Diamond Mountain Korea

Mrs. Betty Owens of Valdosta, Ga.

Skimming thru the Sunday Paper today was an article about a reunited Korean family that had been separated sixty years because of the Korean situation. The reunion took place at the Diamond Mountain Resort.

When I read that old memories flooded through my mind of Mrs. Betty Owens who had meant so much to Deb and me in the 70's -80's. She used to talk about being born in the pre-divided Korea and spending time in the Diamond Mountains. Her parents were missionaries there before WWII. She described being transported in a sedan chair along with her mother on that mountain.

Dr and Mrs Owens ran a ministry in their home that served college and military young folks for many years in Valdosta. Out of that ministry came a lot of new families. Mrs Owens was an excellent matchmaker! She helped us and our peers during our child-bearing years. She rotated from home to home as an adopted grandmother. Today there are many families around the world that were significantly influenced by this generous and caring couple.

During her many visits in our home we would often share prayer requests. She always asked for me to pray for her children and grandchildren to know Jesus and walk with him, especially after she was gone. I've honored that request over the years and pray often for them.   If you have a prayer list, I'd add mine: that for many generations to come my family would love and serve the King of Kings.

It's amazing the influence of a life, isn't it?

Classmates

Today I met a new classmate  from Istanbul, Turkey. He was the 30ish year  old English speaking son of a sick father. He was so surprised when I told him we'd been to Istanbul and wouldn't a platter of Turkish food be good for lunch?

We shared our four-chair treatment area with a Northern California couple who run a jewelry store. They had to leave the store in the care of their hired hand.  He called them and in his broken English described how the shopping center had been burned by a disgruntled teenager who set it on fire. He said that when the firemen came to the store entrance and said get out, he had run out, pulling the security grid down but leaving the safe open thinking he would be right back. No going back now as there is structural damage.

I had taken in an airplane magazine that I was done with and when California saw it, he asked if he could read it. He has a J-3 Piper Cub back home he longs to fly. I told him I remember my first ride with my father in a Cub. He says his first ride was also with his father in his father's Cub. There were probably a great many first rides in Cubs since it was so popular in the 40's and 50's.

Have you ever had a Cub ride? It's said that it is so slow it will just barely kill you!

Dressing change

The Arrow line is used to infuse meds and chemo. It has three connections and is inserted into Deb's vein down to the entryway to the heart. A lot of emphasis is placed on caring for this critical connection. Am errant germ here could be nasty!

Because Deb is so 'tender', she is very sensitive to Tegraderm used in most dressings. She has to use alternative adhesives with a special skin barrier cream.

Today the nurse pulled the old dressing and cleansed the site where the line enters Deb's flesh. Then she carefully re-installed a sterile dressing. Everything comes in a sterile pack so the risk of infection is minimized. Note that there are stitches in the flesh holding the line into her flesh.  

Waiting for the hotel shuttle

Here she is, all dressed up and someplace to go; but no shuttle! Deb's thermostat varies tremendously. I was freezing and she was hot. This chemo sure does strange things! Right now she's napping and covered up with 4 extra blankets because she's cold; I'm just right!

Sunday quiet morning

Eliana and friend

Yesterday Deb rested a lot as the chemo pumps did  their thing. Neither of us are sports nuts but we managed to watch the Ga-Fla game and then the World Series baseball game all the while hearing the sounds of two famous Black College bands playing all afternoon as Grambling played Arkansas-Pine Bluff across the street in War Memorial Stadium. We were surrounded by tailgaters and home owners hawking their lawns as precious parking spots all visible from our singular front and rear windows to the world.

We head to the clinic today for 10:00 am labs and more chemo. The worst affects will come late next week. Our meds are carefully sorted and it is most important not to skip any as several classmates found out yesterday.

Deb said yesterday that she was really glad to have started chemo because it was now too late to back out. Amen to that!

Beginning the last lap

As a poor long distance runner, I always was so happy to begin the last lap in a run; to be encouraged by the sight of the finish line.

