to repeat the experience (without the surgery) and spend the day at home with our children. We did all make it to church midday for a nice service, but that was it. Carla fixed us an awesome turkey dinner.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The best news of the day came this morning. We were visiting with my daughter from my first marriage and her husband using Skype. It was fun seeing each other on our computers over the internet. They watched us open a Christmas card they had mailed to us. Inside was an ultrasound picture of their baby announcing that Brittany is pregnant. That makes me a grandfather in six months. Cool!</div><div><br />
</div><div>This month makes one year cancer free for me. I am also now six months out from chemo and my last surgery. All of my followup appointments have been mostly good news. There was a bit of a scare when my CEA count started climbing, but a PET scan showed that it was only inflammation. No sign of cancer. I had a colonoscopy this month as well. They removed a small polyp and said that everything else inside looked healthy.</div><div><br />
</div><div>My goal for 2012 is to get the weight off that I've put back on since treatment. Even before cancer I was getting heavy. It is time for Running Man to start running again. I currently weigh 225 pounds. My goal weight is 175 pounds. That is a 50 pound weight loss.</div><div><br />
</div><div>For Christmas today I gave Carla a ten gallon fish tank full of 50 pounds of sugar. Each week I will weigh in and remove that much weight in sugar from the fish tank. When the fish tank is empty I will have lost 50 pounds. I will finish by my 50th birthday which is June 3, 2012. Carla's Christmas present is a healthier husband. She was definitely excited.</div><div><br />
</div><div>So there you go. I am still around and I am very much missing my cancer friends. Thank you all for being such wonderful people.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Love, hugs, and best wishes,</div><div>Steve</div><div><br />
</div>Steve Chamberlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291399917978807911noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246546886632414562.post-68511613751559021922011-09-13T09:07:00.006-06:002011-09-13T09:54:25.457-06:00What's new...Hi, this is Carla again.<div>Steve has thought about doing another post, but life has been so crazy lately, I decided I'd better step in. So here is an update.</div><div><br /></div><div>The good news on Steve's health is that he finally had a painless bowel movement last week! That may sound like a funny thing to say, but since his reversal surgery, having anything go passing through his sphincter has not been fun. He had started to think that poop and pain were going to be the new norm. Now there is hope for the future.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next piece of news is that Steve and I ran away on a week long cruise to Alaska with my parents and all but one of my siblings. (My brother's wife was due to have a baby and that is a really bad time to disappear for a week.) I am the oldest of seven children so it was quite the miracle to pull off. It was knowing the cruise was coming that kept Steve focused during the last few rounds of his chemo. If there had been any delays, he would have been unable to make the trip. It was wonderful to leave the heat of summer in Utah and go north where the highest temperatures were in the 60's. Alaska is an amazing and beautiful place to visit. Doing it on a cruise ship spoils you rotten.</div><div><br /></div><div>After we got back from Alaska, school started up for Steve and the kids. Steve was down to his last year of school when he was diagnosed with cancer. It was really hard for him to put his education on hold while he dealt with his cancer. Fortunately, one of the classes he was required to take in order to graduate was available this fall. So he is in class every Tuesday and Thursday night. He has also been putting in overtime at work at the request of his employer. It brings in some extra money, but means we don't see a whole lot of him during the week. </div><div><br /></div><div>What is nice to see is that his brain is fully functioning again and his stamina is increasing. Chemo took so much out of him! There is no way to explain how much it affects you and in so many different ways. I'm just glad he was willing to go through it all. Hopefully we will get to have him for years to come.</div><div><br /></div><div>As for me, I'm taking the year off from working at the elementary school. This last year was the hardest year of my life to date. (I wouldn't mind keeping it that way.) This year is also the last year that I will probably have all my children at home together. Nathan is a senior in high school and will be leaving home next year. I want to enjoy this last year with my family all together. It is hard to do that if you still have all the washing, cleaning, shopping and cooking to do when your kids get home from school. Maybe, I can finally stop feeling tired all the time if my life is less complicated. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. You are in ours as well.</div>Carla Chamberlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07714770221725703427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246546886632414562.post-36468468507551078112011-08-07T20:10:00.000-06:002011-08-07T20:10:24.239-06:00I Got Mugged<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsymHDddeD1d4ephYfLpumcPG3kuQufyuOppzLDHdXtHCrSbnUzv7lem3lUBm-rKR6Y4CRcNwMoWYDI7gXiFwBazUZPtDNbm17lfGtNkWWTHGs2aEDh4jhaMdt2AhqHUR9ZM8WchMsTN1/s1600/IMG_4256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsymHDddeD1d4ephYfLpumcPG3kuQufyuOppzLDHdXtHCrSbnUzv7lem3lUBm-rKR6Y4CRcNwMoWYDI7gXiFwBazUZPtDNbm17lfGtNkWWTHGs2aEDh4jhaMdt2AhqHUR9ZM8WchMsTN1/s320/IMG_4256.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my mug shot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Alice's mug finally got here from England. She designed it herself and it looks great. I really like mine.