Hi. Everyone is settled back into our usual days now that Danny is home and settled. His stuff is still exploded all over the house, better than the weekend but still spread out. We got a box today from Arlen Ness ( motorcycle builder). Danny went to his shop and bought some stuff and had it shipped home. He bought Jed a book called Arlen Ness King of Choppers and Arlen signed it.."To Jed, get better soon, Arlen Ness"!!!! Very cool. Danny really did have a blast on his trip and will be writing about it on his blog soon.
Back to work today. I have a vacation day tomorrow. Jed is going to school!!!!!!!! He will stay until lunch. I will pick him up and feed him then we are off to clinic for counts. He also has an ophthalmologist appt. at 4pm. I am not sure what this appt is for. I thought they told us all we needed to know last Thursday. Guess not. I am hoping this is just a follow up kinda thing. I also am wondering if all this eye stuff is billed to major medical or my eye insurance. I hope it's major med. My eye insurance is $310 a year, don't think that would cover all the tests and appts. Maybe they will tell us that they have found a reason for his eye issues. When he was examined on Thursday his vision was much better than it had been on Tuesday. His pupils still react weird...or rather don't react. We'll see.
With all the help I have gotten from my union steward and today, my boss, we managed to figure out that I only have to finish out the week at work. I have enough vacation and sick time to cover the rest of next week. That will make it 10 paid days. I am glad. It really screws everyone up on my team when I am there because I don't know how to do a lot of the jobs as they change with every model year start. The plan is to go back full time after Thanksgiving. I am hoping by then that Jed will be on his way to full school days and less pain meds. We will have to go slowly with those.
My dad is here everyday while I'm at work. Today Nana came and picked Jed up at noon to go school shopping. He told her he only needed to go to staples and the dollar store!!!! I'm thinking that is not going to last much longer. He told her he had plenty of clothes because I had gotten him some new jeans and a couple of shirts! My grandmother bought him some jeans too. According to him (right now) he has more than enough! He did ask me the other day which shirt matched his pants better..oh my, not ready for that at all!
Savannah seems to be ok with college so far...it is only the 2nd week!!
I think I am still recovering from last week. The drama and stress of the eye sight issues and the MRI and all of that. So many things could have been wrong, it could have been so bad....BUT it's not. So I need to suck it up and move on. I can't believe we are getting close to the end of this. We are so ready! I know Jed REALLY is! Well Guess that's it, King Jed wants an egg sandwhich.
Love Jed and Kristin

Danny's Home!!!! 7, 582 miles!

Will they ever "remember" to unlock my badge so I can actually get into the plant and go to my job?! How hard can that be?

--
==================================================================
This mobile text message is brought to you by AT&T

Uncle Adam, Tiersa and "The MAC" enjoy the beach. to hell with the tropical storm, your "goin; down the ocean, hon".

Ok, first things first,,,,the MRI was CLEAR of any issues. They saw NO PROBLEMS! I know, I must be a drama queen after all the tension starting on Monday. I really really was scared. The closer we get to the end the worse I get. The ophthalmologist said as far as he could tell there was nothing there to blame on Jed's vision issues. His pupils still only dilate sometimes or very slowly. When I asked about relapse he said "as far as I could tell there was nothing there that would indicate a possible relapse, and any abnormal cells would show up in his spinal fluid". Jed does not have any more spinals scheduled. I will ask Dr. Ungar on Tuesday what he thinks. I am almost positive he will say no spinal is needed. SOOO, I am going with that, nothing there, all is good. They tested and figured out Jed's prescription for his glasses and we took that to a place in York to get it filled. He picked out his frames. They are not Ozzy frames! They are rectangle and brushed nickle color and they are twisty! You can bend them anyway and they don't break!!!! We got him transition lenses and scratch guard. They will be in in 7-10 days. Between the MRI and his ophthalmology appt we had brunch at the Hershey Pantry...oh my. He ordered French toast and I ordered an egg sandwich with spinach, and mozzarella on sun dried tomato toast. We then decided to get a cinnamon bun to split. Well they brought the cinnamon bun first...as my friend Alecia P said.."oh my god it's bigger than his head"!!!! It was HUGE more like a cinnamon bun cake! Needless to say by the time our breakfast came we were cinnamon bun drunk. Both of us had glazed over eyes and just wanted to nap! We did manage to eat some of our breakfast..of course! Then we drove around Hershey for awhile and ended up at the movies. We saw Shorts. It was kinda weird, kinda funny, not too bad. The timing was perfect we left there and got to the eye clinic just in time to go right in. So that was our day. I am exhausted but I really wanted to clean up around here.....HAHAHAHA..not happening! oh well. Danny might be home tomorrow. I'm not sure, he called me around 4pm and was near Chicago, not sure if he was east or west of there. Haven't heard yet tonight.
I guess that's it. Sorry for worrying everyone with the drama. Every little thing, as we get to the end of this, is going to drive me nuts...that's a warning! Me, the usually laid back, easy going one of the fam, is not so laid back and easy going now! Oh well small price to pay to get all this crap behind us.
Jed is excited about starting school. He is going to go Tuesday in the morning and then we will go to clinic for counts after lunch and he has a follow-up appt with the ophthalmologist. I found out today that his new teacher Mr. Phillips is going to be his tutor!! He is very stoked for that. His comment was " I've had great teachers but finally I get a guy"! I hope it all goes well. My biggest worry is his worry. If he is not understanding or thinks he is behind everyone else he gets very upset. Also we have to keep an eye out for any comprehension issues. Childhood cancer survivors sometimes have some after treatment problems.
He is really getting into shopping for school clothes, he has never done it before and now he has opinions....a test of my restraint and patience!
Ok gotta go king Jed is requesting fruit.
Love Jed and Kristin

