Long past two days...

The past two days have been too long...I always dread trips to Georgetown especially when they are two and four hours long plus drive time to and from...I know the tests/appts are needed...we both missed our naps yesterday...

Refresh you'll...he had blood work Tuesday then did the CT abdomen/liver/kidney yesterday...he had to drink a cup of this barium liquid every 15 minutes til all gone and I believe it was a 32 ounce bottle...then he had about 45 minutes left before they called him in for the CT...that took about 20 minutes and we were able to head home...he didn't use the manual wheelchair just his cane...he said he was sorry he did...stood/walked on his leg too much and he had a burning sensation...decided he was going to use the manual wheelchair today...we will get results on that Wednesday, March 4th late morning so when we get home I will post as soon as possible...

LOL...we watched Am Idol results last night...Allison got picked the top 3 and we were pullin' for her...whoo hoo...we both kept saying everyone the night before picked wrong songs to sing...ughhhhh....except a few...

Today, we were up early 530 a.m. to get to Georgetown new hospital for the nuke shot and then wait (yes, again...lol...3 hours though not 4) when they called him back I was able to go in again...he lays on this table and the scanner slowly starts scanning...you're sitting there wondering when they are going to start it until I looked over at the computer screen/monitor and I see the top of his head...on the screen it shows front side and back side...like I told him I don't remember everything but the places where he was lit up like a Christmas tree are still there but dimmer? like I said I could be wrong but also it looks like its in the ribs and spine but dimly...if that makes any sense...when the tech came out and darkened the screen the only thing showing up like a BRIGHT STAR on a black screen was his kidney...nothing changed there that I could see...now for his leg the tumor is still there but looks dimmer...we both talked about it and he's not giving up being optimistic cause that spot on his hand is gone just a faint outline/shadow like dimmer...:D...so your continued prayers for the best results on Wednesday...we'll also know whether he'll continue on the "Sutent" by the results or his body being given a break and something else started...he's looking at asking for something a little bit stronger in a pain medicine like lortab 10/325mg...he's on lortab 7.5/325mg plus naproxen...that leg of his gives him a fit when he's on it too much but trying to keep his muscle strength up as much as possible...

He went to coffee this afternoon after we got back instead of taking break and doing a nap, so we both have missed our naps again...although I could have but wanted to blog...lol...caught my head bobbin' :D...he's home and now I need to go and see about dinner...our niece will be in town this weekend and will be good to see her again...Hope elf...eryone has a super duper wkend and be safe!!!!

Much luv to all <3

p.s. I just finished the book "The Shack" highly recommend it!!!!!!!!!!!

Sluggish...

Yesterday we were both sluggish...I had no energy and all I wanted to do was sleep so didn't go for labs...he slept quite a bit too...lol...blame it on the weather always...:D...but got up this morning had same amount of sleep as night before and felt like I had more energy...still tired...

I got his breakfast, did my breathing treatment (nebulizer) and got cleaned up and had a quick bite (S.B. meal replacement bar) and Shaun was here and he followed us over to hospital to get labs and he took care of the wheelchair (manual) and pushed him...his leg still bothering him...stopped at bank with trips to Georgetown in couple days would need mula...:D...

He wanted to stop by ma's and see her for a few minutes and give her the weekly newspapers after we read them...gives her something to read plus keep up on what might be going on around town...she don't get out much either...ma's doing pretty good...:D...while he was doing that I slipped away and got gas...called Shaun to see if he could fill me up...I beat him there but thought uhmmmm...maybe I'll see if I can fill it myself...I did...just took off ox hose long enough to use card and put hose in tank and let self pump...then put ox hose back on for a few while filling...at least I know I can do it as long as the pump takes my card...I don't have to run in...went back and Shaun pulled up behind me (he didn't get my text) at ma's and Tim just came out and you could tell he wasn't walking very good...got him home and he laid down for a bit til lunch...

Busy messing on the computer...I had caught an error I made with my quicken and was posting stuff in the archive file and not 2009 file...ugh...just glad I caught early enough and not in middle of the year...got call from my mom...she's doing good after her eye surgery...sis will be there for few days and she takes mom back "bright light bright light" jk...bright and early for follow up in a few days...prayed it would go well for mom as last year a surgery didn't go right and she had us worried there for a while...

Tim and I wondering about a lit'l birdie...hope everyone else doin' good and sending well wishes to all...ewwwwwwww it's raining...jk...in my headphones...lol...gotta go and finis movie and hit the sack...have a good day!!!!!!!!!!

