Thursday night

We've continued to enjoy Trey,Katka,and Evelyn's visit. Trey cooked an exotic Italian supper tonight. Vern's been working so time together is less than Deb has had.

Today the local oncologist's office worked with us to setup our first local chemo next Tuesday. We have a complex meds schedule that goes along with it. Deb really does not want to start more chemo but knows she has to.

We received a photo and nice card from UAMS in Little Rock today. They featured Deb on their support website along with a nice interview and a link to this blog.

Classmate Harold reported that his wife Gwen was doing some better and would get some life support removed today.

More Tuesday evening-somber thoughts

We've been away from the intensity of the cancer clinic for a few days enjoying being home, being with friends and family, and enjoying the Christmas season. Our minds have cleared a bit and our bodies have rested a little, but we are still in a life-threatening battle. Having the family together in Deb's sun room has been a tremendous blessing and a re-charge for Deb.

As a reminder, today some chemo was shipped to us. The pharmacy has ordered meds, and the local chemo clinic is scheduling us to begin our weekly chemo that goes on for three more years.

So, faithful followers of this blog, it's still about the battle; but, it's also about the life we live while we are engaged with the enemy. So, do not think 'it's over', or the end of the battle has come. There is much more ahead.

So join us in praising our heavenly father who has brought us thus far and will continue to carry us into the future, whatever that is.

Hope your holidays are great!

Tuesday evening

If a picture is worth a thousand words,...

Sunday

Deb was too weak to attend church today so while she rested I attacked the piles of papers and meds that had accumulated this year as we rushed in and out of town. As of today, things are better.

We heard from classmates today: Gwen is still in ICU back at Little Rock. Please pray for her and Harold. Iva Jo is in Mississippi headed back to Arkansas for her last checkup before entering the maintenance phase.

Forgot to mention that Deb had two visitors yesterday who had been at school with her! Thanks school prayer warriors!

Stephen dropped by for a while. He and I ran a secret mission. Thanks co-conspirators!

The big news for tomorrow is that Trey, Katka, and Evelyn arrive mid afternoon from Europe. We get to meet Evelyn!!!

More on that tomorrow!

I have the Christmas tree stuff ready to put up as soon as we have a quorum.

Blessings all! Stay warm.

Saturday evening

Deb's teeth have suffered just as her spine and bones have. This evil cancer loves to eat away at bones. Because we are in a week between chemo and testing she was able to get in for a major dental exam Friday. Even a cleaning is not permitted because her immune system might not be able to handle the release of bacteria in her mouth should she get a cleaning. So, we wait until she's stronger. But at least there was nothing to be alarmed over.

Likewise, the chemo has affected Deb's hearing and the action of her hearing aids. They are not of any use right now. Also, the glasses are not very helpful. So, other than not chewing, hearing, or seeing, she's doing fine! Just kidding!

Friday night our airplane club, The Falcon RV Squadron, held its 2010 Christmas party at a members castle in Newnan. George and Linda were fabulous hosts. Deb was able to eat and visit for a short while before leaving early.

Today Vern washed laundry, paid bills, gassed up Gracie, bought groceries, and did a list full of chores. Amanda brought Eliana to visit and on Monday, Trey and Katka are bringing Evelyn Sky Darley, III to see us! Yeah!

Home for Three Months!!!

We got home after dark. "Tailwind Deb"came thru once again. We had ground speeds as high as 222 mph in Gracie. In fact, the controller got mixed up and was calling us the name of a much faster plane. Pretty nice for a home made plane, huh?

This morning we got off the hotel van and Deb spotted this beautiful tree fully leafed out in the dead of winter. It seemed like a sign that we would get good news of life...just like the life in this tree.

The appointment with Dr Nair was great. While we were waiting to see him, our friend Harold came across campus to see us off. His wife Gwen is still in ICU but was able to come off the ventilator some today. Please keep praying for Gwen and Harold! Her myeloma is doing well but apparently the chemo has injured her heart.