Danny's Mom Jean on his bike!
I stole this pic from Danny's blog!

Long day! I was in the medical dept at 6:20 this morning but did not get onto the floor for work until after 8:30. It took them that long to find all the paperwork and information. Work itself was not bad at all. My team takes good care of me when I am there. I trued wheels, not much too it. It was good to see most of the people. Hi Ralph. It was probably good for me to be in there today as much as I hate to admit that! Jed's MRI is 8:30 tomorrow and then we have to hang around until 2:30 for his eye appt. According to our wonderful nurse Denise, the ophthalmologist will answer all our questions and tell us what the MRI says. She spoke to Dr. Ungar and he said an ocular relapse is the last thing he would say the problem is, so that is a good thing..YES it is. I had that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach most of the day worrying about this, so the message from Denise was much appreciated. I really had a few moments where I thought..this has to be a dream, all this nightmare stuff really cannot be true, I will wake up soon. It"s not a dream, and we can't wake up to get away from it all but I can keep myself from freaking when I don't have any answers. So, I'm under control now!
Jed spent the day with Hop. They went to the pride for lunch, he got shrimp...of course! He doesn't seem to be too worried about all this stuff. I know he is thinking about it but he is focusing on what style of frames he wants! He mentioned maybe wanting glasses like Ozzy! Oh my.
Mom dropped of a roasted chicken for us and a hot dog for Jed. The dog stole the chicken off the counter and tried to bite me when I took it from him. I had picked most to the meat off if it before he got it but it made a huge mess on the kitchen floor. It was almost kind of funny watching him slide around and try to hold onto that chicken. All I could think was....is this really what my life is like? REALLY, the dog is sliding around the kitchen trying to grab a greasy chicken carcass, I am on the phone & chasing the dog, while Jed is yelling from upstairs asking if I would bring him a drink and I hadn't even been home from my 1st day of work more than an hour. oh yipee. I managed to put a load of laundry in but the rest of the house is a disaster..I just don't feel like cleaning. At least when Dan comes home this weekend it will be "homey"...messy.
Danny just called, he is STILL in Nebraska. He updated his blog with new pics, some of his mommy. He left whatever podunk Nebraska town he was in and headed out. It started to rain....a lot...so much so that he had to stop and get a room in YORK, Nebraska....no really, he is in York! Weird. His cell phone does not work in this metropolis either. He even had to call me from the lobby phone because the phones in the rooms are not working. He is planning to head to Toledo tomorrow....I don't know why he doesn't come home a different way. He must really like Toledo.
So that's all I guess. I will let you all know what answers we get tomorrow and if Jed gets glasses like Ozzy's. Fingers crossed for an easy fix and no permanent issues and of course NO relapse.
Love
Jed and Kristin

OH so this is what work is like...forgot I am not a fan!

--
==================================================================
This mobile text message is brought to you by AT&T

Janiece, our childlife expert and great friend, we love you and send you much love and good vibes.

