Category Archives: Health

Ode to Dad

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My dad’s health has been declining further. He is now on oxygen and lots of pain meds. He was diagnosed with colon cancer about 3 years ago and has been going through all the chemo treatments, radiation and other experimental things. The cancer has spread to his lungs and now that he is on oxygen and in a lot of pain; he can’t do much other than rest.


Me and Dad in Better Times. What a team!

It is so hard to see him go through this. All I want is for him to be back to normal. The strong dad I’ve known my whole life. The man who owned both a lawn care company and a law business. The man who could get so angry and also be the kindest person I’ve ever known. My dad.

And I am really lucky to have a dad like this.

I mean not every dad will put curlers in his hair with you!

Not every kid gets to grow up with a dad who not only tells you that you can do anything but seems to live it. From building and remodeling houses to being the pitcher in the community softball team and even being the mayor of a town, Dad could do it all!


The Fam Circa 1985/86

He was always there when I needed him. When I  graduated from kindergarten to when I crashed my first car, when I needed help with homework and when he thought I just needed a good rassle. He was the kind of dad who punished me by having me write essays. And you never knew when he was going to jump up right behind you and SNARL just for fun.


My high school graduation

And as an adult, I just can’t imagine not having him to call and ask advice or talk philosophy or politics or money matters. You know, to just shoot the shit as he would say. It is so strange to see him this sick, listless and without an appetite. He was never sick -as a kid I don’t remember him even having a cold. He was certainly not listless -he was always building or doing something. And as for appetite? He definitely was never one to turn down good food!

I just want my dad for a few more years. We’ve been blessed that in these last three years we have been able to be here with him and appreciate our time together a little more.

Dad, if you are reading this, I just want you to know that I love you so much. I want you to get better soon. I want many more discussions and memories and meals! And if Britton and I have kids, I want you to know them. I want them to know their grandfather. But I guess sometimes life doesn’t always work out just as you want. And if that is the case, please know that I am so glad I had you in my life. I am so happy you are my dad, Dad.

After all, what kind of kid draws a picture like this if not a happy one?


My family

 

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Poudre River Trail in Greeley

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Since the weather has been nicer and nicer and the sun has been coming up earlier and earlier I’ve been enjoying the mornings a lot more.  The bad thing is that usually I wake up, shower and have to go into work.  I decided that today I’d wake up and go for a bike ride while Cassie slept.


Over the handlebars

They’ve been building this trail for a few years.  It goes from Island Grove Park (In Greeley) all the way thru Windsor Colorado.  I didn’t quite take it to Windsor as that is quite a ways away (20 miles).  Round trip I did about 10 miles.  I took a little video too.

 

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Out at Rafferty’s in Greeley -Bellydancing Performance

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Last night we went to Rafferty’s bar in Greeley to watch our friend Shana belly dance. Rafferty’s is kind of known for being a run-down bar, but they have fixed it up quite a bit. We hung out with our friends Kelly, Lorena and a few more people before it started. It was neat seeing all the costumes, dancing and hear the music. I think it would be fun to do belly dancing. We stayed a little bit longer to watch a rock band called Kung Fu Grip because I also knew the drummer. Anyway, it was fun, except one thing.


Shana, Me and her niece at Raffertys

The only thing that really bothered me (and that I’ll probably have to look into doing something about) was all the smoke. They built this “patio” on to it, but it is basically another room -it had walls, windows which were shut and doors. So whenever anyone went into the “smoking patio” all the smoke went right back in to us. While I should notice this sort of thing, Britton, who rarely complains, even noticed it. That was part of the reason we left so early -he was getting a headache from the smoke. It’s amazing how quickly you get used to not having to go out in smoke! It reminded me a little of the early days when Britton played in a band in all those gross smoky bars and how I’d have to take a shower just to get the smoke out of my hair before bed.

So we went home and hung out for a while. Then Shana who was so excited about her performance wanted to come by and gush and take pictures. It was kind of fun. I was showing her the way to take the best pictures and the angles that are the most flattering. Here are a few I took:


Shana’s Eye Makeup


Eyes Open


Her belly dancing costume down to the toes

She tried to show me a few moves and we just played around with it for a while and Britton took a few pics of us. I think I need a little work 🙂

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I Can See Clearly Now

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This past week I had Lasik surgery done on my eyes. Sorry for the lack of posts, but I couldn’t see very well and having Britton write a blog post is a rare treat. Anyway, the surgery went fine. It was pretty scary actually during the procedure itself, but that is because I think way too much into things. I was envisioning what they were doing to my eyes, thinking that this must be what it’s like to be abducted by aliens and when I heard the saw that would cut my cornea, I really freaked out. But everything was numbed and I couldn’t feel anything, which is another reason why it felt like an out-of-body experience.

They lifted the cornea flap, lasered under it and put it back down and I immediately could see better. Then everything went really blurry again as the swelling occurred. I slept the rest of the day and most of the following. My eyelids are still puffy even today because of the tool they use to keep your eyes pried open.


My new eyes sans eye makeup

But I can see clearly now! I am very excited to have my eyesight without contacts or glasses. I’ve had one or the other since I was about 7 years old. And I am a bookworm and info-phile so I am sure all that close-work didn’t help my myopia. I still have to wear these funky spiderman-looking eye protection deals when I sleep that leave a weird sticky residue on my face and I have to be careful in the shower not to let water hit my eyes directly. At my one day follow-up appt I was 20/25 in one eye and 20/20 in the other. Not bad for being -10 before (those are some thick glasses let me tell you!).

Now if only I could clearly see into my crystal ball for the future…hmm. Where’s that third eye, anyway?

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