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvIUL85b5uhj2HtA6aUbEMyclT_jvWJ9h1l6YKgDJJHwAIQlQh5HzOR_h47c8Dw-L9RnO1cEqdn25JhLh-Jh4y5L3vI9zHk6-9XEHkcyvSIU-IQHkaNXrb6PS8If8zgLPSmqGNqMDAFYI/s1600/Eskdale+Show+2011+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvIUL85b5uhj2HtA6aUbEMyclT_jvWJ9h1l6YKgDJJHwAIQlQh5HzOR_h47c8Dw-L9RnO1cEqdn25JhLh-Jh4y5L3vI9zHk6-9XEHkcyvSIU-IQHkaNXrb6PS8If8zgLPSmqGNqMDAFYI/s320/Eskdale+Show+2011+%25284%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alice and Mabel</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Alice Pyne is a 15 year old girl in England fighting cancer. After four years of treatment the cancer has spread throughout her body. There is nothing more the doctors can do. But Alice isn't done. She created a bucket list at the encouragement of her mother and posted it on a blog for her friends to see. Her blog went international almost over night. Wonderful people all over the world are rallying to encourage Alice and help her accomplish her bucket list. That's where the mug comes in. It's from her bucket list.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://alicepyne.blogspot.com/2011/06/hello_06.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Alice's Bucket List</span></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/specials/alices-12-pint-mug/invt/1spa010002/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Alice's Mug</span></a></div><br />
Alice is one amazing young lady. You'll like her, too, I think. It's completely understandable after meeting her how I got mugged.Steve Chamberlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291399917978807911noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246546886632414562.post-22457956559283580262011-08-03T07:21:00.002-06:002011-10-15T12:44:59.179-06:00Inconceivable!A day without skid marks? Inconceivable!<br />
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But a recovering rectal cancer patient can always dream.<br />
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My nurse friend recently asked me how my new plumbing was coming along. I answered that I'm not miserable so we're pretty excited about that. It's an interesting perspective, yes, but considering I could have ended up wearing adult diapers for life, I am pleased with my progress. While my sphincter is still sensitive, I'm not so jumpy on the toilet seat anymore. Bowel movements frequently come in clusters. With a smaller storage tank, I might make two or three trips to the restroom over the course of an hour before getting a break for several hours. Still no clear signals for when I need to go, hence the skid marks and the extra laundry.<br />
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I went to Huntsman Cancer Institute last Friday for my first followup appointments. I started the day with a CT scan in the morning. Who doesn't love drinking two bottles of barium contrast solution for breakfast? I got berry flavor this time. Yum? After the scan I went to the lab for a series of blood tests. An hour later I met with my oncologist for a check up. Overall my body is healing nicely after a year of hellish cancer treatment. I'm just left wanting for strength and stamina. My doctor reported that my numbers looked good from the blood tests. Good news there.<br />
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Mixed news on the results of the CT scan. No sign of anything in my lungs or liver, but I have a swollen lymph node at the join near my original tumor sight. The join is where Dr. Slow hooked me back together after removing my rectum along with 18 other lymph nodes. The doctor explained that a swollen lymph node could just be the result of irritation from the surgery. Then again, it could also be cancer. Rather than waiting a year for the next CT scan, I will be going back in six months to see if the swelling has gone down. I go back in three months for another round of blood tests. They want to watch this closely.<br />
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My last appointment on Friday afternoon was with my dermatologist. She did a full body check looking for any trouble spots. With my fair skin and a lifetime of sun damage, skin cancer remains a real threat. I left her office with four spots on my head being sprayed with liquid nitrogen. It always feels good to freeze potential cancer in its tracks. At least after the stinging goes away. I think she likes me because she invited me back in six months.<br />
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Did I mention that I did the whole day of appointments by myself? Carla and the kids were down on Lake Powell last week with my brother and his family on their house boat. So who had more fun, huh?<br />
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And who would have thought a year ago that I would survive weeks of radiation, months of chemo therapy, two surgeries, and the longest endurance event of my life? Inconceivable!Steve Chamberlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291399917978807911noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246546886632414562.post-48801872621850614402011-07-27T22:12:00.000-06:002011-07-27T22:12:08.967-06:00What a sunset!I drove home from work tonight just as the sun set over the Great Salt Lake. Wow! Absolutely gorgeous. I haven't seen one that good for months. We live about half an hour west of my office building along Interstate 80 so I got to see the reds, pinks, oranges and yellows all the way home. Perfect way to end the day.<br />
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God sure made a beautiful place for us to live.Steve Chamberlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291399917978807911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246546886632414562.post-64950010395806232272011-07-13T20:51:00.000-06:002011-07-13T20:51:54.278-06:00Life is GoodGuess who's reading books again? Yep, that would be me. I'm on my third book since surgery. The best part is that I <i>want</i> to read and I'm enjoying each book. I love being done with cancer treatment. And for Fiona, my second book was "The Book Thief." Wow. That is a different book, but a great story. I quite liked it. Now I am almost finished with "The Scarlet Pimpernel." Good stuff.<br />
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Guess who started back to work this week? Yep, that would be me. After seeing my surgeon last Thursday, he said I was able to return to work whenever I wanted. So I talked with my supervisor at the office and we agreed I would work partial days this week with the goal of working up to full shifts by next week. The good news is that so far my ability to concentrate and stay focused has improved immensely since I've been off of chemo. There's a surprise!<br />
