Notes, thoughts, etc's, and miscellaneous items

Comment replys:
Either it doesn't exist, or we are unable to figure it out (go figure - a tech coordinator and production geek), but at this time we are unable to respond directly to comments without posting a whole new comment. Not that big of a deal, but sometimes we'd like to respond in a more private manner....

What's up Blogger?! All that Google backing and you can't include private/instant messaging? Maybe we should move this thing over to Myspace......Of course, then we'd be able to instant message not just all of you good people, but all the porn star "friend" requests too! Lot's of support from that camp, I tell ya.

So, in regards to all that, if anyone knows of a solution or workaround, please let me know. Otherwise, we're working on a way to reply to comments, but it's still "in development", so in the meantime:
Yes. Thank you so much for your encouraging words. We're working on that. He loves them. He really liked the fruit. You have no idea. It smelled worse than a drunken sailor on Sunday morning. Fantastic! He loved it! I'm so sorry, I completely forgot about that. No, we missed that episode, but I heard all about from the nurses the next day. It tasted so good. We'll know more soon. Thank You. Thank You. Thank you. Holy Crap! Thank You!

Tech Coordinators: If ever there were a group more dedicated and less appreciated, I would be amazed. In the midst of all the crap you people have to put up with you found time to help out, yet again, someone else - this time it had nothing to do with Blue Screens of Death, but you made it work just the same. Thanks so much for your support, generosity, and kindness.

Toys, Books, Knic Knacs, Tchotchkies, Bric-a-brac....:
Many folks have brought in some very thoughtful items that Dante has enjoyed quite a bit (and I can't tell you thankful we are for that.) These items have done well to keep him entertained during our stays. He will ask to play with them on his own, and will often remember who brought it in, which is really cool (if only we could get him to remember to say "please".)

An important part of his treatment is remaining healthy during and after chemo. As many of you know, the chemo depletes the white blood cells in his system, some days to the point where he effectively has none, and this, in turn, affects his ability to fight off opportunistic infections. Here in the hospital, the staff is very diligent about washing hands and using antiseptic hand cleaner. Before anyone enters any patient room they wash their hands, and usually immediately after exiting too. Often I have to remind myself to do this even though I'm a clean freak (thanks Mom.)

Part of this regimen is cleaning off items that Dante will come in contact with, whether it's from home or from someplace else. So in order to remain healthy and on track we would ask all of you who visit and plan on bringing toys or books, to please take a moment before you put the items in a bag, to wipe them down with some antiseptic wipes or hand cleaner. If you can imagine how many little hands may have come in contact with that Elmo book at Borders before you got to it, you can see what I mean.
If you don't have wipes or cleaner, that's okay too. We have an ample supply here and we can take care of it on arrival. Just let us know.
Again, we really appreciate all the thoughtful gifts. They have been a big help.






"Uummm, what exactly, am I supposed to do with this?...."














"Do you have any idea how ridiculous we look?"