Sometime...

It's been sometime (week) that I've blogged but I know everyone likes to keep informed on how he's doing...the nicer weather makes it better but he still hurts...he says he's alright but his body language sometimes says otherwise...I asked him this evening if he was hurting more than usual and he just looked at me and said yes...

He's thinking about asking for something a little bit stronger on March 4Th when we go see the doctor and get test results that we will be doing next week...his monthly blood work Tuesday at Mesa...Thursday Georgetown for the CT abdomen/kidney...he has to sit and drink this white stuff within a two hour period...like a cup every 15 minutes...Friday Georgetown again for nuclear shot takes four hours (have to find something to do or just bring our mp3's and book and sit in van so he can at least lay down and rest that hip/leg that gives him problems) to get into his bones good enough and then has whole body bone scan done...

I was in there the first time and I could see on the monitor across the room the difference...it's like he is lit up like a Christmas tree...the nuclear shot shows where all the tumors are...his body gets scanned topside and backside...

A while back, I said in the blog that he has a spot on his hand and he brought it to my attention after the first round on "Sutent" that it was getting smaller...well, that spot is gone on his hand now...but I wonder about the bigger tumors...if they've shrunk or stopped growing?...I pray that it has...he dislikes taking the "Sutent"...gives bad taste in his mouth...told him I was surprised he is able to eat as good as he does...

Since the family doctor put him on Coreg for the rapid pulse/blood pressures...the medicine seems to be doing the trick...I still keep an eye on his glucose levels too...so far so good

Feel like I should be blogging more...had weeds pulled in the yard today by a couple boy scouts...didn't catch their names...he was talking with them...while I went and got some Roundup for him...but also got a new shower head and doorbell cover...tehe...I changed them so he wouldn't be trying to do it...still not able to use his arm hardly after fractured/broke...he still wears brace but takes off (overnight) when it gets to bothering him...as I told our niece Cheri today, I was the busy bbbbbbeeeeee...groceries, prescriptions, mail, hardware store, meals, laundry...watched movie true story Napa Valley wine making..."Bottle Shock" pretty good...but the movie that got me the most the other night...did some laughing but also some crying...deals with relationships, love, being God centered...it just made a lot of sense..."Fireproof"...thought it was a movie about fires, etc...but it's on fireproofing your relationship/marriage...story line was on fires and the fire dept but intertwined with fireproofing marriages...

Tam came home this weekend instead of next weekend...has to work on a Saturday-been awhile...but also coming home, she past the speedway and realized Nascar is going to be in Vegas next weekend and traffic is terrible on 15 and Nellis etc...but also to meet Shaun's grandfather...he drove up to see how his son Ken (Shaun's dad) is doing and help if he can...he has been in the hospital and had stints put in his leg and aorta and doing better but still may loose his big toe...so prayers are needed for Ken...prayers for Shaun too to sustain him and help him find strength to take care of his dad and work as well...

Weather suppose to be getting up in 70's and sunny...hope that keeps up for next week when we have the appointments...don't like to be out in the wet weather...

Okay, I think I've been going on long enough so I will say GoOdNiTe to aLl...have a gr8t wkend elf...eryone :D

Happ:D Valentine's Day...

It's Valentine's Day...lots of luv to elf...eryone...tehe...after his and my morning nap short one at that...he went to coffee with a friend so I got started dusting...daughter came home for the long weekend...she got a bit upset cause I told her I was going to vacuum and I needed to get it started...he came home and got upset with me too...so I let her do the rest of the vacuuming and I mopped the floors...so my Valentine's gift was a clean home...that's all I wanted besides having a nice dinner and dessert for all...

Because he wasn't able to get out and shop for a card and flowers, etc...I didn't do the same on grocery day...I didn't want to make him feel bad...besides it's what you feel in your heart and being together is enough...I cleaned fresh strawberries and dried them off and then melted Hershey's dark chocolate chips and started out with 2 Tbspoons half and half...stirred and stirred and stirred and slowly started adding more half/half til I got the consistency I want (not runny but dippable but not drippy...luv my description :D) and proceeded to dip all the strawberries for our dessert after dinner....that was our treat for each other plus the kids, Tamra and Shaun...I fixed cubed pork chops, mashed, etc...very good...so for a change I felt the day was pretty productive besides full of LOVE...

