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To wish a very special person....LISA SALLEE....a very Happy Birthday today!
Your friends and family want to make sure you know how much you are loved, appreciated and thought of today...Happy Birthday Lisa...may your day be happy and bright, and may you always know how much you are loved and thought of today and always!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
From your friends with all of our love and support! :)
Michele, Stacy, Monica, Jennifer, Suzy and spouses!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Fabio
I finally found a nickname for Jax that fits him to a T. Have you ever seen the cover of those cheesy romance novels with Fabio? After today, Jax has officially been named "Fabio". He has no idea who Fabio is but he thinks it's totally funny when I call him by that name!
I was wrestling him and he was in my lap and I was sitting on the couch snuggling over him and he looks up at me as serious as can be and proclaims - "Oh, this is sooooooo romantic!" Romantic? We are in TROUBLE with this one. He probably doesn't even know what it means but he certainly knows how to use it (with the exception of the fact that I am his Mom.)
If you believe in astrology there are some things that are said about the Scorpio sign and most of them ring true for Jax. He is something else - I just haven't quite figured out what that something is! Let's just hope that he doesn't use those cheesy lines on girls - only me for now.
Gary has been down in the dumps but his friend Steve came over today to take him on a walk (Gary scooted). That seemed to cheer him up a little. He is exhausted right now and I hope he is able to rest comfortably tonight.
I have a staff meeting and then a birthday pajama party tonight at Monica's. I am so excited to wear my jammies. How comfy. It should be lots of fun and very relaxing.
I hope you all have a great night.
All our love,
Lisa
I was wrestling him and he was in my lap and I was sitting on the couch snuggling over him and he looks up at me as serious as can be and proclaims - "Oh, this is sooooooo romantic!" Romantic? We are in TROUBLE with this one. He probably doesn't even know what it means but he certainly knows how to use it (with the exception of the fact that I am his Mom.)
If you believe in astrology there are some things that are said about the Scorpio sign and most of them ring true for Jax. He is something else - I just haven't quite figured out what that something is! Let's just hope that he doesn't use those cheesy lines on girls - only me for now.
Gary has been down in the dumps but his friend Steve came over today to take him on a walk (Gary scooted). That seemed to cheer him up a little. He is exhausted right now and I hope he is able to rest comfortably tonight.
I have a staff meeting and then a birthday pajama party tonight at Monica's. I am so excited to wear my jammies. How comfy. It should be lots of fun and very relaxing.
I hope you all have a great night.
All our love,
Lisa
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Perspective
Whipped. That's what I am. I am laying in bed watching one of Gary's most favorite movies - Charlie Brown Christmas. I forgot how brutal these kids are to one another. Lucy can be ROTTEN!
We had a great time at Disneyland! No crowds. No fuss. No stress. Take our time. Chilly but nice weather. Good times with friends. Smiles all the way around - ALL DAY! Such a blessing. While we were there the boys went to their favorite store (the one over by the Tiki Room) and can you guess why it is their favorite? Yep - they have Webkinz there! So, the Webkinz are such a rip at $17.00 per animal! So, my cheapness got the best of me and after Disney we ended up running to the mall so that they could go to the American Greeting store to buy them for $9.99 each! I know it is their own money but getting a deal is huge! I want to help them to maximize their cash fund. Nate bought 4 (none of the ones I have for him for Christmas! ) and Jax bought 1. I am glad they are happy and enjoy them so much!
Gary had an okay day today. Steve came over and they went for a walk around the neighborhood. Well, Steve walked. Gary hopped on his "TROJAN" and off they went. I think I forgot to tell you that we named his scooter TROJAN because it is the crimson USC color! I think it sounds much better than THE GOLDEN COMPANION! So, Gary rode the Trojan and Steve hoofed it. He had a good dinner (his Mom cooked for him all weekend and left lots of his yummy favorites) and he just polished off a hunk of Pineapple Upsidedown Cake. I am sure he will want something else before I close my eyes.
