Treats

Clark is doing much better today, tired still but no great ill effects. In the late morning, Cindi and Ron stopped by with a pot of delights that we cannot wait to try. We love spending time with them. It seems like the time just goes by too fast when we get to talking...

Tomorrow is Emma's last day of Mommy and Me Preschool. It makes me sad (yet happy) to think that she is growing up so fast. We have loved her teacher Ms. Linda this past year and only hope that the teacher she has in the fall will be just as great. Her class is having a potluck party and I am not a cook or baker and with limited funds I used what we had. It turned out to be a marshmallow treat with melted chocolate and graham crackers. I cannot wait for the kids to try it.

Bed Day 1 and Team Schoening One Love

This is the first full day after chemo. Clark stayed in bed most of the day talking on the phone, playing on the laptop and watching TV. For a second, I thought I had a teenager in the house. He is drained but the side effects today were not that bad. Though I cannot imagine how much Star Trek trivia one can digest in one afternoon without getting sick but Clark pulled through just fine.
Note: Clark has seen this movie 2 times in the last week. No joke.

Exciting news! Team Schoening One Love has raised over $1600 so far for the Lymphomathon. Clark's doctor said he is not ready to walk it, but there will be over 14 walkers on Team Schoening One Love who will walk for him this year. Clark is so honored. We have more than tripled the original goal. God has blessed us more than we can say. Here is a recent memo that the San Francisco Lymphomathon Chair sent out. Team Schoening One Love is mentioned at the end!!!!

Date: May 19, 2009
To: San Francisco Lymphomathon Participants & Chapter Supporters

From: Geoffrey Williams, San Francisco Lymphomathon Chair

Subject: Lymphomathon Update #2

We are delighted to report that, to date, there are fifteen registered teams, and over $19,000 has been raised for lymphoma research and programming. With just four weeks to go, we’ve got a great momentum going! Every dollar you raise helps bring us just a bit closer to finding a cure for lymphoma, so your efforts are making a real difference.

Company Support: Do you work for a company that has a matching gift program? Does your company sponsor causes that their employees support? If so, check to see if your company will support the Lymphomathon. You’ll never know unless you ask! Also, if your company has a newsletter or e-newsletter, ask if they can put information about the Lymphomathon in the next issue. Many companies like to promote the events that their employees are involved with, and this is a great way to spread the word!

Send your checks to LRF

Has your team been collecting checks? You can send them to the LRF office anytime between now and Walk Day, and we will add the check totals to your team total on the website. Just send them to:

San Francisco Lymphomathon

Lymphoma Research Foundation

115 Broadway, 13th Floor

New York, NY 10006

Be sure to include your name and the name of your team so that the checks are credited properly. Checks that are mailed to the National Office will take 5 to 7 business days to be posted to the walk site.

Team Building and Fundraising: If you have any questions, or if you need any help with your team building and fundraising, please contact Joan Mistrough at (800) 235-6848, or jmistrough@lymphoma.org. She would be happy to work with you, brainstorm with you, and give you the tools you need to have a successful team. You can also find tools for fundraising on the Lymphomathon website at www.lymphomathon.org/sanfrancisco2009.

And if you have any interesting fundraising tips, contact Joan to tell her about them. Other people might benefit from your success!

Walk Day Helper Bees: We are looking for “helper bees” to help out on walk day. Volunteers would help with registration, t-shirt distribution, and serving food at the BBQ. The Lymphomathon will have a live 8 piece band and BBQ for all! We are asking that our helper bees arrive at 7:00 a.m., and everyone should be done by 12 noon. Enjoy the festivities and make a difference! If you or someone else you know can pitch in, or if you would like more information about volunteer needs at Golden Gate Park on June 14th, contact Geoffrey Williams at geoffr3237@aol.com.

In my last update, I asked you to consider sharing why you have chosen to walk in this year’s Lymphomathon. Here is one of the responses:

Terilynn Bench, team captain of Team Schoening – One Love, started her team because Clark, a long-time friend, was diagnosed with lymphoma in April. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy. Terilynn felt that the Lymphomathon was a great way for her and Clark’s many other friends to offer Clark their love and support. Some of the friends who are coming out to walk have not seen each other in 20 years, several are traveling to the Lymphomathon from other states, and many of the team members have been friends since they were teenagers. Terilynn, what a lovely and loving tribute to a wonderful friend.

I’ll send you another update in a few weeks!

