So I kind of threw out the cancer card and was able to secure 6 tickets to the Celtics-Blazer basketball game on December 20th.  My father-in-law was up to help take me to my treatment on one day (since at that time I wasn't allowed to drive), and Duke had passed on a chance to go to the game, so I felt kind of bad.  I have a "contact" with the Trailblazers and so during my chemo treatment I emailed him and just asked if there was any chance I could get tickets to the game that night - a very much anticipated game since the Celtics are the NBA champions.  Luckily, my "contact" still loves me, and gave me 4 tickets on the premier level (with free food!) and two additional tickets in the arena for Duke's brother and his girlfriend.  Lots of drama, but in the end I think we all had a great time - well except for Gannon since I think he is still too young to attend - he kicked the guy's head in front of him at least 5 times as he kept going back and forth.  He did get a lot of free licorice, soda and popcore - after a gourmet meal of sirlon, stuffed potatoes, etc..

Blazers won - and for those who are still in the dark, the Seattle Supersonics (the NBA team) was sold and moved to Oklahoma City, so for all us Sonic fans, we are kind of screwed and our default is the Blazers.  Which isn't bad considering Brandon Roy is a UW alumni, and I am now a big fan of Steve Blake!

My friends and fellow Huskies!  Julia & Brad...

For Duke...

Celtics lost - Duke was not happy....

Some more pictures - I know, based on the holiday, you can see how behind I am with the postings! 

Quick update though on my status - dong much much better! They obviously couldn't find my right ovary, as I ended up with 4 incisions (2 on the right side) instead of the 3 they promised me.  Nice...My body is a war zone, possibly a wonderland depending on who's looking.  But I feel better and have recovered quite nicely.  I blew off my first every appointment in 100 two weeks ago as I simply wasn't in the mental mood to deal with both the drive and the appointment itself - though it was my follow-up to the surgery, so probably not the best one to blow off.  Oh well...I get to have a few mental lapses (aka, breakdowns) every once in awhile.  I'm definitely tired - fatigue is getting worse and worse, so that is my one constant battle I have that if I can beat it, I can start living my life "normally".  Right now, the fatigue is what has been holding me back from doing a lot of things, especially going back to work.  Keep your fingers crossed...I'm due to finish up the last of my "chemo" treatment in early March, and then I am DONE!  Other than routine exams, scans, etc., I'm off the hook - no more treatment other than taking my daily pill that will cost me $240 a year, that I take for 5 years.  Sucks...but these new pills are cool, they come in this packaging that has all the days so that it helps me track what day I'm on.  Kind of like birth control pills...I need this, since I tend to forget if I've taken the pill or not some nights.  Quick note - those pill a day boxes - not very effective.

Okay, back to the pictures!  Still at the pumpkin patch with our friends, Sherri & Aric and baby Brayden...

Waiting in line for the hay ride - it was actually kind of fun!

Nana & Pappa stopped by one weekend thereafter and Gannon had a great time wrestling with Pappa...Gannon has a great time period when he gets the chance to wrestle and/or tackle people...

Then I think I took Gannon home to visit my parents so that we could go deer hunting - more like road hunting, since all we did was drive up and down this canyon for hours until we spotted some deer.  Gannon wasn't the best at "tracking"...singing, marching and munching on beef jerky all the while following behind my dad up the hill to sneak up on some deer wasn't quite working on the whole "sneaking" up part.

We stopped in Arlington to pee and feed the ducks...

Gannon then insisted on wearing his Spiderman costume for my mom and dad...

Enthralled by Gong Gong telling him a story about hunting deer...

The next day getting ready -

The Asian version of Harry Potter - my dad got some SWAG at a local golf tournament with the theme of Harry Potter and so he saved it for Gannon.  And these glasses were part of that box of toys...Gannon loved them....

And off to hunting we go....

So my dad's orange vest was a tad too big for Gannon, so the wrapping began!

Off they go...and not quietly! LOL  Below is the only deer we spotted (at least the only one I spotted)...yes, I tagged along and slept in the car...very boring...

Finally back home and into the tub!  My parents have this deep tub in their bathroom that my mom personally hand painted and decorated to have a beach-like feel...she is so talented!  It totally looks like Gannon's at the beach no?