Today, Deb began her last lap in this treatment plan. Last evening I spent a lot of time sorting meds for this lap. We have clinic chemo and home chemo. We have meds to minimize the bad affects of all the drugs. We have meds for meds! The careful pain, nausea, health control that is available to us here because of daily labs and daily visits to the clinic allow us to treat this cancer as aggressively as possible. Any more aggressive treatment would have required hospitalization. Think of that challenge?

So, today Deb had the two take home pumps hooked up . One chemo will infuse over 4 days. It is called 'Red Devil' by the nurses. The other larger bag is infused over 24 hours. We will change it every day.

Deb is also already neutropenic .
She must wear a mask in public, wash hands often, be supper cautious about germs. She has very little capacity to fight an infection. Meals will be carefully prepared until her system comes back online.
She is very weak and sleeps a lot. Back to the routine of apartment-clinic-apartment. That's why returning to her bright yellow sun room will be so happy; especially when it is filled with you!

Friday activities

 We arrived for our Dr Nair appointment to find the system overwhelmed. We visited with numerous classmates and waited our turn.

Passing time

Dr Nair gave an excellent report to Deb and signed off on the next stem cell transplant. He studied the various lab reports and gave us the analysis. He is such a kind gentle man!

Deb's medical records

So, tomorrow we start the chemo leading up to the tranplant.

After the appointment with the doc, I had to rush Deb across campus to get her line placed in her jugular. Deb had been hurt by the German doctor  previously and was afraid of him. She and Sheila the line nurse talked to the doctor and he apologized and was extremely gentle. Afterwards he visited with us and now he and Deb are friends.

While Deb was in the operating room, I ran off to get the prescriptions we need tomorrow and to co-ordinate with the nurse. Then I had to meet with the insurance nurse to check our payments. All is well right now. I found out that the stem cell collection costs $57,000. Each transplant is $37,000. Praise God for insurance! So far, all our needs have been provided for although we have had an expensive year! We are so glad that the Lord has been so faithful to provide for us and trust him not to abandon us, nor forsake us!

Friday am flash

We were expecting a 1:30pm  Dr visit  but his nurse just called and he wants more labs before we meet. Therefore we are rushing out the door for them. We've never done this before.  ???

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Late afternoon we got an explanation: Gina, Dr Nair's nurse requested the labs so we would be able to start chemo at 8 am Saturday. Otherwise, we would have had to wait for the lab results to come in before starting the chemo Saturday. Good call Gina!

Gina is the nurse that has the Holy Spirit tattoo on her wrist to remind her whose service she is in. She and Deb are true kindred spirits.

Thursday tests: caution : graphic pix!

L-R: Iva Jo & Bubba from Mississippi; Deb, Don and Anita from NW Arkansas

We seemed to have a class reunion in the waiting room for  the Bone Marrow test. Right after this photo, Israel came in and livened up the party. Of course, most patients were  'on drugs!' The friendly banter helped relieve the very-real stress each one was going thru as the painful procedure was contemplated. Everyone's favorite nurse for gentle reputation had just transferred to a children's hospital and was sorely missed.

The bone marrow tests use a 2 person team. For many cancers a single test helps determine the diagnosis. For Multiple Myeloma, these tests are used many times in order to measure progress. Typically a kind gentle lady comforts and records data while a muscular guy does the dastardly deed. Sort of a good cop, bad cop approach. However, today Big John was the kindest nurse yet and is the new gentleness champ.

The T-handle is inserted into a slit cut down to the pelvic bone. Then it is rotated to cut a plug of bone out of the pelvis. Then multiple hypodermic needles are used to draw out the marrow which looks like very thick blood. The drawing out of the marrow seems to be what hurts Deb the most.

 The big goal of some tests today was to determine Deb's ability to undergo the stem cell transplant.Two threats can kill her based on my discussion with a Dr.  Kidney destruction or lungs-pneumonia.

Both of these have been checked out and she seems ready. Her lungs were extensively tested in this glass box. Her breathing and lung capabilities were exhaustively tested-really! Then her heart got a thorough checkout.

