Monday, November 26, 2007
Well, she's stumped them again...
Thanks to everyone who has enquired about my Julie's mom, Viv Riestenberg, since my last post. It would be difficult to recap everything that has happened over the past couple weeks but the good news is, they no longer suspect that her lung cancer has returned. She's gone through countless tests and spent close to a week in the hospital and during most of the time, she had all the medical experts stumped. There was talk of lung cancer, pnuemonia, heart failure - if you didn't like the diagnosis one hour all you had to do was wait around for another doctor to show up and he'd have another theory. I've heard so many things that I'm not really sure what the final word was but I do know it had something to do with her lungs, she's been treated and has moved from the hospital. She's in good spirits and feeling a lot better.
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. A large portion of the Hopkins family came down to our house for the day. Somehow I tweaked my back and spent most of the weekend watching football games. Next Saturday I'm going to be perched in front of the TV watching my new, second favorite team - the Oklahoma Sooners - hopefully beat Missouri for the Big 12 Championship in football. If that happens, our Ohio State Buckeyes should be heading back to the National Championship game.
Looking forward to the holidays....
Vince
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. A large portion of the Hopkins family came down to our house for the day. Somehow I tweaked my back and spent most of the weekend watching football games. Next Saturday I'm going to be perched in front of the TV watching my new, second favorite team - the Oklahoma Sooners - hopefully beat Missouri for the Big 12 Championship in football. If that happens, our Ohio State Buckeyes should be heading back to the National Championship game.
Looking forward to the holidays....
Vince
Friday, November 16, 2007
Prayers for Vivvy...
On Wednesday we learned that the lung cancer my mother-in-law, Viv Riestenberg, miraculously battled a couple years ago has returned. Viv was quite an inspiration to me when I was diagnosed in October of 2005. At the time, she had actually been moved to a Hospice facility but she fought back and was able to return to her home just before Christmas...it truly was a miracle.
Any prayers you could lift up for Viv and our family would certainly be appreciated. She's a very strong woman who has been through so much yet through it all her faith remains as strong as ever. And at a time when you would think we should be the one's comforting her, she is the one who continues to comfort us. She is a remarkable mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, friend and the greatest mother-in-law you could ever imagine. If anyone is entitled to another miracle; it's Vivvy.
Someone asked about Judd's surprise; I wish I could say it was that he cleaned his dorm room or did something of great significance but the surprise was that a friend of his who went to school in California was in town for a weekend visit. It was good to see him, this kid spent a great deal of time at our house throughout the 4 years the boys were in high school, but my sight were set on a somewhat larger surprise. I do know Judd was excited to see him.
Again, your prayers for Vivvy would be greatly appreciated. Peace and Blessings to all.
Any prayers you could lift up for Viv and our family would certainly be appreciated. She's a very strong woman who has been through so much yet through it all her faith remains as strong as ever. And at a time when you would think we should be the one's comforting her, she is the one who continues to comfort us. She is a remarkable mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, friend and the greatest mother-in-law you could ever imagine. If anyone is entitled to another miracle; it's Vivvy.
Someone asked about Judd's surprise; I wish I could say it was that he cleaned his dorm room or did something of great significance but the surprise was that a friend of his who went to school in California was in town for a weekend visit. It was good to see him, this kid spent a great deal of time at our house throughout the 4 years the boys were in high school, but my sight were set on a somewhat larger surprise. I do know Judd was excited to see him.
Again, your prayers for Vivvy would be greatly appreciated. Peace and Blessings to all.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Mid-November report....
There really hasn't been a great deal to report lately. About the only thing healthwise is that I've been dealing with a cold for about a week now. I had my blood counts checked last Thursday and they were as good as they've been over the past couple years, so that was comforting to know. The cold seems to be close to running its course but I still wake up hacking in the mourning, I'll be glad when it's over.
I was severly bummed when Ohio State lost to Illinois over the weekend. It was looking like they may be on the verge of playing for another national title but now it will take quite a few upsets and a lot of luck for the Bucks to climb back in to contention. Let's just beat Michigan and see how the chips fall...at worst, another Big Ten title and trip to the Rose Bowl would be a great way to cap off the season.
I've decided to participate in the Lake Tahoe 100 bike ride the first weekend in June. There are a few other guys who are planning to do it with me as part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma societys' Team in Training program. It should be challenging and a lot of fun. I'll have more on this later but needless to say, I've already started training and look forward to the next 7 months of bike riding.
Hope all is well with all of you. I'll have scans and another Rituxin treatment in December and will definitely keep you updated. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving next week and are ready to head into the Christmas season.
Our best to all!
I was severly bummed when Ohio State lost to Illinois over the weekend. It was looking like they may be on the verge of playing for another national title but now it will take quite a few upsets and a lot of luck for the Bucks to climb back in to contention. Let's just beat Michigan and see how the chips fall...at worst, another Big Ten title and trip to the Rose Bowl would be a great way to cap off the season.
I've decided to participate in the Lake Tahoe 100 bike ride the first weekend in June. There are a few other guys who are planning to do it with me as part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma societys' Team in Training program. It should be challenging and a lot of fun. I'll have more on this later but needless to say, I've already started training and look forward to the next 7 months of bike riding.
Hope all is well with all of you. I'll have scans and another Rituxin treatment in December and will definitely keep you updated. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving next week and are ready to head into the Christmas season.
Our best to all!
