Life Goes on...

Since the one year anniversary, there have been moments to celebrate and others that brought grief. We enjoyed a family vacation with all 6 of "our kids". In November, Ralph was blessed to be able to walk Megan down the aisle and witness her marriage to Nathan Boxx. We all enjoyed a wonderful wedding reception with our closest family and friends. In December, Ralph's oncologist said that he was doing terrific! This same month, we put down our dog of 13 years. Ralph's mother lost her battle with cancer, at age 87, a week later.

A Year Has Passed...

It was a year ago, June 11, 2010, that Ralph had his stem-cell transplant! Since then, his physical and emotional strength has progressed and he has, on occasion, enjoyed some golfing and coaching from the dugout. This summer, we traveled to Fell's Point on our way to a family vacation, in OCMD, where we met the kids. His body still aches and he needs more time to rest, but he seems to persevere. YES, some of his "SASS" is back! He still attempts to be in his office, every day, but the physical demands can take a toll, and the mental demands can give him a headache. The daily oral chemo has no effect on his knowledge or performance, but he needs more rest-time to refocus.

After the Stem-cell Transplant Annual Patient Picnic, on August 28th, Ralph is now ready and hopes to start going to the group meetings for patients and family members of Multiple Myeloma. We saw that cancer favors people of all ages, both sexes, and any race or nationality. The event was a most humbling and inspirational experience. The medical staff was as happy to be there as their patients! Such hope!

Megan is getting married, in November, and we are all thrilled that Ralph will walk her down the aisle. Twenty-one months ago, we thought that he may miss-out on that privilege. He talks a lot about wanting grandchildren, which is part of his "new' character, I suppose. Life and family are no longer taken for granted.

Although, there is still a gray cloud, it has lifted and is not quite as dark. We no longer wake to the thought of CANCER, and pray every day for patience, strength, and courage. We also thank God for the love and support of family and friends!

PLEASE continue to pray for the doctors, researchers, nurses, biochemists, and all who have helped to make this a treatable cancer.

Happy Birthday!

Our family certainly appreciates the American Cancer Society, “The Official Sponsor Of Birthdays”...this is Ralph's 2nd birthday since his stem-cell transplant! Thank you society, doctors, researchers, nurses, biochemists, friends, family...and above all....God! Ralph and I celebrated at Angelo's, went for a ride (like in the good ole days), and ate cake from Bartram House! Earlier, today, Megan took him for lunch at Capstone. On July 3rd, Michael is treating him to golf at Olde Stonewall where he can sport the new golf outfit that Mallory gave him.

ONE YEAR LATER

Ralph had his yearly check-up today, and all went well! His blood-work showed that his Myeloma levels were a little lower than ever before. The bone scan showed no new lesions, and the results of his bone marrow biopsy will be available in 7 to 10 days. No one expects any surprises or bad news. He goes back to Hillman in one year and will continue seeing his Dr. Kane, in Meadowlands, every 3 months. Monthly blood tests and bone strengthening medicine will continue.

He is golfing and helping to coach baseball. Everything he does is at a much slower pace, but we are thankful that he finds the motivation. Most importantly, he is enjoying all the pre-festivities of Megan's wedding and the fact that he will walk her down the aisle!

As always, we continue to count our blessings, appreciate all the thoughts and prayers from family and friends, and live life, to the fullest, each and every day!

Nathan asked Ralph...

Yesterday, Nathan ventured to Ralph's office to ask for his blessing, because he wanted to propose to Megan! Today, on April Fool's Day, they are engaged!

SURPRISE!

On March 29, 2010, the kids gave us a surprise 30th Anniversary party in Adios I and II! We celebrated with family and our closest friends that we have carried, with us, through the years!

What God has joined together...

On March 29, 2010, Ralph and I will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. I think that this statement by Michele Weiner-Davis most reflects my feelings. http://marriage.about.com/b/2007/03/28/is-marriage-hard-work.htm

Funny that through all these years, the moments that are etched in stone are the happiest and most meaningful.

