Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Still here, resting

There are 5 ladies in my kitchen cooking for tomorrow night.  Hard to even make a sandwich.  I have a coupon for Subway, think I may make a run out there.

Feeling good, see the Oncologist Friday and chemo afterwards.  All is good.

Thanks for your continued prayers, God Bless, Captain

Monday, November 28, 2011

Christmas Decorations

Just a few things left to do, but this was done since Friday morning, and around Cookie Day, til last night.

2 pictures of Kitchen window sill, have 3 windows same, a friend made these gingerbread people.


Next one is from the front door looking straight into the house, down the left side of room, Library table is filled with Santa's and notice greenery over the side door, antique mantel in background with the Angel's deco.

Next is pretty much standing in the same position looking at the Christmas tree down the right side of the room ( tree not totally finished yet ) Dicken's houses on the buffet, and more greenery around the double doorway.

Next is still standing and looking to the right into the Living area, with the edge of tree on the left, the entertainment center and the working fireplace.

This one is a closer pic of the top of the entertainment center, with Santa in his sled taking off over the corner, and trees with snow, snowmen and a couple of houses.  Notice the stockings hanging from the greenery.

 This is the Fireplace mantel, with decor, more stockings.


This is a corner cabinet to the right of the front door with primarily snowmen.

You might be saying why do this in one week end????  The babe hosts around 22 women from her Home Ec club this Thursday night for dinner at the house, and of course it all has to be done by then.  Those are my orders, nothing before Thanksgiving and done in one week.

Enjoy, I'm going to have another cookie and rest.  God Bless, Captain

Ps, remember you can click on any picture and enlarge for detail.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Really Tired Last night

My hour outside took 4 hours at least.  The greenery around the porch railing had way too many lights and sections of lights that were out.  Of course I installed it then flipped the switch and saw the problem.  I looked around the house because I thought we had some new lights here, but not to be found.  So I started removing the old lights from the greenery.  Ran to Wal-Mart and yes they did have lights.

I had no idea how many lights were used before, so I bought 10 boxes of 100 light sets, I wasn't going to make another trip.  Luckily, it was a warm day for Indiana.  Then spent another hour placing the new lights into the previously installed greenery.  Walla, it worked, by now it was around 3 PM, felt like 6 PM.

The ladies were done with their cookie baking and were collecting their stuff to leave.  But the cookies and chocolate covered pretzels were really good as I walked past the table full of sweet stuff to eat.  Pause...............  I had to actually get up and leave my chair to get some of my favorite cancer fighting supplements.  1 Santa iced cookie, 1 Bell iced cookie, 1 chocolate chip cookie, 1 Mexican wedding cake, and 3 small chocolate pretzels.  While drinking green tea...lol  mb a small milk chaser in a minute.  I just remembered the caramel covered haystacks, I can't find any.  Dang, it.

So anyways, the outside is done.  Now to resume the inside.  The greenery over 3 doors was already done on Friday ( no lights ).  Now to do greenery in the windows with lights.  Greenery hanging from the fireplace mantle, greenery on top of the entertainment center along with creative decorations, all with lights.  Have to get the fresh Christmas tree out of the back of the Explorer and get it set up.  It was harvested on Friday when the temp. was 58 degrees.  Get it lit and the babe will take over placing ornaments, etc. on the tree.  Then babe will place the Snowman collection, and the Santa collection.  She did the kitchen last night while I was napping while watching Alabama put a whupping on Auburn.  The kitchen has a Gingerbread theme.  I will try to post some pictures, we love this time of the year.  Our house looks like you've walked into a very nice country store, not the local Dollar store.  I forgot the Manger, the small Dickens village on the buffet ( her favorite Holiday movie ), the Angels over the other fireplace mantle.  Guess we better get to work, it all has to be done by Weds.

Just got that glass of milk, and need to get on with the decorating and somewhat more of a healthy breakfast.

