I'm a little late in posting this message. We've had a busy summer so far. Summer Spectacular at the Hills (think VBS on steroids) was great and we were blessed to have Tyler come up from Temple to spend time with us. We then met Ryan and Holly and Georgia Kate in Hillsboro to return Tyler, have Father's Day lunch and drop off Callie, Caleb and Jacob. It was an interesting trip because Shana and Chris and Stacy and Kelly all went to beable to have lunch with Roy...in Hillsboro. (I'm thinking we need to find a more exotic place next year....maybe New York???) Then we went back to Temple to pick up the grands who went home with Tyler for the Impact (backyard VBS) at his church. I also went with Stan and Shana yesterday to take Josh and Callie to camp. That was a 3 hour drive there and then back but a good time for visiting with them.
But then, it's not all about me.....this blog is really to keep those interested posted with what is happening with the journey Roy is on.
We leave in the morning for Houston again. Roy will have his PetScan tomorrow and then an endoscopy on Tuesday. We feel fortunate that we are spending just one night there. Although it doesn't give us time to spend with our friends that we have enjoyed visiting with in the past. But, it will be good to be back in the metroplex sooner as we are headed to Tennessee on Friday. Keep our travels in your prayers please.
So, if you are reading this before our trip, thank you and please pray for good results on both of the tests. Another prayer I'm adding for this trip...please pray that they tell us Roy can go 6 months before he has to come back. We pray for that time, it will mean we are that much closer to being confident in there not being cancer...yea!! If they say we do have to come back in 3 months, we are fine and will continue to make the journey. Next trip will be timed at the same time as Justin plays football down in the Houston area. Might as well kill 2 birds with 1 stone, right??
God is in control and holding our hands.
Linda
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
We're good!!!
As you can tell by the title of this blog that today went very well. Obviously, we are so thankful that nothing was found during the colonscopy that Roy had today.
I hope that this has been a learning situation for me. I told Roy on the way home that this is going to be our lives for awhile. We are going to be told that there maybe something wrong and that we need to have it checked out. I will then worry about what's going to be found. I have faith, I pray and then I worry. I realize this is just the way it's going to be for me. This journey is far from over. I also know that my faith also lays in the fact that God will be in control and we will meet the challenges faceing us in the coming years.
Our oncologist in Houston is the one who suggested the colonscopy. She is very aggressive in suggesting procedures that will keep us informed about any return of cancer. The gastro doctor here was surprized that a colonscopy was suggested. He seemed to think that there wasn't enough reason to worry about it. But, we are obviously glad to learn there's nothing going on. He is going to be treated for anemia (where's spell check??)
So, bottom line is a huge thank you to all who have been reading updates. Without your prayers and support this journey would not be as easy to endure. We know that God gives us people in our lives who lift us up and we are at peace and so blessed to have friends who we know love us!
The bluebirds came back this year. I look at them as support and a way of showing God's love for us.
God is in control and holding our hands.
Linda
I hope that this has been a learning situation for me. I told Roy on the way home that this is going to be our lives for awhile. We are going to be told that there maybe something wrong and that we need to have it checked out. I will then worry about what's going to be found. I have faith, I pray and then I worry. I realize this is just the way it's going to be for me. This journey is far from over. I also know that my faith also lays in the fact that God will be in control and we will meet the challenges faceing us in the coming years.
Our oncologist in Houston is the one who suggested the colonscopy. She is very aggressive in suggesting procedures that will keep us informed about any return of cancer. The gastro doctor here was surprized that a colonscopy was suggested. He seemed to think that there wasn't enough reason to worry about it. But, we are obviously glad to learn there's nothing going on. He is going to be treated for anemia (where's spell check??)
So, bottom line is a huge thank you to all who have been reading updates. Without your prayers and support this journey would not be as easy to endure. We know that God gives us people in our lives who lift us up and we are at peace and so blessed to have friends who we know love us!
The bluebirds came back this year. I look at them as support and a way of showing God's love for us.
God is in control and holding our hands.
Linda
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
April 10th...One Year Later
A year ago I woke knowing that something was going on with Roy that was not normal. After three days in the hospital and on our 38th anniversary we were meeting with an oncologist starting a journey that I always knew was possible but never really expected.
