Zoe Meme #45: Friend

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Robert I Baxter

Zoe with her human, a true friend.

Posted in friendship, happy, humor, joy, kindness, Meme, poodle, toy, Uncategorized, Zoe | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Zoe Memes

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Robert I Baxter

I have been having fun posting “Zoe Memes” to Facebook. Zoe is a white toy poodle that my daughter adopted from the pound last year.

In Greek, Zoe means “life.” This stinking poodle, Zoe Baxter, has brought life into our home. She is the quietest, meekest little mousey dog I’ve ever had in a house. She virtually never barks, is calm, sits around looking helpless, and generally evokes feelings of pity for her just by her very existence. Ugh. And to think I generally did not like poodles AT ALL until this rotten little stinker showed up in my home.

My daughter rescued her from the dog pound. She was a poodle factory, a breeding dog for toy poodles. She was 4 years old when rescued and clearly was not that well socialized with humans; nor was she house trained.

I slowly started making an occasional “zoe meme” and sent them over text to my daughter, Zoe’s human. Over time, they gained speed and I was having fun creating them. Then it hit me, why not share this with my Facebook friends and family.

Now, I am going to the general internet with Zoe Memes. Zoe means life, and for the moment, I’ve been centering ONLY on memes that contain the poodle pup called “Zoe.” However, in the future, I anticipate branching out to include any sort of moment I can capture in life that is a “life meme.”

Since I am catching up ‘the internet’ (non-facebook audience) with Zoe memes, allow me to share the 40 or so meme’s I’ve already put on Facebook. Beginning with today, I plan on sharing the memes here through my post and linking that through Facebook and Twitter so that non-Facebook users can enjoy Life Memes, I mean, Zoe memes as well.

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And there you have it folks. All the Zoe Memes I’ve published to Facebook  (#1 – #44) as of this post. Now, I shall begin to post them to this blog site, and link them to Facebook and to Twitter.

My goal is to publish one a day for as long as I can. Sort of a challenge for no real reason except to bring joy to my daughters life (Zoe’s human), and to anyone who cares for such nonsense as simple stupid sayings based on a poodles life and expressions.

I hope you enjoy and can find some mundane please in some of life’s simplest creatures, like toy poodles!

Posted in happy, humor, joy, kindness, Meme, poodle, toy, Uncategorized, Zoe | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Florence is the Finest

Posted on May 26, 2016 by Robert I Baxter

It doesn’t get much better than this people. Let me share something with you that has brought tears to my eyes. Tears of joy.

My oldest daughter and I went to see one of her favorite bands, Florence and the Machine last week in Dallas. I have to say Florence has an amazing voice and a wonderful charismatic personality. The concert was great and I am now a fan of some of her music.

As most of you know, I am a two-time cancer survivor. Cancer stories hit me hard. This is simply sublime. 

Florence went to Austin the night after she was in Dallas. A 15-year-old hospice patient was wanting to see her concert really really bad. She became too weak. The staff made a quick attempt to reach out to this world-wide star. 

On a spontaneous last second invitation, Florence and the Machine went to this hospice patient’s room and gave her a private 45 minute concert because she got too weak to make it to the concert.


I am so very touched by this act of kindness on Florence’s part. The world needs more kind gestures like this. 

Click here to see the news coverage

Posted in burkitts, cancer, Concert, friendship, generosity, happy, hope, Hospice, kindness, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

“Little” Work

Posted on May 25, 2016 by Robert I Baxter

I have the coolest job in the world. Seriously. I get to work with some of humanities most frail tiny people. I work as an RN in a neonatal ICU in a large hospital in Fort Worth, Tx. Basically this means I work with (mostly) little babies who are either born early -or- are weak for some medical reason. We take someone who is fragile and turn them into big healthy bouncy babies ready to go out the door.

