September 11, 2008

I don't think that too many American's will ever forget 9/11/2001. Exactly where they where when...it happened. I was on my way to school running seriously late...damn traffic on I-70. and just as I was parking my car. I heard a radio announcement an airplane had flown into the world's trade center. I didn't think too much about it... so little that I hurried into class, and sat by my friends Shelly and Jean just like usual and whispered to Jean the news I had heard before I came into class. Then after class was over one of our professors came down to the classroom... Washington University's P.T. school classrooms are all in the basement. They announced that the second plane had hit the world trade center and there was concern that this was a teroist act. That was the first time that thought even crossed my mind. I never would have even dreamed about a terrorist act. I had assumed it was a horrible accident. Soon everyone in class was talking about it. Our school had planned to continue classes and did so untill after lunch... there was lots of rumors during every break in class. I remeber it was Jean's Birthday... Happy Birthday Jean. We had a little cake and such for her. It wasn't much of a celebration. One student in our class was from NYC and her brother worked in the World trade Center. She stayed at school... but spent much of her time trying to find out what happed to her brother. They dismissed class right after lunch. I drove the 44 miles home and watched the news for the rest of the day. That night I gave Laurabeth a big hug. (I was a live in for her she is a girl with severe autism) Today, at worked totally sucked if it could go wrong it did. The kind of day that kept me on edge. But once I came home and Edgar got home... I felt a lot better. just because I feel safe, and at the moment 7 years later... secure. It made us all want family and brought us back to what matters.

I don't know if the war in Iraq is right or wrong. I don't know who to vote for in the upcomming election. I hate war... but know that it can be a nessasary evil sometimes too. I am greatful for everyone who is a hero. And I think you are all hero's in one way or another.

God bless us all tonight.

bless us with unity, and a great understanding of one another. Although our differances are profound...help us to see the light shining from one another. Keep us safe and well and secure.

May God bless our world.

Beyond the Cure....

Taking on Life: During Treatment and Beyond the Cure

September 06, 2008 The Hyatt Regency St. Louis Riverfront Hotel St. Louis, MO

This conference focuses on issues and concerns experienced during childhood cancer treatment and beyond the cure. Medical professionals and families will have the opportunity to learn about the latest research and best approaches for survivorship and wellness. Parents of children with cancer, survivors age 14 and up and health care professionals are invited to attend the conference.

Guest faculty: Paul Nathan, MD,MSc,FRCPC Staff Oncologist, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada Associate Scientist, Research Institute: Child Evaluative SciencesAssistant Professor of Pediatrics and Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto

Greg Pacini, MS,LPC,CGPLicensed Professional CounselorAuthor of "Journey Beyond Diagnosis"

Rebecca Katz, MSChef and Cookbook author of "One Bit at a Time"

Brenda Witte, MSPT and Amy Downes Westfall, OTD,OTR/L St. Louis Children's Hospital

I had to boast for a second. I presented at this confrence today. I was the only person who presented who wasn't a pubished author. I thought Amy, my co presenter wasn't either... but she told me today that her research for her doctorate degree just got accepted for publication. Leaveing me the only unpublished speaker!!!! It was really cool and felt like a huge honor to speak in such company. All the speakers where very dynamic and interesting. And I think our presentation was as well. We had lots of fun slides and an activity session. Guess I better get busy planning that research or writting that book.

I have to admit it was the first time I have worn a skirt in quite a while. Pantyhose are weird! can anyone really ever get them totally straight?

Edgar is out "camping" in military TLF with his boys... He called this morning to tell me his phone wasn't working it got wet... because he fell in the river while fishing! Sounds like fun to me.

The Big Hair Cut!!!...and Susie's 92nd Birthday Party

Sarah and I went to the Botanical Garden's today....It was the Japanese festival. Very crowed so we explored other parts of the garden...Had a great time... I really want to try my hand... and patients at growing a bonsi tree.

Happy 92nd Birthday Susie!!!

A little over a week ago Diana and I got the big hair cut.... Donated our 10-12 inch pony tails to Beautiful lengths for women with Cancer. (locks of love doesn't do kids with cancer) Here is our before during and after photos....

The beautiful girls.....

I loved my hair the first couple of days..... then the natural (mean) curls set in... now its a bit like me wild and unsettled. But... next year I will have enough to donate again.... Lord willing. My hair tens to grow quite fast.