Is our life the same as it was on April 9, 2012? Probably not, but we have made the decision to live as normal as we can and take it one day at a time when it comes to what comes next. We went on our mission trip, we went to the Olympics, we came home and went to every football game that we could. We watched every grandchild's games, plays and whatever else we knew about. We thanked God each time we did our "normal activities". We pray that our acceptance of the journey we are on has made an impression on others to know they too can take the journey if need be.
M.D. Anderson has become our "home away from home" and if that's the way it has to be, so be it. I am so thankful that they are there to guide us and support us and help us make wise decisions. Since we started there 11 months ago I now know of 4 others who are spending time down there. I pray for them and hope they have the peace that Roy and I have because of the doctors, nurses and PA's. We spend alot of time with PA's.
All this to say, we have had a little "hiccup". That's what I told my college friends this week-end I was going to call it. All the tests came back fine (praise the Lord!!) but his blood work has made the oncologist a little nervous. Nothing is worse than getting a call from Dr. Blum (the oncologist) on a Friday night, no less, telling Roy he needs to go ahead and get a colonoscopy, just to make sure there is no internal bleeding in the lower GI tract. His hemoglobin count was low. We are praying it is something to do with the knee replacement last December or possibly just anemic. He has seen the gastro doctor here and will have the procedure next Wednesday. Please keep him in your prayers.
He has felt great and is working and umpiring, three nights this week. Actually, he is feeling better than I have felt the last 3 weeks. I spent 5 hours in the emergency room a couple of weeks ago. Just a "touch of pneumonia"...excuse me? What is it touching?? I'm a lot better and enjoyed my week-end raising money for the Alzheimer's Association in Abilene with my college friends.
I will let everyone know what's up with the test next week. If there's no problems we won't go back to Houston until June!! Halleujah! Please be in prayer for Roy on Wednesday (and Tuesday night...yuk!)
God is in control and holding our hands
Linda
Is our life the same as it was on April 9, 2012? Probably not, but we have made the decision to live as normal as we can and take it one day at a time when it comes to what comes next. We went on our mission trip, we went to the Olympics, we came home and went to every football game that we could. We watched every grandchild's games, plays and whatever else we knew about. We thanked God each time we did our "normal activities". We pray that our acceptance of the journey we are on has made an impression on others to know they too can take the journey if need be.
M.D. Anderson has become our "home away from home" and if that's the way it has to be, so be it. I am so thankful that they are there to guide us and support us and help us make wise decisions. Since we started there 11 months ago I now know of 4 others who are spending time down there. I pray for them and hope they have the peace that Roy and I have because of the doctors, nurses and PA's. We spend alot of time with PA's.
All this to say, we have had a little "hiccup". That's what I told my college friends this week-end I was going to call it. All the tests came back fine (praise the Lord!!) but his blood work has made the oncologist a little nervous. Nothing is worse than getting a call from Dr. Blum (the oncologist) on a Friday night, no less, telling Roy he needs to go ahead and get a colonoscopy, just to make sure there is no internal bleeding in the lower GI tract. His hemoglobin count was low. We are praying it is something to do with the knee replacement last December or possibly just anemic. He has seen the gastro doctor here and will have the procedure next Wednesday. Please keep him in your prayers.
He has felt great and is working and umpiring, three nights this week. Actually, he is feeling better than I have felt the last 3 weeks. I spent 5 hours in the emergency room a couple of weeks ago. Just a "touch of pneumonia"...excuse me? What is it touching?? I'm a lot better and enjoyed my week-end raising money for the Alzheimer's Association in Abilene with my college friends.
I will let everyone know what's up with the test next week. If there's no problems we won't go back to Houston until June!! Halleujah! Please be in prayer for Roy on Wednesday (and Tuesday night...yuk!)
God is in control and holding our hands
Linda
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Good Reports!
We have just returned from M.D.Anderson last evening. It appears that both the Petscan and Endoscopy were good. They are never very positive when giving us results and that is mainly because they don't ever see very good outcomes from esophageal cancer when surgery is not done. It's not that they say it's the worse thing that we could have decided but they always give us the impression that we still have a long way to go before they are confident in the decision that we made. Plus we never have biopsy results initially. They call us with that.