Chemo Day

Clark had chemo today and then he came home and crashed. He has gotten some movement back but the tumor is still there.

Clark will get reevaluated before the next chemo to determine if he will need all 8 cycles. No matter what, he cannot with his current regiment receive more than 8 cycles. So we will pray.

I felt guilty today while we were at chemo. (Emma goes to Elise's so that her routine is not interrupted too much). I left the hospital had lunch by myself, read a few magazines and went for a walk. It had been a long time since I did not hurry to have to pick someone up or drop someone off. I came back and Clark was still on his chemo drip but was sound asleep.

The next few days will be hard for Clark but as always I know he will pull through. After all, Emma's birthday is next week and I know all she wants for her birthday is for daddy to be well.

Traditions

Traditions. I have thought much about this in the last few days. Recently Clark received a birthday card from someone who said in the card it was tradition to send it to him late. Normally this would not have bothered me or him, but this person called on Clark's birthday and drilled him on who he had spent his birthday with.

I pray that this person will someday realize that traditions are not about forgetfulness and guilt but love and family/friends. There is no greater gift at times in traditions than to remember the occasion with love and gratitude.

A rat in the house?

Clark asked me,"Do you know there is a rat in the house?". My first thought was we need to get another indoor cat (since his cat passed away a few months ago). Clark continued to say the rat ate a hole in this bag.

Thoughts started to pour through my head, what type of rat is this? We used to get big rats outside due to the golf course and wetlands near where we live. In fact, we had to stop feeding the birds because one day I looked out the kitchen window and saw a huge rat the size of a mini cat was eating out of the bird feeder. It was gross.

Anyway, Clark was going on and on about this hole in the bag. Then he showed me the bag. It was marshmallows that Emma and I had been snacking on without letting Clark know. Clark and I laughed.

Speaking of which, we saw Clark's oncologist today. Clark has gained 7 pounds in 3 weeks. Yep, you read that right, he has gained weight. I would like to credit all the wonderful people who graciously bring us meals on a weekly basis.

While Clark's doctor does not want him on a diet, he did suggest cutting back. His doctor does not him to balloon up (or down). He also referred Clark to physical therapy to try and get his shoulder and arm moving again so that atrophy does not set in. His doctor is trying to get Clark thinking about life beyond cancer and chemo.

Happy Birthday Clark!

Today was Clark's 42nd birthday. He says this is the year he gets to be the answer to "Life, the Universe and Everything".

We went to the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito. It was beautiful, but cold. Emma had a blast and Clark and I were tickled over her enthusiasm.

When we got home there was a present from my dad for Clark. One thing my dad is always good at is remembering birthdays on time. It meant the world to Clark.

Clark had asked for chocolate cake with white frosting with chocolate chips. So Emma and I made a cake. We had so much fun. Most of the cake is gone now thanks to friends.

Clark has chemo in a few days and I am just so happy we had today to celebrate.

Memorial Day

May our hearts always be filled with love and our flags always wave for those who have fought and are fighting for freedom.



(This picture of Emma was taken on 7/4/2008)

Bald brothers

Bald brothers from different mothers.
Our friend Charley Newsom and his family came from Idaho to visit and upon hearing of Clark's hair loss, Charley promptly shaved his head.

Cancer has changed our lives but God knew we were ready for change.

Clark went to bed early last night due to his headache and woke up early this morning feeling 100% better. I am over the moon happy with this. When he gets the littlest ache or pain I pray and wait for it to pass.

Clark used to always be the one to go to the bed early and rise before anyone else. Now, he sometimes is the last up and it is okay. So many things have changed about him, me and us since Chester and his cousins came for a visit.

Our relationship for one. The smallest things we laugh over (and really giggling with your husband is the best). We seldom fight. More often now we agree on things that in the past we would not have seen eye to eye on. Our passion and love is for each other. We value time (really, Emma has more time with Daddy than most kids her age). We can plan outings on days when he feels well or just hang out in the backyard. We are more lucky than most.

Cancer has changed our lives but God knew we were ready for change.

Not a good day for Clark

Last night Clark had complained about kidney pain. I told him if he was in that much pain in the morning, we would need to see the doctor. Clark did not want to go to the doctors in the morning since he had not seen his mom from San Francisco in a few months and we had plans to see her.

