Lions and Tigers and flexible sigmoidoscopies, Oh My!

The past couple days have been a series of ups and downs for me. I had a test scheduled in Novi on Wednesday to see if I was ready for the last surgery in my ordeal. The test is called a flexible sigmoidoscopy, which is basically a conscious colonoscopy. It's not necessarily a painful procedure, although the level of discomfort is so high that it may as well be painful. Like the first time I had this test, they had a big TV mounted in the direction I was facing and they asked me if I wanted to watch what the scope was seeing. I declined. It's hard enough to know what's going on without having to watch it as well.

Anyway, the results of the test were good. I have healed completely from the initial removal of the tumor and there was no sign of cancer or any infection at the surgery site. So that's definitely positive news. After posting this, I am going to get on the phone with the surgeon's office and see about scheduling the reversal for Oct. 20^th. That gives me some time to build some leave time from work and the date works best for Kelly's work as well.

I was given some orders from the doctor to be followed before the surgery date. I have to exercise my legs more than I have been, and I have to lose a few pounds. This also involves making sure that I keep a really good handle on my sugar. As dumb as it sounds, this will be the hardest part for me. I eat when I'm stressed or nervous or even bored. In short, I eat a lot. I have to learn to not shove food in my mouth every time the opportunity presents itself.

After the test was completed, we got back in the car and Kelly informed me that we were going to go to Allendale to watch some of Lion's training camp. It was great! We got to get a look at all the players, and the place where we were standing was right where the corners and safeties were working on drills. I could have reached out and touched Darius Slay and Glover Quinn as they came right up to the edge of the roped off area. I wanted to get close to Matt Stafford and watch them run plays, but they were in an area where the public couldn't get to. We didn't stay for the whole practice, but it was something I'll never forget.

We were both hungry when we got to the Lion's facility as I couldn't eat after dinner the night before and Kelly didn't eat anything either. They had exactly one food vendor at the field and it was a pita place. I know lots of people like pitas, but I am not one of them. Even Kelly, who usually likes that kind of stuff, was a little disappointed. I mean, this is a football practice right? With NFL fans attending, right? I think a grill with dogs, burgers, brats, and maybe even some chicken would have been much more appropriate. But then again, Bill Ford Jr. hasn't exactly asked my opinion on the matter. Maybe he's a fan of the pita.

When we left there, we went to check into our hotel and get ready for the Tiger's game that night. Getting ready consisted of taking a two-hour nap. My legs were pretty worn out from the walking involved at Lion's camp and from the stress of the test earlier in the day. We made our way over the ballpark and found our seats. I have to say, these were probably among my favorite ones that we've had. It was padded and there was a little table right in front of us to set stuff on. It was shaded so I was able to stay out of the sun and we were right behind a brat/hot dog vendor that also sold diet pepsi so it was damn near perfect. The only downside was that we couldn't see the scoreboard from where we were at. A small price to pay in my opinion.

We have been lucky enough to see the Tigers win nearly every time we have gone to a game. Wednesday night continued our streak as the Tigers fell behind 4-1 and came back to win 8-4. Joe Nathan came on in the ninth inning and walked the first two guys he faced and the fans got on him. I didn't boo out loud, but in my head, I admit I was thinking “here we go again.” He eventually got out of the inning but it wasn't the easy 1-2-3 ninth that everybody wanted. I didn't see this at the time, but apparently Nathan made a gesture toward the fans afterward because he wasn't happy with being booed. I can understand that, but he has to understand that he has one job. When he doesn't do that job efficiently and has already blown seven save opportunities, he's going to get booed a little bit.

The last thing on our schedule for the two-day trip was to stop in St. Helen and attend a visitation for Richard Wood. For those of you who have been following my posts, you know the story so I won't re-visit it. It was hard, but I'm glad that we stopped. We got to say hi to Ann, Ellen, and Connie and ran into a few other people that I knew from the old days of growing up in St. Helen. I had no idea what to say to Connie. It was easy enough to talk to Ann and Ellen, but when we had a minute with Connie, my head just went blank. Looking at her trying to maintain a brave face and get through the next couple of days made me realize that there wasn't really anything that I could say. I'm sorry just doesn't seem to cut it in that situation.

When we went up to the casket, I looked at Richard and couldn't believe the effect that the cancer had had on him. I was very fortunate in that I never had any pain during my treatment or even before I was diagnosed. Richard was not that lucky. He looked as though he had aged years in the short time between his diagnosis and his passing. I didn't get to visit him prior to his death, but from what I have been told, he handled the entire ordeal with the dignity and grace that anyone who knew Richard would have expected.

We had gone to my mom's house to change clothes and ended up taking my Aunt Kay with us to the visitation. When we went up to Grandma's house to pick her up, I sat with Grandma for a few minutes before we left. She has been having a rough time lately as she has fallen a couple times and hurt her hip. My mom and Aunt have made two trips to the emergency room in West Branch and were blown off the first time. The second time, they were treated a little bit better and got some pain medication for her. It didn't help much though and when we saw her, she was really hurting. She tried to get up when we came in and couldn't do it. I sat next to her and we talked for a few minutes before we had to leave and it just broke my heart listening to her talk about the pain and hearing her ask my mom how soon she could take another pain pill. This is a woman who wouldn't complain if she were on fire, so if she's talking about how much it hurts, it has to be bad. She has an MRI scheduled soon and they think that maybe it's a pinched nerve. I hope it's something that simple as surgery is not an option for her.

Hopefully Grandma and I will get better together!

We Will Win

Dear Richard

Dear Richard,

I was devasted to read Ellen's post regarding the time you have left. I can't imagine what it must be like for someone to tell you that you have a finite amount of time left. When I was diagnosed, I knew right from the beginning that it was treatable and curable and never had to really worry about the kind of news that you got.

I can only guess as to what's important to you right now, but I think I have a pretty good idea. You have raised a great family and have shared your married life with a loving, caring woman. You have touched their lives in more ways than anyone will ever know, but you should know that there are others who have taken lessons from you as well.

I remember one thing inparticular that I will take from you. When we were younger (a lot younger), there was a dance at the hall up at the ballfields. I can't remember if you were there as a chaperone or just a parent, but I remember that you were there. Ann was there too, and when a slow dance song came on, some people danced and others didn't. Ann wanted to dance, but most of us boys were too busy trying to hide the fact that we had no idea how to dance. Ann was obviously disappointed and then you stepped in and offered her your hand. You led her around the dance floor and although she was mortified for the first few steps, within seconds she was smiling and laughing as you whisked her around the floor. It was the first time in my life that I had ever seen a man slowdance in person that didn't involve the simple shuffling of feet and turning in a circle. I admired your dancing ability that night, but more than that, I admired the kind of man that loved his daughter enough to get up in front of a bunch of teenagers and dance with his daughter. That's been at least 30 years ago and I just wanted you to know that it's a lesson that I've remembered and one I hope to pass on to my son as well.

Thank-you Richard