Did you read the last post…..and think about it?

The Doc appointment went GREAT yesterday!  He has decided to wait one more month to do the bone marrow aspiration.  It is standard practice to do them at the 3 and 6 month intervals initially.  The blood work came back NORMAL!  See the report below.  A normal report indicates that I am responding very very well to the Gleevec.  If the blood work numbers were moving up and down and in low ranges then it may indicate problems but everything came back normal.  The prayers have worked and continue to work.  I didn’t doubt the power of so many people praying giving us the outcome we’re looking for.

I was looking at the blog stats on my last post “Giving your life…”  I must say that I am a little surprised that only four times were the links visited regarding bone marrow (or more appropriately) stem cell donation .  That being said, I am not going to post anymore until Monday so that people visiting will be reminded to think about this and to reach people who don’t visit the blog regularly. 

Leaving for Deep Creek Lake this evening.  Sharing a cabin with dear friends, Brent, Cheri and their new baby, Lillyanna.  Weather will be perfect for hiking and visiting!  Make it a great weekend!

All the Best with Love,

Chip

PS-Visit the previous post and if you have any questions send me a comment that you want to talk and I will make time to do so.  I think it’s worth it if I can say or do anything that will help you save someone’s life!

Giving your life….

Be sure to visit the links and, as I am humbled by it, enjoy the post. 

I was pondering this morning about my check up with the Doc tomorrow.  Then I got a call that my lunch meeting was canceled.  Called my friend Paul and we had lunch at The New Moon cafe.  Undoubtedly the best sandwiches and soups in Charleston.  Great lunch with a good friend.  Paul reminded me that there was a 9/11 memorial on display on the  boulevard in front of Haddad Riverfront Park.  So, after lunch and quick tour of Paul’s new office, which is fantastic, I delivered lunch to Kate and we toured the memorial.  It was very well done.  It’s travelling America displaying pictures and stories of 9/11.  Photo boards six feet high displayed the suffering and physical damage of that day.  There was a tractor trailer that offered a small gallery and videos of survivors and people affected by 9/11.  After the video there were peices of the building, a few survivor’s personal belongings and several large displays of the proposed memorial.  I urge you to visit the link I just posted.  Then we got to sign one of the massive I-beams that will be used in construction of the memorial.  It was a moving experience.  This is part of the reason for the title of my post today.  The other is the fact that “The War” is still airing on PBS.  In HD no less!  What an experience Ken Burns takes us through.  Tonight is about D-Day and much more.  I urge you to watch this as well.  So many people gave their lives defending not only our nation but our livelihoods, our peace, our freedom of religion and for these rights of our global inhabitants.  Today we still fight these battles in memory of those who lost their lives in war and in being citizens of this great country.  When you think of giving your life ask your self this, “would I give my life it needed to preserve life?”

This leads me to my final thought which also relates to my doctors appointment.  Which, by the way, is going to be good except for taking a little bit of my bone marrow.  It won’t be the same as the first time as it will be much less invasive coming from my arm but I still anticipate it will have some pain involved.  I guess it’s moments like that you could anticipate that you will never forget.  Anyway, what I am getting at is this, there are many people out there that could benefit from a bone marrow transplant or as it should be called, Stem Cell Donation.  It’s a fairly simple process not unlike donating blood.  There are many many people every year that need a transplant but don’t have a great match.  So, in asking your self, “would I give my life?” you can answer, “Yes!”  You can give bone marrow and help to save someone’s life.  To learn more about giving visit this link.  If you can’t do that then maybe you can at least give a little of your smile, humor or love to save someone’s life another way.  Either way, as it pertains to being an American, you have the freedom to give as much as you want.  So, What will you give of your life?  Maybe you can save a life.  Maybe mine (though their having great results with Gleevec!), maybe a friend or a loved one.  Maybe someone who wants to be free. 

All the Best with Love,

Chip

A Viennese what?

