Tuesday - November 20,  2012

Just a quick note on recent tests and what's next.  The bone marrow biopsy results showed lingering MDS, not at the AML level which is about 10 -15% cancer cells,  No leukemia blasts increase.

CT scan showed normal liver and spleen but fluid in bottom of lungs and gut.  Vidaza (current chem)can cause fluid retention.

PLAN:  Antibiotic for cough; Lasix and Potasium to remove fluid;  and appointment at Duke on Nov. 28th to review treatment and possibly add an experimental drug called Revlimid.

We are hopeful and so glad that leukemia has been held at bay.

Our porch is now an official closed in Carolina room which we are really enjoying.

 

"We will keep trying to make chicken salad out of chicken s----." UNK

Saturday - November 17, 2012

The news is that white cells and immunity are still low so doc did a bone barrow biopsy to see what is going on.  It could be a reaction to chemo or we could need to add additional additives to the shots.  Either way we will see doc on Monday withe results and next steps.  Some fatigue has set in and it's not the kind of jungle green camo type.  I actually feel OK just pleasantly, " sit in a lazy boy rocker tired. "

I will send out another blog either Monday or Tuesday with up date from the doc.

Plans are in full swing for our completed porch and a Big Family Thanksgiving.

"Courage is being scared  and saddling up anyway"  John Wayne

Saturday, November 11, 2012

I had a great day at J.P. Nix Elementary School in Cleveland, GA. where my granddaughter, Laurel, goes to school.  The  program honored veterans through clapping and cheering as we "marched" down the halls and a variety of patriotic songs sung by the kids and a dramatic reading by none other than Johnny Cash.   The first picture is me greeting Laurel during the stroll through the school.  The second is Laurel, Clay,  Jane, and Doug in Helen, GA on the banks of the Hooch after the ceremony.  The teachers and administrators of the school really did a great job and the kids were definitely impressive.

Jane and I drove down Wednesday afternoon and stayed at a B & B at Nacoochee Valley after I received a dose of platelets as they were getting low.  This should get them back to normalcy before the next chemo shot round.

We arrived back home on Thursday afternoon so that Jane could continue to supervise the installation of windows for the back porch or Carolina room.  Great week.

"Is it ignorance or apathy.  I don't know and I don't care.  Jimmy Buffett

Saturday - November 3, 2012

Sorry about last Saturday but I was having too much fun with our children and grandchildren.  Brevard hosted the annual Halloween Street Festival which consisted of many fun events for kids and families.   Clay, Hulk, Laurel, Smarty Pants. Julia, injured cheer leader, and Sara, Little Red Riding Hood all participated in the costume competition, parade, and pumpkin roll down Jailhouse Hill.  Most pumpkins did not make it to the bottom where the target was located, but Clay's did.   Very accurate winner.  Because Brevard is located in Transylvania County, Halloween is a big deal.

Now the more mundane stuff.  Numbers continue to vary with some up and some down,  Good news that tests this week showed immune system (ANC) and white cells improved while platelets not so much.  I am back to once per week blood tests for the time being.  Probably no more shots until after thanksgiving.

I am looking forward to visiting Cleveland, GA on Thursday to attend Laurel's school Veterans Day celebration.  The kids put on quite a patriotic show and the Vets march down the halls.  Last year no one fell down.

We have begun enclosure of our back porch to make it a Carolina Room.  We are looking forward to the coziness of the enclosure with lazy boy, big TV, and gas logs. 

Thank you for continued cards, notes, and prayers.  They lift me up.

"I've been dealt a bad break, but I have a lot to live for,"  Lou Gherig

Friday - October 19, 2012

Had blood count check yesterday - some up - some down.  I will start another round of gut shots on Monday.  That will the third of the predicted six.  Feel good.

We had  a quiet week here in Brevard.    I played golf once and plan to play a round with Rick Ciordia on Monday.

Joyse's Florida friends and neighbors arrived today in a long RV.   Jane is busy cooking cornish game hens as they are joining us for dinner tonight.  It will be great fun to see Ferdie, MaryLou, Mike, Mitzy, and Jan as we have visited with them many times in JAX while seeing Joyse.

 

We are going to Dallas, NC tomorrow to see Sara Peters ride in a horse show.  I did not know of Dallas, NC but we will find it via GPS.  Sara earned all of the costs of this show by working in the stables where she takes lessons. 

"A sense of humor is a major defense against minor troubles"   Mignon McLaughlin

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Had a great visit from Gail, Jane’s sister, Nancy, Jane’s cousin, and Paula, Nancy’s daughter.  We all went to see waterfalls and clouds.  Really appreciated their visit. Enjoyed it very much.

 

Saw the doc this week and the counts are OK.  We are just monitoring at this time and will have shots again the week of 22 October. 

 

Looking forward to the Peter’s visit today. 

 

“ I want to rock and roll all night and party every day.”  KISS

Saturday October 5, 2012

I am a lucky person to have this kind of support.  Thanks Amy,  Kevin, Julia and Sara for your participation in the Light the Night Walk.  What a team!

I appreciate all the support from my family and friends.  Never thought I would be the recipient but it makes one feel positive about the future. 

No blood readings this week so I must be good.  I feel great and have been hiking and playing golf.  Jane, Joyse, and I did a fairly strenuous hike off of the Blue Ridge Parkway in an area called Graveyard Fields (of all places).  The meadow was filled with bright red blueberry bushes and orange trees.

Thursday night we went to dinner at one of our good restaurants in Brevard and listened to Shannon Whitworth pick and sing.  She is a great vocalist and local talent.

"Think of life as a terminal illness, because if you do, you will live it with joy and compassion, as it ought to be lived."  Anna Quindlen (Author of "A Short Guide to a Happy Life")