Olivia Munn (kinda)

I cannot for the life of me understand all this stress over Aaron Rodgers attending Badger games. I know most of it is from national press outside of our state/fan base but it's everywhere I see. So he didn't go to college in Madison, big deal, he's from California, not many students from that state would. How many players on the Packers roster, past or present have? Not many! Only one currently actually. Rodgers grew up a Niner fan, no surprise, and he thought they may draft him, nobody seems to hold that against him. Lucky for us!
Ok, so the 'big problems' are: that he is attending games but doesn't wear Wisconsin Badger colors and that he isn't supporting his alma mater of the University of Cal. So we as Packer fans shouldn't support Andrew Quarless from Penn State, Mike Meal from Purdue, Corey Linsley from Ohio State, Brian Bulaga, Micah Hyde and Mike Daniels from Iowa because they played against Wisconsin in the Big Ten? B.S. This is why, to me, why college and pro sports is completely differnet. I look at Russell Wilson who played (only) one wonderful year for Wisconsin but now plays for our current biggest rival in the NFL, but many still cheer for him because his loyalty to the Badgers. He seems like a nice guy, but I for one do not cheer for him in the pro's. Sure, succeed and be a fine player, but not at the expense of MY team. Plus I may still be a little bitter that we lost to Andy Dalton in the Rose Bowl that year lol. JJ Watt played his entire career in Madison, has a brother on the team, and is another supporter of them still, but Green Bay seldom plays his pro team so he's in a much different situation than Wilson. Watt, played 4 years for Wisconsin and is now on an AFC team vs 1 year and on an NFC newly hated rival with Wilson.
The University of Cal's basketball team season has been over for more than two weeks, it's the NFL offseason and he was watching his decade plus home state Basketball team try to get to its second straight Final Four with his famous Girldriend. Who knows, maybe the two were visiting his family for the first time as well. Doesn't matter. Rodgers was also sitting next to ex-PGA player and current golf analyst Andy North who happens to be a huge Badger supporter and alum. Is Magic Johnson getting the same heat from Laker fans because he was at Michigan State games and not UCLA games? I don't know, but it's a similiar situation in my opinion. Apparently Rodgers has befriended the team, but it has been well before this past weekend. Him and Bo Ryan are friends and he has been joking around with some players including Sam Dekker on Twitter and in person who says he wants to play him in a one-in-one basketball game. I know Rodgers doesn't need my support but I think it's a joke on how the media is making a big deal about this. As long as he rocks the green and gold during the season, he can support what ever college team he wants, it's just much more awesome that that team is our own Wisconsin Badgers. Oh the problems of being rich, famous, a champion and MVP :)
Keep it up Rodgers and keep it up Badgers!
Maybe if he marries Munn her bridesmaids will wear red, then I'd have another story to write about.😎

-Cheek

On this date 1-year ago (March 20, 2014)

Last night while finishing up dinner Sarah told me that tomorrow was the worst day of her life. I asked why. She said, because on March 20th, three weeks shy of Scarlett's birth, she watched me die right in front of her and there wasn't anything she could do about it. And then I came back. And then I died again. She isn't sure, or maybe she just won't tell me, but she says I died "multiple times." I asked her how long was I gone each time. She said maybe a few seconds but each time felt like forever. Few seconds may not sound like a whole bunch, or maybe it does, but considering I've never died for any amount of seconds at all before, this was/is a rather big deal. Sarah's sister has a friend that works at Regions she came and sat with mega-pregnant Sarah during this time so she wasn't alone. A hospital priest approached Sarah about my last rites and she wouldn't have it, wouldn't accept my death. There was a staff member, an Asian male who had a young child that went through ECMO, who stayed up with me the entire night and kept me alive by giving me oxygen by hand. This was referred to as hand bagging or hand bagged or something like that where this man physically kept me breathing with a special plastic bag. Some day, along with several others, I have to meet this guy. We are unsure if his young child survived. ECMO would save my life.

