Weds/ Thursday in Arkansas

Tuesday was a killer schedule...about 15 hours in tests. Weds was a day off while the test data was compiled. Thursday in an hour we sit down with Dr Nair and get the reports.Then, off to Gracie for the ride home. Scattered thunderstorms forecast. Follow us on www.flightaware.com N353RV

Since we spent so much time in Arkansas last year you might think we explored it in detail. Not so! Deb seldom felt like leaving the room and we had no wheels most of the last year.Deb and Amanda in April 2010

Yesterday was the rare opportunity to take a drive in the country. Petit Jean State Park is about 1:15 out of Little Rock in the mountainous area. We took the kids out there about 26 years ago when we were here for the USAFR C-130 school.



I drove out thru the country while Deb slept. We toured the top of the mountain and saw the grave of 'Little John'-more later. Then we ate at the Rockefeller Conference Center of the Univ of Arkansas on the farm owned by the Rockefellers. We drove thru the state park and visited the visitor center.We saw a 'beep-beep' roadrunner in the field next to us about 20 feet away! He was about 16-18" tall and very fast! (Poor coyote!)



Deb slept most of the way home but did not feel like going out to eat, so I joined new classmates from Memphis and brought Deb some soup. Ken(patient) and Marsha(caregiver) are here for their initial testing and intake. Ken has smoldering myeloma. We spent some time talking about what is ahead. This morning I had a cup of coffee with Bob, whose wife was his caregiver. She unexpectedly died while he was in his transplant about 5 years ago.

Tuesday update

As we were waiting for the PET scan, the pharmacy that mixes the radioactive mix that gets injected into Deb's body to circulate an hour prior to the scan called to warn the crew not to use the mix because it did not pass QC. That created a riot among those waiting as the PET and MRI departments run full day after day.

Fortunately, the nurses rescheduled Deb for 7 PM tonight after her MRI. She got to come back to the room for few bites of food and a nap to sleep off the morning drugs. We are walking out the door now for the MRI.

Emotional Reminders

Yesterday we flew out to Arkansas in Gracie. Deb sat in the co-pilot seat and was fully alert and enjoyed the sightseeing. The flight was smooth until we were on final approach for the airport. The last thousand feet had moderate turbulence and 45 knot winds. Nevertheless, a smooth touchdown was made and as we taxied up to the gas pumps, the lineman was there to help us put Gracie in the hangar. Gracie enjoys this hangar because it is full of muscular jets. She's the only small prop plane in the large hangar and gets all their attention!

It took a while to get our rental car so we enjoyed the company of some of the local airport folks. One of them was moving to Montgomery to become an active duty adviser to my old AF Reserve Squadron. Small world!

As we arrived at the Markham house we were greeted with staff showing us the magazine Deb was featured in. It had a nice full page photo of us and an article about how our treatment at UAMS has gone. We were assigned the very same room that we had on our first trip to UAMS over a year ago when daughter Amanda saved our bacon by accompanying us and helping us get around. On that original trip, I was so useless! I was almost non-functional and unable to oversee the various appointments and tests Deb had. The huge hospital campus and the C word (cancer) caused me to be emotionally non-functional. Amanda stepped in and got us through it. Thanks Amanda!

Well, being in that same room revived some of the same emotions in both Deb and me this visit.

Deb's eye has been very irritated so our nurse arranged for us to be seen by the on-duty doctor in the myeloma clinic. We were taken back to one of the chemo chairs that Deb had spent so much time in last year. With familiar staff members around us, we both had emotional issues with not ever wanting to be there and do that again. It was like visiting an old battle field, or scene of loss in the past. We were glad to leave because we no longer belonged there!

We saw an article about Deb's doctor, Dr Nair, who is now in charge of a research project using a body's own 'killer cells' to combat cancers. It sounds so high tech and futuristic. We are so happy Dr Nair is involved.

Last night Deb did not have the energy to go out for supper so I went to the grocery and brought is supper for us.

This is now Tuesday morning. Deb had a few slices of Canadian bacon and water for breakfast. She has limitations on food all day as she endures test after test. She has been restricted from her normal pain killer she has used all other times for the awful bone marrow test she has around around noon. We have to go to the pharmacy and pick up an alternative. Hope it works!

So, we're up and getting ready for a long painful day.

We are resting in the fact that the same Lord who brought us thus far is still guiding us and will not abandon us.

