RD

If this is a repeat, just ignore me, I'm tired but happy!! The Oncology doctor came in today and helped us feel better.

The Oncologist told us that after the air leak heals in RD's lung that he will get to go home and rest for about a week and then start radiation. It will be Monday through Friday, for six weeks. If the trip gets too hard on RD there is a place that we can stay up here. But RD wants to try driving first to see how he does. Once a week he will be given Chemo. The docs didn't think he could tolerate both treatments, so they are going to lower the dose of Chemo while he is getting the radiation. After the radiation, the doc said that he might do some more Chemo but still at the lower dose. He said that he had seen people where the tumor got smaller and then disappeared. We are sure praying for that for RD. The cancer is Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. It is a Stage 3, would be a 2 because of the size but it is close to his main artery and that makes it a 3. I don't understand a lot of what I'm writing, just wanted to pass on what the doc told us.

We didn't rest well last night so he has napped on and off all day and is sleeping now. He seems to be feeling pretty good, just really, really tired.

Thank you soooo much for your prayers, we so appreciate them!! Hope everyone had a nice Christmas, even though we spent Christmas in the hospital, we had a nice day because we were together. Love to all...

RD

The docs have decided that surgery is not an option for RD. The tumor is too close to the main heart artery and the risk is high for a massive heartattack. He gets short of breath just walking across the floor so that played into the decision, too. As much trouble as he has now with breathing, because of emphysema, he doesn't need to have his lung removed. So he will be treated with radiation and chemo.

This afternoon they did a MRI, CT and Bone Scan. The leak hasn't closed up in his lung yet but I'm hoping that we will go home as soon as it does

We didn't get good news today. He has lung cancer. Don't know what direction we will be going...surgeon will be in to talk to us. Some of the options are: surgery to remove the cancer; surgery to remove the lung; radiation & chemo; the surgeon may want another opinion from a doc in Nashville. They aren't sure if he can tolerate surgery or if he can tolerate the surgery if he would be in worse shape than he is now. He gets out of breath just walking to the bathroom at home. He still has an air leak in his lung so we aren't going home for a few days, until the hole in his lung heals. Don't really know the type of cancer other than it is not 'small cell', we will know more about that later. The location of the mass is a big part of the problem as to have surgery or not. We may not know anything more for a few days, so I'll let you know when we hear something.

Please keep praying...Love you all....

RD

His lung doc is Dr. Gilroy, he took care of Dad for years. In our book, he is the very best. The radiologist was the one that did the biopsy and Dr. Gilroy had told us that this could happen and that with him having emphysema that the risk was greater. That is why he wanted to do the brochoscopy but the mass is in a place that is had to get to, but they got a good biopsy today and was almost finished when the lung started leaking.

Jeremy was here and then his wife and kids came up and brought me some clothes and my computer. RD is in a room and I'm here with him. Hope we get good news tomorrow.

RD

RD was admitted to the hospital because his lung collapsed during the biopsy. He is doing good, in some pain, but mostly sore. He has a chest tube and will have to stay until the hole heals in his lung. We may get the biopsy results tomorrow.

December 22, 2004, he was admitted in outpatient for a heart cath. The degree of the blockages and the place of the blockages were such that the doc said that there was no way he could go home. He was admitted to the hospital. The doc's schedule was full for the 23rd so he had by-pass surgery on Christmas Eve, had some complications but he was discharged around 5:00 on New Year's night. It is hard to believe that he is here again on Dec. 22 for outpatient test that has turned into a hospital admittance.

I'll keep you posted!! Thank you all so much for your prayers.

Nice Weekend

Finally finished the painting except for some of the trim and the sewing room, hopefully, will finish it all in the next few weeks.

This weekend was the 2nd Sewing Retreat at Pickwick. We worked on "Threads of Love" projects. This is a ministry that provides clothing for preemie babies and babies that don't live. Outfits and blankets are given to the hospital NICU. It is such a worthwhile ministry. There were 11 of us there and almost 40 packets were completed and lots of clothing was cut out and put in bags ready to be sewn.

Painting Again

I started on the hall, guest room and guest bath today. I'm going to get more paint tomorrow and hopefully, finish up the painting. I then have to make valances for the guest room, get the valance washed for the bathroom and shelving put up in the bath.

My friend from CA will be here on June 4 and I sure hope I have everything finished by then. I still have the sewing/computer room to do but that will be later in the summer.

Fun Day!!

I had soooo much fun at the zoo. Cannon, Brennan & Avery were in great moods and so sweet. I enjoyed watching the animals and we were almost ready to leave when it started to rain. We spent some time in the gift shop until the rain stopped then we headed to the car. Everyone was hungry so we stopped and ate, picked up their Dad and came home. I got home around 10:00, took alittle longer because of the rain.

I am tired and almost ready for bed. It has been a wonderful day with our sweeties!!

Going To The Zoo!!

I'm going to the Memphis Zoo with Debbie, Cannon, Brennan & Avery. Danny has an appointment so we are taking him there, then going to the zoo for a few hours, pick Danny up and go out to eat. I'm so excited!! I have as much or more fun than the kids!!

Details later...

Two Rooms Finished

Our Master Bedroom and Bath are finished!!

I also cleaned and organized my sewing room again, started on more projects so it will be to clean again soon.