He's still hurting so not much has changed there...everyone saying its cold in the house so having heater turned up...he says his shoulders are starting to bother him...when he has a warmer shirt on they don't bother him as much...so that's why we feel the cool, damp weather is making him hurt more...be glad when it warms up...;D

Oh, the movie "Secret Life of Bees" is good...had me crying a few times...relationships, truths, feeling needed but also about bees, etc...

I hope elf...eryone else had a gOoD dAy :D...weather was rather nice too, afraid it was going to be rainy...fixin' to watch a Hallmark movie for Valentine's Day...

Well, it's that time so have a super SuNdAy!!!! lata

Daddy's Poem...

Daddy's Poem

Her hair was up in a ponytail,
her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school,
and she couldn't wait to go.
But her mummy tried to tell her,
that she probably should stay home.
Why the kids might not understand,
if she went to school alone.

But she was not afraid;
she knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates
of why he wasn't there today.

But still her mother worried,
for her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again,
she tried to keep her daughter home.

But the little girl went to school
eager to tell them all.
About a dad she never sees,
a dad who never calls.
There were daddies along the back wall,
for everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently,
anxious in their seats.

One by one the teacher called
a student from the class.
To introduce their daddy,
as seconds slowly passed.
At last the teacher called her name,
every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching,
a man who wasn't there.

"Where's her daddy at?"
she heard a boy call out.
"She probably doesn't have one,"
another student dared to shout.

And from somewhere near the back,
she heard a daddy say,
"Looks like another deadbeat dad,
too busy to waste his day."

The words did not offend her,
as she smiled up at her Mum.
And looked back at her teacher,
who told her to go on.

And with hands behind her back,
slowly she began to speak.
And out from the mouth of a child,
came words incredibly unique.

"My Daddy couldn't be here,
because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be,
since this is such a special day.

And though you cannot meet him,
I wanted you to know.
All about my daddy,
and how much he loves me so.

He loved to tell me stories,
he taught me to ride my bike.
He surprised me with pink roses,
and taught me to fly a kite.

We used to share fudge sundaes,
and ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him.
I'm not standing here alone.

'Cause my daddy's always with me,
even though we are apart
I know because he told me,
he'll forever be in my heart."
With that, her little hand reached up,
and lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat,
beneath her favourite dress.

And from somewhere in the crowd of dads,
her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter,
who was wise beyond her years.

For she stood up for the love
of a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her,
doing what was right.

And when she dropped her hand back down,
staring straight into the crowd.
She finished with a voice so soft,
but its message clear and loud.

"I love my daddy very much,
he's my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here,
but heaven's just too far.

You see he is a soldier
And died just this past year
When a roadside bomb hit his convoy
and taught brave men to fear.
But sometimes when I close my eyes,
it's like he never went away."
And then she closed her eyes,
and saw him there that day.

And to her mother's amazement,
she witnessed with surprise.
A room full of daddies and children,
all starting to close their eyes.

Who knows what they saw before them,
who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second,
they saw him at her side.

"I know you're with me Daddy,"
to the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers,
of those once filled with doubt.

Not one in that room could explain it,
for each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk beside her,
was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.

And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,
by the love of her shining star.
And given the gift of believing,
that heaven is never too far.

By Jodi Tatum

I wanted to put this in my blog for our daughters
even though the situation is different but the feelings
of love are the same...

Bank Account Tag...

I thought this Bank Account tag would be nice to play tag with but not sure how everyone would get it...it's also smaller than I thought it would be...not sure it
can be read...I'm going to add this lit'l note as I won't know til I publish post and then click the pic for the bank account to make bigger to read so you can try it too if need be...

I would like to blog but I really don't have anything...he's still hurting but saves his energy up so he can go to coffee with the guys in the afternoons so that he feels he still has some normalcy in his life...this weather isn't helping either as I feel its making him hurt more...

Jack whose is my baby now as he would say...lol...our pet chihuahua...has most definitely a character all his own...lol...but he's been acting a lit'l legarthic and hesitating hopping up on the cinder blocks to get up on the porch (too big a hop to get on the porch without them, even for me too...lol...) after going out and I started thinking maybe this weather is affecting him too...he let out a couple cries earlier in the week when I tried to pick him up...so after his grooming I took him to the vet had some blood work done and checked for a rash and got meds for him to take for five days...he's had it for 2 days so far and I noticed he doesn't hesitate hopping up on the cinder blocks to the porch...like his bursitis isn't bother him anymore...found out he had it last summer before the kids come out and it was showing in his shoulders...

Valentine's Day is coming up and I wish elf...eryone a day full of fun, love, togetherness and prayers... <3

Expressions of Love...

