Hello there

Wow, it's been a long time since I've graced you all with my literary presence.  I really haven't written much of anything in any of my blogs, so don't feel like you're the only people I'm ignoring.  It's not for lack of things to talk about, it's the lack of time it takes to sit and get it all out. 

So, I'm 34 weeks +2 days pregnant.  I feel like the size of a baby beluga (sing with Raffi and I, will you?) and I still have 5 weeks to go.  I can't even imagine how much larger I can get.  I kind of anxious about getting back to my non-pregnant state, as the heartburn, nausea, dry-heaving, feeling like a furnace, aching back, etc of pregnancy is getting really old.  Like really old.  Like, it got old about 2 months ago.  Bets are in, and most people think I will deliver earlier than my June 17th scheduled date.  I would be inclined to agree.  However, now that we are all expecting her to come early, she'll decide to stay put until it's time.   I can't wait to meet the little one.  Can't wait to see who has been taking up residence in mah belly for the past 8.5 months.  I can't wait to see who she looks like, or see what her personality is like.  I can't wait to yell at her for kicking me in the ribs all night every night.  Damn kid. 

Jack and Emma have been...interesting....and that is putting it nicely.  Emma is fully entrenched in all things terrible two, for she is 2 and she is terrible.  Yes, cute little Emma is a beast.  She just about lives in time out, throws tantrums, bites, hits, yells, tells me no...Good times in my house.  Jack is slightly better than her.  He's full of energy from the second he wakes up in the morning to the moment he lays down in bed at night.  Double naptime still happens, so for that I'm eternally grateful.  Emma's speech has improved immensely, and Jack is getting ready for preschool (MY BABY BOY IS GOING TO SCHOOL?!?!?!?).  I'm just so proud of both of them...when I'm not so frustrated with both of them.  Adding #3 into the mix will prove to be very interesting. 

We are most likely taking the house off of the market until next year.  Response to our completely redone, overhauled house has been less than stellar.  Yeah, yeah the market.  Yeah, yeah the recession.  Yeah, yeah shut up.  Our house rocks.  I'd want to live here if I wasn't already (and if I didn't have (almost) 3 kids).  Hopefully, a year will make a difference and we can get this place sold.  I'm okay with this.  totally okay with it.  It took me a long time to be okay with it, but I'm 'there' and it's fine.  It's simply just not our time.  Our neighborhood is great and we've made friends and we really enjoy being here, so that makes having to stay even more okay.

I was just about to end this, when I realized I didn't post about the person who became the main focal point of this blog.  Joey.  He is more than halfway finished with his chemo treatments.  He looks wonderful.  When you think 'chemo patient', you think skinny, pale, gaunt, bald, etc.  This has not been the case (knock on wood 3 times, please) for Joey.  If you didn't know the kid was sick and going through treatments, you would never peg him for a cancer patient, that's for sure.  His attitude remains positive and he's managed to not get too, too sick.  Impressive.  Still, we take one treatment at a time, and his journey isn't over by a long shot. 

I guess this can be it for now.  I'm hoping to catch son's Z's while the kiddos are sleeping.  Which is code for I'm going to eat ice cream and watch TV .

It's been a while!

Hello all.  It's been some time since I've posted here. 

I've given my brother the moniker "Chemo Joe"...pretty self explanatory, dontcha think?  I will leave the specifics to him, as he will be updating the official blog soon, but two chemo treatments are complete, and there are 10 more to go.  Again, how he's feeling is up to him to convey, but I will tell you how I feel about the whole thing...I think it sucks.  There's nothing like knowing that there is poison running through the body of one of the most important people in your life.  Funny though, isn't it?  Poison to make him feel better?  It's almost comical.

I will say that the poison afforded me an opportunity to spend some time with TWO of the most important people in my life.  Last night, C.J. wasn't feeling so great, so I decided to offer him a remedy that helped me during some of the more nauseous times of my life...a morning-sickness lollipop.  Whether or not it worked, I'm not sure, but I'll tell you what made ME feel better (me, me, me)...I got to hang with C.J. and Danny.  Just us.  It was like old times.  Listening to music, laughing, singing, actin' a' fool.  It was lovely.  I was reminded of why I love those two as much as I do...so thanks, boys, for making the ol' girl smile.

