Grandbabies-Our Replacements!

Evelyn enjoys chocolate in  the land of chocolate-Belgium! Click on photo for large

We got home yesterday and had an early lunch with Amanda, Jon, Ellie, and Parker.
Here Amanda. Deb. and Ellie pose for the lens.

Not much bothers Parker. He is a happy child.

Ellie demonstrates her artistic abilities.

Home in Georgia-Rare Laughter

Nurses Sue Ellen (rear) and Kathy (right) had a rip-roaring good time this morning as Deb was one of the first customers to arrive at the chemo clinic this morning. Both have treated Deb many times over the past years.

click on photo to enlarge

Sue Ellen shows off the many tubes used to collect blood samples. Makes us remember the old axiom: beware of nurses bearing needles!

Hooting and hollering together!




We had a short day in the clinic and took off  for home at 12:30 CT. The weather was great. When we arrived at home, a gathering of supporters was waiting to assist us in unloading, refueling, and putting Gracie to bed. Thanks Angels!

The next two weeks we have Friday & Saturday chemo treatments. Then we have tests, meet with  the Doctor, and hopefully start over rather than face that 'salvage therapy.'

Friday-a Long Day!

Steve cared for Deb today. On weekends Steve has a praise band that performs statewide.

Click on the pix to enlarge them.

Deb hit the waiting room at the chemo lab about 6:45 am. She left about 4:45 this afternoon. Most of the day she was in a hospital bed taking IVs of IVIG to help Deb's immune system. Then she took her experimental drug Carfilzomib.

We met a classmate from Brooks, Ga who now lives in St Mary's, Ga. He name is Sue McQuinn and used to be a Southern/ Northwest Airlines Flight Attendant. She first went to Emory for treatment. Now she comes to UAMS.

Part of the 4th floor Myeloma Waiting Area

With so much time in the chemo clinic, Vern took several walks. The medical school has about 150 student doctors and the same number of student nurses. Being a bookstore fan, Vern walked over to the med school bookstore and checked out the curriculum. I can't imagine learning all that detailed information. Among the things for sale is a display cabinet of stethoscopes. Didn't know there were so many choices!

Steths

There was a park bench with an aerial photo of the hospital complex. The Rockefeller Cancer building we use is on the opposite side of these buildings on the far left.

Deb had a full set of labs today. Her platelets have been zip in spite of the traditional meds. She had done some research on non-traditional supplements for building up blood. She got the doctor to sign off on her using this supplement and today she found out it had raised her platelets to the highest level ever! PTL!

We have heard that there is a research project that is being tested for all cancers that have metastasis, which is the spread from the original site to other organs and areas of the body. It involves using gold molecules and other heavy metals that bond to cancer cells. Then either magnetic forces are used to localize a deposit of cancer cells, or lasers are used to heat the cancer cells to the point the cells are killed. Just this morning Deb was talking to a cousin in Memphis about this break thru research. Today, I found this display explaining the research here at UAMS.
Click on the pix to enlarge them.

Loss of Another Classmate

Patty Patterson's funeral was yesterday.

About a month ago we were in their home and went out to supper with Pat and Patty. Patty had asked us to look at a house across the street from them.

Not knowing about the loss, I called to check up on our friends. Pat answered and told me the bad news. Blessings Pat!

Thursday: Back in Arkansas

Our original plan was to fly out late Thursday afternoon. As I was getting ready for work this morning, I took a close look at the weather and realized the forecast had changed. The clear skies had changes ahead. I woke Deb and told her to get her bag packed because the schedule had to change.

'Time to spare; Go by air!'

The winds were forecast to become a 35 knot (41mph) crosswind. That exceeds the safe limits for Gracie. Additionally, some thunderstorms were drifting into our flight path. Turbulence was increasing. Everything pointed to a morning trip.

Our launch was aided by a group of friends who helped get Gracie loaded and prayed for our trip. We so appreciate not being alone in our life-journey! Thanks angels!

