Wish It Was Better News

Jeremy and me, Christmas 1990

Mom called me today shortly after 1:00 to tell me that she was on her way to see Jeremy in Tri-Cities. He's been waiting to have his last surgery on his foot, which he injured a few years ago in a car accident. It hasn't healed well and this next surgery was supposed to finally fix it.

While at the doctor's office today, he found out he "probably" has leukemia. Apparently his white blood cell count points that way. I could kill his doctor for being so vague - you either have it, or you don't - it seems cruel to say "maybe" and make the patient and his family suffer. Melanie (the new nurse) says if it wasn't probably true, the doctor wouldn't have mentioned it. Bri thinks that with malpractice lawsuits happening as often as they do, doctors can't be too careful when they're giving out information like this, which is why he couldn't give Jeremy a very straight answer. More tests are necessary to determine the kind of leukemia he might have and how to treat it.

I'm leaving Thursday night on the train to spend a week in Tri-Cities and do whatever with my family. Neenaw sold her condominium and must be out by the 29th, and John and Karen and Jen are already there trying to get things ready for her move. I thought I could help with that and then, I don't know, just be moral support or something for Jeremy. We always have a good time together - maybe we can play some Mad Libs and forget about it for a while.

I love him so much and hate to think of anything bad happening to him. Your prayers and good thoughts are more than welcome.

Reunion Part II

Chow Time 2: Stacy, Rachael talking to Tawnee, Becky, Rosalind, Demeter and half of Neenaw.

Uncle John feeding his face; Dad in the background.

Laila, Carter and Roz.

Bella (wearing my stolen-from-Bri sheriff sweatshirt) and Carter. Looks a little smoky.

Ernie taking a snooze

Melanie and Dad. Cheeeese!

Here's a good shot of our scabbed-up kid in our stuffed-to-the-gills van. We took a trip to Union for some supplies - I also snuck in a visit to the cemetery and grabbed some pictures. Obsessed much? (Roz saw this picture and laughed, "I'm so fat!")

Brennan and Bella at the picnic table. Did we miss our Bella while she was in Utah? You bet we did.

Bri and Carter. This is an important moment in history: Bri is voluntarily holding a Mad Libs book. Look at that - it's even OPEN. And you were here to witness it.

Jetta and Jeremy

BC and Dad chatting it up

Chef Karen

Rosalind, Camrynn, Demeter, Berkli, Carter: The Next Generation

Mr. Carter hanging out next to the playpen, his favorite spot. He's loved babies ever since Roz was born - he likes their hair. He used to say to us about Roz, "I want to pet her head." He loved holding all the babies this weekend. They were pretty good sports about it.

Brook, Paisli and Xanden. The blow-up pool worked great as a playpen. The four babies spent much of the weekend playing in it.