We left with a complex doctor's order to implement here in Georgia in order to continue chemo and other meds. It runs in 28 day cycles and meds and chemo varies day to day.We will have to chart out everything in order to make it happen.

Dr Nair took a look at Deb's seed and congratulated her on completing a tough treatment plan.



On the hotel van ride back to the hotel our Thai friends were on board and doing well.It was good to see folks we spent some tough times with.

On the way to the airport we stopped for a salad in North Little Rock. The community has a quaint trolley line that reminds me of the good old days.

Coming home today!

We just saw Dr Nair and he's sending us home for three whole months! We have a complicated home chemo/med schedule to follow.

Packing now and hope to takeoff within 2 hours for a 2:15 home flight.

Rest Day for Deb-Dr Nair Thursday, then Home?

While Deb was resting Vern took classmate Don (who is a Viet Nam era Marine helicopter crewman) for a short trip out to gas up Gracie and get her ready for the trip home. Of course, while we were there we had to take Gracie up for a short walk! Among fliers of her type aircraft there is a phenomena called the 'RV Grin' when folks get their first Van's RV ride. Here is Don's grin! I think he liked the ride.

Tomorrow morning we meet with Dr Nair and get the results of all the tests. If the reports are OK, then we will head home. The weather looks great but the runway at home is closed for maintenance. The airport manager said if I'll call him on the radio he'll have it opened in 5 minutes. Hope he can do it.

As usual, you can track us on www.flightaware.com   Gracie's N  number is N 353RV.

GRADUATION

Since Deb has completed the entire multiple myeloma course of treatment, she qualified for the 'Seed of Hope" ceremony here at the cancer clinic. The award is presented by a team of staff here.  Deb received two pewter seeds about 1.25 " long. One she tossed into a large carved stone seed pod here in the lobby similar to tossing a coin into a fountain. The other is hers to keep and came in a small pouch for safe keeping.

When the seeds of hope were presented, Deb bowed her head and spontaneously began to pray and thank God for her life and healing. Several staff members were visibly moved by that and had eyes full of tears.

I am so proud of this gal!

The Inscriptions on the seed:
Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences


The seed of Hope sculpture at the UAMS Cancer Institute symbolizes our belief in the power of hope. These seed-like tokens are a symbol of the hope we hold for our patients and our desire to pass that hope along to others.


"Once you choose hope, anything's possible" -Christopher Reeve


 
The effort Deb has put into this treatment certainly qualifies her for this token seed and hopefully, for a full and disease free life. About 15-20 staff members and a photographer attended the ceremony. Thanks Doctors, nurses, techs, lab folks, and all the staff it takes to treat us.

Many of you have been a part of this through your prayers, posts,  gifts, actions, notes, emails, etc. Thank you for loving us!

Bone Marrow Tuesday!

Deb hopes it does not become a regular event, at least not more often than every 3 months!
So, that was the main course today.

While sitting in the waiting area we spent time chatting with our former next-door-neighbors from Cairo, Egypt.
When we left last time, he seemed to be on death's door. His son had actually told me last month that he did not think he would make it. Today he was chipper and cracking accounting jokes...OK since he is a retired CPA.  We really enjoyed the animated conversations. On the other side of us was a Korean lady who was also wound up with jokes and commentary.

Deb's bone marrow test was one of the worst for her. The team was outstanding. In spite of the pain killers and the pain-killing lollipop, she hurt!  No baths or showers until Saturday. Booo!

The last report from Harold regarding his wife Gwen is that she is about the same tonight as she was yesterday and still in ICU.

Class reunion! Prayer requests.

Today we got to visit with many other patients and caregivers in our 'class' of myeloma patients. Most are doing well but Gwen is in ICU in serious condition. Please pray for her and caregiver Harold.