Kate and I had an eventful weekend!  Went to New Jersey for a wedding. It was nice as we were able to visit some of her friends from college and spent a little time on the beach.  The Jersey shore is pretty and the area close to it is very quaint.  The funny thing is the roads.  WOW!  What a mess!  Anyway, great to spend time with some of Kate’s friends and make new friends.  The wedding was fantastic!  Most impressive was the food!  During the cocktail hour there were at least four seperate food stations offering Italian, Asian and Mediterranean dishes.  Yes, I gained three pounds over the weekend.  Then the reception has multiple courses of delicious food, dancing and fun.  The band was great!  Most importantly was the Viennese dessert buffett.  In essence this is the best offering of gluttony I’ve had in years.    Basically it is a room that is filled with every imaginable luxury dessert you can come up with.  Don’t even know how to describe it.  I guess it is summed up as a feast for the eyes and palet.  I figured that since I no longer drink alcohol then this would be my treat.  Wow it was good! 

The father of the bride, Mr. Moore, is a WV native and WVU graduate.  Amazing how many kids from Jersey go to WVU.  At one time I remember hearing that WVU’s out of state tuition was lower than many schools in Jersey’s in-state tuition.  Anyway, quite a few WVU grads at the wedding.  So, when they played “Country Roads” it was a hit!  Funny to be in Jersey and hear a big group of people singing it!  Sunday we headed to Philly to do a little sight seeing courtesy of Kate’s friends Jackie and Vanessa.  We toured the battleship New Jersey which I enjoyed very very much and we visited the aquarium which was very cool as well. 

On Monday a series about WWII began on PBS.  If you haven’t watched it I highly encourage you to do so.  It is undoubtedly the best documentary ever done on this greatest generation.  It is directed and produced by the famous film maker, Ken Burns.  Please take the time to watch this series as it gives an indepth account of how WWII affected every single person in America.  WWII made an impact on America that many of us don’t even understand and this series should open your heart and mind on the impact the war had on America and how we became the superpower that we are now.  Enjoy!!  

 All the Best,

Chip

No catchy titles…..

Couldn’t think of a catchy title or even think of a basic one.  Heading to the dentist this morning.  I’m curious to see if there will be a different reaction to the local anesthetics or work to be done today.  When diagnosed I knew it would change many things in my life.  I didn’t think too much about how it would affect little things.  Whenever I think about something that I have to do and haven’t had to do it since mid-July I always wonder if there will be a different outcome.  I think about possible outcomes.  For example, I didn’t feel good yesterday and don’t feel good today.  So, if I would normally get a little stomach upset from work being done in my mouth does that mean I will get more sick today.  Especially since I’m already not feeling well.  You know what….forget it!  I’m gonna go get my teeth worked on so they don’t fall out down the road and whatever consequences there are I’ll just deal with it.  Carpe diem! 

All the Best with Love,

Chip

Business as usual….

Not much to report today.  Had a good day.  The exercise yesterday helped immensely.  I’ve noticed that regular exercise, even just short walks, helps me feel better physically and mentally.  I have to report that I am feeling more challenged by work and that feels good.  We all like to feel like we’re earning our keep, right?  Especially those of you benefiting from my contributions to social security.  It’s my pleasure!  Please enjoy your retirement!

Kate and I had a nice dinner and then out for a walk around the Capitol.  She lives right by the river so it makes for a pleasant peaceful walk.  We enjoy the time together as well.  Since the dome has been renovated it really is beautiful.  If you haven’t seen it then I recommend visiting this link.  It really is beautiful.

Don’t have anything else to report and have a big day of sales calls tomorrow. 

All the Best with Love,

Chip

Clear skies….