We found out today that very close friends of my parents are now facing cancer. Bart and Dorothy are such nice people and I do not get to see them all that often but when I do I always enjoy seeing them and being with them. Bart was not feeling well and within a 3 day period he has been diagnosed with cancer in his brain and the doctors are confident that it is not brain cancer. It has spread from somewhere else (like the lungs). I will ask you all to pray for them tonight when you go to sleep. Gary and I both know how they are feeling now with this news and prayer is essential for them now. Pray for peace and patience.
Life is full of surprises. Some of them good and some of them bad. Who will be affected by cancer or any other awful disease or a tragic death? Who will win the lottery or get a promotion at work or find that one special person or bring a life into the world? You can't be defined by these surprises but you can be defined by how you handle these surprises. If you win the lottery do you blow it all or do you use the money wisely? Do you abuse your power at your new job or are you humble and learn to be a great leader? If you get cancer do you sink into a forever depression or do you forge on and try to be positive amidst your disease? If we have a strong foundation in our faith and we stop and look to God for answers and for help and guidance and love then I can guarantee you that whatever surprise comes your way you will be able to handle it with grace. This life we live here is short. It is not the end. It is only the beginning.
I know all of you think we are super heroes. I am happy you all think that and feel badly that you are so incredibly misguided! I can multi-task and it makes me look better than I am. Gary is a hero - a super hero in fact and he gets that title.
Thereare things I do on a daily basis to make things a little easier and lighter. I chose to be positive. I chose to be strong. I chose to be confident. I observed nurses and learned my way around drains and tubes and bags and IVs and wounds. Super Hero? I don't think so. Not even a little. I do not do anymore than any of you do. I know single Moms who are most definitely HUGE SUPER HEORES! I have friends who constantly give and give and give (I know because I am the recipient of the giving) and they are my HEROES! There are people who do not even know us who help us and support us and they are our HEROES. So many of you commit us to prayer and take time out of your day to talk to God about us and that is truly HEROIC.
The definition of hero is this:
A hero is a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his deeds and noble qualities.
Thank you all for rescuing us and being so heroic. I know cancer is scary and it is much easier to try to turn your face from it then to be in its face! It takes courage to be on this journey with our family. I used to shrink away from cancer in part because I thought if I was around it I might somehow get it. Not that it is contagious but that maybe God would expose me to it to get me ready for someone close to me who would get it. I know it sounds kinda funny but that's how I thought. I now know that my perspective is not a Godly one and I no longer feel like that. Our cards have been dealt and now we will continue to deal with the hand. I hope the river is better than the draw!
Off to bed.
Love to you all! 16 days until Christmas!
Lisa
We had a great time at Disneyland! No crowds. No fuss. No stress. Take our time. Chilly but nice weather. Good times with friends. Smiles all the way around - ALL DAY! Such a blessing. While we were there the boys went to their favorite store (the one over by the Tiki Room) and can you guess why it is their favorite? Yep - they have Webkinz there! So, the Webkinz are such a rip at $17.00 per animal! So, my cheapness got the best of me and after Disney we ended up running to the mall so that they could go to the American Greeting store to buy them for $9.99 each! I know it is their own money but getting a deal is huge! I want to help them to maximize their cash fund. Nate bought 4 (none of the ones I have for him for Christmas! ) and Jax bought 1. I am glad they are happy and enjoy them so much!
Gary had an okay day today. Steve came over and they went for a walk around the neighborhood. Well, Steve walked. Gary hopped on his "TROJAN" and off they went. I think I forgot to tell you that we named his scooter TROJAN because it is the crimson USC color! I think it sounds much better than THE GOLDEN COMPANION! So, Gary rode the Trojan and Steve hoofed it. He had a good dinner (his Mom cooked for him all weekend and left lots of his yummy favorites) and he just polished off a hunk of Pineapple Upsidedown Cake. I am sure he will want something else before I close my eyes.
We found out today that very close friends of my parents are now facing cancer. Bart and Dorothy are such nice people and I do not get to see them all that often but when I do I always enjoy seeing them and being with them. Bart was not feeling well and within a 3 day period he has been diagnosed with cancer in his brain and the doctors are confident that it is not brain cancer. It has spread from somewhere else (like the lungs). I will ask you all to pray for them tonight when you go to sleep. Gary and I both know how they are feeling now with this news and prayer is essential for them now. Pray for peace and patience.
