I am Back! I have been inspired by by friend Mary Zanot to blog again. Just to refresh anyone I have stage 4 thyroid cancer. Yikes. I was diagnosed in March of 2008. Surgery, hypo thyroid, radiation x2, and for good measure a double heart bypass. Here I am in 2011 have not blogged since  Last October. No chest pain and feeling pretty good.

My daughter Mary is at NAU (go Jacks). Jimmy is in Mesa and Jack is at home. We warming up for the empty nest.

Susan and I are still together. By the grace of God.

A subject I do not talk to much about is my financial situation. To be honest it has been a struggle. We go to the Old Town Mission food bank when we need too and the mortgage company has given us a do over. The utility company, and phone company have worked with us. Our church and friends have helped us keep our car going. One thing we do not have is direct TV anymore. I liked it because of my struggles at night but found I can make do without it.

A while back my primary health care provider advised me to "stop working and stay as healthy as possible".  One day when the direct TV was still on I saw a commercial about a law firm that works on social security disability. I called them told them my situation and they offered to take my case. It was a good decision. The law firm of Binder and Binder did everything. Forms, filing doctor reports all at no up front cost to me. I was just declared disabled by social security. 25% of my retroactive payment goes to the lawyer but I think it was a good decision.

Getting the first payment has yet to happen. But when the ball gets rolling we are going to get above water for the first time in a long time. Glory to God!

More tomorrow on my attempt to live life to the fullest while having cancer.