Carson Invades Ocean City, Narrowly Escaping Hurricane Irene

The week before Irene hit Ocean City; there was a slightly smaller storm known as Carson that made its way through. We hadn't really been planning on a vacation this summer, but we got one anyway. Yea! A few weeks ago Believe in Tomorrow notified us that they had a last minute cancellation in Ocean City and asked if we were interested. Uh, yeah!

Unfortunately Francesca was in Texas - which some might argue is a more desirable destination - but with her blessing Carson, Jennifer, and I headed to Ocean City anyway.

We played in the surf.

We visited the Coast Guard station.

Played on one of the boats in dry dock....


...and took the 47' er out for a spin. (Cool!)

Carson and the Coast Guard Team, all thankful to be back on land after Carson took the wheel!

Carson studied at the Believe in Tomorrow School of Management with an emphasis in Being Boss. Here he is working on one of his homework assignments: "How to sit at the computer and look busy". Mr Wayne, the expert in this area, really took Carson under his wing to teach him everything he knows! HA!


We learned to make a pizza at Mancini's. Gabi, the owner, gave Carson (black chef hat) and another BIT friend a personal lesson!

The pizza was delicious, of course, as was all the food at Mancini's. We highly recommend you visit if you are ever in Ocean City, or Fenwick Island, DE. Check it out here!

Our fun only lasted until Aug 18 though. We had to be home because Carson was scheduled for a spinal on the 19th and Francesca was due home on the 20th.

In a few words, spinal went fine. ANC count was up, so the oral chemos are going up as well.
Carson is feeling great. Francesca arrived safe and sound from Texas.

And finally, to summarize the rest of the events around here.

• We, along with my Italian ceramic umbrella stand, the plantation shutters, the walls and the couch, discovered Beckett was afraid of thunderstorms. He now has a prescription for doggie Xanex.

• We survived the 30 second earthquake that hit on August 23rd. The large Italian ceramic plate in the living room did not.

• Four days later we "survived" Hurricane Irene's fierce 30 mph (yes, 30 mph) winds and our yard survived all the rain without flooding thanks to a new catch basin that Paul installed just days before.

With all of this, I'm wondering what September will bring?

-Paul and Jennifer

No News =Good News?

Writing this week from a relatively calm perspective for a change. Francesca is having a great time in Texas. She's doing it up right, learning to shoot guns and drive a Suburban with her cousins.

Don't come in her room without permission!

Carson had this week off from the clinic, so we have passed our time at the pool and in other non productive ways. We have been gloriously ignorant of his counts for a good 7 days now. Next appointment is August 19 when it will be time to begin another maintenance cycle with a spinal, chemo, antibiotic and steroids.

More later................

Have a great weekend everybody!
-Jennifer

Make it Count

THE Counts
Clinic yesterday. Carson's counts are up, but we are keeping the chemo dosages the same! Check again in two weeks, when it will be time to kick off cycle 7 of maintenance with a spinal tap, chemo, antibiotics and steroids.

Another count for Facebook users - VOTE

The parents of our hospital buddy Declan, who lost his battle with cancer just before his 1st birthday last August, have a foundation called Journey 4 A Cure. They are seeking to improve the lives of childhood cancer patients and fund much needed research.

Facebook users, won't you take a few seconds to help them win $250,000!??? 100% of this money will be used to fund groundbreaking, promising research for people just like Carson. Let your vote be counted - come on, this easier than voting in an election!

This takes just a few seconds and you can do it every day from now until the end of the month. Your help is desperately needed to close the gap between J4aC and the leader.

Click here to get started.

Thank you for your support.

-Jennifer