Dave and Linda are celebrating Linda's test results by going to Hawaii...yea!
We leave this weekend and catch a 7 day cruise in Honolulu which travels to all the islands..... which will give us insights for future trips. After the 7 days we fly to Maui where we have rented a home and will see the sights and beaches and all for 8 days.
Linda is doing well...we walked a long ways yesterday and she didn't miss a beat....today we went to our old church in Bend so folks could see how well she was doing...we also ran into some old friends in Bend who didn't even know she had been ill and though she looked the same as always (a compliment in a way).
Tomorrow Linda (and I) are cooking dinner for friends who took good care of us during the difficult times. I then get a couple more days of skiing and then it's off to Portland to get ready for the trip.
Dave
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Thursday.....April 24th...2008
Today Linda has been quite "tasky"...going through our "stuff" and donating clothes.....dumping paper files...and consolidating family pictures....of course she ignored warnings and wore herself out...but she is determined. Tomorrow she will most likely be at it again....
Brother Darron spent 3 days here before leaving for the Alcan highway in his motorhome.....on to Anchorage, Alaska. He flew down to drive it back up to Alaska...thinking the weather was good enough. We played cards a couple of times while he was here...and of course he won immediately...per usual...even though he had never played the game before....but last night we got him good...."from the top to the bottom!". Linda's picture reflects the first effort!
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It was a good visit....he was amazed at the progress Linda has made.
It was a good visit....he was amazed at the progress Linda has made. .
Dave
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Tuesday in Central Oregon...April 22nd, 2008
A snowy day in Central Oregon..is it really near the end of April?
I wanted to share some pictures from the Long Beach Grand Prix dinner we put together....they are to show how great Linda looked and did at the dinner...what a"champ" herself:
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Introducing driver Jimmy Vasser and past Champ Car CEO Dick Eidswick...
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Introducing fan favorite Champ Car team owner Dale Coyne.....
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Introducing driver Bruno Junquiera....
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Introducing Autoracing 1 President Mark Cipolloni....
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Introducing fan favorite driver Paul Tracy ("PT") and Tommy Kendall ("TK").....
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Introducing driver Nelson Phillippe...clearly a fan favorite...
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Introducing Champ Car starter (waves the green and checkered flags) JD Wilbur...
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Linda receiving a plaque from the Inner Circle fans for their appreciation...
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Dave
Monday, April 21, 2008
April 21st....2008
Back in Portland...leave for home in the morning...late flight from LA and the Long Beach Grand Prix.
What a weekend it was!.
Linda held up well and represented herself quite well....
Some pictures:
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One our first jobs was to help assemble the drivers for a group photo:
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The pole winner....Justin Wilson:
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Marilyn and Cheryl...who have posted on the Blog many times:
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Linda's friend Mary who came to visit her during the race...and was her bridesmaid also:
Driver Jimmy Vasser (our all time favorite):
Helio (Of Dancing With the Stars)..didn't have time to talk to him..I was too busy:
Linda and Marilyn on track.....
Miss Grand Prix and court:
Caught in the champagne:
The victors:
Me and Michael Johns of "American Idol":
Jimmy saying goodbye to Linda:
Sorry I didn't finish this properly last night..fell asleep...
Dave
Friday, April 18, 2008
April 18th...Long Beach Grand Prix...2008
Our feet hurt!
Today was a pretty active day for both of us....Linda sat for a while during the day..but not much...we worked on confirming VIP's for the dinner Saturday night and ran the autograph session for the fans and drivers..it was a usual wearing day..nothing different than past events....Linda did hold up well and maintains a great attitude and all.
Linda senses her coughing has reduced...and is wondering if it is on its way out...we shall see.
Tomorrow Linda is resting early as we have a big event tomorrow night....we talked again today and are absolutely resolved that it is our last event...it has been a great "ride" but we have come to the point where it is a logical decision to "retire".....and "no" we will not slip back into it...it's "done".
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Friday...Day 2 ..Long Beach Grand Prix....April 18th, 2008
The Sun is up!
Yesterday we flew to Long beach and put in our first day on track for the Long Beach Grand Prix...thursday is a set up day ..not many fans but lots to do and access to people to do it...Friday (today) will be much different...many many fans...first real day of the event...