So this morning when he awoke, he said he felt fine. We went to lunch with his mom in Pleasanton. Ever since we got back he has been sick. Clark has no fever but a severe headache. Thankfully, his friend tonight was not able to come and visit.

I am concerned and pray he feels better in the morning. If not, then all the plans Clark has will be cancelled and we will be going in to see his doctor.

Ms. Smarty Pants

Our lovely, lovely daughter tries every night to delay her bed time. She has tried all the usual-"there's a monster in my room, I am scared of the dark" and then tonight,
"Mommy I have to pee."

Now we are in the process of potty training her, so while for a brief moment I thought are you kidding me? Then it dawned on me that she is really quite smart on this. Mommy (meaning me) will not say no to potty time and in fact Daddy will not either.

So ten minutes past the time we put in her bed, she was still up, but going to the potty. Emma thinks she has gotten one past us and we think we got her on the potty one more time for the day.

Friends

Today Emma and I had lunch with friends from long ago. It was refreshing to have some new perspective on life. One of our friends is running a team for Relay for life and gave us some luminaria bags for Emma to decorate. One of the ideas I have is to paint Clark's hand and Emma's hand and then write..."In honor of my daddy-Clark, whose hand I will always hold..."

Late this afternoon (after nap),our friends the Newsoms came from Idaho to visit. It was great to see them. We have known them for over 20 years. Several years ago they moved to Idaho. So almost three years ago, when Emma was 3 weeks old (and the people here who wanted to see her did), we drove to see the Newsoms. We went through 7 states. At one point on our trip, we went to Yellowstone. I remember these elderly women in the lodge at Yellowstone cooing over Emma. I will never forget the look of shock they had when we told them we were from California and our daughter was only three weeks old. It seemed to them it was taboo to take a baby out of the house who was so young, but to us it just seemed normal.

This afternoon we spent it at the park with the Newsoms, had dinner and by 9pm they left. We are always sad to them go and our heart will ache for them until the next visit.

I think all the fresh air at the park and the company, made Clark completely wiped and he was sound asleep by 10pm.

Tomorrow is another new day and another new adventure.

A good day

Today was a good day and yesterday was too.

Yesterday I was at a luncheon with other moms of the East Bay in Walnut Creek. This lady sitting directly across from me looked familiar. We played the where we do I know you from for quite sometime. Until I realized we were in the same high school graduating class 20 years ago. As conversation went on, we laughed about that and then I said "I grew up in the ghetto" and she said "O you mean the south side of San Ramon, so did I" and we laughed more. When we were kids a local paper ran an article saying everything south of Pine Valley was the ghetto. Thinking back, I think of how naive the news reporter was and so was the paper that ran the article.

I loved seeing my brother and Diana yesterday. They were able to stay with Emma and Clark while I was away.

Later that night, Clark looked at Emma's diaper and asked me to adjust it since it looked lopsided. Without even thinking of it I did and since I had just changed it I did not even think about what could be in it or on my finger. Let me just say a few minutes later I realized my rookie move and Clark was grossed to the max.

In today's comic in the newspaper Baby Blues, a husband has his hands in the toilet and the wife is standing over him holding a dish of delights asking him, " You want some dessert now?" Things you thought were really gross now barely qualify as yucky-the first of the six things you learn after having kids according to the illustrator.

As the day went on my dad and Clark went to see the new Star Trek movie. Clark said it was good and dad said it is not a chick flick.

Tomorrow we will have some of our best friends from Idaho here and I will also be seeing some old friends. It will be quite the day.

As for the rest of the week, Clark has the social butterfly schedule and I am wondering how Emma and I will keep up with him-

New growth and new hope

Around April 2nd, Emma made this greenhouse in her preschool. Today this is what the greenhouse has become. Where there is new growth, there is new hope.

No new blog until next week

Our modem is going in and out. We cannot replace it with Comcast until Monday so no new blog until then.

If you need to call us, use our cell phones.

Real quick-
Clark is getting better but is still tired.

Emma is getting better as well. Medicine has kicked in.

(Strange that Emma and Clark are on the same steroids but for different things)

As for me, I am looking forward to seeing my brother and Diana tomorrow.

Have a great weekend!

Germ infested daughter

The germ infested daughter somehow came down with laryngitis/croup. We thought yesterday she had a slight allergy and then last night the walruses and seals came out. Her voice sounded like Minnie Mouse (which at first was cute) and then the cough was horrible. We could not determine if it was a walrus or a seal she sounded like the most. We divided the house so Clark would not get sick.

