Welcome to the AF6D web site!

I sincerely hope that you will find my web site fun to visit, informative, and helpful. By trade I am a professional web site developer and database integrator through my company, Anywherehost. As time permits additional content will be added that relates directly to my hobbies of amateur radio, public safety scanning, forest fire monitoring and logistics, and more. I operate two excellent web sites dedicated to scanning: Scannerbuff, which provides free nationwide email alerts of breaking events that may be monitored on your scanner, or in some cases, over one of our streaming audio links, and, Public Safety Feeds, which is a compilation of streaming audio links and user forums for discussion.

As some of you have become aware, Rachael, my 6 year old daughter, has brain cancer. She is fighting back and not giving up. She is truly my hero and she gives meaning to perserverence! It has been extremely tough on our family spiritually, emotionally and financially. But we aren't giving up as a family either. In fact, we have started a non-profit organization to help other families. The National Children's Cancer Foundation, Inc. has applied for IRS 501(c)(3) status and registration as a charity. Children's cancers are the most under funded and least researched of cancers! Note: On March 20, 2008 we were informed that the State of California has approved our status as a non-profit corporation.

Saturday Late, April 19, 2008 - Rachael Arrives Home to a Large Group

Photos Here.

Saturday, April 19, 2008 Update

Rachael's pathology report has come back early and reports that she is free of cancer. Until today we were waiting on this absolute statement and this is, of course, awesome news! The lumbar drain has been removed, along with the urinary catheter; meds have been weaned down and Rachael should be discharged at around 4pm today.

April 18, 2008 - This weeks news of surgery:

I have added new pictures of Rachael checking into UCI Medical Center for a 2nd Look Surgery here.

Now that I have had a few hours of sleep I wanted to stop a moment to catch my breath and update each of you on Rachael’s progress.

At any rate, Rachael had her MRI and CT Scan on Monday, after which she was admitted to a unit at UCI Medical Center in Orange, CA for a 2nd surgery. She had been scheduled to be admitted straight to PICU and we don’t know what changed. But things have a way of working out. Although most of the nursing staff has been excellent, Nicole really shined as a care giver. Rachael was highly agitated and really not communicative. Nicole just took her in her arms like a Mommy and soothed her. Rachael calmed down and tried to rest.

I was about to turn in for a few hours of sleep and checked her one last time when Rachael spiked a 103.6 fever and was ice-packed and medicated. Her temperature was brought within acceptable limits, only to spike again just before surgery. High doses of steroids were given with a positive result, but the after effect is that we now have a very grumpy 6 year old being weaned down. But it’s all good! The visual and MRI results after surgery both show no signs of cancerous malignancy! Slides have been sent to Pathology (too much information now) but apparently they have weekends off. Like the first surgery, I got to see the pictures taken during the surgery. Later in life when I try to tell Rachael I know what she is thinking I may actually have some credibility. LOL

It is somewhat ironic that Rachael's Precious Moments Angel is now well spotted with blood. I am sorry if that was too direct. But her Guardian Angel did its job and did it well. I have asked my wife not to clean it and allow it to serve as reminder of Rachael's spirit.

Our Pastor, Don, came to visit after a very long drive in southern California traffic. But it was a pleasure having him stop in and pray with us. We have also had numerous inquiries for the National Children’s Cancer Foundation, the foundation that we have started. We expect to receive much support nationwide as we start with literally nothing but want to give everything. We are not asking you for your donations here, but thank you if you have considered support childhood cancers. This web site is my private space to share with fellow hams around the world.

Rachael is not resting comfortably at the moment. Let me suggest that when they tell you not to eat or drink anything 8 hours prior to surgery you actually listen. We are fortunate that she had issues with this after surgery and not during. We had abided the rules but now understand them better. She is also having a difficult time breathing and just got a visit from Respiratory. It seemed to help and she is asleep… finally. But wait -- then EKG came in to run a strip and woke her up again. Since Monday she has slept no more than 6 hours or so. Really. But this too shall pass. In spite of the many, many medications that by themselves would cause sleep, Rachael has not slept hardly a wink.

Rachael has been receiving meds every hour since Tuesday and has labs drawn every 4 hours. She has gone back and forth with a high heart rate (Tachycardia) and a very low heart rate (Bradycardia.) Her body chemistry has been all over the map at the same time. She has spent much of her battle with cancer in Intensive care, but I can tell you that this has been a time where it really been called for. She has had three nurses 24 hours a day since Tuesday dedicated to her recovery.

As long as no major changes take place Rachael will be sent home Saturday. Between now and then Dee will replace me here Friday night. I haven’t slept much either and have managed to get a sinus infection. Such is life.

Once again, we cannot thank each of you enough for helping us through this ordeal. Just asking us how we feel has done wonders. We are not done yet. Radiation will likely follow and that comes with its own issues. With Our Lord to guide us and you to help by holding ours hands, we can overcome the biggest challenge that we have ever faced.

Last Weeks News:

I have added new pictures on April 5, 2008. I have been creating a photo journal of Rachael as she goes through the fight for her life - she is so strong. Rachael is scheduled for surgery again on April 15th. Click here for more photos.

For those unfamiliar with the "Alps of Southern California," Big Bear Lake is a ski resort located at 7000 feet above the Inland Empire of Southern California. Big Bear Lake hosts three world-class ski resorts of interest to thousands each year: Bear Mountain, Snow Summit, and Snow Valley. All three are within two hours drive of Los Angeles or San Diego. Big Bear Lake is unique to Southern California in that it offers the four seasons of the year, crystal blue skies 330 days of the year,a fresh water lake that measures 8 miles long and more than 1 mile wide, and a community rich in history dating back to the gold rush days. In fact, Big Bear, or Bear Valley, was originally named by Benjamin Wilson, the first mayor of the City of Los Angeles. Mt. Wilson, which towers over Los Angeles and is home to hundreds of amateur radio, public safety, and commercial repeaters, as well as TV transmitters and more, was named after Benjamin Wilson.

Summer time in Big Bear yields to slightly warmer temperatures that usually don't go much above 85 degrees and a slight breeze that drives many of the boats on the lake from June to October. The lake is patrolled by the Lake Patrol, who are peace officers and tasked with enforcement of all laws on the water. The San Bernardino County Sheriff and California Highway Patrol provide law enforcement for the surrounding areas.

Big Bear Lake is also home to one of the world-class solar observatory's, due in part to 330 days of sunshine each year.