The surgeon did tell us that he didn't see the need for us to see him each time we come. So, we won't make appointments with him and will only see him if needed. The oncologist is a different story. She would not agree to having tests done every six months. She still feels for at least another year that we need to come back every three months. You know, if that is all that is asked of us...we are good to go. Every three months in Houston is a blessed event in comparison to where all this could have lead us eleven months ago. It will be one year April 10th...and a definite diagnosis on the 13th.
So, the four days we were gone were a true joy. We were able to share Ryan's birthday with him on Friday. We attended the 5k to raise money for Scott&White on Saturday. I had planned to walk the 5k but Holly's mom and aunt and I ended up talking through it..and then we did the 1k...which was really more our speed. Walking and talking isn't exactly my forte.
After church on Sunday we took the grandkids to eat while Ryan and Holly had another event. Georgia Kate is such a joy to be with and ofcourse, we never get tired of Tyler. He does ask a lot of questions and we do spend lot's of time answering the same questions again. He words them differently each time so it always takes me a little while to realize I've answered that question before. I just always pray I give the same answer each time!
I managed to get sick while we were gone. I think it was on Saturday when it was really chilly and cold. So, I had a hacking cough the two days we were at the hospital. I tried really hard not to cough as we were sitting waiting on tests. The endoscopy was three hours late...the only issue was not getting to meet our friends, Tom and Mitzi for Mexican food. That was very disappointing to both Roy and I. I immediately came home and went to my doctor and have medicine and I'm sure at some point I will feel better...I'm sure I will...
So back to Houston in June...Justin plays football down in the Houston area next fall and we are praying that it will work out for us to make just a trip for a game and tests. Wouldn't that be great??
Thank you for all your concern, support and prayers. It still amazes me that we have the support of as many friends as we do and we both feels so blessed because of you!
God is in control and holding our hand.
Linda
The surgeon did tell us that he didn't see the need for us to see him each time we come. So, we won't make appointments with him and will only see him if needed. The oncologist is a different story. She would not agree to having tests done every six months. She still feels for at least another year that we need to come back every three months. You know, if that is all that is asked of us...we are good to go. Every three months in Houston is a blessed event in comparison to where all this could have lead us eleven months ago. It will be one year April 10th...and a definite diagnosis on the 13th.
So, the four days we were gone were a true joy. We were able to share Ryan's birthday with him on Friday. We attended the 5k to raise money for Scott&White on Saturday. I had planned to walk the 5k but Holly's mom and aunt and I ended up talking through it..and then we did the 1k...which was really more our speed. Walking and talking isn't exactly my forte.
After church on Sunday we took the grandkids to eat while Ryan and Holly had another event. Georgia Kate is such a joy to be with and ofcourse, we never get tired of Tyler. He does ask a lot of questions and we do spend lot's of time answering the same questions again. He words them differently each time so it always takes me a little while to realize I've answered that question before. I just always pray I give the same answer each time!
I managed to get sick while we were gone. I think it was on Saturday when it was really chilly and cold. So, I had a hacking cough the two days we were at the hospital. I tried really hard not to cough as we were sitting waiting on tests. The endoscopy was three hours late...the only issue was not getting to meet our friends, Tom and Mitzi for Mexican food. That was very disappointing to both Roy and I. I immediately came home and went to my doctor and have medicine and I'm sure at some point I will feel better...I'm sure I will...
So back to Houston in June...Justin plays football down in the Houston area next fall and we are praying that it will work out for us to make just a trip for a game and tests. Wouldn't that be great??
Thank you for all your concern, support and prayers. It still amazes me that we have the support of as many friends as we do and we both feels so blessed because of you!
God is in control and holding our hand.
Linda
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Headed south...again
I just finish this really long blog about what all we have been doing these last couple of months....and I lost it...somewhere in the world of lost internet blogs...don't think I should ever try to write a book on-line.
Anyway, we are headed to Houston again. We will leave Friday and go to Temple for Ryan's birthday. On Saturday, I will walk (not run) in a 5k that raises money for Scott&White hospital. We do that in memory of Landry. He lived his 43 hours with us there at the hospital. They treated us very kindly and this is just one way to help repay for all the support we were given during that time. This is the 3rd year to walk for Landry's Legacy. I hope we never stop.