I first started as an RN in 1990 at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, TX. I initially was interested in the pediatric ICU, but found that wasn’t a job fit for me coming right out of nursing school with no experience. After 14 weeks in the PICU, I wanted out. They wanted me out too. I was miserable. I asked if I could stay with Texas Children’s Hospital, but go to another area. They put me in the NICU. I felt defeated, yet glad to have a job.

I walked in that first shift and I will never forget that moment. I didn’t know such a place existed, having gone to nursing school in a smaller West Texas town. I recall seeing the little babies swaddled and the mom’s sitting around. I had this distinct and clear thought go through my head: “I’ll lick my wounds for a few months, then go get a real job that a man does.” Seriously. I saw no men around and had ZERO desire to work with babies. I can’t say I had been around many infants up until that point. I was married by then for 3 years, but we had no children.

It didn’t take but one week to win my heart over. I remember the exact moment, the location, and the baby. I was holding this rather handsome little fella and my heart just melted. He was a miniature version of a large person. He was weak, helpless, cute as could be, and made these innocent sweet noises. I felt arising within my soul a strong sense of paternal protection, something I hadn’t experienced prior to that moment.

I decided that maybe this wasn’t too bad and I could stay for just a short while before I go out to explore whatever it is that men do as an RN. That ‘little while’ turned into six years at Texas Children’s Hospital in the NICU. I had found my niche! I have worked in other areas of nursing in my 26 years, but the NICU is where my heart is and where I’ve worked the longest overall.

I have a story I would like to share with you to give you an idea of what I do. Not only will I be sharing a bit about my profession, but also about my heart and something valuable I have learned out of this second cancer battle. I share the following with permission and encouragement from the parents. They sent me great pictures and all manner of details.

Elizabeth and Mattie, twin girls born in 2014, came to our NICU weak, frail, and fighting for their lives. Their situation up until birth had been rough, one twin was essentially ‘stealing’ blood from the other while growing in the uterus. This is called a twin to twin transfusion. The powers that be took appropriate measures to stop the baby to baby blood transfusion using the best technology available. Not long after, the twins decided they wanted to enter into our world.

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Mattie shortly after birth, 2lbs 2oz

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Elizabeth shortly after birth, 2lbs 7ozs

Their course in the NICU was long and complicated. I could describe in details the medical interventions and what happened, but suffice it to say that protecting their brain function, lung function, bowel function, and other body systems is not easy to do when they should still be in the oven cooking to maturity. Put simply, all these precious organs are not ready for the real world and are essentially forced (coaxed?) into doing a job they are not mature enough to do without risk of problems. Considering we have no other options, we do our best to place the babies in the most supportive environment we can.

Their story is a testimony of how good medicine, when combined with prayer and compassion, can work miracles. Both made progress and had setbacks. Some of the setbacks were significant. Elizabeth was in the NICU 121 days, and Mattie was in 147 days.

I had the privilege of taking care of at least one of them on mother’s day 2014. This would have been shortly before my diagnosis  with Burkitt’s Lymphoma June of 2014.

We have this cool option for parents to view their babies through video cameras. I sometimes put little thoughts, “crib notes,” inside the isolette for the family to enjoy. On mother’s day, I put “crib notes” in the bed of the twin I was caring for.

I decided to share this story for several reasons. First off, I’ve always wanted to bring my friends and family into a better knowledge of what I do for a living. Secondly, connections are made and hearts knit together during difficult times in life. Not only was I able to ‘be there’ for Christopher and Amy (the parents) as I cared for one or both of their daughters, but they had an opportunity to turn around and bless my socks off. I never appreciated the small things in life we do can do to build up one another. Allow me to share.

When I left work June 2014 due to finding a knot on my neck while at work one night, I had no idea the changes about to hit me head on. I also had no idea how much impact we can all have on one another. Not only did I have the privilege of caring for Elizabeth and Mattie, their parents had a chance to bless me and my family. They took great concern over my diagnosis and helped to generate significant prayer on my behalf.