We spent the day getting ready for the dinner we are doign Saturday night..contacts made...over 35 VIP's are dropping in to say hi to the fans and be frecognized for their contributions to the Inner Circle Fan Club...Drivers, owners, and many others will be there.
Last night a large contingency of fans met...Linda was a "hit" as many "bloggers" have seen her for the first time.....she held up well...as she had "snuck" in a nap in the afternoon, knowing it was going to be a late night. It was very late after getting our preparations done for today.
Below...yes! Paul Tracy is here........Linda at the fan get to gether last night...and Linda and Graham Rahal..last week's winner in St. Petes...and he's only 19 years old....he had just flown in from being on the David Letterman sdhow Wednesday night.
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Yesterday we flew to Long beach and put in our first day on track for the Long Beach Grand Prix...thursday is a set up day ..not many fans but lots to do and access to people to do it...Friday (today) will be much different...many many fans...first real day of the event...
We spent the day getting ready for the dinner we are doign Saturday night..contacts made...over 35 VIP's are dropping in to say hi to the fans and be frecognized for their contributions to the Inner Circle Fan Club...Drivers, owners, and many others will be there.
Last night a large contingency of fans met...Linda was a "hit" as many "bloggers" have seen her for the first time.....she held up well...as she had "snuck" in a nap in the afternoon, knowing it was going to be a late night. It was very late after getting our preparations done for today.
Below...yes! Paul Tracy is here........Linda at the fan get to gether last night...and Linda and Graham Rahal..last week's winner in St. Petes...and he's only 19 years old....he had just flown in from being on the David Letterman sdhow Wednesday night.
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Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Tuesday...April 16, 2008
Update....
Today Linda is having lunch with a friend....imagine that!
Tomorrow we start our journey to the Long Beach Grand Prix...for a busy weekend...a final for Champ Car....and us!
My brother Darron is flying down to get his motorhome stored in Oregon as the Alcan is driveable pretty soon and he wants it in his home in Anchorage for the summer fishing season....so he will be visiting for a few days.
I have a physical at the end of next week and soon thereafter Linda and I plan on flying somewhere special to celebrate her "journey".....maybe Mexico or Hawaii or...or...we have yet to decide ....but it will be nice...she deserves it!
At the Patroller memorial the other day I attended, I spoke about cancer....and it's effects on everything including relationships...and I quoted in part from the diary of a young cancer victim in Tampa, Florida (it was in the newspaper)...she said...in part... The cancer diagnosis is like a giant boulder plunging into the calm waters of one's existence. Suddenly one is soaked by a splash of fear and uncertainty. She went on to talk about how it is important to live in the present and to be current with and love the people around you....as you never know what tomorrow will bring.
How true this is and I see Linda doing this everyday....she is a winner for sure..in many ways.
Dave
Today Linda is having lunch with a friend....imagine that!
Tomorrow we start our journey to the Long Beach Grand Prix...for a busy weekend...a final for Champ Car....and us!
My brother Darron is flying down to get his motorhome stored in Oregon as the Alcan is driveable pretty soon and he wants it in his home in Anchorage for the summer fishing season....so he will be visiting for a few days.
I have a physical at the end of next week and soon thereafter Linda and I plan on flying somewhere special to celebrate her "journey".....maybe Mexico or Hawaii or...or...we have yet to decide ....but it will be nice...she deserves it!
At the Patroller memorial the other day I attended, I spoke about cancer....and it's effects on everything including relationships...and I quoted in part from the diary of a young cancer victim in Tampa, Florida (it was in the newspaper)...she said...in part... The cancer diagnosis is like a giant boulder plunging into the calm waters of one's existence. Suddenly one is soaked by a splash of fear and uncertainty. She went on to talk about how it is important to live in the present and to be current with and love the people around you....as you never know what tomorrow will bring.
How true this is and I see Linda doing this everyday....she is a winner for sure..in many ways.
Dave
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Sunday...April 14th, 2008
What did we do today......nothing! We are recharging Mrs. Wood's batteries for the trip to Long Beach this week....she wants to be "in shape" for our last event.
