A.J. DeYoung

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Gwen...ohhh you must be so very proud, we will pray him safely home to celebrate and share the love and apprecation from his friends and family... aj

Julia

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Don -- Like everyone else has said, you are in my thoughts and prayers! Stay strong and know you are surrounded by people who care! Gwen -- congrats to your bro-in-law. Thank him for his service! Julia

pjman

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Gwen Congrat's to your brother-in-law for his Bronze star please thank him for his service. May he come home safe.

Gwen in Mississippi

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Morning all, Don, like everyone else, I'm still praying and wishing you the best. Good to know you're in such good hands. Please try to keep think positively! We are all pulling for you! Good news from Iraq: My brother-in-law has been awarded The Bronze Star. We just heard the news this morning. We'll be having quite a celebration soon, as he's scheduled to be home in a few short weeks. Warm and sunny thought to you all today! Gwen ;)

Tn~Deb

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Don...it's sounds like you are in good hands. You deserve the best. My best friend was a hair stylist and a phlebotomist. When she was diagnosed with cancer back in 1999...my first thoughts were the chemicals she used for doing hair. I don't know if her Dr's ever made the connection...but I always had a feeling it played a part. Sunny, windy, and chilly....trying to be productive today. I'll check back later.

Don in Richmond

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I want to mention the doctor at John Hopkins is considered the top man in the world for bladder cancer. All the doctor there are Professors and spend most of there time in research. Unlike what is written in the literature that smoking causes bladder cancer, John Hopkins has found exposure to chemicals is the main cause. In my case, lifetime exposure to photo chemicals got me. They have found, hair dressers, dry cleaners, house painters, chemists are just a few of the listed professions who they say have a high incidence of the cancer. If you or your spouse are exposed to chemicals and you either have blood in your urine or urinary track infections get to a good urologists not just a family doctor for a checkup. I'm not saying if one has those symptoms it's always bladder cancer because that's not the case, but get checked out and let the urologist determine the cause.

Don in Richmond

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Again, I want to thank everyone for there prayers and kind thoughts. Guess the aftermath of general anesthesia really does stay in ones system for many hours. After writing in the blog when I came home I went to take "a little nap" Just woke up. The coffee tastes exceptionally good right now. Rolex was happy to see me as I was happy to see her. The picture of her with my Mad Bomber Hat on (from Bass Pro Shop, love that store) was taken as a joke. I always tease the folks who bring their dogs to the park wearing dog coats, hence the hat on Rolex.

marie/ohio

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Don I have been in prayer for you & A.J. put it so well. I Amen that, to keep it short . all thing are possible to him that that believe. God it your pilot so that mean you are right at his side, Stay busy with rolex. pray daily. PRAYER IS TAKING OUR TROUBLE TO GOD. FAITH IS LEAVING THEM THERE .That the HARD part. Hope you feel every pray coming your WAY. Thanks we had almost a week gwith no rain or snow & just about freezing must snow hiding the green stuff ,we belive is grass sending prayer & Blessing your way marie

JB in Texas

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Don, Thinking good thoughts for you. Hang in there. JB

Tn~Deb

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Don....try to stay optimistic and strong...you have alot of blogging buddies that care about you and sending prayers up to the big guy. Rest...and thanks for keeping us updated. Deb

pjman

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Hi Guys, Just talked to our Chick fil A and they are so excited about Saturday and they had a great idea, I am taking pictures thanks to the idea from my Aussie Mate Robyn and Ali at Chick Fil A said wouldnt it be great if all you bloggers would take pictures of you being at your chick fil A's and then could send it to me or the blog and I could share it with our Chick fil A and they could show their home office what folks are doing for other folks as that is what their company stands for. Do you think that is a good idea to blog on JD's blog or do you think it is enough those folks are going to do this for me and not have them bother about pictures??? xoxoxo THIS IS FROM AJ I told her we are family and I was putting this on the blog. As you can see she thinks she has asked to much of us already.

David (USAF WX)

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Hey Don, Keep your spirits up, buddy. We are all thinking of you.

