Top Ten List ... My Son In Law

My son in law, Justin, is a special person. He has to be; he is now protecting my little girl!

Here a ten good reasons why you should stay in our family and I am proud to be your father in law.

10. Justin, you have a great sense of humour and you are a hard worker.

9. Justin, you make great babies with my daughter!

8. Justin, you are a great Dad to Boh. When I see you with him, it is a wonderful view.

7. Justin, you are always looking for ways to improve the financial security of your family.

6. Justin, when I do work for you at your house, you always thank me for the work I do. You really mean it and I really appreciate the acknowledgements.

5. Justin, you have always kept your word. Whenever you promised to do something for me, you always came through.

4. Justin, you came to my 10 sobriety year birthday in Regina with Winter. I know this may have been a scary thing to do but I really appreciated you being there.

3. Justin, I remember the day you thanked me for being sober. You told me that if I hadn't found sobriety, you may not have found Winter. It is funny how fate works!

2. Justin, you promised me you would always protect my daughter. This is most important; she is very precious to me.

1. Justin, you are perfect for my daughter and you are probably the only person I know that has the patience and understanding to accept her as she is. She needs you!

Justin, thank you for being part of our family!

What a difference a Year Makes!

Last year on this day, I was standing on top of the Empire State Building and having one of the best times of my life. It was my 50th birthday and "A" and I wanted to do something special during this week last year. We decided to spend a week in the Big Apple and have some fun. We had a great week and travelled throughout the NE States and especially liked New York. I actually got to meet a New York mouse in our hotel room that was worth almost $450! When I called the hotel manager on the evening of my birthday and told her I seen a mouse in our room, she agreed to deduct a nights accommodation for our bill. Best birthday mouse I ever met!

When I was on top of the Empire State Building and especially when I was at Ground Zero at the World Trade Centre Site, I certainly did a lot of quiet thinking. I felt humbled by the height of the Empire State Building and felt humbled by the terrible events that happened on September 11, 2001. I felt lucky to be alive and be on this earth.

When I was overlooking Manhattan from the top of the Empire State Building, I wondered about the next year of my life. I never imaged I would have a major operator to remove prostate cancer and radiation to make sure all those nasty cancer cells were toasted.

This has been a emotional roller coaster ride and I am grateful for 3 things; I mean REALLY grateful and these are in priority.

(1) I am still sober;
(2) I am still married to my best friend ... she is still the sexiest lady I ever meet;
(3) I am so grateful for the medical care I have received in Nova Scotia; there are 3 doctors that helped me make my 51st birthday ... Dr. G. who acted on a PSA reading ... Dr. B who did a biopsy even though he considered my routine exam as normal .... and Dr. R who did my surgery but and was brutally honest about the side effects.

Overall, I am very happy to be celebrating my 51st birthday. Thank you Mom and Dad for giving me life and protecting my during this past year!

Now I have to go and walk my second best friend ... Max!

Top Ten for Harvey Son ...

When my son was born, I was in Saskatoon working for the company's Corrosion Control department, doing a cathodic protection survey in the snow. I was in Prince Albert and drove through a snow storm to get back to the City Hospital to see what was happening with my "A". I called the hospital to see what was happening and talked to "A". She was crying with happiness; she said to come a see her and my son! What a surprise; I was so happy. To celebrate, I bought and smuggled a Bic Mac into the hospital for "A".

Since that wonderful day on November 6, 1980, my son has been the love of my life and he has given me many gifts and opportunities to practised being a Dad.

Here is my Top Ten Gratitude List for my son:

10. Harvey Son ... When I found out I had cancer on March 12, 2007. I asked you to come over and be with me on March 13, because I didn't want to be alone. You were at my side in a heartbeat. I will forever be grateful for that day!

9. Harvey Son ... I was so very touched on my 9th Birthday when you made a special effort to make sure I attended the 5:25 meeting. I still remember the phone call. I was in the garage in Regina when you called asking were I was. At the meeting and realizing that you bought donuts "especially" for this meeting to celebrate my 9th year of sobriety was a magical moment form me. When I you shared and cried, I was so proud; it gave me goosebumps. And still does!

8. Harvey Son ... I was so proud when you completed your GED and SIAST Welding Training.

7. Harvey Son ... I so glad I was able to move to Nova Scotia from 2005 to 2007. I am proud to say I have a grandson and granddaughter who are called Bluenosers!