Luv you all, God Bless you this Holiday season, and Be Safe, Captain

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Saturday AM After Turkey Day

I'm doing fine, don't worry about me.  I ate so much on Thursday that my fat belly kept me from reaching the keyboard thus keeping from doing any updates.......lol.  Just kidding, actually weight is lower than last Sunday when I had gained the 5 pounds. 

The babe and I had everything ready and the guests ( family ) started arriving.  My loving daughter showed up with her husband and the grand kids, bringing stuffed olives for all to eat.  She helped out a lot even washing dishes afterwards.  I have to say that cause after her last visit she whined about me not saying she helped with anything.  My blog was all about her husband and the grand kids, like she just sat on her hiney and watched TV or something.  So there you go darling, I told them how you helped, some cooking, some cleaning up, and in general a loving, caring and HELPful daughter.

We had 20 people here for turkey and ham, corn, barbecue green beans, sweet potato casserole, 2 types of dressing, mashed potatoes, a vegetable casserole, cole slaw, strawberry pretzel salad, a green foam salad, home made yeast rolls, cranberry sauce, and 2 pumpkin pies, a pecan pie and pumpkin praline cake.  I think that was enough, as the leftovers are just as good.

As I speak now, the female members of the family are showing up to make Christmas cookies.  My grandmother P used to make cookies for us all during the holidays and when she passed on they thought they should keep up the tradition.  Today is the day on my house.  So I will be snacking soon on fresh cookies.

The decorations are going up, weather today in the 50's so I will get the outside done, probably take around 1 hour, so not a lot to me done.  We decorate with taste, not 15 blow up animals, a Colt's snowman, etc.  More of that country look, greenery and lights on the porch railing, greenery over the door.  Done. Oh, a few bows placed around.

Got to go.  Thanks to all, and God Bless, Captain

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Thanksgiving Thoughts

WHAT HAPPENS IN HEAVEN WHEN WE PRAY? 



I dream't that I went to Heaven and an angel was showing me around. We walked side-by-side inside a large workroom filled with angels. My angel guide stopped in front of the first section and said, "This is the Receiving Section. Here, all petitions to God said in prayer are received."

I looked around in this area, and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets and scraps from people all over the world.

Then we moved on down a long corridor until we reached the second section.
 

The angel then said to me, "This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are processed and delivered to the living persons who asked for them." I noticed again how busy it was there. There were many angels working hard at that station, since so many blessings had been requested and were being packaged for delivery to Earth.
 

Finally at the farthest end of the long corridor we stopped at the door of a very small station. To my great surprise, only one angel was seated there, idly doing nothing. "This is the Acknowledgment Section," my angel friend quietly admitted to me. He seemed embarrassed.
"How is it that there is no work going on here?" I asked.

"So sad," the angel sighed. "After people receive the blessings that they asked for, very few send back acknowledgments."

"How does one acknowledge God's blessings? "I asked.

"Simple," the angel answered. Just say, "Thank you, Lord."

"What blessings should they acknowledge?" I asked.

"If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of this world.
 If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy, and if you get this on your own computer, you are part of the 1% in the world who has that opportunity."

"If you woke up this morning with more health than illness.. You are more blessed than the many who will not even survive this day."

"If you have
 never experienced the fear in battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation... You are ahead of 700 million people in the world." 

"If you can attend a church without the fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death you are envied by, and more blessed than, three billion people in the world."

"If you can hold your head up and smile, you are not the norm, you're unique to all those in doubt and despair......."

"Ok," I said. "What now? How can I start?"

The Angel said, "If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you as very special and you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all."

Have a good day, count your blessings, and if you care to, pass this along to remind everyone else how blessed we all are..........

ATTN: Acknowledge Dept. 

"Thank you Lord, for giving me the ability to share this message and for giving me so many wonderful people with whom to share it."



Have a Great Thanksgiving, we each have lots to be Thankful for; I'm especially thankful for each and every one of you.


God Bless you all, Captain

Monday, November 21, 2011

Doin' Fine

Needed to give you something to think about as I haven't written in a few days.  I'm fine and dandy, no side effects that I know of anyways.  Gained 5 lbs since weighing in for chemo on Friday to Sunday morning, what's up with that?  So the appetite must be there.  Now must curb it for the meal coming up on Thursday.