Life is full of surprises. Some of them good and some of them bad. Who will be affected by cancer or any other awful disease or a tragic death? Who will win the lottery or get a promotion at work or find that one special person or bring a life into the world? You can't be defined by these surprises but you can be defined by how you handle these surprises. If you win the lottery do you blow it all or do you use the money wisely? Do you abuse your power at your new job or are you humble and learn to be a great leader? If you get cancer do you sink into a forever depression or do you forge on and try to be positive amidst your disease? If we have a strong foundation in our faith and we stop and look to God for answers and for help and guidance and love then I can guarantee you that whatever surprise comes your way you will be able to handle it with grace. This life we live here is short. It is not the end. It is only the beginning.
I know all of you think we are super heroes. I am happy you all think that and feel badly that you are so incredibly misguided! I can multi-task and it makes me look better than I am. Gary is a hero - a super hero in fact and he gets that title.
Thereare things I do on a daily basis to make things a little easier and lighter. I chose to be positive. I chose to be strong. I chose to be confident. I observed nurses and learned my way around drains and tubes and bags and IVs and wounds. Super Hero? I don't think so. Not even a little. I do not do anymore than any of you do. I know single Moms who are most definitely HUGE SUPER HEORES! I have friends who constantly give and give and give (I know because I am the recipient of the giving) and they are my HEROES! There are people who do not even know us who help us and support us and they are our HEROES. So many of you commit us to prayer and take time out of your day to talk to God about us and that is truly HEROIC.
The definition of hero is this:
A hero is a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his deeds and noble qualities.
Thank you all for rescuing us and being so heroic. I know cancer is scary and it is much easier to try to turn your face from it then to be in its face! It takes courage to be on this journey with our family. I used to shrink away from cancer in part because I thought if I was around it I might somehow get it. Not that it is contagious but that maybe God would expose me to it to get me ready for someone close to me who would get it. I know it sounds kinda funny but that's how I thought. I now know that my perspective is not a Godly one and I no longer feel like that. Our cards have been dealt and now we will continue to deal with the hand. I hope the river is better than the draw!
Off to bed.
Love to you all! 16 days until Christmas!
Lisa
Monday, December 8, 2008
Monday
It's 6 AM and Zach just left with Matt to go surf at Creek. They are meeting Nips there and Zach is just stoked to go at this hour and be there with the guys. I stress a little. I can only give the speach about respecting the ocean so many time.s Don't turn your back on a wave. Stay with Matt & Nips. Heads up! Keep your leash SECURELY fastened to your ankle. Who am I kidding? How many times does he have to hear it? I guess giving him reminders can't hurt and it sure mankes me feel better.
Prayer is so essential right now. Everytime i feel scattered and I am trying to do this and do that and doing dong doing everything myself I have to stop and I do realize that I need to get quiet and just pray for some perspective. God patiently waits for my rants to finish and MY "best" plans to be made and I know that He knows I will ultimately end up getting quiet and coming to Him in prayer and that is exactly what I do. Everything calms down. I get centered (sounds so Zen - nothing New Age about me). I pray. I gain perspective. Everything is better. I am happier.
Remember to slow down. I know we are all busy (especially now) and life can get the best of us most of the time. Just keep in the back of your mind that you have an alternate way to prioritize your days and your life. You can pray consistently and ask God to keep you focused and on task. If you are resting in Him then life WILL be easier. Trust me. I have tried to do this alone. I can do anything after all. I learned the hard way. Now, I get flustered and frustrated sometimes BUT if I stop to think why I feel that way it is because I have been out of prayer and not allowed myself the quiet time I need and God WANTS me to have.
I took the boys out of school today. Nate and Jax have been having a hard time with our situation and I am not around very much so I thought I would take them to The Happiest Place On Earth for the day and just have a great time! Matt and Jen are coming too and it will be nice and cool today! I know the boys will have a great time and normally I would never take them out of school right now BUT life is not normal SO THERE!!!
