Week 11

So there it is. Combed out to all its coarse beauty. It's so long that when I swim underwater I can feel it flowing under my chin. Gross. Still though, I get questions all the time about the beard especially when I wear my matching shirt. Spreading the word is as easy as leaving the house when you like this.

Now then, this next week is kind of a HUGE week for Nick. By "kind of" I mean "abso-friggin-lutely". This very could be the last round of treatment Nick ever has to get. That is so amazing that I don't even want to imagine it for fear of jinxing the whole thing. For most of you, the past three months has gone by as usual. For Nick, these months have meant poking, prodding, uncomfortable hospital beds, tubes, treatments, people documenting everything that goes in to and comes out of his body, hospital food, and way too much attention. But, it hasn't broken him, hasn't really done more than bore the heck out of him. That is a testament to just who he is. Tougher than cancer. Tougher than you. Tougher than me.

Week 10

I'm a day and more than a few dollars short. Vegas will do that to you. Speaking of Vegas, I met a fellow bald headed-full bearded wonder. He was walking through Caesar's Palace all nonchalant like. That's how we do, we bearded men we. I told him the lowdown on our little project here and he gladly posed for a picture with me. He told me he is two years into his beard, and my Lord...what care he must put into that thing. It is luxuriously straight. Like he took a woman's hair and implanted it on his face. Disturbing and awesome.


The other truly awesome part of Vegas was hanging our with the second coolest family on Earth, the Decker's. I'm a bit partial to them as they are my blood, but still...everyone of them is wacky-cool in their unique way. One way they are cool similarly is that they have been selling a bunch of wristbands to people up there and spreading the good word far and wide. Further, I didn't even have to guilt them in to doing it. They saw a need and stepped up. Can't beat that with a stick.

So, if any of you families out there want to be like the Decker's and get your own glowing write up and/or picture posted with my beastly self, raise your hand and I'll send you out some inventory to move. Thanks to all those who continue to donate otherwise. Nick is doing well, but there are a lot more kids to help, and more coming in every day. Keep it up!

9 weeks

Were my beard a pregnant dog, today it would be giving birth to a new puppy. Much like a puppy my beard is unruly, playful, wild, and growing quickly. Where is this going? I have no idea. No where good to be sure.

Anyway, it doesn't look like this all the time. Only when I want to scare small children do I comb it up like that. Not really. Truly though it did scare a young girl on our little vacation this week. Imagine sliding down a long waterslide only to turn the last blind corner and be met by a bearded freak of nature. I was certain Brady was going to be coming down instead of her, and she was certain there was nothing but blue water and happy memories at the bottom of the slide. Yikes. I hope her therapy bill is a small one.

Thanks for the donations everybody. Nick should be out of the hospital in a few days. Hopefully he won't have any more complications before his next round of chemo. Then we can get back to fierce videogamery.

The Dude

We got a surprise visit this morning from Nick and Mark. Not really a surprise, they did call before they got here. Three minutes before. But still. I'll take that kind of surprise any day. Nick was waiting for a bed at PCH and had some time to waste, and if you know anything about our house, it's great for wasting time in. Custom outfitted for procrastination in fact. Nick was in no mood to play ball, or play the Wii, or much of anything else...but he was in the mood to watch 300. A fightin' movie for a fightin' kinda dude. So, we skipped over the more "adult" parts and just watched some good ol' butt kicking.

Later on, I went up to the PCH and got schooled on the PS3 for a few hours. Nick was in a great mood, but maybe that was on account of the bag o' sugar I brought him. Again, I'll take it.

When I got home I stopped by the neighbor's house to let them know we wouldn't be here for a few days. Wouldn't you know it, our neighbor's wife has breast cancer. Great. Just another reminder that cancer affects everyone, everywhere. Fortunately for her they caught it in stage 1. Awesome. From looking at her, you'd never know she's been fighting it. She asked all about Nick and of course I spent way too long bragging on him. It was really awesome to talk to someone that is beating cancer and maintaining a positive attitude. Nick's not the only one, there are many, many others out there kicking the $*&! out of cancer and that is what's it's all about.

Anyhoo...thanks for checking in. Keep hitting the donate button and spreading the word. You guys are awesome.

2 Months

You get a fancy cell phone picture this week. We were stopped at Jack in the Box while Jake and Cindy ran in for a pit stop. Me and B were bored, so there you go.

So, we're two months into this, and so far we should have quite a little fund built up. $60 x uhh...how many ever of you are actually donating is...a lot. Plus we're making some good wristband sales too. Spread the word when you can, and thanks for giving so generously. You guys are awesome.

Just like that

Two days ago, he's flat on his back in all sorts of pain. Today he was sitting up, chest tube free and playing his ps3 like nothing was wrong. What do you expect though? He's not your normal cancer patient. He's Nick.

You know what?

You know what sucks? Seeing a 13 year old kid laying in bed with a chest tube sticking out of his side and an oxygen mask in one hand, and a pain med button in the other, just in case he needs it. I call BS on the universe for that.

You know what's awesome? Seeing a 13 year old kid wake up from a nap and be excited to see you. Then all he wants to talk about is video games. For a solid hour. Awesome.

Nick, I am constantly amazed at your ability to make me forget where I am when I am with you. You are friggin amazing.

For Nick

Brady and I were drawing pictures tonight and he helped make this one for his buddy Nick. Go here for the back story.

Week 7

This is the official, "I'm pissed off at cancer" look from yours truly. Nick is going back into the hospital for more Chemo this week. While it's something that's going to help him get better, I hate that he has to go through it again. Hopefully it will be the shortest 4 days he's ever had, but it looks to be a tough go-round, and that just flat sucks.

As researchers continue to look for a cure, I hope along the way they find a better way to at least treat it in the near future. Having to make people, especially kids, so sick to make them better seems damn near barbaric.

But hey, you and I can at least say we did something right? It may be a small effort, but together we are doing more than any of us alone could do. Thanks again to all who have joined in the fight.