new news

The muses have been visiting me at night again as there is a new development in our action filled lives.

Our first grandson, Jack, the new hope of expanded Overland lineage, was eight weeks early, spent seven weeks in the NICU in Oakland, went home and had a series of brief but frightening breathing pauses that sent he and his parents back again to the Pediatric intensive care unit, application of assisted ventilation, tube feedings, CT scans, cardiac catheterization, and multiple specialist consultations. On the 19th he will have his chest opened to surgically correct a congenital vascular ring which surrounds his esophagus and trachea and interferes with swallowing and breathing. Jack is in good medical hands and we are fortunate that this problem was detected and defined. Surgical outcomes are very good. His parents, Liz and Tim are fed up with hospitals, trips to-and-from, medical crises, and just want a healthy boy home for the holidays. They seem to have forgotten that they have invited a total stranger to live with them for the next 18 to 24 years, will easily spend 0.5 to 1.0 million in 2007 dollars on him, and may have to sell the house some day to get him out from under them. We will travel down to Oakland and meet up with Liz's parents to see Jack and lend whatever support is needed.

I am finishing my fifth month of therapy for my tumor and apart from the two weeks per month associated with my monthly chemotherapy I feel pretty good. Fatigue, sleepiness and weakness are my main concerns, but I feel good enough to dream big plans, just don't have the umph to pull them off. The week of chemo isn't much fun, especially when Ralph and I meet and pray to the porcelain goddess. Another brain MRI in a couple of weeks and plans for the next two months can be made.

Thanks to all of you for your loving support. Christmas cards will be going out this and next week with personalized thank you's. Eric