Happy Thanksgiving from UCLA Hospital Chemo #12 Day 2

This posting includes 2 posts. One from his last chemo, which is posted below. It's been almost 2 months since I posted an update, mostly because Vince said that I was "over-exposing" him, even though it was said in a somewhat joking manner, I took that as something that I needed to respect. I have always asked his permission to post photos and talk about what he is going through, but maybe sometimes everyone just needs a break. I actually really needed one myself. I can't tell you how exhausting it is to sit and write about something that is so personal, there is a fine line of what you can and cannot tell and it actually seems to take a lot out of you.

I have also refrained from reading other stories about Ewing's patients because it can be so heartbreaking to hear the stories of loss and most of them are children because this is considered a childhood cancer. There were about 8 deaths in the last few months from this awful disease, and that's just in my own circle of mom's and wives of Ewing's patients. It breaks my heart each and every time, knowing that they will never be able to hug and kiss their precious loved ones ever again. My brain just doesn't want to go there. I know some of them are reading this and I hope they know that there are so many people lifting up prayers to Jesus on their behalf, including myself. God bless each and every one of you. May God heal your hearts in ways that only

He can do.

Vince is on day 2 of his 12th chemo and he is doing great, as usual. This time I brought the prayer quilt that a wonderful group of Christian women made for him last year when he was diagnosed. I hung it up on the wall so that we could be reminded of how God works through prayer, plus it's a great conversation piece for the nursing staff. It's gotten some attention for sure, plus it adds some color to a drab room:)

Vince and I walked to Subway a little while ago for an early dinner. It is a beautiful day in Santa Monica, California! It's about 75 perfect degrees and beautiful! Where we live it is super windy, so this is a nice change.

I took this photo yesterday of the complimentary toothbrush, toothpaste and comb that they gave Vince here at the hospital, which he calls "a cruel joke for a cancer patient"...he only wishes it could use that darn comb! LOL! At least he still has teeth to brush! LOL!

We celebrated our Thanksgiving this past Sunday because we are spending Thanksgiving Day in the hospital. We will be here until Sunday. Tomorrow there is a deli that is open for Thanksgiving, so we will probably walk over there and have our dinner with strangers, but that will make it special no matter what because Vince is doing so great and for that we are VERY THANKFUL.

We could not get through this journey without the love, mercy and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is our hope and our refuge! He carried us this whole entire time and He isn't going to ever leave us nor forsake us! He is our comfort and we give Him ALL the GLORY!!

Speaking of blessings! Jim was diagnosed with kidney cancer 10 yrs ago, just a few days before Thanksgiving Day, so this time of the year is a time to reflect and give praises for him being CANCER FREE!!! It will be 10 yrs. in Jan. (that's when he had his cancer surgery) so there are happy stories about cancer and we are shooting for two CANCER FREE patients in our family. Like Father, like Son!!!

I am also thankful that my mom was able to pull through having had a heart attack in Jan. and wasn't expected to live through it, and again, Jesus answered our prayers. I love you mom and dad!

I am also thankful for knowledgeable doctors that have helped Vince, my mom and myself get through some tough times this year.

I am thankful to all my family & friends who have brought us cookies, food, prayed, sent cards and emails to us, and to Vicki for making me a birthday cake and coming over and eating it with me and making me laugh & cry!

I am grateful to my mother in law who came to my rescue when I had surgery and fed me! That's what Italian mom's do!!! LOL!

I am grateful to my beautiful kids, grandson, and son in law...they all make me so proud and I love them so much!!

I am grateful to my wonderful husband of 22 yrs and how much he loves our family and makes us laugh! I love you:)

My condolences go out to The Cross Family. They have been our friends for 40 yrs. and Joe passed away last week. He was such a wonderful, caring man and he will be greatly missed.

My condolences go out to Francine and her family. Her precious sister lost her battle with cancer just a few months ago, she was only 45. She was diagnosed just about a week after Vince.

My condolences go out to Maria. Her precious mom passed away recently. Her son has Ewing's and was diagnosed shortly after Vince. My heart and prayers go out to her and her family. Her son is doing great and has successfully finished all his treatments.