I've turned into a Colon Cancer Awareness zealot.  Trying to sell wristbands, trying to get word out, trying to do what I can do to help.  As of right now, there is no official organization, or foundation for Joey, so it's an all out effort by the family just to try and figure out how to help.  Foundations, trust funds, corporate sponsors; none of it makes much sense to me, so trying to figure it all out with limited knowledge and resources (and time) is proving to be difficult to say the least.  But, I'm confident that things will work out the way they are supposed to...whatever that means. If anyone reading this wants to have some sort of benefit for C.J., feel free!  Right now, everything is a free for all.  Just let me know what you're thinking, and I'll help in any way I can.

Tomorrow, March 4th, is National Wear Blue Day.  Blue is the color designated to colon cancer awareness.  I would recommend you wear blue; the more blue the better.  If you're reading this, you know (or know of) at least one person who is battling this disease, so do it!  I thank you, my family thanks you, and most of all, Chemo Joe, the patient, ;...he thanks you.

Until next time...

Wonder Boy, what is the secret of your power?

Floored.  
Humbled.  
Astonished. 

Those are just a few of the words that I can use to describe the outpouring of love and support for "The Patient".  You know, I dubbed him "The Patient" to maintain some sort of privacy factor for the insanely private Joey.  I was of the thinking that, since he didn't have a Facebook or a blog, I shouldn't broadcast his business all over the internet.  But, getting people involved, and making people aware was what I could do to help at the time.  The more people I had praying, the more I felt like I was helping.  Well, word has gotten out; the identity of "The Patient"  is now known to all.  And what a great thing that has turned out to be...

Thank you to each and every single one of you who have offered your money, your time, your well wishes, your prayers, and your positive energy.  No lie, we can not do this without you.  Thank you to the hundreds, literally hundreds, of people who haven't thought twice about coming out to the first of many benefits being held for Joey.  It's awe-inspiring to know that so many people care, that so many people want to help.  Words really can't describe it.

Let me answer some questions that I've been asked:

Q:"I want to make a donation, how do I do that?"
A:  Quite simply...wait.  We are working on setting up a foundation in Joey's name (which should be finished very soon) and all donations will go directly to the foundation.  All information will be on the website once it is launched.  We appreciate the sentiment, and we will DEFINITELY appreciate any monetary help you are willing to give, but just give us some time to get stuff settled and the kinks worked out.  Also, the P-51 fundraiser is not through the foundation, it's just a bunch of Joey's friends getting together to play music, and raise awareness.  Any questions regarding the show should be directed to the people running it.  If you want to donate money to this particular show, but aren't able to make it, my only suggestion is to give the money to someone you know is going to the show so they can give it in for you.  Or, you can just donate that amount to the foundation.

Q:"I have an idea for an event.  Who can I tell about it?"
A: Well, if you're reading this, you must know me.  So, you can tell me about it!  I will then bring it up to the other members of his foundation, and we will discuss the logistics of it to see if it's something that we would be able to do.  Suggestions are always welcome! Also, if you know of any people/businesses who may want to sponsor a future event, please pass along that information as well.

Q:"Is Joey going to get better?"
A:  My answer to that is a resounding YES!!  He does have a LONG road ahead of him.  He has a couple more surgeries lined up, and not to mention the 6 months of chemo, but YES he WILL beat this!  Yes, he WILL get better.  Yes, he WILL be a cancer survivor.  I know and believe this with every fiber of my being.  Is it going to be easy?  Nope.  But, he will do it.  He will do it because he has the will to fight, he will do it because he has an army that spans across the globe fighting behind him.  He. Will. Win.

I don't think words will every be able to express how grateful and humbled we as a family are.  Really.  It's touching and it means so much that you are all willing to fight the good fight with him...with us.  I told him today that a LOT of people love him and that he is truly a lucky man.  Very, very lucky.  We are all lucky to have you all on our side.

If anyone has any questions about anything Joey-related, please feel free to ask away.  If I don't have an answer, I will GET an answer and give it to you.  I will try my best to keep everyone updated via this blog, via the website, and via Facebook. 

On behalf of the D'Imperio family, I thank you...even though that doesn't seem like enough...

Following up

First off, I want to thank you all for all of the positive remarks and kind words I've received about my last blog entry.  I've always done better "on paper" than I do verbally, so to sit down and finally get it all out, it felt good.  I've also been thinking alot about perhaps taking the necessary steps to becoming a writer.  I do love to write, I always have.  I don't write stories very well; I have about 6 started in my saved documents file on the computer.  But, I love to write about my life, my experiences,...you know, 'from the heart' kind of stuff.  So that's something that's been whipping around in my brain for a few weeks.

