Daily Developments

I have not been able to maintain the daily aspect of the blog in addressing daily developments around here. Nothing major really: I have managed to develop a case of tennis elbow and Gary has had a round of nauseau. The hospice nurse has been to the house three days this week and I had to call the night nurse yesterday.

Gary is free of pain, but he complains of being confused. He is growing weaker and his feet have begun to swell. We're trying to use oxygen more often, but he will take off the mask in his sleep. It is becoming more evident that the disease is winning despite Gary's continued valiant efforts.

He makes such an effort to visit, today with his mom, Scott, Terry, and cousin Sheryl Ann. Tomorrow we expect Sandra and RJ, Ryan and Brent, and Bob. I know Gary appreciates everyone.

Gratefully,
Robbi

Lengthy Days

Because the meds have Gary sleeping a great deal, I am facing some quiet days. Fortunately, I have some good books, chores to do, and phone calls to/from you all. Unfortunately, Gary seems to me to be weaker each day and his appetite is not improving. Please know also that we tend to go to bed rather early. It takes him a while to get comfortable, and it takes me a while to get to sleep.

We had a great visit with Frank and David this morning. Gary slept through parts of it, but sometimes he just came up with a usually amusing comment that was pertinent to the conversation. It's like he's partially attentive. I guess he's making an effort. David had a truly nice print that includes seven pictures of the engineer group's work in Afghanistan that I can't wait to share with my students! I don't think I'll hang it at school with the poster of Saddam Hussein that Mark gave me unless they decide to let me teach Social Studies for a while!

Everyone around us is being thoughtful and supportive in so many ways. It does seem that I am having more difficulty focusing on tasks. Please know that we are grateful for every kindness, even if I neglect to personally express that. Life around here is just not normal, and I am sure it will take quite a while to find a new normal if there is truly any such thing.

Love to all,
Robbi

Little Things

Family members in the Houston area say they're appreciating little things. I really hope that everyone can learn that lesson without having to clean up after a hurricane or spend days without electricity. It truly is the little things like family, friends, sunshine or rain, or maybe a cool breeze that can bring joy. Take time to enjoy the little things.

All our children were here today, except Jennifer and we missed her. Jeremy and Rachel spent most of the day. It was nice of Rachel to go to the grocery store with me. Isabella put on a show while Mark slept on the floor again. (He's finally finished hurricane duty and will be resting at home on leave soon! She's talking in complete sentences, and many of them sound like orders. I'm obeying!) It rained all afternoon, but we thoroughly enjoyed the visit.

It was great to see Ron, Larry, and Ray today also. Sorry, I slipped out on you, but we did need the groceries. Hope you got home safely. Again, that's not an easy drive. Same to Ike and Sue who came yesterday. We are grateful and sure blessed to have such caring friends.

The days are a little more unpredictable as Gary is taking breakthrough pain meds a little more often. He still stays comfortable most of the time, but is sleeping more.

Thanks again for the visits, calls, and cards.
Love to all,
Robbi

Happy Birthday

Today is Gary's 54th birthday. It's been nice although he slept through much of it. He was able to eat at all three meals for the first time in a week. He visited with SGM Honeycutt and the chaplain from the hospice. There were numerous calls and a couple of cards, one special one signed "Isabella and Baby". There's nothing like grandchildren! Baby's will be the next day of birth that we celebrate! Only then will we know if it's granddaughter or grandson!!

Special thanks to Frank and the soldier who drove Gary's tractor (Sorry, I've forgotten your name). They mowed and trimmed the yard today and it looks fabulous. The rains from Gustav and Ike have left the grass green and pretty. The sore muscles from picking up have almost healed!

Glad to hear from Karen and Keith. Do you guys camp?? That's what we did after Katrina: camp and clean up! Sure glad you don't have damage.

