Lots to be thankful for!

 Where did November go? We had company the last two weeks of the month and it was wonderful to have such good visits.

Our niece Katie, her husband Carl and their youngest son Athan were here for a few days. Katie grew up here and wanted to come back to the area for her 30th birthday.

Kerri, Tim and I

My sister Kerri was here for a three days. Our brother came down from Burbank for the one of the days. It isn't often that we all are in the same place at the same time.

Jared was home for the week at Thanksgiving. Was good to see him. He went back to school and will be home again the second week of December. Then his final semester!

Thanksgiving was celebrated with my brother and his family. Dwayne carved the turkey!

Nathan brought a furry guest. His new cat 'Mister'. He finally came out from behind the couch and decided that we were ok.


Friday brought an unexpected, but very welcomed visit from Susan and Paul Munsey. Susan and I have been friends since we were 14. ( I won't tell you how long ago that was!) We even got in some beach time! It was a beautiful day.

Susan and I

Dwayne and I

Dwayne also had a round of chemo during this week. This time went very well. The chemo will continue for awhile longer. The doctor has not given an end date yet.

Nathan or Tim had everyone laughing

Even on chemo, he enjoyed his traditional sour cream chocolate cake! 

Sunday the 27th. we had a few friends over to celebrate Dwayne's birthday. Was a great way to end November! We have been so blessed by family and friends this year.

Not to sure what to say.....

Thank you, God! Wow! Amazing.......not enough adjectives!

This has been a roller coaster week. We had not heard any results the past two days, and agreed last night that we would call today. Found out this morning that meant ME calling the oncologist. Was hesitant to do it, but wanted an answer. 

Called about 11 and left a message. We have our niece Katie, her husband Carl and their 10 month old son visiting us this weekend from Chicago. We walked the beach trail later this morning and were on the San Clemente Pier around 11:45 when my phone rang. It was a blocked number and I was a bit apprehensive to answer it in public. But did, the sun had just come out from the fog and as I looked out over the waves, Dr. Cheng's nurse said "All the lesions are GONE! The MRI was clear". I had her repeat it, just to make sure I heard it correctly. She said it again!  I just stood there and cried! Katie said when I got off the phone, "you said all clear didn't you?" We had a great group hug on the pier!

Tuesday we will see Dr. Cheng and find out what the next step is in this journey. 

Again thank you for all your prayers and support! That just seems inadequate!!!!

Big Week Coming Up!

Well, Dwayne's last round of chemo went well. Not too many side effects after the first night. Makes a difference when the anti-nausea meds are taken! We are still waiting on one more signature for the new rehab, it is not moving very quickly. Going to push again tomorrow and see if I can get things moving.

Tuesday afternoon he will have his next MRI. It has been three months since the last one was done. Our prayers are that the chemo has taken out the last three lesions.

On Thursday we are looking forward to a visit from our niece and her husband from Chicago. They will be with us for four days.

As always, we are grateful for all of you in our lives.

October Update

We are in our new 'normal' and have developed a routine. I am teaching in the mornings and usually home by 1pm. Dwayne is doing things around the house,  kitchen cleanup, vacuuming, watering the plants, etc. That is a big help. In the afternoons we try to walk at least a mile, either on the beach trail or in the neighborhood.

 Yesterday, Dwayne was evaluated by a new rehab center. The physical and speech therapists had him go through their testing. He did well with the physical therapy and after going over the notes from his last PT, she was encouraged that after a month of no therapy he had not lost any ground. She will be working on strength and balance. His endurance is much better. We went to Sea World this past Saturday and he did the day without using the wheelchair!  Speech is still the area that needs the most work. Short term recall and aphasia are still a challenge.

Today he began his third round of chemo. This will go on for five days. The week of November 7th he will have the next MRI. We are praying that the last three spots are gone!

Thank you for being an important part of our lives.

English Translation, Please!