6. Harvey Son ... I was so proud when Sam told me ... "He's a hard working man and I can count on him!"

5. Harvey Son ... Thank you for making me a Gido!

4. Harvey Son ... I was so proud to see you cry at Gido's funeral. You are a write wonderful poems and the one for your Gido is one of your best! I admired your courage when you and Winter spoke at Gido's funeral.

3. Harvey Son ... I loved going on the ski trip with you in 2002! I smile every time I think about the day we spent together.

2. Harvey Son ... You are diamond in the rough! I am convinced you are one of the smartest people in our family.

1. Harvey Son ... "Hugs no matter what" - This is what I am most proud of. We always seem to manage a hug for each other no matter were we are. Hugging at a construction site is special!

Harvey Son ... ILY2M and I hope you know that!

The Start of My Top Ten's ... W-Binter

I am sure every one's family is important to them; I am no different. As I have been walking my friend Max around Lake Banook over the past few months, I have had lots of time to think about my "A", my daughter Winter, my Harvey-son, my Justin, my Gloria and my grand kids, Dustin, Demetrius, Aaliyah and Bohdan. I also need to include Max for he has very important to me. I have wanted to do this for a while; I wanted to do a Top Ten list for those that are closest to me.

This is my simple gift to them. I am so grateful for their love and support over the past year. There is no time like the present to tell them why they are special!

My daughter Winter:

10. Winter, when I first seen you in 1978, I knew I made the right decision when I met your Mom.

9. Winter, during the past year while I have been reading your blog and looking at your pictures, I can't help admire how stunningly beautiful you are.

8. Winter, even though I tease you about your degree's, I must admit I am proudly jealous of your accomplishments. You are one smart girl!

7. Winter, when I read your blogs, I am so impressed with the love you demonstrate to your husband, Justin and son, Boh. They are lucky men. Your words will make Boh very strong in the future.

6. Winter, I am so glad you came to my 10th year birthday in Regina. It meant so much to me.

5. Winter, I am so glad you choose Justin to be your husband. He is so perfect for you.

4. Winter, thank you for arranging the newspaper article in the Leaderpost ... "Dad Comes Through". I can't tell you how I felt; it was wonderful. The words in the newspaper article filled me full of pride and self-esteem. I felt like I was forgiven for the broken promises of my drinking days.

3. Winter, I love doing work for you in your house. I love hearing ..."Thank you Dad" when I leave for home. You really mean it! I know in my heart that truly appreciate my help and don't take me for granted.

2. Winter, thank you for allowing me to walk you down the isle at your wedding and giving you away to Justin. I dreamt of that day since December 11, 1978.

1. Winter-Binter, I love you because you are my one and only daughter. You make me so proud to be your Dad!

Well it finally happened ...

This morning took me to another new level of humility ... I pooped my pants when I was walking Max. I had absolutely no say in the matter; even God decided I should handle this one on my own. I am into my 5th week of radiation and I really thought I had everything under control. Another lesson learnt; the doctors and nurses do know what they are talking about.

It was a good thing I was with Max because completely understood my dilemma. He is a good friend. Thanks Buddy!

I will be more careful during the next few weeks.

Feeling in the bag today!

This morning was another early treatment session at the Dixon Center; 7:15 AM to be exact. For some reason I could barely get out of bed at 5:30 to get ready for the trip to Halifax. I am just wiped!

When I was chatting with the radiation technologist, she assured me this is a common side effect. Loss of energy is greatest at the end of the 6 week radiation treatment session. She said we are killing cells ... good and bad as the radiation doesn't now the difference. The theory behind radiation is that it kills all cells, but only normal cells have the ability to repair and heal itself. Cancer cell cannot repair their cell structures. Therefore, the theory is to "kill the whole tribe and only the strong can come back".

If the radiation nurse is correct, my side effects will become more pronounced until the end of the treatments sessions. The last one is on November 2. It will then take a month or more to bounce back. According to Dr. H, he indicated not to expect to be at full energy capacity for about a year! That was a shock to me. I thought it was 6 weeks of treatment and 6 weeks to recover from the internal healing. Good thing I am not the Doctor. This doesn't mean I can't go back to work, it just means I will have to pace myself.