Thanks for checking on us. We love you all,
Robbi

Blessings

This is an incredible time to be able to count our blessings, most of which are all of you, and morphene! I don't know if it's the disease or the meds that is causing Gary to sleep a great deal, but most of his awake moments are peaceful. Ocassionally he takes a coughing spell that sounds like he will surely choke or puke, but they pass without the afore mentioned unpleasantries. He is incredibly weak, but still doing all of his care, except the pick lines that I've been doing since they were installed. (Special thanks to Uncle Terry for the hand-held shower head!)

We were blown away when T and Jane called from the Sun Fire Station for directions to the house. We had a super visit with them Saturday. Thanks, guys, that's not an easy weekend drive, you know! It was great to see you. Our pastor and his son came over and finished picking up branches left by Gustav and Ike. For those of you that don't know, Preacher who blogs with us is Mark. He uses the call sign his Pawpaw gave him when he was much younger!

Isabella got to spend the night and then Vallie, Terry, and Tara were here for Sunday lunch. It was a busy weekend. Admittedly Gary was tired, but so grateful for your time and your love. He continues to enjoy your visits, and the dogs have actually quit barking and carrying on when folks arrive. It is helpful if you can call first, just in case hospice personnel are here, or if we come to the point of dealing with unpleasantries such as those named above. I'm not sure we will have advance indications when declining issues surface.

Again, thanks for sharing. I am convinced that your support is carrying us through this time that should be painful and miserable, but truly is not. Love is a powerful thing and our God is great.

Special prayers and love to our friend Jewel White as he faces health issues as well. Good of you to call. You and your family have done so much to make our coming to Bogalusa a success and we miss you.

Humbly,
Robbi

The Rest of the Story

Before I post our update, let me send our thoughts and prayers to family and friends in SE Louisiana and the Texas coastal areas. Our hopes are that you are safe and have acccess to and know how to use camping cook stoves! It is windy and overcast here now as the first bands of Hurricane Ike race across our area. To our wonderful National Guardsmen (especially SSgt. Mark) and other first responders (especially Deputy Jeremy!) all our love, our unending gratitude, and prayers. Stay safe and THANK YOU all!!

Now for my confession. I did not post the whole story from Tulane as we had family members to talk to. We did wait for results from the CT scan in the waiting area at the cancer clinic. They called us back again about 1 (We had had some lunch in the hospital cafeteria, yeccch.) The scan revealed that a tumor is growing into Gary's spleen, and from what we understand is killing that organ. That is the source of the pain.

I think we all know that an increase in the cancer with chemo treatments is not good. The BMT is not to be. The doctor has sent Gary home and set us up with hospice. Hospice personnel have beeen coming by the house for the last two days. They are being quite helpful.

At this point we do not exactly know what to expect. We did not ask the doctor to give us a time estimate, because I personally think she's been making guesses all along. Cancer is truly unpredictable and every person responds differently to the treatment.

Gary has been much more comfortable since he starting taking morphene Tuesday evening. He continues to weaken and has no appetite. He has enjoyed visits from Glenn, Rodney, and church friends along with the hospice personnel, so don't hesitate to consider coming by. Vallie and Terry are coming to an LSU game Saturday and we look forward to seeing them on Sunday. While I am overwhelmed and frightened my headache that had me unable to function yesterday is gone this morning. Special thanks to Ms. Jo for bringing my prescription from Bogalusa.

Thank you for so much care and prayer that continues to provide strength. Special thanks to wonderful nurses in every medical atmosphere that we've sought and received care. We know that our God is good, and Gary's life, as well as mine and yours we hope, are in HIS hands.

Praising Him,
Robbi

Tulane

After two grueling days on the south shore, we are home trying to recuperate. Exhaustion mostly. The doctor wanted to protect Gary's kidney's while using the contrast for the CT scan so they did IV fluids. The transplant coordinator called a little after 9:00. She said the scan was scheduled for 2:00 and asked if we could be there in an hour. Well no! It's a two hour drive. I rousted Gary, and we hit the road. That lady wasn't in the building when we got to the cancer center at 11:00. I spotted the doctor's nurse, told her what we had been told, and she got the show on the road.