Blessings all!

Vern

Update

We had lunch today with Eliana. She was delightful to dine with and ate plenty of healthy veggies.

Today is Father's Day. Happy Father's day fathers: especially mine!

It's been too long since the last update.So,here 'tis!

Deb has been steadily improving in strength and endurance. She has gutted thru the pain of continuing reduction in pain meds. Some of the medical types have been very surprised at the progress she has made. Deb has a strong sense of determination to get off them as soon as possible. Her weekly chemo continues. The oncologist cleared her for short local drives in the neighborhood and this week Deb drove herself to to a hair cut.

We have been packing and planning for our Monday morning departure for Little Rock in Gracie as it's been three months since the last checkup and this is the week.

So, standby for reports from Arkansas this week.

As we consider where we were a year ago we are so grateful for the blessings we have received!

Friends

Evelyn with her friend Nadia in the garden in Brussels

Saturday plan

Another weekend has rolled around and Deb went to bed last evening hoping for a trip out for breakfast at our favorite spot. When I awakened her this morning at our planned time, she was a no-go. That's our lifestyle now: we plan, we wait, we do it if she has the pizzaz. This morning the pizzaz tank was on empty!

So, I fetched her a take out of pancakes and ham! She got to eat in her PJ's and then go back to sleep.

Later, our friend Wayne from Wales (in the UK) dropped by. Many years ago I spent a week with his family in the Southeast area of England (Sussex I think). A few years ago Wayne,wife Hillary, and two daughters moved to the USA.

Wayne was impressed by Deb's two lush tomato plants and asked for her secret. Do you want to know it too? Ask Deb!

Saturday Field Trip to the Varsity

May 29th (today) is my father's 86th birthday. Happy Birthday Dad!

All Dad wanted was a family outing to the Varsity. If you are not familiar, it is the world's largest drive in eatery and is in downtown Atlanta across from Ga Tech.

Deb was feeling OK, so we joined the party along with my parents, and sister Kay and her husband Lee who drove up from Warner Robins.

A 'greasy' time was had by all! Good onion rings! I had two slaw dogs. Ummmm good!

Tuesday-chemo day : Good news!

Today Deb switched 28 day cycles of chemo and began a different chemo cocktail. After the nurse prepared her port in her chest wall and drew many tubes of blood for her weekly tests and got her vitals, Dr York, Deb's oncologist came in to see us.

In conversation Deb mentioned to Dr York that she thought that for some one with cancer she was felling pretty good. He corrected her and said the coveted words: 'For someone who HAD cancer, you are doing well.'

How 'bout them apples!

May it be!

PTL!

Ms. Daisy driving!

As Deb's pain meds have been tapered off, the doc approved her beginning to drive in the neighborhood on a very limited basis to start with. Been without wheels for a year? Deb has!

Today we took a drive in the country to let her get familiar again. She did great!

Grandkids a good medicine

Deb received a good 'dose' Saturday as Amanda brought Eliana down the the sunroom for a visit. She is a non-stop explorer! Deb and Eliana had a short tea party.

Over in Europe Trey and Katka took Evelyn on an outdoor outing. Wish we could have all been together!

Update

With all the pix and descriptions of life on this blog since returning from our adventures in Arkansas, one might get the idea that Deb's life is comfy and easy and cancer no longer a concern. Nothing could be further from the truth. Deb's cancer-multiple myeloma-is incurable but treatable. Her's remains in remission but can come surging back at any time. We must be vigilant!

She has had a hard two weeks.

Overall, Deb has been improving and gaining capabilities and quality of life. But, we hit a speed bump when she did her 28 day cycle switch of chemo. She developed a strong reaction to the new chemo. Her throat swelled, she could not swallow, had trouble breathing, she developed a fever,etc. She was ordered to stop that chemo. After some consultations with our local and Arkansas docs, we now have a reduced strength chemo on hand. We are waiting to determine how to resume the cycles.

The med is very carefully controlled. We have to get monthly counseling about it and answer surveys.

Deb has been very tired and not felt as strong as before. She spends most of her time in the sun room resting. She enjoys her crafts as much as she can. Oscar the dog is good company.

Every Tuesday Deb has her chemo. She starts sliding downhill after chemo and starts perking up by Monday just in time to go get more chemo.

