So Far So Good

Yesterday at Duke, Jerry had some procedures and Tony had his two shots of the day to help grow his stem cells. Today, Jerry is having all day chemo, and Anthony is continuing with his shots. We are in a special bone marrow stem cell wing of the hospital. It is very comfortable, with a family lounge and a good cafeteria across the street. Despite the 99 degree temps, Tony and I regularly make the trek for hot coffee. As I type, Jerry is having chemo and resting comfortably, no doubt dreaming of drinking beer (a now forbidden beverage) back at home.

As you would expect, there are lots of other patients and family members walking around the halls. We all seem to share the same knowing glances, and it starts to feel comfortable here rather quickly. Except for all the "ya all"s that we hear so often. That will take time to get used to. We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto.

On Our Way

Important Weeks Ahead

We are coming up to some important weeks ahead, and I am trying not to worry. It is good to know so many people are sending love and support. So many that it's humbling. Our friend Michael, who is much more tech savvy than I, installed a stat counter on this blog when we first introduced it. It's hard to believe this page has been accessed more than 1,000 times.

My new mantra

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Matthew 6:34

Join Jerry Dinner: August 22

We have the details for the Join Jerry dinner, and we hope you all can come.

We are so grateful to friends and family who have handled all the plans for us while we were taking care of our beloved Papa. The date is August 22, 6:00 pm, at the Brownstone. 351 West Broadway, Paterson, NJ. Family style dinner. DJ. Unlimited beer, wine, soda! That's right, unlimited...

$65 per ticket before August 16. $75 after. To purchase tickets, please send checks to Diane Makoujy, 9 Columbus Ave., Totowa, NJ 07512.

xoxo

Arrangements for Papa

http://festamemorial.com/obituary_view/73832

Good bye, Papa

Our beloved father, Damiano Senatore, passed away. He was a devoted family man, and I miss his quiet strength and boundless love already. Throughout his hospital stay, Dad wore his relentless bracelet for his son. Jerry now wears it in dad's honor. Relentless, the both of them.

Mike and Kenny

We have two new committee members for the Join Jerry Dinner, Jerry's good buddies Mike Nicusanti and Kenny Cooke. They are going to help with the planning. Jerry's going to wish he could come to this...

Save the Date: August 22 Join Jerry Dinner

Jerry's godmother, Aunt Connie, is organizing a Join Jerry Dinner event to be held on August 22 at the Brownstone in Paterson, NJ (a familiar site to those of you who are fans of the "Housewives of NJ"). We have set up a committee to help her in the planning: Diane, Anna, Ro, Lu and me. I don't know what I'm doing, but I am being led by people who do! Thank God. Save the date! We hope it will be a PV reunion of sorts, as well as a family reunion, a friend reunion, and just a fun way to support Jerry. (Note to cohorts of Jerry: yes, there will be beer.) More info to follow.

Excerpt from a Text Convo

Me: Heard you sent mom flowers for Mother's Day. You are a show off.

Jerry: No, sending flowers makes me a suck up. Beating cancer will make me a show off.

Me: Fine then go show off ...