At a little after 1, she came and told me I needed to go to admitting for the paperwork and meet Gary in radiology. After waiting 30 minutes, I was told that they were unable to make contact with our insurance company which is in Baton Rouge. I told them that the test had to be done, the insurance company would pay for it, and I would sign whatever was necessary. That lady left and I was able to get through to our case manager at the ins co., but my cell phone was breaking up. Gary showed up, another lady came out, I gave her the case manager's number and they FINALLY came back with the papers I could have been working on since 11!

Of course we waited over an hour for Gary to be called back for the scan. Before giving him the contrast, the tech pulled up the labs from Gary's previous hospital stay and came running out asking me for the labs from Shreveport. In our hurry to leave and thinking the doctor needed those papers not knowing these folks would I had left the report on the kitchen table. The tech went back, called the cancer center. The transplant coordinator came, hooked Gary up to more fluids, and drew more blood. Gary lay uncomfortably on that hard little table and we waited for the results. When they came in the kidney function numbers were normal, and the tests proceeded.

It was after 6:00 when the fluids finished. The doctor's nurse stayed late with us and arranged for us to have a room at the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge in Metairie. Our appointment with the doctor was for 10 the next morning. We were called back for 11, and talked with the doctor but no one had read the CT scan. Gary got some new pain meds, and we came on home. I'll probably call Dr. Oubre tomorrow. We will be rested and, hopefully feel better then.

Thanks for checking on us.
Love to all,
Robbi

Home Sweet Home

I guess it was Thursday that we drove home. We just got up, ate breakfast, loaded the vehicles, and hit the road in some dreary weather. I-49 was flowing at the speed limit and by the time we got to Pineville the weather was beautiful. The rest of the trip was uneventful and we were home about 4:00.

The power was off. I heated left overs from Memaw's on the gas grill, and we laid down for a miserable night. I think possibly the heat had Gary coughing more than usual. I know that I was anxious about how he would fare in the heat, which actually wasn't bad since the day had been farely overcast and there was a bit of a breeze. The power came on about 8:30a.m. which was before we crawled out of the bed.

We were both worn out, but the cool air did make Gary more comfortable. I got things unpacked and called Tulane. The doc wants Gary to have a CAT scan Monday and we will see her Tuesday. Gary is having back pain and often is unable to get comfortable. He has taken the pain meds all week, although not as regularly as I think he should. He has absolutely no appetite and, of course, cannot eat if the pain is present when I get a meal ready. Maybe he's just finding the leftovers not appealing. I haven't been to the grocery store yet. I've tried to pick up the yard and ended up with sore muscles myself. We are a miserable pair.

Mark came by today. He does look tired, but otherwise is well. Sure enjoyed all the family we got to spend time with up north, and miss waking up to Isabella.

Those of you who will be heading to Houston please have a safe trip and carry our love and sympathies to the family there. I had hoped that Gary would feel like posting today, perhaps tomorrow. Appreciate hearing from everyone and hope to be spending more time at Tulane real soon.

With my apologies to our great friend Tall Pine Tree, Go away Ike!
Robbi

Heading Home (We HOPE!)

While the dreary weather appears to be set in, the spirits here are improving. Sunday evening Gary made an ER visit at Willis Knighton due to a fever, and yesterday had a follow up appointment with a Shreveport oncologist. He had actually talked to the transplant doctor at Tulane before he saw Gary. The BMT doc, Dr. Safah, wants to see us when we get back (she had said Thursday, but their clinic is not going to be able to open until Monday.) Blood tests at Willis Knighton indicated NORMAL kidney function. We have reason to be confident the BMT will proceed!!

Jennifer and I packed this morning hoping to drive home this afternoon, but the weather just wouldn't let up. We are planning to leave first thing in the morning. I've talked to a neighbor who says our house is undamaged. Word is that power is back on at our place, Mark and Jenn's, and her folks also. Jeremy is still without power, and he's been living that way since the storm! He's a trooper! Not hearing from Mark as often, but he is well and working hard.

We are incredibly grateful to Memaw, Mr. Billy, Vallie and Terry for putting us up in such wonderful fashion again. You are a blessing and we love you.

Robbi