Sorry it's taken so long to add to my blog.  I saw my pain control doctor last week and he was amazed that I still have not asked for the pain pump.  The pain pump would deliver the pain medication directly to my spine which would give immediate relief to the pain that I am experiencing.  I am still able to simply rely upon my Fentanyl lollipop that I take about four times a day.   I suck on this lollipop anywhere from ten to forty minutes.  The result of this procedure is that it gives relief from the pain for a short period of time allowing me to complete certain tasks.
     I have been able to get out many days each week with the help of friends and family.  Once again, Great Harvest is a favorite spot.  I feel like I am part of the staff down there because I am there so often.  Currently, I am experiencing a change in my left leg.  It has become weaker and harder to control  which makes it more difficult to use my walker.  I am hoping that my left leg doesn't get any weaker than it already is.  I am trying to avoid using the wheelchair as long as I possibly can.
     We had a great time today with our family as all of our children came to the house and spent much of the day with me.  They went out and bought a Christmas tree while my wife prepared a wonderful brunch.  We watched my daughter-in-law, Amber, and son, Michael, ceremoniously put lights on the tree.  This is the first year we have had lights on the tree since our kids were little.  After that, we all watched my granddaughter,  Rilie (age 22 months), put decorations on the lower one foot of the tree while my other granddaughter, Joss (age 9 months), looked on fascinated.  The rest of the ornaments were put on the higher branches by our kids.  Our kids gave me a wonderful gift today as they started a new tradition for our annual "Tree Day".

November 7th

Today we met with my oncologist at the Center for Health and Healing at OHSU.  Very good news in that the bone scan they did of me showed that the cancer had not spread to any other part of my body.  My lungs and all vital organs were cancer free.  The shadowing that they had found on my hip bone was simply an extension of my tumor that is already there  It is so insignificant that they felt there was no need for radiation at this time.  I will monitor any of my symptoms and as long as there is no change in any of them then we will not worry.  If I get any new symptoms I am to tell them and then they will decide what to do.  If my condition goes unchanged, my next scan will not be until some time between 6 to 8 months.  So today's appointment was great.  Brother B, Michael, Tiff, Amber and of course my beloved Kath were all very excited, as well as myself.  .

The swelling of my legs has gone down, so they have taken me off of Lasis.  I was excited about this because it means I get to take one less pill.  One of the problems I have been having is my lack of sleep.  I have tried two sleeping pills the last couple of nights and it has had no effects.  So tonight I am going to take three pills and if that does not work I will take four pills the following night.  If that doesn't work, they are going to have to figure out something different so I can get some semblance of sleep.  The only question they could not answer was about the shooting pain that goes through my right foot, which is like getting an electrical shock.  They said that it was a result of the tumor but they had no answer to it.

So all in all, the day was a very good day.  I will continue to get around using my walker and monitor my condition on a daily basis. I know all of your thoughts and prayers have helped and I ask you to continue them.  I love you all.

     Last weekend presented a lot of challenges.  Just when things were most difficult, Kath opened the front door to go outside and found a bag of goodies from Great Harvest which is one of our favorite places.  As we read the note, we discovered that the family that started Great Harvest had left it along with their good wishes and prayers.   It added a bright spot to our difficult weekend.
     Wednesday I had my CT scan done.  During the scan, the electricity went off in the hospital.  I was so unaware that I thought that it was part of the procedure.  After the scan, we went down to the Center for Health and Healing (where Tiffany, Michael, and Amber met us) for my appointment with the doctor helping me deal with the pain.  We then met with my chemo doctor who told us the results of the CT scan.  The positive is that the tumor has not grown at all and it is the same as it was a month ago.  Also, the cancer is not in any of my organs.   However, they found some shadowing on my hip bone which is a cause for concern.  Because of this, I had a bone scan done Thursday morning at OHSU.  Kath and brother Brad were allowed to watch this procedure because it did not involve x-rays or any radiation.  They did a full body scan which lasted eighteen minutes, then did a three minute scan of one side of my skull, and then another three minutes on the other side.  Really enjoyed all the doctors, technicians, etc in the nuclear medicine department.  Now I wait until late next Wednesday to see if anything shows up.  All my doctors will conference about the results before I see them.   Basically, if they find anything, they will use radiation or chemo to treat it.

     There always seems to be something going on around here.   This last couple of weeks have been up and down....I'll have a good day and then a sub-par day.  I now have an in home nurse assigned to me.  Talk about a small world.....we found out that she went to school with our twins.  Thank goodness she came to make her first visit with me Wednesday morning.  My legs were so swollen it was hard to even move.  She took one look at them and tested them for edema and made a call to one of her friends (another nurse) and discussed my situation.  They both agreed that I should probably go to the emergency room to be evaluated. She then called my primary care doctor who agreed and called the emergency room so that they expected me.    After spending the afternoon there, they discovered I had a blood clot in my right leg.  So besides added medication, I now get two shots a day in my lower abdomen.  My wife has now become a nurse because she has to give me the shots.  I also have a compression sock that I have to wear on my left leg.  It is a real chore to get that all the way up my leg.  On top of all that I still seem to be having trouble helping my bladder get on a schedule.  That has presented a whole new set of problems.  Because of all these issues, visiting with friends and returning phone calls or emails are sometimes difficult.  I really appreciate all your understanding.  GO BEAVS!!!

     Wednesday we spent the day up at OHSU at the Center for Health and Healing.  My first appointment of the day was with the urologist.  They removed the catheter.  I felt like celebrating!  I have been able to urinate with no problem so that is no longer something I have to worry about.  It is amazing how much better I feel!
     The next appointment was meeting with my oncologist.  He was pretty blunt.  He told us that the tumor has been growing.  The hope is that in the next two weeks, the radiation will act on the tumor and stop its growth.  Our doctor was not very surprised about the events of last weekend.  As he told us, the symptoms that I had are probably related to the tumor.  He has referred me to a spine rehabilitation doctor to help us with symptoms.  I will be seeing that doctor is about two weeks.  I am scheduled for a CT scan of my chest, abdomen, and pelvis at the end of this month.  That will reassure us that the tumor has stayed in one place.
     It's amazing how I feel up and down day to day and minute to minute.  The key is to stay more up than down.  I am lucky to have such a good support system that helps me through those tough times.  Your comments are SO appreciated.  Thank you one and all!