We also went to the driving range to work on Gannon's swing...

So we are not quite sure how to take Gannon's ability to communicate any more...following are some examples that kind of stump us as to how to react appropriately as his parents...

SCENE 1:

Gannon:  Daddy, I don't want to go to church.

(Have no idea where this whole subject came about in the first place)

Daddy: Why not Gannon?  Don't you think Aunt Evie will be sad to hear you say that?

(Aunt Evie is his daycare provider).

Gannon:  Then don't tell her.

(Duke's response - PATT!  I can't believe what your son just said to me!; Patt's response - hysterical laughing!)

SCENE 2:

Daddy:  Gannon, please go let Neo back into the house.

Gannon:  No.  You let him in.

Daddy:  What???!!! 

Gannon:  Miss Cleo is my dog, Neo is mommy's baby so Mommy, you go let Neo in.

Mommy:  Gannon, Daddy asked you to let Neo so you need to go let him in.

Gannon:  No, you let him in because he is your dog.  Miss Cleo is inside.

Finally, he let him in...but grudgingly...

SCENE 3:

Gannon:  Mommy can you buy that for me?

(He's watching some infomercial on TV for kids)

Mommy:  No, you don't need it.

Gannon: Okay, then Daddy will buy it for me.

Daddy:  No I won't.

Gannon:  Okay, the Puo Puo buys them for me because she said so.

And so apparently that is the end of that discussion. 

(Puo Puo is my mother).

ADDENDUM:

Shopping today, Gannon asked Duke to buy him something today and Duke asked him if he had any money and Gannon replied, "No but you do" then proceded to pick Duke's pocket.  Because before you know it, Gannon is holding Duke's wallet in his hands and Duke didn't know until I mentioned it to him.  Gannon calls dollar bills tickets...he doesn't understand the monetary value of each "ticket" but he is  starting to get the whole having money (tickets and coins).

MY GOD!  WTF?  What have we created?  I'm seriously perplexed as to how to handle these "conversations" like a parent should, rather than as a bystander and laughing my ass off - mostly at Duke's reactions as he tends to be more shocked than I am and the look on his face is priceless!!!!

Okay, I'm finishing up with the Husky football game...I'm sooooo behind in our posts, so I'm going to try and catch up with all pictures this week to get caught up!

New year's resolution - stay updated on our posting!!!!!

Before the game, Duke's cousin Cory stopped by with his kids (and chihuahua) so that Gannon could have some company while we were gone to the game. 

Gannon loved that dog!  We took him to see Beverly Hills Chihuahua the following week...

Then the kids went out to Uncle Larry's garage and sat in a wheelbarrow that he made himself!  They loved it!

And of course, they all had to feed the fish - this time Gannon didn't pee in the pond...

Everyone loves TALL Uncle Duke...

Gannon pilfering Aunt Betty's tomato plant...

Yes, Gannon ate every single ripe tomato off the plant - and I was all ready for the Husky game!  First one for me this season (and the last)...

Can't recall what Duke was doing, but this is Uncle Larry & Aunt Betty's beautiful back yard!  

Okay, now I remember, they were trying to get Moxie's ball from the squirrel house...

Gannon bonding with his 2nd cousin...so cute!  And yes, that is the dog bed they are sleeping on...

Tom, Uncle Larry's neighbor who offered to drive us to the game - he had PRIME parking!

Karyn, my wonderful Husky soulmate and me!

We love our Huskies - even though they SUCKED this year!

I think it was the Battle of the Marching Bands...

OMG, what a double-chin I have...luckily I've lost some more of that steroid weight...

Still a proud Husky!

The game sucked, can you tell we were bored???

Ah, the memories are RUSHING back - what a crappy game...so depressing...

When we got home that night, Gannon had actually gone to bed when Aunt Betty told him to!  We were shocked...

Next morning, both Cory & Jamie came over for breakfast - with the pup...

Then Halloween...see how late I am????

Making cookies...

THAT thing he is holding is some kind of insect that Gannon eventually killed while trying to "pet" it...UGH...the one thing I will need to get used to, having the fortune to have a son...BUGS!  Yuk...