Amy posted to her family and friends the following on September 3rd, 2014:

As you pray today, I’d appreciate an extra prayer for Robert. Robert is one of the girls’ nurses and is fighting his own battle with cancer. He is such an incredibly thoughtful and loving man. He made my Mother’s Day by leaving this note.

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This is a screen shot from their iPad of the “crib notes” on Mother’s Day 2014

The note she refers to were the ‘crib notes’ I had put inside the isollette for her on mother’s day 2014.

Fast forward to mother’s day 2016. Amy posts the above picture with the “crib notes” to my timeline. I had forgotten about doing that. What a joy it is to see how something as simple as a few scribblings on paper meant so much to Christopher and Amy. I tell you what, you really do not know the impact you have on another . We should value the opportunity we have to encourage and benefit one another daily.

What about Elizabeth and Mattie today? As long and difficult as the NICU course has been for the twins, their battles continue on some level or another after discharge though they are doing really great overall. Entering the picture are such things as AFO’s (just learned that one myself), ankle foot orthotics. Elizabeth has been wearing them since March and is walking well. Aren’t these little tootsies cute?

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Elizabeth’s cute little feet with the AFO’s, ankle foot orthotics.

Want to see some uber cute photos of the girls? Here ya go!

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Aren’t they gorgeous? Just stunning little miracles. I tell you what, you never do know the impact you can have on another person. I thought I was ‘simply doing my job’ (which I was), yet my impact on this family left enough of an impression they felt compelled to say and do nice things for me in my time of distress. They turned around and blessed me with concern, love, and prayer support when I was so fragile and dearly needed every ounce of support I and my family could receive.

Special thanks to Christopher and Amy for allowing me to share this part of my life with my family and friends. I’ve always wanted to share more and haven’t made it a point to do so until now. I’ve got a few other cute NICU baby stories I will get around to sharing, but need to get written permission from the parents first and wait for that key moment when I feel led to share.

This is the greatest commandment in action people.

Posted in Child, friendship, generosity, hope, kindness, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

High Flying Adrenaline

Posted on May 10, 2016 by Robert I Baxter

I’ve known Mark since the age of 13. We have been best friends since. The shared memories have served to strengthen our friendship. 

We don’t get to see each other often. He lives in central Texas and I live in North Texas. For those of you not in the know, that is a five hour competitive race on Texas roads. Not for the faint at heart.

He was in North Texas on business the first week of March. This was a key moment, his birthday. Seldom are we together for one another’s birthday. 


He wanted to do an indoor sky diving experience. Count me in. We met on a Tuesday evening at a rather unusual shaped building in Frisco, called iFly. You can visit their website at iFlyworld.com

  
Modern technology has been carefully crafted with precision to produce an intense experience. The whole building is built around the ability to move an extreme amount of air in a smooth, powerful, and controlled fashion through a 14 foot diameter vertical tunnel. 


The whole building, substantial in size and design, reverberates with power when they crank up the massive fans. The air moves in a closed loop from the floor, through the vertical wind tunnel, into the ceiling, then through the building walls, in a steady predictable controlled pattern. A “driver” controls the power and velocity based on weight and number of people in the chamber. 

  
We were put through a pre-flight routine. Physical questions, payment, and then a short simple class. The instructors are younger fit men, mostly military background from what I gather. They are all experienced at sky diving from airplanes and attest this is identicle to that experience. Our instructor, Nolan, shares he has broken bones in this chamber. That was reassuring, let me tell you. 

  
The power is incredible. The build up sitting in the clear enclosed antechamber waiting for my turn is downright intimidating. I had a serious moment of doubt if I made the right choice. The moment of truth arrived and I did as instructed: just fall forward. 

  
Overwhelming experience to be honest. The roar is deafening, hence we had to insert ear plugs. The wind is hurricane force in strength and is relentless. All communication is by hand signals. It isn’t as simple as it looks, but isn’t that hard either (if that makes sense).  You either get it or you don’t, but most get it. 