Hi. today turned into a VERY stressful day. We went to clinic, his white count is only .6 and his ANC is 300. Not so great, we stopped all his chemo. We spoke to Dr Ungar about flu shots, he said no..Jed will not be getting any. Then we mentioned his eye site. He got very business like, and asked many questions. As he was questioning Jed it hit me like a Mac truck...you can relapse in your eyes. Jed's first clinic friend Dakota relapsed there as I remember. I thought I was going to pass out or throw up but had to stay calm I didn't want to scare Jed. Dr. Ungar did not say one word about that possibility. They made an appointment for him in ophthalmology at 2pm. He had his inhaled antibiotic but it was still only 11 am. We went to pizza hut and Kmart to kill time. The ophthalmologist tested Jed's vision many different ways. The more he tested him the sicker I felt. He REALLY has bad vision. His right eye is worse than the left. His pupils hardly dilate either. So anyway, they put drops in, did more tests, put him in a dark room with flashing lights and he had to tell where they were. Then the Drs called us in to say he needs glasses....duh but he also has damage to his optic nerve...in both eyes. We go for an MRI Thursday morning at 8;30am. They want to see details of the nerves in his eyes. At 2:30 the same day he will get fitted for glasses. He is not concerned about wearing glasses but being the smart cookie he is he listened to everything the drs said and his question was "will the nerve damage keep getting worse?". Their answer was "we don't know". He is acting very brave but you can tell he is very worried. They did mention relapse but never followed up with any info about that and I didn't ask, without Dr. Ungar there I didn't want to discuss it. So basically we left there with, his vision SUCKS, he needs glasses, he has nerve damage but the bad vision could be a completely separate issue, they have no idea what the problem is and we have to wait until Thursday to find out anything. To make it all more fun I am finally going back to work tomorrow. After all the crap, I have to be there at 6:45 am so their doc can release me. I will work tomorrow and then I will have to take an occurrence on Thursday.
Danny is in Nebraska...now I am not so jealous that I'm not there! He is tired and just wants to come home.
Our lives go to such extremes....so quickly..never boring here. I am looking forward to boring. My thinking is, this eye issue , many people related to Jed wear glasses so he was going to have to have them no matter what. The nerve damage is from chemo and as he finishes treatment and his body recovers so will the optic nerves. There, end of story. I will keep you all informed.
Love
Jed and Kristin

Off to clinic today. He gets an inhaled antibiotic and has blood counts. We are also going to ask about all the swine flu hoopla and Jed's eye site. He seems to be having vision issues.
Wednesday is to be 90 degrees..of course..that's my first day at work, back on the floor.
Hayley Althoff, I am so sorry that I have to go back to work before we get a chance to take you swimming.....I feel horrible that I messed that up. It seems every time Jed felt well enough it was not warm enough! Please don't think we have forgotten you...nope, just having huge scheduling issues! We will be in touch.
Ok, gotta go get ready.
Love J & K

The link for the Chincoteague pics is on the right, there are many pics, both boys took lots of the wetlands and the bridges!