I called Kasier this morning and oh what a joy that was!!! The lady on the phone said sorry no appointments except for the phone. I was begging her that a phone appointment would not do. Emma needed to have her lungs and throat checked (and this is serious since my husband could not be comprised by her). Finally she passed me on to someone (and in the meantime I e-mailed Emma's doctor) and we got in.

Dr. Bartos, her doctor who by that time had gotten my e-mails was great. He met us out in the waiting room, did her vitals, weight, etc. (really what Doctor does that anymore?) and took care of us quickly and efficiently. As a pediatrician he is the best.

Cause we had to miss our playgroup, I mean Emma's playgroup, we let her play a little outside. Emma decided to play dress up and lost one of my favorite shoes. Of course, I own like 50 pairs, but these are my everyday throw on ones. Clark and I looked inside the house and on a lark I went outside. As I was rounding out the side yard to where Emma's playhouse is, I saw the cutest thing. Our cat, was inside Emma's house, on her back legs, playing in Emma's sink. We both kind of just stopped in our tracks. All I saw was the cat's head looking out the window and the paws in the sink. I wish I had the camera. It was adorable. I did not find the shoe but the memory of the cat was great.

Emma seems to be doing much better already but she still sounds like Minnie Mouse-let's see what tonight brings. Again, we will have a divided house since getting Clark germ infested with this is not an option.

Hamburger Place X

Today, Clark, Emma, my dad and me went to Hamburger Place X. Yes, Hamburger Place X. We got in the car and Clark did not care where we were going as long as we were going out.
So my dad starts in: Let's go to that hamburger place, you know the one.
Me: Um, no.
Dad: You know the joint where Emma spilled her drink that one time.
Me: No.
Dad: You must be losing your mind. You know the one near the library.
Me: There are 3 libraries in town, which one?
Dad: You know the hamburger place near the run down shopping center.
Me: (Process of elimination running through my mind-all the libraries are near run down shopping centers)
Clark with giggles pipes in: Yeah, Honey you know the one. I was not there when Emma spilled her drink but I have been there before. You know that Hamburger Place?
Dad: You know the one near the pool. Come on, now.
Me: No,no, I have no clue (to some degree all the libraries are near pools we use).

This whole conversation was taking place while I was driving to where I did not know.

Dad: I thought I was the one getting old. You mean to tell me you live here (in Livermore) and you do not remember that time last summer when we went there.
Me: (thinking no-whatever-as if my Dad knows everything about San Ramon where he lives-okay he might after being in the same house for thirty years).

This whole scene went on and on until finally we realized on how to get to Ben's Hamburgers, but for us, from now on it will always be the Hamburger Place X.

We had a great time airing out Clark and then went downtown and let Emma play in the fountains for a minute before heading off to home for our respective naps.

Ladybugs and rainbows

Today Emma made a ladybug in her Messy Art class. And some say that ladybugs "means good luck. (like picking up a lucky penny or finding a four leaf clover)".

Then tonight at church Emma made a rainbow. On her worksheet it said "God gives the Rainbow as a sign of His Promise (Genesis 9:8-17).

I have to think that it His promise (and a little luck of the Irish) that will make Clark well.

He has had an awful past two days but now seems to be back on the mend. Perhaps someday Clark will see a ladybug on his way to his pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

The Golf Course and other news

Last week a local newspaper reporter and left a message. They wanted a quote from me about the current status on saving the Springtown Golf Course. For the first time in over 2 years, I had nothing to say. I know the City of Livermore is currently looking about at two proposals from different vendors to run the golf course but I am uninvolved. That is not to say I do not care. I understand that this is an election year for City Council and this could be a major issue if it is not resolved by that time.
I understand that the media is so key to keep a local issue alive and that cities do not like to be embarrassed (really who does?). I also came to learn that I am not a great public speaker but using the open format during City Council is a great media tool since it is televised on TV30, also befriending a news reporter works to an advantage.
The story ran in Sunday's paper. I am looking forward to seeing a new contract with a new vendor for the Springtown Golf Course before election time.