Three days before this we were 'celebrating' my favorite holiday in my hospital room. I scarcely remember much of this, a few gifts and several forced smiles. I was so tired and struggling terribly bad to breathe. I'm unsure of the time frame now, but I was trying to cough up some phlegm for them to test because they couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. While I coughed constantly, I really wasn't coughing [up] anything. Maybe I forced myself to, maybe my lungs were ready, but I eventually did cough up enough for them to take and I swear they had multiple people around waiting for this and once they grabbed my cup they ran out of the room.


At some point during the next few weeks I had so many dreams I couldn't count. When I started coming through I was greeted with some minor miracles and other larger, real ones. The minor ones being of the Badgers making the Final Four in basketball and the Brewers had just won 10-straight games. I didn't know how many drugs I had taken or was still on, but I really thought those who told me these sporting events were crazy! Then the real miracles. The miracle of life; both my own, and my new baby girl. Thank you to all of those whom I knew or not, that never gave up on me. It turned out to not be my time.

I slept like crap last night. Too many things running through my mind. Some nights are worse than others, but generally when larger events of past, present or future cross my mind I have difficult times sleeping. I'm tired today, and I will probably go take a nap here soon when I lay Scarlett down for hers, but today is a good day. One year ago was the worst day ever. I guess lucky for me I don't remember it. I am thankful and blessed and fortunate for several reasons and many that I can't explain. From that day, and each day since, and while still a huge struggle, has each been a day in the right direction. And now today as I've dressed Scarlett in her Badger cheerleader outfit for the game tonight, I am feeling many emotions. Some good, some bad, some scary. But it's ok. I'm a happy man with two great kids and an awesome wife that couldn't be more supportive.

-Cheek

Countryside P&H

This letter came to us right around the time I was waking up, but I believe it was several days after this that Sarah had told me as I was in and out of consciousness so often. I think the first time I actually read it was late May or even June. I do know that Tim was extremely emotional during my benefit and we shared a great embrace. 

Thank you

-Cheek

Recent Update

My last scheduled appointment well pretty well. Dr. Sellman has been terrific the entire time and said he'd be happy to see me whenever we needed but doesn't expect to see me for about 6 months. I had X-rays taken of my lungs as a base for my next pulmonary test in several months. Be curious to see how my lungs look now when we check them here at home. I have decided to stop taking my Intraconazole now, instead of finish the about half bottle that remains. I couldn't sleep last night very well and started wondering if that was a mistake or not, so I figured I would go downstairs and just take one of the normally two pills that I normally would have taken. Maybe it was just my nerves or subconscious feelings or whatever, but it seemed to relax me a little bit and was able to sleep decently well the rest of the night. I posted pictures of my consolidated daily medicines on FB this morning and I've had well over 100 likes and several comments and this all makes me feel really good. Thank you for that!!! It's been a busy and hectic week already and it's only Tuesday night and Ryan even commented how fast the week has gone by. This weather sure is an extremely pleasant surprise for early March. Three days ago we built a snowman, and while it was fun, I've never been so happy for a snowman to be gone!