Alot has happened since I last wrote.  Setback, after setback, after setback.  If it wasn't so devastating, it would almost be comical.  How much can one person take in such a short amount of time?  Infection, unexpected (but hopefully temporary) life-changing surgery, more infection, another procedure.  It's enough to fill up a lifetime, and he's done it all in the matter of 3 weeks or so. 

The attitude that I wrote about last time; that inspiring, amazing attitude seems to be dwindling quite a bit. It's been rough for everyone.  In the beginning, since his attitude was so great, we had no choice but to be optimistic and upbeat.  Now we are all fading.  I think this is where I say something about things getting better, or something about bootstraps (all of 3 people will get that reference)...but that's all easier said than done.  Words are hollow in these times.  It's all about the action.  I think this may be the time where he needs his friends and family the most, to help bring him out of the funk before it gets too deep.  His ordeal is just beginning, and it will be a long road so a positive attitude is a must.


Again, easier said than done...

Time to change gears for a minute.  I want to write about The Christmas Miracle.  Oh no, not THAT one, the one that happened on Christmas a few days ago.  Upon going home, my parents made a discovery on their front porch.  An anonymous envelope with a very simple inscription, " To the D'Imperio Family, Merry Christmas", and inside was a donation to what will most likely be the "medical fund."  Completely anonymous.    Who does that?  I mean, really. There have been a few guesses as to who it was, bit I doubt we will ever find out.  My faith in human kind has been restored a bit, that's for sure.  If by chance the angel who left it is currently reading these words...let me say thank you.  From the bottom of my heart.  Your gesture was a source of light during these dark times, and it bolstered my belief in all things good.  Thank you, thank you, thank you...and thank you again.

I could probably go on forever, so I will end this now.  Thanks again to all of you for the support, it has meant SO much to all of us.  Things WILL get worse before they get better, so keep the thoughts and prayers coming.  If you're close to 'the patient', go see him.  He needs the support.  If you want to leave him a message, do so here or Facebook message me and I'll print it out so he can read it. 

Until next time...

I've been trying to figure out how to write this blog entry for a while now.  I always try to remain somewhat eloquent and make some sort of sense while relaying the thoughts that are constantly racing around my brain like the Indy 500.  My brain never turns off.  I'm always thinking.  When I'm awake, I'm thinking.  When I'm sleeping, I'm thinking.  When I'm awake but should be sleeping...that's when I think the most.  I've had alot to think about in the past couple of weeks or so, too.  Oh so much to think about.

When you hear the word cancer, what's your first thought?  Heartless monster.  That's mine.  I would never wish cancer on anyone, not my worst enemy and certainly not a family member.  When you hear the news that your younger brother has an advanced stage of cancer, it kind of takes your breath away.  Immediately you think the worst, and no matter how hard you try to think about something else, it consumes you and becomes all you think about.  Trust me, I know.  Sadness, anger, asking why, yelling at anyone or anything that will listen...who could I blame?  Certainly this is someones fault, no?

Let me stop and explain a few things.  I know this is not about ME.  Never will I try to make it about me, when certainly the battle does not lie ahead of ME.  But, this boy...um...man...that is about to fight, fight, fight; he's my brother.  My younger brother.  My first best friend.   He's my family.  And for those who don't know this by now...you just don't mess with my family.  I don't care who or what you are, that's just a HUGE 'no-no'.


After the initial shock and "oh my God, he's going to die and I'm going to have to be sedated for the rest of my life" 'about me' "moment, I then want to fix it.  What can I do to fix it?  There has to be something, right?  Guess what sister, there's nothing you can do.  Not. One. Thing.  Or is there?  You can pray.  And boy did I pray.  Oh, wait, there's another thing I can do, I can tell others and get them to pray.  And they can get people to pray, and they can get people to pray, etc...I may not be the most religious person you'll ever come across, but damn it, I believe there is something to be said about the power of prayer.  Not everyone believes, and that's fine, but it's what makes ME (about me, again) feel better, makes ME feel like I'm doing something that can help my brother, and that makes ME feel good. (me, me, me)...For those of you reading this who joined me in praying for "the patient", I thank you and my family thanks you...and keep it coming.

There was good news in all of this.  The cancer, even in it's advanced stage can be treated.  Prognosis is good.  His surgery to remove the tumor was a success.  He was released from the hospital a day or so early.  He won't start chemo until after Christmas.  All things considered, this boy is so lucky.  Lucky in so many ways.  Lucky that there has been charitable people who have been made aware of his story, people who wants to help.  (more on this later)  I think he realizes how lucky he is, and that makes me so happy.

