23May - 4Jun Gunny Update...

Hello Gang,

I've become a little complacent in making updates but after a few notes today from others wanting an update on my status I felt I owed it to you all who follow this site to keep you informed. Nothing serious from a medical standpoint has happened between the 23rd of May and now but I will update what I feel is important or at least will bring a smile to your face if for nothing more than some humorous stories from my point of view.

23rd - Its Sunday and I make the decision to get up and go to 'mass'. Kristine and I are both up but not going to force her to go if she doesn't want to go (she is still tired from her trip) and both kids are still down so I decide to go it alone today. I was relieved to go and prayed for my family, anyone across the globe who have sent well wishes via cards, emails, supported the 'Race for Hope' and of course my continued good health. Not much bathroom remodeling occurred today except replacing the flang for the toilet which I owe a huge thanks to my neighbor Sean for his assistance. Instead we focused on other house cleaning chores and just relaxed as a family.

24th - More trips to Lowe's to get more supplies for the remodeling job..this is truly getting out of hand or growing beyond my scope/capabilities.. Kristine calls me from work is ready to send contractors to the house to assist but I'm being obstinate and refuse. A good thing was today I got to go on my first run since just before I found out about the tumor on 9 April. I must admit though it hurt from a breathing perspective only and was humbled in the fact I couldn't complete a little more than a 5K. The only positive thing about todays run is Maddie went with me to make sure I didn't pass out or sieze up. Later this evening I have a vein in my left wrist swell up. Rather large knot and has me concerned because it's real close to an area where they had stuck me with one of my four IV's.. Kristine suggests (more like orders) me to get up tomorrow and go get it checked.

25th - No remodeling today because I drive down to Quantico medical to get seen about the knot in my vein. I didn't mention it above but the area where the IV was located plus the hard knot are extremely sensitive to touch. I couldn't get an appointment but they did send out a triage nurse to see me and of course made me feel foolish when she asked if I had every iced it. I explained that I had surgery over a month ago which is why I was concerned but she also explained it could just be I had an allergic reaction to what ever medicine they injected. However, the knot went down earlier this morning and not near as sensitive but it would reappear later in the evening. While at the clinic I decided to make an effort to schedule appointments for a dental cleaning, get my eyes checked out, and also set up an appointment to see my PCM if the lump/knot continues to stick around. Stopped by MCSC and visited for a few minutes but most folks were out to meetings. Maddie and I go out for round 2 of running. Much better day of running so much so we actually went a little further and I was able to make it the whole way and even pushed in certain areas. However, my baby girl is getting stronger and I only hope she realizes her potential. Vein doesn't hurt as bad today which is a postive sign.

26th - Once Kristine and kids left for school I needed something?? from Lowes and made the command decision to bring home a day worker from the group of them sitting out in the parking lot. We get a lot done today by laying all the flooring to include the base flooring, sub floor, and cement board down. Additionally, we start to put up the durarock on in the areas around the tub area.

27th - My new found day worker comes back today and just when we are about to get ready to start back to work in my bathroom we notice water in the corner of the new flooring we just layed. Additionally, I have to go grab Jake by 10 to get him to an orthodontist appointment. I have to send my worker away until I get home which I believe will be around 12 but as fate would have it I didn't get home until after 13:00 in the afternoon. Before leaving though we take a look at the tiles in my sons bathroom and notice there is a small area missing grout. I decide to put new grout over the area and let it dry. After about 4 hours I poor more water over the area and it appears my analysis was correct. In the meantime we start to puddy up and sand areas in the MBR but some of the mud is taking to long to dry so we call it quits around 4:30.

28th - I get up early to clean up the walls from all the sanding and start to prep for painting. Additionally, I make a call to the Jimenez construction crew which re-did my entire basement area after our sump pump died on us during a heavy rain storm. My helper starts to paint but we can't go much further until I get the tub in so I can finish putting up the durarock. Later that day the Jimenez brothers show up to take a look at Jake's bathroom plus I ask them to take a look at mine.. they give a price and after a quick call I talk to Kristine about it via phone and we agree it's the best thing to do.. my days of bathroom remodeling are over.. :-)
Kristine's friend Sarah Tozer graduated from Law school today and a party was being held in her honor at her bosses house so Maddie and I clean up and join them over there Friday evening.

29th - Clean up day around the house in preparation for the long holiday weekend. Acting PMIntel/Dan Fitzgerald is having a bbq which we are going to attend. Dan and Daryl have a beautiful home in Montclair overlooking a lake. Col C, Maj Rideout and his family plus him Mom, Maj Lockner and his girls were also there. It was good to visit them and with the large trees along the lake made the afternoon a great day.

30th - When I wake up, I tell Kristine I'm going to mass and without any urging from me she gets up and showers and goes with me. My prayers to have her join me are working..now I need to reach down and be the parent I can and make my kids go with us but they are also at an age where I don't want to drive them away from the church. Our good friends the Ken/Mary Counts invite us over for dinner..another good meal and great comraderie.

31st - Memorial day..God Bless all veterans who have served or currently serving and for those who have gave the ultimate sacrifice Thank you..
The Jimenez brothers show up today and immediately make great strides..I must admit I'm relieved to have them save me from my own stubborness.

1st..Just sitting around helping where I can with the Manual and Alex and running errands.

2nd.. Last day of convalescence leave.. I finally get to go back to work tomorrow.. I'm excited but won't deny had I not been dealing with the tumor sitting at home getting paid wouldn't be a bad gig..would get old but it was nice to experience and ready to jump back in..

3rd... Have meeting first thing with Maj Rideout and CW05 Toscano to put some thoughts down for ADIRINT/DIRINT for a brief which will be presented to SECDEF..chance to hopefully make some serious changes in the acquisition process especially for IT equipment which is metamorphs every 6-12 months..while 5000.2 is meant for ships/planes and large ACAT I programs. Spent my entire day at C4T but gave me a chance to catch up on lots of old email while I was away.

4th.. Went to hospital point today to print out my orders and agenda for the GEOINT conference I'm going to attend next week. In addition Gy Jourdan asked me to join him and MGuns Allwerdt on putting together some ideas to revamp the 0241 MOS roadmap.. I can honestly say we discussed some items but then we broke for lunch and then I had to leave them to go join the TRIAD for a MCISR-E Roadmap mission analysis discussion.

I want to send out congrats to LtCol Scott Camden for being selected as the next program manager for PM Intel.

Additionally, I wanted to extend my heartfelt thanks to all who supported 'The Gunny's Team' and pledged funds on our behalf. I would like to extend a special thanks to 'SPECTRUM' and Ms Gretchen Garnett for taking time from her busy schedule today to make contact with Maj Rideout to find out about my status.

I'm going to bring this to a close finally to get some sleep. I have a long day tomorrow..taking Maddie to her SAT testing site and then have to get her home so she can get ready for a prom she is attending..

God Bless you all..
JD