     Just when I thought I had reached my limit on pain, a new challenge arrived to overcome.  As people have tried to contact me lately know, I have been unable to return emails or even pick up the phone.  The reduction in pain meds has caused me to go through withdrawls.  I have experienced chills, nausea, shakes, sleeplessness, loss of appetite, etc.  Not a fun ride!  That was Wednesday night and all day Thursday.  Add to that another new hurdle...what happened was at 4:00 Friday morning, I was not able to urinate.  So starting at noon, Kath and I spend our time in the Emergency Room in Salem until 9:30 that night.  Those of you that thought you heard a loud siren were close enough to hear the screams as they inserted a catheter.  I cannot remember ever feeling pain like this!  My hope is that this will be removed on Monday.  Coping with withdrawls, the cough, and the catheter can try anyone's patience.  Wouldn't you know this would happen on a Friday!  Now we have to wait until Monday when we have to contact my primary care doctor and oncologist as soon as their offices open.  I'm looking forward to getting things straightened out.

Kath, Brad, and I spent our entire day at the Center for Health and Healing.  We started off by seeing my physical therapist.  Kath was shown how to massage my legs in an effort to reduce the edema.  Hopefully by reducing the swelling in my legs, the pain will not be nearly as bad!  After this appointment we went to the pain management doctor.  Good news here because he took the last of the steroids off my pill list and he decreased  another one of my pain meds!  He addressed the issue of my appetite.  A few days ago I lost my appetite and I have  not regained it.  I have water retention in my diaphragm.  Hopefully time will take care of this as I get my appetite back.  After this we hung out in the waiting room.  Around 1:00 Dr. Hung's nurse took us into the back where she took my weight.  This is where I knew how bad my water retention was.  I have put on over twenty pounds in under two weeks!!  Dr. Hung has decided to let my cough run its course. The x-ray showed nothing to be concerned about.  He also said that he will have me come back in six weeks to see how I feel.  This checkup will be based on how I do over the next six weeks.  If my condition is the same, great!  If it has gotten worse, then an MRI will be done.  So I hope that I stay the same over the next six weeks.  The key is to stay the same.  Even though my condition is not great, if it does not get worse, I will be happy.  That means that the tumor is not advancing!  Here is to the condition staying the same!!!  I will let you know how the next month is going!

I made it!!  Yesterday was my 25th and final radiation treatment!  Now it is the waiting game!  The hope is that I stay the same or improve over the next six weeks.  Then I will have an MRI to see what the radiation has done.  Again, I appreciate my friends more than I can say!  Thursday, Kath had reached her limit!  I was concerned that she could not drive safely to the hospital.  While I was worrying about what to do, I received an e-mail from Lynne Lindsay offering to drive any day!!  It was a gift!  So she drove me Friday and Barry stepped in and drove me Tuesday!  My friends have been such a blessing to us!!  Then I can not say enough about the people who work at OHSU!  I will not miss traveling each day to OHSU, but I will miss the people that work there.  They make a very stressful situation much easier to tolerate.  I will let you know how I am feeling over the next few weeks.  We meet with Dr. Hung in two weeks.  The only problem that I am having currently is a cough that is irritating.  When I cough, it causes pain to shoot through my left leg that hits a 10 on the pain scale!  Hopefully this will be taken care of by the meds I am on.  Kath gives me my medicine every eight hours.  I do not know how she does it!  I take around 20 to 25 pills a day!  She just smiles and  asks me if I would like to take the pills with water or chocolate milk!  I can not even begin to imagine trying to get through this without her!!

I just got home from radiation treatment number 20!  5 left to go!  Once those are completed, I will wait for six weeks before I get my MRI to check to see what effect the treatments have had.  Today's treatment went very smoothly and I still have no radiation burns, which is great!  It has been an up and down last few weeks, however.  On the difficult side, I have had an irritating cough that seems to start up in the late afternoon.  When I start coughing, pain shoots down my legs and hits a 10 on the pain scale!  The only way that I can control it is to sit quietly and not talk.  Good way to shut me up, I guess.  Another factor on the difficult side is that both of my legs are starting go swell up, often looking like tree trunks.  When this happens, again, the pain increases dramatically.  The final factor on the difficult side are issues involving the restroom.  I am either in there constantly or not there for days!  With that, we are experimenting with meds, since this is often a result of radiation treatments.  On the positive side, and it is a big positive, I was able to sit in the car facing forward all the way from my house to OHSU!  I did not have to be turned around in the seat, looking out the back!  Also thanks again for those of you that have driven me to OHSU the past month.  I hope you realize what a HUGE help that is for Kath and me!  Another check on the positive side is involving the medication that I am taking.  The doctors are cutting back on my steroids.  This is always a good sign!  I have been very active, trying to get out everyday.  I have had no change in my condition for the past two weeks, which is good.  I am just anxious to not be traveling to OHSU everyday.  I have worn out my chair at home that reclines to an angle that I can tolerate.  So after many trips with Barry, I have found one at Fred Meyer that works great.  So starting tomorrow, I will have a new chair at home to rest in!  I have also made Great Harvest on Commercial Street my regular stop after my daily radiation treatment.  The people there are wonderful and it helps lift my spirits after getting hit by radiation to start the day.  Just like teaching, it is all about building relationships!  This has become my socialization stop!  I not only know all the people that work there, I also constantly bump into people I know that stop by to get something to eat.  I really appreciate getting the chance to visit with people.  As long as I get out each day, get the chance to visit with people, and of course, eat, then my day was a success!

This has been a very crazy week and nothing was predictable!  It started with Kath and myself sleeping four hours beyond my scheduled pill time at 7AM on Saturday!  Lucky for us that Barry called at 11AM, which woke us up from our sound sleep!  I was in immediate pain and had a very difficult time getting to the restroom and back to bed.  My pain level hit a 10 and I could not get it under control!  The rest of the day was spent with me trying to get my pain back to a manageable level.  Kath and Barry played key roles in getting me back to my former self.  I can't say enough about both of them and what they had to put up with.  I know that when I am in pain, I don't always come across in the most pleasant of manners!!  They are to be commended!  I learned three very important things from all of this: 1. I can not afford to miss my scheduled pain pill times each day and 2. I will have meltdowns occasionally and I need to accept them and 3. My friends are essential to help me with this healing process.  This has been a much easier week, thanks to Tom, Barry, Reed, and Carl!  They all volunteered to drive me to my radiation appointment, so Kath would not have to.  I can't tell you how wonderful it was for Kath not to have to drive that route on those days that my friends drove!   It was a fantastic gift to receive.  Besides, it was quite a change when Reed smeared Aquaphor on my rear area and I heard the music of Barry White (verse was: Let's get it on!).  I turned to my side and was handed an I-phone that had a burning candle on the screen!  Quite the mood setter!!  I love the fact that my family and friends know how to keep the humor going!  As for the entire week, I have been experiencing pain in different areas and I have tried to work through each individual case.  I've managed to slow down my pace and rely more on my friends.  I have been blessed by having such a great group of close friends that I count on regularly.  It is so great that even though they have very busy schedules, they still have me as a priority and give me their time!  I would have had a very difficult time this week if they had not been there for me.  So I plan on relaxing this weekend and spend extra time taking it easy.  I want to really hit this next week with all engines running!  I want to be able to smile at each day!!