It’s a another beautiful night as I write under a clear star filled sky.  Well, except for the light of the laptop.  Highly recommend the wireless.  It’s great.  Need to report that my mood has improved greatly.  I woke up with more purpose today.  Sure, it was 4:30a but I guess I was looking forward to the day.  Had a good sales meeting with our team and hustled over the Arnold Agency to share the story of our company with all who would listen.  We had fantastic Graziano’s pizza and a great conversation about why community newspapers are a good meaningful business helping bring our communities together.  And, obviously a good reason for advertisers to support it.  Anyway, got to see too many friends to mention and am thankful for Scot and Stacy for being such good hosts.  Check out their new website through the link above and see why they are known to be a fantastic group of professionals!  Some may think that was a shameless plug but they really are a great group of people!  Had a Chi Tea (not to be confused with Tai Chi, as I often have-my blonde moment-so to speak) with my good friend Paul.  Talking with him always leaves me in a good mood.  Paul is who set up this blog originally and I am very very thankful (as are many others) for his friendship.  You should visit his website too!  Followed with some return phone calls and next thing you know it’s time to take the Gleevec.  Yes, I took it.  It was with a slice of pizza but hey, I remembered to take it.  Worked the arms a little on the home gym and went for a brief but vigorous walk.  Just before leaving for my walk I read the first chapter in “The Purpose Driven Life”.   Chapter One: It’s not a bout me.  It’s about him.  So, I pondered that while walking. I’ll be sharing my journey with this going forward.  Not sure what to write about it tonight.  I guess just that I’m thinking of how I can show my appreciation and to totally trust in God.  Profound but not so profound I guess.  And that’s just it.  When we think about our purpose in life we often just guess.  I don’t want to guess anymore.  I’ve speculated a little about it but I’m trying to just be a peace and have patience.  Maybe it’s reaching people through the blog?  Ok, I’ll stop there besides knowing that I enjoy people smiling and laughing.  So, I have some laundry to fold and want to shower before Monday Night Football kicks off.  Gotta love the high definition!  Remember the picture quality of the 70’s?  How did we make it! LOL!  Anyway, feeling much better today and will continue to do so.

 All the Best with Love,

Chip

PS!  Be sure and vote for WV’s new highway sign greeting visit the website!

The latest….

Well, I took a few days off from blogging to give myself a little break.  I’ve found myself pushing lately but not producing the situation(s) I truly wish for.  I guess you could say I’ve been fighting a bit of the mental battle.  I’m comitting to reading “The Purpose Driven Life” starting tomorrow.  Kate and I have talked a good bit about being happy and what we need lately and what has occurred to me is that I’m not “making it a great day!” as my voicemail greeting says.  I’m sure many of you could say “I don’t understand but I support you Chip.”  I almost feel selfish for that not being enough.  It doesn’t matter how much support you have if you don’t accept and receive the prayers and thoughts.  It’s not that I don’t think about your support or feel it.  I do and am very thankful for it.  I think it has a little to do with not getting enough exercise which affects my mental strength.  Been practicing Tai Chi a little every day this weekend but it still feels a bit like a novelty. I cleaned the gutters yesterday and put new leaf gaurds up but that wasn’t exercise.  Actually feeling quite stiff from it but it feels good knowing I shouldn’t have to fool with that for a few years.   Obviously though , I’m not mentally comitted to coming out of the fog.  But Kate and I are working on it.  Another thing that helps is laughing and having fun.  Kate and I are pretty darn good at doing that.  I also plan on working less out of the house this week.  I’m used to being around people all the time during work so flying solo from home a good bit has made me feel a little isolated besides feeling a little isolated by the CML.  CML continues to be a blessing though.  More good and cherished friends have made their way to the blog.  Some of you may remember Steve Simon and Anna Valles.  These two friends from college remember how often I made it a great day!  Miss you both.

This weekend was good.  Kate and I went to the Cystic Fibrosis Gala from 6p to 8:30 and then off to the opening night for the Charleston Symphony.  Joanna is now the proud owner of a football signed by the starters of the successful WVU Gator Bowl team and I believe she was one of two people receiving acknowledement for raising more funds than any other person on the campaign.  Total they raised over $40,000 for Cystic Fibrosis.  Kate and I went because Steptoe & Johnson sponsored two tables.  Watch the “Around Town” photos in Sunday Gazette Mail in the coming weeks and you may catch a glimpse of Kate and I.  Yeah, we posed.  So, if that wasn’t enough, we went to the second half of opening night for symphony.  We undoubetdly had the best seats in the house.  At least for an audio experience.  Sometimes I like to close my eyes and feel like part of the music.  We really do have a very good symphony.  What else made it great was sitting with dear friends Chuck and Gaytha Jones.  Quality people.  As Kate says, “I love them.  They’re so cute!”  And they are.  Speaking of cute you should have seen the dress Kate had on.  Wow!  Of course she got lots of compliments!  Of course I did too since she was on my arm.  She’s a blessing. 

