Ralph Turned 70 in ‘24

 

Through the years

 

We Are Still Hopeful

 Many years have passed since I last wrote on this blog.  It’s not because things haven’t been happening or that we’ve lost hope; we had just been trying to live life without multiple myeloma be our main focus.  There were even days when it wasn’t my first thought in the morning or when I saw Ralph.  Those days felt good.  For the past six years, Ralph was in remission…myeloma was nearly non-detectable.  We knew that would not last and held our breath with every blood test.  In March 2025, Ralph’s myeloma counts started to rise.  On May 1st he started Daratumumab infusion on Fridays and 

Pomalyst….21 days on 7 off. He will be checked, at Hillman, in June to see if it working.  His oncologist is retiring, in June, which is very scary.  We are praying for the next doctor to be just as good if not better🙏🏼

Over those six years, he has had serious bouts with pneumonia, Bronchitis, and Covid due to his weakened immune system from chemo.  In January, 2020 he spent a month in the hospital/rehab recovering and gaining strength from a bout with pneumonia.  

But, great things also happened!  Our first grandchild was born in December 2014…5 1/2 months later, our second.  In Spring of 2017, we added 3 more. Another in 2019 and 2022 completed our family.  We have been blessed to be able to spectate as they competitively swim, play soccer, play flag football, play basketball, and play lacrosse.  We’ve enjoyed family vacations and many weekends around our pool.

Recently, I read that the longest one lived with multiple myeloma has been 31 years.  It’s been 16 years 5 months for Ralph.  He still works every day and can still golf.  I have hope that he meets if not beats 31 years!

2013...

Another year older; another year wiser…

Hoping this finds you and yours healthy, happy, cozy, and warm!  Hoping that 2013 brought you love, friendship, and lots of laughter!

My resolution, was to conquer my fear of flying.  It had been nearly 35 years since I had flown.  Success!! (with Rosary and prayer)  The girls and I flew to NYC to see “Newsies”; Ralph and I flew to Playa de Carmen to vacation with Michael, Erin, Megan, and Nathan. Ralph and I flew to Denver to celebrate a friend’s son’s wedding and tour Colorado.  While there, I visited with a high school friend whom I hadn’t seen in about 19 years. Liz guided us through Boulder. All three trips were phenomenal…great sites…great company!

All three children moved into new homes this year (I say that there is only one thing next…weddings…new homes with 4 bedrooms…???).  Mallory and Eric moved to Coraopolis, Michael and Erin settledin Upper St. Clair, and Megan and Nathan chose Bridgeville.  We are blessed to have them, each,within 45 minutes!  The true blessing is that they are within 25 minutes of one another.

We, definitely, enjoyed our new pool area this summer!  It was great to never leave home to vacation!  Ralph hasn’t retired. His health is good…expected aches and pains…it’s been 5 years. I work, one night a week, in a children’s boutique, called Principessa, (just to be around little clothingJ) along with teaching at the middle school.  My parents are still in good health.

We consider ourselves blessed in every way.

May 2014 bring you all that makes you happiest along with

strength and courage when life takes a turn.

At night, may you rest with peace of mind!

SIX months later...

We are six months out of transplant and all is going well!  Ralph, recently, learned that his myeloma count was .73.  We are under the impression that this is very good....the transplant was successful!  Yes, his bones ache...as they are weak.  He takes a pill form chemo for 21 days; then off for seven.  Monthly, he has bloodwork and receives bone strengthening IV meds.
We had a wonderful Christmas and NewYear! We have weathered this storm, and the waters are calm right now.  As always, we appreciate your thoughts and prayers...Thank you!

In a nutshell...

Oh my!  2012 was one crazy, emotional roller coaster ride with a series of peaks and valleys...a year of fear, hope, faith, and of dreams coming true!

We started out the year with Ralph having chemo treatments in preparation of his second stem-cell transplant.  The transplant would only be scheduled when his counts were deemed to be as low as they could reach.  Each month, we held our breath hoping that the chemo was effective for him to receive his transplant before Michael's and Mallory's weddings.  Then the reality came that he might have to miss one or the other or both.  With God's grace, Ralph received his transplant in between both weddings and danced at both!

Michael and Erin were married on June 30th.  The ceremony took place at her aunt's family's winery, and the reception was on her family's farm in central PA.  The event was picture perfect!  The rolling hills of PA set the scene, and every detail was exactly the way that they envisioned.  Friends and family traveled, and fun was had by all!  They honeymooned in Hawaii.  Michael has just accepted a new corporate accounting job, and he and Erin have begun considering buying another or building a new house.

Megan and Nathan have committed to a new town home, being built, in Bridgeville.  They hope to move in by August.  They may need to stay with us after the home that they sold closes.  Megan continues to thrive, with her State Farm Insurance office, in McMurray.  She keeps herself extra busy with community events, committees, and helping to coach a dance team in Peters Township.

Mallory and Eric were married on September 8th, at Lingrow Farm, in Leechburg, PA.  She imagined a barn with twinkle lights, and that's exactly what she found!  Again, friends and family traveled to celebrate and dance the night away.  They plan to honeymoon next summer.  Mallory graduated from Pitt last spring and is a speech therapist in the McGuffey School District.  They are committed to building a house in Kennedy Township.

I transferred to the middle school, this year, and love my new position in eighth grade pre-algebra and physical science as an Inclusion teacher.  I kept myself busy all summer.  As if preparing for and planning Mallory's bridal shower, in our yard, wasn't enough, I also planned and supervised the retirement resort that we are building on the rear of our property.  At least 35 trees were cleared to make room for a pool and amenities.  We hope to be complete by May.  Ralph and I are pretty excited to be able to relax and entertain and refuel without leaving home!   We also remodeled our bathroom to create a zen retreat.  It's been a joy to watch dreams become realities...we are blessed!

The girls and I are planning a short trip to NYC for a show and shopping between Christmas and New Year's.  In June, we plan to travel to Mexico for a family vacation!  Ralph and I continue to live life to the fullest!  We take nothing for granted.  Our faith is strong, and we live with hope!  We count our blessings and have rearranged our priorities.

Together, Ralph and I wish you all the joys that life can bring!  We wish you good health and safety!  We wish you peace of mind, the love of family, true friendship, and laughter with each new day!

 Merry Christmas!  Happy New Year!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

 

Four months later, we are blessed to have had our family gather, on the Sunday before the Thursday Thanksgiving, to count our blessings!  We filled our bellies and our hearts!

 

Ralph has achy bones, but otherwise,



 he feels pretty good. His hair and his sass is back, and he plans to go hunting. He works part-time and plays an occasional game of golf.

 

We look forward to another Christmas surrounded by family and friends!