CRAZY DAYS - GOOD DAYS

It's been busy in the Sipe home this past week with the arrival of Eric, Lisa and kids (Hannah 4, Megan 21/2, and Jack 2 months. Combine those bodies with Molly, Jeff, Stella (4), Sully (18 months) , D.J., Dave and myself and all I can say is "wow". This evening Rachel (our oldest daughter), her husband, Bob, and kids Jourdan (age 14) and Grif (age 10) will be arriving to join the group. We were also able to spend time with two other grandchildren, Anna Grace (9) and Garrett (14), and their mom, Sonya, earlier this summer. Thank you, God, for this blessing, and being able to have all four of our children together at one time, in one place, and, hopefully, on the same page! Pictures will definitely be forthcoming!

Dave is doing good, had a thyroid biopsy today (tolerated well) and a port (chest catheter) put in last week. That went well also. Chemo will be starting on Friday. Please keep him in your prayers. Thank you.

NEXT STEP

Looks like a different chemo is the next plan of choice. Today, Dave will meet with Dr. Robyn Harrison, vascular surgeon, to set up a time to have a new port put in. This will eliminate having to poke into veins everytime he needs chemo or blood draws. That's a good thing and actually a relief. We are not sure of the day when he starts his chemo, but it sounds like it will be 5 consecutive days as an out-patient, and will be done at "The Rock". He has had his previous chemos there and they are a wonderful group of gals. Will keep you posted.

HUCKLEBERRY DAYS

As you can see, Dave is doing better. He even showed up to help me sell huckleberry lemonade downtown Whitefish for Huckleberry Days. I really think he was the attraction, not my lemonade. Oh well, whatever it takes!!! We (meaning church members) also sold huckleberry pies and other huckleberry baked goods with all proceeds going to the Whitefish United Methodist Church to pay down the mortgage. If you missed out, you will have to catch us next year!

Dave also played 9 holes of golf on Friday with the help of his best new friend "THE CART". He had a great time and said he could have golfed 18 holes!!! He's going to try again tomorrow.

We should get the PET scan results on Tues. - we are praying HARD for good news. He is feeling so much better and getting stronger despite the continuing chemo.

More Kodak Moments

AMAZING

These pictures definitely speak for themselves. We had a great time and Dave did well. We enjoyed all our company and the beautiful scenery. Thanks Gordon and Toni for all your help, and, Shelley, you make awesome buttermilk pancakes! Orland and Jan, Molly and Jeff and Sully and Stella all came and joined us Saturday evening. I was surprised with a birthday cake and I actually blew out all 48 candles (we were minus 10)!!

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)