Great Holiday Season - Now Back to Work

Shipmates:

Did not realize, until this morning, that I had not posted anything on the Blog since the day before Christmas. Just goes to show you we... and hopefully all of you as well ... had a great time with family and friends. Took a break from the cancer for several weeks and simply enjoyed good food and good company. My wife... who has turned into one of the best cooks of all time ... saw a prime rib recipe on TV for Christmas Dinner that was developed by Wolfgang Puck -- one of the most famous chefs in the world. And what does my wife do? -- well, she takes the receipe and says: I can do better than that! and proceeds to change the receipe, just ever-so slightly to the way she cooks. Could not believe it. But have to say: it turned out awesome! Go figure.

All is well on the PCU George H W Bush too as we continue construction of this great warship. One item, concerning our youngest sailors right out of Storekeeper "A" school had concerned me ... at first. I recall, 20 years ago, when the SK "A" school was 8 weeks long and we had tests twice a week with a huge final exam. Today .... the school is self-paced, and many of us senior enlisted were worried about the quality of supply knowledge these sailors were getting. Well, we can dispell that myth! ... we have received 8 young SKs from the school in the last 9 months and I have to say -- they are some awesome young men and women. They are like sponges and want to learn more. Send us another 8! ... these are the kind of sailors that make you proud to have aboard.

Now to update on a personal level -- I am definitely doing well, shipmates. My wife is great therapy, my family in ILL, NY and AZ are therapy, and so is going to work in between treatments. Can't ask for anything more. Today -- I go in for another chemotherapy treatment at Portsmouth Naval Hospital.... a 9-week package every 3 weeks to go after the melanoma cancer in the liver and adrenal gland area. Loads of other options are available if this treatment is only partial success ... but Demetria and I are looking at all of this with a positive attitude and just see where it takes us if there is be a next step. The only disappointment? -- I have had hair on my head for the last 2 months....and all that growth will most likely go away in the next month. Thank goodness my wife still thinks I look good as a bald guy!

Again, will keep you posted, shipmates, and wish you a great Navy day!

Many regards,
SKCS Charles (Chuck) Zwierzynski