To express his feelings of love and have it sound as good as his words might be a bit hard but I'm going to try...he's had a few rough days of more pain than usual and we are just hoping it's mostly the damp, wet and rainy weather...

He goes out on the porch and he has time to think, more as his quiet time...earlier he was thinking all this and didn't say nothing to me til later...I guess what brought it up was earlier in the day something was said about the girls and I said that Charli feels her baby sister Tamra has the heart of gold and is an inspiration to her...

He proceeded to tell me tonight that there must have been a reason why Charli and I were brought into his life and that we both are very special to him...that he loves us so dearly more than he knows how to express...that even though Charli isn't his by blood, he'd swear...lol...up and down she is...we have brought so much into his life even with the rough times at different stages of our lives but we all got through it together...this is hard....so hard...he's glad I'm here to help him through all this but that he worries about me...not too mention the icing on the cake was when Tamra was born...she has brought joy to him and he is proud of both his daughters...what they've accomplished and what they stand for in their values...he sees allot of me in Charli that we both are strong and don't give up...Tamra just barely getting her life started but her accomplishments with college and doing it all on her own...she's a giggler...lol...as one of her professors said...she's going to be a Happ:D teacher...she can be quiet/shy at times but definitely a strong young lady...










He wanted me to make sure I blogged his feelings for the girls and me...that he doesn't always show love very well (I don't agree-he does!!!!) or how to and not a man of many words...I disagree again as he eloquently expressed them tonight but I don't think I did him justice in trying to blog it for him...

He loves you girls very, very much...wants you to be happ:D in your lives and be strong...God he loves us so....<3

Getting out...

Getting out is what he wanted even if he was hurting, so I made myself get ready because I had errands I have been putting off for about a week...he went with me and we made four stops...the only time he got out was at the grocery/pharmacy store...groceries were needed and I had prescriptions I went online and ordered on Wednesday for us...he sat in the lounge area while getting the prescriptions but decided he wanted to go back to the van while I got groceries and not sit in lounge area...as late as it was we made a stop for lunch on the way home and then the mail...ha ha ha...that's getting to be a joke...I think I'll start checking it every other day, doesn't seem to be anything in the box anymore...have been checking it for daughter's W-2 corrected one at that...

As soon as we got home, he took a naproxsen...he said he was hurting pretty bad...I'm starting to think it's this storm we got coming in...he ate lunch while I carried groceries in and I put them away in between daughter :D texting me...I was giving her the red smiley face...lol...anyway, he laid down and said he was really hurting and started crying...said out loud to himself have the faith, I can do it...he slept for about an hour and a half...just woke up...still hurts but not as bad...the weatherman says 70% chance rain today...started to sprinkle on way to do errands this morning but stopped...whoo hoo...now at 2:30p.m. the skies are clouded up more and some areas look darker...


He just made a comment after getting up that he doesn't ever want to feel like that again...I don't want you to either to myself but you will be down the road eventually and worse babe...don't want to see it happen...

Guess better go for now...need to make up a drink mix for him to help with his bowels...we found that 1 tsp of powered magnesium in warm water 3 times a day helps better than Phillips milk magnesia...whew...nasty stuff he says...

Well, I think I just heard thunder...yeah it's been fairly warm here too...anyway, maybe while he's at coffee with friends (even if he is hurting) I'll make up my green drink and put in fridge to chill so I can get started back on it and drink at every meal...maybe, I'll get my energy back again too...it's been pretty sluggish since all this has come about....

Well, take care and blog some more lata...:D

Henry Poole Is Here...

While he was sleeping I watched the movie "Henry Poole Is Here"...I reaaaaaaaly enjoyed it...I almost didn't pick it up to watch...talk about an inspirational movie-a MuSt SEE!!!!...HOPE, FAITH, BELIEFS and MIRACLES...how we all struggle and cope with the ups and downs in our lives...where most of us go to find that strength that we all need to help get through our worst days but also our good days-to say ThAnK yOu God!!! for helping us to leave it in your hands and to have that HOPE, FAITH and LOVE that our BELIEFS will guide us through...so true for us ;}...I luv the music in the movie to which I will see about getting the soundtrack...

He says last few days have been hard cause of the aches and he's still taking the naproxsen in between the lortabs...all we can do is guess that this 3rd round of "sutent" is working or maybe it is a combo of things...weather and/or arthritis, too...I don't like to see him hurt cause he says he's okay and will continue to try and walk some with the cane and how he wants to do things...

