Tonight, the ceiling where we'd experienced a leak in March start leaking again! This is ridiculous and so frustrating! Ogden (who our building hires for condo association administration and maintenance) and their response to issues like has been ridiculous! Today it took Heather 4 phone calls over the span of 2 hours to get a person who could contact the roofing company. Then once she was able to speak to someone, they assured her the roofing company would be called immediately and she'd hear back shortly. So.... as we watched day light hours dwindle and the sun set we waited... and waited... and eventually went to sleep with no response. 

This, among other things... brought me down today =( 

Hopefully better things come tomorrow =)

Today, we lost my Uncle Doug to a year long battle of esophageal cancer. Not only was he too young, but he also never was able to enjoy his retirement. RIP Uncle Doug! We miss you. I'm sorry the last time I was able to see you was just after my mom's passing at her funeral. Catherine and I will never forget how hard you worked to make it to be with us and Sherry in her final moments ... Thank you! I pray for Doug's family as they go through this tough time and wish I was healthy enough to travel and be with them. Ohio is so close, yet so far at times like this. 

As I battle cancer myself, it saddens me the disease has taken my mom and my uncle in less than two years. My heart goes out to my Grandmother Bonnie Burgan, who has lost two of her four children. I can't imagine outliving your children and admire your strength. My heart also goes out to my Aunt Suzie and Aunt Linda, who lost their only brother this week, and their sister just over a year and a half ago.


You will be missed Doug Burgan! 

Today we joined our friends for a St. Baldrick's fundraiser. After battling cancer for a couple months, I can't imagine going through this as a child. Sarah and Nolen both beat their initial fundraising goals and set higher targets and beat those too! Nolen was such a trooper, so proud to be doing this ... ignoring the taunts from his brothers. His teacher was able to join as well. It was so exciting to see this amazing 8 year old empowered with so much passion for a good cause. He even gave a powerpoint presentation for classmates explaining what he was doing. Amazing!

Sarah is always a trooper, and shaved for a second time in the last two months in the name of cancer. Always a rock star Sarah Gray! Just bummed we didn't win one of your tattoo gift certificates ;)

After being diagnosed with breast cancer in February, Heather and I quickly realized how blessed we are to have such an amazing circle of family and friends. I am extremely fortunate to have a good healthcare plan, a supportive employer, and to live in a city where great doctors and quality care are readily available.

Unfortunately, many women who are affected by this terrible disease are not so lucky. Some women aren't adequately educated about preventative care. Others don't have a support network to help them as they fight. And many simply can't afford the treatments that would save their life. These are just a few of the reasons that Heather and I have challenged ourselves to participate in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Chicago at the end of May.  There is a special focus within the Avon Foundation on helping medically underserved women, the poor, minorities, the elderly, or those with inadequate health insurance.  As part of the event, the KCA Bandits team has pledged to raise at least $3,600. We would love your support so that we can reach our fundraising goal. With the donations raised, the Avon Foundation will provide support and resources for women affected by this terrible disease. This will help so many people in our own community and throughout the country. Any amount you can give is great; we just appreciate your support.

It is faster and easier than ever to support this great cause — you can make a donation online by simply clicking on the "Click Here to Donate Today" link below. Whatever you can give will help! We truly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on our progress. Thank you all for helping us make a difference!

Today, I received this FB message. Made my day! week! etc... =)

Samantha Wayneposted to‎Elizabeth SatterfieldApril 6

Hello, Elizabeth. I am the girl with the broken foot and the cute ridgeback mix you met at SF Pride a few years ago in Dolores Park. We said hello, you loved on my dog SarahConner, and that was about it. You started to walk away, but then came back. You said I looked kind and asked to be my Facebook friend, I thought the same of you and accepted. Since then I've been blessed to watch your life, and what a life you have lived in that time. So much travel, a girlfriend, a marriage, tons of the life experiences we all hope for, and recently, cancer. Before the cancer, I always saw you as strong, intense, amazing, always positive, and all around the best kind of human being alive. Since the cancer, all that and so much more has seemed to have quintupled at least, and I just had to tell you what I've seen. I lost my mom and my sister to cancer in the late eighties, and many people since. I also know survivors and am proud to say they are doing fantastically. I have experienced a lot, and in my life I have met very few that match the kind of human you appear to be. I guess I just wanted to tell you that you are a true champion who really deserves the best life has to offer. I believe in you and your will, and I believe this cancer will just be a small bump in your journey to the end. A journey I can only imagine will go on for decades more in this lifetime, and an eternity in the grand scheme. This message validates that you bring joy to all, even the people you've only come in contact with for a few minutes. I remember exactly what your smiling face looked like as you wrote my info down, gave me a hug, and walked down the hill. Every time I've seen your face in the photos since that moment, it's a flashback to that day. Thank you, Elizabeth, for asking to be my friend. Thank you for sharing your life with me even though you don't know me. Thank you for reminding me daily, that life can be sweet or sour, but no matter what, getting through it with a smile is all that matters. You are and always will be in my thoughts and prayers, cancer will have to take a back seat because it chose the wrong person. Cheers to you, sister! Bless you for being the kind of person anyone is lucky to have in their life. I am stoked to watch your journey.