Howdy. So we are home from our Chincoteague adventure. It was a blast. The beach is awesome, the food rocks, the town is so cool and the boys we so much fun to watch. We left on Tuesday morning and were there by noon. My mom and Grace came down later Tuesday eve and we all went to dinner at a nice seafood (of course) place. The boys had fun in the surf. Even at it's calmest it was rough for Jed but I took him out beyond the breakers and he had fun "jumping" the waves. DJ did some boogie boarding and they both flew kites and played in the sand. The 3 of us went on a boat tour around the island and between Chincoteague and Assateague. We saw dolphins, ponies and an eagle. Captain Dan...really, that was his name...he gave us lots of history and some stories of the islands. The boys LOVED the ride. Friday night I took them and Grace over to Ocean City so Jed could eat at Hoopers, ride some rides, play in the arcades and hang on the boardwalk. Jed got tired very quickly so we just got some Fishers caramel popcorn and Dumser's milkshakes and came home. Mom and Grace left Saturday afternoon. Hurricane Bill was heading up the coast and the surf was too rough for the beach so the boys and I headed back to OC for them to do the stuff they missed the night before. At 2pm we headed across the bridge off the island. We stopped for gas and when I came out after paying, the sky was black in the area we were headed to and there was lightening. We decided to not risk going, we really had no idea how bad it would get. So we decided to go to Asseteague and check out the big surf. Lots of people doing the same and a few stupid people that must not know red flags on the beach means no swimming...people even had their kids out there...nuts! The waves were much bigger than usual but the big problem was the rip tide. It was just so rough. We watched for awhile and then hiked to the light house. We all did the 175 steps to the top! Jed held on and took his time but he made it all the way up and down! I was amazed. The view was awesome, we made it up just in time, after us they closed it down because of lightening. When we left the light house the sky looked much clearer over towards OC so we decided to try again...those arcades were really calling them!!! I had my car serviced 2 weeks before we left for vacation. They did the 50,000 mile service, checked everything and rotated the tires. Ever since we got it back there has been some vibration in the front. I figured it was from the tread on the tires and would calm down as the tread evened out. When the boys and I headed to OC on Saturday the vibration got progressively worse. It ended up being so bad I was starting to panic. I slowed from 70 to 60 to 40. There are just not any garages anywhere! I finally found an auto parts store who sent me to a Goodyear service center. The mechanic took it for a test drive and then called me into the garage. I thought it was my breaks but the guy said they were fine then he showed me the left front wheel. With his FINGERS he took off 4 of the 5 lug nuts! The whole wheel was so loose he said we would not have made it 20 more miles! I thought I was going to be sick but I couldn't melt down with the kids there. They tightened all the lug nuts, checked everything and only charged me $25. It felt like a new car driving it off the lot with tightened lug nuts. Crisis averted we headed for that darned arcade on the boardwalk. They finally got to play! I sat on a bench and watched all the weird people. It started to lightening and after about an hour the rain started. I herded the boys out and we booked it to the car. BUT wait, we had to stop in the rain so they could get Thrashers fries and Dumsers milkshakes! Nothing like soggy fries! As we headed out of the parking lot the tide was in and with the surge the water was coming into the parking lot! Just as we pulled out of there the sky opened up. It POURED!!! But we sang songs and trekked home. They were very full and very tired! Sunday morning while I cleaned and washed the sheets and towels the boys packed the car and played with the minnow traps in the drain thing next to the house. They thought it was so cool that when the tide came in it filled all the way up, a jelly fish even came in once...then got sucked back out later! we made it home without incident. Dropped off D safe and sound. It was a good time. I hope I get to take them again sometime. Boy did they eat!!!
I was to go to work today but Friday while we were gone someone from Harley called me. Savannah gave me the number and this lady proceeded to tell me I flunked the "fit for duty" test I took the week before. Nothing like adding a little work crap to our vacation. I went in this morning and there was a big thingy about me and my insurance and seniority. I had my union steward and he called the chief shop steward, the medical person was there, someone from HR too. What a cluster.....,,you know what I mean. It was a mess. they have this new policy but no one thought beyond the test. If you fail the 1st one you can be retested, but if you fail the second no one has an answer as to what happens next. They have no follow up procedures for the new policy. In the middle of this fun debate one person tells me I have an additional test to take after I take the retest of the 1st one. At first she doesn't want to say what the test is...then she spits out that I have to be drug tested. I don't really care but it seemed like they just randomly decided they wanted it. The shop steward was not happy. He filed a grievance and got all my paper work and got me an appointment to take the retest at 1pm today. The part I "failed" was the push-pull.....i need to hit 80lbs, the test said I only hit 75. On the retest I was over 100. So--all better! For now. I know what they are trying to do. I understand that I am a liability to them right now but that is temporary and we are so close to the end of all this shit...sorry...stuff. My big worry was that if I was not back at work by today I stood a chance to loose my insurance....geeze would that be a mess and also loose my seniority!! According to all i am set and can return on Wednesday. I feel kinda bad because after all this I am only returning for 10 days. I am going back on leave until Jed is completely finished with treatment and settled in school. I plan to be back full time before Christmas. Oh yeah. I have to say being home with the kids has been a gift in the middle of all the crap.
Savannah started college today!! She is a Penn State student. very cool.
Danny was in Vegas this morning and was headed to the Grand Canyon....he just called he is in salt lake city. There was a very bad storm and he had to go around it. He decided to save the grand canyon until we can take Jed! He should be home before Sunday. I think he has had enough!!!He wants to just get home.
Tomorrow we have clinic.
Well I guess i have written a book! It was tough not having Internet all week! The cell phone reception was a little iffy at times too!
Jed starts school on the 1st. He has his backpack and lunch box all ready...even though he will only be staying for a couple of hours a day until around the holidays! We had to stop and check the teacher list today to see who his teacher is...he has Mr. Phillips. Don't know him..guess I will.
Ok, really gotta go
Love J & K

Multimedia message

Jed and D chowin' down at Jeds fav beach place to eat.

Multimedia message

Hiw, I took the boys on a boat tour around chincoteague and assateague. Saw dolphins, ponies eagles. Boys LOVED it..me too

--
==================================================================
This mobile text message is brought to you by AT&T

Hi all, I took the boys on a boat tour around chincoteague and assateague. Saw dolphins, ponies eagles..llts of stuff.

--
==================================================================
This mobile text message is brought to you by AT&T

We spent most of day at the beach. Both boys had a blast. Me too! Perfect weather!

--
==================================================================
This mobile text message is brought to you by AT&T

No wifi here, cell reception is very bad BUT seafood is rockn and the beach is awesome!

--
==================================================================
This mobile text message is brought to you by AT&T

Hi ya. Packing to leave for Chincoteague in the morning. I hope all goes well. I just want to hang out. Jed got counts done today...his ANC is only 660 but for him that's not too bad. We spent the rest of the day shopping for all the stuff to take to the beach. I am exhausted and we haven't gotten there yet!!! We pick DJ up at 8am..hope he doesn't get home sick...oh my. I am pretty strung out about going back to work and Jed starting school. All the scheduling and worry, hate it. Also WAY strung out about the fact that we are getting towards the end of chemo. I feel kinda nauseous even thinking about it. Jed on the other hand....seems to be feeling pretty good. Hope he has a good time. I have 2 umbrellas for him and DJ to play in the sand under.
I wonder how dead all my plants will be when I get home? Savannah is in charge....dog gets 2 pills a day, needs new water more than 1x a day and needs to go out often, have to empty air conditioner in the basement a couple times a day and she has to water the front and back yard..Thursday is garbage day......We shall see.
Danny is in CLearlake with his Mom. He saw David (his son) in Sacramento today and is meeting him on Thursday in the city (San Fran). Then he is going to drive down the coast and head home. He sounds tired so I hope he rests at his mom's. He has no Internet there. He will have to go to the library to update...not sure if he will.
Ok, gotta go or I will just sit here and babble to keep from packing!
Love J & K

