was going to be a "Quick Hello" 7.12.07

Just want to say hi and let everyone know I am doing well. I am off the chemo this week. 21 days on 7 days off. My body is pleased, it truly enjoys the break from that chemo. I did not realize how it was effecting me. Now that I am off for this week. I have more energy, less cramping, less fatigue, and feel more "clear"... no fog... well not as much fog.

I actually met with the shrink today instead of Monday. All went well. He had just left the hospital after his second grandchild was born. So he was holding his new granddaughter at the hospital just before he came into work. I was the first patient he saw. He truly could have cared less. Nice guy, very personable, but he was on cloud 9 after seeing his new granddaughter. The whole process was a 2 hour waist of time, but he passed me as competent and sees no reason why I should not receive a transplant. Now some board with decide to test me and my brother to see if we are a potential match. If not I will be working on setting up a bone marrow registration drive in York and Honolulu. I will keep everyone posted.

I have an appointment with my Oncologist tomorrow. I will also have a EKG (heart test) do to some palpitation I have been having. Regular rate, not missed beats, but I have been a little tachy sometimes (heart rate over a 100 beats per minute) for no reason. It happen twice after drinking caffeine... A coffee one day and a soda another.. no big deal, however it has since happened a few times while at rest....

After that I will receive my second Chemotherapy infusion. Aredia. This is to help bind calcium to the bones. It is not to bad as Chemo goes. A month ago when I had this treatment it was followed with 3 days of fever, chills, sweats, body aches, bone aches, pallor, weakness, and fatigue. Like having a bad flu for 2 and a half days. I hope to do better with it this time. I will be watching "Children on Men" during the injection. Movie review to follow.

Lastly, I want to mention somethings that may happen. Now this is not set in stone, but a thought that was placed in my head by the social worker on Monday... Please feel free to send me an e-mail if you want to comment on anything I say or plan.... be nosey, not often will someone ask you for your 2 cents. First I am hopeful to make a trip back to York late September early November... I can not pin it down any more precise at this time... many, many, many, factors in play, however when I do come back for a visit I would like to put together a fundraiser. A large number was dropped on us ($) this past Monday. I will not give details unless you really want them. That's good you respect our privacy. You can control your curiosity. but damn $20,000 is a lot of money. Our social worker told us my treatment and so forth may reach that number. All depends on how things go.... She is the one that suggested a fundraiser. I have mentioned this to a few people and will brain storm with them and let everyone know what we come up with. Friends and co-workers here have already started planning something to help Serena and I financially. I have truly been blessed with so many friends and having so many people who care, truly care. As a patient with this desease you are helpless. (not 100%) You take you meds, You eat health, try to get lots of sleep, lean on your friends, talk about it, create a blog, but as friends.......... What can you do...... I know the feeling..... Someone you know is sick or hurt, going through a rough time.... what can you do.... 1.Be there for them. If they ask, come running..... but that is even hard.... your still helpless to help them unless they ask. At these times our power lies in our ability to do one thing GIVE. My friends and hani here in Hawaii have been wonderful. I want to thank them for the love they have shared, patients they have shown me, offers they have genuienly made, "Monte, I will personally cook you the best Haggas you have every tasted once I recover, thank you again for your kindness." and effort they have put forth to help me already. Thank you so much.

Now that being said....do you know what you can do for me, send me an e-mail with your home address. Pass my e-mail onto other friends, family members and acquaintances that we may share. People I have not upset to bad in the past (Mrs Golgen) I'd like to write and or send out invitations to the fundraiser we'll have when I get back to PA. You can also e-mail anytime... will always collect on more support and positive thoughts being passed our way. scottcraun@hotmail.com

Some people have commented on the blog, and I do not have a way to get in touch with you. Either your e-mail has changed. I never had your e-mail or your a stranger who just wanted to say something nice.... Thanks... if we have not exchanged e-mails in some time, please assume I no long have yours. I would like to write and say hi to you as well as make post on the blog, so.... you'll figure it out. Well it is midnight and my eyes are heavy... My spelling and grammar will be especially ripe on this post... Enjoy, you may need to find a 3rd grader to read and translate.

pictured below from one side to the other..... We have Serenas aunt Dibbie, her brother-in-law Davied, Her sister Nanisa, Her mom Elizabeth, Serena, Me, My mother Vicki, and Serenas brother Marcellus.... After putting this pic up without permission, I can pretty much cross myself off the christmas list of my inlaws. They all look good, and we had a wonderful time at our wedding and while everyone was in town, but I am not sure they want there picture on a blog without permission..... maybe I'll tell them i have Cancer and see if they let me off the hook.