Nancy's Birthday is Friday! Happy Halloween.

Halloween is coming. This outrageous picture is from our Scrapbook retreat weekend before last. Lorianne asked everyone to dress up for Halloween or if they didn't have a costume - for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. When I got her e-mail about this, I responded, "So, should we go as Twin Boobs. I was honestly kidding about this but found these costumes online. What a hit. And it was a reminder for breast self-exam and Mammograms. WE performed a poem about mammograms, and had lots of laughs.

After the retreat I returned to Anacortes to care for Nancy. She has deteriorated physically and had some problems with medication compliance - so the week was very difficult for her (and me). Once we got her over her resistance to one of the meds, she was much more comfortable. She also had what the nurse thought could be a partial bowel obstruction, so we dealt with that too.

Fall has fallen....Last year we were in Maui

It's hard to believe it, but a year ago this week we were in Maui! It was 47 degrees here this morning and never warmed up enough to take off our sweatshirts! The good news is, we are heading back to Maui in February - can hardly wait.

I just got home late yesterday from a 10 day stint at Nancy's. She had a rough few days with increased pain as her cancer is spreading. We saw the oncologist both Tuesdays and he told us that the tumor markers had gone way up. He wants Nancy to think about starting a different chemo and let him know next week. With as sick as she has been, I truly doubt she will go for it this time. We need to look at quality of life issues again. She doesn't have much quality now, spending most days in bed, but to add another strong chemo at this stage seems ludicrous.

Please pray for wisdom, peace and comfort. Mom is doing well. I go back on Sunday for four short days, as next Thursday is the beginning of our EAT, NAP, SCRAP retreat at Fort Flagler. The preparations for the retreat are coming along nicely. Lorianne announced a costume or "wear pink for the cure" party for Saturday night. We have come up with a funny idea - hope it works out - I'm sworn to secrecy or I'd talk about it here. I plan to do layouts from the 3 Day walk, and can hardly wait to see everyone.

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!

Two Weeks from Today - WE WALK!!!

Today is Friday, August 29, 2008 - this summer has just flown past! This next week I will need to keep up my training walks here in Anacortes. The picture above is from our Scrapbook retreat in Monroe. Dyona, Jennie, me, Shasta and Kim - we walked in the rain and nobody melted - hip hip hooray!!

I'm here at Nancy's. She did come last Saturday to the family picnic - what a joy to have so many family members there, and it meant alot to all of us that Nancy would make the effort. She did spend most of the day in bed, but was able to get up and visit with family for a little while. Thanks expecially to Mom for driving both ways!! One of the best moments from the day was when 2 year old Aiden (Mike & Jennie's son) sang "You are my Sunshine" to Nancy. Wow. Our dad's brother, Uncle Fred and cousin Karol were also there. A great day. Larry did most of the work preparing the house and yard for the party. We were able to get 14 dungeness crab (just before someone stole our crab pots - go figure!). Here's a picture from last Saturday - Nancy is sitting on the couch next to Ragna - then Annie, Devon tickling one of the twins.

Tuesday I meet with DSHS prior to an Administrative Hearing about Nancy's medical insurance. They sent a letter saying it was being discontinued at the end of this month! They had incorrect information about her SS disability and her private disability insurance. I was relieved this morning when I found out that they did reinstate medical coverage for September and when I spoke to the representative, he said if I bring the proper documentation, he is sure that her medical will be covered. Praise God! One less worry for Nancy and Mom.

More updates as this week and next progresses. Keep walking and praying!

Full Moon & Anniversary

Full moon rising over Mount Rainier last night! Michael took this picture from his front porch. It is gorgeous!

I'm here in Anacortes this week. Today is our 38th wedding anniversary and Larry is coming up to celebrate, probably go to lunch and visit.

Nancy didn't have chemo the last two weeks as she hasn't felt up to it. The oncologist decided this current treatment is not working enough to warrant the side effects. She had a CT scan Tuesday that showed some further spread of the liver and abdominal metastases. She gets a couple weeks off, then they will reassess and maybe try some oral chemotherapy at that time.

She will have this time to regain some strength and hopefully feel well enough to come to the family picnic a week from tomorrow on August 23rd. We are hosting the picnic at our house at Nancy's request. Mom will be here and will drive her down to the "cabin" as we all lovingly refer to it. Our house is built on property where our grandparents built a summer cabin in the 1920's. Lots of history, memories of fun times. We feel very blessed to live there.

Oh my goodness. The hospice massuse just gave me an incredible foot massage. I walked about 4 miles this morning (and it was warm!) and my feet feel brand new. Hope I can find someone like Linda to take care of my feet on the walk and afterward!!

Speaking of the walk, it's just four weeks away! We had a scrapbook retreat last weekend in Monroe and even though it was raining pretty good last Saturday, several of us went walking. Be sure to check out "By Shasta" - a very cool blog that has a couple pictures of our walk last weekend. Shasta's blog is always full of great info on scrapbooking and the 3Day walk.

Time for lunch out with my sweetheart of 38 years!

The Battle Continues - Spirits are High!

Wow - Saturday, August 2nd already. Nancy continues her valiant fight. Last week the oncologist told her that the tumor markers are down - which is good. He said "this chemo is working, biochemically." We won't know for sure until a Pet Scan sometime after her 4th round of chemo which is next Thursday, if the chemo has halted the spread of the disease. She continues to lose weight, but has enjoyed some food this week. We had an old fashioned pot roast on Wednesday and some wonderful fresh salmon and vegetables last night. She is having a little difficulty swallowing, but small bites work well.

Yesterday I walked about 6 miles here in Anacortes and to my surprise the town was having an arts festival. I did stop at a couple of booths. It was very festive and a nice distraction. Today a local furniture store is delivering a new mattress for the guest room! Mom and I will certainly appreciate having a comfortable bed.

The walk is getting closer - about 6 weeks - and it feels like my body is ready. Everytime I have a little ache or pain while training - I just think about what Nancy and so many other women go through to battle this disease - it is very inspiring.

Next weekend we have a scrapbook retreat and several of the gals are doing the 3 Day walk so we will get out and get some training walks in. Keep praying and thanks for all the support!