I am not even sure where to start today!  I was to show up at 10:00, have my radiation treatment, and then meet with my doctor.  As it turned out, I hit the automatic turn-off switch as I climbed on the table during my radiation treatment.  Consequently it took around fifteen minutes to restart the machine.  Then part way through, the machine had some of its own problems, so it was down for a bit.  The positive side of this was that I got to visit with my nurses and technicians during this down time.   It was great getting to know more about them!  They are wonderful individuals!  After all of this was finally finished, I met with my radiation doctor (I looked closely to see if he was glowing).  I informed him of a new problem that I was having since Thursday.  So he referred me to a urologist.  Next step meant that Kath and I headed to the Center for Health and Healing at the bottom of the hill.  This part was fun, since it included a rectal exam and blood tests!!!  The news turned out fine, because nothing was wrong.  So I am to monitor myself this next week and we will meet again on Monday.  I am just a mystery!  All of this in a package meant that we were at it for over four hours!  This was radiation dosage number four!  I have twenty-one left to go.  We have learned through this experience that we can not plan anything, because we never know what will change or be added to.  We continue to get out of the house as much as possible and have learned to make plans on the spur of the moment.  Each day brings a new adventure!  Here are to many more!!

Kath and I just got back from OHSU where I completed my first radiation treatment.  We showed up early in hopes of getting in early and it worked!  We got in and out, as to avoid the Portland five o'clock traffic on the way home.  Before our appointment, the doctors and nurses allowed Kath to come into the back to view the equipment that was being used and explain the process to her thoroughly.  Dan is the technician who will be putting me under the machine each day and I really enjoy him.  Andy, you will pleased to know that he is a Ginger!   Unlike what we had previously been told, I will undergo twenty-five treatments rather than twenty treatments.  I will go everyday, except for weekends.  The rest of this week, we will have late afternoon appointments, but starting next week, we will have eight o'clock and earlier times.  The dosage will not be as severe as the treatments I had four years ago also.  The side effects will be the same, where I may be lethargic, feel fatigue and experience burns such as you would have from being in the sun for a prolonged period of time.  After Kath was shown the process, it took about twenty-five minutes to set up and receive the radiation.  The time for getting the actual dosage of radiation only lasts about ten minutes.  Although this is not very long, it is vital that I do not move at all.  I did pretty good for the first five minutes, but really struggled the last five.  It is imperative that the radiation is directed directly at the tumor.  The only change that I notice is the fact that the area being radiated does get warm.  Other than that, there is really no discomfort.  This was very similar to what it was like when I received this treatment years ago.  In other words, this first dosage was very easy to go through.  If it follows course, the rest of this week should be no problem.  When I get in the car, Kath puts lotion all over the radiated area and I ride home facing backward in the car seat, looking out the back window.  I have my seat belt exemption card, so I don't have to worry about being buckled in.  After the lotion has been on about four hours, I am then free to move around.  So next week I am anxious to have the afternoons to do different activities.  Again, I do not move very quickly and can not sit in a chair.  I am able to stand for a long period of time, especially if I can lean against a solid object.  For example, I am leaning against our kitchen counter as I do this blog.  I also am able to lay on my stomach, which allows me to sleep at night.  So as I have said before, I am learning how to monitor my pain daily.  I am excited to get this radiation process going in the attempt to help shrink this tumor.  After the twenty-five treatments, the doctors will wait about four to six weeks before they preform an MRI, to check to see the effects.  My family and I really appreciate all your thoughts and prayers.

Today, Kath, Tory, Tiffany, Brad, and I were at OHSU from 7:45 until 9:30 meeting with my radiation doctor and his two assistants.  Chemo is not an option at this time for a method to control the tumor.  I basically have two options.  I either do nothing, which means allowing the tumor to do whatever it decides to do.  This, of course, is not an avenue that I care to take.  The other option is the use of radiation again.  My radiation doctor told his colleagues how much of a high dosage of radiation that he was using last time and they laughed at him.  They felt this would severely damage the bones.  Yet I went through the treatment with no ill effects.  So that is why we thought radiation was not an option this time, because of how much was used the first time.  If I do radiation, there could be possible side effects from this.  Possible deterioration of the bones and nerves.  The worst possible scenario would be complete loss of the legs from the waist down.   Then I could have loss of bladder control.  Not the greatest of things you want to hear.  However, I am willing to chance this, because I believe we can have success with this treatment!  I have the support of wonderful family and friends!  I did this once and I believe we can do this a second time.  I just need double the thoughts and prayers!!  So one week from tomorrow (Wednesday), I head to OHSU for my first of twenty radiation treatments!  I will go there everyday for twenty straight weekdays (I only have weekends off).  After my twenty minute treatment, I go home, put lotion on the radiated area, lay there for about four hours, relax the rest of the day, sleep, get up and head back to OHSU to start it all over again!  I am ready to take on this challenge again!  I have a lot of trust in my doctors and OHSU.  So we now just change directions and head down this healing path!  Again I appreciate all your input!  Thanks for stopping by also, Tom!!

I received a call from my doctor's assistant on Friday and after discussing my treatment, they have decided to change from giving me chemo to radiation.  This was another change that I was not prepared for.  I am pleased that my doctors are monitoring my progress and looking for treatment that would make a difference. I had good results four years ago with radiation, however, I had thought I was told that I had reached my limit on radiation.  We are meeting with my radiation doctor this Tuesday, so I have many questions.  No matter what we do, I just want to get it started.  My major concern is sitting and not having any treatment.  It now has been over two and a half weeks since my chemo, so I am getting a bit edgy!  My condition has not changed.  Walking is an effort with the walker.  My most difficult task is taking a shower.  With Kath's help, I make it through, but it is exhausting.  I continue to keep busy with friends and family, which is my highlight of everyday!  We have a family gathering today.  Yesterday Kath and I celebrated our 38th anniversary!  We went to Chinook Winds Casino for breakfast/lunch!  Hard to believe that she has put up with me for that many years!  Thanks again for all of your comments and thoughts.  I'll let you know how treatment progresses and what I find out this week!