Gary had an okay weekend and we had our Annual Baseball Friends Christmas Party last night. The guys hung out in the bedroom with Gary all afternoon and evening and that was awesome for Gary. The kids ran wild and the Moms enjoyed some cocktails and laughs. After everything we go through we both realize how important it is to just be with friends and enjoy our time together.
Gary's Mom is leaving this morning and Gary is having a hard time with her departure. He realizes it might be the last time he sees her and those "eye opening" moments can be so overwhelming. I told him not to think about it (I know - not practical or logical) and that she will hopefully get back out here soon with his Dad in tow.
I am going to lay back down for another half hour before I have to get up and get ready for the day.
Have a great Monday and remember to pray!
Love,
L
Prayer is so essential right now. Everytime i feel scattered and I am trying to do this and do that and doing dong doing everything myself I have to stop and I do realize that I need to get quiet and just pray for some perspective. God patiently waits for my rants to finish and MY "best" plans to be made and I know that He knows I will ultimately end up getting quiet and coming to Him in prayer and that is exactly what I do. Everything calms down. I get centered (sounds so Zen - nothing New Age about me). I pray. I gain perspective. Everything is better. I am happier.
Remember to slow down. I know we are all busy (especially now) and life can get the best of us most of the time. Just keep in the back of your mind that you have an alternate way to prioritize your days and your life. You can pray consistently and ask God to keep you focused and on task. If you are resting in Him then life WILL be easier. Trust me. I have tried to do this alone. I can do anything after all. I learned the hard way. Now, I get flustered and frustrated sometimes BUT if I stop to think why I feel that way it is because I have been out of prayer and not allowed myself the quiet time I need and God WANTS me to have.
I took the boys out of school today. Nate and Jax have been having a hard time with our situation and I am not around very much so I thought I would take them to The Happiest Place On Earth for the day and just have a great time! Matt and Jen are coming too and it will be nice and cool today! I know the boys will have a great time and normally I would never take them out of school right now BUT life is not normal SO THERE!!!
Gary had an okay weekend and we had our Annual Baseball Friends Christmas Party last night. The guys hung out in the bedroom with Gary all afternoon and evening and that was awesome for Gary. The kids ran wild and the Moms enjoyed some cocktails and laughs. After everything we go through we both realize how important it is to just be with friends and enjoy our time together.
Gary's Mom is leaving this morning and Gary is having a hard time with her departure. He realizes it might be the last time he sees her and those "eye opening" moments can be so overwhelming. I told him not to think about it (I know - not practical or logical) and that she will hopefully get back out here soon with his Dad in tow.
I am going to lay back down for another half hour before I have to get up and get ready for the day.
Have a great Monday and remember to pray!
Love,
L
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Webkinz
What is the big whoop with Webkinz? I really like stuffed animals and had many of them growing up but our kids are obsessed with these things (mainly Nate and Jax)! You will not believe the great lengths Nate went to to get a "retired" webkinz. I am in shock that they actually "retire" them!
Nate wanted the Sherbet Bunny. Evidently this particular bunny is a "first run" Webkinz (whatever that is). So, Nate does what any 8 year-old would do - logs on to Ebay to check it out!?!
Nate has about $100.00 from his birthday and it is burning a hole in his pockets.
To make a long story short and after many arguments and tears Nate bid on the bunny. Gary and I were not keen on him spending money on this animal and at first we said no and he cried and Jax cried and it was this HUGE to do. So, after Gary and I spoke we decided that it was Nate's money and he should be able to spend it on anything he wants to spend it on.
Later in the evening my Mom overhears Nate talking to Zach and Jax and telling them that he KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT TO DO to get what he wants and that he WORKED GARY AND I OVER! OMG - what a turkey! He can think what he wants! Back to the bunny.
I told you that he bid on the bunny but I did not tell you how much he bid and if he won. He lost the first auction by a dollar and he won the second and he paid a disgusting $69.00 for the bunny. Are you all gasping? I wouldn't mind it so much if he was going to buy the thing as an investment because it appears to be a great money maker but we all know that he is going to yank the tags off and log that bunny right on to the Wenbkinz site and start playing!