  
Mark and I opted for “the high fly” option. This means on your second one minute flight, the instructor will take you up to the top. I almost chickened out as the first flight near the wire mesh at the bottom was enough for me, but I’m glad I pushed through. It is a freaky adrenaline rush no doubt.

  
I tell you what, minor as it may appear to the uninitiated, this was a big deal to me. Not only was the experience absolutely top notch, but the company couldn’t be beat. I got to experience a high flying adrenaline rush that defies easy description and I got to do it with someone closer to my heart than a brother. 

Here’s a video of my flight. I wish there was a way to capture the sheer roar of the audio and the power of the  super intense moment in the chamber:  

 

Notice how much trouble I had walking at the end? Not easy to do, trust me. My instructor was a clown making fun of me. 

While we were waiting to begin, we watched the effortless graceful flight of our instructor. Follow this link to see it. Just amazing.

What a great way to celebrate a buddy’s birthday. Happy birthday Mark, thank you for sharing this with me. 

Posted in Adrenaline, burkitts, christian, Extreme, health, joy, recovery, Sport, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

I wish you could be here

Posted on May 6, 2016 by Robert I Baxter
I was going through iTunes trying to download some Johnny Cash. Saw all the usual not-known-to-me artists sliding across the top of iTunes main page. For some reason, one artist was not like the rest. Decided to see who he was, this Cole Swindell.
 
First video that popped to youtube I watched. Country evidently, which isn’t my taste generally speaking. But something caught my eye. He had moments filmed of his life this last year, his break out year as a new artist. These moments were strung together in this video really well. He is missing his dad at these key moments and wishes he could be here to see him now.
 
His dad died in 2013, didn’t get to see his son sign with Warner or see him begin his climb up in the music world.
 
I suppose what grabs me more than anything, is the vulnerability of this artist to be filmed at various stages of excitement, only to take it to his dad’s gravesite and break down emotionally. If it was acting, he did a good job of pretending.
 
Make me miss my dad and step dad rather badly right now. Don’t have many moments of melancholy like this, but this video evoked it from me.
 
Here’s to Claude Baxter and Jim Russell, the two men in my life I sorely miss. I wish you could both could be here to see me now. I made it.
 
Posted in cancer, christian, healing, hope, joy, lymphoma, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

A Boy and His Dog

Posted on February 17, 2016 by Robert I Baxter

Sometimes we need one of those golly gee-whiz moments where we look at something adorable, simply adorable and heartwarming, for no reason other than to feel joy. This is one of those moments. I survived cancer for moments such a this.

My sister Eva sent me an email, one of those ‘go viral’ endlessly forwarded emails. I cannot verify if any of this is true or not, but I don’t really care to be honest. The body of the message reads as follows:

A family in New York began visiting shelters to look for the perfect pup.
After a few weeks of searching local shelters, they found a puppy that they fell in love with – Theo.
He craved human friendship and attention. Three days after coming home with them, he joined their son, Beau, for his daily nap. Beau’s mother began taking “nap” pictures and now they are warming hearts around the world.

Attached to the email are 16 different photos of the boy during nap time. Seeing how the dog and the boy melt into one another, well, it is indeed heart warming.

I present to you, A boy and his dog.

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Posted in burkitts, cancer, Child, christian, friendship, happy, Home, joy, love, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Five NEGU Years

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Robert I Baxter

Never Ever Give Up

I’ve been working as an RN since 1990. About 1/2 of my career has been in either dialysis or the neonatal ICU. My favorite by far is the NICU. I love working with the tiny babies. I couldn’t have seen this coming or predicted I would like something like this, but it is so heartwarming to me, most of the time.

As many of you know, I’ve battle cancer twice myself and it is so hard. My first battle lasted 8 months in 2008. My second battle, started June 2014 and is ending about now with this post. It has been a slow recovery after my stem cell transplant.

I work with an RN named Linda Ahern. I’ve watched with a sad heart as she and her family have fought for their son’s life. I went to work Super Bowl Sunday and saw Linda in the break room before our shift began. Busy place. Lots of energy and activity buzzing around as we gathered in anticipation of a long 12 hour shift and the good food we all brought to celebrate a game we couldn’t watch ourselves.

