Well I just couldn’t take it any longer. I’ve been wanting one since they first came out and it was time to bite the bullet. So I received my new iPhone 3G 16G last week and I love it so far. I just cannot for the life of me understand why in the hell they did not include MMS support with the device. Yea, I understand — “just send it via email..” blah blah. I’m still dumbfounded by this. Also there isn’t a copy/paste function?? How did that slip by?

Other than those issues, I’ve really got no complaints (so far). And I there has been rumors of Apple coming out with an MMS in a future update (really surprised that it didn’t come with V2). The app store is greatness, but can we not get a native ssh app? There are telnet and TN5250 apps..?? Maybe I need to suck it up and write one. Time to learn Objective-C.

Ok, the updates have been admittedly slow. I’ll work on that. Meanwhile I face another treatment week this week (treatment #7). The side effects continue to remain longer after each treatment. I am still feeling the effects from my hyper sensitivity to cold today, almost a full 2 weeks from receiving my last dose of Oxaliplatin. Icy cold drinks just taste too cool to drink — which really stinks because it’s freakin hot outside! My taste seems to becoming more affected with each treatment. It feels like I’ve been chewing on aluminum cans, and that doesn’t go away. The nausea is pretty consistent, but usually manageable throughout treatment week.

Work has been super-crazy and it’s tough keeping up with all that’s going on these days. I just don’t seem to have enough time to work it all in and it’s really hard to focus in on all of the details that I need to focus on.

I want to reach out and say thanks to each of you who email me, post a comment or just talk to me on a daily basis with your support. It truly helps to keep me going. I want thank my family who all keep very close tabs on me. And a special thanks to mom — I look forward to my “keep my chin up” cards that without fail arrive on Monday before treatments. And last but not least, my Bentonville homies (you know who you are) for keeping the time flying. 

Kicking ass — 5 more to go.

This week’s treatment marks my half way point. Six down and six more to go. Blood counts are still strong compared to other people that go through chemotherapy. The nurses attribute my strength against the drugs to my youth. The side effects continue to get stronger as does the dread of the treatment itself — but I realize that there isn’t anything to do other than continue to battle through it and it will eventually come to an end.

I’m still really pumped about my genetics test for Lynch Syndrome. I am absolutely ok with the fact that it was just dumb luck that I developed colon cancer at such a young age. At least I know that my children are not predisposed to develop the same thing now. I just need to continue to push on and get through the treatments

I continue to recieve positive notes and prayers from folks who read the blog. Each and every note puts a smile on my face. To realize that folks take the time away from their busy lives to reach out and say something (sometimes to a perfect stranger) is really touching.

Thanks for the support through this journey.

I have migrated the blog to a new server (crash). I’m finally migrating off of a very old PIII 500mhz powerhouse of a server onto a new P4 Xeon. You should see much improvement on speed and response. The content, however, will continue be mediocre at best.

I am that’s who! It’s getting a bit harder each time. The side effects from the drugs seem to last a little longer and are a little harsher. But we have to do what we have to do!

Some good news for once though — I recently did a genetics test to see if I tested positive for Lynch Syndrome to help explain why I developed cancer at such a young age. If I tested positive for Lynch Syndrome, I would have a much higher chance in having recurrence of any soft tissue cancer. Plus the kids would have a relatively high chance to have the same gene mutation that causes Lynch. However, I tested negative on all counts! So what explains the cancer at my age? Just bad damn luck as far as I can see.

We have decided to move back to the Dallas area. It has been an eventful 1.5 years here in Bentonville for sure. We have met great friends and work associates here and enjoyed the beauty that NW Arkansas has to offer, but the past few months have convinced us that having family close by is a necessity at times.

So the house hunt has been on for the past few weeks. And looking at houses from remote is very difficult, especially from someone as picky as I am (sorry Al!). So we are taking trips between my treatments as we can to look for a place. The goal is to try to get moved before fall school starts — but we realize that will be very difficult to accomplish given our circumstances.

So I will keep you posted on the move and how that is shaking out. Meanwhile, check out the new photos on my flickr stream and Scott’s wacky NASCAR blog. Oh, and by the way…welcome home Byron and Karen!