Friday, Son Jim, Daughter in law Jenn, Grand child Jillian and Son Jeff came over to see their Mom....and to play some cards and have dinner....pictures from that event: Please note that Jenn had to leave early so the only picture we had was her losing a hand!...Also note that the "sweet" Grand child has her tongue out half the time!...Also please note the look on Linda's face as she tries to figure out why she lost!
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Saturday...Late....April 13th, 2008
Tidbits........
When Linda and I were in the Oncologist's office waiting for his arrival and the "news" from the tests.....the Oncologist rushed in and said"where's the book?".....we said "what book?"....he said "the bird book"...which was nowhere to be found in the room...he rushed out and on his way out...over his shoulder said "the scan was fine". the Oncologist is an ornithologist ("bird lover") by hobby and was identifying a bird for someone in another area of the building. Soon he returned to be a bit more specific about the scan!....
The Xrays every 4 months are to continue to monitor the shrinking of the original tumor mases (2) in the left lung which have reduced in size significantly after being radiated numerous times and then hit with an assortment of chemotherapy.....
The Oncologist says if anything shows up in a part of the body..whether it be in 6 months, 9 months or a year or whatever, whenever it is found, the treatment is the same..so no need to check for a year....of course Linda and I believe there will be nothing "showing up"....
Linda was a bit more tired today..still that fatigue factor....tomorrow we are "lying low" as the Long Beach Grand Prix trip is fastly approaching.....
Today I skiied at the ski area near us....Hoodoo....I patrolled there many years ago....there was a patroller ceremony to honor the Patrol Director who had passed away at a young age...the ceremony was very symbolic and moving. A sled with his ski gear and pack was skiied down between two rows of patrollers on the mountain. Then patrollers stepped forward with words about what this individual meant to them. Again, I was reminded of how fragile life is and the importance to remain in the present and be "current" with those around you.
It took me an hour to find all my ski gear as it has been a while since I've been on the slopes.....and on the hill, it all came back to me (pretty much anyway).
Dave
When Linda and I were in the Oncologist's office waiting for his arrival and the "news" from the tests.....the Oncologist rushed in and said"where's the book?".....we said "what book?"....he said "the bird book"...which was nowhere to be found in the room...he rushed out and on his way out...over his shoulder said "the scan was fine". the Oncologist is an ornithologist ("bird lover") by hobby and was identifying a bird for someone in another area of the building. Soon he returned to be a bit more specific about the scan!....
The Xrays every 4 months are to continue to monitor the shrinking of the original tumor mases (2) in the left lung which have reduced in size significantly after being radiated numerous times and then hit with an assortment of chemotherapy.....
The Oncologist says if anything shows up in a part of the body..whether it be in 6 months, 9 months or a year or whatever, whenever it is found, the treatment is the same..so no need to check for a year....of course Linda and I believe there will be nothing "showing up"....
Linda was a bit more tired today..still that fatigue factor....tomorrow we are "lying low" as the Long Beach Grand Prix trip is fastly approaching.....
Today I skiied at the ski area near us....Hoodoo....I patrolled there many years ago....there was a patroller ceremony to honor the Patrol Director who had passed away at a young age...the ceremony was very symbolic and moving. A sled with his ski gear and pack was skiied down between two rows of patrollers on the mountain. Then patrollers stepped forward with words about what this individual meant to them. Again, I was reminded of how fragile life is and the importance to remain in the present and be "current" with those around you.
It took me an hour to find all my ski gear as it has been a while since I've been on the slopes.....and on the hill, it all came back to me (pretty much anyway).
Dave
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Thursday .....April 10th, 2008
Remember my dream - "Believe and you will get through this". Well, I did and I did! Thanks to God and the support and prayers of all of you, I came through this with flying colors. Both of my oncologists were very happy with my scan. Only time will tell whether a stray cell found a spot to grow somewhere in my body or a new tumor starts to grow in my lung, but I will continue to keep a positive outlook and keep my body healthy.
I will go back to see the medical oncologist every four months for a check-up and an X-ray, and I will visit the radiation oncologist in eight months. There will always be the uncertainty of, if and when the cancer will come back, but hopefully that won't get in the way of living a great life. I believe cancer was an experience I was supposed to have, and I received many gifts from it. I got even closer to Dave and my children, connected again with old friends and family. I've always believed that everything that happens to us has a gift if we look for it. It's so easy to see the negative and I feel blessed for the positive that came out of all the pain.