So I actually harvested some yellow squash and a pumpkin in our backyard believe it or not!  We weren't sure what you do with yellow squash, so I went out and bought these Mr. Potato head-like pieces that you just push into the pumpkin, or in our case, the squash without having to carve anything.  GENIUS!  So Gannon decorated all the squash...and the little pumpkin...

Then we joined our friend, Sheri, Aric and their baby Brayden at the local "famous" pumpkin patch to get an actual real sized pumpkin...

Since it had rained so much, we didn't really make it through the corn maze as it was too muddy and fortunately, Duke had the sense of direction to retrace our steps back OUT of the maze - we were not enjoying ourselves in that mud...

Okay, more pictures soon...need to upload them!

Happy belated NEW Year to everyone!  Here's hoping to a more peaceful and healthy one!

Okay, so the video worked for only so long then it crashed so I'll just keep using YouTube...

Here are some pictures that we took yesterday while Duke and Gannon went out into the snow and play - it was freezing, but they had fun!  Plus we are expecting another 5-7 inches of snow today...unbelieveable!  At least Duke was able to drive our SUV to the store to get some stocking stuffers and Gannon's presents from Santa and us.  I'm feeling much better but I think I did too much yesterday, so I crashed pretty early...no more pain meds for me, just Advil and my muscle relaxant and I'm good to good.  Hoping to be able to hit the store with Duke and my parents at least by tomorrow to get a few last things before Christmas but we will see...

Oh and here are some pictures of Duke and I at the hospital last Thursday at 6:00 am!

Duke is NOT happy being back at the hospital - 5 times is a little too much I think for one person to sit and wait...and for ME, going under is not fun, but I'm medicated and this time they really did take good care of me when I woke up from surgery!  No nausea no nothing!  Just kept passing out...

Not sure, but the hospital keeps it so damn cold that you feel like you are in a morgue - so I kept my hat and scarf on as long as I could because those hospital gowns are not made for warmth or comfort.  At least I got some warm socks again...

Okay, back to the winter wonderland...

The ice on the side of our house from the gutter... and one of our bushes in the front...you can see the snow, then ice, then snow...

Cleo, our English Bulldog, has had nothing to do with the weather - we have to literally push her out the back door just to get her to go potty.  She hates the ice and starts to freak out when she slides, though Neo loves the snow!  He's cold and I need a sweater for him, but he loves to play in it more than Cleo.

Ah, finally, a picture of Gannon with Santa...

Gannon eating snow...

The snow on our roof - you can see how thick it is!  Amazing...

We think we lost a car...

They forgot to pick up our recycling last week and so it got buried...

Before Duke headed out into the cold...

We figured Duke should probably scrape some of the snow/ice off of his convertible top before anything happened, so back out they went!  We realized too late that Gannon's winter coat (that I bought 2 years ago, that was 2 sizes too big) was too small now for him, so we bundled him up as best as we could...

That's a big piece of ice that Duke is holding that he broke off from his car...

Our neighbor trying to get chains onto his truck, then got stuck as we have this weird bump in our road...so eventually, with Duke's help, he got unstuck, got his chains on and back into his driveway.

Here is my dad shoveling (with Gannon's sand shovel - our shed was unaccessible, so my poor dad had to use this tool) snow from the door so that the dogs had a way to get out.  Otherwise they brought in drifts of snow each and every time, plus Cleo refused to get out...

Gannn breaking ice over Duke's head - bad idea as then Gannon thought it was fun to just throw pieces of ice at Duke (since the snow was too dry to make into snowballs), not fun for Duke since the ice actually did hurt his head, but he started it!

The thickness of the snow on the top of our car!  Which Duke continued to drive anyway...

Neo showing my dad some support...

This is the front of our house - from my parents room...we have not seen weather like this here in Portland, Oregon in 40 years and yes, you guessed it -  NO ONE knows how to drive in this weather!  Which is why many roads are closed and chains are requried even in the city.

Here is how the weather is here today at Portland, Oregon - amazing!!!

I just posted this BENADRYL® Pollen Alert widget for 500 credits. You can earn free credits too!

