needs no comment

Ms. Amizquita, Camille's Kindergarten Teacher....wait for Camille's wave to the camera.

a morning at the dreaded opryland hotel in search of santa...unsuccessful

Tday minus one

Our new tradition of Oysters and Wine on Thanksgiving was a big success. The weather was perfect for hanging out on the patio, grilling oysters Rockefeller, drinking wine, listening to music and enjoying the company of friends and neighbors. The grilled Oysters Rockefeller was a bit of an experiment. It came out smashingly well. I am trying to get Martha to write it up and send it in to Southern Living. Maybe we could win a contest or something.

Did some Christmas shopping yesterday. Looking for some gifts for Juju and Bear. Took Adam and Camille with me. Martha was at work. The crowds were not bad at all, I guess that's not a good thing.

Adam's Godparent Eddie and his wife Lauren dropped by unexpectedly. It was really great to catch up and hang out with them. They are very positive people and we could always use a little dose of that. We watched the LSU/Arkansas game. Eddie and Lauren are big LSU fans. Sorry guys: 31/30 Arkansas.

Today of course is the Iron Bowl, Alabama v. Auburn. Roll tide roll.


We are taking Camille to see Santa today. I tried yesterday, but she gets a little nervous around the big red guy. Maybe Martha can coax her into it today.

Happy Thanksgiving

I was talking to an old friend of mine yesterday and we both agreed that 2008 could have been a better year. Adam's cancer, Martha's brother dying of cancer, getting laid off and this little economic problem we are all living through. 2009 has got to be better.

On the other hand I was simultaneously thinking how much I have to be thankful for: Adam's treatment has been successful, Adam and Camille are great kids and Martha and I are unbelievably fortunate we have have them, I have a great wife and we a still in-love, I have been given an opportunity to do something new professionally, we have some really great friends in Nashville, I have recently connected with old friends I haven't heard from in a while, Adam and Camille are doing well in school (mostly) and of course we just elected a president that I never would have thought could have been elected. What a country!

Happy Thanksgiving.

My 'Goodbye Skyline' post seems to have caused some confusion. Just to be clear, I was laid off from Skyline but I am also at peace with this event and actually pretty happy about it.

It has been an incredibly stressful time at the hospital for all sorts of reasons and I didn't actually know how truly stressed out I was until last Monday when I got the news. An overwhelming sense of relief and joy spread throughout my consciousness as I was hearing the news from my boss. It could be that this is just part of my grief process and I will be terribly angry and pissed off next week....but I doubt it.

This is giving me an opportunity to do something I have been wanting to do.....that is, to strike out on my own. And I am thankful for it.

Please keep me and my new endeavor in your thoughts and prayers.

peace

E

Back from hiking

Adam had a great time hiking and camping. When I picked him up from his scout friend Tom's house he was so excited to tell me all about the trip; how they had missed their first camp site so ended up hiking much further than they had planned; how they had to sleep in some one's back yard (with permission) and the owner's cats kept bothering the scout leaders, how cold it was and how much he like the freeze dried pork and rice (go figure). Seeing him smiling and without much prodding going on about his trip was really great. He says next time he needs a hiking stick, "that way I can rest without sitting down." Sounds like a nice Christmas present.

Their next trip is in January.

MY NEW BLOG

To go along with what I pray will be a successful building of a private practice I have started a new blog.

Check it out and give me feedback.


parenttopics.blogspot.com

I dropped Adam off last night with his scout troop. They are going on a hiking trip in Picket State Park. He was really looking forward to it. I can only hope that he didn't freeze to death last night. I think it went into the teens.
We rented a back pack and decent sleeping bag from REI. He has to carry all his own food etc.
I took Adam on a hiking trip a few years ago. We hiked about 3 miles in to set up our camp site. This was around the Savage Gulf area near Sewanee. He didn't complain once. This impressed the other folks with us. I think he will probably have the same attitude this time.

