Message from Michael

• Tuesday, January 20, 2009 10:43 AM, PST
Hello! I want to thank everyone for the wonderful messages, cards, and Bday presents. This has been the best bday ever, which was simply spent with my family; including my brother whom I haven't spent much time with over the years. Its rather ironic since this time last year I didn't think I would celebrate another bday. As mentioned in previous updates, the news has not been good lately, with the additional spreading of the tumor. The news was equally bad this time last year, so I feel very lucky to have had the last, extra, year; I've learned and experienced much during this time. We all live with the perverbial clock ticking but its strange when you're told it will stop soon. With your continued love and support, I hope to ignore the doctor's prognoses for another year; not that I'm that eager to reach fifty, but it beats the alternative.
Love and hugs, hjertelig hilsen og stor klem, - Mike

Speaking from the Heart

• Thursday, January 15, 2009 9:02 AM, CST
This month has been a month of visitors, which we really enjoy. Know that while we love having visits, it's best to gage the length of a visit by how Mike is doing. His fatigue appears to increasing, so he may at times just say a quick good-night, and see himself off to bed. Don't take it personal, he's been given permission by the all and powerful, me, to do so without explanation. Mike's fatigue is not always from something strenuous, it can often just be from system overload.
This Sunday will be Mike's birthday. We will be celebrating it with Barbara, Bob, the girls, and our boys, up in Clearlake. I encourage all of you to send Michael a birthday greeting either here or through the mail. He loves to receive cards, and I have created a scrap book so that he can go through them when desired.
Mike and I are putting our energy into being full of love and appreciation each day. I want to encourage all of us to not take each day for granted. We never know what's around the bend, so lets take full advantage to tell each other how we feel. Speaking from the heart is not as easy as it should be, so start flexing that muscle now.
Love. Dan

New Year's Wishes

• Sunday, January 4, 2009 5:52 PM, CST
I want to thank everyone who have sent Mike their well wishes. Your words of support truly touch our hearts and remind us of the safety net that our loved one's provide. We welcomed the New Year quietly with a few friends, and enjoyed recent visits with Mike's mother and short trip to visit my parents.
Mike appears to have tolerated the new Chemo without any major side effects. We will now be patient, and let the medication do it's job.
Love. Dan