Life’s a Dance You Learn as You Go!

 

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!