Once again, I am very grateful to the company I work for and for the benefits I thought I would never need. I thought I was bullet proof in my twenties and thirties and I want money not benefits. Just goes to prove that I am not very smart!

Need a nap. See you later Mr. Blog.

Too Much Humble Pie for the Day

Yesterday was a long day! I spend the entire morning at the Urology Clinic talking to a special person about the major side effects of the prostatectomy. I won't go into the details just yet, but let me say that this process took me to a new level of humility! When I finished the 3 hour session, I had to walk about a 1/2 a click to my radiation session for my 19th treatment.

When I prepared myself to lie down on the radiation table and then once again "show my tattoos" in front of 3 new ladies, I had enough. Emotionally, I knew I had digested too much "humble pie" for the day. I had shown my privates too many times to too many women in one day. I had to release a couple of tears in front of these wonderful ladies. Thank God there are different types of people in the world and the ladies at the Dixon Centre are perfect for their jobs. They wanted to know what was wrong; did they hurt me; should they stop. Thank God I have been sober for a few 24 hours and have gone to enough meetings to know I should tell them the truth. I did and told them to continue.

As I lay under the large machine and waited to the humming noise to begin, I thought of the past and the future. I wanted some assurance the monster was gone, but I knew only time and blood work will tell me this secret.

I went home that night and my "A" reminded me that it was 30 years ago on October 12, 1977 that we started dating. I should have known that because October 12 is also a birthday of one of "A"s best friends, Eleanor. I am so glad I had that first date! If it wasn't for that date, I wouldn't have had a shoulder to lean on last night. Thank you.

Week #4 off to a shaky start ...

Well I am into my 4th week of radiation therapy. As of this morning I have completed 15 of 33 session therapy regiment.

I was up at 5:45 AM and had to be at the Dixon Center for a 7:15 session. Today I was supposed to get x-ray pictures taken for Phase II of my treatment session. Phase II of the treatment will focus radiation on the "prostate bed" area only and will consist of the final 10 sessions which is scheduled to end on November 2.

All was well until the pictures had to be taken. The x-ray unit's computer froze and would not operate. Not a big deal, really. I still was able to get on with my radiation treatment session and will try the picture process tomorrow when I go for my 16th session. Wednesday will really be "hump day" as this will mark the 1/2 point of my treatment program.

Friday will be an interest day ... I get to me Getty.

Happy Thanksgiving ...

I have finished the 3rd week of radiation therapy and have another 4 more to go. In 5 more weeks, "A" and I should be on our way back to Saskatchewan. Time flies and also stands still, all at the same time!

When I was under the radiation gun this morning there was not much to do except think and pray. Think about the past, think about how my future might be and then ask the Big Guy to give me the Power to accept my future as it unfolds. It was also a time this morning to think about the past 6 months and GIVE THANKS for the people who looked after me, who prayed for me and for those who gave me encouragement. It certainly is a good 2007 Thanksgiving weekend.

Tomorrow I get a chance to make a turkey supper for my 2 sisters, Maraine and Loverne, who are currently enjoying the wonderful sites of the Maritimes. They are currently "lost" somewhere in Prince Edward Island and they have picked a great day to see the wonderful provinces of PEI, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

I am lucky to have 2 sisters who travelled a long way to see me. As I was lying under the gun, with my pants pulled down, waiting for the radiation to begin, I felt gratitude and I felt very lucky to have such good fortune.

I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving weekend. Next year, I plan to cook a turkey for my grand kids!

ILU2M ...

I am one very lucky guy because I have been with only one love; My "A". We met when I was in 3rd year engineering at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. It was in the fall of 1977 when we started dating. The first time I held her hand ... it was magic ... I mean magic!

We were walking up the hill at the back of my apartment in east Saskatoon. I dared to hold her hand. I reached over touched mine hand and we walked up the hill. It was like walking up to heaven. We made it to the top to look at the city and look at the stars. I heart knew I had met the special person I was looking for.

It has been 30 years since I held her hand. We have gone through a many tough times but many more happy times. I told my former boss today that I was lucky to have this woman in my life and he agreed.

I hope we are blessed with another 30. Can't wait to hold your hand tonight.

"A"; ILU2M (I Love You Too Much).