At breakfast I had a long conversation with Dr Don Evans from UGA. He gets the results tomorrow about how his year-long treatment is doing. He did two years research at MD Anderson in Houston. They are famous for all sorts of cancer research but send their myeloma patients here. Don does works with many of the same DNA processes with animals. He helped me understand much of the science that is being used to heal Deb.

After a long hard day, Deb went to bed when we got home. I went out to get her some supper and fed her a small plate while she rested.

Weds evening-unusual classmate

Deb finished a hard day of fasting and testing. We got the hotel shuttle directly from the hospital to her favored restaurant for supper. She was whipped!

While waiting for her today I met a classmate from South Carolina. He looked forty something and is an unusual myeloma patient. He is an identical twin. His twin brother donated 168 million stem cells yesterday. He gets a transplant tomorrow from his twin. He said the docs are interested to see the results since his 'twin's stem cells have not been damaged by the cancer.'

Remember, this is a research hospital!

Never a dull day around here.

Be sure to read the prior post from today. Click on the right side column to see it and other posts.

Weds noon: Singing, Israel, UGA

It's been a busy day. While Deb waited for her blood work I went to get the schedule and packet of signed doctor's orders we need the next few days. Deb's name is Deborah Leah Mcintyre Darley. The head of the business office is also Deborah Leah. After Deb's bloodwork, I introduced them to each other and they had a nice chat.

After completing the MRI, we stumbled upon friends sitting around the piano so we sang together for a few minutes. Someone came down from  the tenth floor and thanked us for singing.

Deb (left) singing the praises to the Lord. Anita (right)

The pianist is a caregiver for another cancer patient.

We also bumped into Dr Don Evans from the UGA Vet medicine department. He's here for a three month checkup.

He is one year ahead of Deb in treatment and has gone back to work. He told us about the maintenance chemo plan which we will be starting when we get home. In describing the meds, he said the UAMS maintenance program we will be on is more intense than most hospitals main myeloma treatment. He also talked about how expensive these meds are. We were encouraged because he seems to be doing so well.

Israel, David, and Deb: all looking good!

As we were leaving we bumped into Israel and his son David from New York. Israel looked so good! We each shared how the last time we saw one another he had doubts that Deb would survive and we had doubts he would. PTL we are all here! They are back at the Markham House after staying elsewhere on their last treatment.

Tuesday Evening: Today's activities and the rest of the week

Tuesday was a bonus rest day for Deb. Originally it was to be our travel day. Since we got here yesterday we were blessed with the use of an automobile today and among the activities was a breakfast at the small ancient Greek restaurant where Deb feasted on biscuits and gravy, a childhood favorite. Then some causal shopping for craft supplies and simply driving around enjoying the turning-leaves and the simple joy of using a car in Arkansas.  Our normal routine is simple: Apartment > < hospital. Tomorrow begins the saga of the second stem cell transplant. Here's the rest of the week abbreviated.

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Weds:
>Pick up schedule and Doctors orders
>Urine test
>Blood tests
>EKG 12 lead
>MRI Thoracic, spine, lumbar spine, pelvis, shoulders

Thursday:
>Pet scan (requires a long fast)
>Echo cardiogram
>Spirometry with lung DLCO

Friday: Consult with Dr Nair re. stem cell transplant

Special blessing in Arkansas-Fellow Pilgrims!

After we arrived and got settled into our room , we bumped into our neighbors several rooms away that we had met a few months ago. Don and Anita are from Northwest Arkansas and Don has had 'smouldering myeloma' for a number of years. In other words, the cancer is there but has not yet attacked his body in the same way it has Deb's.

We met several months ago at the grand piano in the lobby of the cancer center. We all love Christian music.

We visited awhile in the room and then had a prayer time together. Don begins his treatment today. We are fellow pilgrims on this journey and will be supporting each other.

Deb and I had to change our travel plans in order to avoid this weather system which will be over Arkansas for today moving towards Atlanta. Nasty weather!

Arrived Arkansas Safely

Bad winds, clouds, turbulence on the trip over. 60+ knots wind at traffic pattern altitude here in Ark. It was worse yesterday and will be bad tomorrow. Today was the 'least worst' travel day.

