Up to Date...

I need to change that trivia question. It was Marx, by the way. And now another update. You want the good news or the bad news first? Okay.

The Good News: The cancer was in fact localized and did not spread to her lymph nodes. They found it in the beginning stages. They are going to treat it with...

The Bad News: Radiation and Chemo Therapy. It starts this upcoming Monday, and takes 6 weeks. She'll go in almost every day.

I'm not so much worried about her receiving the treatment. She's a fighter and she said she wants to see her grandkids. Now all the pressure's on me. Not really, but what I am having a hard time envisioning is her reaction to a nicotine-free existence. They say smoking goes hand in hand with many activities, and kicking the habit is basically a lifestyle change. You really can't understand this unless you grew up with a smoker in your house.

So many of my memories of my mother are tainted by a Basic Menthol Light 100. It was like having another sibling. Smoking after meals, on long car trips, outside relatives' houses on the holidays, before and after my games in high school, et cetera. I'm not trying to make her out as a monster or anything, she has other great qualities, but let's call it what it is: disgusting. Like a sad, smelly puppet.

Now that that is off my chest I'll remember to keep you all updated with, well, what is going to come out of her chest. Thanks again for the prayers...

Not the best update...

For the past week my mom has been in the hospital for tests. She's smoked for some 30 odd years, and it caught up to her. At this point the doctors say she has non-small cell stage IIIA lung cancer, which is of course, "[When the] cancer has spread to lymph nodes on the same side of the chest as the tumor (ref)."

Tomorrow, Monday, we will receive results of both the initial histopathologic biopsy, as well as the second round of exploratory surgery the doctors performed this past Thursday. She most likely will have to go through chemo-radiotherapy. Basically the good news is that there are four stages of lung cancer.

So that's the deal. For all those praying as of now, I ask that we petition for a physical as well as a spiritual recovery. As my mother is becoming the centerpiece of familial anxiety, I realize all the more the impact that her salvation would have on so many loved ones. Thanks guys...

I drew this for 45 minutes at work.

Thumbs Up in My Neck

I was driving today and saw a man jaywalking that reminded me of a hitchhiker I picked up one time. I was a sophomore at Southeastern, driving home in the rain, and picked up this dude who was drenched. Dirty jeans, ragged shirt, unkempt dreads and crazy eyes, this guy. We drove into Youngsville I think it was, and he began telling me he was a martial arts expert, with extensive training on pressure points around the neck area. With a rain soaked finger he prodded my neck, explaining that if he poked me hard enough I would pass out. He didn't, so I didn't, and after that test we had an interesting conversation about spiritual things. Oh, memories.

Rethinking Richmond: Part 3

Happy Birthday Rachel!

Headed back up to Richmond this past weekend - this time with Rachel's sister. What can I say, it was great to have some company in the car. We arrived around 7 p.m., and went out to eat at Nacho Mama's. CaryTown once again impressed me. After the meal we went to the $2 movie, "Made of Honor." Probably one of the corniest, most uncomfortable movies I've ever seen. The Grey's Anatomy guy was in it with that girl from MI3. So bad. Sooo bad. Sorry if you liked it, but, man that was a bad movie.

Saturday we graced Carytown again, scoping out shops and such. Found an American Apparel store, bought some shirts. Then to Short Pump Mall. Oh my. I was very tired of shopping at this point. After that we ate some chicken alfredo at Rachel's and went to a minor league soccer game. The Richmond Kickers (great name), played some Pittsburgh team and beat them. Lots of yellow cards and one red one. That was the funniest part of the night. After some failed corner kick, the ball was cleared and as the other 20 players headed down the field, one guy just clobbered another guy. The ref wasn't looking, but the line judge was. Caught 'em. I think I was one of five people to see it. The guy got kicked out of the stadium and had to sit in front of the team bus. Everyone was laughing at him.

Sunday, Redemption Hill again. This time an assistant pastor spoke on Jonah, Luke, and sovereignty. Ate at Sticky Rice, took a nap, watched Rachel's ultimate team almost win, and headed home.

Also, listen to Jim Gaffigan. Rita and I were cracking up listening to him on the way home.

Eno

Time to support the environment! Everyone's doing it right? I remember 5 years ago when people laughed at me for buying a Civic. Ahead of my time.

The Festival for the Eno is a yearly event where earth lovers frequent some park in Durham for a heat-filled day of craft glancing, folk and African music, and global eateries. You'll feel just like a nonconformist consumed by wanderlust. Rachel and I had a good time - eating pupusas, which, if you've never eaten a pupusa, shame. Look it up, it's not gross - we watched a Bohemian parade, walked down to the river but didn't swim, crafted bowls and German Shepherds out of clay, and finally, received glorious farmers' tans. At least I did. She got more of a spaghetti strapers' tan.

All that to say, it is a great experience; especially if you enjoy the outdoors, culture, and people watching.

No pics here; if you want to see some you can go to Rachel's facebook...

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