A.J. DeYoung

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OOhh Don...I wish all we bloggers were there with you and Rolex and could give you both a group hug, I will pray and pray for you to have a successful surgery and fool the the Drs. all things are possible and we have such a prayer group going, please know if there is anything at all I could do, look up anything online to help you...anything....God Bless you and keep you Don, will pray that you will know how very much others are thinking of you tonight. Soooo happy you had some wonderful food for your soul and you should just go back and get more of it. Don, know it is easy for me to say, but I have a neighbor who has had a ostomy bag for over 25 years and it just becomes routine and you can live and live a good life, please think positive of that if it happens.... Don, thank you for sharing this disappointing news with us so we may pray for you and encourage you, you go ahead and feel bad for a night ok, then chin up Don and let us all fight this with you. xooxAJ

pjman

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Don prayers your way. Just keep a positive attitude. A attitude can do wonders. I bet Rolex was happy to see you. We still have piles of snow in NJ was in the 40's today sunny and yet I still can't find the lawn. Hope all have a good night. Happy birthday Nickolas I can't remember when I was 6 it was sooooo long ago.

Joni

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Oh Don, I am saying prayers for you tonight after reading your email. Let's stay hopeful for your return the end of this month. Thanks so much for keeping your blogger family who cares for you up to date on your appt today. I am hopeful you can get the neo-bladder surgery! and conquer the bastard! Prayers for you tonite Don... Hugs from NC ~ Joni

Don in Richmond

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Returned from Baltimore 45 minutes ago. First I want to thank everyone for there thoughts and prayers. I wish I had better news but it appears the cancer has spread, there are new tumors. He hopes to have me back in before the end of March for the surgery. There are three different types of surgery. In all three the bladder, prostrate and five pelvic lymph nodes are removed. I wanted whats call the neo-bladder surgery. I learned today I may not be able to get that one if the cancer has spread to the urethra. He will not know till they open me up and he can biopsy the urethra at that point. He seems to think I may not be able to get that one and I may wind up with the surgery called Ileal-Conduit and I'll be stuck wearing an ostomy bag. I'm on a major downer. Cannot believe how much snow is still in portions of Baltimore, especially in parking lots and it was cold and breezy this morning. Had the best crab cake I've ever had last night along with crab soup and oysters on the half shell.

A.J. DeYoung

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JD......I need to stop blogging so we can have more of your blogging and pictures of Matthew standing and walking and for just to see him, that last one was just priceless and we long for more...and hope you and Sean and Matthew have a wonderful time in Central Park once again. xoxoAJ

A.J. DeYoung

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Evening All, Busy day all by myself today, had to go to Dr.as he wanted to check on how I am doing and take him all Clare's meds so he can give them others. I'm doing good..then went and had myself a caramel frappachino..and walked around some shop, missed my Sammy walk. Margie...mmmm Chinese Food, now I will have to go get some now that it is on my mind..one track mind...FOOD...Glorius Food....been so long since I've had a egg roll, bet you couldn't wait for the leftovers. Sounds like you have a beautiful view out of your office and nice that you pause and take the time to enjoy it. Clare LOVED trains big ones, small ones, what a sweet thing for a little boy's cake.......or a big boys. Gwen...how on earth could you win that cake 2 years in a row, that is fantastic...that sure must be a yummy cake and Nickolas sounds as yummy...give him a Happy Birthday hug. Wowee can you believe you may have 70 this weekend, it's coming, it's coming...Spring is coming.. JB...have you told your wife yet...where you are taking her to lunch on Saturday...hope they still have the peppermint chocolate chip shakes they had at the holidays....OH....MY....GOSH... By the way JB....Go Cubs....................I mean Cardinals...haha Deb....I could be President of the 400 club....always thinking about food....and not the healthy kind..got to get to the cabbage soup diet again..........oh my. Joni..sounded like a lovely day...and ahh....pub grub...and wood smelling fire..mmmm AJ

Joni

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Hey all.. We have sun, but not quite warm air here in the Western Carolinas. My hubby and I headed to Sparta, NC, close to the Virginia/NC border to pick up some kindling wood from a furniture store. It was a fun and beautiful drive. We popped into a cute tavern and had a cold one when we were done. It was such a fun day. But....still a snowpacked driveway. I hope Gwen sends us those warm temps soon! Margie... LOVE Chinese food. YumO was your lunch for sure. Hey Chas and Dave... and everyone else today! Joni

David (USAF WX)

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Hey Janice, Take a look at the storm moving up the Central Aleutians. It is packing hurricane force winds and no mention of a 'snow-acaine' from Accuweather. We around the Anchorage bowl should see 50-85mph winds through channeled areas tomorrow. Allison is doing great. I'll send some updated pictures soon. Take care.