  Amazingly, our weather peeps got it right (well a few days off) but we finally did experience the true "Artic Storm", "Deep Freeze",and whatever they have chosen to refer to the inclement weather we have been experiencing this past week.  Fortunately, my parents, Gannon and myself were able to make it back to Portland before the storm really hit, though it required us to sleep overnight at San Francisco airport Tuesday since we had missed our connecting flight from Newark to SFO then to PDX.  Some how we lost 45 mins during the trip over - we must have circled a few clouds or something...

Anyway, the good news is we made it home safe and sound, and I made it to my surgery on Thursday.  The drive in the morning wasn't all that bad, a bit slushy, but Duke got us there safely.  Once I got checked-in, it was off to the races...doctors, nurses, and assistants moving about, in and out of our "bed" areas...I really pressed the issue with my anethesiologist (spelling??) about my allergic reaction to morphine and the like, so I actually woke up from surgery not feeling sick nor itchy!  I just kept passing out from all the anti-nausea and anti-itch medication they gave me...the nurse had to dress me as I was simply too groggy to do much other than open my eyes, look for Duke, then pass out again!  But Duke succeeded in his mission to get me home and thank goodness for that!  Otherwise, I believe we would have been stuck at the hospital involuntarily due to the weather as it was increasingly getting worse by the time we got home. 

I'm hanging in there other than I feel like someone pummeled me in the stomach....apparently, the camera went in via my belly button and in their "search" for my ovaries, they pushed my insides around a bit, so I think my stomach was traumatized.  Really painful - breathing hurt, standing hurt, thank god for Oxycontin...and GemsTV... LOL  I'm doing better today as I can get around a lot more, the stomach pain is easing, though now I'm noticing my incisions are sore (ended up with 4 instead of the 3 that they said they would only need - figures).  Fortuantely we have my parents here to help with Gannon and Duke has been great - we had hoped to get my parents home to Tri-Cities via the train this week, but the weather has cancelled most all transportation (planes, trains and automobiles).  They've even closed several highways down due to the weather and now no one is allowed to drive around without chains (which we don't have, hopefully the weather eases up enough that Duke can get out and get some chains and finish Christmas shopping!). 

Okay, surgery aside, Gannon and I had a great time visiting my grandmother in New Jersey!  Gannon got to meet several new relatives that he has never met before, and it was nice to travel somewhere, though the timing (weather) probably wasn't the best.

Here we are, en route to New Jersey - I had Gannon wear a backpack that was filled with his snacks and then he dragged his Dora travel bag that contained his toys, books, rabbit and blanket.  We received so many comments about how cute Gannon was and how cute his bags were...

Had to get up at 4:30 am so that we could be at the airport by 5:30 am to catch our 7:10 am flight...I'm anal in that I would rather sit at an airport and wait for my flight than rush around trying to not miss my flight.  Less stress...though I was still medicated.  We had a lay over in San Francisco for 3 hours and it worked out great as Gannon didn't sleep until the flight from SFO to Newark, which was the longer of the two legs, and he slept the whole way.  Even through all the turbulence we encountered while trying to land in Newark.  Most of the passengers were freaking out, but I was medicated and I actually like turbulence.  Duke would have been in the aisle praying for his life if he had been with us...he's not good with stuff like taking off and landing.

Self-portrait waiting at PDX....

At SFO - beautiful day!  We grabbed some lunch before heading to our gate...that DVD player has been worth every penny spent!

So Gannon is really into writing his letters, so I purchased this box of letter cards that came with some markers and a cloth to wipe off that Gannon could trace and write all over.  He LOVED them...and it kept him entertained...plus he's very proud of his accomplishments with writing now (thanks to his daycare).

They had these "monuments" throughout the SFO airport, so I had to take one of Gannon next to Joe Montana...

Sleeping on the plane...great for the time, but sucked when we got to Newark, becasue then he was wide awake!  When we arrived, it was pouring down rain and I think we were one of the last flights in.  So as we walked towards the gate, Gannon caught sight of my mom and dad, and immediately dropped his bag and ran right into my dad's arms!  It was very sweet...he has been talking about them for weeks now and has been so excited to see them.