The guest room and bath are next. Not much to do there, just clean and toss all the 'junk' that we have been keeping, make some window toppers and that room is done. I plan on painting the vanity, doors and trim in the bathroom and maybe make a new topper for the window. I have so much fabric that needs to be folded and put away and patterns that need to be logged and stored....whew...more work than I thought.

Fun Day

I made four miles again today, sure hope I can keep this going! Stopped by Wal Mart on the way home to get some strawberries and a few other things. We are so hooked on strawberries, it will be hard when they are gone.

I did some painting in our bathroom this afternoon. I still need to get the shower curtain, hooks, towel racks and bath tissue holder put up and then I hope I'm finished in our room and bath. This has taken way too long!!

We went to see Abigail play ball tonight. They are soooo cute. Hunter is also entertaining to watch, never a dull moment with that little guy.

I LOVE my family!!

Four Miles!!

I walked four miles today in an hour & five minutes!! I know that doesn't sound like a lot but I am thrilled. Sure wish I would do that everyday, maybe the weight would start to come off.

While we were in town, we saw Jeremy, Bridget, Abigail & Hunter. Hunter was asleep, Bridget said that he was eating french fries and was almost asleep. They had been to Lani's Kindergarten graduation and were on their way to Trevor's 8th grade graduation.

I was going to do some things in the house but I think I feel a nap calling me!!

Pre-school Graduation Program

After church I met my brother for lunch then went to Jeremy & Bridget's to wait until time for Abigail's program. The kids were so cute. Her class didn't graduate, they have another year before going to Kindergarten. They sang several songs then gave us some info about themselves which was super cute!! The children had made a poster 'What I Want To Be When I Group Up', Abigail said that she wants to be a cop...LOL!! The school gave them a nice scrapbook for their school years. Hunter watched for awhile then he took a nap. I'll post pics when I get them.

Graduation!!

Tuesday night was a big night for us. Cannon & Brennan graduated from Pre-K and they were soooo sweet!! After a few songs, they received their 'diplomas'. We were so happy to see them, and of course, we are so proud of them. Avery was really good, he listened to the songs and as each one received their diploma he gave them a big round of applause. They are all growing up too fast!!

Happy Mother's Day

I had a wonderful day. Went to Jackson and had lunch at Brookies Barn with Danny, Debbie, Cannon, Brennan & Avery; Jeremy, Bridget, Abigail & Hunter. The food was good and all the kids were very good. Thanks for lunch Jeremy & Bridget!! Abigail & Hunter gave me a pretty trivet with their pic on it. Cannon, Brennan & Avery gave me a photo album complete with their pics on each page and they made me a card. I love my gifts!! Thank you all soooo much!!

I LOVE my family!!

Still painting...

My neighbor (Jean) and I painted our master bath today. Just have to put up the border, get the shower curtain and rugs and the bath will be finished. We made a fast trip to Corinth last night to get a valance for the bedroom, they only had one so I ordered one, it should be here next week. While Jean is working on the hall next week I'm going to paint the trim and the vanity in the main bathroom. I plan on making valances for the guest room but may end up buying them, just depends on the time.

I want to get some shorts and tops made for the grands to take to the beach. I think they are leaving June 10 which isn't that far off.

Home Face Lift

I have been doing some redecorating. I've finished painting the MBR and now I'll start on the master bath. I have to strip the wallpaper, paint and put up border in the bath. I have our comfort set but still need to get the curtains. Of course, since I'm totally changing colors I'll need a shower curtain and rugs for the bath. Then it is on to the guest room, bath and sewing room. Haven't decided on colors for those yet. It is a lot of work but I LOVE it!!

Fun and Games

Hunter stayed with us for awhile today so Bridget could take Jeremy to the doc for his post-op exam. He got a good report and can resume driving, so that will help them out a lot!

We have been enjoying watching the grands play ball. I went to watch Abigail and she did great. I watched Hunter so their Mom could take pics.

Then we went to watch Cannon and Brennan play. They did great also, they can really hit. Avery was so sweet!! He was in his stroller for awhile and he went anywhere he wanted to go by pushing his feet, of course, he went backwards but hey as long as it works, right!!??!!

More Surgery for Jeremy

I know Jeremy is so tired of one surgery after another. This one, April 28, will make number 7 back surgeries in 3 years. Last year he had to have his esophagus stretched and had to have that done again on April 22.

Hunter stayed overnight with us on the 28th, he is such a joy, as long as he can ride on the 'Gator' he is a happy little guy!!

Ball Game

We went to watch Cannon & Brennan play ball Saturday. It was sooo much fun!! After the game they came home with us and stayed overnight. We took them home Sunday evening. They are so good when they are here, very active, but really great boys! We miss them so much when they go home.

My Birthday

April 8 was my birthday. I had a very nice day, however, I sure missed my phone call that always came around 5:00 p.m. I sure miss my Dad on special days. He always called when he came home from work. Some days are still hard, like my birthday or my children and grandchildren's birthday. This was my first birthday since Dad went home to be with the Lord. I'm very thankful for the years that we had him and I know he is in a better place, but I still miss him.



I have been doing lots of sewing last week and this week. I still have some handwork to do on a dress then I'm finished with my Easter sewing. Then it is on to sewing for C,B & A. I'm making shorts and appliqued tee's. I'm planning to make the shorts and appliques with 'animal' fabric. I'm hoping they are as cute as I think they are going to be!!