Deb says it wasn't too bad.

We were assigned the same room we had last time...309. There is a Razorback home game across the street this Saturday. Bet the shuttle has to take the side streets to get us to the clinic!

Awaiting our stored boxes to be delivered so we can set up housekeeping.

Special thanks to angel pilot Jon for taking Gracie home. Thanks to all our friends who launched us from Peachtree City. Where would we be without everyone? We need and appreciate each one of you!!!!


Blessings all!

Monday-FLASH

Because of severe storms that have just passed thru ATlanta and another line approaching Arkansas, we are leaving TODAY (Monday) between 12:00 and 12:30 in order to have safe flying wx.

Going back into our old Room 309 at the Markham house. More news when we get there. Right now we are in a rush to get packed.

Blessings!

Vern

Sunday

We attended church this morning but left before the service was done due to Deb's pain from sitting. She had a nice nap while Dave and Stephen and I put finishing touches on the sun room. It's done except for some window painting and touchup paint.

Deb had a number of encouraging phone calls from her prayer warrior team. Deb is somewhat anxious about the upcoming procedures and tests this week. We are watching the weather closely since a front is moving across Arkansas heading this way. We will have storms and rain here in the Atlanta area. We may leave Monday afternoon if the weather changes. Otherwise, we are trying to depart the airport at 08:30 am Tuesday.

We have piles of clean laundry to pack and all the normal stuff we take. Have you packed lightly for a three week trip lately? Have you ever done it for your wife? There are challenges there!

We have the room reserved and the limo scheduled to pick us up. Gracie has a few maintenance items Dave and Jon are correcting.

Stephen starts a new job tomorrow. Pray for him to find favor.

Evelyn is having some fun learning to eat solids. Takes after me I guess ;)

Saturday-Eliana inspects sun room

The house has been active today as many workers have helped complete the sun room.
The floor is done, the trim is done, the windows and trim have been caulked for paint, and we are very tired!

Chief Angel Cassie visits with Eliana

Flooring Angels Bruce and Walt inspect their work

son Stephen

Vern's nephew Jacob

Bruce and Walt

Deb's inspection

Saturday-Eliana inspects sun room

Friday evening

My father dropped by for an inspection of the sun room progress. I think he was impressed!

Floor angels descended on us this afternoon to begin the sun room flooring. About 1/3 was completed today. The angels will be back in the morning to complete the job.

Thursday evening

Elie visited us and I took this poor pix of a beautiful gal as she was in the dark trying to go to sleep for her nap. For some reason she saw me and got too excited to sleep. Can you imagine that?

Today Deb experienced an incredible personal blessing. Thanks anonymous angel R. ! It encouraged her greatly.

Speaking of Deb, she had her labs drawn today. Some are reported directly to our local doc and results faxed to Arkansas.Others are put into a small box and overnighted to Arkansas for delivery the next morning for more advanced lab work.

Deb has more anxiety about our return to Arkansas because of the second stem cell transplant. She sailed thru the first one but some classmates have had severe reactions. I think she'll do fine but she is still uneasy.

If all goes according to plan, this will be our last extended stay in Arkansas. After we return home she will get maintenance level chemo locally with labs continuing to Arkansas. We have to find a satisfactory local infusion center and oncologist. Today we visited one. We will still make periodic visits to Arkansas but for only 3-4 day intensive labs.

Regarding the sunroom project, it is almost ready for final inspection. Tomorrow and Saturday a {flock,covey,herd,group,?} of floor and paint angels will try to 'get'r done'.

We are planning on leaving Tuesday morning in Gracie. There is a major shift in weather patterns early in the week so we might have to travel Monday to avoid thunderstorms. A decision will be made later as we get weather updates.

Blessings all!

Weds evening

Deb rested most of the day. When I got home from work I completed the electrical work on the sunroom, got the lights and fan working, and painted trim until I was sick of it. Friday afternoon and Saturday we hope to get the floor in and painting completed. The gutter materials were delivered today. Hopefully they will be up tomorrow.