Stay warm.


http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/parks/Pickett/

Goodbye Skyline

14 years. I was 30 when I was hired on as the unit social worker on the Tennessee Christian Medical Center Adolescent Unit; D3 at the time. Bill Aldrich and Kathy Rhodes hired me. Kathy taught me just about all I really needed to know. Treat everyone with respect, especially those who are least able to return that respect to you. That comes in handy on an adolescent psych unit!
I remember my first week. I wore jeans to work. Bill had to take me aside and set me straight on that. On my second day I was assaulted by a boy. He bruised my ribs I couldn't roll over for a week. Welcome to D3!
I remember realizing that half my job on the adolescent unit was explaining to families what Dr. O had actually said, "What Dr. O meant to say was….."
I remember taking the kids down to swim in the pool and the smell of chlorine as we entered the CTC.
I remember being offered a job elsewhere and almost taking it until Kathy and Sandy asked me to take on a manager role with the social work staff. Penny Bidwell, who worked in HR at the time, was so happy that I had chosen to stay. She hardly knew me then but seemed to care about me so much.
I remember starting as a manager and realizing that I didn't know what in the heck I was doing. Looking back I am filled with amazement at how tolerant my staff must have been to put up with me.
I look at my staff now and am filled with pride. I couldn't ask for a better group and I truly believe the folks I have directed are a treasure to Skyline and I pray that they know that.


I remember Shuwanna and Mark convincing me that we had to do something about Katrina and the miraculous generosity of the TCMC community. We filled up Gant Hall in less than a day and formed a rag tag caravan down to the Mississippi coast. Unbelievable. I learned how to operate a chainsaw and got to keep all my fingers. I even got to tell Jimm, the CEO, what to do.

There are so many people who have made such a difference in my life. Most of whom are no longer here but are still part of my memory of this place. Bill, Kathy, Sandy, Allison, Keith, Nan, Dr. Okpaku, Dr. Biliyar, Laura, Kim, Terri Riley, Terry Burnett, Susan, Eric, Mark, Shuwanna, Shelia, Julie, Melissa W, Harry, Ms. Dell, Norman, Yolanda, Marie. …….the more I think the more there are.
This week is not over yet but has been really strange and good. People I know well and not so well have come up to me to let me know how much they appreciate my time here and what I have contributed. What more could I ask for for?
I think what is happening is right for me. It is time and I am ready. The future is unwritten but I am filled with optimism and excitement…and only a little trepidation.


I love you all and I really mean that.
Best.
E

These entries have become less frequent because Adam is doing so much better and is completed with treatment. He will continue to get regular imaging tests for the next year or more.
Until he gets his 'port' taken out he will have to go monthly to have the port 'flushed' with saline. This is not really a big deal except that Adam really hates it. He associates the flushing process with the chemo to follow. There is no more chemo but his body still responds with nausea and his psyche responds as if he were being traumatized.

He goes today at 330. Please say a prayer that he will begin to readjust his senses and not re-feel the effects of chemo.

Adam is going on a big hiking trip with his troop this Friday. He's been breaking in a pair of hiking boots and will be suited out with a backpack, sleeping bag etc. I hope he can stay warm!

He's terrific

I was at lunch today when Chris Dull, a really fantastic psychiatrist I work with, asked me how Adam was doing. "He's terrific." I said. I should have added "He's gaining wait (he's got a little tummy as Martha pointed out last night), he's doing well in school, he's happy, he's tolerating Camille, he's riding his bike, he's trying to play his harmonica, he's reading, he's playing with friends, he's playing his Spore computer game, he's eating his Halloween candy, he's going to scouts, he's misbehaving (but in a good way), he's growing hair (but not quite enough to cut yet), he's looking forward to Christmas, he's back!"


Thanks for your prayers and good wishes.

Our ballerina in training.

Halloween and Soccer

Adam has his last soccer game of the season today. With each game he has played stronger. Hopefully we will win today and have a winning season. Either way it's been really good having Adam back on the field.

Camille has her last game too. Grandma is up this week for Halloween and just to hang out. Couldn't be a better weekend weather wise.

Camille was a butterfly last night (something of a trend in our 'hood apparently) and Adam was 'Death'. Camille, Nora and Morgan trolled the streets with Martha and Carolyn (Nora's mom). Adam, Joanna from down the street and Fin went on their own trick or treat adventure.

I hung out with Connie (grand ma) and greeted the packs of candy seeking youth.

Great night.