Linda doesn’t have the opportunity to work often. She’s busy with her children, especially with the intensive care of Micah. You see, Micah has neuroblastoma, a cancer that ravages children and their families.

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Micah Ahern, battling neuroblastoma for five years

I have watched with a profound sadness for 5 years as Linda and her family have fought this dreaded disease. Their battle is marked with sheer determination, true grit, overwhelming faith, and a genuine heart. I have nothing but the utmost of respect for them and all they have endured.

Their story is coming to a conclusion soon. After a long five year battle, Micah’s fate is looking grim from an Earthly angle. To say they have fought the good fight, would be an understatement. He has undergone the usual (and several cutting edge unusual) medical tortures, the fruit of which has saved many lives. It isn’t looking hopeful for Micah, though. They are down to last choice options and the outlook is grim.

While their hope (and mine) is not wholly on this Earth, we aren’t inhuman. We share a common faith that our true home is in Heaven and we have a God who loves us immeasurably. We live as people who have faith in goodness and a Good God, while living a world of sickness and pain. Our religious beliefs don’t stop the sorrow we feel, the immense pain that comes from illness, sickness, disease, and an unfair unjust life.

No one is immune from the problem of suffering and pain. Even Jesus wept hearing of the death of a friend of his. Even Jesus cried out in agony, asking His Father if there could possibly be another way. Even Jesus cried out in anguish “Father, why have You forsaken me?”

I have news for you people, faith in a good God and unjust outcomes in this life are compatible. One does not exclude the other. I went through a phase where I lost my faith after my first battle with cancer. I have since had Mercy shown me in ways that are hard to express.

At any rate, I wanted to ask you all something. What have you done in your last five years? Where have you gone? Been out to eat much? Had any vacations? Been through some hard times? Trust me, I’m not attempting to manipulate you emotionally. Just asking an intellectually honest and emotionally engaging question. I know what I’ve been up to. I’ve also had the difficult honor and privilege to watch this family undergo a terrible battle.

Linda and I had a moment to catch up with each other before the shift began. We looked at each other and got into our cancer bubble communication rather quickly, despite the buzz of the closed-in busy room surrounding us. Cancer people are like that. Talking food and typical things one moment, discussing matters of life and death with unusual unfortunate insight the next. We understand things that others can’t. I wouldn’t wish this knowledge upon others. Yet we NEGU.

Never Ever Give Up.

We shared our catch up right quick stories. I have felt so good recently. January was the best month I’ve physically felt since June 2014. That is a long time people. I am grateful for feeling so well. I can’t tell you how I was buzzing around work, making my coffee announcements, and consciously celebrating how good I felt. What a wonderful gift, just to feel good.

This last week, however, I slid downhill physically. Not sure why. The day before our conversation, Saturday the 6th of February, I almost couldn’t work. I felt so extremely fatigued and nauseous; it was overwhelming. I took my Zofran (antiemetic) and kept going, pressing through the shift. By the time I caught up with Linda and we spoke, I was doing a bit better and felt encouraged.

Linda and I touched on many things. We spoke of how we feel connected to our God, more alive now than ever before, how life is going well spiritually and emotionally, and how we also feel understandable contrasting emotions of hard, painful realities. She shared about Micah and where they are at right now. I shared how I was wondering just 24 hours prior to seeing her if this sharp downturn might be the signal of my cancer returning. In my case, if it comes back, it won’t take long before I meet my Maker. That was on my mind most of the 12 hour shift, wondering what my next few weeks of my life could look like. Yet I was buoyant on the outside, because I have hope. Linda and I covered a lot of territory quickly and with a deft skill that only comes with time spent in the cancer camp.