-Cheek

One years time

A year ago this weekend I felt terrible. Couldn't figure out what was wrong so on the 9th, which was a Sunday we went to the ER. Was sent home after a prescription pick up that didn't help at all. We went back to Westfields for Sarah's scheduled check up for Scarlett-to-be two days later. Our doctor looked at me and  immediately sent me to be looked at and I was given oxygen and several tests. I was so tired and out of breath I couldn't manage to do much at all. I remember two of my friends stopped in to check on me, not really knowing the seriousness and asked me if I wanted a drink, as they had brought a small bottle in. It was a joke, and it was amusing, but I wasn't able to acknowledge much else. I guess a nurse got concerned and asked if I "needed" a drink, like I had a major problem, but it really was all in fun. Ryan came to visit but other than a few pictures I don't really remember him being with me. What I thought was later that evening, it actually turned out to be two days later I was given a 2nd opinion and was ordered to be sent to Regions via ambulance. I believe it was snowing and the medics were nice and kept talking to me, possibly to make sure I stayed awake, but I have no idea. There was no way to know at this time what the next few hours, days, months and now 1 years time would involve.  Still can't imagine what Sarah went through watching me basically unresponsive every day for so long, having to change the birth plans, wondering if her first born would have a father, if she herself would ever have her husband again and whether Ryan would lose his dad forever as well as if he would even be a part of his new sister and Sarah's life any longer. At Ryan's school today he had 'dad's day' and part of it was to tell eachother what we were proud of and he said he was proud of me for being so strong in the hospital.
I started writing my blog August 31, a day before my 39th birthday. I was feeling a little better and wanted to have a journal of sorts, while self-helping myself get through some things. I think this has worked relatively well for me 6+ months later. Monday I have another check up at Fairview Hospital. I started taking my Intraconazole nearly one year ago, and my Doctor thinks, without any set backs I will be able to stop taking this medication. This will drop 6 pills a day and the food that I am supposed to eat when I take them. These are exciting events!  It hit me on Wednesday that a year has now come and it was strangely emotional. I really couldn't understand how I was feeling.. Relieved of course, but I think scared that a year ago I nearly died and not sure if my Blasto is completely gone. It was a strange feeling and I couldn't explain it so I called Sarah into the kitchen and gave her a big hug. While I am sure my doctor will tell me that I have recovered enough to stop taking these meds, and I am continuing to heal, I know I have a long way to still go. I am looking forward to the rest of 2015 and the changes that will come, hopefully including me personally to continue to get stronger. By the end of the summer I will be turning 40, and I will need to realize that the process won't be any easier! Thanks for continuing your support by reading my blog.

-Cheek

My-First-Time

How can I ever forget my first time. Maybe your experience was similiar, more or less dramatic perhaps, but new nonetheless.
In my mind I have waited patiently for a long, long time for this day. "No you're not ready" and "you just need a little more patience" was not going to be said to me any more. We have been together for awhile now and we've tried before but never got very far but this so-called 'practice' is for the birds. Now our wait was over. I have gone over these moves time and time again in my mind hoping that these memories I've made will lead to perfection of how to start, continue and finish. I really don't want to mess this up, because who knows, it could be a lost opportunity for lord knows how long if I were to do it wrong. We have a brief discussion, a self pep-talk of sorts, maybe it was my nerves, or maybe it was me trying to act totally cool, but probably both. We were finally alone. It was the perfect time for this special moment. So here I go, my goal in front of me, like a unwrapped gift, a precious award, and a feeling of want and desire all wrapped into one all at the same time. My initial attempt started off great, no awkward feelings or pressure, it felt comfortable and warm and my anxiousness was fading while my anticipation was gaining. I was happy I didn't just jump right in  from overconfidence or gidiness. I would close my eyes to remind myself how I mentally had done this over and over and over. Feeling confident I then open my eyes to this beautiful sight - both visually how amazing everything looked and the physical and emotional feeling in what was being accomplished. The great pleasure I felt was even better becuase I felt them same embrace, as if there was a unique bond never experienced before, sharing what was happening for the very first time and that I for one, was proud, very happy and sure of myself. Although I wasn't quite finished, I could sense the end was near. I tried the best I could to not rush things, savor this perfect time, not to miss a mental or physical step, not to screw this up now as this entire experience has been terrific. I'm hoping to stay as relaxed as possible and allow this to come to its epic and fulfilling end as nature intended. Messing anything up now is not an option becuase I do not want to start over, disappointed, embarrassed, and worse still, not knowing when I could try again. Here it is, one last move, I can do it... YES, I did it, no WE did it, and we did it right! I gave a fist pump to myself and didn't really care if I looked silly or what expression remained on my face. I just sat there for a few extra moments impressed to what I've accomplished and looked down once more at the beauty that lay there. Now it was time..


To put on my other shoe.