Jed

016
Originally uploaded by buckley04@verizon.net

oh yeah, very cool

Savannah and Kyle

018
Originally uploaded by buckley04@verizon.net

I'm so proud

Hi ya. Same ole same ole here. not much happening. Jed seems to finally be perking up after his steroid week. Tomorrow we go for counts and we have to do our beach shopping. I was after him for WEEKS trying to get him to leave early and go to either The Jamestown Settlement or Busch Gardens...nope he wanted nothing to do with either....until yesterday when Savannah told him Busch Gardens was Hershey park times 100! All of a sudden he wanted to go...TOO LATE!!! Well now he has decided it is his birthday destination! So we shall see. Yesterday we went to Grace's for a quick swim and today we are going to the mall with mommo and A. I have to cut A's hair after that.
Danny left Tahoe this morning and is headed to Sacramento to see his son. Then he is going to Clearlake (above Napa) to see his mother. He washed his bike this morning and was very depressed at the damage done from the road. He paid over $300 to have it coated with some stuff that is supposed to protect it....it didn't work. But anyway he is happy to be in Ca. Today is a week since he left. He said he has snow globes for Jed from everywhere!!! I will remind him when he heads toward Arizona that I like gold with my turquoise!
Can't wait to get to the beach, too bad it's only 5 days but beggars can't be choosers!
The house is a wreck, I want it clean before I leave but then I will be super depressed when I get home because it will not be clean anymore. I hope Savannah remembers the dog lives here too & that Thursday night is trash night and that she needs to water the front and back plants EVERYDAY....we'll see. If I get home and everything is dead I will probably have a melt down. Back to work on the 24th..it will take me weeks to get 10 days in. I have to set up who is watching Jed, where he will be, who takes him to school and who picks him up. I am worried because someone has to be able to get him at a moments notice in case he is sick...he will only be staying a few hrs a day anyway. Also if he wakes up sick and can't go anywhere I have to make sure whoever is here can just hang out. After he is not on chemo anymore it will be easier because I won't have to constantly worry about if he needs to come home or not. Oh well, I'll figure it out somehow.
welp gotta go
love Jed and Kristin

Hi, not much happening here. Today was kind of a loss...I was slightly "over served" last evening so was feeling very poorly today. We were to go for counts today but we are going on Monday instead. They wanted him next week anyway. So not much happening. Jed is feeling ok, I am better but still suffering from the shame. It was one of those things that happens about every 10yrs to remind we why I don't really drink.
Ok, more tomorrow. Danny is in Salt lake city...
Love J & K
(thank you Becky, for the "over served" description)

Hey. Jed is doing better. He is staying at my parent's tonight. I am actually going out with Grace for a little..like a grown-up...if I remember how! Savannah and Kyle are in my "computer room" the room into which EVERYTHING gets thrown. They are hooking up out new wireless printer, it was cheaper to buy a new printer for ALL to use than to buy ink for 4 printers. This printer is supposed to cost less when you buy ink....we shall see. It will take hours for them to clean the room enough to even get to the old printer....seriously, it looks like one of those rooms on the clean my house shows.....embarrassing. I just was ignoring it....too much for me to handle!
We had a celebration dinner tonight at my parent's. My bro finished his degree! yeah! Of course my smart mouth daughter said "well I'll be next and then I wonder if it will be Jed or mom". geeze, I'm sure it will be Jed!!!! My new plan is to have my masters in psychology when I turn 70..I can be a therapist to old people...I'll know a lot about it. Welp gotta go. We are going out...like in public, with other people, at a bar/ restaurant, with music, hhmmm. I am not too sure I can do this it has been so long. Maybe I should just put my pjs on and watch tv?? that is much easier! But my hair looks pretty good and my jeans fit..I do have elbow fat,,yuck...yeah maybe I should keep the elbow fat at home..oh the stress of going out to relieve stress!!!
Danny should be near Cody or Yellowstone for tonight...not sure yet.
Love J & K

Hey. I got all my physical, Dr notes and stuff straightened out. Thank god for extra nice people. The Health South lady..Sandy was wonderful.
Jed is perking up a tad. We went and got some perennials to plant along the house and picked up a game he had reserved. He still does not feel well enough to swim,... but soon!
I spent the afternoon and evening digging up most of my plants on the side of the house in order to get rid of ones I don't like and plant some new ones. Some of my old stuff had just gotten out of control. I was very sweaty and very dirty but I got almost all if it done. Of course I can always use more!
Danny is in Mitchell, SD. Tomorrow he heads to Deadwood. He was not too happy with the views so far but I promised him they will improve mightily as he heads for the black hills. I hope he stays 2 nites in Deadwood, so he can ride and see all the area and so he can also rest some.
I guess that's all for now.
Love J & K

