Back on the Train, Baby!

Brain cancer is...

Hello Oxnard (Click here for the video.)

...loving the Oxnard Guillaumes.

What a way to spend a Saturday! 

Growings Things

Brain cancer is...

 ...surrounding by growing things.

Zach and Summer's gardening efforts are paying off, above.  Mousse helps Darrell with tree trimming.

Thank goodness for a slow news day!  We hope you had one too.  Happy Friday.

Dueling Tumor Boards

Brain cancer is...

...bringing together many great minds.

As you know, we've already heard from the UCLA tumor board.  Today we heard from St. Jude's neuro-onc tumor board. Members agreed that the current plan (finer grade MRI in 8 weeks) is a sound one. (We know it's not "dueling tumor boards" when the boards agree, but we like the image.)

Further, Dr. Noblett, the original surgeon, requested to meet with Darrell to discuss the recent MRI results (the mucky pancake) and treatment options further. He squeezed us into his schedule on Halloween, which requires us to shorten our San Luis Obispo trip.  Now things are getting nasty.  Just kidding.

Speaking of Halloween...

Stu lurked unobserved for most of the day just feet from the front door.  He's holding our latest Halloween treat:  Boo!

Family First

Brain cancer is...

 ...always thinking about life's priorities.

No matter how many awesome things future teachers (Block 4!) say in one day, no matter how many incredible math statements first graders make ("I only drew two rainbow triangles, but three white triangles sneaked in.")...

...family always comes first. 

I am almost thoroughly happy to say that today I received a CSUF letter stating that my medical leave request for spring 2018 was approved.

I will miss blocks 1 and 4 for science methods, I will miss my department colleagues, I will miss the FDC, and I will miss brilliant first-graders.  But all that "missing" is worth  having the opportunity to spend another day with Darrell, with "nobody works." 


PS...We--with so many--continue mourning over the Las Vegas massacre, but we will not continue to write about it.  Our hearts are with the Mayfields and the other families whose lives are changed. 

Sometimes

Brain cancer is...

...relying on the wisdom of Dr. Seuss.

The aftermath of the Las Vegas tragedy continues to take shape here in Southern California--and no doubt in so many places.    Apparently many So Cal families, including educators, were affected given our close proximity to Las Vegas and its popularity with Californians. 

Thanks for the wishes you sent regarding the Mayfields. We have conveyed them.

It's hard to blog about our own "everyone works" lives today when such a tragedy is unfolding before us.   Thanks for Dr. Seuss's wisdom today as we frame the events in our lives within the larger context.

Apparently our house has begun self decorating again for the Halloween season.  See?

Dr. Seuss said,  "Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple."

We were inspired, in the face of these cheery decorations, and in the face burritos and rice and popcorn, by one clear and simple answer: No matter how horrific the situation, no matter what we face as individuals, a "right" thing to do is to take care of each other.  Sometimes the answer is simple. 

We hope we can take care of our team members in even a small fraction of the way that you continue to take care of us.

So Sad for America

Brain cancer is...

 ...just reeling over the Las Vegas shooting.

Our friends and incredible human beings, the Mayfields, were at the music festival when the shooting broke out last night. Lennie was hit twice, once in each arm. He was treated and released to pursue further treatment at home. Christine says they are all safe and grateful.

We feel such a whirlwind of emotions: shock that this could happen, relief that the Mayfields will be okay, profound sadness for our nation.

We love you, Mayfields. We are sorry, America.

Not a single lesson!

Brain cancer is...

 ...not a single speech lesson!

Above Darrell agreed that he has had NO speech lessons.  (Yes he is holding up 2 fingers to equal 0 speech lessons.) Now you know; Darrell doesn't do speech practice.  Neither does he count.  And yet everyone loves his aweseomeness.