As I was typing this we heard a knock on the door and it was Harold coming to update us. He and Gwen have been married 48 years this year and live in central Tennessee. Harold said Gwen is still in ICU and her heart function is only 10 percent. He has to make decisions about continuing life support. I asked if we could pray for them and he said please, so Deb and I joined hands with Harold and had a season of prayer. Please join us in seeking the Lord's will for them.

While you are praying, Chief Angel Cassy's sister Karen died and their family is in the midst of  loss. Cassy and Karen and I went to High School and played in the band together.

Deb had a full day of tests. She spent several hours in the PET scan, then off to blood and urine tests. Because of fasting for the tests, Deb had troubles with the blood tests and the staff called in the boss nurse to monitor and care for Deb. They gave her some snacks and juice and monitored her for a while. I grabbed a wheelchair for the rest of Deb's travels around the hospital. I sure got my exercise today! It's a big place. Later, Deb had about three more hours of MRI's.

She had another odd experience when  the MRI machine caused one of her garments to heat up and made her feel like she was burning. She had to stop that procedure, remove the garment, and re-do that portion of MRI. 

We arrived safely in Little Rock

The winds aloft were ferocious and there was moderate icing in the clouds. Therefore we flew low below the clouds today, mostly at 3000'. Normally we'd be up at 6-8,000'. We bounced around because of the wind and the front that pushed through the area last night. Besides that, it was cold! Good thing Gracie's heaters were primo.

On most trips back and forth Deb has been in such pain she slept most of the way. Not today! She flew shotgun and was an avid sightseer. She stayed awake the whole way. She decided to start carrying a camera. She saw many sights that thrilled her. It was exciting to me because that is the exact emotion I've always had when I flew! I'm a born sightseer. I love to takeoff at sunrise. You can watch the world wake up. Kids heading off to school. Folks getting the paper off the porch. Cattle heading out to pasture. New construction on its first day. No longer earthbound by limited horizons. Seeing over the horizon! Who wouldn't want that ability! Flying makes it possible.

When we were working so hard to build Gracie it never crossed my mind she would become a tool to deliver Deb to a place of healing and hope. We finished building her and I completed the forty hours of test flying her just in time for her to become the Arkansas Express! What a blessing! Guess we never know until later how important things work out for us. Just as if our lives had an architect with a design-which I believe! Do you?

We are at the Markham house but in a regular hotel room since we are only here a few days and don't need the extra room and kitchen  the longer stays need.

Deb starts off with a bang at 8 am. Tomorrow will be a long hard fasting /testing day.

Blessings all!

Sunday morning: prep for a week of testing in Arkansas

We've been washing and sorting clothes and getting ready to depart today in Gracie. She is staying with us all week since we hope to return later in the week. The weather is still down a little low for our trip so we are waiting for improvement which should happen after lunch according to forecasts. The winds are howling at altitude so we'll be flying out lower than normal to minimize their affects.

Neither one of us wants to return to the clinic since 'graduation' but we know we have to. We do look forward to catching up on our classmates and their progress.

We will be finding out if the double stem cell transplants and multiple courses of chemo have kept the cancer cells at bay. We have no reason to think otherwise, but need those tests to confirm it. Then we return and begin the local three years of chemo maintenance on a weekly basis.

Deb's new oncologist here in Fayette County also treats several of Vern's fellow workers. They gave good reports and we hope to introduce him to you in the coming days!

Have a peaceful Sunday!

Christmas Party

Although Deb has stayed home resting since we got back from Arkansas, tonight she was able to make a short appearance at Vern's company Christmas Party. Deb was greeted by so many who have been following her adventures and praying for her. It was such a blessing to be able to greet each one. Life itself is such a blessing! Can you say 'Amen?'

The plan is to fly back to Arkansas Sunday in Gracie for 8 am Monday tests. We will come home Thursday of Friday depending on the schedules and the weather.

Thursday-local Oncologist found!