Today I decided to shave off the stragglers of hair and wouldn't let go. Thanks Heather!

Check out this bald head. Not to fear, plenty of suntan lotion on there. Here's a few pictures Heather took on our walk to brunch. What a beautiful day for a walk. Spring is here… and it feels great, especially being able to wear shorts!

Feeling great and sadly accepting the reality that this Thursday is another chemo day. 

Beautiful day for rugby!

Scylla looked awesome … we hosted the Minneapolis Menagerie and won 76-0! We did what we could do to control our destiny and get a bid into the DII playoffs. Now we have to wait for Wisconsin (Madison) to play the Twin Cities Amazon's next Saturday. As long as Wisconsin wins and the Amazon's don't get the bonus point… we will advance. Nothing like cheering for your arch rivals to beat off another team for your to advance… deep breaths, deep breaths.

In an effort to avoid the dehydration and over exertion from last Saturday… I entered the rugby social and immediately got a pitcher of sparkling water and limes. I drank two of these before I left. Yay hydration!!!

Hands down the best part of the day (which was an awesome day)… was when the Scylla presented to be this amazing rugby ball they bought at Nash Bash and all signed. I am so touched and love this team, the women, and everything they stand for. There really is no family like a rugby family. Thanks you Scylla… I love you guys! (even if I can't hug you because my immune system is in the tank)

Date night!

Tonight was about Heather's love… ballet. For those of you that didn't know, she was a ballerina when she was a teenager. It was so exciting to see how she lit up when we got to the theatre, especially watching the busload of little girls who were there to see their heroes. 

The show was fabulous! It was 3 shows, by 3 up and coming choreographers & composers. It was contemporary and amazing! I was seriously sad when the last show ended and wanted them to keep going. 

It was an awesome night, with an awesome woman. Can't wait for our next adventure Heather!

Left work to head to Sinai Hospital for my weekly check-up and everything seemed to go wrong from there…

Took me 1.5 hours to travel I-94 from Waukesha to Milwaukee, which should take ~30 mins. Still not sure what the heck messed up pre-rush hour traffic so bad, but OMG it was a mess!

Got to the Cancer Center just in time to not miss Shirley (she leaves at 4). She was able to get my blood draws done and port hooked up before her day was over. 

Then Catherine had the sad news of informing me that my immune levels were low again. Same low levels as they were 2 weeks after my first treatment. She went to get the Nepogen (stimulates bone marrow production) injection to warm it up (that way it hurts less) … only to have Dr Flej decide not to give me the shot this time. I totally trust her that she thinks my levels will bounce back on their own, but I also hope this won't delay my next treatment if they don't. Finger crossed… come on body, start making more bone marrow and get my levels back. 

Good news Heather told me today… if I stay on schedule, my last chemo will be the week BEFORE our wedding ceremony in Seattle on August 16th. How awesome would that be? Fingers crossed… but too soon to have confidence that will be possible. 

Time to take extra precautions again and avoid anyone and anything that looks sick. Thank you in advance for the long distance air hugs… need to protect myself, since I don't have an immune system to do it for me.

I came home from a work dinner tonight and found these in the kitchen. Heather was out having a fabulous dinner with her bestie, Justin, who was in Madison for work and came over to see us for a couple days. The card… was the best part, which was a wonderful letter from Heather to me about how I turn lemons into lemonade better than anyone she's met. I'll admit, I did tear up a 'lil bit =) Thanks babe! I love you!!!