Got a big week coming up.  Sales meetings, mgr meetings, and meetings with agencies and working to get the team producing more significant revenue.  That is something that could use prayer now too.  Tell you what.  You pray for me to be a good leader and I’ll pray for whatever you need.  By the way, today we just went over 10,000 pages views on the blog.  That’s a lot!  It’s a compliment and I am humbled by it! 

All the Best with Love,

Chip    

Reminders

I could use some help with a topic.  So, after reading please feel free to share your thoughts.  There is something I am having trouble with lately.  Rmembering to taking my chemo.  You would think that something this important would be easy to remember.  It seems logical to me that anyone with Leukemia wouldn’t have trouble remembering to take their medicene.  Twice in the past week I have left the house in the evening, knowing that I would not be eating dinner at home and I just walked out the door without even thinking about it.  This happened two days in a row!  Last night Kate and I went out for a bite before Tai Chi and I TOTALLY forgot about it!  As I was leaving her apt. to go home she asked me I took my Gleevec.  That was 9:30p.  More than three hours after I normally take it I hadn’t even realized that I still didn’t realize it.  Anyway, I’m a little frustrated with myself about it.  By the way I just mentioned the worst case of it.  I’ve forgotten several times.  I always end up taking it though.  

I haven’t been practicing Tai Chi daily but I’m starting to now.  When we practice as a class I really enjoy it but being a beginner it can be a little frustrating.  The funny thing about it is as you continue to practice it you should find physical balance and once you achieve that you can find the mental balance.  Kind of like when you learned to drive a car.  At first you are hyperfocused on learning but after years of practice you don’t even think about driving a car.  You just do it without having to concentrate very much.  Anyway, Kate and I are going to be practicing together more regularly.  She is doing great with learning the moves.  The teacher had Kate lead the beginners group last night and she did very well.  She’s very comfortable with it.

Last thought of the day.  How about those Eeers!  They beat Maryland last night.  It was a good game.  Many of us have great pride in our state and it’s great to cheer them on.  It’s one of the few things that we as citizens of the state can really celebrate.  Being last in so many categories such as obesity, diabetes and business climate is not something we feel good about but when the Eeers take the field we have a tremendous pride in our team.  At least for most of us.  Some Marshall fans wouldn’t agree but it is really good pubilicity for our state!  Go Eeers!

All the Best with Love,

Chip   

PS- I ordered a bunch of those Lance Armstrong “LiveStrong” bracelets.  If anyone wants want one let me know.  Just post a comment that you would like one and I’ll send you a response email to get your address.  Don’t post your address in the comment.

Prevention

Today started off great.  Had breakfast with my good friend, Ryan Newell.  He and I met through the BPC Course about two years ago.  He is from the Oak Hill area and was flying out to California to participate in the final conference.  You may remember me mentioning him when he gave me a fantastic birthday gift.  A three month supply of the best vitamins on the market.  When your body is fighting a disease it’s great thing to be doing all that you can do to keep your body healthy and strong.  These vitamins help me in that regard.  So I took Ryan to the airport and headed to Teays Valley.  Once there I had a great lunch with our sales team in that market.  Very good team!

Kate and I had dinner with my neighbor Becky.  Having great neighbors is such a wonderful thing.  She and Ozzy are the definition of great neighbors.  I had originally bought my house to flip it and make some money but they’re such great neighbors that I just couldn’t sell it.  I’ve thought about doing it since then but this house more than meets my needs and having such great friends living next door has kept me from selling. 

