We just finished packing the U-haul for Hannah and Allen to drive back across the country. We have tried to give them more stuff than they want. After all, they have plenty of room in their truck :) Why is it kids don't want parent's stuff. I think the stuff is wonderful. Hannah's dolls, clothes, books, swimming memorabalia, furniture, quilts and STUFF are now out of our house. I thought once her stuff was gone, our attic would be emptyish... I guess a lot of that stuff in the attic wasn't hers! Yikes, it must be ours :(
Mike has had a good day. He has been happy to have the kids around. We are grateful to celebrate this holiday together. Other than sleepy, Mike is his old self again... It is wonderful to have him back. I need to go put him to bed. It has been a long day for him. I think I will watch the Boston Pops... Happy Independence Day friends!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy July 4th Holiday
Today is our great nation's birthday and holiday celebration. We hope you'll have an enjoyable day and a safe one. Today will be rather relaxed around our home with no significant plans. We will enjoy one another and probably have a cookout.
Yesterday was also pretty relaxed, though I found time to work a bit on some projects at the office in the morning and napped on the back porch in the afternoon. Hannah and Nancy did a bit of shopping and running some errands with Andy and Alan.
I continue to heal and feel well, though may not have as much energy as when I was on higher doses of steroids. The taper has dramatically helped my night time sleeping.
We continue to be blessed by your faith and prayers. We have tremendous support from all of you and our precious family. There are many other folks out there dealing with hard times and medical needs. Please find time to pray, comfort, and help them. We sincerely appreciate your weeks of loving attention to our family.
Yesterday was also pretty relaxed, though I found time to work a bit on some projects at the office in the morning and napped on the back porch in the afternoon. Hannah and Nancy did a bit of shopping and running some errands with Andy and Alan.
I continue to heal and feel well, though may not have as much energy as when I was on higher doses of steroids. The taper has dramatically helped my night time sleeping.
We continue to be blessed by your faith and prayers. We have tremendous support from all of you and our precious family. There are many other folks out there dealing with hard times and medical needs. Please find time to pray, comfort, and help them. We sincerely appreciate your weeks of loving attention to our family.
Friday, July 3, 2009
New author
I taught Mike the ins and outs of blogging... He has picked it up quite well and has done most of posting for the last few days. I am so pleased that he is feeling well enough to have good times with our family. We had fun yesterday as you will read in his post. He tires very easily and doesn't really notice his fatigue until he sits down...
We feel it such a blessing to have all of our children around us for a few days. Family photos are generally rather painful for those of us who don't like to be photographed. Our photographer friend made it nice for all of us. We hope one or two, out of the 2,000 she took will look nice!
We hope all of you have a wonderful holiday with your families.
We feel it such a blessing to have all of our children around us for a few days. Family photos are generally rather painful for those of us who don't like to be photographed. Our photographer friend made it nice for all of us. We hope one or two, out of the 2,000 she took will look nice!
We hope all of you have a wonderful holiday with your families.
Family Time
We had an appointment with the oncology nurse practitioner at the cancer center who also concurred with the physical assessment from the doctors the day before. She patiently answered every question. Thursday afternoon was a wonderful time at Tyler & Kim's home. All our children and grandchildren were there and Tyler had arranged for Julia Bender (remember that name, she'll be famous one day), a skilled photographer and artist to take lots of photos. On her way into to town she and her husband, Jan, found an abandoned building a couple blocks from Tyler's home with some washed out colors to make for an interesting setting.
After shots of the whole clan and smaller groups, we strolled back to Ty's house. Posing requires more effort than one would think. We sat outside while Tyler cooked some of his specially seasoned burgers on the grill. Will and Maggie played with balls and rocks and entertained us all in their back yard. Every grandparent believes this, but these are the cutest and most special grandchildren, ever. We loved every minute.
We ate lots of produce from Kim and Nancy's gardens and it was topped off by Kim's lemon, poppy seed cake (not so organic, but absolutely great eaten in moderation). It was a delightful afternoon and evening. As usual, Will did not want Nanny and Poppy to leave. I slept in the car all the way home and also fell asleep on the couch after getting home. I was surprised to have slept most the evening, then we visited with Hannah and Alan until almost 11 pm (only 9 pm Albuquerque time) and went to bed. I also slept so soundly for almost 5 straight hours again and feel refreshed this early morning. In the last 12 hours, I have probably slept almost 7 of them. This is a most appreciated blessing.
Today's pace is much less with only an eye exam scheduled and a 50th wedding anniversay reception for our service minded home teachers who have been weeding our planting beds this week. We will enjoy a restful day since it is a holiday for the office and the cancer center.
After shots of the whole clan and smaller groups, we strolled back to Ty's house. Posing requires more effort than one would think. We sat outside while Tyler cooked some of his specially seasoned burgers on the grill. Will and Maggie played with balls and rocks and entertained us all in their back yard. Every grandparent believes this, but these are the cutest and most special grandchildren, ever. We loved every minute.
We ate lots of produce from Kim and Nancy's gardens and it was topped off by Kim's lemon, poppy seed cake (not so organic, but absolutely great eaten in moderation). It was a delightful afternoon and evening. As usual, Will did not want Nanny and Poppy to leave. I slept in the car all the way home and also fell asleep on the couch after getting home. I was surprised to have slept most the evening, then we visited with Hannah and Alan until almost 11 pm (only 9 pm Albuquerque time) and went to bed. I also slept so soundly for almost 5 straight hours again and feel refreshed this early morning. In the last 12 hours, I have probably slept almost 7 of them. This is a most appreciated blessing.
