The "C" Word...

Well I know most of you were thinking that it would be many weeks before you saw me blog again but I couldn't keep the throngs of adoring blog readers waiting anymore. In November of 2007 I began working At Cumberland Family Care part time. It was then that i met a skinny,young marathon runner named Daniel. He was a Nurse Practitioner who graduated from Vandy almost the same time I graduated from Trevecca. Over a few months We came to realize we shared some common things..... mutual patients, shared offices, our wife/girlfriend were both named Tara (his actually was spelled Terra i think), gossiped about American Idol, and most special we were brothers in Christ. Because of the hectic nature of a medical office and the nature of our schedules there were very few times we could just sit down and chat. But when we did it was always neat because it was as if we were from the same army platoon or something. We were co-laborers, fellow Peon mid-level providers in a most commonly MD driven arrogant profession. One day after work we talked about a spot that he had on his tongue. He had it for many months and was being followed for it but it was not improving. Finally He found himself at Vanderbilt for a biopsy. In April, days before the pathology results were back I remember him sitting in the office and telling me "Cameron, I don't think its cancer but If it is I know God's In Control." Daniel passed away yesterday at the age of 34. He was a true testimony of Jesus Christ to the very end. He never wavered from the statement: "If God wants to heal me I know that He can and Will but if not I'm ready to go home". Yesterday I was thinking about the last few years and the friends/familys of my inner circle that had passed away from cancer. Three names in particular come to mind, Erin, Crystal, and Daniel. I added all their ages up and it comes to 92. If you divide that by three its an average lifespan of not even 31 years old. Sure i know thats a little bit of a stretch and those are only three cases. But it makes you think..I'm going on 27. Yes, still very young. But this time last year Daniel was running marathons and over the course of a year he couldn't even go to the bathroom by himself. I'm not trying to be graphic but it truely rips my heart out. I know God is in control but it still doesn't take the wondering thoughts away. I know this is turning into a Grandpa Simpson blog much like i threw Ryan under the bus for. haha. But for real, If you remember to over the next few days Remember Daniel Smith's family and Cumberland family care in your prayers. The world and our office has lost a good Christian man and a wonderful medical provider.

Whittaker Weekend!!

This past weekend was the Whittaker yearly trip to Sparta, NC. It is usually somewhere around the third weekend in October. Both Scott and Tara's birthdays are around that time. This year I found myself rushing thru a busy Friday afternoon of patients to try and get on the road. Time travel is not too much different than mocksville. With a few stops along the way we arrived in Sparta,NC around 1030-11Pm. Traditionally on Saturday the family takes a hike from WildCat Rock down to Caudil Cabin (all along the Blue Ridge Parkway). The hike is usually a large portion of the day and then Saturday night is met with a good meal and then relaxing as a family. This year took on a little bit different theme because of little baby boys and rotator cuff injuries. Most of the day was spent frolicking around our cabin in the great outdoors. The leaves weren't quite as pretty this year but the temperature was ideal. Later on in the afternoon we loaded up in the car for the tradition of hitting golf balls off one of the scenic overlooks (Wildcat Rock). If you have never hit golf balls off one of the overlooks along the Blue Ridge parkway then you have never lived (You will get some funny looks as well). Saturday night Scott, Julia and Solomon packed up and head back to Mocksville. That left us with Taras dad, her brother Tood his wife Connie and Austin. Most of the night was spent in a heated battle of Canasta. Sunday brought on more leaf gazing and relaxing. Tara and I stayed Sunday night too after everyone had packed up and left. Monday we drove a good portion of Blue Ridge Parkway from Sparta, NC to Blowing Rock,NC. It was a nice little stroll but one i wouldn't want to take everyday because of all ups/downs and curves. Not much else is going on in the Heady world. Tara is still chugging along with TTU and the occassional Ben Lomand day. We did make my biannual "find some dress pants" adventure tonight. For quite some time i have made a vow not to buy new pants while it was in my fat stage. I have squeezed into the ole pants for quite some time and subconsciously i feel like i'm starting to look like someone in baby blue pants from the 70's that are now high waters. Well tonight i slipped into embracing my new "fat" nature. Sure its not what i would like but hey I just bought 3 new pair of pants so I can't be dropping any pounds anytime soon. A few years ago i would have looked at the pants with the little "expand-a-band" and said "sheesh! what a loser" but now that little extra give seems to just hit the spot on what i need. So I encourage all of you kids out there struggling...just buy the bigger size with the built in expansion. If they are a little too big it will at least make you feel like you lost weight.