Love and blessings for a HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all! We are truly blessed no matter what our circumstances are. We just have to look for them.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Psalm 100:4

Chemo #11

Yesterday Vince had his 11th chemo. It was the one day outpatient infusion, which is so much easier than being in the hospital. It was only about 5 hrs. long and then we came home. He is doing really good, except for a little of nausea. He is tired today, but that is to be expected.

After Vince got out of the hospital from his last chemo, he and Mikemo have been on the go. He was feeling so good and just wanted to do some of the normal things that he used to do. They both went to Sacramento, which is in Northern California, to visit another pro skater, Brandon Biebel. They were gone for 10 days and oh how we love to see them together and skating and just enjoying the simple things in life. Vince did have a cold while he was gone, but his blood counts were really good and he is staying strong.

Halloween was a few days ago and Vince and Mikemo went to a party at Skatelab, a local indoor skate park. Vince dressed up as the WWF wrestler, Stone Cold Steve Austin, which was perfect because he is bald and didn't have to shave his head! He was going to go last year, but ended up getting sick and couldn't go, so he has had the costume for a year and finally got to use it. Next year maybe he will go as a hippie since his hair will be growing back, which would be awesome!! I don't know if he will want to cut his hair for a long, long time....LOL! Mikemo was Mario from the video game, he looked great, too!

Psalms 86:4

Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

Chemo #8, Day 3

I don't know why, but I am having writer's block. I just haven't been in the mood to post on this blog. I sometimes feel so blah. I know that it's actually a good thing, it helps me rest:) Vince has had more nausea this round than he has in the past. The doctor thinks that he may have a little bug because he was feeling like he had a cold before he got here. They have controlled his nausea with 4 different drugs and they make him so sleepy, but he said he likes it that way! LOL! Actually, I like it that way too, he is pretty happy! It's already day 3 and it seems like it's gone by pretty fast, even for me. Here is a photo of him on the drugs, can you see the smile on his face? He got up to go to the bathroom and couldn't quit smiling and giggling! It was so cute to see his teeth when he smiled! As I write this, he is telling me he is bored, LOL! We will go outside later an walk around, but for now he has to hang out in the room. Dad is on his way to visit us, so that will make things more exciting around her for sure! He keeps us entertained!

On the first day, the Therapy Dog came to visit Vince. His name is Johnny and he is a Border Collie. He was very sweet and he kept licking Vince's hand and putting his paw on it. This is a new program here on the Oncology floor, it just started about 6 weeks ago. Johnny's owner told us that they even encourage family members to bring their own dogs for a visit. For those of you who know Deric, can you imagine him coming to the hospital to visit Vince? Oh my gosh! He would be jumping up on the bed, off the bed, in a circle, bouncing up and down, and it would be crazy! Actually, it would be very fun, but exhausting! But, it was nice to have Johnny visit him.

Grandma Charlotte came to visit us yesterday and brought Chinese food! We can always rely on her to feed us! LOL! It was nice to have some quality time with her while Vince slept. She is the best mother in law that anyone could ask for! Love her so much!

Vince's friend, Chris came to visit last night and we drove to Wahoo's for dinner and it was so yummy! Veronica was here as well. Check out this photo of her choking me...that's how much she loves me! Hahaha! We do have some fun times considering all that we are going through.

Only 2 or 3 nights left! Yay! Thanks for praying!

Prayer Requests:

Kate-little girl with brain tumor

Young boy-recently diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma

Lilly-11 yr. old with Ewing's

Caleb-young boy with mental issues

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

--1 Peter 5:10

Chemo #6--Day 4

Vince has been doing so great! For him the hardest part is the boredom, plus feeling full from all the liquids. Thank goodness he is able to get unhooked from the "ball and chain" for those 2 hrs. per day because I really think it makes such a difference in his mental attitude. We walk about 8 blocks total per day, which is actually so nice because the hospital is close to the beach and the weather is super nice! Today we went to a computer store and Vince got to buy an external hard drive for his computer, which of course he was super happy to get.

Bernadette was here a few nights ago and spent the night with us so she and Vince got to spend some time together. Jim has come out every day. Veronica came to visit, too. Chris (Vince's friend) came to visit us, he lives pretty close to the hospital so it's really convenient for him to just pop on over.

Jim kept Vince and I entertained today with some pretty funny antics, which I can't really describe, but I would love to get a video of his silliness!

