Ode to the Chiefs

Oh, team of Red and Gold
Your awfulness at times astounds me.
A single victory stands on your record
Like a gorgeous rose amidst
A sea of thorns.
Yet that victory was not so much gorgeous.
Perhaps aberration.

Dear Carl, why do you
Torment me with your insolence?
Whey did we keep you
And lose Marty?
You are like a bad sandwich
That keeps repeating on me.
Only you are worse.

Herman, Herman, Herman
Please answer a simple question
With a simple answer.
You are friends with Clark
So will probably be back
For 2009.
Please be better.

Defense, where art thou
In the 4th Quarter?
Are you too tired to
Play an entire game?
You are so rich and yet
So pitiful.
The Jets just scored again.

Tyler Thigpen is the Quarterback?
I thought he was the dirty kid
In Peanuts.
Next year you can tutor
Tebow of the Gators
Or Stafford of the Dawgs.
I can dream.

Perhaps we are but paying
For the multiple transgressions
Of Derrick Thomas
Or the multiple felonies
Of Bam Morris
Or the constant arrests
Of Larry Johnson.

No matter what
I wear my Red and Gold with pride
Amid cackles from
Patriots and Broncos and even Browns.
I'd like to DVR your games
But no one will show them here.
Maybe in 2011.

12.12 = 100%, WE'RE DONE WITH CHEMO!

I can't believe it's finally over. Chemo is complete. I'm bald, but that's okay. It's done! Yeah!

Truly, I can't tell you how much we've relied on the prayers and support of those of you who have seen us through this challenge. Leah and I feel very strongly that one of the reasons we needed to be in Las Vegas was to experience this trial. I don't know why, but I do know this is where the Lord wanted us. Are we done with trials? Of course not. Just see the kid flying around the neighborhood on crutches! However, the chemo part of this process is over and I am so grateful.

We know that with cancer there is just no guarantee - though I AM guaranteed never to get colon cancer again! All signs right now point to a healthy future. I will continue with regular scans and checks. In about six months, they can remove the port from my chest, but they want it in for a while as a precaution. We've learned so much in this process. We've learned that we have the greatest support group of family and friends you can imagine, both here, in Kansas, in Utah and throughout points across the United States. You've all been awesome. We've learned that good insurance is nothing to scoff at. Our insurance is going up in 2009 to the point that we would have been paying a huge amount off if this had happened next year, even at 10% after the deductible. We've learned to cherish our family and especially our children. We've read more from the scriptures and the brethren and watched fewer movies than we expected. We've realized the importance of both giving and receiving service. I can honestly say that I think we're stronger because of this experience. That's amazing to me.

We'll be having a chemo is over party here and perhaps a second one in Utah. We love you all so much. Thank you for your support and smile a smile for us tonight - CHEMO IS OVER!

Baldy Balderson

Okay, it's done. I'm bald and I promised pictures. So, here I am this morning:

I spent the morning cleaning the cars and taking them through the car wash. Then it was time. They shaved one side, then the top, then the back and the last side. So, at one point, I was bald on top and one side, but if you looked at the other side, where I still had hair, Leah said I looked just like my dad. Only one word for that. . . Handsome!

So, here it comes....



Are you ready?




Are you sure you want to see this?




Okay, Here we go:

So far, the kids have really enjoyed touching it. My biggest fear was that I'd have some sort of strange bumps or ridges on my head, but it looks good, for the most part. Also, my eyes are magic.