Remembering Dave

This is great! Gotta love Ronald Reagan's optimism - but when did he have colon cancer? I didn't know that. I also didn't realize Nancy had breast cancer. With all the talk of his optimism last week during the funerals, I think that he died so we could all be reminded of that. He went a long way in life with the help of that optimism. Makes me very aware that I need to try harder for that!

Addie, bald is beautiful!!!!!!! Don't worry, when my hair started to fall out, don't remember what day, I tried to shave mine off by myself. I think it freaked my mom out. The electric shaver I have has a mustache/beard clipper on it so I thought it would work for my head. I went out back and started trying to shave off my hair and my mom and dad and wife were there watching. Anyway the clippers did not work so I went to a hair dresser the next day. I walked in and the guy who came up to help me (obvious flamer ) asked how I wanted it cut. I said-well, I have a problem-- and the I reached up and grabbed a handful of hair and pulled it out. Poor guy I thought he was going to keel over. His eyes bugged out and he started gasping, oh it was funny looking back on it. If he were a girl I probably would not have done it that way. I explained I had cancer and my hair was falling out and he calmed down and shaved my head bald. He ended up being really cool about it and wished me the best of luck when he was done. I know loosing your hair is different for women than it is for men but just look at all the money you are going to save on shampoo and conditioner. You know I was told to make sure you keep massaging you scalp when taking a shower just like you are washing your hair. It is supposed to keep the roots healthy and make the hair grow back faster. Not sure if it works or not. What you will find funny is the things you used to do with your hair like flipping it back or certain ways/moves you make while wshing your hair, you will find yourself doing them even when you don't need to. For example I used to shake my hair out after washing it in the shower. Well when it was gone I naturally wanted to shake my head after I turned off the water. After I had stopped shaking my head a month would go by and then one moning I would start shaking my head. You have to laugh and say, oh yeah, I don't have hair, no need to shake. Anyway a shearing/pizza party sounds great. Hope you make the most out of it, don't let it get you down, you are not alone and besides, it just means the chemo is doing it's job, right!!!!!! Yes you can become a memeber of the Band who's name was inspired by the writings of my beautiful wife. Forever your bald servant, David C

Curtis, I just want to say I love what you are saying and feeling and I love the way you express it. God Bless, Karen C.

Ginny, somehow we missed this. Our deepest condolences from the Chapman family. I don't know what else to say - it's gotta be tough losing a sibling, and with everything else you have going on . . . I can't imagine. God Bless, David, Karen and Faith

Yes, Yes!!!!!! I really am not a movie buff, couldn't tell you who starred in what or who directed thismovie or that movie to save myself fot the most part. The two movies I referred to here is--Spinal Tap--a must see for any rock music fans and American Pie a jouvenile (very jouvenile at that. story of, how should I say........growing up) My wife has refused to watch American Pie but she has seen Spinal Tap. If you want some good comedy go get these. American Pies humor may offend some so read some of the reviews prior to writing. Bruce and J.C. welcome aboard to the punk Rock scene. Dean you can do wheelies around stage and have flames coming from the back of your scooter like you were burning nitro in that thing. David C

Ry!!!!!! Thats the beauty of it all. You don't have to have any talent for Punk Rock!!!!!!!! Just jump around on stage with lots of tatoos and black and purlple on with your amplifier turned up to 11 (who can tell me what thats from?) fake smoke and a set that looks like a mini stone henge (thats twice....come on folks) and shout angels and demons over and over and over. Kids think it's cool. Of course we will have to have someone volunteer to be the drummer and it aint gonna be me they have a habit of spontaneously combusting ( thats 3!!! ) David C

Oh my gosh!!!!! What a truely incredible sequence of events. You are surely blessed. Mark, it sounds as if your mom was and incredible lady and it also sounds as if your wife is an incredible lady as well. Your story brought tears to my eyes, I am serious. Please know that you and your family are in our prayers. We are all here for you. May god bless your mother and always be with you and your special bride. David C

It all makes sense now.....they are all at band rehersal. You know one year at band camp,........ OK not going there. Funny you say I should quit my day job. I spent 13 year on the road going up and down the east coast playing in bands while going to school part time. I loved it, got to go and Play at Sloppy Joes in Key West FL on several occasions and revelled the public with the Electric Slide and Wind between my Thighs for years. I actually got out of the music business because I got tired of getting home when the birds got up. A good freind of mine coined a phrase we have used for years about the reason we got out of the music Biz--I was tired of dodging the grim reaper--now look at what a mess I am in now. (OK if you can't laugh at yourself.........). I could have moved to Las Vegas or NY City or LA and joined the Union but after the union tried to fine me $100.00 for impersonating a Trombone player I had little use for the Union (thats whole 'nother story) How about it David A?? I bet Ry would look good with a few tatoos and purple hair. Good old sis can play the piano. What do you say Becky to a punk version of Tubular Bells. David C

Elaine I have been trying to get Karen to get a tatoo for years pointing out particularly nice ones when we see them displayed on various part of the female anatomy while out at the theater or in the Malls around town. Faiths new hair dresser has a tatoo on her neck of some chinese character, maybe she can help. A LCHELP Gothic Rock Band now thats a good idea I sure hope we can get some other takers for this soon very soon like in 4 hours.........I simply can't continue I know there are probably Goth's out there who will get offended and I have not come this far to get demoned by a goth.........by the way what is a goth?