Here is the link to Danny's blog..he is writing about his trip as he goes
http://danslattonsworld.blogspot.com/

Hey. Jed and I went to wal-mart this morning...got nothing I went for. We then babysat "the MAC" for a few hours while her mommy and daddy did all the science stuff to give her a sibling.
Jed is not feeling so good. Very pale, has a new itchy thing going on. Even after 2 benadryl he was just itching like crazy. He got very tired at Adam's while we were babysitting and has been sleeping since we got home..at 12:30! Savannah and Kyle were here for awhile. Went to swim for a little and then she went to work. I am not sure why they are here all the time and not out doing teenage stuff! danny is in Milwalkee, he just went to the Harley Museum. said it was awesome. I made his reservation for tonight at the Iron Horse Hotel...read that is was a VERY swanky place for bikers! He said it's awesome. He sounds tired! Tomorrow he should make it to Sioux Falls, Sd and the next day to Deadwood Sturgis area.....I am very jealous of that. I have been there and it is incredable. So beautiful. From there his ride only gets more georgous, across the top of Wyoming and into Yellowstone. I have to say I am pretty bummed that I am not there. Oh well!
I was told last Friday that I had to have a physical before I was allowed to work. They also said I needed a Dr note for the physical and to have a diagnosis on the note. I am off for stress, my Dr. is a shrink...he will not write me a note for a physical because he said he does not treat me for a physical issue. My reg doc..I never see them.... is not treating me for ANYTHING!!! Of course there is NO ONE at work to fix this issue....have no clue what to do....great for any stress related probs right? I am at a loss and I guess winning the lottery is not a good back up plan. I really want to just cry or ignore it all...can't do either. F>>F>>>F>>
On a great note though, my cousin Suzy and her hubby just had a little girl yesterday! Allison Marie, now Kaitlyn has a sister. Everyone is healthy and happy. YAY congrats
So I guess I'll just hang out and wait for Jed to get up. Knowing him it will be around midnight...oh well we can go out and eat or something!!! The prob is that Jed stays up late..I stay up with him and then the dog barks at 5:30 am so my sleep is limited. But my motto is ..sleep is for the weak...
gotta go..well not really but I have nothing more to say!
Love J & k

So lets see what has happened since the last update. Yesterday Mommo stopped by with "the MAC". We talked her into walking down into town..it was street fair day. Livi-Mac was loving it. Talking to everyone, pointing...Mommo, she was a little hot. They walked down for a few mins and then Mom had had enough so they headed back. Jed and I stayed for awhile longer. He ate fries, a corn dog, drank a cherry coke and a lemonade. We ran into the Althoffs.yay, so nice to see them! and Mrs& Mrs Longnecker. We then walked up to the auction near our house. Hop was there because Danny was trying to sell his old bike. Jed was looking very pale and yucky so we came home and he went back to bed for hours! When he got up the 3 of us went to Chili's..Jed fav spot. Our waitress worked in Yellowstone for 5 years, when she heard that Dan was headed there she said to make sure he asked for a transient room fare at a hotel in the park. The rate for that is like $30 instead of $200! We told her we were also celebrating Jed's official promotion to 6th grade. The manager came over to talk to Dan about his trip and he said at the end that our whole meal was on Chili's! He told Dan to have a great trip and he told Jed how proud he was of him and he knew he would do great in 6th grade. He also was telling us how much fundraising they do for St. Jude's. He was VERY interested in The Four Diamonds Fund and in talking to Savannah about help with fundraising! It was a SUPER nice and unexpected event!
We then went to Home depot so Danny could get a new lawn mower....wouldn't want me to be without one...:(. We also went to Radio shack, Dan needed a camera. He couldn't borrow mine because I am never without it and need it for the beach. I ended up talking him into the new one I want and I told him he could have my other...which is an awesome cam too. We got home and I was getting his camera charged...so I would be ready to use it. I realized I must have left the charger for my old camera plugged into the wall at the hospital because I cannot find it. I have to go get a universal charger and Danny got to take the new camera on his trip...oh well! He also has one of those little cheap laptops. I set it up for him and made him his own blog so he could write all about his adventures. The only prob is that he has all these new gadgets, ( new phone too, he dropped his old one in the sink with running water at work) but I won't be there to explain to him how to use all the stuff. Should be interesting. Savannah set up her computer and his new one for video chat in case he wants to see us!! My laptop does not have a camera.
He got all packed...used the new T-bag I won from Garage Girls....awesome bag, can't wait until I can use it! After telling me "oh by the way, the back yard needs to be mowed, the dog is almost out of his meds and needs a blood test (means vet visit) and there is a package in the back of the car that has to be mailed...he rode off into the wild blue yonder...don't worry honey.....I'll take care of it. oh yipee.
SOOOO anyway. Jed said goodbye, only a little teary eyed..also reminded him to bring something from EVERY stop! I just mentioned that I like gold..turquoise and gold would be awesome...he is headed through Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico , Colorado, South Dakota, Wyoming..somewhere in there he should be able to find some gold and turquoise..right??
Now we just wait to see what updates we get. I have no idea how far he will make it today. The first goal was Cleveland..but he left a little later so we shall see. Jed is back in bed now..I am just hanging around!
Love J & K

