A Great Day

Today we were given a tour of the Iowa Hawkeye Athletic departments, the Carver Hawkeye Arena and Kinnick Stadium. We were taken on the tour by Jess, who works for University of Iowa and volunteers at Hope Lodge. We were gone about 3 hours and had an amazing experience!

First we went to the Football Building. They had a lot of awards, banners and trophies in the lobby, including Nile Kinnick's Heisman trophy, as well as the Cy-Hawk Trophy, which is here this year, and travels to the winner each year. There are many offices for staff there. Everywhere we looked, there were signs, motivational messages, pictures, awards, banners, stats, jerseys, portraits and lots of memorabilia. We got to see where the locker rooms were, the student athlete lounge, the training areas, offices, meeting rooms and weight room. There is also a room that houses the sound and vision equipment where they run the scoreboards, videos and game action. It is under Kinnick, but they run all the game stuff for the Arena here, too.

We went through the tunnel to the bubble, their practice field. Instead of football players in there, we saw the baseball team all suited up for the media, getting in a little press time before their season starts.

Then we went into Kinnick Stadium and toured from top to bottom. First of all, it was beautiful. The view was spectacular--you could see all the way around the city for miles. On the top floor are the media rooms, which we got to go into and learn of who would typically be in that room for a game. Below that are the guest suites, several sizes. Below that is open air premium seating and private concessions. Next down are more suites. They are just above what we would consider normal bleacher seating for a football game. Our tour guide, Jess, actually "sells" the premium seating and suites...although he said they are always sold out with a waiting list. Mostly he makes sure every seat is purchased. It was really interesting to hear all about that. We walked out onto the ground level outdoors, to see the stadium from outdoors. Several fun things along the way; we got to see the Kinnink "jail" for those who break the law and are waiting for police. Also, I had heard a rumor that the visiting team's dressing room is pink. It is an old Hayden Fry thing--he did it to "psych out" the visitors. I never knew if it was really true. I am here to tell you, it IS true! EVERYTHING is pink--lockers, walls, pink and brown football carpet, even the sinks and urinals in the bathroom! I loved it (and took pictures)! At the very bottom of Kinnick are the team "game day" dressing rooms and the famous hallway where they come down before they enter the stadium. We found out where the Iowa team goes before their home games to get out of town and keep their minds on the game.

When we left Kinnick, we headed over to Carver Hawkeye Arena. Justin and I have been walking there a few times a week, so we are very familiar with the basketball area. But Jess took us down underneath the seating. There were all sorts of offices of athletics there, including his. We took a left by his office and ended up in the wrestling practice room, where practice for the older guys was ending and the younger ones were having a motivational talk before their practice began. A lot of these guys are practicing for the olympics and national titles. Jess and Justin were talking about the program, and then pointed out the coach to me. A man walked over and shook our hands and began to talk to us. He and Justin hit if off well and immediately began a preview discussion of who would win this week. It was DAN GABLE! He is probably the biggest name in the wrestling world, as well as an olympic gold medal winner. He didn't just talk wrestling...he wanted to know how Justin ended up at the Hope Lodge and how things were going. He seems like a really great guy. When he found out where our seats are for the tournament this weekend, he said it was just behind his family and he would come over to say hi. Then he thought and said, "oh, I can't, I'm going to be on TV." He said it very casually, as if he said he was going to the kitchen for a glass of milk. Dan and Justin talked for about 10 minutes. Incredible!

Next, Jess took us to the basketball area. The women were just finishing up their pre-game practice. We got to go in the locker rooms (not pink), the coaches offices and locker rooms, the player's lounge and the video viewing room. This area was like the others; full of motivation, memories and pride. We got to meet three of the players and the director of basketball. He took us around to see everything and told us all about it. When we got to the coach's meeting room, he took a coach's jersey from a shelf and checked the size...of course it was just the right size and he gave it to Justin. That was cool. He gave me his card, told me to email him anytime if we needed anything. He told us to find him in between or after the game to meet more players and get some autographs. Jerry told us they usually don't do tours of the areas we got to see...it was important that the players feel safe and secure and have privacy. Lastly, we went out onto the playing floor. Once again...cool.

What a day. One of the things I was really impressed with was Justin. He can talk football with the football guys and 5 minutes later, be deep in discussion with a wrestler. Later, he will know the faces and names of the team players he is meeting. The guy knows sports. Wow.

I'll get some pics posted in a day or two....I'm not home, so downloading from my camera is different and much harder. So check back later for those pink urinals...

Another Great Report

Today we met with the medical team again. And once again, the report was very good. They noted Justin's hair loss and asked if he needed some lotion for his scalp, and he turned them down. There was a lot of laughing and joking around, and that was it.

The doctor did say that they would continue to monitor the cancer after Justin is done with radiation, but that seems to be something he will do for life.

Melinda, Jon, and Cassidy came from Des Moines for a visit--they took us to Chili's for lunch. It was great catching up, and great to have someone from home stop to see us! Thanks, again!