This was too funny not to share. Dwayne has been doing much better with his word finding, but there are still some he just can't find what he needs.

We have been trying to walk the beach trail near our house as often as possible. Sometimes going about two miles in about an hour and a half. A couple of weeks ago, we had finished the walk and because it was very humid that evening, decided to stop for frozen yogurt.  Dwayne was tired and didn't want to go in, so I asked him what he wanted. He told me vanilla, then I asked if he wanted something on it. He said he did, but could not remember the word. So, I went back to the stragity that the first speech therapist, Mary Beth, had said to use,"yes/no" questions. This usually works pretty well, and has taken out some of the frustration at times trying to communicate. So, I began with did he want fruit-"no", nuts-"no', chocolate chips-"yes, but with the feet and limbs attached". That one really threw me. Wasn't sure what to do with it. He still could not get the word out he wanted, and finally told me that I would figure it out. I was not as confidant. So, I went in and started looking at the toppings. Came out with 'cookie dough' on the top. He said he knew I would get it. Sometimes you just have to laugh!

Someone have an English/Aphasia dictionary I can borrow?

Sun setting over Catalina, from the beach trail.

Six Months!

Dwayne's new look!

Alice, Esther, and Barb
Three of the best friends you could ever hope for!
Happy Birthday to us.

It does not seem possible that we began this adventure six months ago today. At times it has gone very quickly, others times, it feels like we have be at it much longer.

 Well, we have made it through the first three weeks of the school year, and seem to have settled into a pretty good routine. The mornings that Dwayne has therapy, I drop him off at the hospital and then pick him up on my way home. He will be finishing his two months of rehab on Thursday and just doing speech a couple times a week. He will have his second round of chemo this week. Tomorrow in the doctor's office and then the five days of the at-home drug.

We finally did the head shaving last week. He never lost it all, but had places that were 3" long and spots with nothing. Kind of had the doc look from Back to the Future! It is returning, about a quarter of an inch long, and very blond. I guess we will see if blonds have more fun!

Last Friday, we helped in the surprise 50th birthday for Esther.  Since three of us have birthdays in the same week, it was easy to convince her that we were going out to dinner for our birthdays. She was not even suspicious. Fun evening and great friends.

Catching up!

Did August go quickly or what??

Tomorrow is back to school for me, just seems like last year ended. A few changes for me this year, I will be having a team teacher and I am very excited for that. I have known Shannon for a number of years and we will work together well.

Dwayne has made a lot of progress this month. He has now been in rehab for a month and they keep raising the bar on what they expect of him. They want to extend his therapy for another month. We are waiting on what insurance says on that.  During the past week, Dwayne and I have walked the local beach trail near our home four times! We have done about two miles, each time a little faster. This is such great progress, considering he needed a cane to get around the house just two months ago! His stamina is improving every week.

Sea World

The week before Jared went back to school, the three of us spent a day at Sea World. Longest outing he has done in six months. It was great! Slow paced enough for Dwayne and we always enjoy the animals. Dwayne used the wheelchair for the most part, but also walked in some of the less crowded areas.  Jared and I took turns pushing! It is hillier than you think there!

The weekend of August 20th, my cousin Diana and I took Jared back to Monterey. Hard to believe this is his senior year! We helped get Jared settled and then spent Sunday exploring Monterey. What a beautiful place. We stayed at Asilomar and it is so peaceful and a nice walk across the street to the beach. It was a good trip. Nathan came and stayed at the house with Dwayne.

Sea World-August 2011

Watching the dolphins

Jared back at UCS Monterey

Dwayne and I after the first time we walked the beach trail

The beach across the street from Asilomar.
Beautiful!

Dwayne began his new chemo last week. The first one was given in the doctor's office and it divided into two days. They want to make sure he will not have any major reactions. He did great. The second drug he took at home for five nights before bed. That one is unsettling his stomach some. He was given some anti-nausea that seems to be helping.