Saturday

Deb rested in the morning after some friend angels brought and shared a delicious supper with us last night. Vern spent some relaxing hours this morning at the hangar catching up on some maintenance on Redbird. Mid morning Amanda and Eliana surprised Vern at the hangar where Eliana got to play with Redbird and then come visit Deb. Later, Vern brought in Amanda's favorite pizza and played with Eliana while Amanda ran to the grocery. It was a great and productive day! A long phone conversation with my uncle Alton topped it off! He cleaned fish from 8:30 am until 3:30 yesterday afternoon! Wonder how his hands smell today?

We have our room reservations in Little Rock and our hospital test schedule. The test week starts March 20th. Until then, friend angels have signed up to drive Deb to our local hospital for her weekly chemo. Deb has a mild case of cabin fever since she can't drive and would like to do more short local trips. and Vern is working.

Yesterday Vern met an Emergency Room Doctor who just left Little Rock for a new job in Birmingham. The doc knew all Deb's docs and spoke most favorably about his days at UAMS.

Past Week

"Your numbers are all great and except for the myeloma, you are in great health" were the words the PA gave us this week.  Of course, we were greatly comforted and shared a guffaw with her as those words settled in !  Sort  of like the joke, 'Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?'

Certainly, we are delighted with Deb's continued improvement.

Her beautiful hair is about 3/4" long now and is coming in straight and very dark but not as dark as it was. We take great delight in stroking it: it is so soft.  She has used shampoo several times lately.

Last Saturday our friend Mary Roberts from Jacksonville, FL visited us. Mary was part of the Dr and Mrs Owens gang from the 70's. I took Deb down to Macon in Gracie for a short visit with her mother who lives in a nursing home in Warner Robins. Most small airports have a gas-only clunker one can borrow once you fly in for short trips. No way Deb could have held up for the automobile drive, but 200 is much faster than 55! Amen?

Oscar the dog remains with us. We negotiated a treaty and he no longer barks all night. He sleeps outside our bedroom until I get up to prepare for work. At that time I lift him onto a blanket on Deb's bed and the two of them sleep in until about 10-11am.

Today we received a draft article that will be appearing in a magazine soon. It is about the blessings and value of communications during a sickness. We so appreciate the opportunity to encourage and inform each of you and thank you for being a part of our blog community. Once it it is finalized we will try to post it for you.

Saturday update

Deb continues to gain strength and mental sharpness. She catches me on more and more goofs! The old Deb is coming back. Her beautiful hair is now approaching 3/4" long and she asked me to trim some of the shaggies.

Our new family member (Oscar the dog) had his first barkless night and Vern had his first full night of sleep since he came.There is hope! One of us was heading to the basement otherwise!

Deb has been very tired since the chemo really kicked in and the two/week physical therapy workouts started. Something new happened this morning: She awakened me and asked to go out for breakfast: she was starving!  Normally, she grazes mid-morning and I'm the early morning breakfast eater.  Appetite is good??  We saw several church friends while at IHOP.

A Texas friend told me about a new Texas-style BBQ joint here in Ptc, so after work last night, I invited Deb to try it instead of my leftovers and she jumped at the chance!  It was good to get some real brisket-done-Texas style and Deb had a huge 'tater with BBQ inside like we used to have at Strack family farm restaurant in Spring,Tx.

While based at Randolph AFB in the early 70's I used to drive out to a tiny country BBQ joint at the town of Schertz, Texas.  Sooo good!!

For those who have not moved around much, BBQ is different everywhere. Each community thinks theirs is best, of course. How do you like your BBQ?

Saturday-Visiting Ellie + Adopting new family member

Deb plays with Ellie. How about Deb's amazing doo! Soft and thick.

Deb and new trial family member-Oscar!

Vern and Ellie sharing a toy

This afternoon we headed up to Amanda and Jon's to enjoy supper and a visit. Deb was very tired so we had to cut it a little short. Amanda realized that Deb is very lonely being mostly house-bound with very few visitors and unable to drive. She decided to allow us a trial adoption of her pooch, Oscar. Move over, lonely one!

Friday evening

Deb 's poor hearing was further damaged by all the chemo she has had. We were blessed to have a new technology hearing aid system recently become available (at a high price). They have helped Deb's hearing and interaction with others. 

We have been concerned that the chemo may have further damaged her vision as well. Today she had an appointment with an eye doc who tested her and found no significant vision changes. New glasses not required! Hurrah!

Evelyn is having a warm day in Brussels. She and Nadia the Akita dog are basking in sunlight.

Tuesday-chemo day

Deb had good lab results and completed the second 28 day cycle of chemo. Next Tuesday begins another 28 day cycle of a different chemo, then a week off and a visit to Little Rock, if the snow has melted by then !

After feeding a starving lady, we began catching up with some classmates from Arkansas. Out there we had a sense of community that is missing here at our local hospital chemo facility. In Arkansas, we were a community fighting a common enemy-multiple myeloma. We were having common and shared treatments and for much longer times as well as daily togetherness.  Here, the chemo time is much shorter, only once per week, and we haven't formed any friendships yet. Each week the people are different. So, we called some Little Rock classmates and our nurse Mel-Bell so we could check on our buds. All had good reports for which we were grateful. Its encouraging to hear of so many doing well in their recoveries.

Deb asked Dr York if he thought she would really need the three years of local chemo she is scheduled for. He said that Arkansas is noted for its aggressive treatment and that he had never heard of such an extended maintenance program, but that our doctor in Arkansas would make that call.

This morning Deb is not feeling so hot and headed back to bed. She is scheduled for physical therapy   but wants me to try and reschedule it.

Blessings !

Sunday-Shampoo day!

Deb's hair has begun to grow back and is about 3/8" -1/2" long. Today she used shampoo for the first time since last spring! Good to have it back!

We rested today so Deb could attend a super bowl party up to the halftime. It was good to get out.

This week has physical therapy on Monday, chemo Tuesday, and an eye exam on Friday. Deb needs a ride Friday morning because Vern has a dental procedure at the same time. Anyone?

Chemo is the last of the worst chemo and next week begins a new 28  day cycle of another chemo. About March 20 we return to Little Rock for testing to see if the cancer is still in remission.
Blessings all!

Thursday-Physical Therapy Approved

Ulysses-physical therapist

Deb is slowly regaining strength and was approved for physical therapy at home. Today she was evaluated by the physical therapist and treatment starts next Monday and Weds. for at least four weeks. Deb is looking forward to gaining endurance and strength.

After a comprehensive medical and pharmacy eval and survey, the therapist whistled and told Deb that in seeing her in her healing process, he has witnessed a walking miracle and that Deb should thank God for her health. Deb quickly agreed!

Deb and I are in awe of how bad off she was just a few months ago and how well she is doing now. It's a God thing!

Tuesday-chemo day

Evelyn crawling in Brussels

Yesterday morning Deb was very tired. Mid afternoon she said it was if a switch was flipped and she started feeling good. This afternoon she had chemo. So far, so good! PTL!