Waiting for our bags...thanks to my dad, he took Gannon to go get us some food since I refused to pay $9 for a stupid sandwhich wrap on the plane!!!!  I can't believe all the stupid charges they have these days to fly ... no more customer service and you still pay for a premium on ticket prices.

We then headed to my Aunt Stella and Uncle George's house as they were in Egypt on vacation but graciously allowed us to all crash at their place during our visit.

The next morning, my mom woke us up (very hard since I was sooo tired) and off to my grandmother's place we went.  Gannon's a smart kid as he figured out the connection between all the relatives he met during the week we were there and was very loving to everyone!  Went straight up to my grandmother (99 years old - his other great-grandmother) and gave her hugs all the time!

My Aunt Maria (dad's younger sister), Great-Aunt Marge (whom apparently is the first person to carry me out of the hospital after I was born), me, Gannon, my grandmother, and my parents.

Off to lunch we went - Gannon being the gentleman, insisted on holding all the doors for everyone...

For dinner, since it is not easy for my grandmother to get around these days, we decided to change up the "taste" and brought home some good ol' Kentucky Fried Chicken, which she loved.  Gannon stayed occupied with his movies...not much for him to play with at my grandmother & aunt's place.

Then Gannon decided to pass out...this killed me as he was up until 3:00 am EST later that night...and my dad taking a break too...

My grandmother with the flower that Jerry & Britt sent over to her...

So Gannon's newest thing is knights - like King Arthur kind of knights, so we went and bought him the promised toy by my mom of these knights from Playmobile.  I think they are like legos for little kids...but what a pain in the ass to put the chariot together!  Here he is showing Great Aunt Marge all the weapons he had for his guys...

Great grandmother Han and Gannon...

Great Aunt Maria and Gannon...

Gannon's such a poser! LOL

He got to wrestle a little bit with his Great Aunt Marge... LOL

Later that evening, back at my Uncle George's house, Gong Gong and Gannon working on his letters...

Here we are the next morning getting ready to my grandmother's again....

Us in the back of my uncle's minivan - not the most user-friendly car, as I had a lot of trouble getting in and out, which I thought was one of the perks of a minivan!

So my Great Aunt Marge offered to take us into Manhattan to sightsee on Saturday - unfortunately, we had a very late start, so we finally got to the train station after lunch...

So our 4 hour adventure began when we arrived at Penn Station in New York - as I was taking a group picture of everyone in front of the tree, this lady just jumped right in and joined everyone as she wanted a picture with Gannon...scared the bejeezus out of him...

Me and my beloved Knicks...

Then I had the great idea of taking Gannon to see the Macy's Santa Claus and get his picture taken - BAD...first it was a Saturday, and second, everyone was in town and AT Macy's...

Here we are in front of Madison Square Garden...below, there is the Empire State Building (that's the closest we got)...

Before we got in the line of hell for Santa - after wrapping around the catacombs of Macy's in line to see Santa I said screw it, and escaped out an emergency exit as the wait was just absolutely ridiculous!  Even worse, after frantically looking for my parents, they were sitting sipping coffee and having pastries, Gannon had to go potty, so my dad took him - and about died when he saw the MEN'S line to the restroom.  My dad kept asking if I could give up my soda bottle and just have Gannon pee in that.

This is the original Macy's, so the escalators are the old-fashioned wooden kind...very cool...

So Gannon hung in there pretty well until he started to get cranky, my dad started to get claustrophobic, and my mom and I were simply just tired from all the running around.  Plus the Natural Museum of History was closing, so we missed that and though my Great Aunt Marge wanted to take us to see Rockerfeller Center, those NY City blocks are long and we just were pooped so we decided to head home to New Jersey.

Closest we got to Macy's Santa Claus....

On the train home...boy it was cold!

We then went to visit my grandmother again...this time, they found a few things that Gannon could play with - these two large bean bag stuffed animals that he threwed around and played with for over an hour!

My cousin Amy came by to visit with us, so it was good to see her as it has been many many years!

Then my Uncle George & Aunt Stella arrived home from Egypt and the next evening, they treated us all to dinner...