Today Kath, Brother "B", and I showed up for what was to be the first chemo in my fifth round.  I have had an excellent past two weeks and have been really feeling good!  So it was an incredible shock to show up at OHSU to find out that the MRI images showed that the tumor had grown and the current chemo procedure had not worked.  So today's chemo was canceled and a new chemo drug was ordered, which I will start as soon as we get it approved from the insurance company.  So once again, I find myself waiting on an insurance company!  I just want to get going with this new prescribed chemo drug to see if it has the desired effect.  So we will begin this next series of chemo once my request goes through the days of waiting for insurance approval.  As I've said before, this is a war and I just have to get ready for the next battle.  I will continue to appreciate your thoughts and prayers.  Family, friends, and a positive attitude are essential to success in every task we undertake.  I will continue to keep you all posted and let you know how I am doing.

Yesterday I had my long awaited MRI performed.  I was put completely under due to the fact that I could not be certain that I would be able to be still for an hour on my back.  So Kath and Brother B were at OHSU from 12:30 (check-in) and stayed until 6:00.  A very long day for them, but I remember nothing except sliding onto a table around 2:45 and then opening my eyes around 5:00!  Now the very long wait until I hear the results that I am hoping for!  I will start my first chemo of the fifth round series next Wednesday.  Then I will wait another week until I see my doctor and find out results.  I am still feeling great, although my right side has gotten weaker, making it harder to use the walker.  I have learned to just take shorter steps and not hurry.  My biggest concern is avoiding a fall.  Kath does a great job of staying close to me just in case I happen to mess up.  I really appreciate those people that are with me in the fact that they don't rush me or make me feel that I am a burden.  I am learning how to make situations work.  This past Sunday I went to the buffet at The Inn of Orchard Heights with Kath, my Mom, relatives, Ken, Rhonda, and Kelly.  I was able to stand for about fifteen minutes (I then could visit), then sit for ten minutes (I could then eat), then back to standing, and then back to sitting.....  By doing this routine, we were there from 9:30 until 11:15.  When you find yourself not being able to do simple tasks that you use to take for granted, you then must be creative in getting those tasks done.  Suddenly I can't sit up straight to eat with a fork or spoon.  So I do the next best thing in that I lay on my side, which means that a booth works great because I have two or three seats to use.  I quit worrying about the stares of people several months ago, because I look strange as I move around to make myself comfortable.  You have to be confident in the person you are and make the best out of the situation.  I've actually started up conversations with many people because they have asked me if they could help.  I say that I am doing great and ask if I can do anything for them.  That usually surprises them and suddenly we are talking about them.  I love visiting with people and hearing about them.  I have learned that each day is a gift and you need to enjoy it to your best!  My days are no longer filled with physical activity of running or working out.  Now I spend my days with my wife, family, and friends as I walk through Costco, go to Great Harvest Bread Company, walk and sit in "my office" at Fred Meyer, watch my television series with Kath and "T"...  You simply change your focus, but you do not quit doing!  You adapt to the change.  Again, thanks for all your comments and thoughts!  We are going to keep after it and make it work!!  Love you all!!

I went to the OHSU doctors' clinic today at 8:45.  I met a new (my fourth pain management doctor) doctor in the clinic.  I think that I must be a little frustrating to everybody, because they are doing everything that they can to get rid of my pain, but nothing seems to be doing the job completely.  I really liked this new doctor, but I also have liked all my doctors, and I appreciated his insight.  The major change is in the type of medication that he is prescribing for my spikes in pain.  I'll now be using a Fentinol popcycle, which I am to rub on the inside of my cheek.  He said that I will know if it works.  Currently what I am using works some portions of time and not at all in others.   So the jury is out on this one until further notice.  I am willing to try anything.  Then it was on to my third and last chemo for this fourth round.  It went fairly smoothly, only taking ten minutes or so to completely settle in the chair.  I had my usual cup of hot chocolate (I guess it is my calming food).  I started the process around 10:30 and remember looking at my watch around 11:45.  The rest is a blur, with me getting out of the chair around 1:10.  Kath had the wonderful chore of getting me to the restroom, making sure that duty was taken care of, and getting me to the car for the drive home.  She gets so many stars for all she does that I can't even begin to count them.  I look around that chemo area and can't imagine going through this without someone like her.  She is my blessing!
     This week I am going to see if I can get out for longer periods of time and work at attempting to sit up a bit.  Sitting in a chair has been the real problem so far.  I can sit in a recliner at a certain angle, but not close to 90 degrees.  My days allow me to be comfortable around 95% of the time, with only about 5% of pain spikes.  I am able to work with upper body weights before I get up in the morning.  Kath and I picked up some larger weights today, increasing my total by 5 pounds, that I will begin using. The idea is to try to increase my strength.  I want my physical  part to catch up with my mental part!  Again I want to thank all that are keeping up with my condition.   I will never quit reminding all that YOU are so important to my recovery.  As an individual we can only do so much and everyone needs a shoulder(s) to lean on.  As the cliche goes: there is no I in TEAM.  You are appreciated more than you know!

Met with my chemo doctor and we will do an MRI the last week of this month to see what effect the chemo treatment is having.  Fingers crossed that it is doing what we want it to.  If this is the case, then I will continue this pattern indefinitely.  He also addressed the pain management issue.  The idea is to try to get me pain free, which has not been the case.  I am able to manage the pain fairly well, but I usually am around a level 2 most of the time with it slipping to a 3 every so often.  I am discovering when the pain increases and what I need to do to get the pain level to go down.  I figure that if I am able to function with a bit of discomfort, then I am okay.  The most difficult thing for me is the fact that I am use to being so active and now that I am "grounded", I need to find other options to enjoy my day.  Barry gets me to Great Harvest every week for fresh bread and a visit with anyone that listens to us.  Carl took me to Eugene for our favorite TrackTown Pizza buffet.  Jeff comes over to play several games of cribbage. Kath had a barbeque for me and several of my college buddies last week.  It is trips and activities  like this that really help me and that I look forward to.  I am learning that I just need to explore and grasp different activities and they don't have to always be involving physical activity.  This Tuesday I will finish my third chemo session for round number 4.  Like most patients, I am finding that the day of chemo and the day after are great days for me.  Also I still have my hair and I am not having any negative side effects, which is awesome.  I can't say it enough, but I appreciate the comments and thoughts that you send my way.  I really enjoyed your entry, Chrissie.  It brought back many wonderful memories!