I was looking at photos today and noticed how his color looks good compared to when we found out he had cancer...his hands I think have good color and almost look young...lol...outside of the signs of old age...he disagreed, thought they were too pale looking ;)...

The wind is picking up tonight as the storm/rain is to be coming through tomorrow...with 50% chance on Saturday...I'm just glad we're not having that cold, snowy weather our oldest is having back East...when I see the temperature on the desktop-all I can do is say, "cunch cunch cunch cunch" like walking on the snow...brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...I don't miss those cold days in Alaska, Montana, Wyoming or Henderson snow....it's cold enough here without the snow...hahaha :D

Henderson











Well, as usual it's after midnight again and I'm still up...he says I catch my second wind at night and that's why I want to sleep most the morning after breakfast when he does...I don't really get anything done but blog, listen to music and/or watch a movie...if i knew it wouldn't wake him I would turn up my oxygen and music and clean house...tehe tehe....yeah, if there's music I like I blast it....within reason!!!!!!!!!!!....

GoOd NiGhT ElF...eRyOnE!!!! Enjoy your weekend coming up and definitely TGIF!!!!!!
tehe

I hAvE Been TagGeD...

The Rules:
1. Go to your documents/pictures.
2. Go to your 6th file.
3. Go to your 6th picture.
4. Blog about it.
5. Tag 6 people to do the same.
6. So here we go....












This was taken July 2008 when our oldest daughter Charlene "Charli" and her family came out from Indiana for their vacation. Our youngest daughter Tamra was celebrating her 21st b-day so we were having cake/ice cream and taking pictures. This is Charli and her oldest daughter (our granddaughter) Melissa posing for the picture. Mel likes trying to be a ham and I'm surprised she wasn't sticking her tongue out...lol...like she does in most of her poses but this one shows her B E A U T I F U L smile just like her mom's!!!!!

I now tag...

1-Tamra
2-Sandra
3-Amy
4-Angela

Sorry don't have six and can't Brit she's already been tagged...I think...or can I?

Super Bowl Day...

We don't usually watch sports but somehow super bowl always gets turned on...which is kool...but I don't totally understand it...I try but I think every year I always ask the same questions...

I remember one time years ago while living in Colorado my sister Robin and a bunch of us and friends got together to watch it....lol...I just happened to ask the WRONG question...:D...I thought it was still pregame and asked, "so when does the game start?"...lol...it was in half time...yeah...I got some funn:D looks...

I was resting while it was on today and heard Larry Fitzgerald Sr and his son talking and they happened to mention his wife...I believe the son said his father Larry was too emotional...Larry said he loved his wife dearly and always will and it made me think of Tim and what he keeps telling me...Larry's wife passed away and of course I related to it with what is going on with us...like I said in one of my last few blogs...you start settling into a routine again after all the tests and getting hit hard with the news...then one day, a tender moment, a song, a conversation, whatever and you realize that's going to be you going through it one of these days and it's hard not to tear up...you wonder how you can do it all over again like a broken record...with prayers and knowing you have time somehow makes it okay...for now :D...

We're doing fine and have settled pretty much into a regular routine of things and just take one day at a time and enjoy each others company even if we don't say or do much...we especially enjoy everyone that comes over to visit off and on too...so with prayers maybe we'll have that time together with a quality of life and enjoy each others company like when he had planned to do it when he retired in a few years and but it happened sooner...

So, he's been on the "Sutent" four days now but since last week he's started using naproxsen in between the lortab as the ache is bit stronger again like in the beginning and the naproxsen is helping...but he's finally admitted he's thinks he's been trying to use his arm and walk on leg too much to help get his strength back...so he's backed off a little...other than that the coreg is working on the blood pressure/rapid pulse...and he's being careful of what he eats to keep the blood sugars low but then again they can go up from the "Sutent" and "Coreg" too...so he has a double whammy...

Well, I think I'll get off here as this year I was late getting paperwork and figures proofed for tax filing (which I do in December) and I finally finished up last night or rather this morning at 3:30 a.m. (the night before I was trying to get half of it enter into program and was up til 2:30 a.m.)...it doesn't help cause then all I want to do is sleep all morning but don't as I take care of most of his needs...I lay down usually when he does...lol...unless I get started on something else...like he says I seem to get my second wind in the evening and time gets away from and then it's late...he takes his last dose of medicine at 11 p.m. before bed and that's when sometimes I'm still up and shouldn't be...

So, good night...sweet dreams...ELF..eryone have a super duper week and Happy Groundhog Day 2morrow!!!!...:D