Hi,
It's been a while since I've written, so I thought I'd let you know what's been going on around here.
I spent most of my time last week preparing for my class reunion, which was Saturday. We had a great turnout and a wonderful time reminiscing about our days at Sacred Hear Seminary.
Our wives had their usual comments about the wisdom of sending off 13-and 14-year-old boys for that type of training at such a young age. To them it is unfathomable. But like I always tell Carla: "That's the way it was then!" We had the best teachers there, for which we are all eternally grateful.
All of us have gone on to enjoy fulfilling careers in medicine, business, social services, and teaching. Oh, yes, one of us did become a priest. That would be Don Zuleger who currently serves as pastor at St. Bernadette Parish right here in Appleton.
Health-wise I'm doing ok. I'm in my third week of treatment, experiencing exactly what was predicted. There is an ever present metallic taste in my mouth, and I am experiencing a bit of fatigue in the afternoons. Both are side effects of the radiation. We are dealing with this "new normal" the best we can, taking each day as it comes. When I do have questions, I have almost immediate access to my doctors and/or their staffs. We are so fortunate to have such skilled physicians and state-of-the-art facilities so nearby.
This week I plan to concentrate on getting ready for the upcoming semester. My plans are to teach full time. My treatment will go until the end of August, so the radiation and the chemo and the start of school will overlap with each other slightly.
So, that's the news--and some commentary--for today. I'll get back to you again at the end of the week. I hope all is well in your corner of the world.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Please know that they are appreciated so much. God bless you.
Denny
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
July 24, 2008
Hi Everyone,
It's Carla writing this one. Den has been busy the last few days with his class reunion that's coming up this weekend (40 years since his days in the seminary!) so I thought I'd fill you in on the latest -- not that there is too much to tell. His radiation treatments each morning are going well. He sees his doctor there once each week and the treatments are given by the technicians. Each week they make any necessary adjustments to the six or seven sites on his head that are radiated. The goal is to hit the tumor from all angles. Yesterday he did have a headache in the afternoon, but that could have been from playing golf with Dan Riordan and Mike Mauthe! If the headache was a result of the radiation disturbing the tumor, that's considered normal and expected and Tylenol seems to take care of it.
His chemotherapy has posed no side effects at all, so that's good. Really, if it wasn't for the routine MRI in early June, we'd be living this summer in a state of ignorant bliss because Denny is still symptom free. I still believe that in itself has to be a huge plus. It's been an emotional summer but I can't imagine what might have happened if this hadn't been found when it was.
On behalf of the kids and myself, thank you for all of the wonderful notes, letters, and cards you've sent to Den. Every day there's something in the mail that provides a trip down memory lane for both of us and we are touched by the messages of hope and prayer. We are so fortunate to have our families--immediate, extended, Xavier, church, neighborhood, as well as some very special friends --to be with us through all of this. We love you!!
Keep praying,
Carla
It's Carla writing this one. Den has been busy the last few days with his class reunion that's coming up this weekend (40 years since his days in the seminary!) so I thought I'd fill you in on the latest -- not that there is too much to tell. His radiation treatments each morning are going well. He sees his doctor there once each week and the treatments are given by the technicians. Each week they make any necessary adjustments to the six or seven sites on his head that are radiated. The goal is to hit the tumor from all angles. Yesterday he did have a headache in the afternoon, but that could have been from playing golf with Dan Riordan and Mike Mauthe! If the headache was a result of the radiation disturbing the tumor, that's considered normal and expected and Tylenol seems to take care of it.
His chemotherapy has posed no side effects at all, so that's good. Really, if it wasn't for the routine MRI in early June, we'd be living this summer in a state of ignorant bliss because Denny is still symptom free. I still believe that in itself has to be a huge plus. It's been an emotional summer but I can't imagine what might have happened if this hadn't been found when it was.