I am happy that he is so happy. Now, I have a bigger problem with Jax. If Nate has a "retired" bunny then Jax wants one, too! He wants either the bunny or some Magical Dog something! So far, I have been able to persude him NOT to buy the thing. I told him he could by 7 Webkinz for the price of the one "retired" one. Things are looking like I will prevail!
Gary is hanging in. The pain is still bad and he does not have much of an appetite right now. He is down to 140 lbs. He has 6 tubes coming out of his body and he is very weak. Some days are really bad then he bounces back and has some good days. Please keep us in your prayers. As Christmas approaches sometimes we both get really teary and I really want this Christmas to be super special. I know there will be tears but I want more smiles than sadness.
Have a great Saturday!
Love, Lisa
Nate wanted the Sherbet Bunny. Evidently this particular bunny is a "first run" Webkinz (whatever that is). So, Nate does what any 8 year-old would do - logs on to Ebay to check it out!?!
Nate has about $100.00 from his birthday and it is burning a hole in his pockets.
To make a long story short and after many arguments and tears Nate bid on the bunny. Gary and I were not keen on him spending money on this animal and at first we said no and he cried and Jax cried and it was this HUGE to do. So, after Gary and I spoke we decided that it was Nate's money and he should be able to spend it on anything he wants to spend it on.
Later in the evening my Mom overhears Nate talking to Zach and Jax and telling them that he KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT TO DO to get what he wants and that he WORKED GARY AND I OVER! OMG - what a turkey! He can think what he wants! Back to the bunny.
I told you that he bid on the bunny but I did not tell you how much he bid and if he won. He lost the first auction by a dollar and he won the second and he paid a disgusting $69.00 for the bunny. Are you all gasping? I wouldn't mind it so much if he was going to buy the thing as an investment because it appears to be a great money maker but we all know that he is going to yank the tags off and log that bunny right on to the Wenbkinz site and start playing!
I am happy that he is so happy. Now, I have a bigger problem with Jax. If Nate has a "retired" bunny then Jax wants one, too! He wants either the bunny or some Magical Dog something! So far, I have been able to persude him NOT to buy the thing. I told him he could by 7 Webkinz for the price of the one "retired" one. Things are looking like I will prevail!
Gary is hanging in. The pain is still bad and he does not have much of an appetite right now. He is down to 140 lbs. He has 6 tubes coming out of his body and he is very weak. Some days are really bad then he bounces back and has some good days. Please keep us in your prayers. As Christmas approaches sometimes we both get really teary and I really want this Christmas to be super special. I know there will be tears but I want more smiles than sadness.
Have a great Saturday!
Love, Lisa
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Emotionally Bankrupt
Hi. Well it is safe to say that I am officially emotionally bankrupt right now. We have been through sooooooo much and more and more piles on and I have these periods where I feel as if I can't handle one more thing. It is so depressing sometimes and I am not a depressed person.
Gary had the surgery to place the nephrostomy tubes into his kidneys and we just got home from that. He is so weak the past few days and if you saw him you might think he has Parkinsons. I look at him and wonder how much more he can take. The body takes a beating and then another and yet another and the beatings keep going with no end in sight and yet Gary endures.
I have had to drug him up for the better part of each day as of late because of his pain level. We are scheduling an appointment with a doctor at Mission to place the morphine pain pump in Gary's spine. This should happen soon. Another hospital. More paperwork. New nurses and doctors. Yada Yada Yada.........boring and frustrating.
The kids are coming home to the carpet which has been beautifully cleaned. Beacon Carpet did a fantastic job and the carpet will be dry in about 24 hours. It is so nice. When your carpet is filthy it tends to make you feel like your entire house is that way as well.
Gary's Mom is flying in tomorrow night to spend a few days with us. It will be good for Gary to spend time with her as he has not seen her in a few months. We wish his Dad could come out as well but right now he would have great difficulty making it. Maybe once his treament has started he will feel well enough to come.
I am going to try and take the boys to Disneyland tomorrow after school. I love Disney at Christmas. i especially love the parade at the end of the evening and the snow on Main Street.
