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

from North Louisiana

We are really blessed to be, once again, moved in with my mother and Mr. Billy. We arrived early afternoon yesterday. The trip was incredibly difficult for Gary, but he looks and feels better today. Jennifer, Isabella, and Jennifer's mom are here. Rachel and her family are headed to Vallie's and Terry's. The fact that Mark and Jeremy have remained in harm's way is a bit unnerving, but they've chosen to serve. For any that might not know, Mark is in the Guard and has been sent over to St. Martinsville. Jeremy is a deputy sheriff in Jefferson Parish. He's working twelve hour shifts to keep Metairie secure. They continue to be my heroes!

Niece Tara who chose to stay in Baton Rouge: Be Safe and I hope you can appreciate life without electricity! Hopefully that will be the worst that it gets.

I believe that everything is secure. The dogs are all with us, somewhat subdued being on chains, but dry and safe! The only thing to do now is wait, watch, and claim God's promise that He will not dish out more than we can take. So, once again, we wait.

Robbi

Back in business

I was truly doubtful that we would have the new air card by now, but kudos to Sprint! On top of that we had amazingly purchased insurance on the thing so the replacement didn't cost us!! Just hope it lasts longer than that first one. Would you believe that the car part was under warranty, and that repair didn't cost us either! To have malfunctions, we've come off pretty good, huh?

Gary and I are sitting in our recliners watching the endless reports predicting the landfall of Hurricane Gustav. We are packed and will leave to drive to Mr Billy's tomorrow morning. I am only stressed when I think about it all. As long as I focus on one thing at a time I do fine. It is incredibly hard for Gary as he is physically able to do very little.

Yesterday he had his last dentist appointment, and then we drove out to the new Bogalusa armory. It is certainly a place the Guard can be very proud of!! Gary enjoyed visiting with the guys, but he came home and slept for the rest of the day.

His kidney function number is at 1.65. Praise God! The kidney doctor told us that he would be comfortable with the BMT when the count reaches 1.5. We could possibly be there by now if the improvement has continued. The blood work was done on Monday. Dr. Oubre faxed the report to Tulane and called the transplant doctor while we were in his office Wednesday but had to leave a voice mail. We don't exactly know the next move. We will do labs again Wednesday. Then I become a pest if I haven't heard from anyone. That's not at all something I enjoy doing , but we are so ready to get this show on the road.

Thanks for the prayers and cards. God is good.
Robbi