Then on Sunday, it's on to Houston. Roy will have both his petscan and his endoscopy on Monday. Quite a busy day for him. He can't eat until it's all over with Monday afternoon. But then we're going to make up for it by having dinner with our friends Tom and Mitzi. I can't express how much their support has meant to us while we have been in Houston. On Tuesday we meet with both the surgeon and the oncologist to find out the results of the tests.
Obviously, we are praying strongly that there is no cancer found in either tests. Please continue to pray for good results. The Lord has blessed us for the past 11 months and we continue to praise Him for those blessings.
The knee surgery that Roy had in December is continuing to heal. Now he has two brand new knees and plans to umpire this spring. This will be his 51st year to umpire. I don't think I've done anything for 51 years...at least I can't think of anything. He is doing well and we are thankful for that also.
I will post when we get the results of the tests and in advance, thank you for your prayers.
God is in control and holding our hands.
Linda
Anyway, we are headed to Houston again. We will leave Friday and go to Temple for Ryan's birthday. On Saturday, I will walk (not run) in a 5k that raises money for Scott&White hospital. We do that in memory of Landry. He lived his 43 hours with us there at the hospital. They treated us very kindly and this is just one way to help repay for all the support we were given during that time. This is the 3rd year to walk for Landry's Legacy. I hope we never stop.
Then on Sunday, it's on to Houston. Roy will have both his petscan and his endoscopy on Monday. Quite a busy day for him. He can't eat until it's all over with Monday afternoon. But then we're going to make up for it by having dinner with our friends Tom and Mitzi. I can't express how much their support has meant to us while we have been in Houston. On Tuesday we meet with both the surgeon and the oncologist to find out the results of the tests.
Obviously, we are praying strongly that there is no cancer found in either tests. Please continue to pray for good results. The Lord has blessed us for the past 11 months and we continue to praise Him for those blessings.
The knee surgery that Roy had in December is continuing to heal. Now he has two brand new knees and plans to umpire this spring. This will be his 51st year to umpire. I don't think I've done anything for 51 years...at least I can't think of anything. He is doing well and we are thankful for that also.
I will post when we get the results of the tests and in advance, thank you for your prayers.
God is in control and holding our hands.
Linda
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Still on the road to recovery
I thought I would just catch anyone interested up in how Roy is doing after his 2nd knee replacement....
I think he has decided it is a good thing there's only 2 knees to have to be replaced. This surgery has been more difficult and painful than when his first one was done last year.
One of the main reasons is the fact that he doesn't have a strong left knee. Last year his right knee was dominate and so most of the weight was on it when he went to stand. This year the left knee does not have the strength to support his knee that was operated on.
So, he isn't doing as much independently as he was this time last year. Two weeks after surgery last year he went to Shay's basketball game and drove himself. That won't be happening this year and not just because she graduated and is in college. He would love to beable to go to Kassidy's game on Thursday but it might need to wait at least another week.
Otherwise, we are doing good. Everyone (grandkids) is back in school, playing their sports and doing well. Justin had his 4th knee surgery this last Friday. He does not look forward to being Papa's age and in all likelihood having knee replacement. Infact, he wouldn't let me tell him how they drill a hole in the bone and glue a screw in to hold the artifical knee. Can't imagine why he didn't want to hear that. He has already been able to "work out" on his knee...youth...wouldn't it be nice?
Just keep remembering us in your prayers. We still have a long road to travel with cancer and the treatments but it is all good right now.
God is in control and holding our hands.
Linda
I think he has decided it is a good thing there's only 2 knees to have to be replaced. This surgery has been more difficult and painful than when his first one was done last year.
One of the main reasons is the fact that he doesn't have a strong left knee. Last year his right knee was dominate and so most of the weight was on it when he went to stand. This year the left knee does not have the strength to support his knee that was operated on.
So, he isn't doing as much independently as he was this time last year. Two weeks after surgery last year he went to Shay's basketball game and drove himself. That won't be happening this year and not just because she graduated and is in college. He would love to beable to go to Kassidy's game on Thursday but it might need to wait at least another week.