Micah’s outlook isn’t good. Despite the hope, the faith, and the NEGU attitude, he is undergoing last efforts to provide some quality of life with a super slim hope for a physical healing from medicine. This little guy is so amazing. This family needs to be put in the Smithsonian Institution as the model family.

Five years people, five years. They have fought, contended for, and stretched beyond the point of endurance for five years. Non-stop hospitalizations, endless amounts of chemotherapy, all the while forsaking the normal rhythms and rituals a family should enjoy. Their stress should come from the lack of time and frustration of getting ready for a vacation, or finding the time to balance between activities, family time, duties, disciplines, and desired pursuits.

Yet these things are denied them for five years. They stood not too long ago outside a lead lined room for days, watching Micah undergo a cutting edge radiation therapy.

Alone.

Micah was all alone in this room. A small tired buoyant boy suffering seemingly unending circumstances for a hope, The Hope of a better life. Alone in a specially designed room. That is an experience I wouldn’t wish on anyone, not a single person. I broke when I saw the picture his mom posted. This was one of those moments I moved from my normal “I can deal with all this” reality into a place of profound sorrow for one suffering. I weep just typing this sentence, thinking of being outside a window for days watching my child lay there with radiation coursing through their entire body.

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Micah undergoing treatment for neuroblastoma with I-131 metaiodobenzygluanidine (MIBG) therapy, which is a therapy that delivers radiation directly to cancer cells

Ever thought about doing something nice for someone? Ever doubt if your actions could make a difference? I tell you what, as one who has been on the receiving end of compassion and kindness, your every choice, no matter how small, is so meaningful.

I attached a video of the Texas Christian University baseball team doing something super awesome and kind for Micah and his family. This is a sure tear jerker moment. These guys didn’t have to do this, yet they took their time, energy, and money to bless this family unselfishly. They could have been doing any number of pursuits, yet they chose to do something kind for a family in distress.

Let me ask you, could you do something kind for someone? I have a few random suggestions you might consider. Why not forgive yourself for being a messed up person and having short comings? Why not forgive those around you who hurt you needlessly? Why not share some love and support for someone poor, or someone whose house has burned down? See the bum on the corner that most people look away from? Why not buy a cup of hot coffee and a breakfast taco and hand it to them.

Have an extra five dollar bill in your wallet? Why not go to his gofundme page and give just a little something. It might look like they’ve raised a lot, but I assure you from personal knowledge of this hell called cancer, I’ve been reduced to a position financially I’ve never faced before from my much shorter battles. Even yesterday evening, when my taxes were completed at 7:55pm by the tax lady, I was given the news I owe uncle Sam thousands of dollars in taxes, all because CIGNA will not hold out taxes from long term disability payments. I not only received a HUGE freaking paycut last year because of disability (and the year before that), but have to endure this final insult of scrambling to pay for taxes in the next eight weeks. I share this because it is the truth, a truth that caught me off guard and left me speechless for about 30 minutes. Then I got over myself and chose to be grateful for the untaxed income I did have while undergoing chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. I returned to my attitude of gratitude after that short moment of feeling like I had my breath taken away yet again.

My issue pales in comparison to theirs, though. Their battle has been five non-stop NEGU years people. Five years of reduced income, five years of increased expenses. Five years of prayers, faith, heartache, hope, increased awareness of how fragile life is, and five years of a hoped-for healing denied to them.

And their reward is an article like this, kindness from others, and staring at a quickly arriving fate that I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

Say a prayer for them. Pass on some compassion and kindness to someone around you. Pray for others. Live out the greatest commandment to Love God, others, as self. And if you have an extra green bill you can spare, why not support this family that is facing a most desperate moment in their life? Send them a card, or pay it forward with kindness to someone in your own family.

Superhero Micah’s GoFundMe page  <–click here to see his GoFundMe page.

 

TCU Baseball Team Video with Micah  <– I’ve shared this link two different ways on this post, I can’t get it to view through my iPhone. Hope you can. If you can not, please get to a desktop or laptop and check it out. SO VERY worth watching.

