Hello Lil A!

I am listening to Karen hold a phone conversation with my Ashley. I am eavesdropping.
Things are heated around these parts. It is blazing hot! I hope you're finding a place to stay cool.

Mt. Ventoux

There's a kilometer to go on Mt. Ventoux and Armstrong is holding fast to Contador. The climb is very steep. Garate wins! Armstrong is solid in 3rd place overall. The Scheck brothers attempted to "gap" Lance and they failed.

Ist Couple of Days of Le Tour

The Tour is off to an interesting start. The Prologue took place in and around Monte Carlo. It was all very picturesque and technical. Today there was a streaking sprint finish and a Mark Cavendish victory. Columbia/High Road is a powerful team. They could be unstoppable. What do you think, Greg?

hello Friends!

Hope this finds you well. Tomorrow is Independence Day. Karen and I are enjoying a visit from Justin. He leaves tomorrow and will stop in Maize for a visit with Dan and Ashley. We'll miss having you around, Justin.
Tomorrow, I'd like to go back to the old neighborhood for the Collins Park 4th of July parade. It's fun and very low-key. In my opinion, it's the best neighborhood celebration in the City. For us, it's like going home, you know what I mean?
Have a happy and safe 4th!
P.S. Our dog hates the 4th.

Hello Again

This is an early morning post and I'm a bit out of it. I'll keep this short. I just wanted let you know that I'm still here and my health is improving. Hope the same is true for you.
To Maxine: we are praying for you and your family. You've always been gracious and kind to me: a living example of Christian love. We'll always love you.

Summertime in Kansas

We're enjoying a mild early summer after a wet Spring. The yard is ultra-green and lush. It's going to be a great summer! I hope to see you if you can get away.
I'll try to continue regular blogging now that the pressure is off with respect to my cancer. Last night I even broke out my vinyl and played some old-school rock. Karen and I danced in the basement to Neil Young (Computer Age and Sample and Hold.) Does anyone else besides me consider Trans a great record? David Geffin Doesn't. We also danced to Edie Brickell and New Bohemians and even Johnny Horton (Whispering Pines and The Sinking of the Bismarck - for Karen). You'll be delighted to know: We can still move, lol.

Wonderful News from Duke!

For the past two days Karen and I have being seeing our doctors at Duke Medical Center. We were particularly concerned about this visit because it would speak volumes about the status my brain cancer. The word is in: there are no active cancer cells in my brain! It's a true miracle! God has breathed His grace into our lives!
Please accept my deepest and most profound gratitude for your love and faith. You gave us your generous support and care. Your gifts of these things have led Karen and I to defeat a deadly and determined enemy.
Now We're not completely home free yet. The disease bears close watching and many of the therapies will continue. We face the future with humility and faith. God is great and makes all things possible.
I owe so much to each of you. The medical staff in Topeka and at Duke have done heroic things. Dr. V told us "miracles happen." How right he is! Thank you, Dr. Vredenburgh. God has given you special healing gifts. We are the benefactors of your science. Thanks also to Dr. David Einspahr (Topeka Cancer Center), our local oncologist. This gentle man has played a pivotal role in guiding my healing. Also playing key roles are Dr. Russ Greene (radiation oncology), Dr. Katy Peters (Duke Medical Fellow - we love you, Katy), and Dr. Michael Atwood (our family doctor through most of this).
I'd also be remiss if I didn't thank Dr. Matt Wills, our brilliant and gifted neurosurgeon. His strength and skill during a trying time initiated the healing process.
We haven't began to thank everyone who played a role in my recovery but I love you and all you do for me. Cancer changed some things in our lives but it never shook our faith in God's plan. With faith and your support, we have astonished everyone.
We rejoice in your love!
Your grateful friend,
John

Good Morning, North Carolina

Hello from Morrisville, NC (Raleigh/Durham Airport Marriott). I have a long series of tests ahead of me today and tomorrow. I get a PET scan and an MRI today and confer with Dr. Vrendenburgh tomorrow. That along with all the requisite proding and pricking. With God's grace, we will prevail. Let's bring it on! Oh yes, and tonight, dinner with Noah and his parents, Nathan and Danielle. Can't wait for that! Makes it all worthwhile.