We checked on some classmates and got good reports. Some do not have a return appointment yet.

Deb is struggling thru a reduction of painkillers. She's having to take break-thru pain pills between the three main pain pills. It's a pain!

Blessings All!

Tuesday evening

Deb had her favorite transport angel take her to angel Doc in north Atlanta where she got some help with her back. It's so good for her to get some relief! Thanks Doc! Thanks transport angel!

My nephew Jacob drove up from Warner Robins and worked all day on the sun room. He did a great job doing  the worst job...crawling around in the low crawl space and installing insulation. He also painted some and said he's coming back. Thanks Jacob!  I took him to my airplane luncheon where he met about 25 friends.

We had supper with friends and after I got Deb home and comfy, I went to get some groceries. While there I bumped into a lady friend who was widowed last weekend. After visiting with her, another old friend walked up.We reconnected and then home to put away the grub.

Friday and Saturday are work days for some construction angels so we hope the floor, trim, and all painting is completed. The gutters are supposed to be installed this week. 

We leave Tuesday morning for Arkansas. There's not enough time! We're not ready yet!

Sunday outing

Saturday was very active for Deb. She has energy for one event per day but had more on her schedule Saturday.

Looking at baby pix

Our goal was to rise early Sunday morning and go see Deb's mom Doris Gean in a nursing home in Warner Robins and perhaps take her to lunch. I got up at 6 am and hit the tub of mail and bills that had accumulated during our time away. I hate to awaken Deb when she is sleeping soundly. So, I kept creeping in to check on her. She was sleeping so hard that I let her sleep until 9:45 before getting her up. She was still very tired but agreed that she could sleep while traveling and get by. So, off we drove!

Doris has been living in the same nursing home my grandma Darley lived and where my Aunt Betty worked in as a nurse. It was so familiar! Doris was overwhelmed to see Deb. We gathered under a huge oak tree in the yard and soon my sister Kay and her husband Lee arrived and joined us. Right after that Deb's brother Tim, wife Brenda, and her ten year old son Billie arrived. I borrowed some chairs from inside and we all enjoyed the gentle breeze together. We stayed for hours visiting and then I brought Deb home. It's about 2 hours each way.

Soon after we arrived home we had a knock on the door and found that my uncle Alton Foster and aunt Esther had come up for a visit. They live in Grey, Ga and had come to check on Deb. We had a lovely visit. During the Korean war while my father was serving in the AF, my mother, sister, and I lived with 'Unk' and my grandparents. So, in many ways, he is like an older brother to me. He bought me my first baseball glove and taught me to play catch. Still had that old glove from about 1957 until it finally fell apart a few years ago. It was a first baseman's glove.

After 'Unk' and Esther left we had a snack, watched a special on elephants, and finally went to bed.

It's been another very active day! It sure is good to be home! No place like it!

Big Saturday

Deb and I went out for breakfast birthday pancakes. Ummm good! Coming home she rested all morning while construction angel Dave spent the day helping complete the sunroom. Today he finished the wood trim while Vern did electrical. Late afternoon an old friend from Tennessee dropped by to see Deb. Later the 'Cawood Choir' serenaded Vern with a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday! They brought a 'Deb-Vern cake' decorated for our '120th birthday'. Later, all candles were lit and it was a  big blaze!

This evening there was a cookout at the hangar which combined many of our friends in a beautiful airplane setting with cool October weather. It was meant to be a welcome home for Deb but had a surprise party element for Vern's 60th birthday. A guest birthday balloon clown made an appearance. Thanks Em! Thanks co-conspirators Paul LeDoux and Dave and Julie Kilgore! Thanks everyone!

 A beautiful 60th birthday cake was enjoyed by all along with Angus beef burgers. Thanks food angels!

Later, our daughter Amanda brought our grand daughter to the party which made her a big hit, especially with Eliana's grandparents!

MOVIE-click on arrow

Just when it seemed that it couldn't be better, we got a greeting from our overseas family, Trey, Katka, and Evelyn! We love you!