Then other news-
Clark and I are struggling with some family stuff (not us or Emma but others) . I have tried to stay at bay over this issue for the last few months and have tried to just let Clark deal with it. And then, someone thought it was funny to drag me into one of their jokes. However I did not think it was a joke, I was hurt, angry and I cried. Then the person e-mailed me and said they did not understand why I was so upset. So, with no grace and no prayer I sent an e-mail which in hindsight should have been sent but could have been soften a bit. I should have shown a little more mercy.
It is hard for me to have someone say "poor me I am a victim too" when my husband has stage 4 cancer with a probable chance to recover (we are not on the charts for recovery yet). I know I need to pray over this. We are in the trenches everyday and there is no time to say "o poor you" to someone who feels helplessness and does not even live with us. I pray you find something to do with your helplessness. I forgive you and as I am about to say this, please forgive me, know it is not Clark, Emma's or my responsibility to do this for you.

Joan the Book Lady

Emma calls our neighbor across the street "Joan the Book Lady." Ever since Emma was a baby, Joan has showered Emma with love/music boxes/assorted gifts and more importantly books. So the other day as Emma and I were leaving, Joan was in her garage. Joan's movement has been slowed due to age but I could still her call my name to come over. She was in her garage writing a check out for the Lymphomathon. I could have cried. I have never mentioned this to Joan. I have never asked her for money, but there Joan was writing a check. Emma and I both profusely thanked Joan the Book Lady.

Her check put the team over the new adjusted goal of $1000 (the first goal was $500). Then I looked again and my brother and Diana, the Cruz family and Linda and Phil Snyder had donated as well. It is still a month away and I cannot believe the money that has been raised. I hope as it says on the website that funds raised by participants will support the Foundation’s mission of eradicating lymphoma and serving those touched by this disease. I pray that Emma's generation is never touched by this horrible disease.

Speaking of which, Clark's hair fell out. Well it was falling out and then Clark had Emma rub the rest out; except the facial hair stayed. Now the hair on the head is growing out and the facial hair is falling out. I asked Clark to shave his mustache since there are large patches missing, but in true vanity he has decided to keep every last facial hair he can. Somehow losing his head hair did not bother him but losing his facial hair does. It is really cute on the things we hold on to and really his look is kind of endearing.

Motherhood

Being a mom what does it mean? I have thought of that all day. Clark and I struggled for so long to have Emma. Then we had her and I cannot imagine what our life would be without her. To me, everyday is mother's day, it is the gift we have of her, Emma, that makes my heart swell. She is a miracle from God to us.

I think of all the women in my life who are moms or call themselves moms. I know plenty of women who struggle to have children like we did and are true moms at heart. I however, pray for women who call themselves moms but whose gift is not parenting (I also pray for the children).

I think of how both Clark and I were raised by our dads. I know for me, my mom was not around much for me due to life, but as a grandma she is the best with Emma. I still remember the day Emma was born, my mom was sick but came to the hospital and stood in the parking lot and waved so that Clark and I would know she was there. I cannot imagine not being at the birth of Emma's children. And if need be, I would be like my mom and wave from the parking lot.

I have nursed Emma and rocked her to sleep. I have held her after she has had a seizure, RSV and the croup. I have experienced so much love, laughter and tears. I tell her every night as I put her to bed , "I love you more today, than I did yesterday or the day you were born." Emma's middle name is Noelani which means "beautiful girl from heaven" and that is what she is to us.

The Burn

Today Clark needed rest so Emma and I left. I actually had missed her so much. Almost everyday Emma was with someone while Clark and I were at the attorneys or doctors. So making sure Clark was okay, we left for a local watering hole.

I had poured sun block on Emma as I always do while we played in the water and sand. Gave her water to keep her hydrated and we had such a good time of just being mom and daughter. We missed Clark but it was nice spending one on one time with her.

Then all of a sudden I was thirsty and my skin was starting to tingle. The missing equation of Clark. We always put sun block on each other and he was not there and I had no sun block on me. Thankfully it was getting near Emma's nap time and we headed home. I was in much pain.

Once we got home and Emma down for a nap, Clark poured aloe on my back and shoulders (which in most circumstances would lead us to the bedroom for extra activities but not today). The burn was so bad and the blisters are unreal. I swallowed some pain pills to take the edge off.

Then the phone rang and a friend who we had not seen in 20 years asked to stop by. Kyle Littrell came and it was so nice to see him. Some things never change like the bonds of our youth group. When we talked it was time had never stopped. It was good to see him.

Emma and I then headed off to church. When we got back, Emma went to bed and Clark and I did the Aloe thing again (no sex this time either-and yes I explained to Julie the other night stage 4 cancer patients can still do the deed-sorry TMI-but he is my husband, really...). Now the burn hurts and I have severe blisters. Next time I will remember the sun block on Emma, me and Clark.