Our Back Yard

Karen and I spent a large portion of the last two days working on our yard. It's paying off. The back yard is especially showy with Karen's gardening. She is justifiably proud of her work. I think the yard looks better than it ever has before. If it's nice tomorrow, I'll blog a few of pics of it.

We're off to Durham, NC, Sunday. Danielle and Nathan, I hope you won't mind a couple of drop-by visitors on Sunday and/or Monday. We are anxious to meet our new nephew.

Love,

John

Visit to the 'TA' and Pool Filling

Ouch! Two weeks since my last post. Inexcusable! We had a great time with Ashley and Dan last weekend in Wichita (or the 'Ta as I like to say). Their black lab, Dugan, is growing fast. Careful kids, that dog is approaching 50 lbs. He is as sweet at he can be. I found he has a penchant for fetch it. He's like an outfielder who dives and twirls in mid-air while grabbing his ball. Then he runs back with the ball in his chops and wrestles you for the ball. Lots of fun! We loved our visit. Lets do it again soon!

Come on over and let's get in the pool!

The flowers are from our backyard.

Here Comes Noah!

Like everyone else, Karen and I are awaiting the delivery of Noah Henry. Dani, I hope you're as comfortable as possible. We are very excited for you and Nathan. We're staying close to the phone and the internet for breaking Noah News. Push, Danielle, push!!

Hello and a Thanks

Congratutions to Ashley for getting raves from her employers. Ashley was runner-up for a national recognition award for her superlative performance at work. I know you're bound for greatness! Karen and I are very proud of you!
I now have my wireless router back, thanks to a Netgear tech from India. Ramesh talked me through the fix where others had failed. The Geek Squad guy, for instance, suggested a new router. I am delighted to have my wireless router back to full functionality. I told Ramesh he was my hero but he said, "It's nothing...that's what I'm paid to do." This in spite of the fact that there was no warranty because I hadn't returned the card. What service! and for no cost.

Pluto is a Planet

I love this tune, Pluto, by 2 Skinnee Js. I believe it's about accepting those who wish to live among us:

Who do you represent? I represent the smallest planet
Attorney in this tourney against those who try to ban it
Who discriminate against the distant and disclaim this
'Cause their small minds can't see past Uranus
But my odyssey runs in 2001 ways
I can see clearly now like Hubble
shoved from the Shuttle, here's my rebuttal

It's a Planet

So lend me your ears and let me state my case
about all the types of satellites we must embrace
Cause like my parents grandparents - this planet was an immigrant

Do it for the children
Do it for the children (if not for yourself)
Pluto is a planet

2 Skinnee Js
Supermercado

What would you expect from me? One of my favorite albums is Mister Heartbreak by Laurie Anderson.

It's 4/21

I guess yesterday was the dopers' annual holiday (4/20). Oh well, so I forgot. So much the better.
How are you all? It's been since Bob's birthday that I posted.
No news has been, well, no news. Karen and I are doing well. I am just about to turn in some work under my own masthead and it feels pretty darn good. My client has even promised not to make me wait for payment. This may be a trend.
I understand that we are neighbors with Jim and Patty Van Slyke. I saw Patty drive by the other day but I don't think she saw me.
Karen's birthday is Thursday. I trying to think of something thoughtful to do. Any ideas? I'll probably fix Karen crab legs and wine (beer for me). It's her favorite meal. There's an amusing little seasonal beer out by Boulevard Brewing Co (Kansas City's favorite). It's called Single Track IPA and like everything else by Boulevard, it is excellent. I'll have some on hand this weekend, Greg. We are very much looking forward to your visit.

Kiev is the Capital of Ukraine

Here's an example of the Ukrainian language:

Kiev stolitsya Ukraininski. Tse nabilshi Ukrainske misto. There may be a few spelling errors here but how would YOU know? What I am trying to say is Kiev is the Ukrainian capital. It's Ukraine's largest city. You see? Our exchange student taught us something after all. What's even harder is transcribing it into the cyrillic alphabet.

I'll stop with the language lessons if you like.