Justin walked another 2 miles at the arena after lunch. It is good to see him desiring to get out and get some exercise on his own.

A letter came from Aunt Alice and Uncle Gary--thanks! It is always good to hear from you.

Getting Out On His Own

Justin walked 2 miles at Carver Hawkeye Arena today, and went by himself. I love this! He is feeling confident to go places alone. This is a tremendous praise!

We were going to go to a movie, but we couldn't agree on one, so we just didn't go. And that was OK. There will always be another movie, another time.

Monday and Busy

Justin woke up at 5:00am and couldn't sleep. He finally went looking for a TV (they don't have them in the rooms). He wishes he could sleep better, but at least he is not spending half the day in bed.


After lunch we went out to look for a hat. The doctors told him that he might lose some hair about week 2 or 3, and that had not happened...but over the weekend, he noticed that he is losing hair from 2 different areas. It is thinning, but not all gone yet. The hat will help. He feels a little weird with some hair gone, but is handling it well. One of the Hawkeye stores had a hat that fits pretty good.


We went to the mall again to walk. Each time we go we walk faster and walk longer distances. I am excited for him that he has the energy to do this.


Justin got 2 cards in the mail, which he enjoys. Thanks to Sherry & Tim and Grandma Jo! It is not too late to send one, if you would like. But it should be mailed by the end of this week to make sure he gets it. Once again, the address is:

American Cancer Society Hope Lodge
Justin Bickford-Room 304
750 Hawkins Drive
Iowa City, IA 52246

Settled In Again

This weekend went very fast. It seems we don't even need to unpack the suitcases anymore...just pull out the dirty and put in the clean and head out again. We are getting pretty good at this traveling stuff now. The trip seems shorter and shorter each time...and no, I am not driving faster and faster!

Usually we see lots of deer when we travel, but today saw none. Not one. However, we did see many flocks of geese flying in large flocks, headed north. Is that unusual for the first part of February?

Justin has such ambition and motivation now! He is taking notes for the book he is writing--for the first time in many months. And he has a notebook full of camp information for a church that has purchased a camp and is looking for someone to help get it started. He is very excited to get back to living. His brain is full of ideas that have been stuck in there for many months, and they are just spilling out.

Thanks to Aunt Gorilla & Dave, and Pat & Carolyn for helping us on our journey. We are humbled and grateful. And thanks to all of you that are praying. We still pray that Justin will be 100% healed from his cancer, and we ask that you continue to pray, even through this time when things are looking good.

We have a very busy week, and will keep you up-to-date on everything going on, including the doctor's visit on Wednesday.

Future Opportunities

One of the caregivers staying at Hope Lodge and I have become friends and spend a lot of time talking, sharing, laughing, and even crying. She and I are making some plans in the future. Once we are back home and back to "normal", we are going to start working on trying to get some added funding for people staying at the Hope Lodge. After spending a month around many families, we have found similar problems in almost every family. The first thing is that life goes on. Every single person at the Lodge is setting aside regular employment for a time, yet all the bills and expenses are the same at home. The second is that they have added expenses for food, gas, added medications, and all the little things you need while away from home.

We have actually seen people who don't have food or money for food staying at the Lodge. They don't hang around in the dining area, and don't come down to eat much. Although there is food there that we share, it is not enough for proper daily nutrition.

There are people who have to work during their chemo and radiation just to pay the bills. One man here is a driver, and must drive daily, even when he is as sick as a dog from his chemo. Otherwise his family will lose everything. Some of the caregivers spend all week dealing with an ill person and their needs, medications, special foods or feeding tubes, appointments and travel, then go home and work all weekend at their jobs. Then back again for another hard week. They don't get a break.

My friend and I are trying to work a plan to get some funding for grocery and gas cards, donations for the bills still at home, etc. While we LOVE that the Hope Lodge is free for lodging, we know it is just a part of the big picture...and we hope to make it a little easier yet.

Justin and I are also working to get some Chaplains for the Lodge. We will begin that as soon as we are back. Hopefully there is already something in place, but we have not heard of it yet. We would like to see some pastors available to spend a little while volunteering at the Lodge, or be open to being "on call" if someone needs some help or counsel. Just to have someone to talk to would be an added benefit. There are days during this crisis time when a listening ear or a comforting word would be a blessing.

Time Flies

We are home for the weekend, and only a few weeks left of radiation. It does not seem like we have been at this for a month already!

If you would have asked me to guess how it would be 4 weeks into radiation therapy, I would not have guessed anything right. I would have thought Justin would be sick, tired and depressed. Instead, he is happy, healthy and active. I would have guessed that our days would be boring and we would be looking for things to do. But we are actually busy enough that we sometimes turn down opportunities. And I would have guessed that our weekends home would be full of fun, friends and family. It ends up that they are too short, we are wiped out emotionally, and spend the first day unwinding and the last day getting ready to go back.

If the first four weeks are any indication, the next two will be over with in a flash.