All Clear - Travis/Family Update 12/05/01
Dear everyone,
Has is it really been over 2 months since I've written? Much has transpired (good stuff). A quick note here, as I've been absolutely swamped (hence, the delayed update) and am still racing to catch up! (Read on and you'll get why…)
Best news first -- Travis had is second cataract surgery a few weeks after the first one --and wonder of wonders, this child is seeing like a hawk! Well, a hawk with bifocals, anyway. He's worn glasses since he's been 3 years old, so this was just a more expensive pair that looks way cool (Harry Potter brand and all --and NO, not the round black shape!) since the bifocal lines are invisible. Anyway, the second surgery and recovery went quite smoothly and Travis' loving and caring teacher at school was just wonderful with her support and understanding during these last few months of missed school and difficulty reading and seeing the board. Somehow, Travis pulled through all this with a terrific report card, in spite of it all.
Two more Travis milestones -- deep and meaningful ones for our family. On September 17th, we honored Travis' 3 year BMT anniversary. And more importantly, we honored this day via phone conversation with Marge, our hero donor. She takes such a strong interest in both Travis and Spencer -- truly, she's a hero AND a blood relative now!
Also, we now have a real live, feisty 9-year old in the family. Yes, Travis celebrated his birthday (this year, no big party with gifts to donate -- Travis just wanted another family here at home with us to watch the Packer game! It was great.) It was another amazing and miraculous milestone for us. 9 years old. Whew. We've come such a long way since May 1998. Travis' 3 year post-BMT checkup was very thorough and filled with positive news. He continues to thrive and blow us all away with his great health, intellect and emotional strength. It was an incredible checkup (thank you, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin team).
Other quick updates…
This week, we'll be headed off to the Honolulu Marathon (thank goodness for frequent flyer miles and business travel) -- and yes, I slogged my way through the training and will indeed be running 26.2 miles on Sunday, December 9th. Wahoo! (Or as Spencer says it, "No Mom, it's O-Wahoo"). Thank you all for the tremendous encouragement and sponsorship -- even in spite of the tragedy of September 11, I was able to raise over $7,000 with your generous donations. This money WILL help to fund a cure. And believe me, I take this deeply to heart. Just now, as I opened my email before writing, I received a note from a woman I've never met -- the mother of 6-year old Devin, who is now searching for a marrow match after relapsing post-chemo for ALL (leukemia). I don't forget for a moment how very blessed we are. And will continue to help obliterate this horrific disease in whatever way possible.
This year, I'm thrilled to be giving one of the motivational speeches (along with John "The Penguin" Bingham -- my running hero!) at the pre-race pasta dinner to some 2,000 Leukemia/ Lymphoma Team In Training runners and their guests. It will be all I can do to keep it together as I end my talk by bringing Travis, Spencer and Joe on the stage. Suffice it to say that my words will be intended to help each of these runners with a picture and a true story -- so that when they need to dig deep thhat next day -- to eek out those last LOOONG miles, they'll know they can't give up. And they'll know that their efforts DO make a difference. They're saving lives.
(check out www.honolulumarathon.com for more on the run)
Also, as of a few months ago, I agreed to also serve as a director on the board of The Marrow Foundation -- the fund-raising, research support and public relations arm dedicated to supporting the National Marrow Donor Program (I'm on that board as well). It has been such a growthful and humbling experience to serve on these boards -- with amazing business leaders and public figures who are so dedicated to leveraging their knowledge and "reach" to help save lives. And I'm so pleased to have the opportunity to add value to these efforts, using our family's personal journey and my business experience for perspective, as well. (check out www.marrow.org and www.themarrowfoundation.org) I guess this "cancer education" is being put to good use.
Spencer is doing SO well -- almost 8, and now a yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do. He's just a natural! Still a budding scientist (an Einstein black-belt wanna-be) and Travis' biggest fan. Joe's still loving every moment at Gateway and is selling up a storm. And I'm making headway heading up our client relationship efforts for Carlson Marketing Group here in Chicago. There you go -- the main excuses for the delayed updaates… crazy busy with 2 healthy children and "the new normal."
It's a blessed place to be. We are so very, very lucky. Thanks everyone.
Hugs and hope to you all.
More after the marathon. (-:
Aloha,
Melanie