Thank you all again and again for the part you played in my journey. I will forever love you all for sharing your love and time with me.
Love and gratitude.......Linda
I will go back to see the medical oncologist every four months for a check-up and an X-ray, and I will visit the radiation oncologist in eight months. There will always be the uncertainty of, if and when the cancer will come back, but hopefully that won't get in the way of living a great life. I believe cancer was an experience I was supposed to have, and I received many gifts from it. I got even closer to Dave and my children, connected again with old friends and family. I've always believed that everything that happens to us has a gift if we look for it. It's so easy to see the negative and I feel blessed for the positive that came out of all the pain.
Thank you all again and again for the part you played in my journey. I will forever love you all for sharing your love and time with me.
Love and gratitude.......Linda
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
April 9th...In Oregon....2008
Someone slow this "woman" down!
Linda has caught her "second wind"...and even though she was up over 20 hours yesterday and "banged" around in an airplane all day and drove many miles...and unpacked...and...and. And then today she had ctscan tests done...and shopped for groceries...and now she's baking brownies for the Cancer Infusion Center Nurses where we are going to tomorrow.
No news today....just tests....tomorrow Linda hears the news and all from her medical oncologist at 9:20 and her radiation oncologist at 11:30. Linda states her belief that it will be good news. It's not "if the news is good" but rather "when the news is good". Her attitude and inner strength is incredible.....
I will have her do the Blog tomorrow night.
Dave
Linda has caught her "second wind"...and even though she was up over 20 hours yesterday and "banged" around in an airplane all day and drove many miles...and unpacked...and...and. And then today she had ctscan tests done...and shopped for groceries...and now she's baking brownies for the Cancer Infusion Center Nurses where we are going to tomorrow.
No news today....just tests....tomorrow Linda hears the news and all from her medical oncologist at 9:20 and her radiation oncologist at 11:30. Linda states her belief that it will be good news. It's not "if the news is good" but rather "when the news is good". Her attitude and inner strength is incredible.....
I will have her do the Blog tomorrow night.
Dave
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
April 8th...Back In Oregon...2008
20 hours we've been up.....got up at 3 am east coast time in Florida...flew out at 6 am....in Oregon 11 am pacific coast time...still at it at 8 pm in Oregon.
Also...6 of our drivers (ESPN called them "transition drivers") were in the top 10 finishers in the race in St. Petes.....Graham Rahal, one of ours, finished first...at 19 years of age!
To our suprise, it is 45 degrees here in Sisters, Oregon...freezing our rear ends after the 80's in Florida...but the good news is that it is supposed to get to the lower 70's by this weekend....we hear there was 4 1/2 inches of snow last week here....during spring break!.
It was freezing in the pass as we drove over today:
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Linda has taken her first dose of the pre CT scan "stuff" tonight..she has three more doses before the 10 am test....I think it makes her "glow" in the scan.
Dave
PS...Linda's niece, Denise and her family.....husband Clark and daughter Rachel...visited us just before we left Florida....they attended the race in St. Petes Sunday and then spent the night at our place.....
Also...6 of our drivers (ESPN called them "transition drivers") were in the top 10 finishers in the race in St. Petes.....Graham Rahal, one of ours, finished first...at 19 years of age!Sunday, April 6, 2008
Sunday...In Florida....April 6th, 2008
1 more day in Florida...2 more nights in Florida...
It rained like cats and dogs all day today..incredible amount of rain....the good news is we spent the day cleaning the villa and getting things packed for the trip home...it is supposed to rain again tomorrow....we can only hope for some "pool time".
We leave at 3 am on the 8th for the airport.....ugly!
Linda is doing quite well...she claims is 80% of the way back...still some coughing which she thinks is allergy....we shall see.
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We have been able to get together with friends the last few days.....for dinner...we will miss them all...
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Brian and Susan...
Dick and Ann....
Frank and Grace...
Ernie and Kim...and Bob (Anita was in Atlanta).....
Steve and Ethel...and Mike and Alicia...missed a dinner because Ethel was ill...which Steve caught.
Thanks to everyone for great evenings...see you in the fall!
Dave
PS...The many "faces of Linda"...(I think she's showing that she's more than "80%" back.....
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