Even with our 10:15 takeoff, these threatening clouds gave us moderate turbulence and a 75 mph headwind! The trip took well over three hours. Deb is now a seasoned light plane flier and napped, read, and played with her iPhone. She is a trooper! When she gets a bad bump,  she just snugs her lap belt and presses on.

When we arrived, LWC was sitting there ready to take us and our bags. Thanks Car angels!

Suddenly Deb's meds kicked in and she had to eat NOW. Otherwise she would digest her own tummy. To avoid that fate, I took her to our favorite veggie place, Loca Luna. After that we went to our hotel and she dived into bed for a mandatory nap.

Later  the phone rang and it was our realtor telling us that progress was being made towards a snag in the condo association issue that was delaying our closing on Darley-West.

Still, I reminded her that my grandmother always encouraged us to not count our chickens until they actually hatched!

On another note, I like to always have a backup plan. Since I must get Deb to Arkansas every week, possibly for the rest of her life, and knowing that Gracie is just a machine, albeit a good one, I started upgrading our 2 seat plane, Redbird about 3-4 years ago. With the disappearance of my spare time, Redbird has languished in the hangar for several years. Some Plane Angels sensed my need and frustration and have gotten Redbird to the point now that she can be used as a backup to Gracie, if needed. Thanks Plane Angels!

I've had the pleasure of some test flights. Here is what is called the 'RV Grin'. (Both Redbird and Gracie are designed by a man who calls them RV's) See www.vansaircraft.com and www.vansairforce.net for details.

Deb is scheduled for a 7 am infusion of the experimental drug, Carfilzomib. Saturday, same thing plus a six hour $10,000 booster for her immune system. She will be pretty much done for on Saturday so we plan on returning home Sunday morning so we can get ready to do it all over again next weekend! So, please pray for our endurance and strength and wisdom. Also for the Lord's will concerning the condo closing.

We are so grateful for his abundant provision and blessings among which you, dear readers, are treasured blessings to us!

Sunday at home!

For many of you, that is probably the same old boring routine. Take it from us; boring and routine seem wonderful!  We actually got to go to church for the first time since Feb. When we are home we intend to go, but after Deb arises and showers, it's normally nap time again. However, the blessing of missing the experimental drug IVs yesterday and today is that Deb had much more get up and go-so she got up and went! Besides, the Dr increased her dex dosage which keeps her wide awake.

After church, Deb actually went to a restaurant for lunch! Like normal folks in normal times! Wow!

As I said, boring and routine are exciting for us!

It was wonderful to re-connect with so many old friends. We miss the worship, music, teaching, and relationships.

The emotion that Vern feels as a caregiver is abandonment. Now, we haven't been abandoned. Many friends stay very close and in touch with us, including you, our dear readers and bloggers. But, that is the feeling/emotion I have as a caregiver. It is a struggle to separate reality from emotions!

We anticipate heading back to Arkansas Thursday, depending on the weather. Stay tuned.

Blessings all!

Back in Peachtree City Tonight

Before we left Little Rock we met with the scheduler to iron out a new schedule that hopefully includes the Carfilzomib. They are so efficient at coordinating a very complex set of requirements. We appreciate their helpfulness!

We had a great flight home, mostly in and above beautiful snow-white clouds. We taxied in and a group of faithful friends helped us refuel and put Gracie to bed in her hangar.

Flying home we fly over some beautiful farmland. I am always reminded of a Jewish friend's blessing when we lunch together. He prays first in Hebrew, then translates into English.
Josh says "Blessed art thou, Oh Lord, who bringeth forth bread from the earth."

That food grows on these farms.

Click on pix to enlarge

We head back to Arkansas later in the week.We have a 7 am appointment Friday morning, so we'll head over on Thursday.

