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!