Hi ya. Jed is now officially a 6th grader!!!! YAY. Thanks to Mrs. Washko for all the wonderful teaching. She spent an incredible amount of time making sure Jed was ready.
My morning was exciting. I was up before 5am, left for work a little after 6 and was home before 8!!! First, on our way in I got smacked in the throat by a bug at around 4o miles per hour..not a real big deal until the stinging started. I then rode the last 10 mins to work knowing that the bee was in my shirt somewhere. When we pulled in I jumped off my bike and started ripping off my jacket and sweatshirt. Danny said, "calm down, we are not late". Right about then the yellow jacket flew out of my tank top. He said, "oh my god, it was in your shirt?" Um, yup hence the ripping off of my clothes in the parking lot. Next I headed to the turnstiles, the ones that would flip me right back into workville. I swiped my badge, pushed on the gate and BOOM, it locked. My badge has been deactivated. I had to wait in the guard shack until someone from medical came out to "escort" me in. I speak to 2 different nurses, give them all the info, they take my blood pressure and temp, ask me all kinds of questions & just when they are ready to kick me loose to head into wheel world...a woman from the other part of medical...not sure what part..came in and told the nurse I could not go back on the floor until I had a "fit for duty" physical. I was not off on leave for a physical injury but she said she had to be assured I was fit enough to do my job.
Ok, lets get it going, what do I need to do? Oh no they don't do it there, she will call and make me an appointment at Health South...they have 2 offices. One is right near my house and one is in york somewhere. Of course, I didn't get an appointment at the one near me. I go to the other one at 8am on Wednesday. I was home before 8! Grace, Jed and I went for breakfast before Jed had school. I did get to ride my bike though! Then the mail came and I realized I bounced a check I wrote to pay for Savannah's parking ticket and they are going to issue a warrant for my arrest. Savannah and Kyle stayed here, Jed was asleep again right after school was finished. I rode to the bank to get the cash to go pay the ticket at the magistrates office. Our bank has changed names and all the people in there are different...and SLOW. The guy asks for my id, I gave it to him and he says " this won't do, it is expired"...I know I have to get my picture taken, I have my camera card I just haven't had a chance, when I looked presentable, to go sit in there and WAIT for them to take my freakin' picture. I told the little kid behind the counter that it was still me on there even though I needed a new pic. He was not convinced. I laid out every card I had with me all down the counter..and my checkbook and my work ID (which doesn't work either). He still was reluctant to give me MY OWN 80 dollars. Finally the teller next to him reassured him it was ok. I got my cash, rode to the district office and paid the ticket. I really cranked on that throttle...made me feel much better to make a lot of noise! So like I said at least I got to ride today!!!
Jed and Danny just ate steak for dinner. I had grilled peppers and pineapple. We ran out of gas halfway through and Danny had to run to get more. He started to mow the lawn and our lawn mower finally gave up...it is now in the alley waiting for someone to rescue it from the dump.
Danny is leaving on Sunday or Monday to ride across the country. I am sad that I cannot go...he says he is too but....I have my doubts! He is headed to the bay area to see his mom and his son. I just told him no stopping in Detroit to see his ex-girlfriend or hanging out with his ex wife when he gets out there! He will be gone probably 3 weeks. I want him to head through SD and stop at KlockWerks. He got his windshield from them and I can't tell you how many people have stopped him to ask about it! We probably could have sold a half dozen of them just in the last 2 weeks!
So that is the excitement from here. Jed is watching TV and relaxing. The steroids are kicking his butt. His last dose is Sunday night and then it takes about a week to get out of his system. I am hoping he starts to feel better and wants to leave early for the beach and I can take him and DJ to the Jamestown Settlement.
I'll keep ya posted.
Love Jed and Kristin