CHANGE 1: Heading home today (Saturday)

There has been another scheduling SNAFU. Because we are on an experimental drug, there is a blizzard of paperwork involved . They worked until 6 pm last night unsuccessfully trying to get Deb's treatment approved.  So, we are flying home this afternoon and will try again next Friday-Saturday.

Dr Visit and Report-Friday

 Deb and this Blood Pressure machine have a love-hate relationship going. It never provides her vitals on the first attempt: normally it takes 5-6 tries to get all the data. Sometimes the nurses have to get info the old fashioned way.

We were number one in Dr Van Rhee's docket today. Even so, we had to wait about :50 mins to see him. The whole visit with about six nurses each with specific duties took over three hours.

Bottom line: Deb's cancer lesions are the same size, or even slightly smaller, according to the Dr. We are to continue the experimental drug for another month. In 30 days we will see him again. Deb continues the thialomide and he increased the dosage of dex by a third more. One drug makes Deb incredibly sleepy: the dex makes her wide awake like a tree full of owls. She's caught somewhere in the middle of that tug of war.

Dr Van Rhee says the drug takes a while to do its function and we should be very patient and not throw out a very viable treatment yet. We agree: that salvage therapy option is to be avoided.

So, back to Little Rock for every foreseeable weekend.

Chemo starts again Sat am and Sun am, then we hope to fly home.

Male nurse Jason did the intake interview with Deb today

Nurse Tia processes the schedule and treatments for the next month

These are Deb's records which are at least 6-8 inches thick when stacked up

Testing completed: Dr in the morning

Troy works in the MRI Unit and has assisted Deb for as long as we have been coming to Arkansas. His big heart is as big as his smiles. He always cheers us up! We are so grateful for Troy.

The staff at UAMS has typically been encouraging and super helpful. I can't imagine how we could have made it without them. 

Back to Little Rock Tuesday...via a long-cut!

Co-pilot Deb holds here place in the book she read on the trip today. Note her thirty-year traveling companion Lambie-Pie reading over her shoulder

Notice I said long-cut, not short-cut! The remnants of the weather system that produced over a hundred tornadoes across the middle of the country finally arrived in Georgia. Our original plan had been to wait until the front and its bad storms passed us and then fly to Arkansas in the clear. Well...plans of mice and men.

Click on pix to enlarge. This GPS/xm weather satellite view shows the huge weather system

Another xm radar view of the system we flew around today

When I saw the system building in size and intensity, Deb and I packed quickly and launched off northward to do an end-run. We went from Peachtree City to Chattanooga, to Bowling Green, Kentucky, then west to Little Rock. We were in constant turbulence and occasional heavy rain as we flew. Even  the airliners and corporate jets were moaning about the bumpy ride. Deb made not a peep about it! Great co-pilot!

Memphis in the distance-double click for detail

We normally pass about forty miles south of Memphis. Today we passed about 20 miles north. We had a clear view of the city from our eight-thousand foot perch. We flew by Blytheville, Ark and right over Little Rock AFB where I flew C-130's some 28- or so  years ago in a previous life.

The mighty Mississippi north of Memphis

When we landed at North Little Rock Airport my landing was graded by a flock of buzzards on the runway. They circled us as we taxied in, swooping in front of us. Guess the word is out on my landings, huh?

Son Trey called from Belgium as we unloaded Gracie to tell of a miraculous escape he had as his car wrecked and tumbled end over end. The emergency crews responding said they expected to pick up pieces but he did not get a scratch, PTL!

We heard from our condo realtor a number of times as folks here are trying to overcome the issues with financing a condo in these troubled times. Perhaps it would not be the best investment decision but unless it gets worse than it is, my opinion is that if it helps Deb, makes her happy and brings some joy into our lives, we will probably risk it. Tomorrow there will be some actions that should satisfy the underwriter. Stand by for news.

Go to  http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N353RV

Saturday update

Deb finished her last chemo pill in this sequence last night. She said 'Yay!!!' She has been house-bound most of the week. Deb has not had much energy for much more than sunning in the sunroom!