Mreow!! Pfft!! Pfft!!! David C

Demon? Did I actually say Demon in one of my reply posts? You know Angels and Demons sounds like a British Heavy Metal Band. I will have to research that David C

To all the T's.....thanks for the update. Decadron and 4 rounds of chemo are enough to make anyone need a break!!!!! Let me tell you that decadron is the drug of deamons. Hope everyone has fun at the beach, like you said, that alone is therapudic. Let Tbone know he is in my prayers. David C

Mo, extra prayers coming your way from me. David C

Prayers for Mo and her family. I really hate to see her going through this, she's such a good sweet person. Karen C. and David and Faith

You need the right tool for the job and I have used every tool I have..........at least once. David C

Ok, Karen here. Becky, oh myh gosh, now I have to go to the ladies room I'm laughing so hard at the "exchange the stuff tomorrow joke" and also the genetic pattern joke. For everyone else: their mom is a compulsive bargain shopper. We regularly get boxloads of deals from the clothing bargain table at whatever department or outlet store was nearby. anyway, she'll buy all this stuff and ALWAYS either leaves the tags on and sends the receipts OR takes it all back herself the next day. And to be honest with you, it's usually never just the right size, but it was just such a good price . . . Becky - hate to tell you this, but Dave's had shop-itis for quite some time, but never for clothes, just tools and crap like that. And never 'cause it's a bargain. Just because he had a cause of the "gimmees" at the time. Ok, think I 'm done laughing now! Karen

Good Job!!!!!! Congrats and and all that Jazz. Here's to more of the same. Ain't God Grand. David C

My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Your dad was a very lucky man to have you for a daughter and to get to spend so much time with his grandchildren. David C

Thanks everybody, the scan went as well as can be expected....I guess. The table was sticking a little but they still were able to complete it. Not sure what they shot me full of but they told me to drink as much as I possible could between the time I got injected (8:00) and my scan time(11:00). They cut me loose afte my injection and I went and got two 1 Qt. bottles of water and then went to Wal-Mart and walked around, and walked around. Killed about an hour there and got such esential things as an Apple corer, Dog Food, Milk Bones and yes, another liter of water. I still had a lot of time to kill so I went to a Big Lots store and was overcome with shopping glee, snapping up all the closeout bargains such as a bottle nose jack and a multifunction reversable, ratcheting screwdriver set. Oh the bargains. OK, at this point I had already drank 1 and 1/2 quarts of water and my little legs were constantly crossed, boy talk about pain, I would go to the little boys room and then be back in misery in 5 minutes. I went back to the hospital and watched CNN and daydreamed about the bargains to be had at Big Lots for the remaining 1/2 hour I had to wait. The scan went fine but as I was going to the room I did start to get a little woozy, not sure if it was from the injection they gave me or the excessive time I had spent on my feet walking through the stores or the sheer excitement of Big Lots. They had me go to the boys room, AGAIN, straped me to the table, did the scan and then said OK you can get up and leave. I was so sore and stiff I could barely get up and I was walking like I was 100 years old. Needless to say I went home and took a nap. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers, May Ann I may take you up on the helmet but I was born in Texas and am not sure I know what a hockey helmet looks like, maybe I will get my mom to ship me my football helmet, if she has kept it all these years. I will let you all know the results as soon as I get them, I really am not worried about it, think Karen is more worried than I am. Thank You all. David C

Kelly, I am so sorry for you to have lost your wonderful dear father. But I think he had a life well worth living which is evidenced by the devotion of his family. You are lucky to have such precious memories for your lifetime. God Bless, Karen C.

OK, everyone, this is a little off topic, but last night Faith graduated from the two year old class and on Monday moves up to the three year old class! Now, what is so wonderful about this is: 1. She's not turning three in a Chinese orphanage. She's turning three in a HOME with PARENTS who love her more than anything! 2. She's turning three with with a Daddy who is healthy! 3. One year after Dave's future, his very life, was totally uncertain, we are celebrating our little girl moving up through the world together as a family. Everyday life is full of miracles! God Bless, Karen C. (p.s. Faith doesn't actually turn three until September 3, but she's graduating into the three year old class, most of her "comrades" are already three).

We're late, too, but AWESOME, JOE! the power of prayer? Yipee!! God Bless, Karen C.

Makwa, I'd just ask the lady straight up what is bothering her. Tell her you notice a change and what is bothering her and to let you know if this is too difficult for her so you'll know whether to back off a bit or whatever. It could be that her daughter, being protective, told her Mom to back off from you. I think getting things out in the open and off people's chest relieves alot of anxiety and stuff. But that's the way I am. Not everyone is so comfortable "letting it all hang out." Keep us posted, Karen C.

Hello everybody, I am going in for a bone scan in the morning. I have not had one done since I was diagnosed last march. I am not having any pain that I feel all the time but the bone above my right eye has excrutiating pain when Faith bonks me there, bless her little heart. When she hits me on the left side it hurts but nowhere near as bad as on the right side. It also feels as if the bone is raised a little on theright side. Of course Faith does not mean to bonk me but well things happen like that sometimes you know. Anyway I am not really worried about it but Karen made me go to our primary care doc and the doc said--why not, lets do a bone scan so a phone call later and I am scheduled for tomorrow moring. I have to be there at 7:30 and then they shoot me up with something at 8:00 and then I have to wait until 11:00 to have the dern scan done. O well, should get the results back soon. On the brighter side, Faith had her Graduation ceremony tonight. Even though she is only 2 1/2 she is moving up to the 3 year old class!!! Thats my girl!!!!! David C

Nancy, hope you get feeling better. In the out dept. I have been having particularly good luck this week with Fruit Salad (yummy, yummy)-- or maybe I just got some rotten fruit. Oh well, hang in there. You will be in my prayers. David C