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Guess who's going back to college? Yep, that would be me. I started thinking about finishing up my course work at Westminster College over this last weekend. Another sign I'm done with my cancer treatment. On Monday I dropped by the campus and visited with one of the professors in my department. He was excited to have me back and felt confident that we could get me graduated by next May (only 12 months after I was originally supposed to finish). I'll be going back on Tuesday and Thursday nights starting the end of August.<br />
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Guess who still hasn't had any accidents since coming home from the hospital? Yep, that would be me. Now that I'm done with my cancer treatment it is all about the poop. Or at least it certainly seems that way. I am happy to report that diarrhea is mostly a thing of the past. Soft and clumpy is a vast improvement. Things to improve would include my sphincter not feeling like it's on fire each time it passes anything (radiation damage) and less noise and gas from the new plumbing. Boy, does it make some great, gurgley sound effects. Even in public.<br />
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Guess who's pretty happy being done with cancer treatment? Yep, that would be me. What a crazy year it has been. Each day I feel a bit more human, a bit more like the other people around me. Just tonight I was over at our church and some respected friends of mine commented on how much more animated I am. One of them said I was even talking in whole sentences instead of short phrases. So there you go. I am back to talking as much as I ever did. I am still <b>me</b>! All in all, I have to say that life is good.Steve Chamberlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291399917978807911noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246546886632414562.post-1997874076124060902011-06-25T03:12:00.001-06:002011-06-25T03:14:31.594-06:00Timed VoidsFirst things first, I am home. They kicked me out of the hospital Monday afternoon. Of course, it helped that they also thought I was ready to leave.<br />
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</div><div>I ended up not getting any kind of an appetite back until Wednesday night, so those first days home were interesting. I had to try and stay hydrated, my body was trying to recover from surgery, and my new plumbing was trying to make sense of itself all with little or no food to work with. This led to continual cramps, bloating, gas, diarrhea, dry heaves, all the fun stuff. I managed it with pain meds and forced eating. We stayed on soft foods like chicken noodle soup, yogurt, and protein drinks. (May I just say here that I love my wife. She is one strong force in my life.)</div><div><br />
</div><div>Sometime on Wednesday night I realized my salivary glands were running overtime. And I was craving food! So I headed to the kitchen and fixed myself a grilled cheese sandwich with Campbell's tomato soup. Dipping those sandwich strips into that creamy soup was pure pleasure on the palette, and my first real meal in a week. Eating has improved each day since. Yay! Eating is such a cool part of life.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Of course with more food comes more waste which leads me to the next part of this update...</div><div><br />
</div><div>So far so good on the bum end of things. I've been given enough trusted advice on this topic to feel pretty good about our progress. For example, no major mishaps since we've been home. (And yes, if you want to read between the lines put the emphasis on <i>since</i>.) This means I am getting to the toilet in time. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Let's put this into perspective.</div><div><br />
</div><div><div>1) My pelvis received massive amounts of radiation pre surgery.</div><div><br />
</div><div>2) An extremely important part of my large intestines is missing, as in my rectum.</div><div><br />
</div></div><div>3) There is currently no communication between my new plumbing and my brain. Full and empty are indiscernible.</div><div><br />
</div><div>4) All I have produced since surgery is gas and diarrhea. Lots.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Under the circumstances I am pretty darn proud of my little sphincter at the end of the line. In spite of its own aches and pains it is doing its job admirably. That's a great start.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Oh, I almost forgot.</div><div><br />
</div><div>A friend, who is also a nurse, asked me how I was getting along the other night. I explained the situation and said that I was simply hitting the restroom at regular intervals to stay ahead of any accidents. He smiled and said, "You know, there's a name for that. It's called timed voids."</div>Steve Chamberlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291399917978807911noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246546886632414562.post-4009022591171147592011-06-19T17:55:00.002-06:002011-06-19T18:00:15.533-06:00Father's DayHappy Father's Day to all the dads out there!<br />
Unfortunately, Steve didn't get to go home for Father's Day. That would have been the best father's day present he could have had. I think he is getting tired of being here at the hospital, but doesn't know what he can do to make it happen. He is still having problems with nausea and has no appetite or real energy.<br />
I ended up leaving to go home around noon so that I could take a shower ( it had been three days since my last one), change clothes, attend church with the kids, etc. The kids and I all came back to the hospital at 4:00 p.m., but Steve wasn't feeling up to much visiting. They gave Steve a large card they had made for him and a small plate of peanut butter cookies. They went home at 5:30 so that he could keep resting. We'll just have to have a delayed father's day celebration when he is finally feeling well enough to enjoy it.Steve Chamberlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291399917978807911noreply@blogger.com2