My Fear Is My Only Courage, So I've Got To Push On Through...

Its 11:30 on Saturday morning and all is well. There has been a mellow feeling of relaxing recovery circulating through the room. Erin just arrived a few minutes ago and the sleeper has awoken. Judd (who for this blogger's morning's blog will be referred to as: "The Camp Champ") is consulting with our Resident Nurse for the day, Danielle, on some anti-nausea medication. The rest of the Hardy siblings are scheduled to arrive in the next half hour, which will be the first time all six siblings have been together since Christmas 2004. I believe that after we take lunch on the veranda (seriously--there is an amazing patio at the back of the hospital that is bordered by the Wasatch mountains) there is a plan to join hands around "The Camp Champ" in some type of Care Bear stare. I'm secretly hoping to play the part of Cozy Heart Penguin if Skip hasn't already made dibs.

Medically, we have received some very good news over the past two days. Dr. Bill (the front man for Judd's team of doctors, who has been known to quote "The Family Guy", likes Bob Marley and much to Erin and Annika’s disappointment sports a humble wedding band on one of his well defined fingers) informed us today that 1. "The Camp Champ's" Bone Marrow is looking excellent 2. No signs of Leukemia were found from the spinal tap and 3. The results from a cat scan performed last night look great.

Physically, "The Camp Champ" is feeling wiped out from the chemo, spinal tap and biopsy from two days ago. In his own words, "It packs quite a punch." He has had an on and off headache and general back achiness, that Megan has been helping with energy and light massage work. The pain has ranged from mild to medium to high, but nothing that a few Lori tabs can't get under control. The only downside (or upside) from the medication is that "The Camp Champ" has a pretty limited memory of the events of yesterday and has felt pretty lethargic. Also the fact that he went from trekking the dirt roads of Orcas Island to lying in a hospital bed for two weeks has definitely contributed to any feeling of lethargy and/or discomfort. After almost two complete days in bed, he's hoping to get up and walk around a little later on this afternoon.

Emotionally and spiritually, "The Camp Champ" remains in an incredible place. He expressed to me yesterday how grateful and lucky he feels to have such love and support from everyone, especially when there are patients in this hospital going at the whole process alone. So again, thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

Okay, Megan, Jeremy and the girls have arrived. Zach has arrived. Skip is on his way. I bid you adieu for now.

Ciao,
James