Rearing it's ugly head

I have purposely avoided doing any blog posting until we knew exactly what the next step would be. This morning we met with Dr. Boehme and we are onto the next step. Dave's PET scan was good and not so good, if that makes sense. The good news is that all the pre-existing lymphoma masses are gone - completely gone, even the stubborn original one. The not so good news is the presence of a nodule in each lung which has not previously been there. After a lung biopsy on Monday, which he went through without any complications (1 in every 5 sustain a pneumothorax [collapsed lung]), Dave did well. The biopsy did reveal that the lymphoma has "reared it's ugly head" in his lungs, but we are relieved that it isn't a new type of cancer popping up. Now, onto further treatment. He will be having, again, rotuxin once a week for four weeks with a follow-up scan. I'm not quite sure if the scan will be immediately after the treatment or if it will be later. The really good news is that Dave is comfortable with this decision and as one of the nurses said today, "he continues to amaze us with his attitude". I, personally, thank God every day for all the blessing he continues to give us and for all the friends and family he has enriched our lives with. He knows our needs.

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR FIREFIGHTERS - FOREST FIRE SEASON HAS BEGUN

DJ

The DNRC helicopter landed to fuel up at the Whitefish air strip, so Dave and I quickly ran over to see D.J. and his crew in action. They have been busy with lots of fires caused by lightening strikes. We pray for their safety.

Happy 4th of July

We had a great day spending it with family and friends on Flathead Lake. Of course the kids added a lot of excitement. To see life through their eyes - how heartwarming.

Three little Firecrackers - Gracie, Kalieigh, Stella

Another view

Say Goodbye to the Small Stuff

When Dave says he is going to build something, I shouldn't even question how it will turn out. He decided he needed a trailer to haul the 4 wheeler in behind the 5th wheel (whew). I didn't think it would be such an undertaking, but I shouldn't have been surprised when his little project turned into a big one. He started with a $150 trailer to "fix up" and ended up with this. For some reason, I just can't see this trailer hauling a 4 wheeler on a bumpy dusty road behind our 5th wheel. What an amazing job he did; it's beautiful (that is for a trailer) Thanks goes to Brad Knuth who helped Dave welding the frame. I'll let you know if it ever gets off pavement!

Going Strong

It's always a good sign when it has been so long inbetween posts. As you can see Dave is doing great. Here he is working on my little garden patch at the church. Of course, I had to plant rutabegas just for him. Maybe that is why he was so anxious to get up the "deer netting".

Oregon Trip

All is well! Dave had his chemo and breezed through it. He had a couple of days where he was feeling a little "punky" but that didn't stop us from making a trip to Oregon to see Bob, Rachel, Jourdan and Grif. We took the 5th wheel and everything with smoothly. We so enjoyed it. We spent most of the time watching Jourdan and Grif play softball and baseball. It was so much fun and so amazing that we were able to make the trip. Dave has days where he is doesn't have a lot of energy, but that is to be expected. His problem is, he has to know when to quit. As we all are aware, he has a problem with that!!! He will have a PET scan in July and then we will find out what is next. Wouldn't it just be a miracle if he's in remission. Let's pray for that. Prayers have gotten him this far, so we have high hopes.

just a little story...........

....... Once upon a time in a quiet little neighborhood in Whitefish, MT lived a little old man who didn't have all of his strength (or marbles), but had a history of helping others. This little old man was working in his little old shop when he heard a big crash. The little old man upon hearing this, came running (to the best of his ability) out of his little old shop and saw a big man laying down in the middle of the street after being struck by a very big car driven by a very young lady. A little motorcycle was laying in a big heap next to the big man. The little old man bent down to care for the big man, keeping him calm and "stabilized" until the big red ambulance arrived. The big man had quite a few of big injuries. After the big man was loaded into the ambulance, the little old man had to be helped to his feet by the ambulance attendants so he could get back to his little shop in the quiet little neighborhood in Whitefish, MT. The End

Seriously, this did happen. What was amazing was the surprise visit we received from the big man (with neck in a brace), dislocated hip, concussion and head wound Sunday afternoon. It turned out that he had 3 broken vertebra in his neck and he wanted to come thank the little old man for keeping him calm and still, thus preventing paralysis. Some things remain the same!