UPDATE

We met with Dr. Hunt yesterday, and all seems to be going well. Dave has gained another 2 lbs. and is feeling better each day. On physical exam, he had no enlarged lymph nodes and no abdominal masses could be palpated. They drew blood and we expect the results to all be good. His PET scan is scheduled for March 27th. That will show whether there are any new masses and if the radiation took care of the last one. Please keep the prayers coming as he isn't out of the woods yet! God Bless!

MUST BE FEELING BETTER!!

Well, Dave finally did it - he responded to a house fire and even offered his assistance! I must say, I wasn't too happy, but it was a boost for him that's for sure. He worked a full day, came home, just sat down to eat when the call came in, and off he went. We all knew he was a bit on the "crazy" side! This is the closest to normal we have had in a long time and it felt GOOD! Looks like we are back to cold dinners. (FYI - if you would like to enlarge the slide-shows or photos to the left, just double-click on picture)

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Love is a fruit in season
At all times and within reach of every hand!
Spread love everywhere you go
First of all in your own house
Give love to your children
To your husband or wife
To a next door neighbor
Let no one ever come to you
Without leaving happier
Be the living expression of God's
Kindness, kindness in your face
Kindness in your eyes
Kindness in your smile
Kindness in your warm greeting!
.
~Mother Teresa

No News is Good News

I'm going by that saying on a daily basis. I really haven't forgotten about the blog, I just didn't have anything new to report. Everyone keeps saying that Dave is now looking like Dave again. That's good to hear! I was watching him this evening (out of the corner of my eye) and he does look more like his old self. He said that he had a great day and was really feeling good. Oh, how I love to hear that! That constant "worry" is always there, no matter how hard we try to forget. We did have a good laugh yesterday though; Dave called me at work saying he was locked out of the house. "No worry, I exclaimed, I'll be right there". It didn't take me long to get home and be the hero of the day! I dug in my purse, and after another 5 min. found my keys and, wouldn't you know it, the house key wasn't where it had been for the last 15 years! It somehow slipped my mind that when we went to Seattle, I left it at home for D.J. (just in case he got locked out!). Dave and I must have been quite the sight as he braced himself in the snow and helped, or should I say "shoved" me through a bedroom window. I was laughing so hard that I landed on my head in a basket of dirty clothes with my legs still sticking straight out the window! Anyway, we got in, Dave is keeping his house key with him, and I finally found mine, and the windows are locked and the laundry washed!!!!

THE PLAN

After reading my niece's blog ,I have decided my blog really lacks in the humor department! blog. Okay, back to the serious side - it's wonderful to be here and enjoy the amazing beauty (I know, I've said that before), so I'll go onto other things. Dr. Hunt called today after speaking to Dr. Pagel and the next step is a PET scan in a couple of months, then a consult in Seattle with Dr. Pagel. We don't plan anything further than that. Dave is doing good - going strong (or should I say stronger). Sometimes he just doesn't know when to quit though. He was out shoveling an elderly woman's sidewalk when he left his "butt cheeks" imprint in the snowbank! He was fine, just a little embarrassed, but was able to gracefully get himself back to his feet with the help of his friend, the shovel! He laughed at himself all the way home, and then I laughed until I cried.

Nature's Beauty

Pictures taken Monday morning on my way to work. We have had more snow since these pictures were taken.

BEAUTIFUL

We have had lots of snow and the beauty of it is refreshing. I don't think I could ever live where there aren't four seasons. I really think fall and winter are my favorite. Dave doesn't seem to mind the plowing, but he does wear out, esp. the last 3 days. The radiation will be working in his body for 2 months, so it doesn't surprise me that he isn't feeling "full power". He is continuing to work full days, and is eating good. I'm trying to feed him high calorie/protein foods, which he seems to enjoy. The problem is, I enjoy it just as much! He is also doing a little work in his shop building a shooting bench (excuse me if I'm not calling it the correct name) for his brother, Brian. Hopefully, we will be able to spend some time in our 5th wheel this coming summer at Brian's property and around the valley. We are still waiting for a call from Dr. Hunt about Dr. Pagel's (Seattle Doc) suggestion for further treatment. The waiting is annoying, but we are getting used to it. As long as the radiation is working, we aren't too anxious.

RADIATION COMPLETE

Dave had his last of his sixteen radiation treatments today. He's done well and now it's the waiting game to see if it took care of that last "mass". We are confident that it did as he has responded so well to radiation in the past. It will be a couple of months before he has his next PET scan as the radiation continues to work for that length of time. I amazed at his fortitude and determination. Although he tires easily, he remains active and hasn't missed a day of work. Now, hopefully, he will regain strength, and he is still gaining weight. There is the possibility of going back to Seattle for another consultation before the two months are up, and we are waiting to hear from the doctors in Seattle regarding their thoughts. I've not been home for the last two days as I have had the "privilege" of taking care of Stella and Sully while Molly and Jeff took some time to spend together without the kids. D.J. and Dave are holding down the "fort" and taking care of the dogs. With D.J. there, I don't worry about leaving Dave alone. Guess I'm getting a little "protective"!!!

Status quo

It was a busy weekend, and it shows. After enjoying a nice dinner out with Dave's brother, Brian, and his wife, Jolene, Dave spent Saturday snow-plowing. He was really tired by later afternoon and realized he was just doing "too much". It's so hard to slow him down - he'll go until he drops! He went to bed early Sat. eve. and Sunday felt better, and today feels even more rested. Please pray for the families of the two men who died in the avalanche on the backside of Big Mountain yesterday. One of the men attended our church, and has two young children. Thanks.

Round #8

Today will be Dave's 8th round of radiation, so he's half way there. There have been no complications so far, just a little more fatigue. Yesterday, he had a nice visit with Senator Baucus who visited him at the fire station. That was a surprise! Stella and Sully spent last weekend with us and boy did that keep us hopping. You don't get much quiet time when you have a 3 yr. old and 9 month old who are both VERY BUSY! It sure made for a fun weekend though, and Dave is great at rocking Sully to sleep. Looks like more snow today, so I'm sure Dave will be out plowing after work!