Yesterday I started my fourth three week session of chemo.  As always, I had the backing of my family.  OHSU only allows two people to be with you during chemo, so it makes it difficult to have all my family be able to take part.  This time besides Kath, my brother BC and daughter Tiffany, were able to keep changing places.  This was probably the most difficult start to any of the chemo sessions that I have had.  I could not get comfortable in the chair and my pain level hit an 8.  Eventually I just said that we should get started to get it over.  After the session started, my pain declined and it turned out to be one of the best sessions that I have had.    Since I've had problems with the drug benedryl the past two sessions, they cut the amount they gave me in half this time.  So I was drugged, but was able to stay awake during the session.  I was able to visit and actually talk.  As a result, my ride home was comfortable,my afternoon and all of today has been great.  Hopefully I am starting a pattern of feeling really good.  Now I have to wait to see if I am sleeping well at night.  I'll just keep thinking good thoughts and smiling.  Just wanted to keep you all updated.  As always, thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.  That is so vital in my healing process.  I love you all!

I completed my third chemo of this three week series on Wednesday.  I now will take one week off before I start the series again.  Like the ones before, I don't remember much about the three hours going through the chemo process.  I do remember that Tory and Kath were with me and how supportive all the OSHU doctors and nurses were.  I have had some good days since walking around Costco, socializing with friends I bump into, and enjoying getting out to anywhere.  Since I was finished at Western Oregon University on Monday, I now have to make sure that I get out each day as opposed to staying at home.  I appreciate my fiends and family that get me out of the house and concentrating on other things.  I experience pain everyday, but have found ways to reduce the intensity and level.  I have discovered that when I am using my walker and the pain begins to increase, that I will have to stop and stand for several minutes before I can continue.  Also when the pain gets too great, I need to find a place to lay on my side and the pain reduces quickly. When I am at Costco, I make a direct route to the summer lawn chairs to spread out. Kath and I have been seen to be sitting in the cuddle chairs every other day over the past week.  Love the cushions!!  I have been seeing an additional doctor this week who works closely with our oncologist to concentrate on reducing the pain.  So far it seems to be helping a bit, but time will tell.  Like everything, it all is in your attitude.  Staying positive in all that you do is so important.  I am getting use to the stares at Costco when they see me having to sit on my side at the tables when I am eating my pizza.  They ask me if I am okay and I say that I am great.  I am just learning to find a way to make the best out of the situation.  Yes, I can't do many of the activities that I use to do everyday, but I can still go on living making the most out of what I can do.  Like always. I love reading your comments and thoughts.  It is another important aspect of my life!  Love you all!!

I wanted to especially thank Chrissie, Brian, Reed, and Cristen for their latest comments.  Each entry I receive, brings back individual memories which brings constant smiles to my face and keeps me going.  Thanks again for everyone's comments, thoughts and prayers.  They all mean so much to me.

I finished my second chemo of this third three week session yesterday.  It went very smoothly, but it was a long day.  Kath and Brother "B" were with me starting at 9:15.  We met with Dr. Ryan at 9:30.  He told us that I would finish my third chemo session next Wednesday and then take a week off.  After that I would go another three weeks with chemo once each week.  At the end of June, I would have an MRI to see what effect the chemo was having.  Tory asked how long I would have the chemo.  Doctor Ryan said that if the MRI showed the chemo was being effective, then I would have it for years.  If the chemo is doing the job, then I am fine with having it for years.  After our appointment, we "hung out" until 11:30, until I had my chemo.  It took several times for the nurse to get the needle in one of my veins.  After that, a machine was not working properly, so it was a bit of time until the process started.  After I woke up, BC was able to "drive" my wheelchair to the restroom and then to our car.  So Wednesday went fairly well.  The great thing was that today went very well.  My cousin, Ken, picked me up at 9:00 and took me to Western Oregon University to a meeting with other supervisors and our student teachers.  I was there until 1:00.  After that, Ken and I went to Costco for lunch.  I got home at 3:30.  Then Jeff came over at 4:15 to play three games of cribbage (I won two of the three, but who is bragging).  He left at 6:30.  Kath fixed me dinner and it is now 8:30.  I still feel great and I hope tomorrow is just as good!  I really appreciate all that are still reading about my updates!  You are so important to my continued recovery.  A special THANKS to Mary for letting me know that she is always checking.  Have fun in Pacific City!  A Happy Birthday to my Mom!!

     I begin chemo again this coming Wednesday.  This will be the last three week session before they do another MRI to see how effective it has been.  I use a brace on my right leg which works well on flat surfaces.  I cannot go anywhere if there are stairs.  I continue to use my walker to get around.  I am in the process of getting a wheelchair for longer outings. I have been receiving physical therapy for the past couple of weeks.  I am trying a "tens unit" to see if it can help control my spikes of pain.  It is difficult to tell whether or not it is working.
      I only have two more weeks of work through Western Oregon University for the school year.  I've been able to do this effectively due to my wife driving me to my schools and helping me get through the doors.  I appreciate Barry taking me last week.  Thanks to my wife and Barry, we've been able to put ramps on both the back and front doors, additional handles in the shower, and an elevated toilet seat.  All these improvements have helped a lot.  I am learning to adapt to not being able to do many things.  I cannot sit for any length of time without  pain.  The people at Costco wondered about me last night when we went to eat pizza.  Since I cannot sit for very long, I would lay on the bench for a bit while I ate and then I would sit for a little bit and then lay back down.
     As always, I appreciate all you thoughts and comments.  You are all appreciated.

Thursday I had one of the best days that I have experienced in quite a bit of time.   I completed three observations of my student teachers and was smiling as I got home.  As I opened the car door, I felt something give, which set the tone for a very rough upcoming weekend.  I really struggled pain-wise for the next three days.  