The babe has been cleaning like crazy in the kitchen, everything just sparkles and I hate to get anything out of the cabinets.  All the silverware has been cleaned, some drawers emptied and redone.  I can't find the ibuprofen in the middle of the night, what's up with that?  We are expecting 20 family members to show up for the Thanksgiving meal.  And we eat at one time, not showing up at different times.  We sit down and eat together.  This year will be special as my only Uncle in the world is flying in from Biloxi, MS to join us.  He is a young 88, but a little unsteady on his feet at times, so we are praying for a safe flight and an uneventful one.

It will be a fun time to get together and time to reminisce for sure.  ( sure glad most words show up on spell check )  Then Friday it's turn the house into Christmas, as I'm not allowed to do any decorating until after the turkey day, even if it's 65 outside on Weds.  But it's supposed to in the 50's over the weekend.

So there you have an update, I'm sure we'll talk again before the big day.

God Bless you all, Captain

Friday, November 18, 2011

Hooked up at chemo

Started late today, 11:30. It takes me awhile, I decided since I work til 4 am, why do you schedule your chemo for 9 am, duh????? Now I got this down.

Blood work was good. Platelets were 211, alk phos still 105, normal is 25 to 125 in case you forgot. So all is good, praying for continued healing.

Just thinking today about healing and attitude. I have chemo scheduled for 12/30 and we should bring in party hats and horns for New Years eve. FUN AND ALL. Then I said " are we not taking this seriously? " , I mean we're dealing with cancer here. But then I said "maybe that's why we're having some success, because the cancer knows we're not scared of it." Just wondering.

Well, probably about another 20 mins and we're out of here for 2 weeks.

Thanks for your listening ears and your shoulders to lean on. God Bless, Captain

Thursday, November 17, 2011

You Will Shed Tears Today

I'm so sorry, but this brought tears to my eyes last year when I used it in a lesson with my high school youth at church, b4 I had cancer.

I'm crying now as I remembered it and am posting it for you all.  I know it will touch you, but also mean a lot to you.

Never Give Up

Thanks for being there for me to lean on, God Bless, Captain

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Stork Fighting on My Roof

I've been away for a few days trying to intelligently comprehend what I saw on my roof the other day, and what I had to do afterwards.

You'll be glad to know that I walked to the Post Office yesterday, the rain was over, still kind of balmy and I got some exercise, yeh............  Well as I was within 1 block of our house I noticed this large bird flying overhead, kind of like circling the area.  I was a little confused, first by the size of the bird, and second what was that hanging from it's beak.  First thing I thought of was some large bird migrating south for the winter and trying to eat it's prey while flying.  But no it just kept circling the block, and I soon lost track of it, because I was watching traffic.

As I approached my house I happened to glance up at the roof and there was the bird standing beside my chimney, still with that thing in it's mouth.  I looked around for something to throw in that direction in an effort to chase it away.  I found some sticks on the ground that had been dislodged from the trees during the recent storms and picked up a few.  Finally when I got the throwing range dialed in I started hiting the chimney and the roof in the area of that bird.  It would not leave the roof.  It would fly above the chimney to a height of about 15 to 20 feet and then return.  I then noticed that the thing in it's mouth was not some prey, but a blue cloth hanging there with some type of a bundle inside the cloth.

Now I was getting worried.  I got out the ladder, because I was going to have to climb up on the roof and shew it away, or find out what the heck was going on.  You know how that goes, first I had to clean up part of the garage to get the ladder out of there.  Then get it set up against a lower part of the roof so I could actually climb up on the roof.  As I got up there and got closer to the bird I finally noticed that it was a stork, and of course it couldn't be bringing anything to this house.  I mean What the HEY!!!!