Thank God it is Friday at last...

What a week...

First we signed and completed the Schoening Family Living Trust. What a sense of relief. We do not have much at all but having this done also includes the Trust, the will, financial and health care power of attorney, HIPAA, personal assignment and most importantly to us is guardianship of Emma. We were always concerned about where she would go and now we know as do her potential guardians and trustees (Love you Uncle Rob/Diana and hopefully this will never come to pass). And if you have a child under eighteen years old, think about having this done (and know it is okay to name non family members as guardians and trustees).

We saw Clark's oncologist. Chester is still there but is slowly being diminished with each treatment-God willing.

Clark had the power port installed. This will help with chemo treatments and did today.

Side note to the power port installation. I am reading this book called "Out of Captivity-Surviving 1,967 days in the Colombian Jungle" by Marc Gonsalves, Keith Stansell and Tom Howes (story of three American cilivian contractors whose plane went down in the Colombia jungle and they were taken captive by FARC guerrilla soldiers) and I said to Clark "you know Honey if you had been on that plane and one of the FARC soldiers had seen the power port they would have shot you on the spot because they would have thought you had a GPS unit embedded in you." Needless to say Clark will not be taking any plane trips to Columbia until the power port is removed.

Clark's chemo went very well. We have laughed how last time at chemo the health care benefits were terminated. I was the wife who told her husband who was on the chemo drip, " Really you DID not pay the health care benefits, REALLY?" Clark said I would be that wife who would do that and my response was "Well you are not dead. You just have cancer." We have laughed over this several times. I am not a good enabler and Clark knows this. I understand that Clark is very sick but his medical team has stressed that "babying him" will actually inhibit his treatment since getting well is part of living and not "checking out." "Checking out" could mean death in a stage 4 cancer like Clark's.

In fact today we saw death knocking at a fellow chemo patient's door. She had chemo yesterday and then her fever rose to 102 degrees (which is very bad for chemo patients but she "checked out" and did not notify her medical team). So she came in today and collapsed in a chair. The medical crew literally rolled her from the chemo clinic to the hospital in fear she was going to "crash". I pray that this is never Clark. It was heart wrenching to see.

Enabling him, I will not do. Letting him "check out" will not happen on my watch. BUT I will love him and care for him as a wife should. And really Thank God it is Friday at last...

It went well...

Today went well and off Clark goes to chemo tomorrow.

Clark received this card from one of childhood friends, Mark Radanovich (and family of course) and we are sharing because the laugh was well appreciated:

The card shows a monkey who is carefully pondering:

"Be graceful and dignified?
Keep a stiff upper lip?
Throw poop?
However you decide to cope, I'll understand."

The White Blood Cell Count is Up...

so Clark will have surgery tomorrow to install the portacap and then chemo on Friday. His level was 4.6 which was good enough!!! Yeah! Prayers have been answered. Clark has been getting more movement back by the week and that in and of itself is a miracle.

We only have windows around Clark's chemo in which he will be well so we choose not to the couples bible study this time through Cornerstone. Clark will attend the men's bible study as he can (and in fact did tonight).

And I was blessed to start this week the women's bible study. It truly was amazing. I was assigned to a small group unknowingly that I had heard great things about previously. I looked around and thought I could learn so much from these women. Thank you Debbie for making it happen. Really how can you go wrong with a bible study called "ANOINTED, TRANSFORMED AND REDEEMED". What timing, what God timing.

Lastly, pray for Clark tomorrow. His surgery should be simple but they are leaving the portacap needle since he has chemo on Friday. This scares me a little.

Everyone should have some...

Everyone should have some friends who say "enough already we are going out". And tonight I went out with these friends. These beautiful women have just become a part of my life over the last year. They are the ones who you tell you truth in a kind way. They are the ones who do not judge but rather guide you. These women are there on a moment's notice and if need be are only a phone call away.

And strong, these women are strong. I looked around the table tonight and we are so unique in our backgrounds, our histories, but our hearts are true. Our statements are even truer. There is nothing I could not say to these women I call friends. We are not the type of friends who socialize or talk everyday, but once every few months we get together for a meal and talk about anything.

I have best friends and I have a dear friends but everyone should have some "enough already we are going out" friends.


