Iron Chef: Jose Garces (said in over exaggerated Japanese Accent)

Yea there is the birthday boy. He sure as hell doesn't look like he has cancer. Damn you wouldn't even know that earlier that morning he was sick as a dog from chemo. But he picked himself up and got all sexified for our romantic birthday dinner for 2 at Amada.

If you know Eric at all, you would know he LOVES Iron Chef. So I thought it would be a great idea to go to Jose Garces' place. We loved it, and as a bonus it was restaurant week. We had a great time. He even said next year we should go out with a few couples/friends. I loved hearing that....next year. Damn that man is so positive despite everything.

On another great note I got to tell him today that his CEA level went down from 6.0 to 5.3. Basically the cancer cells are dying....the treatment is working. Woohoo!

Thanks for the continued prayers...keep 'em coming. I would also like to send a special prayer request for another Cancer Warrior, Linda T. Linda just found out her breast cancer is back after 8 mo of remission. It is in her liver, nodes, and bone. She has 3 kids, and her hubby is a Philly cop. She needs those prayers too. Damn I hate this disease.

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

Dr. Suess....he was the man. too bad cancer snatched him too, although he did live you the impressive age of 87. He brought joy to so many. He made a difference in the world.

Yesterday was Eric's 36th birthday. Just another day he said. He has never been a big birthday person. It was I who made the big deal about birthdays. Last year he spent his birthday at Princeton University Hospital. He went to the ER and was admitted on his birthday. His gift for his 35, 5 fun filled days in a private hospital room. It was kinda cool, the room had 2 couches and a coffee table in it. Too bad it was a quasi blizzard and I couldn't entertain. But I did get him a birthday cake from nutritional services, Even a candle, but I couldn't light it.

This year for his 36th birthday, Eric spent it sick in bed from chemo. Infusion started on Wednesday and runs until this afternoon. I will de-access him when I get home. We didn't do anything special. I got him fried chicken because the grease helps the nausea, and i laid in bed with him scratching his head and trying to sooth his broken out skin (this chemo makes his skin burn...he looks like he had acid poured on him).

So this birthday wasn't a fancy one. We didn't have a big party or go out. Heck I even forgot to give him his card. But this year was a testament to his survival. He made it to another birthday, with hopefully many more to come. Birthdays really aren't a big deal. At least not until you aren't sure just how many of them you will have left. Then, they take on a whole new meaning. They become milestones...and another mile marker in ones journey. Eric has been alive 36 years. I have been blessed to have shared 7 of those years with him.

So i guess I am the one who received the gift when you really think about it. I am the lucky one.

So take a deep breath, pick yourself up, start all over again

Now nothing's impossible, I've found for when my chin is on the ground,
I pick myself up, dust myself off, and start all over again.
Don't lose your confidence if you slip, be grateful for a pleasant trip,
And pick yourself up, dust off, start over again.
Work like a soul inspired until the battle of the day is won.
You may be sick and tired, but you be a man, my son.
Will you remember the famous men who have to fall to rise again,
So take a deep breath, pick yourself up, start all over again...

Ahhh, Old Blue Eyes....if only life were that simple. But there is some wisdom to that. And that is exactly what we are trying to do.

A day after we came back from out amazing respite thanks to FPS, Eric had to go to Sloan for a CT Scan, and to meet with his oncologist followed by treatment. It was a long day to say the least, and he was stuck up there himself.

Sadly eric was told by Dr. Kemeny that they found more tumors on the liver. I guess this was to be expected, considering the PET Scan glowed when he had his tumor removal surgery a few weeks back, but it is still tough to hear nonetheless. I was hoping that the rounds of chemo since the surgery would have made them nonexistent, but those suckers are fighting the chemo and not backing down. Luckily, Eric handled it ok, and even posted on facebook a status about how it looks like this beast (cancer) wants to go a few more rounds with him, but he's ready to keep fighting it. He said he won't give up. Its a beautiful thing to see despite getting pretty shitty news. I am so proud of him.

On the plus side his CEA level FINALLY went down to 6 after holding steady at 7.9 for over a month. In the words of Madea...


So we keep fighting on. Taking every day as a gift from God, being thankful for all that we do have, and continue to be blessed by crossing paths with special people during this journey. I have said this before, and I truly mean it, if it had not been for this experience, I don't think we would have learned what love means. Love isn't just a word or a feeling, it's an action too. And we have been shown love in so many places we may never have seen it. I have also learned a lot about life. Wisdom and beautiful secrets usually only those with many more years then I get to share. As much as cancer sucks, and boy does it suck, we are lucky. Without cancer, we would have never been so truly blessed and touched in so many ways. Much love and happiness to all who read this....(if anyone even does).