We had a great time at Susies birthday party... I was glad so much family could make it. There was a little excitement with a glucose meter no one could figure out.... It could do everything except give us a blood sugar number!@!! then when it did it said 48... thats awfully low!!! Susie took a normal dose of insulin and seemed to feel pretty good for the duration. She never felt like her blood sugar was low. I have had a chance to get to know Susie over the past couple of years like I never did before and its been great. I feel blessed that she has lived so long and still has no signs of dementia... My Great grandmother... Susie's mom had Alzheimer's for a very long time. So I know that it was always a concern of Susie's. ....

Vacation Pictures Colorado Springs Colorado.

Brenda And Edgar summit Pikes Peak,

Other People White water rafting.... we did go we just don't have the pictures to prove it yet.... In fact we had a blast and Christopher fell out of the boat.... and I got to"rescue" him.... it was fun.

Garden of the Gods just before a storm.

Brenda and Edgar work on the Wagons in the old west town at Royal Gorge.

Edgar on top of the world at Pikes Peak.

Seven Falls.....224 steps of beauty..... it was cool....

Seven Falls... Hike.

Air Force Acadamy Cadet Chaple

Brenda Strikes fools gold in cripple creek

More Garden of the Gods beauty...

Simply stunning.

The wild wild west

Fun in the Wild Wild West. Christopher... Wanted Dead or alive...

Last Years.... old tyme Fun...

Vacation.... more pictures to come when I down? upload? the pictures from the camera... but here are the ones we had taken... old time pictures at the royal river gorge.... the one with Diana in it was from last year. They were able to pull it up and make us a copy... Diana has the original copy.... anyway enjoy... It was fun to do.

Colorado Rockies

Pikes Peak Colorado Springs, CO

Yes I am Blogging while on Vacation!!!! Ain't Laptops cool??

I'm not tired yet. I forgot my cable to attach the camera to the computer... so I got some off the trusty internet....Which I don't think Pikes peak has changed much since these pics where taken... Having a great time... lots of changes in plans....

We stayed last night at the Ramada limited.... it was limited alright....limited space, limited water in the pool, limited lightbulbs, limited electric outlet covers, limited wallpaper.... we had reserved the room via the internet and it was really, really small. With 4 people....the roll-a-way had to be crammed inand blocked the door.... The picture on Orbits was decietful, made it look so spacious...and modern...... so a few more phone calls finally got us on a military base. (that was the original plan...but they were booked) So here we are at Peterson Airforce base tonight and Airforce Acadamy tommorow. Much nicer two bedroom apartment.

Today was our first real day to sight see.... so we took a road trip into the mountains and went to cripple creek and florrisant fossil beds...and took lots of pictures. I got to ride an old narrow gage railroad car.... so see lots of gold mines. Saw an elk, and mountains as far as the eye could see. it was neat. I can't wait to spend some more time walking throught the mountains. The air feels a little thinner up here but it feels pretty good. I like the crispness of the air. I can't wait to see what tommorow brings.

Here are a couple mountain pictures.... TTFN

July its hot

Work Has been crazy lately.... I am not a big fan of Childhood cancers... It just makes my job hard. No one died today or anything like that... just some days you see what all these kids go through.
butt....

Vacation is comming up in a week!! Can't wait. Colorado Springs

Cool mountains fun in the sun. Love it. Also just need to get away...

Ryan has been tolerateing his leg casts very well. his left leg has stretched out quite a bit... it was the leg that was better to begin with... the right leg has gained a couple of degrees....

I have never seen this kid happier than talking with Kistine (the therapist who is doing his casting) about beer bottle caps which he collects and then about the trains of europe..Kristine is from Belgium. I truely enjoyed watching their interaction. I am very pleased with the results and Ryan's motivation. It has really been a blessing.

I am presenting at a confrence about Childhood cancer in September. How exercise impacts survivors and those in current treatment. I am excited on the one hand... and perturb by how much energy and extra time goes into it. I don't get any time at work to really prepare and I am presenting with another therapist in my department. So it take coordinating our schedules. I like the honor of being asked and want to do a good job. I am generally a good public speaker. I am more worried about getting the facts straight than the actual lecture.

Its gotten late... I am not really tired. Tommorow is full of things to do before the vacation. So I better get myself in bored tired mode....