Quite a Few Weeks

Hi all,
Well the Nutcracker is over and is was fantastic. I got to see it three times! The first time was on Thursday during the special presentation for Oncology & Hematology patients and their families. Cathie Brown was tireless in her effort to make this show a success and safe for families to "come as they are" and she pulled it off. It was sold out and so amazing (it even made the local news http://www.ksby.com/Global/story.asp?s=9509359). Cathie personally cleaned and prepared the PAC (http://www.pacslo.org/) for the show...I am blessed to call her my friend. The Hearst Cancer Resource Center (see links) was instrumental in getting the tickets to all those who wanted to attend this free performance too. Meghan was beautiful as Clara and Katy was so killer in Snow, Ribbon Dance and Soldier...they continue to inspire me daily. Tommy and I survived as errand boys and Laura was on call to create or deliver all the necessary gifts and accoutrement's needed to pull this off. We love it and the music never gets old so it was labor of love for Laura and I.
On a sad note, my good friend Joel Schnackenberg passed away at the age of 48 after a hunting accident this past week. He was part of our Thursday afternoon men's group & bible study and I will miss him. He was so much fun to be around and his passing reminds me to live life each day with the peace that our Lord has everything in His control...not us. For those who knew Joel, I am sorry and please pray for the entire Schnackenberg family.
Recently, my docs and I have been busy figuring out lab issues and medications and so on. Bottom line, I am improving and have been given the green light to golf and surf. Too much rain lately, so I will wait until the ocean cleans up a little (I am a surfer at heart but not that stupid-ha ha) but the clubs are coming down and getting cleaned off ASAP. I will also be able to make a slow return to work in the next few months if my appts at Stanford go well in January and February. I feel a little uneasy as things began to turn the corner and realize this is a very common emotion for cancer patients. So much intervention, medication and appointments come into your life that when it begins to recede you feel a little lost. I've had to stop, take deep breaths and pray that this news was cool and it is OK to get better. So, I am trying to embrace this good news and enjoy the blessings of a Christmas with my family at home. Last Christmas was not good as many of you recall so waking up on the 25th with just Laura and my children will be my best present.
I am going to end with a quote from a book I read recently (it's from another dog book so humor me-I have moved on to other genres I promise)...enjoy the holidays everyone!

A person can learn a lot from a dog, even a loopy one like ours. Marley taught me about living each day with unbridled exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart. He taught me to appreciate the simple things - a walk in the woods, a fresh snowfall, a nap in a shaft of winter sunlight. And as he grew old and achy, he taught me about optimism in the face of adversity. Mostly, he taught me about friendship and selflessness and, above all else, unwavering loyalty.
John Grogan, Marley and Me, 2005

Cold & Chicken Pox Season

Hi all,

Ok, first to recommendations...I just saw "Freedom Writers" on TV. Wow, what a great movie and true story right out of Long Beach, CA. Movie has been around for awhile but it was nice to rediscover it one afternoon.

Now to the crazy stuff-Meghan got Chicken Pox on Thanksgiving or around there. She had been vaccinated, thank goodness, so her suffering was little to none but lesions were present and confirmed by Laura & Kristi Logan (experienced nurses) so we started her on medication right away. I called my docs and confirmed my suspicions. I had to move out of the house for the duration of her illness (about 4-5 days) to the Brown's pool house. It was fun being a bachelor for a few days and the Browns are so awesome (l love that family) but as I discussed what medical interventions I should do with my doctors we all realized how many viruses I am exposed daily in my current compromised state that I don't even know the name of and calmness and common sense ensued (at least for the docs involved). The holiday weekend and insurance hassles had something to do with it too. Funny thing too-Katy was Clara in Nutcracker 3 years ago and on Thanksgiving contracted Chicken Pox! Strange goings on in the O'Neil household with infectious diseases:)

We did enjoy Thanksgiving dinner in blissful ignorance of circulating pox virus with Mom-Mom, Adam (cousin) and Karl (nephew). Nutcracker week starts now and then we will enjoy the slow days to Christmas. Tommy recovered great from his knee injury and is back to full activity. Finals, frugal shopping and reminding myself that last Christmas is not something I remember too clearly (I left hospital AMA to watch presents being opened & returned home sometime in Feb) so it makes this holiday season really special. I am stoked and grateful that the Lord continues to bless me with health, appreciation for simple things and the gift of life each day.

cGVHD is improving each day but I remain realistic that it is not gone away and will continue to challenge me for a very long time. Such is life and I try to stay "glass half full" in attitude but occasional pity parties are allowed I am told. We don't let it get in the way too much now.

Have a great holiday season and don't forget to say "Happy Birthday Jesus" on the 25th.