Hi all. Jed is on steroids this week and they are kicking in. He is achy, crabby, emotional and kinda ocd. Tomorrow morning he has a test and then he is officially a 6th grader! I have to go to work in the morning.....Jed is not thrilled...guess what...I'm not either! Grace is coming in the morning and at 12:30 they are going to pick up Jase. I hope Jed is feeling ok. I think if he is feeling like he needs to go back to bed I will have Grace call Savannah and she can come home and hang while Jed sleeps. There is really not much else happening. I need to find a new job. I know, I am grateful that I have a job to go to but it is really so mind numbing. Guess right now a job that requires no brains is a good thing though. oh well....listen to me whine,,,,it's only 1 day!!!! Our 2 week layoff starts on Monday! I do have to go back for 9 more days after but ya know...not something I need to be bitching about! I am complaining now but when the plant closes and I have NO JOB I will be in a panic!
ok, gotta go find my badge!!!
LOve J & K

Multimedia message

Our veggies, we grew these! I feel so "little house on the prairie"

Me, Victoria, Jody, Laura and Sara..oh and the Carlisle guy..who was awesome by the way! He went out of his way to make Jed a part of the day and I was grateful. This is about the only pic where I wasn't hiding behind someone or trying to stay out of the way!

Multimedia message

Jed waking up and hearing the news that he just finished his final spinal tap!

Jed just got a package from Jody Perewitz and Perewitz motorcycle fabricators. A t-shirt, big tub of gum, stickers, beads, a picture signed by Jody's dad Dave...a hugely famous bike builder! I got a spice that Jody's mom makes! Really VERY nice of her to think of him. Garage Girls ROCK. It was a little party in a box.
so cool.
love J & K

Hi. We are home from clinic. Jed did well with the spinal tap and is right now checking out a new wii game we had to stop and get. Today was,,,dare I say it? Today was his LAST spinal tap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unless they add one on for an unknown reason this was it. After 7 years! I don't know if I should laugh, cry, scream or take a nap...I want to do all of those! I vividly remember the last "last" spinal. I was so certain there would be no more. Now I am not certain but I am hopeful. I didn't tell Jed until he woke up..he didn't believe me, I had to convince him! We are on the home stretch. Talk about highs and lows....ours go hour by hour!
Love J & K

Hey. Jed and I just got back from a fun trip to the ER in Hershey. HE has been having chest pain,..or as he says "my heart hurts", for 3 days or so. This afternoon it just really got bad. We thought it was heartburn/reflux but it was so severe he sobbed and asked to go to the ER. They did an EKG and some chest xrays...all looked good. They gave him a prescription for prilosec. Tomorrow morn we have to be back up there at 8:30 for his spinal tap. So that's the latest news. I told him it was a heck of a way to get out of having school! He saw no humor in that comment.
He did have a major anxiety attack in the er about getting his port accessed. He was screaming "No one is touching me, I don't care what happens" after about 45 mins of trying to reason with him while he screamed I finally just told him that he either is calm and controls the situation or someone is going to control him to get it done. It was heartbreaking. But he did what Jed does, rallied and sucked it up and took care of business. I really have to say I am SO TIRED OF THIS shit that he has to go through I can't imagine how tired he is. It's time to be finished, we have had enough. Jed's little skinny body has had more than enough.
Oh and even more fun is added to the pot....I have to go to work on Friday! Then Monday starts our 2 week layoff....then i have to work 9 more days to go on leave again. Please let me win the lottery before that! I guess it's not so bad, at least I have a job to go to...right now. i just hate being away from him because I know it stresses him.
I have to go to bed.... I am rambling.
Love J & K

Hey All. It's been pretty quiet here. Jed is sleeping a lot. He doesn't have much endurance but he is in good spirits. He had school Thursday and Friday morning. Thursday he had school from 9 to about 11:30 or so then he went back to bed until 4! Friday was about the same but I kept him up for awhile because he went to the grocery store with me....then he came home and slept! Today he slept until 2:30 and then we went to Mommo and Hop's so I could wash my bike. Tomorrow is the big "Save Our PLANT" ride. There are over 2,000 bikes registered to ride. I am not sure a ride is going to help things but it makes us feel we are at least doing something. I really think they will be gone within 5 years..maybe sooner. Anyone need a full time tire mounter? Oh, I can true wheels too. Oh and lace wheels,,,,,not much call for my "talents" with out a motorcycle plant near. oh well don't want to start worrying about it now....my brain can't handle more worry. I guess we will figure it out when they decide what they are doing. Think the plant will move to Key west and I can go with them??? Guess not.
Jed is not riding tomorrow, he is just too tired. He is going to stay with my parents.
Ok, gotta go.
Love J & K
PS Jed, DJ, Mommo, Grace and I are going to Chincateague for 5 days. My Uncle and Aunt have generously donated the use of their place to us. YAY, I was looking for a place to stay in ocean city on the beach....nothing under about $1,500.00 for a week....needless to say the free place to stay is worth a 15 min drive to the beach down there. I hope it all goes well. It is not a condo right on the beach but it's not too shabby either! I'm going to take the boys on a boat ride to look for ponies and Nasa has a place there where they test rockets, I'll take them there too.