We keep hearing of friends who have discovering cancer. We are surrounded by the terrible disease. Please support research and fund raising efforts.

This week we touched base with some Arkansas classmates. We are like old war vets, having 'fought' together in the trenches of myeloma. Most seem to be getting along OK.

Mother's Day 2011

As we've thought about the path we trod over the last year, we are amazed and so grateful for the progress Deb has made. Yesterday, Deb was able to spend a few hours at a cookout at the airport. Today Deb and I had lunch with Jon and Amanda. Jon is a grillmeister and produced some exceptional burgers. Stephen joined us and soon we were all Skyping with Trey,Katka and Evelyn in Brussels. Evelyn and Eliana are both learning to make noises and are taking their first steps. They enjoyed seeing each other. Isn't technology wonderful?

Sunday-still feeling puny. Rays of sunshine

Deb still feels puny. We had a morning Skype with Evelyn, Katka, and Trey. They had a first birthday party for Evelyn. We were so glad to see her even in a computer screen! She tried to crawl into their screen to get to Deb.

We have been keeping Annie,one of Amanda's dogs.This afternoon we took Annie home and had a chance to visit with Eliana in person.

Both visits were good medicine for Deb!

All week Deb was somewhat home bound by herself and was actually lonely.

Downer !

Deb switched chemos on Tuesday. She has had a tough week since. Yesterday afternoon she could not swallow, her skin got big red blotches, and she had a fever. The local staff issued her a special med that reverses the allergic reaction. She is still recovering and halted that chemo pill. The staff in Arkansas concurred with the move!

Deb has been pretty miserable all week. Hopefully better days are ahead.

Tuesday

Today was chemo day. Deb's labs were great. The doc and nurses consulted with Deb on pain-killer reduction. Deb's goal is to get off them ASAP. The chemo nurses are going to dress up for the royal wedding this week. They had their bling out for Deb to see.Fun even in a place where fun is sometimes scarce.

Our friends John and Barb Voss from the '70's Dr and Mrs Owen's gang came to visit from San Antonio. John retired from the USAF and is now a Southwest Airline pilot. Barb and Deb were young teachers in grad school when we met in Valdosta,Ga. A few years ago John was healed from a brain tumor that had not been properly diagnosed for over 5 years. He has an identical twin brother who is also a Southwest pilot.


We went to one of our favorite restaurants where our waitress was one of Deb's former students. Hugs and kisses all round!

When we got home we had a photo from Evelyn.

Bird update

After watching the bird family all day yesterday merrily flitting around our garage, we were dismayed today as all four baby birds went down inside a double-hung window between inner and outer panes. Two were dead when Deb found them. She called me about 4 pm and asked me to come home from work to try and save the remaining two. I had to break a window pane with a hammer to get them out. We put them in a shoe box with a clothe. We tried to give them drops of water. The local bird store recommended morsels of damp cat food. The third one died. With one remaining we made a wire screen top and are still trying to get food and water to the last one.

More as it happens.

Easter Morning! He is risen!

"He is risen! He is risen,indeed".

That is our traditional Easter morning greeting!

So, consider yourself greeted!


As Deb and I were fixing breakfast this morning, we saw the miracle of new life. As we said earlier on this blog, a mama bird built her nest in our garage and laid multiple eggs. We've been carefully monitoring the progress of this new family. This morning, mama had FOUR little ones hopping around the garage door frame learning to fly. We had seen that she came and went even with the garage doors closed by hopping in and out a 2" opening on the floor seal of one of the doors.

We must be careful and not hurt them as we come and go.

As we see the new life in the bird family, we look back on the last year and all Deb has been through and thank God for the new life Deb is experiencing as she heals. We are also ever mindful that multiple myeloma is an incurable cancer and it can suddenly reappear. We are enjoying this season with faith that it will last long into our future.

We have this hope because of the one who rose from the dead 2,000 years ago and whose sacrifice for us we celebrate as Easter!

Saturday day trip

Friday was a holiday for Vern and we were overdue a visit with Deb's mother Doris and brother Tim in Warner Robins, a two hour drive. Doris lives in the same care facility that Vern's grandmother Darley and Aunt Betty were at.

Originally we were going to take Gracie to make an easier trip on Deb, but because we needed to clean out a storage building and take Doris out for a short shopping trip including lunch, we took our Trooper. Deb laid in the back seat half the trip.