Today's pace is much less with only an eye exam scheduled and a 50th wedding anniversay reception for our service minded home teachers who have been weeding our planting beds this week. We will enjoy a restful day since it is a holiday for the office and the cancer center.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Oh, What a Beautiful Evening!
Mike is the author again :)
Last evening was most delightful as Tyler and Will delivered Hannah and Allen to our home, Andy arrived, and all were here except our Maggie and Kim (we missed them). We ordered Pizza King (a family favorite) and used certificates provided by friends in some get well cards a few weeks ago. Nancy also warmed up some organic food for me and made a wonderful green salad from leaf lettuce from our garden. It was great to have almost everyone together for the evening where we visited, laughed, and filled our bellies.
Will discovered the new toy that was sent to me from the Huffman cousins (jack in the box with a sock monkey rather than the traditional clown). He had a great time launching bowls and army men off the lid when the monkey popped up.
We stayed up until about 11 pm talking (Nancy, Hannah and Allen were up much later.) and I again slept for 5 straight hours again! I feel rested and my back just gets stiff being in bed that long (may need to replace the mattress soon). We have a full morning of work, radiation, and an oncology appointment before heading the Greenfield for an afternoon with a professional photographer and a cookout at Kim and Tyler's home.
Family time is most precious. This holiday weekend, I hope we all focus on quality time with our loved ones as we celebrate the birth of our great nation. We are grateful to live in a country where we can live in peace, worship as we choose, and live in comfort.
Last evening was most delightful as Tyler and Will delivered Hannah and Allen to our home, Andy arrived, and all were here except our Maggie and Kim (we missed them). We ordered Pizza King (a family favorite) and used certificates provided by friends in some get well cards a few weeks ago. Nancy also warmed up some organic food for me and made a wonderful green salad from leaf lettuce from our garden. It was great to have almost everyone together for the evening where we visited, laughed, and filled our bellies.
Will discovered the new toy that was sent to me from the Huffman cousins (jack in the box with a sock monkey rather than the traditional clown). He had a great time launching bowls and army men off the lid when the monkey popped up.
We stayed up until about 11 pm talking (Nancy, Hannah and Allen were up much later.) and I again slept for 5 straight hours again! I feel rested and my back just gets stiff being in bed that long (may need to replace the mattress soon). We have a full morning of work, radiation, and an oncology appointment before heading the Greenfield for an afternoon with a professional photographer and a cookout at Kim and Tyler's home.
Family time is most precious. This holiday weekend, I hope we all focus on quality time with our loved ones as we celebrate the birth of our great nation. We are grateful to live in a country where we can live in peace, worship as we choose, and live in comfort.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
The news couldn't be any better...
(Mike is the author of this post)
We just returned from our second doctor's appointment today and we are thrilled that they both agree that I am recovering and tolerating the treatments much better than is expected. Even with my steroid tapered to a lower level there are no new symptoms and my sleep pattern has improved. Both have agreed that I can drive more and work as long as I feel like it, but not to overdo it (suggesting half days for now). It gives us so much confidence to have two skilled and knowledgeable professionals agree that things are going so well!
Tomorrow I am 2/3 the way through the radiation treatments and have a 3 day break because of the holiday closing on Friday. My chemo treatments are a bit further along since I take those on weekends as well.
With Hannah and Allen coming in from Albuqueque this evening we will have 4 days of fun and activities. We will have family photos taken tomorrow in Greenfield followed by a cookout at Tyler and Kim's house.
We have been so very blessed today with all the good news, but we understand the source of the healing lies not solely in the doctors, a good diet, and rest, but the root of all healing is the Lord Jesus Christ. We trust His plan for us and we know that He is watching over and caring for us daily. We thank you for your love, prayers, and support. Please join us in expressing gratitude for the positive results we are experiencing.
We just returned from our second doctor's appointment today and we are thrilled that they both agree that I am recovering and tolerating the treatments much better than is expected. Even with my steroid tapered to a lower level there are no new symptoms and my sleep pattern has improved. Both have agreed that I can drive more and work as long as I feel like it, but not to overdo it (suggesting half days for now). It gives us so much confidence to have two skilled and knowledgeable professionals agree that things are going so well!
Tomorrow I am 2/3 the way through the radiation treatments and have a 3 day break because of the holiday closing on Friday. My chemo treatments are a bit further along since I take those on weekends as well.
With Hannah and Allen coming in from Albuqueque this evening we will have 4 days of fun and activities. We will have family photos taken tomorrow in Greenfield followed by a cookout at Tyler and Kim's house.
We have been so very blessed today with all the good news, but we understand the source of the healing lies not solely in the doctors, a good diet, and rest, but the root of all healing is the Lord Jesus Christ. We trust His plan for us and we know that He is watching over and caring for us daily. We thank you for your love, prayers, and support. Please join us in expressing gratitude for the positive results we are experiencing.
Doctor visits, naps and Hannah and Allen
Today we see the neurosurgeon and the radiation oncologist. Hannah and Allen come in at 3:30. Tyler is getting them from the airport and driving them here. It will be a busy day. I will report back later.
We feel so refreshed with the cooler weather. We may walk to the Cancer Center today.
We feel so refreshed with the cooler weather. We may walk to the Cancer Center today.
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