I consistently get asked about how I am doing.  I am doing well.  I am stilll working on my thinking and actions about how I am taking care of myself.  I could go through the entire list of things that I need to be doing better at but that only breeds frustration.  Patiently, I’m adjusting to having this disease.  It takes time and I feel better about it on most days.  Of course I need to be exercising more but we all need to be doing that.  I mentioned Ryan above.  The reason that I bring it up again is that he is a Doctor and his passion is teaching and working with his patients and people he cares about to practice prevention.  Modern medicene focuses on fixing the problem and not preventing the problem.  Exercise, good diet and taking care of yourself is the key to prevention.  I find myself thinking more about that as time goes on.  If we don’t practice prevention then we can anticipate to have more health problems in the future.  So, if you aren’t thinking about prevention and taking the necessary steps to ensure your good health then I implore you to consider what your doing in that regard and take action to take better care of yourselves.

All the Best,

Chip 

9/11

At times my situation seems small in comparison to what others are going through or are suffering from.  On 9/11 many of us lost a piece of ourselves either directly or indirectly while witnessing those terrorist acts.  Some of you knew someone or know people who lost a family member or friend that day.  Those people didn’t have a choice to continue living and fight their battles.  There are survivors though.  Survivors that will never heal physically, mentally or emotionally but they are survivors.  Survivors that choose to fight and live and some that choose to still suffer.  If I could say one thing to them it would this:  ”I don’t know your personal suffering.  I don’t know your struggles but I think that you owe it to those who didn’t have a choice to live as good of  life as you can.  Whatever your reason or definition of a good life is you have a choice.”  I don’t know them though.  I only intimately know my own survival.  There continues to be victims from 9/11.  There were thousands of workers who breathed in the toxic fumes at Ground Zero and many are now suffering tremendously.  They continue to fight though because they have a choice.  Personally, I think the city of New York and our government should help them.  That’s a whole other topic within itself though.  Today is an anniversary for me too.  Just two months ago I was diagnosed with Leukemia.  See how it seems small in comparison?  Remember those who died, those who still suffer, those who will suffer and pray for them.

In Rememberance,

Chip

New Friends

Sunday was good. Monday was good.  Can’t say that I’ve done anything exciting enough to report about.  Since Saturday I’ve received two more cards and reconnected with two more friends that I haven’t seen or talked to since the mid-90’s.  Noting like talking about the previous decade to make you feel like you’ve really seen something in your life.  At 37 I understand that there so much more to see.  Many people think life is too short.  When I think about what the first 37 were like I can’t even fathom what the next 37+ will be like.  I don’t know about you but that seems like a very long time.  My Grandma Harper came very close to 101.  She had a positive, optimistic outlook on life, remained close to God her whole life and LOVED children.  My Great Uncle Henry VanAlsburg made it to at least 103!  On his 100th birthday he was actually visited by Willard Scott and went for a helicopter ride.  Maybe I’ll wait until I’m 100 before I go on my first helicopter ride.  To me that doesn’t seem like too short of a life.  One of the oldest people to live in America passed away last January at 114!  She was born while Benjamin Harrison was President.  Sheesh!  That’s old!  But not a short life by my measure.  So what’s the point?  The point is this, to me there is no meaningful determination of how long a life should be, how much stuff you should own, how others would judge your life.  To me what’s important is questions such as, can live your life so that you don’t NEED anything, do you have the freedom to do the things that make you happy, do you show enough love to friends, family and strangers, do you help other people smile, do you help to take care of other people, do you enjoy your job, are you challenged and so forth.  It’s obvious that I put a little more thought into these subjects since being diagnosed and therefore, CML continues to be a blessing. 

I have much to accomplish today so I encourage you to smile, enjoy your friends, family and work peers, challenge yourself and think about how to improve the life that you live so that it benefits everyone.

All the Best with Love,

Chip

ps- Stay tuned for a cancer fund raising idea that I may have you all help me bring to reality……  Cruise for a Cure

pss- be sure an visit “All Weblog Comments” in the bar to the right.  That way you dont’ miss any good comments.