It was a very tiring trip for Deb but it accomplished all we needed to do.

Saturday morning Beth Sterne came to visit Deb.She lives in Baltimore. They enjoyed several hours of fellowship which goes all the way back to college. Deb spent the rest of the day resting.

Hangar Party

Deb and Jay taxiing out

Because the weather is so 'summery', the folks in our hangar had a pizza gathering and sat around visiting tonight. Friend Jay gave Deb a ride in his 1947 Cub which Deb enjoyed so much! This Cub once belonged to our family aviation inspiration, Bob Day, in Macon, Ga. He helped teach my father and uncle Hal to fly, and I got to fly with him. It's so cool that this plane that I most-likely got my first ride in back about 1953 now is in the hangar next door. Sitting in my father's lap on that ride is etched in my memory bank.

Deb adjusts her headset

Chewing the fat

Tuesday update

Deb had her chemo today and got a good lab report. "Except for the cancer, you're doing great."

Katka sent us these pix from the tarmac in Brussels where son Trey is taking flying lessons. Katka and Evelyn got to ride in the back seat. Evelyn just happened to have the appropriate head gear, don't you think???

Great quotes

"The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing – not healing, not curing – that is a friend who cares. Somewhere we know that without silence words lose their meaning, that without listening speaking no longer heals, that without distance closeness cannot cure.” - Henri Nouwen

Our friend Steve Pearce has faithfully compiled a weekly email to our small group for years. This is one of the quotes Steve selected that hits me as a good reaction to those in pain.


Here's another from a British musician Gogfrey Birtill

There's a lot of pain
Gogfrey Birtill

There's a lot of pain but a lot more healing
There's a lot of trouble but a lot more peace
There's a lot of hate but a lot more loving
There's a lot of sin but a lot more grace

Oh outrageous grace Oh outrageous grace
Love unfurled by heaven's hand
Oh outrageous grace Oh outrageous grace
Through my Jesus I can stand

There's a lot of fear but a lot more freedom
There's a lot of darkness but a lot more light
There's a lot of cloud but a lot more vision
There's a lot of perishing but a lot more life

There's an enemy
that seeks to kill what it can't control
It twists and turns
Making mountains out of molehills
But I will call upon the lord
Who is worthy of praise
I turn to Him and I am saved

Weekly Update

Deb continues to gain strength and mental clarity. In fact, she is so sharp, Vern can't get away with anything! The pain killers continue to be decreased and their affects continue to diminish. 

Eliana enjoys a little back porch time with Deb and Vern

Eliana with the friends she stays with when Amanda works

Evelyn smiles all the way from her home in Brussels

Tuesdays are chemo day and so Deb's daily quality of life rotates  around chemo and it's affects. So, Weds starts a downward feeling that heads further down and then begins inching upward so that by Tuesday morning, Deb is raring to go and do. Tuesday afternoon chemo changes that feeling again and begins the weekly cycle again.

So, Saturday was Deb's big day this week. Morning breakfast and garage sales. Then driving around looking at garden gates to find what she wanted. We finally found what she wants for her Banks Roses to grow on, so look for a future photo when it looks presentable. Saturday afternoon we did burgers with Amanda, Jon, and Eliana.  Fun! Afterwards we had a nice visit with my parents.

Sunday, Deb was feeling good enough to do church. She was surrounded by friends who waned to greet and encourage her. Afterwards, lunch and a long nap.

Monday morning will be some crafts with friends then Tuesday begins the cycle again!

Blessings all!

Eliana's first words

Turn your volume up!

Week in review

Sunday Deb was able to attend church. It was a communion service with sharing afterwards. Deb was impressed to share a portion of her story and all week we heard about teary-eyed responses. Tuesday was the normal chemo day which begins with pre-meds at home. When she got to the clinic, her chemo had not arrived yet. She had to return on Weds to complete the weekly dosage but the pre-meds did not hold over in spite of the doc telling her not to take any more. So, Weds-Friday was not a happy time for Deb.
Her lifelong friend Lisa Lewis drove up from Thomasville Weds-Friday. They spent the three days lounging in the sun-room. Lisa is herself a multiple cancer survivor.

As I said before, Deb has dig-in-the-dirt dna in her body. She simply has to plant something every spring. Son Steve came down and he and I were dirt-servants doing Deb's bidding with manure, top soil, etc. To cap off the day, we cooked burgers and enjoyed relaxing together.

