Much has changed in our lives over that last two years. Travis has retired from the Marine Corps. We moved out of our old apartment into the one that we are living in now. Travis had CyberKnife radiation. Victoria started middle school. We received AMAZING NEWS that Travis’ pesky Schwannoma tumor succumbed to Dr. Adler’s treatment. NO MORE TUMOR!!!! I started back at work and went back to college.

Travis accepted his dream job at Northrop Grumman. He entered through a wonderful program called Operation Impact. Since retiring from the Marine Corps. Travis has been seeing new doctors. He struggled through Methadone withdrawal and is now 100% METHADONE FREE. He has a prescription for Vicodin to use for breakthrough pain but he has not taken any since June 30th. He has come a long way from his daily doses of 3000mg of Neurontin and 10mg of Methadone.

Our offer was accepted on our first home. (We are in escrow right now.)

Travis came down with Diverticulitis and then suffered from a secondary infection as a result of the antibiotics given to him to treat the Diverticulitis.

So much has happened over the last two years.  Life sure has not been easy but things seem to be turning around.  We are learning to see the glass as half full rather than half empty.  I expect that we will continue to face hurdles but what I have learned is there is nothing that Travis and I cannot accomplish if we put our hearts into it.

In my opinion, this is proof that CyberKnife radiation works.  It is the best treatment for a schwannoma brain tumor.  If you have a tumor or know somebody who does then ask the  doctor is CyberKnife would work for you.

I want to write more but I donated blood today and my finger is really sore from the prick.  I will try and write more soon.

Stanford Trip

We have GREAT NEWS.  We had an appointment with Travis’s neurosurgeon and he believes that the tumor resection and radiation was a success.  Dr. Adler does not think that the tumor will grow back.  We are ecstatic!!! 

My Classes

I am almost down with this semester.  Many times I have felt like giving up.  We just have so much going on.  But I remind myself that I am a role model to Victoria and that the more education I have, the more I can help others.  Those two thoughts keep me on track.

The Kiosk

Many of you know Travis has started www.tntride.com back in October 2005, just a couple of months before he was diagnosed.  Though he has had some progress he has not been able to fully dedicate himself to it because of his illness and treatment.  If you notice some of the pictures just days after his surgery he still continued working.  Anyway, we proudly opened a kiosk on MCAS Miramar in front of the Exchange.  Travis and I are both really proud of this accomplishment.  So far we have spent two weekends there and both ended being a success.  We are going to be there again next weekend too.  I hope that this kiosk will end up supplementing Travis’s income once he retires.

My Employment Situation

Speaking of income I have had a difficult time finding a job.  I applied to a bunch of jobs here.  I turned down one offer because I was almost guaranteed a position with another company.  After months of negotiations and jumping through hoops I was told that the company has a hiring freeze and they will contact me as soon as that changes but they are not sure how long that will be.  It worries me because without that job we will most likely end up moving back to Los Angeles unless something else comes through for Travis or I.  I hate to think about that so I am just taking things day by day.

Something Else Concerning Me

A Schwannoma brain tumor is a VERY VERY RARE type of a tumor.  Recently I was contacted by another wife whose husband also has a Schwannoma and is stationed at MCAS Miramar.  What are the chances of that occurring?  Travis also worked with another Marine who was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  It makes me wonder if there is a link between brain tumors and the military.  I certainly hope not but I am going to do some research and see what I can find.