Today, Kath & I went to a physical therapist & an occupational therapist.  We received a lot of information that we will be putting to use.  The physical therapist showed us a massage that Kath can perform when I am at the point of high pain.  She also showed me a stretching technique that I will be doing daily.  Both are aimed at easing the pain.  She made us much more aware that I need to spread out my activities as opposed to doing them all at one time.  Since I have not been doing this, it could play into why I am in so much pain at night.  Hopefully this helps!  I also now understand when I need to use the wheelchair as opposed to using the walker.  

After spending over an hour with her, we went to the occupational therapist.  His goal was to show me how to do everyday activities with as little pain as possible.  So, our home will now be one with an elevated toilet seat, a soft cushion toilet seat, bars for the toilet seat (why would I ever get off the toilet?), a shower with handle grips (which opens up a whole lot of possibilities), bars to get out of bed, & a soft surface to sit on in the shower.  These are all aimed at reducing my shooting pain.  The 3 greatest sources of pain for me are using the toilet, taking a shower, and getting up from a laying position.

I then did 2 observations after the therapist appointments and came to realize that I also need a soft cushion to put on student chairs I need to sit on during the observations.  

I have an appointment with the neurologist on the 15th and am continuing with my chemo.  Round 2's 2nd dose will be this Wednesday.  

Thank you for checking in on me and continuing to drop me notes, it means so much to me and is appreciated more than you can imagine!

This week has been quite a week!  I have had a tremendous amount of pain and there seems to be nothing that can ease the spikes in the pain.  I saw my chemo doctor on Wednesday.  He was concerned that I have shown no improvements in pain levels or my ability to walk.  He cancelled the chemo and opted to order an MRI to see if the chemo is having any effect.  He also was concerned that the pain I am having is not under control.  He told us that he would discuss options with other doctors to determine what was available to help me.  He also told us that he would let us know in the next 48 hours what the team had come up with.  I went in for the MRI Wednesday night.  We went ahead and stayed in Portland instead of driving home.  I was in pain most of the day, and I didn't know if I was going to be able to lay still for the MRI.  I made it!

I was able to work on Thursday with some degree of discomfort.  When I got home, my doctor called to let me know the results of the MRI and the suggestions my team of doctors.  He told me that the MRI showed that there was insignificant growth of the tumor and that I would continue the chemo next week.  He also referred me to a neurologist.  I guess there is a possibility that he could deaden some of the nerves that are causing the pain.  No pain would be nice.  The other side of the coin would be that I would never recover any use from the nerve....it would be gone forever.  He also said that I may never get the nerve use back anyway.  We will be anxious to hear what the neurologist has to say before any decision is made. He also referred me to a rehabilitation doctor.  He will help me work around the pain and learn to walk more efficiently.  Needless to say, we have a lot going on right now.

The big positive in all of this is that the tumor has not grown very much and we actually have options to deal with the pain.  We'll continue to keep you posted.

I completed my third chemo infusion on Tuesday. The nurses and nursing staff on the seventh floor infusion unit located at the Center for Health and Healing are incredible. They help make a very difficult time as inviting and welcoming as could be imagined. I really admire and appreciate all they do. With that said, I went through the procedure smoothly. Besides I had a nice view out my window of the Willamette River and was able to watch two osprey flying around their nest. I also had a good conversation going with my wife and brother until I went to la-la land. I was also fitted for a brace that will extend from my foot to my knee. The hope is to provide stability to my walk and allow me to have a better sense of balance. I pick this up Wednesday to see how it works. I am able to continue to work, which I thoroughly enjoy, but I simply have to schedule for a longer period of time between observations because I move very slowly. I am learning to maneuver my walker a little better each day. I am learning that I really appreciate buildings that have automatic doors! I really appreciate Robin lending me two walkers and a wheelchair (if it comes to that). I also thank Barry for tuning them up for me (what a mechanic!). Currently Kath and I are trying to figure out what triggers the pain in my back. We think it may be some of the weights that I am using to try to stay in shape. We are going through a process of elimination at the moment. I hope to find what works and what does not. My hair is getting thinner, but I still have it all. Kath may have to trim it soon if it does not fall out. For those of you that have asked, the only days that I don't feel up to visitors is the day of chemo and the day after. My next chemo dates are April 25, May 2, and May 9. Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers. I'll take them all!!

I completed my third chemo infusion on Tuesday. The nurses and nursing staff on the seventh floor infusion unit located at the Center for Health and Healing are incredible. They help make a very difficult time as inviting and welcoming as could be imagined. I really admire and appreciate all they do. With that said, I went through the procedure smoothly. Besides I had a nice view out my window of the Willamette River and was able to watch two osprey flying around their nest. I also had a good conversation going with my wife and brother until I went to la-la land. I was also fitted for a brace that will extend from my foot to my knee. The hope is to provide stability to my walk and allow me to have a better sense of balance. I pick this up Wednesday to see how it works. I am able to continue to work, which I thoroughly enjoy, but I simply have to schedule for a longer period of time between observations because I move very slowly. I am learning to maneuver my walker a little better each day. I am learning that I really appreciate buildings that have automatic doors! I really appreciate Robin lending me two walkers and a wheelchair (if it comes to that). I also thank Barry for tuning them up for me (what a mechanic!). Currently Kath and I are trying to figure out what triggers the pain in my back. We think it may be some of the weights that I am using to try to stay in shape. We are going through a process of elimination at the moment. I hope to find what works and what does not. My hair is getting thinner, but I still have it all. Kath may have to trim it soon if it does not fall out. For those of you that have asked, the only days that I don't feel up to visitors is the day of chemo and the day after. My next chemo dates are April 25, May 2, and May 9. Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers. I'll take them all!!

I just wanted to quickly update all that are following my blog. Thanks for all that have been viewing it and also I appreciate your comments. This week's chemo wore off much more quickly than last week, but my wife informed me that I had this one much earlier in the day than the last. The past several days have been tough. I slipped and fell trying to move from my walker to the bathroom sink. This caused me several painful days and nights. On top for that, I had constipation for three days, along with several nose bleeds. These are all side-effects from the chemo. Luckily, I got a good night's sleep last night, so am feeling pretty good today. I am still getting to walk a block a day with my walker (snail pace), but at least I can do that much. I am trying to keep doing some type of exercise to hopefully keep me somewhat in shape. Between watching Lie to Me and listening to the stories my daughter has to tell me about her teaching at the high school, I am kept entertained. Next Tuesday I have chemo number three, but then I have fourteen days until my next one. I am looking forward to that break. I'll keep you all posted. Thanks for reading this!

