Friday, the 18th of September.

So I'm a little overdue for an update for all of you dedicated "dominally" followers, who are greatly appreciated by the way.  It looks as though the number of followers is increasing, which means that I better keep things fresh or else.

I'll begin with the latest news.  As some may know, I started teaching again at Eckstein Middle School.  It's 8th grade science, covering mostly earth science related topics for the semester.  There are about 150 kids in my 5 class periods and so far it has been a smooth start to the year.  The school is exactly where I like to be as it is pretty close to home and it is where I student taught a couple years ago so I still know most everyone there.  I feel lucky because when they asked if I was interested, I told them I had chemo and other doctors appointments that I would have to go to and they were completely okay with it.  Basically, they have another substitute that they like, who is available to cover for me whenever, including the trip Sal and I have planned to Hawaii for Stacey and Ryan's wedding next week (look for upcoming posts of us kicking it beach side in the near future).  So I am quite thankful to be working in a position that is just about perfect.

Sally's work has been pretty good lately as well.  She's been busy in the good, fast-paced exciting kind of way.  Amazon's turning out to be such a great company for her to work for that she feels pretty lucky herself.  

That is pretty much most of the recent happy haps around here.  We've gotten a short break from visitors this past week, but just this evening Tracy and Andy got into town so I am sure we'll be back to the old posts and pics of us partying pretty soon.  

Aside from the news updates, I wanted to make this post more about my experience with the cancer.  I feel as though, I've been more apt to post the positive aspects of our lives and I think it is important for me to express a little bit more of the reality.

It is has been a little over two months, I think, since we first introduced you to Stanus.  While he has settled in, I can't say that I've gotten to enjoy him any more.  First of all, it is a pain in the ass, well actually in the stomach to be honest, to have to squeeze the early stages of poop out of a bag stuck to my belly as though I were icing the bowl of a toilet shaped cake.  The ileostomy is probably my greatest day-to-day source of frustration and anxiety.  The strange thing is that I have gotten somewhat used to dealing with it, yet it makes me uncomfortable both physically and mentally.  Unfortunately, I anticipate needing to have it for about a year if all goes well, but when Stanus goes back inside, where he belongs, I will emit a huge sigh of relief.  

Interestingly enough I have similar feelings toward the chemo as well.  Getting the chemo infusions suck.  They feel like gross chemical poisons running through my body almost to the point where I think that I smell like chemicals.  Accompanying the chemical feeling are subtle nausea and pain, which is kept in check by a few meds but still bothersome.  What is weird is that I feel like the chemo is not as bad as I expected it to be.  Other people in the treatment center look worse off and in greater discomfort than I do, and it makes me think that I actually may be lucky to be able to handle it as well as I do.  I suppose the true test will come on October 6th, when I find out if my current regiment is effectively combatting the cancer cells in my body or not.  I don't want to hear that they aren't and then have to try a different mix of chemical poisons that may or may not work.    

The dual nature of the feelings I have about this treatment is just odd to think about, but I suppose that it is import to discuss in order for others to gain a better understanding of what dealing with this cancer is like.  It is definitely scary and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.  Before I got it, I know that I didn't really think that deeply or that sympathetically towards others who've had it.  I am not sure why, probably because it is so prevalent along with my egocentrism.

Basically, that is all want to say about it for now.  We'll get the upcoming posts to be more on the lighter side again, with pictures.  Maybe sometime, I'll get the urge to put out nice incoherent rant on the meaning of life and dying, but until then, Stanus says hello and stay classy San Diego.