January 19th, 2010 was Ontario's Family day and Jon and I traveled to Akron to visit with Jacob for the weekend. We wanted to explain in a face to face that Jon was undergoing testing for endocarditis, an infection in his heart. The cultures would identify the infection so that treatment could begin. We felt we needed to let Jake know that it was probable that his dad would not be traveling through the spring golf season to watch Akron compete.
The old good news- bad news situation. The bad news was the treatment could be long and in the hospital. The good news was it was treatable and it wasn't cancer or at least that was what we were led to believe.
We learned the reality in late February and our first trip, although a success, was to Aiken South Carolina to watch the Akron boys compete in a spring tournament. Paul and Toni Wetherup went with us. We could not have done the trip without them. Jon was very weak and could only watch about 6 holes before heading back to the hotel to rest. Jake's coach gave us his cart and Paul and Jon used it. Toni and I walked and watched. This was the scariest trip but it symbolized the need to stay strong. Jon was sure it would be his last trip but he was wrong. The treatments improved his condition tremendously.
Columbus in May:
We traveled to Columbus, Ohio in May for the NCAA Mac tournament with a collection of friends. Mike Glanfield, Paul Patte, Jon and I drove together. Paul and Toni Wetherup drove down as did Bruce and Sharon Court. Jon still needed a cart but he managed to watch every hole Jake played.
From May until July Jon's condition got steadily better. He once again could drive the car and the simple pleasure of being independent was a gift from the Gods. He reveled in his ability to stealthily deliver small anonymous gifts to friends. Jon was never one to travel during the summer months, he loved Ontario best during the summer. It was a magical summer for him. In March he couldn't manage 6 holes of golf without a cart and then in July and August he was able to not only watch while walking he was able to carry Jake's clubs and caddie at the Ontario Amateur and the Canadian Amateur. He was also able to play many rounds with good friends. He played Deerhurst with Kevin, Bill and Mike.
In September Jon began a series of trips that filled him with pleasurable memories but also gave us, his family and friends, memories to remember while struggling through the heart ache of losing him.
I am tiring much more quickly. I can't seem to do more than this in one sitting so tomorrow I'll set out September Trips. Thank you for listening.
The old good news- bad news situation. The bad news was the treatment could be long and in the hospital. The good news was it was treatable and it wasn't cancer or at least that was what we were led to believe.
We learned the reality in late February and our first trip, although a success, was to Aiken South Carolina to watch the Akron boys compete in a spring tournament. Paul and Toni Wetherup went with us. We could not have done the trip without them. Jon was very weak and could only watch about 6 holes before heading back to the hotel to rest. Jake's coach gave us his cart and Paul and Jon used it. Toni and I walked and watched. This was the scariest trip but it symbolized the need to stay strong. Jon was sure it would be his last trip but he was wrong. The treatments improved his condition tremendously.
Columbus in May:
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| Columbus, May 2010 |
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| Columbus, May 2010 |
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| Heading to Deerhurst |
In September Jon began a series of trips that filled him with pleasurable memories but also gave us, his family and friends, memories to remember while struggling through the heart ache of losing him.
I am tiring much more quickly. I can't seem to do more than this in one sitting so tomorrow I'll set out September Trips. Thank you for listening.
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