On behalf of the kids and myself, thank you for all of the wonderful notes, letters, and cards you've sent to Den. Every day there's something in the mail that provides a trip down memory lane for both of us and we are touched by the messages of hope and prayer. We are so fortunate to have our families--immediate, extended, Xavier, church, neighborhood, as well as some very special friends --to be with us through all of this. We love you!!
Keep praying,
Carla
Monday, July 21, 2008
July 21, 2008
Hi, everyone!
It's a beautiful day outside this morning--not too warm or humid and just breezy enough to keep things pleasant.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. The words of encouragement and the sharing of your stories have lifted up my spirit. In short, your kindness makes me feel better.
Today I begin my second week of radiation and chemo. For those who have asked, I take the chemotherapy in a pill form right before I go to bed. An additional anti-nausea pill allows me to sleep through any side effects the chemo might cause. So far I haven't experienced any unpleasant side effects from either treatment.
The weekend allowed the other "therapy" I eluded to in a previous blog. On Saturday Carla and I were able to spend the afternoon with Connor (age 4 1/2) and Grant (10 months) and then yesterday we went to Bay Beach with Shannon and her children where we met up with my brother and his family. We are so grateful that our kids and our extended families are nearby.
Thanks again for being interested in what we are going through and for reading my blog. Please leave a comment as I love hearing from you.
Until next time,
Denny
It's a beautiful day outside this morning--not too warm or humid and just breezy enough to keep things pleasant.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. The words of encouragement and the sharing of your stories have lifted up my spirit. In short, your kindness makes me feel better.
Today I begin my second week of radiation and chemo. For those who have asked, I take the chemotherapy in a pill form right before I go to bed. An additional anti-nausea pill allows me to sleep through any side effects the chemo might cause. So far I haven't experienced any unpleasant side effects from either treatment.
The weekend allowed the other "therapy" I eluded to in a previous blog. On Saturday Carla and I were able to spend the afternoon with Connor (age 4 1/2) and Grant (10 months) and then yesterday we went to Bay Beach with Shannon and her children where we met up with my brother and his family. We are so grateful that our kids and our extended families are nearby.
Thanks again for being interested in what we are going through and for reading my blog. Please leave a comment as I love hearing from you.
Until next time,
Denny
Friday, July 18, 2008
July 18, 2008
Hi, everyone!
I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who have expressed your kind thoughts and concern. After four days of treatment--radiation and chemo--I am feeling pretty good. The great people at St. Elizabeth Hospital have made my visit each day pleasant, something I look forward to. When I hear the machine buzz, I almost can feel the cancer cells being zapped.
I am learning a lot about a condition I formerly did not think twice about. But I am doing all the right things. My days are filled with an appreciation for what is really important: spending time with Carla, our kids, our grandkids, and our friends. I am doing a little something each day in preparation for my fortieth class reunion or reading or helping around the house or preparing for the next school year or just taking a nap whenever I feel like it. Believe me, the pace is a little different this summer.
Keep me and my family in your prayers. I feel they are truly working.
And you take care of yourself, too. Take time to smell the roses. May God bless you and yours.
Denny
I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who have expressed your kind thoughts and concern. After four days of treatment--radiation and chemo--I am feeling pretty good. The great people at St. Elizabeth Hospital have made my visit each day pleasant, something I look forward to. When I hear the machine buzz, I almost can feel the cancer cells being zapped.
I am learning a lot about a condition I formerly did not think twice about. But I am doing all the right things. My days are filled with an appreciation for what is really important: spending time with Carla, our kids, our grandkids, and our friends. I am doing a little something each day in preparation for my fortieth class reunion or reading or helping around the house or preparing for the next school year or just taking a nap whenever I feel like it. Believe me, the pace is a little different this summer.
Keep me and my family in your prayers. I feel they are truly working.
And you take care of yourself, too. Take time to smell the roses. May God bless you and yours.
Denny
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
July 16, 2008
Hi, everyone!
