Kali on Fox 25 News

Update on Uncle Dickie

Well as some of you know, My dad suffered a fall the other day coming out of the doctor's office. He fell backwards trying to negotiate a stair and fell hard. He broke his shoulder and his elbow. During the x-rays at Winchester Hospital they found a spot on his lung. This spot had actually been detected months earlier, but was small. And since my dad had a previous spot removed a couple of years ago the doctor was not too concerned. However, the spot has grown significantly. According to the doctor, it appears as though it could be cancerous. But because my father's health has deteriorated over the last few months, he is not a candidate for a biopsy, never mind chemo or radiation. So the doctor has prepared us that if it is what he thinks it is, he doesn't have a tremendous amount of time left. My dad is currently in Winchester Hospital awaiting approval to move to a rehab for the shoulder and arm. We have not told him about the finding in the x-ray and follow up catscan that he had, simply because he won't retain it. His blood pressure is incredibly low, he has lost a lot of weight and he just looks tired. He was upbeat during our visit yesterday, but is unaware of who I am or who my mother is. Nancy, my mom and I visited him on Friday after the fall and he was unable to tell who Nancy was either. The look on her face told me she wasn't prepared for that. I am used to it...he just thinks I am either the taxi driver, doctor, or the guy who lives near by. But Nancy looked devastated. My mom is holding up well, she has a deep well of faith, although it has been tested lately. She continues to pray and is hoping the Lord hears her. The bottom line is that we don't have a solid hold on what is going to happen with my dad. We are taking it one day at a time. But the blessing about Alzheimer's is that he is not in fear of his situation and has little pain. So I'll take that for now and be grateful. I will keep you all posted.

Tim and The Marathon

Well he decides only weeks before the actual Marathon to run again, this time as a fund-raiser. I can honestly say I don't know of too many people who can do that and pull off a time of 3:50:48. Impressed would be an understatement. I am impressed when I can actually do 2 miles on the treadmill at Planet Fitness in under 30 minutes. But why am I surprised, Tim has always been the quiet warrior. He doesn't make a big deal about anything, he simply says he is going to do something and then he does it and if he can help people along the way, well that is what he does. He really is amazing and I am so damn proud of him.

Ireland Video from our production in 2008

My usual musings

Hello Clan,
Well we have one month under our belts for 2009. So far the year has proven a slight improvement over 2008. Tube is feeling the effects of the economy, but so far we have been able to keep our heads above water. We have turned our focus on long form videos and starting to step away from the TV commercial business. We have a video for Shriners Burns Hospital for Children in the works and a sales video for New England Jeep Dealers in pre-production. In terms of our Ireland clients we have been involved with a lot of networking opportunities including conducting an Ireland Meet-up group on a monthly basis that meets at local pubs and talks about Ireland to potential travelers. Brian Moore International Tours (who sent us to Ireland in 2007) has asked us to do some additional video work this year. So we may be going back to the West Coast of Ireland in July for a summer camp program they are selling. 7 days this time. But I tell ya, you can rent a cottage in the Killarney area for as little as $500 a week not including air. if anyone is interested in looking at going to Ireland...let me know. I am also reaching out to businesses in Scotland and trying desperately to make it back there as well.

I am going to really try and make Ireland and Scotland a major part of my future. I feel at home there and when you go, you'll see why.

On the home front. My dad is attending a adult day care once a week and so far it is working out. It gives my mom time to herself and my dad seems to enjoy the socializing. But as I told Tommy, he does talk about killing everyone there with his imaginary 45 caliber handgun when he walks through the door...it's ok to laugh. It continues to be an adventure.

I am trying to get the GBS road race back on track with Tim...I have been distracted. But I am ready now.

On a sad note, Genie's cousin lost his 16 year old daughter this past week. She was a competitive skier and died after she skied into a tree at Sunday River. We went to Connecticut to visit family and offer what support we can. Her name was Rebecca McGill.

Well that is the catch up. I hope you are all doing well.

Happy New Year

Well what an incredibly crappy year 2008 was, right to the bitter friggin' end. But it is a new year and with it comes the promise for new adventures and opportunities and I am ready!

Hello and Season's greetings

Well, we just finished putting up our Christmas decorations, including the ones from Mom with all our names on them, which is nice because it causes us to take a moment to think of all of you as we deck the halls. I hope all are doing well this season and that this Christmas time brings peace and joy to the hearts of all of you. And remember at the center of all the busyness and commercialism, that the reason for this season is to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Jason, I don't know if you check in to the blog much, but in case you didn't get my message, Happy belated birthday. If you did get my message, then you are a big loser for not calling back. I know losers, because I am one was well. Happy Birthday.

Jamie