Friday Update

Roger is feeling better than we had any reason to expect after his first four days on chemo.  He's experiencing a little background nausea and his energy is slowly dwindling, but overall, not bad at all.  He's still eating well, still working out with weights, still walking and stretching many times a day.  Everyone, doctors and nurses included, are impressed at Roger's determination to stay as healthy as he can for as long as he can.  They tell him to think of this as a marathon, not a sprint.  Going into the transplant strong is a winning strategy.

Robert will be here tomorrow.  Of course, it will be a great relief to have our donor on-site, but Roger is especially looking forward to having a good long visit with his brother.  We'll be lucky if those two don't have everyone in the ward losing their shirts in a poker game.

Our son Casey will be en route to Tempe, Arizona for the Ford Iron Man on Sunday.  I can't imagine spending -- what? -- 12 or so hours running, swimming and biking?!?  Casey says Roger is his inspiration for never quitting.   If the event is televised, you can pick Casey out of the crowd.  He'll be the one with these "I ride for Roger Merrill" stickers on his bike, from Lance Armstrong's LiveStrong Foundation. 

I have such strong-willed, determined (and stubborn) men in my life.  I know who to bet on!