Justin Bieber or Zach Ingersoll?

Who is more famous today: Justin Bieber or Zach Ingersoll? If you asked the cancer patients at MSTI they would say Zach because they recognized him from the Idaho Statesman article today!  Zach was slightly embarrassed by the "celebrity" jokes but it was all in good fun.  

Last night Zach and I were reflecting on our friendships with others. In general we look at our friends and can explain the characteristics that make them a good friend; they might be trustworthy, funny, faithful, or caring. But can we explain what our friends see in us?  In general we don't sit around and wonder what qualities people see in us.  That said, this experience is teaching Zach what others see in him as a friend.  Students who may not have said much to Zach in class are now writing emails to share their thoughts about him as a person and a teacher.  Junior high and high school friends from 15+ years ago are calling to let him know he is in their thoughts.  Zach assumed many of his former and current basketball players might not have liked him very much because of the demands and expectations he put on them.  He is now realizing many of those boys loved that about him and viewed him as a very passionate coach.  I love that Zach hears from all of you--you will never know just how much it means to him.  And if his phone gets a little too quiet in the coming months I'll let everyone know! 

We have a prayer request.  Zach's brother Nathaniel is currently the Operating Partner for P.F. Chang's in Louisville.  With all that has happened the past few weeks Nathaniel would like to move home.  Having him here a few weeks ago was such a huge support for Zach and me.  He means everything to us!  Please pray he is able to find a good job fit in Boise as he searches from Louisville. Max and Oliver miss their Uncle Nate!

Jared Ropelato was a junior high and high school friend of Zach's. He sent us this sweet picture. His students in California are pulling for our family too!

The Eagle speech and debate team made ribbons to fundraise with and encourage Zach. We love the ribbons!

The Idaho Statesman wrote a wonderful piece about what the schools are doing to support Zach. 

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2014/01/24/2988881/coach-faces-cancer-in-lifes-biggest.html 

Chick-fil-A Fundraiser

Brad and Amy Miles, owners of the Chick-fil-A in Meridian, have very graciously offered to host a fundraiser.  Please join us this Tuesday, January 28th, 5:00-8:00.  You may choose to dine-in or drive-through. Zach would love to see all of you.  He is so encouraged by your texts, phone calls and emails.   

KBOI did a nice piece on Zach last night.  Some of you are having trouble viewing the link below on your iPads or iPhones. Time to dust off the PC! 

Taco Bell and the ER

Regarding this post's title, I don't mean to mislead anyone into believing that one led to the other.  But more on that later.  

Zach is elated to retire the fanny pack for the next 2 weeks.  Saturday we went to the hospital to have his chemo ball unhooked from his port.  Because the chemotherapy is hard at work killing off the bad along with the good cells he received a shot of Neulasta.  The Neulasta forces the bone marrow to push out white blood cells and boost his immune system.  Unfortunately bone pain is a nasty side effect.  So he is trying to keep it under control with Claritin and Tylenol.  

Saturday night we went to the C of I basketball game.  Zach's brother Ben is an assistant coach.  It was our second late night in a row so we were glad for an entertaining game to keep us focused!  

Eating is a continuous chore for Zach.  Few things sound appetizing so when he does get a craving we have to make it happen! Saturday's menu was reminiscent of Zach's college days (and a nightmare for this healthy-eating wife!)--Guido's pizza and breadsticks, a Sonic corn dog, diet cherry limeade and Taco Bell.  As a cancer patient receiving chemotherapy there really aren't eating rules--he just needs to stay as hydrated as possible and eat what sounds good.  It will be an uphill battle to maintain his weight during the next 3 months.

Oliver and Max slept in until 8:30 Sunday morning (hooray!) so we went to late church service.  But by the time we sat in our seats Zach was exhausted.  Sometimes his fatigue makes changing a diaper almost too much to handle.  Zach relaxed most of the day and watched the playoffs.  My brother Mitch stopped by with some groceries.  He kept the boys company while my mom helped me clean out the garage. 

