Final summer check up

I realize it's been a while since I posted here, so I thought I would post an update about how things are going. I saw the medical oncologist today following some blood work that I had done last week. It's the fourth month now that my cancer markers have been in the normal range. That's a good sign that the tumor on my spine is under control following radiation treatment, because those markers were highly elevated during the winter. I'm going to have a CT scan in September, because it's been a while since we have done a full scan. Until then, it looks like I'm in the clear, except for some issues with pain caused by the radiation treatment.

I can't believe that the summer is almost over! I'm looking forward to taking a car trip with my parents over the next few weeks. Thursday night, Mom and I are going to drive from Chicago and head South to visit Janet at her new place in Charlotte. Along the way, were going to stop and see friends and relatives that we haven't seen in a while. Then, we'll head home to Maine for a few days. After a couple of days at home, we're heading to Hershey Park and Gettysburg as a whole family, before Mom, Dad and I head back to Illinois. We'll stop and hopefully see a few more friends and family that we haven't seen for a while, before Mom flies home. It hasn't been officially decided  whether Dad is going to fly back with her or take the train. I'm in favor of the train, because he loves trains so much. In fact, I got him a train set for his birthday this year, because I know how much he loved the one he had as a child.

The only person I know who loves trains more than Dad is my nephew, Daniel!

He has lots of fun playing with "Papa's train".

So, I'm looking forward to the rest of the summer and trying to make sure that I am ready for another school year, both in teaching and working on my dissertation. Thank you to all of you who have supported me these past six and half years with your prayers, generosity and words of encouragement.