The day after my Uncle George & Aunt Stella returned, they had a bowling tournament they were attending the next morning - where my Uncle George won first place in both leagues!  Here he is with his bowling trophies (I think one was for highest points too)...

Gannon at night ready for bed but not really....

The next day, we had some quick family photos taken...

Off to visit my dad's friend from college...

Gannon's learned how to use my camera, so he had to take pictures after I did...

Gannon hijacked two of their pears...

Below, taking a picture of my mom...

And the morning we were to leave New Jersey, we went to visit with my grandmother first before heading back - initially my uncle was going to take us to the airport, but the snow was coming down harder, and so we chose to take the train instead.  Which worked out great - really comfortable, fast and so easy to get to the airport.  And by the time we arrived, the weather outside was getting worse, and I know my mom would have been having a heart attack worrying about my uncle driving back home (1.5 hours away)...

At the train stop - waiting and FREEZING!!!!!!

On the tram to the terminal - I tell you lots of trains!!!! Luckily I was medicated... LOL

 So we get to the airport and find out that our flight was delayed - the person working at the check-in counter warned me that if the flight got furthered delayed, we would not make our connecting flight in Chicago.  I decided to take the initiative because I was getting worried that we either wouldn't get out of Newark, or would be stuck in Chicago or Denver - United managed to change our flights to flying into SFO then to PDX which was perfect, as I preferred to be on the West Coast anyway if I were to get stuck.  Which as everyone knows, we did...even though our flight was only 3 minutes late leaving Newark.

Gannon liked to read the safety card -

And here we are, camping out at SFO airport after finding out that there really wasn't any other option for us but to wait for the next flight out which was at 7:10 am (we arrived at SFO at 10:30 pm, our connecting flight left at 10:00 pm).  United gave us an overnight bag, a few pillows and blankets, and after begging this place to sell me some drinks, that's how we spent our evening.

My dad totally crashed...Gannon started out on the chairs then fell off...and some janitor just HAD to be vaccuuming right in our area too!

Finally on our way home!  And Gannon woke up!

PHEW!  We made it...it was a great trip, but glad we are home!

Happy Holidays to everyone!  When I have another lucid moment, I'll continue to update...

Quick update for everyone - first, we finally made it back home from New Jersey (long story, will update after I get back from surgery), and secondly, I'm still scheduled for my surgery tomorrow morning at 7:30 am to have my ovaries removed.  Given the current weather conditions though, it will be an interesting and harrowing drive UP the hill to the hospital.  Fortunately, we are headed to the hospital anyway, so.... LOL

They do have a room for me if I am to stay overnight, but Duke is determined to have me come home rather than stay overnight as he has this notion that most people die in hospitals.  So barring any further complications from my allergy to morphine/narcotics, and if I can get my ass out of the bed without wanting to puke, AND weather permitting, I should be back home later tomorrow afternoon.  Of course a nice hospital stay would be great for me (peace and quiet) and I always catch up on news and Sports Center since there is nothing to watch.  Oh, and I could possibly lose a few of the extra pounds I've gained too....

Will keep you all posted!

...me having cancer or the Husky 2008 football season - it's a toss up.  But Duke and I did manage to get to one game this year as we were given tickets to the Stanford game.  Though I had hoped for a win, it is still fun for us to drive up to Seattle to not only watch the Husky game but also to visit and hang out with Duke's Uncle Larry & Aunt Betty, whom Gannon adores!

Since they knew we were planning to head up, they had invited Duke's cousin Cory's children to come over and keep Gannon company while Duke and I went to the game, so that was nice for Gannon!

The night before, Duke and my contributions to the two tailgate parties were jello shots (which incidentally were a huge hit!)...Gannon of course had to help...

Then we got to look through their pictures from their trip to South Africa earlier this year, which Gannon loved, because there were a lot of animal pictures...

Found Aunt Betty's toy closet and an off-limit toy of Uncle Larry's...LOL

Oh, here are some pictures from when we left my parents house the weekend before...

Okay, I just realized that I didn't load all the pictures from this weekend - I get pretty distracted, so I'll get back to posting the pictures soon.