Thank You!

Wow! What a surprise we got the other day. I have a group of girls that I have been sewing with for a couple of years. Over the past two months I have not been able to sew with them and have missed them. On Friday, I was able to spend some time with them, missed you Sophie! These girls, ages 11 and 12 put together the most beautiful quilt. Jill, one of the mom's has been having people write notes on the back. That was so special. Dwayne and I spent a good part of Friday evening reading all of your encouraging words. Thanks for loving us!

Encouragement!

Today was Dwayne's last day of radiation!

He had a check up with the radiologist and she was pleased with his progress. Then we saw the rehab doctor, Dr. Cushing. He has not seen Dwayne since he was released from the rehab unit 3 1/2 weeks ago. Dr. Cushing was very excited to see the progress he's made. He will now put in the paper work for him to start doing the day program in the rehab unit at Mission. This will be three days a week for three hours a day. Not sure how soon this will start.

We will see the UCLA doctor on July 6th. They will decide the next step in the treatment program. Would appreciate prayers for wisdom for the medical team.

Good day all around!

Father's Day

Today was a good day, kind of quiet for the most part. Jared and I did some yard work and planted some new flowers. Hopefully the rabbits won't eat these! They sure are cute, but I would rather they not use my plants for their personal diner! Nathan and his girlfriend (I think I can now call her that) Sara came over for dinner this evening.

Dwayne is doing more physically. The therapist had him walk our cul-de-sac yesterday, and he chose to do it without his cane! It is slow, but there is progress. The last radiation treatment will be on Wednesday! He will also see the rehab doctor that day too. On the 5th of July he will have a two week check up with the radiologist and the 11th will be with the local oncologist. Tomorrow I am hoping to finally connect with the UCLA doctor and get an appointment up there for the first week of July. They will make the next call as far as treatment goes.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

Good Report!

Yesterday Dwayne had two doctors appointments. One with our family doctor who had not seen him since this all started  at the end of March and the other with the oncologist.

Our family doctor was great about listening to what his needs are for now and getting the referrals in place for them. The oncologist last saw Dwayne in the hospital ten days ago. After spending about a half an hour with us and looking at the neurological aspect of things, he ask Dwayne what he thought. Dwayne told him that he feels like he is doing better. The doctor said that he saw an improvement with his speech and balance. That was an encouragement! The plan right now is after radiation finishes, should be June 22nd, he will see the UCLA doctors again. They will make decisions on the next steps. After both appointments, in which Dwayne walked in to only using his cane, we went out for dinner. Was a nice way to end a good afternoon.

Please continue the prayers!

Progerss

Over all it has been a good week. My brother, Tim came down from Burbank for a few days to help out. Sure appreciate him! Dwayne continues with the radiation. He has now had 12 treatments. I think at this point the radiologist is staying with her original plan of 25 treatments. If so, then he is halfway done. We are praying that the radiation completely does away with all the lesions. He is very tired and his hair is coming out by the handfuls. Finding that the lint roller comes in handy!

Thank you again for all your prayers and practical help. Thanks Bob for helping with the transportation to radiation, that has helped so much.

Home!

After 10 days in the rehab unit, Dwayne will come home today! He is more stable and stronger than a couple of weeks ago. His speech seems to be a little better too.  He has now had eight radiation treatments and those will continue for the next four weeks. We are encouraged by the progress.

Thanks again so much for the prayers, encouragement and practical help. We are truely blessed.

Eight Weeks

Today marks eight weeks since we began this adventure. It has been a wild ride at times! We thought we were in a routine for the next two months, until that changed this week. It is interesting that this year the Bible study I was in, we went through the book of James. About two weeks before Dwayne was diagnosed, we studied the passage from James chapter 4, that says in verse 14 "yet you don't know what tomorrow will bring". I tend to be a planner, I like a routine and not real big on changes. There have been many times that passage has come back to me over the past couple of months. But as a friend reminded me this week of Psalm 91, in verses 1-6 tells us that God is our refuge and fortress. It was a good reminder that He is our strength in this, even when it seems way too big to us.