Please pray for these next 36 hrs. to go fast! We will get out of here on Sat. before noon and we can't wait!

Turn, O Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.

Psalm 6:4

Chemo #6 Starts Tomorrow, June 15th-20th---Please Pray!

Vince will be having chemo #6 starting tomorrow at UCLA in Santa Monica Orthopedic Hospital for 5 days. Bernadette and I will be spending the every day and night with him. Jim will be there every day with us and a visit or two from Mikemo, Veronica & a few other family members. It does seem quite amazing that 8 mths has come and gone since Vince was diagnosed and that he still has 8 mths. to go. I sure hope it goes fast and that he has the least amount of side effects possible. I am so grateful that the Lord has blessed US with His mercy and grace to get to this point thus far, and I'm sure He will sustain US throughout this journey.

Vince has kept himself quite busy and sometimes we don't even see him that much because he is having lunch with friends, working on his computer, riding his bike and watching the Laker's in The Finals, which of course they just won a few hours ago! Yay Lakers! Jim and I are so happy when he goes places because it shows us that he feels really good and that he is not letting this horrible disease get the best of him.

Mikemo comes home tomorrow! I can't wait to see his "WWF look-a-like belt" that he won in the Red Bull contest for winning 2nd place!

Thanks for praying for Vince! He will always be my hero and inspiration!

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth.

3 John 1:2-3

Bike Ride-Fun Times!

Hey! This was so fun! Can't you tell how excited everyone looks! LOL! Vince, Mindy, Bobby, Gianni, Veronica & I all went on a bike ride to our local Subway. I haven't ridden a bike in probably 20 yrs! It was about 5 or 6 miles round trip, which Veronica and I had to be picked up because everyone ditched us and wouldn't wait so we could rest, since it's all uphill on the way home!!! LOL! Next time WE WILL go the distance!!

The funny thing is, Jim followed us in his car just so he could see his family riding...or like he said, "like little ducks all in a row"!

Vince has been feeling really good and it was time to get his blood work today. Mikemo is coming home tonight (he has been gone for 3 weeks) and asked Vince if he wants to go to San Francisco with him and the Girl Skateboard team tomorrow and come home on Sunday. The nurse called a few hours ago and told us that this counts are way too low for him to go. He is at major risk for catching any darn viruses and weird germie things! It's such a bummer!!!!!!!!!! WE really wanted him to go and just have some fun for a few days, but it's too risky.

Just don't ask him about it...he's a bit grouchy and with good reason. It's weird how he can be feeling so good and looking so good and have such low blood counts...I guess it's quite deceiving.

His arm is still healing and he is getting stronger each day. He is now able to reach out a little to shake your hand, but that's about it. He is doing great overall and has such a great attitude! His next chemo will be on June 15th.

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.

James 5:15

I would like to wish Rachel a very special HAPPY 19th BIRTHDAY today! I love you!

The following is for Vince, Jim and Mikemo!!!

Go Lakers!

Vince "Skated" Through This Chemo:)

We still don't have a definite date for the surgery. It will most likely be the week of April 13th. Vince is feeling so good but he is a bit bummed because his hair is starting to fall out:( It's the last time we will see him with hair for about 1 yr. If anyone would like to send some cool looking hats or beanies you can send them his way! Not sure he'd wear them all, but I'm sure it will be fun getting them!

Vince hurt his knee a few days ago and had an MRI today, so please pray that it's nothing but a sprain, so that he can have the surgery on his arm as scheduled. He and Mikemo will be attending a skate camp for kids, Camp Woodward, next week for a few days and it will be a great time to just get away and have some fun doing something good for those kids who are going to get a chance to see their favorite skaters.

Please add Vince's girlfriend, Bernadette, to your daily prayers as she re-fractured her hip for the 2nd time. It seems as though our family is being slammed with health issues, a few more of us have been afflicted, but we are hopeful that God has each one of us in His care and we have peace because of that very reason.

I found this cool photo a few months ago and thought I'd share it with you. It also happens to show the "humerus" bone, which is the one that Vince will have replaced in a few weeks and it also reminds me of my favorite show...American Idol! Go Adam!

Give me knowledge and good sense; for I have put my faith in your teachings. Psalms 119:66