Zach's stomach cramping started last night.  After a sleepless night and severe cramping we thought it best to go to the ER. My mom came over early this morning to watch the little boys.  Thankfully Zach is fine now although we don't have any firm answers as to what was causing his abdominal pain.  Most likely the culprit is the cancer in his lymph nodes that are behind his stomach.  We met a couple of wonderful St. Luke's employees who recognized Zach from the blog.  It amazes us how so many people who we don't even know are pulling for us!  

Lying in ER, Zach's morphine kicked in around the time he made this entertaining observation:  We were talking about our sons Oliver and Max.  Oliver is on the small side for a 2-year old and spent the first 18 months of his life in the bottom 10% for his weight.  Zach said that Oliver would make a good doctor or surgeon because he has small and delicate hands.  Max on the other hand is very squishy and large and ranks among the top 10% for his weight.  Zach decided Max would make a better orderly and mused that whenever a patient fell out of bed Max would be called in to throw the patient over his shoulder and return them to their bed.  Both respectable and very necessary jobs.  We had a good laugh! 

Stuart Scott made Zach's week when he tweeted words of encouragement.  Stuart is a SportCenter anchor on ESPN and a cancer survivor.  

 C of I game selfie!

 Zach and Max cuddling while watching the playoffs.  

 Zach's afternoon snack.  

Jeni's Specialty Ice Cream + banana = delicious shake.  

 Uncle Mitch and Max relaxing.  

My mom hard at work helping me clean the garage.  I am so lucky to have her by our side every step of the way.  She drops everything to watch the little boys.  It allows Zach and I to attend appointments or just be social and get out of the house to help Zach fight his exhaustion.  I am caretaker for my 3 boys and she is mine. 

Soggy Toilet Paper and Sonic Milkshakes

Some days start off busier than others. This morning was just one of those days. The moment I walked in the door from the gym it was game on at the Ingersoll household. I became distracted with Max during the breakfast routine.  Oliver was being a little too quiet--never a good sign. I found him in the bathroom, dipping the roll of toilet paper in the water. He would then suck the water out of the roll before dunking it in the tank again.  Definitely no Mother of the Year awards on the horizon for me!

Although he has been able to keep his nausea under control the past few days, Zach had been battling the fatigue. It is important he gets up and works out to start his day off right. Otherwise he doesn't feel motivated to do much. He didn't have an appetite today. Food is becoming a chore. He went to the St. Luke's Meridian campus to workout at their gym facility. Then he stopped by Eagle High School for lunch to eat with his friends. Zach and I spent the evening at Rocky Mtn watching the JV and Varsity games.  We joined the coaching staff afterwards for dinner.  I know Zach is in a constant haze of fatigue but it was fun for us both to socialize and pass the time.  What a great night it was!  

Tomorrow we say goodbye to Zach's chemo ball and fanny pack.  He will have a 2-week break. 

We have received so many wonderful notes of encouragement. The grandmother of a Rocky basketball player sent us the sweetest note. She is a cancer survivor. She offered to pick up our dirty laundry, take it home, fold it and return it. She also offered to sit with the little boys any time we were in a bind. What makes her offer so sweet is neither of us has ever met her. She is a complete stranger to us but now we have a bond that only a terrible disease like cancer can form between people. Her sweet offer and words of encouragement brings tears to my eyes. 

The family of a former baseball player of Zach's sent him a Sonic gift card that will likely cover the next 50 milkshakes.  They also gave me money with orders to treat myself to a massage.  Done!  My cousin and her family sent us Jeni's specialty ice cream and toppings all the way from Ohio.  The goodies came packed in dry ice along with a note that detailed how to handle the dry ice--carefully and with gloves.  I was so excited to open the package that I hurriedly found my old gardening gloves (with some of the garden still attached) and dug in.  The wildberry lavendar and salted caramel flavors are already requiring me to practice self control.  Sigh.  

My cousin Kandis sent me this verse yesterday. It was exactly what I needed to hear. "Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:5,9

I love that God commands us to be strong and courageous. No questions asked. Just do it. And that is what I will try and do. 

In closing, the Meridian Press wrote up a nice piece on the family and how the schools and community are supporting us.  It means the world to Zach and I!

http://www.mymeridianpress.com/schools/schools-rally-behind-coach-teacher-fighting-cancer/article_d0d12d88-7e71-11e3-a53e-001a4bcf887a.html?mode=jqm

What a lucky family of 4 we are.