We are due in Little Rock Weds morning for tests. Because of the severe weather making it's way across the country, we plan on leaving very early Weds morning. Our first appointment is around noon.

Friday we meet with Dr VanRhee. We are eager to find out how the cancer is responding to the experimental drug-Carfilzomib in combination with thalidomide. We have been measuring the external size of one of the lesions. Our measurement has gone from  over 5" long a few weeks ago to about an inch and a half today. We think the meds are working ! We hope the Dr. and his tests agrees!

Daughter Amanda had a business trip and sat next to a research Dr who was very encouraging about the Carfilzomib.

Last week we mentioned that we were attempting to purchase a small two bedroom condo about 2 miles from the hospital. We actually had turned on all the utilities and were scheduled to close Friday  or Tuesday. Yesterday the mortgage company found out from the underwriters that a new rule will not allow a mortgage on condos if any one owner owns more than ten percent of the complex. Well, a lady in our complex of twelve units owns two. Therefore, by the mortgage rules, these condos cannot obtain a normal mortgage! Surprise!

 We are checking other mortgage sources and with the owner-who is in Portugal, for possible alternatives. Standby for news!
 

Easter Sunday-home in time for Family

The nurses decorated and wore special hats today in the chemo clinic. A small buffet of goodies was set out for staff and patients. The blue bird below was made of surgical gloves. How creative! Easter in the clinic!

Friends met us at the hangar and helped us fuel and put away Gracie. We went straight to Amanda's home and visited with Jon and Amanda, Stephen, Ellie, and Parker. Then home, a nap, and start the week over.

Mr T and Ellie visiting with Deb

Parker held close by Deb

Amanda holding Parker with Ellie

Deb with Oscar, Annie, and Mr T

Stephen

Jon and Ellie

Happy grandparents!

Back in Arkansas Good Friday-Introducing LWC

A happy co-pilot is a good thing!

We left Peachtree City this morning and launched off into thick clouds which we flew out of around Birmingham. From there to Arkansas was as pretty a blue sky as one could ever hope for. The farmers were out plowing, crop dusters were dusting, and the green and yellow young crops were popping out of the ground. It has been so special to cover the same track week after week and see the beauty of the land.

Click on a photo to enlarge it

The farms are so beautiful!

The hardwoods indicate water-like a creek or river. Pines are generally on higher ground.

This farm has a 'pivot'. It is a giant watering system that usually pumps water from a deep well and distributes it using the moving pipes that fan out and circle the pivot. The pipes are about ten feet above the crop and the pipes are hundreds of feet long. There are huge sprinkler heads all along  the pipes.

Note the complex terraces the farmer has created in the soil.

Here is a GPS view of Lake Sardis, south of Memphis

Here is  the same lake out the windshield. The marks are the prop blurring as it turns

Sticker shock at  the gas pump today! It was $5.85 last week.

Introducing LWC

Deb says that stands for Little White Car and the car angel had it gassed and ready to go whenwe arrived at the airport this morning. There was even a special gift basket inside full of needed goodies. Thanks Car Angel!

I've mentioned that my favorite place to eat in Little Rock is Frankie's Cafeteria. Tonight Deb did not feel like leaving the room so I headed to Frankie's for supper for myself and for takeout for Deb. After I got the food I met Mrs Frankie who was in the dining room eating her own supper. We had an enjoyable chat about how much we appreciated their cafeteria that had fed us so many good meals. I told her all about our situation. It brought back painful memories to Mrs Frankie as she recalled her own mother's cancer battle.

Mrs Frankie now is a part of a housing ministry here in Little Rock called Hope Lodge. It is at the corner of Pine and Cedar and is an affordable option for medical stays in Little Rock.

Deb has 8 am chemo Saturday and Sunday, then we hope to fly home.

Blessings all!