Tomorrow we are off to oncologist. Pray the white blood cell count is up!

I felt like a teenager tonight...

At 8:30 tonight I had to leave for a 9pm meeting (with other moms whose kids like mine had gone to bed already). However when I left the house I oddly felt like a teenager. I felt like was sneaking out and Clark joked that I was going on a date.

But let me tell you in 30 minutes time before the meeting I was able to go to the library,the store and return a borrowed dish. I kind of like the freedom of night time errand running. I felt like a teenager (but no one got TP'd).

The Cunningham's Rock!!!!!

Today we received notification that our dear friends The Cunninghams-Todd, Syndie and Lexi made a large donation to Team Schoening Team One Love (it almost doubled what our original goal was). On more than one occasion I have prayed that they could be here with us on that day and they will be in spirit! Clark and I were blessed to have them in our wedding party almost 12 years ago and our daughters are only 6 weeks a part. We are so humbled by this.

We are blessed that the following people have given money for Team Schoening Team One Love-Gayle Bench, Joyce Suzuki, Joyce Bench, Kira Ollila, Sharon Wilson, Shawn Grace, Brian Caulfield, Michael Challand, Michele Morris, Ron and Cindi Reis, Julie Brown and our neighbors Dave and Peggy.

We are also humbled by the team itself.
Team Captain and Best Friend/Maid of Honor (from our wedding) Terilynn Bench
Michael Challand-Shirt Designer for the walk
Kevin Christensen
Rebecca Christensen
Adrian Miller
Michele Morris
Ron and Cindi Reis
Nancy Robbins
Leslie Sine
Kathleen and Emma Schoening

There is still time so please join our team and help us support the cause!

Terilynn wrote the following for the Lymphomathon Team Page:
We are Team One Love because we all have one thing for each other -- LOVE! And we are now sending all of that love to Clark. We will be walking in the Lymphomathon because we want to do something to show support for him and all of the people who have been diagnosed and are currently or will be fighting this disease. By helping to raise money to help with the research, then this is the best way that we can honor Clark and all of the others fighting the disease.

If you are interested in joining 'Team Schoening - Team One Love' and walking with us, please let me know! We would love to have you join us. Any contribution is welcome!

When: 2009 San Francisco Bay Area Lymphomathon at Golden Gate Park
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Join hundreds of survivors and caregivers as they walk to raise funds and awareness for the Lymphoma Research Foundation!

The Lymphomathon is a non-competitive 5K walk where survivors, family, friends, community and corporate teams walk in honor and in memory of those whose lives have been touched by lymphoma. Funds raised by participants will support the Foundation’s mission of eradicating lymphoma and serving those touched by this disease.

We hope to see you there!

Ugh!

Here is our beautiful angel of a daughter on her way home yesterday from Ian's house. She looks so peaceful there but really it was the calm before the storm. This morning she woke up with a slight fever then it climbed to 102 (she has had a fever seizure before at 102). Ugh! So we quarantined Clark in our room. And I rotated medicines with her and Thank God the fever is now gone. As I am writing she is literally bouncing off the walls.

Since Clark has scheduled another surgery for the portacap and chemo next week we have to get his white blood cell count up. If his count does not go up, we will have to wait. So he will be quarantined in our room for a few more days.

We also have scheduled attorney appointments to finalize our trust. Once this is complete for financial, medical and guardianship I know we will both feel better. The appointed "trustees" have been notified. It is something that should have been long ago...

So please continue to pray for Clark that his white blood cells go up and Emma does not have any more fevers or sickness.

White Blood Count low-no portacap or chemo

Today we went to the hospital so that Clark could have his portacap done. However, when we got to the hospital his surgeon came out and said that Clark could not have surgery. Clark's white blood cell count was way too low. In the last two weeks, the white blood cell has gone from 9 to 1 to 1.3. The surgeon also indicated that unless his count goes up it will not be safe for Clark to have chemo either. A call into oncology has been placed.

Clark's hair is starting to fall out in the oddest of places (if he were a girl he would not need a bikini wax for the summer) and nose bleeds have started. Both of each, make me queasy which makes Clark laugh. Ha!Ha!Ha! Honey, wait until I actually throw up then it will not be so funny.

When we picked up Emma from Ian's we could tell she enjoyed her playdate with Ian. She fell asleep within minutes of being in the car. Thank you Rebecca-you are the best!

What a day and it is not even 3pm yet!!!!