A Visual

We went to the Leanardo yesterday. They had an Animal Inside Out exhibit that we went to see. One of the items on display was the digestive system of a human. Layne pointed out to the kids what section was taken out when he had his surgery. He seemed to think it was pretty cool. The kids were patient listeners - for a little bit at least.

Red Blood Cell Count

Layne had an appointment today with the Physicians Assistant. According to the labs that were taken this morning his red blood cell count is low. She told him she wasn't sure how he road his bike 75 miles in the heat. I don't think any of us know. The test results might explain some of the not feeling well about a week ago. It also might explain how he's not feeling so great again today. They will be doing more tests in a couple of weeks. The gal today thought there might be some bleeding and wanted to do another colonoscopy. Layne convinced her to hold off ordering that until the next set of tests is taken. He's not really a fan unless it truly needs to be done.
Another issue that was discussed was getting enough oxygen to the brain. I will try not to make any jokes about how that may or may not effect Layne's brain power right now. We're hoping all is well.

He Finished It!

Layne did great today with his bike ride. We were there at the finish line. He rode the whole distance! When I asked him if his legs were sore, he shook his head and pointed to his shoulders, neck, head, and arms. I guess I didn't think about that being an issue. His legs got plenty of use today. He mentioned later that he felt like his back end was going to fall off. (Charming, right?)
I was glad Patrick was kind enough to ride with him. He's been working with Layne as a personal trainer at Huntsman. He's good at what he does. He knows what he's doing professionally - he also has great skill in working with people and motivating them. He and Layne have become friends (big surprise). (Layne is great about learning people's names and making conversation. He's on a first name basis with just about everyone that helps him at Huntsman. He even knows hobbies/interests of a few of them.)
Layne made it through the bike ride - and, as expected came home to doing just about nothing for the rest of the day. We'll see how well he can move tomorrow. He might be a bit sore. We're proud of him. Not sure what's next.
One last thought...he did have a glitch while he was riding. He ended up getting a nail in one of his tires. He said it took him about 15 miles or so to figure out what the noise was...it would hit the frame of the bike every time the wheel turned around. It obviously got taken care of and he was able to move on. Go Layne. Go Team Williams!

Today's Facebook Post

Layne's doing a 75 mile bike ride this morning (another Huntsman Cancer Institute fundraising event). As usual, I'm a little nervous. It just seems like a lot (physically). I know he will come home tired, sore, and sunburnt...which is not very fun for a guy who is typically tired and sore and (half the time) sunburnt. Also...there's nothing like thinking that your spouse is going to die from cancer (someday) and then realizing that you're now more panicked than you used to be about random accidents. I will breathe a sigh of relief when we get to cheer for him at the finish line. Go Layne. Go Team Williams.

Already There

'I'm Already There' by Lonestar

This was my song for Layne when he was in Albuquerque for weeks at a time (several years ago). It came out in 2004 and ended up being turned into a song for all of the soldiers heading out to Iraq and Iran. (Good marketing thought, right?) It was played quite a bit on the radio. I heard it today and thought about how it could be a song for when Layne is gone. He'll always be with us.

This is the only video I could find that was about being away from home missing your family instead of military personal leaving/returning home. (I'm not saying that's not important - just saying it wasn't our situation - thankfully.) 

I like the picture in here with the mom, two boys and the little baby. Our boys were young and Megan had just been born that past spring. We got to see him every other week-end...sort of...he still had obligations on campus. He would get home Thursday evening, go to campus for a long day on Friday and then be on campus again Saturday morning and sometimes into the afternoon. We would spend time as a family, do a date night and church on Sunday. We took him back to the airport Sunday afternoons and then wait for over a week and a half for him to come home again. He was always amazed at Megan's growth each time he saw her.

75 Miler

Layne does his bike ride on Saturday. He's going to do the 75 mile version. It came up quick. He didn't get a chance to ride last week because he wasn't feeling well. But, he rode his stationary version yesterday and will ride again on Thursday.
He starts at 7 on Saturday morning. I think he expects us to ride along with him in the van. Or at least be a checkpoints. Yea for us.:} It'll be good.
Wish him luck.

Sick Day

Layne has been sick yesterday and today. He had a fever yesterday. Today it's the no energy flu-like feeling sick he had the first day or two after getting chemo pumped into him for a day.
It has crossed my mind that we are preparing for future times. I get to do more, and he doesn't feel well or do much. I hope it's not the beginning of the end.