Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Day + 251

So it's been quite some time since my last posting and I apologize for that. I must say it has been a busy few weeks, that's for sure. Much busier than it has been for me since this time last year. I've been living in the middle of 4 part hurricane. Moving home from San Diego to Costa Mesa, planning a wedding, going back to work full time and the cherry on the cake...moving into our new house from Costa Mesa to Costa Mesa. For the latter we bit the bullet and actually hired movers for the job. We just couldn't take it anymore. So as you can tell, busy is an understatement. All good stuff though. I just can't wait to be nice and settled in our new place. We absolutely love it, as does Floyd. So enough about that.

Since my last posting, I've been feeling well but have found myself on a roller coaster of fatigue. I haven't been exercising much because of everything going on, but I still find myself getting really tired at times. There are a few times a week where I will find myself literally falling asleep where I sit. This is usually around 6 or 7 at night, so I have to do my best to stay awake. If succumb to the dreaded evening nap, there is no way I'll get to sleep later that night. There are even times where I'll be out to dinner and falling asleep at the table. It just hits me out of the blue and down I go. I'll be honest with you though, I'll take that any day over the bouts of nausea or just the overall awful feeling days I used to have. Those days are the worst and luckily they seem to be down to just a couple of days a week as opposed to the typical 5 days a week. Those are the days that just tear you down physically, mentally and emotionally and also affect the people close to me. Cancer is a very contagious disease. Contagious from the standpoint that other people aren't getting what I have, but they are still feeling the pains of what I'm going through. All I can do is apologize to those loved ones, family and friends. After a year you'd be surprised at how worn down this makes you.

Speaking of which, I hit my 1 year diagnosis anniversary a couple of weeks ago and it came and went with very little recognition. The day before I was thinking to myself that it was a pretty significant day in my life, but when it actually came, I didn't thing about it once. In fact, it was only a couple of days later when I realized that it had already come and gone. I think that's a good thing though. I take that as me moving on with my life with other things growing in importance, while, cancer takes a back. What a year it has been.

Work has been great. It has been a little more difficult then I thought to get back into the proactive mode which is what a lot of what my job entails, but it is starting to come back. Not like riding a bike, but I definitely feel myself getting back in the groove. Working from home and slowly easing back into normalcy has been going very well. I actually feel more productive at home then I do in the office. Never thought that would be the case. Regardless, it has been a great boost for me both mentally and physically. Just keeping my mind off of cancer and feeling bad does wonders for the old noggin. Once again, I can't thank Keith and Rich enough for their flexibility in this whole situation.

US had a hell of a shot at shocking the world in the Confederations Cup, but just fell short to the mighty Brazil after going up 2-0 at the half. But they are just too damn good and put 3 on us in the second half to win it yet again. With all that said, hats off to the US team for taking down Egypt, Spain and putting together a great half against Brazil. Can't wait for the world cup.
Labs have been consistently good with my white cell count right where it needs to be. Docs are loving that which brings me closer and closer to being able to travel again. That will be the point where for me, things are back to as normal as they ever will be. Hopefully that means I can travel domestically in the next couple of months and internationally by the end of the year. Fingers are crossed.

Well that should just about bring you up to speed. Thanks again for reading and for the never ending and seemingly bottomless support. You are all amazing in so many way and I can't express what that does for me. Please take care of yourselves and have a great time celebrating our nations birthday this weekend. 3 day weekend...yeah baby. I haven't celebrated having a day off in quite some time and it feels pretty damn good.

16 comments:

Kate said...

Congrat's
I am so happy for you
hope you'll get even better and I'm sure you'll be travelling very soon again
Come as sooon as you can

Miss you an love you and Evey a lot

Kate and Vranjci :)

Unknown said...

good stuff man! Can't wait to see you and the house and the wife to be....

Tommy said...

FIREWORKS are legal in Costa Mesa!! Don't burn down the house...

Anonymous said...

Great to hear you life is back to normal. Work, thinkin of traveling, moving into a house... Welcome back to normal life Kurt. What a year you've had and you manned up and kicked its arse! Thanks for the update, and congrats on the house and health! we'll have to invite ourselves over for a big BBQ one of these days!

tomr

al said...

Happy Belated Re-Birthday!
Hugs & Kisses
Love you mean it
al

Daniel said...

Hey Kurt,

just wanted to send some greets from TT. I am very happy to read that you´re doing that good.

Hope one of your next travels will bring you back to Germany again,

take care,

Daniel

Anonymous said...

Great update Kurtus!

I'm stoked for you guys getting into a new house.

You have a lot of good things going on right now, I'm happy for you.

Take care,

Gary B.

Anonymous said...

Hi again Kurt,

No news is good news, or so I convinced myself when you were 'gone' for a month.
Great that your move is behind you and you can really start to enjoy your new home. Costa Mesa is a neat place to live - lots of your age group moving in there and remodeling - quite trendy!

Take care Kurt and know that you are in our thoughts constantly.

Hugs -

Peta

Unknown said...

Such Great News Kurt! I'm so happy to hear this


Steph

Mike Estey said...

what's up Kurt! Karan showed me some pictures of you guys out on Sarver's boat the other night and you look great buddy! Glad to hear that a year has come & passed and you are in a spot to get things rolling again with some normalicy.. I hope that a surf is in your future soon as I'd love to hit the waves with you when you can! Keep the positive outlook bro and stay strong!

Marisa Smith said...

Kurtl - Congrats on all the good stuff going on right now, especially your new place! Heard it's a beaut! Hope that power drill is coming in handy - at least for hanging pictures!
Love ya and see you in a few weeks,
Marisa & Josh

PhilosophizingNow said...

Kurt,

this is Kristine Wang, remember me? i met Kevin H. at a hair salon in H.B. yesteday, he told me about you. oh, i wish i can give you a hug right there, and i would definitely bring you flowers later.

you are a great guy, but lousy things happen to any good person. i am so happy knowing you are on the way to recovery, and about to ring your wedding bell.

i am happily in Irvine and grateful for everything i have and have you back in my life. Please take good care of yourself. i don't go to church, but i will be sure you are in my prayers which i chant often.

Anonymous said...

Hi Kurt,

It's been almost a month, and as I said in my last post "no news is good news" I'm sure!

Just to let you know that you're always in my thoughts. I was sorting out my photograph albums the other day and came across pictures of you in your childhood days, and oh, were you such a cutie! Not much different from what you look like today. I especially love the one of you and Steve and Pat and Andrew laughing your heads off sitting on the lawn at Granny's house - you must have been about 3 or 4!

Lots of love Kurt - hope you're enjoying the Summer and your new home.

Hugs -

Peta

Anonymous said...

Kurt-us,

Hey man, just thinking about you and checking in, hoping everything is going well.

Gary B.

Unknown said...

Hi Kurt,
Hope you remember me... Gabby Marazzi. I was your Travel Agent at Ingram Micro.
I just heard today about your condition and just wanted to let you know that you are in my prayers and in my thoughts!

Anonymous said...

Hi Kurt
Thinking about you!
Nadia

What is Kurt's diagnosis?

AML is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes abnormal myeloblasts (a type of white blood cell), red blood cells, or platelets.

Adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. This type of cancer usually gets worse quickly if it is not treated. It is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults. AML is also called acute myelogenous leukemia, acute myeloblastic leukemia, acute granulocytic leukemia, and acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.

This blog was created to post updates on Kurt and give all of our friends and family a forum to share notes and thoughts. Please check back often for updates.