Otherwise, we are doing good. Everyone (grandkids) is back in school, playing their sports and doing well. Justin had his 4th knee surgery this last Friday. He does not look forward to being Papa's age and in all likelihood having knee replacement. Infact, he wouldn't let me tell him how they drill a hole in the bone and glue a screw in to hold the artifical knee. Can't imagine why he didn't want to hear that. He has already been able to "work out" on his knee...youth...wouldn't it be nice?
Just keep remembering us in your prayers. We still have a long road to travel with cancer and the treatments but it is all good right now.
God is in control and holding our hands.
Linda
Friday, December 28, 2012
Why does this feel familiar???
Last year about this time Roy had his left knee replaced. It was easy for him to have the surgery and for him rehab wasn't as hard as he expected. His left knee felt so good afterwards that he knew that he would go ahead and have his right knee done sooner rather than later.
Then we ran into the little problem of discovering his cancer. Thank you knee replacement for finding that sooner rather than later! I don't think he really realized how bad his right knee was until the left knee felt so good. He made the decision about a month ago to go ahead and have the right knee replaced, which he did today. He is back in his room, not feeling any pain. Ofcourse, his knee is still numb and will be until sometime tomorrow. Then we'll see if there is no pain. They will have him walking in the morning and in the afternoon. He will come home from the hospital on Monday. We really like his doctor and if you live in the metroplex we would recommend Dr. Taunton to anyone. He has been used by many of our friends and we haven't heard anything negative about him. The only negative thing that could be said, and this is really only Roy's negative, the food is catered at the hospital he is in. They only have 16 beds and they bring food in from Cafe Express....foo foo food according to Roy. Now, I love shrimp/avocado salad...tuna sandwiches...pesto chicken. I'm going have to take him Whataburgers!!!
So, here we go with rehab for the next several weeks. There will be someone who comes to the house 3 days a week for awhile. If the knee has no more problems than the other knee, he will do fine.
Two weeks after surgery last year was when Stan and Sherri's house burn and Roy was walking around looking at the results of the fire without using a cane or walker..so, we feel good about the future results of this surgery.
As far as the cancer is concerned, we have appointments the middle of March. Please keep us in your prayers that the next set of tests show no cancer. If so, we might beable to go 6 months without going to Houston. We are so thankful for being allowed to enjoy our family at Christmas and have the quality of life that we have had this past 6 months...pretty cool, considering what we were facing last April...God is good to us.
God is in control and holding our hands
Linda
Then we ran into the little problem of discovering his cancer. Thank you knee replacement for finding that sooner rather than later! I don't think he really realized how bad his right knee was until the left knee felt so good. He made the decision about a month ago to go ahead and have the right knee replaced, which he did today. He is back in his room, not feeling any pain. Ofcourse, his knee is still numb and will be until sometime tomorrow. Then we'll see if there is no pain. They will have him walking in the morning and in the afternoon. He will come home from the hospital on Monday. We really like his doctor and if you live in the metroplex we would recommend Dr. Taunton to anyone. He has been used by many of our friends and we haven't heard anything negative about him. The only negative thing that could be said, and this is really only Roy's negative, the food is catered at the hospital he is in. They only have 16 beds and they bring food in from Cafe Express....foo foo food according to Roy. Now, I love shrimp/avocado salad...tuna sandwiches...pesto chicken. I'm going have to take him Whataburgers!!!
So, here we go with rehab for the next several weeks. There will be someone who comes to the house 3 days a week for awhile. If the knee has no more problems than the other knee, he will do fine.
Two weeks after surgery last year was when Stan and Sherri's house burn and Roy was walking around looking at the results of the fire without using a cane or walker..so, we feel good about the future results of this surgery.
As far as the cancer is concerned, we have appointments the middle of March. Please keep us in your prayers that the next set of tests show no cancer. If so, we might beable to go 6 months without going to Houston. We are so thankful for being allowed to enjoy our family at Christmas and have the quality of life that we have had this past 6 months...pretty cool, considering what we were facing last April...God is good to us.
God is in control and holding our hands
Linda
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