Saturday

Today, I went for a short but good bike ride.  Watched the Mountaineers beat up on Marshall and had dinner with Kate’s parents.  It was a good day!  Kate enjoyed my post so much yesterday that I am going to refer you back to it for reading.  Sometimes when you read something two and three times over you start to notice things you hadn’t before.  You will find yourself, if you’re patient, slipping into deeper thoughts about the subject matter.  Hopefully, you will ponder it’s meaning for yourself and see something in you or in the universe you hadn’t seen before.  Ok, enough of that.  Just read the Manifestation post again. 

 All the Best Love,

Chip

Manifestation

When you have inspired thought you have to trust it and you have to act on it.  Whatever inspires us in life we have to trust that it is good and we have to take action to bring it forth to reality.  If we sit and think negative thoughts then we will manifest outcomes that we don’t want.  Just the opposite, if we think positive thoughts and focus on possessing them then we will manifest those thoughts.  It’s been proven many times over in success, health and happiness.  As I reflect upon what thoughts I’ve had over the past few months in regard to my future and my disease I began to realize that I wasn’t feeling as good about my future as I really wanted to feel.  I knew I had great friends, a great career, was working for a fantastic company, have an incredible girlfriend, an absolutely wonderful family and yet I found myself living in fear.  That fear of being sick mainfested two colds and a persistent “something” in my lungs.  I am now commiting to thinking about manifesting a future that will bring forth happiness and success without doubting it.  I trust the Lord will provide and that he will bless me with these things.  That doesn’t mean that there will never be times of challenge and outcomes I don’t seek but I know that as I work on manifesting a future that brings forth happiness and success then I will take effective actions to bring it forth.  I look forward to sharing these blessings with you all as I experience and recognize them.

As far as the day I had I say that it was good.  My work continues to go well.  It is going to get better in the near future.  I sought out some specific help in order to get better organized and to have more of the tools I need to be more successful at work.  It’s a great feeling.  I went to our Rotary meeting this week and found it to be it’s typical great experience.  Our program committee continues to invite very good speakers that inform us better about the concerns outside of normal existence.  Knowledge is definitely power.  Besides, socializing with the largest group of powerful people that meet on regular basis in the entire State of West Virginia is an incredible experience.

Kate and I went to dinner at the Bluegrass Cafe and had a very nice time.  We truly enjoy each other’s company and sharing our experiences in life.  I did have a small breakdown though.  Since I eat dinner at the house consistently I didn’t even think about taking my Gleevec to dinner.  So, I had to come home and eat again in order to take the Gleevec.  It wasn’t bad though.  I’m a good cook and eggs and toast make a good late dinner.  Thankfully, no side effects from eating late and taking the Gleevec on a lighter meal.  I sincerely hope you made it a great day and have trouble counting your blessings because you have so many!

All the Best with Love,

Chip

How was your Thursday?

PLEASE NOTE:  There is now a medical diary page for medical info.  It is in development.  I do have a job to do, ya know.

If you visit the bar on the right you will see “Links” and under it you will see “Weblog Comments”.  Under that you can see all the comments.  Not everyone posts comments under the blog posts so visiting Weblog Comments will show you every comment.

 My day was pretty good.  I’ve noticed some congestion in my lungs the past few days .  I felt it a little more today.  I’m not going to the Doctor again until I get a fever though.  Remember that I’ve already had a chest x-ray and it was negative.  The last anti-biotic (which I finished last Friday) was better than the first but still harder than actually being sick.  I think it was the fear of being sick that was actually the hardest part of being sick .  Sick being sick and not sick being Leukemia.  Actually, now that I think about it, it’s the fear of Leukemia that is actually worse than having Leukemia.  Did I confuse you?  I think I may have confused myself.  Anyway, I’m working being well on all fronts.  How about you?

I’m very tired this evening.  I spoke with several friends by phone this evening.  Catching up can be tiresome.  I’ve committed to not going anywhere for the next few weekends.  Kate and I have been pushing ourselves and it’s just been a little too much.  I’m not the spring chicken I used to be and we could use some down time in Charleston.  Well, I’m going to watch the Saints and Colts for a little bit call it a night.
All the Best with Love,

Chip

Ch ch ch changes….