Well, I better get going and get ready for the boys to walk through the door at any moment.
Love To All,
Lisa
Gary had the surgery to place the nephrostomy tubes into his kidneys and we just got home from that. He is so weak the past few days and if you saw him you might think he has Parkinsons. I look at him and wonder how much more he can take. The body takes a beating and then another and yet another and the beatings keep going with no end in sight and yet Gary endures.
I have had to drug him up for the better part of each day as of late because of his pain level. We are scheduling an appointment with a doctor at Mission to place the morphine pain pump in Gary's spine. This should happen soon. Another hospital. More paperwork. New nurses and doctors. Yada Yada Yada.........boring and frustrating.
The kids are coming home to the carpet which has been beautifully cleaned. Beacon Carpet did a fantastic job and the carpet will be dry in about 24 hours. It is so nice. When your carpet is filthy it tends to make you feel like your entire house is that way as well.
Gary's Mom is flying in tomorrow night to spend a few days with us. It will be good for Gary to spend time with her as he has not seen her in a few months. We wish his Dad could come out as well but right now he would have great difficulty making it. Maybe once his treament has started he will feel well enough to come.
I am going to try and take the boys to Disneyland tomorrow after school. I love Disney at Christmas. i especially love the parade at the end of the evening and the snow on Main Street.
Well, I better get going and get ready for the boys to walk through the door at any moment.
Love To All,
Lisa
Monday, December 1, 2008
DECEMBER 1 UPDATE
Wow! What a way to start off our month. Tonight Tyler and Celeste from the Beckstrand Foundation came to our home and gave our family an early Christmas Celebration! They surprised the boys with gifts and they gave our family a very special gift.
They named a star after Gary (the Gary Sallee star is in the Perseus constellation) and told us that Gary will always be in the sky looking after our family. It was so incredibly touching and awesome. Our kids are so blessed! WOW.
Gary is still feeling badly but we met with Dr. Barth today and we are getting the ball rolling with some things that need to be done to try to help Gary with not only the pain but with damning the flood that has created "Lake Sallee". I must say that today we have not had a flood for some reason. Everything has been draining the way God intended it to drain. So, go figure. At least I will get some sleep and hopefully it will not flood again until we get the nephrostomy tubes in place.
Gary will finish the last radiation tomorrow and we will check into South Coast Hospital on Wednesday morning at 7 AM for the nephrostomy tube placement. It is out patient and we should be home around 4 PM Wednesday.
Dr. Barth would also like to place a morphine epidural in Gary's spine in an attempt to help control the immense pain radiating from that darn left leg. Cross your fingers and hope it works!
We are sitting here talking about tonight and taking it all in. A star is in the night sky that symbolizes Gary and that is such an amazing thing. This is going to be one special Christmas!
I am really glad we are in a good mood tonight. It feels good to smile and be peaceful!
Off to slumber.
Love To You All,
L
They named a star after Gary (the Gary Sallee star is in the Perseus constellation) and told us that Gary will always be in the sky looking after our family. It was so incredibly touching and awesome. Our kids are so blessed! WOW.
Gary is still feeling badly but we met with Dr. Barth today and we are getting the ball rolling with some things that need to be done to try to help Gary with not only the pain but with damning the flood that has created "Lake Sallee". I must say that today we have not had a flood for some reason. Everything has been draining the way God intended it to drain. So, go figure. At least I will get some sleep and hopefully it will not flood again until we get the nephrostomy tubes in place.
Gary will finish the last radiation tomorrow and we will check into South Coast Hospital on Wednesday morning at 7 AM for the nephrostomy tube placement. It is out patient and we should be home around 4 PM Wednesday.
Dr. Barth would also like to place a morphine epidural in Gary's spine in an attempt to help control the immense pain radiating from that darn left leg. Cross your fingers and hope it works!
We are sitting here talking about tonight and taking it all in. A star is in the night sky that symbolizes Gary and that is such an amazing thing. This is going to be one special Christmas!
I am really glad we are in a good mood tonight. It feels good to smile and be peaceful!
Off to slumber.
Love To You All,
L
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