I completed my first chemo infusion on Tuesday. Everything went smoothly, especially with the "feel good" drug they gave me. Kath, Tory, Brad, and Robin were there to support me through this treatment. I remember eating a turkey sandwich and Tory making faces at me during this procedure, but the rest is pretty much a blur. I asked if I could have two gallons of the drug they gave me to take home. It was the first time I have been without pain for a long time. That night I actually slept for seven and a half hours. Now that I am home, I am trying to work out every other day using weights on my upper body. I can't do anything where I put weight on my right foot. I am using a walker to get around with. My left side is very strong and I have strength on my right side down to my knee. From the right knee to the foot, I have no control. I'll keep doing everything necessary to keep myself strong. I am also on a stricter diet. Kath and Tory are making sure I am eating correctly. My own personal chefs! My next infusion is on Tuesday. I hope it goes as well.

Kath, Tory, Michael, Amber, and brother Brad attended my meeting with Dr.Ryan on Wednesday. The images I had done the day before showed that the medication I had been taking the past two months had not worked in controlling the tumor. This is not what we wanted to hear, but we are ready to head down another road to recovery. So the doctors have decided to be more aggressive and I am to begin chemo on Wednesday. Unlike the chemo I had four years ago where I stayed in the hospital for seven days at a time, this will mean that I will go to OHSU weekly for three hours or so, receive the chemo, go home and come back the following week to have it again. After five weeks of this treatment, I will then have the results of my chemo analysed to see if it is having the desired effect. I also am seeing several physical therapists who are working with me to help with my walking. It has become extremely difficult to walk correctly. My right leg is getting very numb and hard to pick up my foot. I've been using walking sticks the past two weeks, but may be using a walker from now on. The doctors are concerned that since I do not have any balance, I might fall. So I am learning to use the walker, but all I can see when I use it is a mental picture of the aunt in the movie Vacation! I am also meeting with a doctor next week about being fitted for a brace for my right foot to help with my walking. The other issue I have been experiencing is the matter of pain. My pain management doctor has been trying different medications in an effort to help control my pain and allow me to sleep at night. Hopefully we are getting closer to where I am not having such an issue. I am still able to get around , but not at the rate I am use to. Also Kath has become my chauffeur and I am the back seat driver. We have switched roles! We also all know that chemo means a change in hair style. I guess my granddaughters will have more hair than I will. I will keep you all posted on how I react to this treatment. Love you all and I truly appreciate your thoughts and prayers!

I just finished seeing the doctor for rehabilitative medicine this week. He examined me thoroughly and was not concerned about my strength. He feels that the messages from my brain to my foot are not getting there, which causes me to feel weakness, when there really isn't much. This causes me to have much difficulty walking, because I feel like I have no balance. I am now using walking sticks to help me keep my balance. Anytime Kath is with me (which is most of the time), I use her to lean on (which I have been doing the last 37 years). There is a possibility that I might use a brace on my right leg in the future. The doctor also thought that I needed a balance evaluation. We are looking at several options. I've also seen my chemo doctor and my blood pressure is a concern. He contacted my primary care physician, who increased my blood pressure meds. Blood pressure seems to be under control now that my doctor doubled my meds. After seeing my pain management doctor, I've changed my dosage, because I have not been able to sleep through the night, and last night slept from 11:30pm until 12:30 pm the next day. I have not slept that long since college exam days!! For a guy that never used pills in his life, I sure am making up for lost ground. We are all waiting for my April 3 and 4 appointments. April 3 is my tests and April 4 we hear if the medication I am on is working. Until then, I'll keep moving and doing what they tell me to do. I'll keep you all posted! Again, I appreciate you reading all this!

I just finished seeing the doctor for rehabilitative medicine this week. He examined me thoroughly and was not concerned about my strength. He feels that the messages from my brain to my foot are not getting there, which causes me to feel weakness, when there really isn't much. This causes me to have much difficulty walking, because I feel like I have no balance. I am now using walking sticks to help me keep my balance. Anytime Kath is with me (which is most of the time), I use her to lean on (which I have been doing the last 37 years). There is a possibility that I might use a brace on my right leg in the future. The doctor also thought that I needed a balance evaluation. We are looking at several options. I've also seen my chemo doctor and my blood pressure is a concern. He contacted my primary care physician, who increased my blood pressure meds. Blood pressure seems to be under control now that my doctor doubled my meds. After seeing my pain management doctor, I've changed my dosage, because I have not been able to sleep through the night, and last night slept from 11:30pm until 12:30 pm the next day. I have not slept that long since college exam days!! For a guy that never used pills in his life, I sure am making up for lost ground. We are all waiting for my April 3 and 4 appointments. April 3 is my tests and April 4 we hear if the medication I am on is working. Until then, I'll keep moving and doing what they tell me to do. I'll keep you all posted! Again, I appreciate you reading all this!

I just finished seeing the doctor for rehabilitative medicine this week. He examined me thoroughly and was not concerned about my strength. He feels that the messages from my brain to my foot are not getting there, which causes me to feel weakness, when there really isn't much. This causes me to have much difficulty walking, because I feel like I have no balance. I am now using walking sticks to help me keep my balance. Anytime Kath is with me (which is most of the time), I use her to lean on (which I have been doing the last 37 years). There is a possibility that I might use a brace on my right leg in the future. The doctor also thought that I needed a balance evaluation. We are looking at several options. I've also seen my chemo doctor and my blood pressure is a concern. He contacted my primary care physician, who increased my blood pressure meds. Blood pressure seems to be under control now that my doctor doubled my meds. After seeing my pain management doctor, I've changed my dosage, because I have not been able to sleep through the night, and last night slept from 11:30pm until 12:30 pm the next day. I have not slept that long since college exam days!! For a guy that never used pills in his life, I sure am making up for lost ground. We are all waiting for my April 3 and 4 appointments. April 3 is my tests and April 4 we hear if the medication I am on is working. Until then, I'll keep moving and doing what they tell me to do. I'll keep you all posted! Again, I appreciate you reading all this!

