Update on my dad

Hello everyone,

I hope this posting finds everyone well. Recently my father experienced some side effects of chemo. He has what is known as "chemo burn". His oncologist believes it to be from the trial drugs he is on, which he takes orally and are also injected with his regular chemo every 21 days. Chemo burn is exactly what it sounds like, painful red skin with open sores and blisters. His hands and forearms look as if they have been "cooked" on a fire. Needless to say, typing is out of the question right now. Additionally, his fingers have swelled like sausages. Luckily, Al was home when it happened (and we were not in Ireland), and he was able to come over and dress it for my dad and between my mom, sister, and I; dad has some lovely caring nurses to get him through.

Just wanted to let everyone know why you have not seen any news posts lately, but I am sure he will be back up and typing soon.

The oncologist has him off the trial drug until the burn and swelling go down, and then he will start on them again every other day to see if the burn returns. It is painful, as I said above, but he is getting through with eveyone's love and support and is not letting it get his spirits down.

Keep sending your messages of hope, prayer, and love... he really needs them more than ever.

Some really happy news for the family... Al has been promoted to Lieutenant at the Lombard Fire Department! He has been working very hard, went back to school to get his Bachelor degree (with honors, might I add), and the whole family is so excited and proud of him. His pinning ceremony is Monday and Kevin will be pinning his father, which is so exciting for Kevin.

So it goes to show, with the bad comes the good. Dad will be attending the ceremony as long as he continues to feel well, and he is so very proud of Al.

Love,
Jody

My Godfather

As my Godparents, you and Aunt Carolyn have been around my entire life.  Since my parents divorced when I was three, we didn't get to see you guys or other parts of the Egan/Rice clan as often as I would've wished.  I do remember cook outs (my dad always cooked-figure that out!!) and birthday get togethers and a few Christmases those years ago.  As an adult, I've realized those were the good times.  Now, because I have my own family, I try to remember as much as I can about the kids growing, places I take them, memories for the future.  This is the stuff that's important.  I try to remember that as long as we are together, that as long as we are a family--the bills, the jobs we've had to endure, the used cars, the bad days--all that is not important.  The weddings, the births, the new puppies, a new house, a family that has grown and prospered so very much in my 37 years......this is what I want to remember.  

Love, Jeni

Thanks for the memories

Dear family, I have just been going over some of the things you have written to me and, also, some of the things I have said in this journal.

Your outpourings of love and regard for me are the most, really! the most important part of this whole misadventure of my illness. It is the most positive part, even though Dr. Schultze's office called to tell us that Wednesday's CTScan showed my cancer is being reduced which is very good news.

Thank you for everything you have said and especially for every memory. You seem to remember things I thought you would be too young to know. Your enthusiasm for life has made every get together, family party, wedding celebration, all occasions more fun for everyone.

More good news for me and Carolyn is that my chemo seems to be working and each time I have chemotherapy its's easier to take and more effective.


I've tried to be straightforward and deal with some of my own feelings of responsibility because, sadly, I am not going to be the only one in the world to go through this experience and, maybe, what I say can help somebody, somewhere to know how to react to what happens to them. It's the magic of Google, of the internet. If anyone else ever reads this journal, I guarantee that they will know how you can feel for the first week after your chemo. The doctors can't tell you, there are too many variables.

I hope, by reading our journals people will also see the big advantages of faith, hope and a positive attitude. There is something that happens inside us when we keep a PMA going.


Love from me grandpa, uncle Mike, Dad and all the roles that I am privileged to play in your lives.