The stork was by now somewhat agitated and wary of me, but I was able to talk calmly and it seemed to make a difference in the storks demeanor.  As I slowly worked my way closer to the stork, I noticed a small piece of paper attached to the side of the cloth pouch.  I finally got close enough to read the letters that were on the paper, and it was for an address 4 blocks south of me and 2 blocks west.  HOLY COW was I getting the heebie jeebies until then.  I told the stork to turn in her old GPS and get a new one and sent her on her way......................  The end.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, did I have you going for awhile.....

Of course I made that all up, well, I did really walk to the Post Office.  I'm doing great and haven't had anything to post so I had to let you know I'm still here and doing fine.  I'm still trying to figure out if I can make it has a writer when I can't do anything else.  Still have a sense of humor, have a nice day.

God Bless, Captain 

PS, The Dr. said we are moving in the right direction, keep doing what we're doing.  So keep the prayers and thought coming when you get a chance.  And I thank you and my family thanks you.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Now...The real story

Sorry it took me awhile to get my thoughts together, but here it goes.  As you know the CT scans reviled tumor shrinkage, the right side of my liver had what they call satellite tumors ( small tumors, maybe the size of big marbles ) when we started down this journey.  They can not be seen on the current scan, but that does not mean they are gone, just that the technology doesn't show them.  They most likely are still there even the size of the head of ball point pen.  The left lobe still showed a tumor, but much smaller than the original one.  We looked at both scans, the one taken in June and the one taken on 11/9.  I told him I was from the Show me state of Missouri.  So the chemo is working, but I still have cancer and probably always will.  But as I stated in the quick update, in only 40% of this type of cancer does the chemo even work.  So I guess we have bought more time on this earth.  Perhaps something new will be discovered to treat this cancer.

Also my blood work is good and the liver is functioning properly and we're talking about the Chemo pump again.  The Oncologist and the Surgeon are going to put there heads together and discuss options.  Including the one that says..."this seems to be working fine why change it?"  If we go for the pump it would be after the first of the year.  We're talking about a 4 hour operation, 6-8 weeks of recovery. 2 incisions would be made in my abdomen, and a 4 oz. pump would be placed in the left side and then connected via a tube to the liver.  Basically I would have port, the size of a hockey puck, that they would fill with chemo that would last 2 weeks.  Then that would be pumped for that 2 week period directly into the liver.  Then a visit to IU for removal of leftover chemo fluid and put new in.  The chemo would have no affect on my body, because we are only killing stuff in the liver, and not over the entire body like is being done presently.

And or course in some people the pumps works great others, just so,so.  So can they provide any evidence of the success rate for all this pain and recovery?

But that is in the future, today is today.  I'm feeling fine and dandy.  Going to watch the Colts till they fall behind 14 to nothing, then see what else is on TV.

Thanks for all your prayers and thoughts, we don't know God's timetable for answering prayers, he also talks of patience.

God bless, Captain

Friday, November 11, 2011

quick update

Very, very good news. Tumor is shrinking. Only 40% using chemo on this cancer see results. And my tumor is shrinking. Open to other options in the future. Alk phos down to 105. More later.

God is good, Captain

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Scan was fine, results tomorrow

Scan part was a no brainer, I just had to lay there and let the machine do all the work, and watch the insurance pay out another $ 3000.  Thank Goodness for insurance, or I'd be on the streets by now.  The contrast part is always crazy, as you feel a hot flush from your head to your toes.

I'm optimistic about the results.  When we started this journey I could take my fingers and run them vertically on my abdomen right under my right rib cage and most definitely feel a hardness and a lump to that area.  At this time it is mostly gone, I don't want to say gone, but mostly gone.  It is soft again, the abdomen compresses as I run my fingers and hand in the area.  Most of the tenderness is gone, I can eat again without 3 hours of discomfort.

So yes, I'm expecting good news, NOT that the cancer is gone, but that the liver is not swollen like it was.  Of course this also means, I'm setting myself up for some possible bad news just to knock me down from the top of this roller coaster ride.  I choose to think positively and take the other when it occurs.

Will be letting you all know ASAP.  Maybe around 11AM will be posting.