I lost Deb this morning...I could not find her when I woke up. I checked the hospital bed, both bathrooms, the kitchen, the  sun room. Where was she? Looking more carefully I finally recognized her pate under a pile of blankets and pillows...where else? In the sun room! Just a patch of scalp and everything else completely hidden. Think she loves that room?

Mid morning I left work to pick up Deb for her appointment with the local oncologist. This meeting has been very stressful as we have to coordinate all care with Dr Nair in Little Rock. Fortunately, we were impressed with the staff and doctor. He is familiar with UAMS and treating multiple myeloma. He graciously agreed to work on Deb's care team. Stress level reduced! PTL!

Tomorrow evening is my office party. Deb is going to try to make a shortened appearance. Sunday we head back to Arkansas for testing. Pray for good weather.

Blessings all!

Weds evening

Today was the first time Deb has stepped outside since we returned from Arkansas. Deb went to our family doctor this morning for a review of her Arkansas treatments and for a general exam. Her lab tests are steadily normalizing. White blood counts and magnesium are still a little low so she still needs to avoid crowds and continue to rest. The Doc is amazed that Deb was able to survive not one, but two stem cell transplants. I told him that about three weeks ago I had doubts that either one of us would make it! I'm not exaggerating! It was tough!

A number of folks have expressed shock that the 'reward' for surviving the year of treatment in Arkansas is three more years of weekly chemo here in Atlanta. Tomorrow we visit a local oncologist to see if we are a fit with him. Whoever Deb has for a local oncologist will have to comply with orders from our doc in Little Rock. Some egos won't allow playing second fiddle!

Monday morning starts a few days back in Arkansas for extensive testing to determine the results of the year's chemo and stem cell transplants. We pray for good news! After that we start a three month rotation to Arkansas for the next three years.

Right now the plan is for just Deb and Vern to take Gracie to Little Rock on Sunday. We have a hangar arranged for the week and a rental car, so we will be doing Arkansas a little differently than before since there is no treatment; only testing and an appointment with Dr Nair.  Pray for good weather!

Monday evening

Evelyn is packing for her December visit to Georgia. We can't wait!

Today Deb had a nice visit with Beth Jones Sterne from Va. Beth went to college with Deb at Valdosta State and lived next door to her when they were both new teachers. She and her husband Steve were part of the Dr and Mrs Owens gang. We were guardians of each others kids in case of disaster.

Vern headed back to work and was welcomed back by the associates.

That mundane life is very good!

Sunday evening

 Monitoring Deb's blood pressure is important ! This meter was only $69 and pumps up the cuff  and takes the pulse and BP just like the larger versions used in the cancer clinic. Wow! Technology!
So far, Deb's numbers have been great!

It was a quiet day in Peachtree City. Deb slept late and when church was over some angel friends brought us a bag of burgers, something we haven't had lately. We had a picnic in the sun room and had a nice visit. Thanks friends!

For supper I fixed something else we haven't had in over a month-a salad! See, while Deb's immune system was on vacation, all produce had to be washed and peeled. Peeled any lettuce lately?  It was delicious!

After a few days of much rest, we are beginning to fell human again. Rest is a wonderful medicine.

Saturday evening-From high drama to the mundane

Let's hear it for the mundane...the everyday 'normal', whatever that is. This blog may become considerably more boring now that we are home and not in the clinic but boring can be good if it means that Deb is getting better each day and beginning to adapt to being home. The reduced meds have helped Deb feel much better.

This afternoon we each took a loveseat in the sun room and had a nice sunny afternoon nap. It really is sweet to see Deb sound asleep enjoying the sun room just like I had hoped she would.

With some seasoning tips from Deb I made her a big pot of chili for supper. She is low in potassium and magnesium so we have a list of foods high in these minerals. I keep giving her snacks with these to boost her levels.

Deb has stayed inside since we got home but if she feels OK in the morning we may try to attend church and see our friends there.