Weirdos :)

-Cheek

History Lesson - for me at least

So this past summer and into fall I would look up each specific day on-line and then started posting a few daily historical events along with certain famous birthdays, a few deaths and some lesser known holidays and observances on Facebook every day. It was fun to do and along the way I would learn a few things here and there. I ended up stopping posting them on FB but I still try and read them several times a week if not more. Some times I find events that catch my eye and I click on it to read more about it - which may lead to either boring or interesting facts. Yesterday, I came across one of them that I found interesting and read more - and then even more about it. I ended up doing some research on more specific parts about this day, and this person, in history. It involved a man who help shape the Revolutionary War and beyond. So, ultimately I decided to write about it! Ok, sorry if this reads like a class project about writing about a famous historical figure, but I like doing this - especially when I'm not actually IN school :)


For many years leading up to the Declaration of Independence every colony acted independently, some agreeing with British rule and British policy while others wanted to have their own rules. In 1774 during the first Continental Congress it was almost agreed upon that they would agree with and follow King George's rule. America was to become a Grand Council of Britain and a President General would be appointed to represent the King. It was the few radicals like John Adams who wanted independence from British and wouldn't declare loyalty to England, and this was brought into action at the second Continental Congress one year later in 1775. This led to the King declaring America in a rebellion, which, among other things him hiring of 300,000 German Hessian's as 'mercenaries.' These were not what we may think of today's standard mercenaries, they were well trained in warfare and were German soldiers who were bought to help England control the American colonies. The Continental Army was created in 1775 and George Washington was named Supreme Commander, where he requested to not take a pay and soon would become the Commander of Chief of the Continental Army. Over the next couple years America made an alliance with France and then, of course the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The America's were not favoring well overall and needed to step up their military power as well as a lift to the morale of the colonists.

Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben arrived at the military camp of the American Continental Army at Valley Forge Pennsylvania on February 23, 1778. Steuben, a born German, spoke no English but drafted a drill manual in French where a few people like Alexander Hamilton would translate. These drills were more advanced than those of most European nations and far superior to those of the relatively untrained Americans. Steuben began training of our mainly shoeless Patriots in schooling of soldiers. He implemented rows of and for command before perfecting the actual fighting such as reloading and firing of weapons and combat with their bayonet's which were until then primarily used as a tool or for cooking. An honor guard was formed by Steuben of 120 men and was selected for George Washington specifically. Steuben incorporated many specific standards to assist in the development of the military including separating the 'bathroom' area on one side of a camp, which the waste would travel down a hill, from the food on the other side camp. With Washington's recommendation, Steuben was appointed Inspector General of the Army with the rank of Major General. He helped to write formal books to be kept, which would keep records of things like  necessities of supplies, clothing, men, hygiene and weapons as well as tactics, drills and military disciplines that were used by the new United States until 1812, many of which lasted well into the 1900's.
With the great deal of help from von Steuben accompanied by French and Spanish assistance, the now much better trained, and of course fighting for a higher cause, American's forced the British out and after the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783, the war was over. Less than 20 years later, Congress agreed upon their first foreign war, as President Thomas Jefferson sent our military over North Africa and the Mediterranean because he refused to pay for high cash demands by these people. These groups of people were also hijacking and enslaving American ships and its men. A group of Marines would help turn the tide in this First Barabry War which would be an enormous boost of morale for our nation as well as the Navy and other parts of the military. I put this part in here now, because a lot of this same type of shit is going on, again, today. One day ago I was going over historical events on February 23, mainly for fun, and over a day and a half later I learned a lot. I don't want this to get into a political rant about what America should or should not do, but I do believe that with the help of our Founding Father's, and even others like Steuben, helped shape and win America, gain our Independence and make the U.S. the great nation it should be.

I have always found history interesting, in particular that of our United States. Growing up, and even later than I would like to admit, I thought that during the signing of the Declaration of Independence George Washington either was, or soon became President of the U.S. When actually Washington became President in 1789, 13 years after the signing of the Declaration and a year after the U.S. Constitution was adopted into government. It amazes me how young we are as a nation. I just hope that we are a smart one as well. Hope you enjoyed todays lesson, lol.

P.S. No not all of this came from Wikipedia, I searched many other places like History.com, as well as two books of reference. I know not everything may not be 100% accurate, which in part is why my dates were years instead of specific dates, and left out, of course many, many events over the time before, during, and after the war.

-Cheel