Nancy is our Inspiration - NEVER GIVE UP!

I'm here at Nancy's and she started the new oral chemotherapy on Monday. She's taking it twice a day and combining it with her long term pain meds - so she usually sleeps for a few hours right after taking it. The week has been a real roller coaster ride.

I got here Tuesday and Mom drove home after a long time away. I was still walking pretty tenderly from the blisters on my feet and the tweak to my achilles tendon. I had an early morning hearing at DSHS over in Mt. Vernon and they assured me that her medical would be covered for this month and next at least. Then had a visit from the Hospice nurse and social worker about 4:00 on Wednesday. After some small talk, they told Nancy that she was "being discharged" from Hospice. We were so surprised. They explained that the nurse director reviewed the oncologist's notes and determined that Nancy's goals did not fit with Hospice. In other words, since she still wants to fight the cancer, and not give up hope, she can't have the benefit of Hospice Care.

I was upset, understanding that the nurse and social worker were just the messengers - but I let them know how crummy (must admit I used a stronger word to them) I thought it was for them to blindside us like that. I put a call into her oncologist.

Nancy had an appointment with the oncologist at 9:30 Thursday morning. He was very upset at how this news got passed on to us. I told him if something like this happens to another hospice patient - they should rework the process where the physician is informed - then he tells the patient. He did tell us that he had heard that the hospice program was going to discontinue "Open Access" which is what Nancy was enrolled in - as it has proven much too expensive. He also said he'd talk to the medical director at Hospice.

When we got home, a young man was here to pick up her oxygen!! I told him no way since the replacement oxygen hadn't been ordered yet. The day just got more interesting, and I was grateful that Nancy was able to sleep through most of it.

I got another phone call about 6:00 last night from the night nurse at Hospice who said that Nancy's doctor wanted her back in the program and now they are coming over this afternoon (Friday) to re-enroll her!

I am so relieved, and so is Nancy. It is very disruptive to change out the oxygen, and figure out different ways of getting the medicine and other needed help.

One of the most touching moments of the closing ceremony at the 3Day walk last weekend was when the survivors walked in to the stadium and we all lifted a shoe in their honor. Then the chant, NEVER GIVE UP! NEVER GIVE UP! NEVER GIVE UP! resounded. That has been Nancy's attitude this whole 2 1/2 years and will continue to be.

Thanks again for all the prayers!

WE DID IT! Seattle Breast Cancer 3 DAY WALK!!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for the support, love and prayers - here are a very few of the more than 300 pictures we took during our great adventure.


Wow - what an incredibly exhilarting and humbling experience we had at the Seattle Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk. Here's a picture of our team at the Opening Ceremonies on Friday, September 12th at Bellevue Community College. Gayle, Lorianne, Jennie & Michael - "Breast Friends 4 Nancy" - we are ready (we think) for this adventure!

The weather was much warmer than expected on Friday - but we trooped on through some beautiful neighborhoods in Bellevue, walked down the Lake Hills Connector and up into Bellevue where we had lunch at the park just south of Bellevue Square. After lunch we walked to Marymoor Park in Redmond - which was our home away from home for the next two nights! Here's a shot of a SMALL portion of the tents that housed more than 3300 walkers, not to mention the nearly 500 crew members.



Saturday morning dawned with a welcome misty overcast (which only lasted a few hours). We walke through downtown Redmond and then out to the Sammamish river Trail where this photo was taken:




You can see the mist and that's Lorianne in front of me with the pink monkey on her backpack! We walked to downtown Kirkland where we had lunch at Juanita Park. We then walked along the Kirkland waterfont, it was beautiful with so many supporters driving by and honking. We walked back to Marymoor Park on tired, blistered feet - but with an incredible feeling of accomplishment and appreciation for all your help and prayers.

Here is a picture from Sunday morning as we were leaving camp:



Most of the walkers were moving much slower Sunday morning, but you could sure feel the sense of anticipation for what was to come. We were bussed across the 520 Bridge to the Arboretum to begin our 3rd and final day. This is a great picture of Mike and Jennie and Lorianne tending to blisters before we started off.



We had a great walk through the UW campus - here is a picture of Lorianne and I on the Montlake Bridge looking at the cut behind us.



Then onto Greenlake where there was an incredible crowd of cheerers (including Larry) to keep us going). We walked around the lake and there was plenty of shade to keep the walkers cool. Our journey continued to Gasworks Park on Lake Union where we had a stop for lunch. Then on into downtown Seattle and along the waterfront. We arrived at the finish line to a huge crowd of well-wishers and screaming fans!!

Here is a picture of Lorianne holding the I'm walking for My Aunt Flag at the finish line:



After all the walkers arrived we filed into Memorial Stadium to a greeting beyond words. We saluted the Survivors who also walked by raising a shoe - it was very emotional.
Here is a great picture of Mike & Jennie and then one of our the stands were Larry, Shelia, Darian, Morgan and Cameron were cheering for us - they are on the top row - you can see the sign they are holding (but not much else):






Hopefully these pictures express more than words can say. There was so much love and kindness shown to all of us, we pray we are able to return it and even magnify it!