Our Time Line:
04/23/72: Met at Rte 19 Bowling Alley
05/05/72: 1st date to “Puppet on a String” and to a high school house party
08/15/72: Ralph sent me a letter from Baseball Camp and wrote that he loved me
12/21/78: Proposed during a Sunday Afternoon Ride…somewhere in North Franklin Twp.
03/29/80: We married our High School sweethearts!
02/21/82: Found out that I was pregnant with Michael!
10/21/82: Michael was born @ 10:22AM!
05/18/84: Found out that I was pregnant with Megan! (my mother’s birthday)
01/17/85: Megan was born @ 11:02AM!
12/07/85: Moved into our second house that we bought from my dad
01/31/87: Found out that I was pregnant with Mallory! (my dad’s birthday)
10/03/87: Mallory was born @ 6:52AM!
02/22/92: Moved into the house that we built which we still call home!
05/??/05: Michael graduated from Washington and Jefferson College!
12/??/06: Megan graduated from PITT in Oakland!
12/19/09: Mallory graduated from Penn State in State College!
01/12/09: Ralph was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma.
06/11/09: Ralph received a successful stem-cell transplant.
03/29/10: We will celebrate our 30th Wedding Anniversary!
04/01/10: Megan became engaged to Nathan Boxx.
11/13/10: Megan and Nathan were married @ I.C.; reception @ Willow Room.

As I reflect, I know that there were good and bad times; some years were more financially sound than others; we have been faced with sickness and appreciated health; and will be together until death do us part. “Grow old with me, the best is yet to be!”

LONG WINTER...

Everything is going OK with Ralph. He is able to do a little snow shoveling, and his many doctor visits keep him occupied as well as monitor his health which seems to be good. His maintenance chemo can make him chatty and lack filtering...I pray for patience and forgiveness, when I do not do well at tolerance. He still goes out of the house, daily. He can do about 1/3 of the work that he once did, because his bones ache and are weak, plus he needs to rest in between. Nonetheless, he still enjoys appraising and real estate. Ralph also manages to get to the TRINITY boys and girls basketball games.

EXHALE...

Goodness, I am guessing that this is the way our lives will be. We will hold our breaths and exhale after receiving results. Fortunately, answers are as prompt as possible. Ralph went to a renal specialist who did a sonogram of his bladder and kidneys...only to order an MRI, because he wanted a clearer picture of a spot on his kidney. After a little more than a week to get approved by insurance (He had already had 2 MRIs this year.), we have news that it is a cyst. PHEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! Today is a good day to CEleBRaTe LiFE! ENJoy!

One year ago...

January 12th is the day that our lives changed. Adversity brought about a lot of really positive things. We reconnected with old friends and family. We are awed and humbled by an outpouring of true concern and the desire to help by an entire community. Our nuclear family's bond strengthened. Issues and things that once mattered seem trivial. Our needs and wants are totally different. We relax. We appreciate staying at home. Sounds we once took for granted seem like music. We truly take our time to smell fragrances that were ignored. The seasons need to come and go more slowly. We no longer live for someday; rather, we enjoy now.

Ralph spends a lot of time at doctor visits and check-ups rather than at work. He also spends more time at home and with our children and me. We watch television together rather than in different rooms...we compromise. We are more considerate of one another. In the hustle and bustle of life, we had lost what is most important...we have found it again! In the back of our minds, there is a gray cloud, but for the most part, this year has been life altering and we have found peace. Praise the Lord!

2010

It was an emotional ringing in of 2010! Ralph was feeling the blessing of life and the fortune of celebrating a new year! I have been haunted, this holiday, with thoughts and feelings of the beginning of 2009. No, nothing and no one is taken for granted at our house. We talk to God a lot and give Him thanks. We are hoping for a healthy, safe, and peaceful new year for ourselves, our families, and our friends!