Thanks for your continued prayers, let's not forget others,  God Bless, Captain

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

I asked for strength

                                         I asked for strength.
                     God gave me difficulties to make me strong.
                                         I asked for wisdom.
                              God gave me problems to solve.
                                        I asked for prosperity.
                         God gave me brawn and brain to work.
                                         I asked for courage.
                           God gave me dangers to overcome.
                                         I asked for patience.
            God placed me in situations where I was forced to wait.
                                         I asked for love.
                     God gave me troubled people to help.
                                         I asked for favors.
                               God gave me opportunities.
                               I received nothing I wanted.
                             I received everything I needed.
         
                       Today is the first day of the rest of your life!

With acknowledgement and thanks to Lainey on my cancer support group page.

I don't need to say more, God Bless, Captain

Monday, November 7, 2011

Picture of Pants

I have mentioned on here a long time ago about taking all of you with me for support when I go to the oncologist or any other cancer treatment.  But I have never told you or shown a picture, so I thought it was about time.

I came up with the idea to wear a pair of light colored pants ( purchased at Goodwill ) with my family, friends and prayer partners signing them.  That way you all are going with me every time to remind of your love and prayers.  I have 2 pairs that I have decided never to wash as they may start fading.

By wearing these I also have the opportunity to witness for our healing God and Father, because people ask about them, and I get the chance to explain the reason behind the signatures.  People have been touched ( have no idea how much ) and very supportive of the idea.

So here is 1 pair front and back.

OH, these were taken on the Friday before Halloween, so I had on my skeleton shirt, it was pretty easy to show the Dr. where I was hurting...........lol

Just wanted to share that you mean a lot to me and the babe.

Thanks for your prayers and positive thoughts, Captain

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Sunday after local trip

We went to northern Indiana to see the Sand Hill Cranes migration ( they land and rest ) as they head south to FL and GA for the winter.  These are 5 ft tall, long necked cranes very beautiful.  The dept of natural resources has set up a viewing stand to observe and it is something as hundreds come in to land and feed on the open fields.  There were also 30-40 deer grazing in the field.  Very nice day, but I was tired.

A picture is worth a thousand words


I had this one sitting on a railing so I could rest for a minute.  She loves to be carried on the shoulders, piggyback or in my arms.  I told her she needed to loose about 50 lbs.  She only weighs 45, so I was pretty rough on her.

This is the little one, now 3, with dad, coming down the steps from the observation tower.

Have a great week end. CT scan on Weds.

Thanks for all you do, God Bless, Captain

Thursday, November 3, 2011

All is well

Just a rougher week end, but we're cool.  Got the leaves picked up, the grass mowed and the babe is starting to clean the kitchen for Thanksgiving.  Now I know that didn't sound so good, but I mean she cleans. 

Last night she got all new venicion blinds,( now that's a hard word to spell )  on the box they call them Mini vinyl blinds. Washed the windows inside and out and put it all back together.  That's part 1.

Anyways, things are progressing, didn't want to leave you in the dark.

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers, God Bless, Captain

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

After the week end

Maybe I lied a little about all is good.  The week end was more uncomfortable than I thought while living through it.  Nothing big, just constipation, aches, esophagus acting up, didn't feel like eating, I guess because of all that.  Guess I didn't recognize it until Monday when I started to feel much better.  Oh well, it's a up and down ride I'm on here.

This is the schedule for those who want to know.  No chemo Friday, I'm off, then another CT scan on Weds the 9th of November to gauge the progress.  I will get the results of the scan on Friday the 11th while meeting with the oncologist, then Chemo after that, and I'm sure back on the same schedule, 2 Fridays of chemo with 1 off.

Today I moved the leaves out to the street again and then mowed the grass hopefully for the last time this fall.  I hear the town leaf sucker upper coming down the street so maybe they will be gone yet today.  Never fear, there are move leaves on the trees so that project is not done.

My babe's sister had her knee replacement surgery yesterday and so far so good.  They completed the job and she was in recovery.  I assume she is now in her room.  Then probably around Thurs or Fri she will go to rehab for 3 weeks before returning home.

Thanks for all your prayers for her, me and others in need of God's healing hand.  God Bless, Captain