Chemo scares me.  This part is about me.  I know what chemo does.  It sucks.  It's a necessary evil that will keep my brother around to play with my children and watch them grow up. Yes, please and thank you.  But I have a feeling it's going to be ugly.  My biggest fear is that my kids won't recognize him.  How do I explain all of this to my young, but so not dumb 3 and a half year old who notices everything?  How do I remain strong for them?  How do I remain strong for HIM?  I think I've done okay up until this point (excluding the meltdown of epic proportion when I was first told...me, me, me), I just hope I can continue it.

His attitude is amazing, I will say.  He's kind of over this whole 'waiting' thing, and just wants to get it started so it can be finished much quicker.  His optimism is inspiring, and I hope it continues.  However, it's okay to be scared.  It keeps you humble, hell, it keeps you human.

I've been thinking alot about other ways I can help.  A fundraiser, perhaps?  Financially, he's been blessed in a few ways, but there will still be expenses.  Then I started thinking about starting an actual charity foundation, to help people who need financial assistance due to cancer treatments.  It's something I've been thinking alot about, actually.  Then I remembered I know nothing about starting a foundation, so advice would be greatly appreciated if there's any to share.
 
I think I may have rambled enough for now.  The next 6 months are going to be a trying time for all of us, so keep us all in your prayers.  This will be the fight of his life and there is nothing any of us wouldn't do to help him during this journey. 

Love you, Joge. 

Well, the secret is out.  The secret that wasn't a secret for very long.  People may be critical of us for announcing a pregnancy so early on, but I look at it this way...if, God forbid, something DID happen, I would want that support from friends and family.  So, we are happy with our decision to tell.  And, to be honest, I couldn't keep it a secret much longer, my "mask of pregnancy" has already started coming in, and I can't go 15 minutes without dry heaving.  Fun times.  #3 will be here in June of 2011.   We are trying to come up with some names...4 letters, of course!  Unfortunately, I can't come up with any that I like.  Once we find out the gender, (sometime around January) it'll be easier (hopefully) to come up with something.  We are thrilled to be parents again, our children bring such joy into our lives. 

The holidays are rapidly approaching.  I hate it.  Why does time fly by so quickly.  I remember when the years would d r a g by, but as I've gotten older, especially after the kids were born, they fly by.  Months fly by when I blink; that's not quite fair.  But, such is life, I suppose.  I still hate it...

We are taking our house off of the market.  We've had no 'bites' and there is still work to be done.  We actually just ripped up the carpet and put down pergo.  It looks AWESOME.  Next step is fixing the kitchen.  So, we will be here for a bit longer.  It sucks, but it is what it is.  We've always been fortunate to have things just work out, so hopefully it will 'just' work out this time around. 

For the 3rd year in a row, we've received notice that there are going to be layoffs with Greg's job.  Merry freakin' Christmas.  Whoever is in charge of the finances of the town needs to stop drinking.  So there.  I'm sick of spending every year unsure of whether or not Greg will have a place to work. 

I try not to talk too much about the babies on this blog because I have a blog that is solely dedicated to them, but this is important.  EMMA IS GOING TO BE 2 in less than a month.  HOW did that happen?  Gosh, I remember finding out I was pregnant with her like it was yesterday.  I remember being so afraid that I wouldn't love her like I loved my Jack.  Hah!  Little did I know.  That little girl is my star.  She is such a special kid.  I could go on and on...and on about her, but I'll spare you.

I need to stop forgetting that I have this blog.  I have fun writing in it.  I hope you have fun reading it!

And, again...

We had two showings of our townhouse this past weekend.  We haven't heard anything back.  At what point do we just take it off the market, fix it up a bit more, and put it back on the market?  I shouldn't be this frustrated, but I can't help it.  Keeping a house "show-worthy" clean with 2 little buggars running around is ALOT of work and it's getting old.  I can't even imagine how hard it's going to be with the Holidays approaching.  *shudder*

We went to the pumpkin patch this weekend.  My husband of course had to get a 30 pound pumpkin.  It's HUGE!! He makes me laugh.  The kids had a great time.  Emma seemed to not feel so well during the hayride (which was extremely bumpy), however.  She looked green.  Grrreat, I'm going to have a kid who has motion sickness.  Guess she won't be going on roller coasters with me!  I do want to take them apple picking soon, as well.  I think they would enjoy that.

We are going to be selling some things soon.  Greg is selling his laptop, and I'm thinking of some things I can get rid of.  Money is tight, so any little bit helps.