Exclamation point. Did you notice that? I guess that mark of punctuation represents my attitude today because I had a comfortable night after my first chemotherapy and a good day today after my second radiation treatment. Besides the positive feelings from the three treatments so far, I spent a wonderful morning with my grandson Ryan: he and I took a Valley Transit bus from downtown Appleton to the Fox River Mall, where we met his mom, Shannon; his seven-week-old sister, Keira; and his Nonnie, Carla; for lunch at the food court. That's therapy, too!
Thank you again, everyone, for the encouragement and the prayers.
Exclamation point. Did you notice that? I guess that mark of punctuation represents my attitude today because I had a comfortable night after my first chemotherapy and a good day today after my second radiation treatment. Besides the positive feelings from the three treatments so far, I spent a wonderful morning with my grandson Ryan: he and I took a Valley Transit bus from downtown Appleton to the Fox River Mall, where we met his mom, Shannon; his seven-week-old sister, Keira; and his Nonnie, Carla; for lunch at the food court. That's therapy, too!
Thank you again, everyone, for the encouragement and the prayers.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
July 15, 2008
Hi, everyone--
I just want to thank my daughter, Shannon, for starting up this page for blogging. While I am not exactly sure how blogging works, how frequently I might write here, or how literary I might become when I write here, I regard this page as a start of something.
Want an update while I'm here and writing? This morning I had my first radiation therapy at St. Elizabeth Hospital. The technicians, whose names I will get to you, worked on the set-up first of all and then carried out the prescribed dose of radiation. The mask placed over my face and head while I lay on my back holds my head in place--tight. I can barely blink my eyes, and I can breathe more easily through my mouth than through my nose. If I do say so myself, I behaved like a good patient, staying still (what choice do I have?), making no unusual sounds, and being entirely compliant and uncomplaining.
I stayed on my back, in the mask, and under radiation therapy until 10 a.m. (My session started about 8:40.) I had two very pleasant and clear technicians, who made my first day a good one. Afterwards, the physicians assistant Jodi gave Carla and me a clear explanation of what went on and of what would be expected of me in the days ahead.
We walked outside into the warm summer sunshine about 10:30. I will be back here for six straight weeks, five days a week, right at 8:30. My chemotherapy begins tonight, too, right before I go to sleep--seven days a week for six weeks and then one week a month thereafter.
There you have it--the first Denny O. blog. Thank you for your prayers. Don't stop for any reason.
Denny O. (Dennis, Mr. O., Mr. Oudenhoven, etc.)
I just want to thank my daughter, Shannon, for starting up this page for blogging. While I am not exactly sure how blogging works, how frequently I might write here, or how literary I might become when I write here, I regard this page as a start of something.
Want an update while I'm here and writing? This morning I had my first radiation therapy at St. Elizabeth Hospital. The technicians, whose names I will get to you, worked on the set-up first of all and then carried out the prescribed dose of radiation. The mask placed over my face and head while I lay on my back holds my head in place--tight. I can barely blink my eyes, and I can breathe more easily through my mouth than through my nose. If I do say so myself, I behaved like a good patient, staying still (what choice do I have?), making no unusual sounds, and being entirely compliant and uncomplaining.
I stayed on my back, in the mask, and under radiation therapy until 10 a.m. (My session started about 8:40.) I had two very pleasant and clear technicians, who made my first day a good one. Afterwards, the physicians assistant Jodi gave Carla and me a clear explanation of what went on and of what would be expected of me in the days ahead.
We walked outside into the warm summer sunshine about 10:30. I will be back here for six straight weeks, five days a week, right at 8:30. My chemotherapy begins tonight, too, right before I go to sleep--seven days a week for six weeks and then one week a month thereafter.
There you have it--the first Denny O. blog. Thank you for your prayers. Don't stop for any reason.
Denny O. (Dennis, Mr. O., Mr. Oudenhoven, etc.)
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