I knew, eventually, there would be a time when the thoughts of mortality, the future and anything bad associated with Leukemia would move away from the forefront of my mind.  It is still there but it becomes less and less with each passing day.  The fears are fading.  It will never leave me completely but I do look forward to a time when the only reminder I have is taking Gleevec with dinner.  When thinking about that it takes me back through the road travelled in the past two months.  It takes me through all the support I’ve received and how I’m living up to the faith in myself and the faith that others have put in me.   It’s good to be feeling differently than I had.   

It’s interesting to me what effects my mood when I update the blog.  I just finished the Lance Armstrong book last night so that explains some of my thinking here.  I have to interview someone this morning so I’ll have to finish updating later today.  I hope everyone makes it a great day!

 It took me a while to get back to the post.  In the meantime it has been a hectic day!  I’ve mostly been working on scheduling appointments the rest of the day.  Fall is the time the advertising budgets for the big clients with agencies are established so I’m working on getting in to all of them and telling them the Lincoln Standard Publishing story.  Getting a good response so far.  With Greg’s help in constructing the story I anticipate it will be a hit! 

I am still amazed at how many people visit the blog.  As of right now there has been 8,950 page views, 39 blog posts and 326 comments.  That’s incredible!  Even more incredible that I’ve responded to just about all of the comments!  The 8,950 isn’t unique visitors but when you think about the fact that the blog has only been up since late July that’s pretty cool.  I like to think that it’s not just about me.  It’s friends and family visiting to see what others are posting in their comments.  I know it isn’t easy for many of you but I encourage you to do more than say hello to me.  Share your stories, your jokes (with some discretion please), your memories, the memories your creating with your families, etc.  This blog isn’t a short term project.  This is a life long activity just as the Leukemia is a life long partner.  Resting on our laurels and getting comfortable is what get’s us in trouble.  We have to challenge ourselves.  We have to know that there is more to life than what the general media feeds us as entertainment.  We have to have passion.  That’s probably why were friends and that’s what I want to hear about!  Excuse me for being selfish but I want to know that YOU’RE alive.  I know I am!

All the Best with Love,

Chip 

Playing catch up!

Well, we had a great weekend.  It seemed to go by so fast.  Having a wbc of 7,000 on Friday gave me the courage to get in a big crowd!  Kate’s Dad got us some great tickets to the Mountaineer home opener on Saturday.  Arranged to catch up with a host of people throughout the day.  My previous manager, Bob and his wife Terry, help host a tremendous tailgate.  Eight families get together because they each have kids going to WVU.  Need I say more?  Kate and I really enjoyed seeing them.  Bob was udoubtedly one of the best managers I ever had.  They’re good friends I hope to have for a very long time.  At the game we saw franternity brothers, friends we see once a year and made many new acquaintances.  I was prepared by bringing two bottles of GermX.  It makes socializing a great deal easier.  Stayed through halftime and helped take down the tailgate of the company Kate’s father works with, Potesta Engineering.  We made our way to the Broken Wheel Campground that evening, exhausted, enthused for the Mountaineers win and ready for some R&R. 

We thought about coming back Saturday evening but after fishing and a real big nap we opted to stay one more night and visit the Jubilee! at Jackson’s Mill.  Many of you have seen the grist mill in pictures of WV.  It is located at this park.  We had a nice time listening to pickin’ and grinnin’, sampling home made WV preserves and such and purchasing some incredible baked goods.  The whole wheat banana bread, the blueberry bread, and the kettle corn are great! 

Not much else to report.  Sleeping better.  Still not great but I’ve found that the physical exercise has helped tremendously.  If I can keep from aching too much then I’m ok.  I’ve found the Lance Armstrong book to be a great read and inspirational as well.  I’m glad he has a story to share.  Just as I am glad I have my story to share.  Bless you for finding it interesting enough to keep reading and responding!! 

All the Best with Love,

Chip