Even Oscar the dog got in the act. He insisted we play some catch with his ball. See the movie below!

Deb checks out the flower boxes on the sun room

Deb looks over the Christmas Cheer azaleas

Deb and Steve planting

Oscar

Steve and friendly fern

Steve and a tomato

Gratitude

We still have a complete in-home 'hospital' setup with hospital bed, hospital portable toilet, lift chair,etc. We have a well-used walker. Supplies are stashed here and there. As we live in our home, there are reminders all around us that show where we were a few months ago and where we are now. Not so long ago, getting Deb into the hospital bed took about :45 minutes. Now she crawls in like everyone else except for the wedge cushion and extra pillows.

Our lifestyle still has limitations and restrictions, but we are so grateful for the progress made. I tell folks that if it never got any better than it is now, that would be wonderful compared to where we were a few months ago.

Many friends have blessed us in our journey. The sun room project that so many helped with is now the main living space for Deb where she spends the majority of her time. Many of you helped Deb in and out of Gracie, or with fuel bills, or flying us back and forth. Many cleaned house and yard.

To each of you: heartfelt thanks!

Praise God for each of you!

Life Since Arkansas Visit

We've been busy since we returned from Arkansas. First, there's the normal duties like unpacking, laundry and bill paying that comes from being gone a week. For Deb, there has been a need for a lot of rest. She's still good for one event per day. When we stretch it to two or more, she pays with fatigue. So, life is about priorities and choices.

Saturday was our much-anticipated family reunion. We knew the drive was too much so we intended on Gracie delivering us to nearby Vidalia, and had arranged for a loaner airport car to go the additional few miles over to the reunion site. Friday turned out to be an iffy day health-wise. Saturday was just not a good travel day, so we missed the reunion. After more rest though, Deb still wanted to get out of the house. So, into the car we went for a short drive around our town admiring the azaleas and trees. Then home for a nap.

I think the two weeks without chemo in prep for Arkansas tests gave us a false sense of wellness and strength that rapidly disappeared when Deb resumed chemo last week. That stuff can sure sap your energy!

Additionally, Deb has a desire to get her pain meds dosage as low as she can so she can have a better quality of life,more alertness, and eventually, drive herself. Not being able to drive has been a real downer for her. There are days she is stranded and lonely. So, we are on a med reduction plan. She has come down a huge amount over the past few months. The Arkansas report showed that the bone lesions are reducing in size, but she still has many lesions as well as the seven spine areas. Some pain meds may be permanent.

Spring has finally arrived as with it Deb's desire...perhaps in her dna...that she must plant half the world. Of course, she has to be satisfied with a few tomato plants and herbs in a bucket. But at least she can put her hands in the warm dirt as many generations before her have done.

Yesterday, being Sunday, Deb finally had the energy for church attendance. After a lifetime of not missing services,it has been a sacrifice to not be able to attend. It has made us identify with those the church calls shut-ins. Well, yesterday Deb was not shut-in! She enjoyed the service and brought many to tears during the sharing time.

So, in this response to spring, with much of her urging, I also responded yesterday by purchasing a small grill. For its premier, I cooked her a gourmet hot dog for supper. From her lofty vantage point in the sun room, she was able to view my antics in lighting a fire and getting those elusive wieners out of the safety packaging which has been designed by a team of scientists to foil ordinary humans from getting into the package.

She said it was a good hot dog. But, she is very kind!

Did I mention that I gave her a spring hair cut? It actually enhances her already cute appearance! Again, she likes it. Anyone else need help with their spring doos?

Dr Nair Gives Test Results

We signed in for our appointment with Dr Nair.
Looking around, we found our Thai friends waiting for their appointment. The grand daughter has been a faithful caregiver.


Soon Gina, Dr Nair's nurse, brought us back and did a review of meds and records. Then Dr Nair showed up and got his Deb hug. Then he gave us his big news...after six years of marriage, a baby daughter is due in May! We encouraged him to sleep now while he can!

He read all the reports from the tests and told us that Deb is still in remission. He made a few small changes and told us to come back in June.
We always record our questions and answers in a notebook so we do not forget in our excitement.

The MRI report was especially revealing to us. It showed that there has been a lot of healing of lesions that were there for the 12/6/10 MRI and now no longer visible. Those lesions still present coincided with places where Deb experiences pain.