Love,
John

Poetry Quiz

Hi everyone! No one's been around for a while. Everyone I know must be Facebooking. It's pouring outside just now (Monday, March 30, 8:10 pm). Karen and I are well. I am just completing my first two audits under my own name. I should have done this long ago.
Ok: Quiz Time
Three Questions -
1. What poet wrote the following line:
"Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter."
2. What poem is this from? and,
3. What grammarical error often occurs by those who cite this poem?
Answers
John Keats
Ode on a Grecian Urn and;
Many people mistakenly call this poem Ode to a Grecian Urn but you don't write an ode to an inanimate object.

My Gordon Lightfoot Photos

Here are some of the Gordon Lightfoot concert photos I took. I hope you like them.

John, Karen, and Gordon

Justin posted some of Synthia Somerhalder's Gordon Lightfoot Topeka concert pictures on Facebook, so I took the liberty to share them here. Thanks, Synthia. These are wonderful pictures! Hope it's ok that I post a few here.

When did Gordon get old? Karen and John, you're looking younger! Great photo!

Karen and John

Karen, John and Gordon


Gordon signs John's CD

Gordon Lightfoot and photographer Synthia Somerhalder. Thanks, Synthia!

Gordon Lightfoot in Concert

Tonight's the night we've been waiting for: to see Gordon Lightfoot in concert at Topeka Performing Arts Center. Karen wants to hear Early Morning Rain, Canadian Railroad Trilogy, If You Could Read My Mind, and The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald. I want to hear a song from our wedding reception, Beautiful, which I dedicate to Karen, along with Old Dan's Records, Rainy Day People, Thats What You Get For Loving Me, and The Summer Side of Life.
We'll let you know how it turns out.

Voyages and Passages

All the best for those of you who will soon undertake momentous life journeys. Karen and I are excited for Robert, who is about to begin the greatest adventure of his young life. Robert, you will be a great success, we are sure. Embrace the challenge!
Danielle, you've already begun your own great life adventure. What could be a greater adventure than bringing a child into this world? We are so very proud to call you our niece. We are looking forward to meeting our new nephew soon.

Anchors Aweigh, Rob

Karen and I spoke to Robert, Jr. today. Robert and his family and friends were celebrating his imminent induction into the Navy with an open house today. I wish we could have been there too. It sounds as if you were celebrating in style.
We are very proud of you, Robert, and we're certain you're bound for great things! Karen and I have noticed the maturity and positive attitute you exude even now. We are with you all the way and will remember you in our prayers.
We'll be waiting for your return and for a chance to see you after basic training. Until then, we'll be thinking of you often.
Give it hell, son. There are no limits to what you will accomplish. We love you.

John and Karen

Eyes of the World

"Wake up to find out that you are the eyes of the world;
The heart has its beachs, its homeland, and thoughts of its own;
Wake now discover that you are song that the morning brings;
The heart has its seasons, its edens, and songs of its own
Hunter/Garcia

This week's meditation brought to you by the Grateful Dead.
Have a great week!
John

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you lovers out there! You know who you are (I hope). To all you others, remember: Light of the World, Shine on me, Love is the Answer! Shine on us all, Set us free, Love is the answer! (Utopia, Sorry, Wrong Planet LP) . I know Justin can identify this reference. Faith, hope, and love abide, these three, but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinth 13.
Karen and I are feeling well and will probably spend Valentine's Day at home. But you never know, I should treat Karen to an intimate, romantic supper. I think that's a good idea. Heaven knows she deserves it and much, much more.
My treatment is going well. I am holding at 300 mgs of Temodar a day. That's administered at bedtime during a 5 day treatment week within each 28 day cycle. That's what we call pulse chemo. This dose seems to fit my needs and I think we've found a level that's both effective and modest. We will return to Durham soon for a meeting with Dr. Vrendenbaugh. It's going to be a very quick trip this time (48 hours).
This weekend marks the rematch of KU/K-State. To any of you Jayhawks who care to put a nonmonetary wager on the outcome of the game, bring it on! Fear the Fred! I don't know what the betting line is, but I am prepared to use it to my maximum advantage.
See Ashley, I still remember how to post a blog. Also, Happy Birthday shout outs to Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin.

It's Cold!!

