7.6.08

we are back from camping and all is well.

we spent the week in cambria, ny, near niagara falls, in our pop up camper that sleeps 5. it's the first time we've ever gone for a full week so we weren't sure how that'd go. i'm pleased to say that it went very well. with only two days of spotty rain we had plenty of time for swimming, canoeing, sightseeing in Canada, Marineland in Ontario, and smores by the fire at night. we all went to bed w-a-y too late every night but the kids were kind enough to sleep in until 8 or 9 most mornings. the travel there and back was smooth and we took lots of video and photos. camping is a lot of work but it is also a lot of fun. much to my surprise, i seem to be becoming a regular camper; it's only taken about 5 years, haha. i didn't realize how many years we've been doing this until i went into one of the storage areas of the camper and found a tiny training potty that we used for the kids when they were super small. time flies.

john's vasculitis seems to be holding its own. he has new spots pretty regularly since going off the chemo but they seem to just hang out enough to cause worry, then vanish without spreading. he does have one spot on his leg where a sore of some sort broke out and compromised the surface of the skin weeks ago. that spot has been very very slow to heal, but it is healing nonetheless. his glucose levels are pretty level which means fewer insulin shots. and overall he's doing ok. the trip taxed him a bit, he did a lot of walking and living of life, but that was the point so he's not complaining. i think it will take some time for him to not look so drained but he said more than once what a nice time he had so i'm sure he thinks it was worth it.

he goes to the doctor next week (i believe) so we'll see what tests are run and what they show. for now their statement of "do not expect to see any significant imporovement until the spring and not complete health until the end of summer, providing all goes well" seems to be exactly on target. i have to keep reminding him that the summer really just started so he still may have a way to go. he becomes impatient, "sick and tired of being sick and tired", but who the heck can blame him.

we leave to go camping again two weeks from today. looking forward to cramming as many memories into life as possible.
thank you for continued prayers. we seem to be heading in the right direction.
k