Follow-up appt. at Hopkins today

It's been 2 weeks since the final chemo treatment, and today Mom had a follow-up appointment with Ann Marie and Dr. G.
*It was discussed when Mom will have her port removed which will probably be sometime in July.
*Mom has had some swelling in her feet caused by fluid retention, and there is some therapy for that. They said for now, massaging of her feet will help along with walking short distances.
*Dr. G. ordered a sonogram, and that will be done at Beebe.

In other news, Lisa's family (and I) will be visiting Mom and Dad next Monday (July 6-9) so we're all looking forward to that family time together. I'll be sure to post some pics! I'm sure Ali will be our little photographer again and get lots of great shots!

That's about it...except for one last thing...can you guess what Dad fixed for dinner tonight? It had been quite a while since he fixed his Shepherd's Pie....and he does an EXCELLENT job too...it's quite yummy!

Happy Father's Day!

You've always watched over me, and helped me out,
You truly are the best father, without a doubt.
So today is your day, and I am proud,
You are my father, and I'll say it loud,
You raised me well, I've got to say,
Dad, I Love You, Happy Father's Day!
~Author Unknown


The song below was the song my dad and I danced to on my wedding day nearly 8 yrs. ago!



Father's Love by Bob Carlisle

Three feet tall and full of questions
You must have thought I was the smartest man alive
I didn't always have the answers
To every little how and where and why

Like Daddy, why's the sky so blue today?
Does Jesus really hear me when I pray?
When I grow up, will I be just like you?
Will I be tall and strong and brave?

CHORUS(1):
There is no power on earth like your fathers' love
So big and so strong as your father's love
A promise that's sacred, a promise from heaven above
No matter where you go... always know
You can depend on your father's love

Especially when it's cold, especially when you're lonely
When your little heart is lost trying to find it's way
I know the world is always changing
But, remember that some things never change

And even when my life on earth is through
There will still be a part of me in you
'Cause some things are forever
Nothing's ever gonna take my love from you

CHORUS(2):
There is no power on earth like your father's love
So big and so strong as your father's love
A promise that's sacred, a promise from heaven above
Did I hug enough, did I care enough
When you most needed me, Was I there enough
Enough to make you feel the power of Your father's love

Plugging on!

Mom continues to do well...she was told it would take about a month for her to feel more normal and for all the side effects to go away so she's being patient. She looks forward to her digestion being back to normal, getting her taste buds back, feeling more energy, and taking less medications.

This past week, Mom was called and asked to do the scripture reading at church on Sunday, and she said "yes" so she and Dad will have the opportunity to stand together and read from God's Word which is so full of His promises to us. This Sunday is special for that reason and also because it is Father's Day....and because it the FIRST Sunday service back in the main sanctuary (mold now removed)...and because the area bishop will be in attendance!

School is out now which means I'm able to visit Mom and Dad during the week now, and Dad has a break from his school bus route but is staying plenty busy with his lawnmowing (especially with ALL the rain we've been having). On Thursday night, we enjoyed our annual crab feast....we decided to try the new Old Mill Crabhouse (at an old Dough Roller location).

So Much in Love

Know that song by the Tymes? If not, click the video below to hear it! This song was sung to Mom and Dad this past week by one of the security guards at Hopkins when he saw them holding hands. The guard continued to sing even after Mom and stepped into the elevator!

In the elevator, there were 2 women, and one woman said, "I'm hatin' you!" when she saw Mom and Dad holding hands. Then she clarified and said, "you might not know that lingo so what I meant is "I'm jealous"!" HA!

On Tuesday, Mom fixed a meal and had friends over for dinner. Wednesday was her treatment, and then she had more energy on Thurs. and Fri. so she fixed some white chicken chili and her chocolate pie dessert. Mom can't really taste the dishes she makes, and we're hoping it doesn't take long for her taste buds to return after her last chemo. treatment so she can enjoy food again.

Two weeks from the last treatment is when Mom will go back to see Dr. G and find out how she will be monitored over the next months.

*CORRECTION* - ONE More Treatment to Go!!!!

Today, Mom and Dad met with a doctor on Dr. Giuntoli's team who shared with them that Mom actually only needs 7 cycles of chemo so.....next Wednesday is her LAST treatment!!!! It was Dr. G's assistant who thought Mom would need the full 9 cycles, and we're so glad she was incorrect!

CT scan results

Mom was able to get the results of the CT scan today over the phone instead of waiting until tomorrow when they meet with the doctor. The scan appeared the same as it did before the chemo so that is good. There is a nodule on the lung which was there before (but it also hasn't changed), and there doesn't seem to be concern about it.

Tomorrow, Mom starts the 7th cycle of treatment, and it has been determined she will have the full 9 cycle treatment (which means 6 more treatments including tomorrow). So we thank God for the positive report from the scan but also ask Him for continued strength and endurance for Mom. She is such a trooper...ideally, she would choose 6 cycles over 9 cycles, but she is remaining positive and knows she's in the best hands (of the staff at Hopkins and more importantly, the hands of our Creator who knows us inside and out). I was just rereading today an e-mail update I'd sent out after Mom's surgery that included a long list of so many little details that God used to show us He was "upholding us with His righteous right hand".

Thanks to everyone for your prayers, love, and support! So many of you have been such a blessing to Mom and Dad in so many different ways!

In pastures green? Not always, sometimes He
who knowest best, in kindness leadeth me
In weary ways, where heavy shadows be.

So, whether on the hilltops high and fair
I dwell, or in the sunless valleys, where
The shadows lie, what matter? He is there.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
His love endures forever.
Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord
or fully declare His praise?
Psalm 106:1-2

(Lyrics from the song If You Say Go)
If you say step out on the water and they say it can’t be done
We’ll fix our eyes on you and we will come
Your ways are higher than our ways
And the plans that You have laid are good and true
If You call us to the fire, You will not withdraw Your hand
We’ll gaze into the flames and look for You