Weekend Update without Tina Fey and Jimmy Fallon

Yet another weekend behind us and Mike is doing pretty good, as well as can be expected. With his first round of chemo. over, he has been resting and recuperating. He feels pretty good and has a little of the expected fatigue and nausea but nothing too bad. He said that his head hurts though. Not a headache necessarily but more on the outside on his scalp. He said that he feels like someone is pulling his hair. Yesterday he went on his usual rounds, walking around the floor and even was able to get on the stationary bike. He did a mile before he even knew it and said, "I don't think I've ridden a mile cumulative in my life!" HA! In spite of a little nausea, his appetite continues to be good. Although being a descendant of the Smithharts, I can't imagine anything deterring that! Ya'll know we love to eat!

It was a great football weekend as well, unless you're team just happened to go all Tropicana Extra Pulp style on you even though you have been unyielding in your pursuit to convert unsuspecting hospital patients to your cause. I'm not saying any names here but if you happen to be a dentist in the Eastern Tennessee region, you may have just an inkling to what I'm talking about. It was a big weekend in the Commonwealth as well. My Mike and I went over to the game with our friends Patrick and Hilliary and had an awesome time. We were treated to a 1st class tailgate by the Holbrooks & the rest of their clan. It was all fun and games until one of those rednecks, God love 'em, broke out the "shine" as they refer to it. It reminded me of one of those science projects you did when you were little. You know, the one in a bottle that looks like a tornado when you shake it up. "Come on Rachel, it'll put hair on your chest!" Yeah, and that's just what I need. I will say those boys from "Paintsvul" sure know how to have a good time! And how about that game??? It looks like our super-scientific poll correctly picked the winner. The game was unreal! The atmosphere leading up to the opening was so thick and real, you could almost reach out and touch it. I don't know why but both the National Anthem and "My Old Kentucky Home" always get me a little misty eyed but this time I just couldn't control the emotion. Just like with everything I do these days, it is so bittersweet. I just wish so much that Mikey could be here too, enjoying it right along with me and Saturday was no exception. So there I stood, tears just streaming down my face. The lady beside me just kept looking over at me. No doubt she was thinking, "Hey Fruit Loop, it's just a football game." The game continued, one touchdown after another and until the last 28 seconds, I just knew Louisville was going to pull it off. Then came the touchdown that will ensure Andre Woodson a career in public office in the state of Kentucky until he dies. Being in the Louisville section, you could hear a pin drop, but around the perimeter of the stadium was a total eruption. I am sure you could hear the roar all the way to Waddy. It was really an unbelievable game. Now that I think about it, maybe it was best that Mikey not see all of the blue bloods going buck wild. You all know how he feels about UK. Also the Colts had a huge win over the Titans yesterday. That's always a big game for both teams. I know Mike was pleased with that win. That game was only blocks from where he is right now. I sure wish he could have gone.

As you all know Melisa was able to go home and be with Casey, Mom stayed in Nashville, and Big Hope and Bret came down for the weekend. Melisa said Casey is doing really good but he is asking to go see his Daddy "at the doctors." Hopefully Mike will be able to go home in a few weeks and be with him at home too. Debbie, Melisa's mom, came down with a stomach bug over the weekend. Hopefully she gets better soon so that Melisa can get back to Nashville in the next day or two. Mom is planning on going back home for a few days once Melisa gets down there too. She has been down there the whole time and I am sure is a little homesick.

Today please pray that Mike's body is able to properly heal and fully recover. Thanks again to everyone for their prayers, emails, calls and visits. It does help tremendously.

Love,
Rachel