Trying to get through the week

Wednesday of this week was a rough dad for Dad. He felt so sick all over, very weak, couldn't eat, etc. Brady and I went to see him late that night to take him some homemade beef stew. We were suppose to get snow, and I wanted to get food to him before it came. I told Dad just to eat the potatoes and carrots out of the stew and toss the beef. He can't handle eating meat when he feels this sick, and he shouldn't have it anyway. He likes potato salad and said it was one thing he could tolerate eating right now. We stopped at Kennie's to get some for him. While we were at Dad's I washed his dishes while he told Brady and I stories of life growing up on a farm. He talked of how they used to butcher. They first had to collect wood, make a fire to boil the water to put the pig in, then how they would scrap the hair off, etc.

The next day, Thursday, Dad wasn't any better so he went over to the cancer center where they gave him intravenous nausea medicine and fluids. He was there from 8:15 am until well past noon. The doctor said it just isn't right, him getting so sick with each chemo treatment and that he would have to make some adjustments. On Monday I'll go with him to his doctor's appointment. Perhaps at that time we'll find out what those adjustments will be. By that evening he was feeling a little better. The days and nights are long when you feel that sick and can't do anything. It's even hard to sleep. Next week should be better.

Another round of Chemo

Today Kaden and I sat with "Pappy" during his fourth round of intravenous chemo. We were hoping this was the fourth and final, but there will be another one. The other doctor in the same office that sometimes see my dad read Dad's PET scan results today for the first time and called them "remarkable", but because the cancer is not 100% gone, he ordered a fifth chemo treatment to begin four weeks from this one. Dad said now that he has another treatment coming after this one, he won't be able to go back to work this school year driving special needs children, which is disappointing for him. There was a number that the doctor mentioned to Dad that went from 40 to 1. We never did find out what this number is about, but the doctor was surprised to see the number one and said, "You're normal!" Dad asked the nurse about it later, but she never got back to us. Kaden and I arrived just as Dad was being hooked up, we missed the actual appointment with the doctor. The soonest I could get there was 9:30 am, and that's when the chemo began. Kaden did quite well sitting on a couch for 3 1/2 hours while Pappy received his treatment. He ate his breakfast then we played cars and hide-and-go-seek the lipstick. The TV was on, but nothing Kaden was interested in. When I didn't think he would sit still any longer I got out his Skittles. We made a game out of those and snacked on pretzels. At the 3 1/2 hour mark he was done and started asking to go home. Dad probably only had about 30 minutes left at that point, so we left. I head back into Gettysburg this afternoon for Brady's orthodontic appointment. During Dad's treatment I overheard a conversation of a 32 year old husband and father that also has esophageal cancer. His is stage II and next week he is having part of his esophagus and stomach removed. It will be sometime this summer before he can eat solid foods again. Wow! My heart goes out to him and his family. Wishing I would have gotten his name so I could pray for him by name, although the Lord will know who I'm talking about.

Miracles do happen!

My father had another PET scan on February 8th. On Monday, February 15th, I went with him to hear the results. The doctor had not yet read the results himself, so we sat there in silence for about a minute until he read them. The doctor then said, "It's good news, really good news. The cancer is gone." I immediately started to cry and said, "Praise God!" My father said, "That's the power of prayer!" My father had stage IV esophageal cancer. It was in his esophagus, stomach, liver and lymph nodes. Now the cancer is completely gone from his stomach, liver and lymph nodes and ALMOST gone from his esophagus! The doctor said, "With this kind of cancer we would expect to see remission after six treatments, but this is complete remission after only three treatments. I can't believe it. It's a miracle." He said he has never really seen anything like this before. I think the reason he called it complete remission, even though there is still a trace in Dad's esophagus, is because what is left if not considered active. I'm guessing on that. Dad will undergo another round of chemo on Monday the 22nd. The doctor will be doing a modified round of chemo, slightly different than the others he received. Dad's doctor will be consulting with Dad's second opinion doctor on what to do next. He will also see if Dad will need to have another scope put down his throat to take a look around. The PET scan may be detailed enough and the scope procedure may not be necessary. We are continuing to pray for complete healing and hope that is Heavenly Father's will for my Dad. My father has been doing his best to eat healthier, to eat as close to nature as possible and to avoid sugar and white flour. He gets exercise whenever he is feeling good and has the strength to do so. He remains upbeat and positive and has a strong faith in God. I know my Heavenly Father hears and answers prayer. I give Him all praise and glory for my father's healing and pray that it continues.

Dale and Kassie share another birthday

Another birthday came around for both Dale and Kassie on the 12th of this month. Kassie wanted a Butterfinger trifle instead of the traditional birthday cake.
Looks like Kaden is ready to lick trifle dish! LOL!

The perfect way to keep the soda cold!

Since we just had pizza for Kaden's birthday, Kassie decided on Chinese for her special meal.

I found several items of clothing on the clearance racks for Kassie. She wasn't expecting it. Her main birthday gift was the Harry Potter blanket that we ordered, but it hadn't arrived yet.

Brady had made Kaden a bank for his birthday out of an empty walnut container. Kaden decorated it with stickers and gave it to Dale for his birthday!

Dale got some of his favorite foods for his birthday plus a 007 double feature DVD.

This would have been such a great picture if only Dale would have opened his eyes!!!

Digging out

Dale and I pause for a picture before we continue shoveling.

Bryson next to the camper.

Forget the ice scraper! This job calls for a shovel!

Bryson and Kenzie jump off the shed roof into a mound of snow!

Even my 6'3" husband needed a ladder for this job!

The deck at the back of the house.

The children's play set.

Even our furry four-legged neighbor came over to help! Cami loosened the snow, making it easier to shovel!

More Blizzard pics

Here is Bryson standing in the snow after our first 24 inches.

This is our mailbox also after the first 24 inches. The second big storm, a few days later, completely covered it!

Our picnic table and benches with 24 inches of snow.

Our picnic table and benches hidden by the second big storm which brought and additional 21 inches of snow!

Bryson, this time waist deep in the white stuff!

Kaden turns 4

Kaden turned four on February 3rd. We celebrated at home with pizza, cake and ice cream.

After the meal Kaden opened his gifts and had hugs for the gift-givers.

Kaden is still a big fan of Bob the Builder!

Our biggest laugh of the night came when Kaden opened his gift from Avery. Having nothing else to give Kaden, Avery decided just to give him money. When Kaden opened his gift and pulled out a $5.00 bill, we weren't sure who was more surprised, Kaden or Avery! He had intended to only give $1.00, but in his hurry to get it ready, wrapped a $5.00 bill instead! The look on Avery's face was priceless! He quickly grabbed the $5 saying, "Wait! I didn't mean to do that!" He ran back to his room and re-wrapped a $1.00 bill instead!

Our family LOVES Cheez-It crackers, myself included! When I saw Toy Story Cheez-Its, I had to get a box for Kaden, who is also a big Toy Story fan.

I found this Toy Story hot chocolate gift set clearanced from Christmas that I knew Kaden would love! Brady gave me the money for it so he would have a gift to give Kaden.

At age four Kaden enjoys watching movies, playing computer games, practicing his mandolin, playing with toy cars, trucks and tractors, and playing with his favorite stuffed cats and dog. He loves to eat chicken nuggets, pizza, cheese and peanut butter Fluff sandwiches. His favorite candy is Reese Peanut Butter cups. When he grows up he wants to be a monster truck driver!

Happy Birthday my beautiful baby boy!