PLAYING IN THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS

WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY

Today was brightened with the presence of Stella, Sully, Molly and Jeff. Dave enjoys seeing the grandchildren! Of course, I don't seem to mind too much either!

BETTER DAY

Today, we laughed. Dave hasn't run a fever for two days now and he is out of atrial fibrillation and has no shortness of breath. Occupational therapy and physical therapy both worked with him today. It tired him out but he felt like he accomplished a lot. He had three evenings of chemo and then will have two days off, resume on the 27th for four 24 hr. days. These next four days will be really hard on his body. Please pray for strength to get him through this.

We laughed because all of a sudden he wanted Jones Soda and a lot of it. He drank 4 bottles of that stuff. I now have to go to a store and buy some more, as it is too expensive in the cafeteria. He also drank some Instant Breakfast after one of the nurses insisted on it.

D.J. and I went and saw Alice in Wonderland at the IMAX this evening. It was a great movie and got to spend some time with D.J. He will be leaving on Saturday and Molly and Jeff and the kids arrive tomorrow. We are so excited to see them. We miss our "babies".

FEELING LESS STRESS

Thanks to Belinda, our babies are happy and so are we!

FIRST DOSE DONE

Dave received his first dose of the "big guns" yesterday evening. He's relieved and not having any side-effects yet. He will receive the 2nd one this evening. He doesn't have much of an appetite due to the mucositis in the back of his throat; it's painful to swallow, but he's getting a little down in the form of fruit smoothies, carnation instand breakfast shakes and some warm cereal. Right now he is receiving a unit of blood. If anyone wants to help and doesn't know what to do, be a blood donor. Your blood does help others; Dave is an example of that. Thanks everyone. Special thanks to the Whitefish Animal Hospital for taking care of Ripley and Penelope. We feel better knowing they are being spoiled and loved. Thanks, Belinda for taking them home with you when you aren't working.

Grif giving Grandpa Dave a Shave

FAMILY

Yesterday was actually a blur. After six nights of sleeping here in the room with Dave, sleep deprivation definitely showed. I am now spending nights at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) house, and days here at the hospital. Today I feel much more rested and able to keep it altogether, so to speak.

Dave got through the bronchoscopy smoothly, but then developed atrial fibrillation (irregular heart beat) after the procedure. His rate was not alarming and his vital signs remained stable. He is still in afib but stable. As I write, he is just returning from a chest x-ray. We do not have the results of the bronchoscopy yet, but should shortly. The plan stands the same for chemo tomorrow. It's important that gets started; hopefully, it will help with his shortness of breath.

Rachel, Bob, Jourdan and Grif arrived yesterday, which brought lots of smiles all around. They will be leaving today but, hopefully, will be back next weekend. Although company makes Dave worn out, it also perks him up.

Again, thank you everyone for your prayers, positive thoughts, and comments.