I hope its warmer where you are than here in northeastern Kansas. I seems like we haven't had any temperatures over 30 for week or 10 days. I am ready for a warm-up. We haven't seen much snow this winter, although I think some cross-country skiing would do me good. Let's hope for say 5" of dry, light snow. I'll break out my pair of Fischers. Lovely!
Ashley and Dan have a new puppy, a black lab Ashley has named Dugan. Dugan is named after a stuffed dog that belongs to Justin. The stuffed Dugan is a Greensburg tornado survivor. All the better to survive a punctured abdomen. I haven't met the real, live Dugan yet but it sounds to me from Ashley's reports that she and Dugan have become fast friends. I'm not sure Dan and Ashleys' three cats (Phil, Gabbie, and Joe) feel the same way about their new little brother.
Well, next week is a busy week for us. Session Meeting (1st Pres) on Monday night, Avastin treatment Tuesday, etc. We'll stay in touch so please send us your comments. It sounds like you're doing well, Danielle. Love your blogs!

John

Off to Presbytery

Tomorrow I travel with two of my Church friends to a Presbytery of Northern Kansas meeting. Brad Walker, our Church's new Senior Pastor, will accompany Harlan Edmonds and myself. I asked that he drive my car and he agreed to do it. So we'll make the trip in my Audi A4. I don't drive much these days and the car needs to be driven. I only wish it was clean. When I return, I'll share the details of my first foray into Presbyterian polity. I know many of the folks who will be there so I am excited to go.
I am feeling well these days, now that I am off-cycle with the Chemotherapy. The doctors at Duke have toned down my Temodar and this has given me additional energy.
Well, it's off to bed now. I must rise very early tomorrow (around 5 am) to get ready to go. Karen says this excursion will be hard on her and Katy (our elderly Cairn Terrier) as they wait for me at home.

I'm Still Here!

Sorry for giving everyone the impression that I forgot how to blog. I'll try to correspond with you in a more timely fashion from now on. Please be assured I have been following your posts closely and I appreciate your support, more than you know. Martha, thanks for your loving words of encouragement.
We were in North Carolina last week for treatment at the Robert Preston Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke Medical Center. Karen and I consulted with our Cancer treatment expert, Dr. James Vredenbaugh (forgive me, Doc, if I misspelled that). The news is encouraging to say to least. Whereas in the past, certain physicians were only willing to admit that there was "no change", a good sign in and of itself, Dr. V said there appears to be improvement. Dr. V is not projecting these results into the future, but you can understand our optimism. We are very pleased with our decision to seek treatment there (Sorry all you UNC fans). Our brain surgeon, Matt Wills, got his MD from UNC, so I know it's also a high-quality institution.
Tomorrow is Ashley's birthday. Happy Birthday, Ash! Karen and I wish we could be with you and Dan but, oh well, we hope to see you soon. We hope you enjoy your trip to the Symphony! Karen and I stayed up New Year's Eve and watched a New Year's concert by the New York Philharmonic from Avery Fisher Hall. It was fantastic! I discovered that I love Offenbach, Rossini, and Hayden's 5th (dance concerto, perhaps?), among other selections.
Thanks for your posts and comments. We'll be in touch soon!

More Cut Backs!

Hello Family and Friends,

There have been lots of ups and downs since the last post on John's Trophy Run. Right after Thanksgiving and our wonderful family reunion, John had a serious chemotherapy treatment. His Temador was increased by 50% so the recovery cycle was as tough as the treatment. He also developed an eye infection that required medication to get through. All the while, he had an infusion of the Avastin every other week.

John and Karen celebrated Christmas at home with Ashley, Dan and Justin. Good thing we didn't suggest another family reunion! I talked with Karen several times about the upcoming trip to Duke. Do they go? Do they try to reschedule? Do they put off? Questions and more questions!

Well, they did go to Duke and got GREAT NEWS!!!
Dr. V, as they affectionately call the specialist, was able to tell them that there have been improvements in John's MRI, AND they want to cut back some of the medication. John is happy about that. This was especially good news as the seizure meds make him tired and not as alert as he loves to be.

During this past week, John had another round of Temador . The dose was reduced from the last round and, while it wasn't without some complications, he is recovering slowly and surely. This week John will be able to take a week off and gain some strength.

The news from Duke is the best hope for the New Year! It promises to be the beginning of a wonderful 2009! YEA! MORE CUT BACKS!