WE'RE GOING CAMPING!!!!

What a milestone - Dave is strong enough to take out the fifth wheel (must be the biscuits and gravy). It's been a long time since we have enjoyed camping, and we have missed it. Yesterday, we got it ready to go. Between the two of us, we did pretty good. Dave did the "bossing" and I did the running!!!! Thank you, Travis, for coming over and helping with the heavy stuff. The dogs (Ripley and Penelope) will also be going with us, along with our friends Gordon and Toni Powell , and Shelley from the city office. We won't be going far (Westshore State Park), but far enough to feel like a "get-away". Pictures will be forthcoming!

Dave had his first of 8 chemo sessions on Tues., and will have a CT scan this coming Tues. with chemo on Wed. He is tolerating it well with a little nausea, but that is controllable. THANKS AGAIN for all your prayers, help and encouragement - God does listen, and for that we are thankful.

Biscuits 'N Gravy

You can always tell when Dave's strength has improved; he heads up to the "Buffalo Cafe" for coffee with the "guys". Today was that day! I told him I wouldn't let him go unless he always had breakfast and not just coffee. He did exactly what I said (I think he is finally figuring out that I'm the boss), and he had his favorite biscuits and gravy. I'm going to see if I can get some pictures of the "Buffalo crew" and his buddies to put on the blog. Doris, if you (or anyone who can) are reading this, would you get me some pictures??

His doctor's appointment went well yesterday. His blood counts are improving - thank goodness. Doesn't look like he needs a transfusion after all. If his platelets are high enough next week, he will again undergo a series of chemo treatments. The drug of choice is Rutuxin, which shouldn't be as hard on him as the last combination he had while in the hospital. He will have this administered once a week for 8 wks. We aren't sure if the cancer is still present or not as he hasn't had a PET/CT scan done since radiation. If it were done now, it would more than likely have a false reading, so we will patiently wait.

Dave has lost a total of 70 lbs!!! My goal is to fatten him up. That is at least one thing I feel that I can do for him. Sometimes, I feel so helpless in all of this, that feeding him gives me some peace of mind.

AMAZING

These pictures were taken by Dave's brother, Robin, on his way back to Missoula after a visit here. Robin does an awesome job, and we really appreciate his talent! Thanks, Robin.

NICE WEEKEND

While Dave's body continues to get stronger, he was able to enjoy friends, family and good food. Thanks, Karla, for the delicious lasagne -we really enjoyed it. Thanks also to Roger and Deane for having us down to the lake yesterday; it was beautiful and, as always, very relaxing. Tomorrow Dave has an appointment to "check his oil" and see how his blood counts are. He's looking a little pale to me, so I wouldn't be surprised if they give him a unit of blood. He seems to be doing good though and eating well. Our next goal is being able to do a little camping in a few weeks - we have really missed that.

Relay for Life (June)

BOUNCING BACK

Wow - what a challenge the last few days have been. This last episode in the hospital really left Dave weak, thin and always light-headed. He was much happier being home, but at the same time it was quite a worry. Monday, D.J. took him to his Dr. appointment where they quickly gave him 2 units of blood, IV antibiotics for an infection of an IV site, and also fluids. That was a whole day ordeal. Dave's brother, Richard, picked him up from the hospital and brought him back home. THANK YOU, RICHARD and D.J. I was able to go to work and not worry! Today, Dave again went for IV antibiotics and some fluid, and tomorrow will be a repeat of the same. His brother, Robin, came up from Missoula and brought Dave home. THANKS, ROBIN! He is doing better, getting stronger and balder. Yes, he's bald again! This evening we shaved his head and vacummed the hair up. It was easier than waking up to a pillow full of hair. He's a good sport, and cute too! Let's pray for continued strength and health.

Letter to "Boppa" from Stella (age 4)

HE'S HOME

Thanks to the Whitefish Ambulance crew for bringing Dave home safe and sound. That sure relieved my anxiety and Dave's too. He's pretty weak from the extended hospital stay so we have a wheelchair for him to use until he gets stronger. D.J. will also be staying here with us for a week or so to be the "muscles" and help with the physical stuff that I can't manage on my own. Dave's really happy to be home and ate a whole bowl of homemade chicken and noodles! Thanks to Carol Newbury for the dinner; it was nice not having to cook, and Dave really enjoyed it. It should be a nice weekend with Dave being home and me not running back and forth to the hospital. Even having time to mop the floor sounds exciting. Ripley and Nels will be much more settled too. Thanks also to Mitch who pitched in and hauled off all the branches and clippings from my "hedge and tree" trimming so the yard would look nice when Dave arrived. Thanks, also, to everyone who has helped make this last setback easier for our family. YOU ARE ALL WONDERFUL and WE APPRECIATE YOU MORE THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE! God has blessed us with such great friends and family.

MAYBE TOMORROW

Just when we were planning on Dave being released from the hospital, he went back into atrial fibrillation (irregular heart rhythm). Today he did go back into normal rhythm so, hopefully, if he can maintain that rhythm, tomorrow he can come home. He's getting pretty tired of being in the hospital, but he is doing pretty good at keeping his spirits up. Much better than I could that's for sure. It's going to take awhile for him to gain strength back, but being at home and eating better will help a lot. The hospital food is really pretty good with a great selection, but he still prefers "home cooking". Good news is, he is offically "retired". He certainly deserves time to enjoy himself after putting his whole heart and soul into the Whitefish Fire Department. What a big step for him, but a positive one.

NOT HOME YET

We were hoping for Dave to come home today as his confusion caused by all the drugs has cleared, and he is eating again. Unfortunately, at around 4 a.m. he again went into atrial fibrillation (irregular heart rate) so they began IV drugs to get him back into normal rhythm. This has happened before (twice while in Seattle). It looks like he won't be coming home today after all. In order for him to be discharged, the rhythm will have to be controlled on oral meds. He's anxious to get home, and I'm anxious to get him here so I can ,again, try to fatten him up!