February 23rd

(sorry for the delay-my poster has been preoccupied)

I just returned from my first trip to the therapist at OHSU. I am having a very difficult time walking correctly and keeping my balance. My walking problem is coming from the fact that my right calf muscle is very weak, so I am using my heels to push off with as opposed to my toes. The toes are curling and I need to learn to relax them. Several of the exercises are designed to help me in this area. I am also to begin a series of exercises to strengthen my calf muscle. The doctors also told me that my 45 minutes on the stairmaster and eliptical are too long. So I will now do 15 minutes on the stairmaster, 15 minutes on the eliptical, and 15 minutes on the stationary bike (yuck!). They also said I could swim and Kath, Tory, and I both just laughed! I swim like a rock, so that will not be happening. As for my pain, I am able to do my supervision work during the day and run errands with Kath and only feel a bit of pain on a 1 to 2 level (10 point scale). The evenings when I relax is the bigger issue. I've had to resort to taking a pain med around 11pm or after. This is when I have experienced pain at levels 5 - 8. Being someone that has never used medicine, this has been a hard pill to swallow (a little play on words!). Mentally I am doing fine. I have such a fantastic wife, family, and friends that give me constant support. As I have said before, this is a war and all of these obstacles are the battles and I plan to fight each one. I will continue to keep you updated and I really do appreciate all that read this and give me your thoughts!

February 9th

Yesterday I had two more doctors added to the "Take Care of Ron" medical team! My wife (Kath), brother (Brad), son (Michael), daughter-in-law (Amber), and I attended my hour and a half consultation with two doctors in the pain management clinic. They were extremely thorough and explained all the options open to me. Like all the doctors that have worked with me at OHSU, they were very knowledgeable and wonderful to work with. On their recommendation, I am increasing the amount of pain nerve blocker that I have been on, in hopes of eliminating the use of Vicodin at night, which one can get dependent on. Currently I have quite a number of pills that I have to take a day (14). Kath has a system worked out, making sure I do not miss one pill! During my consultation, they tested my balance, among other things, and discovered that I don't have any. Their biggest fear is that I might take a fall, so I have to move slowly and concentrate on lifting my legs when I move. As they pointed out, someone as active as I have been through my life, it is extremely difficult mentally when you can't continue at that level. They have suggested that I continue to do activities where I don't lift my feet. I am able to use the eliptical machine, old stairmaster where you just raise your feet while in the footholds, and stationary bike. I also will schedule Physical Therapy and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation consultations. They will show me exercises and activities I can do to help with my balance. The thing that I was most pleased with is that this is being set up for long term. They reminded me that this sarcoma is slow moving and that they are developing a longitudinal plan. I like those type of reassurances. Currently I am moving very slowly (which is extremely frustrating for, in my wife's terms, "fast Ron") , but am able to continue to work supervising student teachers through Western Oregon University. I find that when I concentrate on observing student teachers, that I don't have much pain. The problem is at night, when I try to sleep. That is when I notice the pain and it keeps mt awake, so I have to take the Vicodon (usually around 11:00. Four hours later, I wake in pain, so Kath has to get up and give me another dose. I feel bad that she is not getting any sleep, because she is always aware of how I am doing. She is incredible.

I appreciate all that are reading this entry and I do count all your comments, thoughts and blessings as a gift. I love you all and I will keep you posted!

February 2nd

I have been up to OHSU the last two days. I met with my chemo doctor yesterday and much to my dismay, my blood pressure was 177 over 115. However, the doctor was actually pleased because the high reading showed that my chemo medication is actually working. So they now have me on high blood pressure medicine, which brings my pill count to 14 a day.... Then today, I met with the orthopedic surgeon and after looking at the MRI that I had today, he felt any surgery to help relieve my pain would be too risky. He thought that it would actually do more harm than good. I appreciated his honesty. He has recommended that I go into pain management. Pain management is a meeting with another doctor that will decide what treatment they can do to get my pain under control. Currently my orthopedic surgeon has me on a pain medication that is not working so one idea might be to continue me on this medicine, but at a much higher dosage.

Also, the MRI and CT Scan showed that the bone was not as likely to break as they originally thought so surgery would not need to be done to stabilize it. He told me I could continue exercising using the stair master and the eliptical because those were both low impact exercises. He also recommended that I use the stationary bike for something different. He also mentioned that as summer approaches, I might go outside and try getting on a bike that does not have clips or baskets because he doesn't know if I could get my feet loosened before I fell, if I had to stop quickly.

After hearing this Kath, Brother Brad and I went down to the pain management office to schedule an appointment. And we were told that we would have to wait for insurance...again...before they could schedule me. Unlike the previous experiences, they were much better and I received a phone call twelve hours later with an appointment time available for me. The problem is that they can't get me in until the 17th of this month. OUCH. I guess I will have to try to manage my own pain for the next two weeks. I have scheduled to see my chemo doctor on the 29th (the day our second granddaughter will be born so that Kath can get a Starbucks card-that was her guess on delivery day). He will measure liver function at this time because the Votrient can sometimes cause problems.

I remain in good care, as always, from OHSU. I appreciate all that they are doing. My biggest thanks goes to all of you who are sending positive thoughts my way. I will continue to keep you informed of my progress-as long as my daughter Tiff's typing skills hold out. I am especially grateful for my wife and brother Brad going to all of my appointments the last few days. An extra set of ears is always good.

Love you all and thank you for your support!

January 15th

After 3 in a half weeks of hassling with insurance companies, one of them agreed to help with costs of medication (about time). I am very relieved to finally have the medication and I am now on day three of taking the medicine. I have to keep a log of any side effects that I have from the medication. I go in in two weeks from now to meet with my doctor at OHSU to see how I am handling the side effects. If I am doing okay, they will wait for less than two months to do the MRI to see if the medication is having an effect on the sarcoma. I am feeling really good except for the lack of balance and being able to walk smoothly. This condition is caused because of the sarcoma pushing on the nerves. Thursday, we go in to meet with an orthopedic surgeon to talk about a procedure they might be able to do to relieve this problem. Sitting and standing is causing me some pain and discomfort which causes me to lay on the couch for quite a bit (those who know my dad know that this is not something he enjoys to do!). I am however, able to do weights and an hour on the stair master/eliptical. So the fact that I can still exercise is a positive. I am still able to do all of my activities, just not for as long as I used to be able to do them.

Again, I have the best nurse in the world, my wife, and she is taking care of me making sure I am doing all that I am supposed to be doing. We know we will get through this, it is just another battle we have to face. With the help of family and friends, we are ready to be successful.

**Our dad has a strength of heart and determination that many only dream to have. He is a remarkable man and has the most compassionate and loving wife there is. Together, these two will make it through this. Their love and support of one another and the prayers and love of their family and friends will guide them through this time. Thank you to everyone for your prayers!