Wednesday May 30, 2007

We had a wonderful trip to Flagstaff over Memorial Day weekend. We saw some Pueblo ruins, Sunset Crater and lots of volcanic rocks and ash which I had never seen before. It was about 20 degrees cooler there than in Phoenix so very pleasant to walk around. It was just very relaxing with no schedule for three days. The views of the mountains are very relaxing and peaceful and good for nice thoughts of healing.Joe started back on treatment yesterday with IPT. He will have Vitamin C today and then tomorrow he goes for his procedure. He will have the blood supply to the liver tumor closed off tomorrow and then Friday they will use Radio Frequency Ablation to zap the tumor and kill it hopefully. He will be in the hospital overnight Thursday and maybe Friday. The procedures will be done at 1 P.M. both days so please keep your prayers going that all goes smoothly. Don't think I told you that Friday night before we went to Flagstaff Karen came over and we went for a walk. On our way home, right by the pool we almost literally ran into four adult havalinas and two pups. We ran up the stairs to get Joe so he could see. What a treat! They didn't seem to be at all disturbed that we were there. I have seen them walk through the complex several times but never with pups. Saturday Karen saw a bobcat sitting on the stairs to the pool. Not the kind of wildlife we're used to in IL. so very exciting for us. That is about it for now. I will write as soon as the procedure is over and I can get to the computer. Love to you all and God Bless Mary Anne

May 24th, 2007 Thursday

Our flight out here was nice and easy. We did have a little problem in that we left our front door key in our door at home without even closing the door when we left. We each thought the other was the last out so at the airport Joe asked if I got the key. I didn't and we realized that the car key was on that too. The car was in Phoenix at the airport and we had visions of having to take a cab to the clinic and then staying overnight until our neighbor could fed x us the keys but being the responsible husband Joe is, he had a spare key in the glove compartment so we didn't have to alter our plans at all. You wouldn't believe how well Joe handled that stress. The alkaline diet must really be having an effect! Anyhow Monday night Joe got a fever and couldn't get warm that night. Of course I have no thermometer but Tuesday morning I went to Walgreens. He couldn't get IPT On Tuesday. His temp was 100.9 but they gave him fluids and nutrients. That was the quietest the group had ever seen him. They knew he was sick. He felt better by that evening and got his IPT yesterday. He had a little relapse last night but was OK this morning. They did blood cultures but they aren't back yet. His urine was negative. Anyway, a little blip in the road. I stayed home today while he got treatment and basically did nothing but read and sleep and laundry.
We have made plans to go to Flagstaff this weekend to enjoy the sights. I know this is a holiday weekend and Joe isn't crazy about crowds but we love this country and it would be a shame not to see it while we are here. By the way his blood levels came back to normal while we were home. He definitely looked more rested when we left home. His weight has stabilized and that is good.
For those of you who don't know yet, we had to make the decision to put Jake our maltese to sleep right before we left for home. He was too sick and I was spending more time and energy on him than Joe. It has been a big adjustment because he was part of our life for ten wonderful years but it was time. We miss him terribly but have great memories of him.
Bye for now. God Bless. Mary Anne

May 20, 2007 Sunday

We had a great second week home seeing lots of friends and attending some grandchildrens activities like baseball, play and piano recital. We feel rejuvenated and ready to go back for another 6 weeks of treatment. Easy for me to say - I'm not getting them. But Joe has accomplished all he planned on for the time home, and had many nice times sitting on the deck which is what he pictured when he was in Phoenix. Our plans are to be there 6 weeks and then to drive home stopping to see family in Colorado and then friends in St. Louis. We hope to be on the road by the 30th of June if all goes as planned. Joe's RFA is scheduled for the 31 of May and 1 of June with an overnight hospital stay. He will have his regular treatment until then and after that.
We leave early tomorrow morning so Joe can be at the clinic by 10 for treatment. Thanks so much to all our friends who made special efforts to see us and pray with us and love us while we were home. You are so special to us. We couldn't make this journey alone and your prayers and support help us to continue on and trust in God that He is watching over us and allowing us to continue to follow His plan. God Bless Mary Anne

Tuesday May 15,2007

Hi Friends,
I can't believe how busy we have been since we came home. Even with the computer in the house instead of having to go to Starbucks, I haven't kept up. We are doing fine. Joe continues to feel well with no queeziness. He had some shakiness due to the chemo but it is much better being off for a week. He has gotten his flowers planted, his fish pond going and enjoyed sitting on the deck just looking at the 18th hole and our little lake and enjoying time with family and friends. We can't get everything in in two weeks but if you know us, we are never still so we have made a good effort. We go back to Phoenix next Monday and will be there for another 6 weeks. During that time Joe will have the RFA on his main active liver tumor. I brought my vitamix home to prepare meals but we are back to more vegan than raw vegan with about 25% cooked. This seems quite tolerable for Joe. We have played some golf, some cards, spent some time with children and grandchildren and gone to our home church. Life is good and we are soaking it up. Wish we could see everyone but we will catch up when we get home for good. Love to you all and thanks so much for your continued support. God Bless Mary Anne

Friday May 4th, 2007

Today is National Day of Prayer. We are so thankful that you all are not praying just on this day. We have made the decision to come home Tuesday May 8th for two weeks. Joe was not able to have chemo this week at all due to low blood counts and we can't get the RFA scheduled for 1-2 weeks so we thought this would be a good time to come home and let his body rest. We are excited about seeing everyone and I for one plan on playing some hand and foot - and winning! We hope to get together with many of our friends and family while we are in. Meal prep will be harder because I can't bring in all my equipment but we will do the best we can. Looking forward to seeing everyone. We are leaving Jake here in the kennel. They love him and it will make it easier for us. Love to you all. Can't wait to see you. God Bless, Mary Anne

Wednesday May 2, 2007

The day we have all been waiting for. Sorry we are two hours earlier than lots of our family and friends so it is too late to call but we had appointments with the radiologist and Dr. Lodi today. The gist is -there are no new tumors. the tumors in the liver, two of them are necrotic in the middle meaning they are not very active. They didn't light up much on the Pet scan. The third one is more active and the radiologist wants to use RFA on it That is Radio Frequency Ablation where they go in through the groin like an angio and up to the tumor and zap it. It would be done in the hospital and require an overnight stay. Both docotrs feel that if we get rid of this one the immune system and the chemo will have less to work on. So our plan is to have this done as early as we can, hopefully next week and then have a couple of IPT's and then go home for two weeks. Joe's blood count is dropping from the chemo and that will give him a chance to recoup. We hope to come home around the 17th if all goes well. We will let you know when we get the RFA scheduled. We like both doctors really well and we feel this is a good decision. We will let you know more when we know. After our time home we will come back for 4-6 more weeks of treatment and go from there.
Karen moved into her condo with lots of help and it looks really nice. He cats have adjusted well and it is the same distance from work as her old place.
As always, we appreciate your calls and emails and comments on the blog. Thanks so much for all the prayers. Waiting for today was hard but nothing like last July. Take care and God Bless Mary Anne