 

Posted in baseball, cancer, chemotherapy, Child, generosity, hope, kindness, neuroblastoma, TCU, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Jalapeño pie

Posted on February 6, 2016 by Robert I Baxter

One of the many reasons I fought cancer twice now is for silly moments such as this: Jalapeño Pie. 

Yes ladies and germs, homemade goodness cooked right in my oven is enough to get me excited. 

I’ve been feeling well overall. January was the best I’ve felt in several years. I’ve nearly had the energy I had pre chemo and stem cell transplant. 

Still working part time, but beginning to pick up an extra day here and there. 

We are still climbing out of a mountain of debt from my medical battles, but climbing out we are indeed. 

By the grace of God go I…
Recipe:

Two eggs per one cup cheese of your choice shredded. 

Jalapeños to taste. I like mine hot, so I add a lot, like about 1/2 cup jalapeños for every cup of cheese. 

I add a jar of roasted red bell peppers. Adds color. 

I sometimes throw in some pickled carrots that are sold next to the jars of jalapeños. 

You can experiment with crispy bacon, cilantro, nearly anything that compliments cheese. 

Put in an oven safe dish. Mix around to spread the eggs into the ingredients. Bake for about 45 mins or so at 350. 

Yum. 

   
  

 

Posted in cancer, happy, healing, humor, stem cell transplant, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Trying Again

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Robert I Baxter

Big day for me today. I’m returning to work (again) for the second time. I initially went back on September 8th, after having been off from June 2014 for chemo and a stem cell transplant. My initial return to work lasted 5 weeks before illness set in.

I thought I had pneumonia, was diagnosed with it initially. Multiple urgent care clinic visits and primary care physician visits didn’t help, wound up in the hospital. They diagnosed me with the common cold x2 (two strains). Knocked me flat on my butt.

I went back in about 5 days later for GI issues combined with fever; it was an intense bad deal. They never could find anything, but I was febrile and quite ill. If there was an opening, they found a way to sample it, study it, and then scratch their heads in confusion as nothing was clear.

Then I had a much needed week off (ha). I subsequently went on a Tuesday to the stem cell transplant clinic to restart my childhood immunizations, that is when they gave me the six (6!) shots. By the next morning, I was running a fever, chills, sick as a dog. I lasted about 24 hours before going to the ER again for the 3rd time in 3 weeks. Into the hospital I went.

My right arm turned bright red and swelled. They couldn’t decide if it was cellulitis (bacterial in nature) Vs a reaction to one of the immunizations. That cost me 4 more days in the hospital.

After all this, I’m returning to work tonight, 11/30. I’ll be starting back at a part time pace. Seems my body just isn’t ready for full time just yet.

The part time deal is a mixed blessing. I have to admit it is a pride issue for me; I’ve always been able to work and provide for my family. Now I’m having to (more or less) face the idea my body isn’t there anymore. The stem cell transplant was so hard on me and I guess after all these years of battling cancer and the lingering side effects, it is what it is. I’m a big boy and will make it, but have to admit it is an adjustment. I’m hoping that possibly I can go back to full time status sometime later in 2016.

We could use your prayers for health, guidance, wisdom, and a special focus on finances. After 1.5 years of all this with greatly decreased income and high medical bills, you can guess how that is going. I’m not the first to deal with financial issues due to long term illness. Just as others made it, there is some way we will too. I have to admit it is new ground for me. Never have been in a position like this where I’m working less hours, hoping and praying to stay physically well, and having to juggle a whole new realm of information and responsibility called unpaid bills. I’ve always paid all my bills on time with perfect credit.

Until about 4 months ago. **sigh** Please pray regarding this matter.

The Lord is good and I have so many wonderful friends and family. This too shall pass.

When I get off work tomorrow morning, I’ll drive myself over to an infusion center and receive my monthly IgG infusion. I need it, so will crawl in their comfy recliner and nap while they boost my immune system.

Hope you all had a blessed thanksgiving, I know we sure did.

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