Monday....May 17th...2010

Linda was strong today...better attitude....no nausea (medication taken when she got up today)...good hydration....

Thursday we head to Bend for odds and ends including a Friday Oncology and infusion visit....our last Bend Oncology appointment...OHSU in Portland starting June 10th...

Today we visited the Canby house again..traveled by ferry across the river again....so exciting and different. If our interior preview on Wednesday meets our expectations, we will make an offer shortly thereafter..much work is needed but the end result will be exciting.

Dinner today with brother Marlin and sister in law Joni....

Tomorrow a doctor's visit for Dave...pre planned to get the new doctor established but now will include continued problems which initially put him in the hospital... but no where near severe. Dave now believes the problem is a "bug" picked up in the RV's water system We will also be sterilizing the water lines tomorrow to prevent further problems...if that is the culprit.....

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Sunday....May 16th...2010

Much better day for Linda.....is it because she focused on hydration and many snacks...most likely...

.....Linda's "Life Coach"

Saturday....May 15th...2010

Linda not feeling too well today....belching and nausea....persistent....we are trying to set up a regimen where she takes Culturelle every day (Dave ordered more by mail..great price)....take nausea meds each day in anticipation of having a problem..until it goes away....using more peppermint soft candy to stop belching and unsettled stomach....

We might have found "our" house.....something we can both agree on...had to modify our "needs" to reach a new set of opportunities...it's a house not a condo or townhome....the master is on the main....it has an office space on the main...the kitchen, dining and living rooms are combined into a great room....there is no need for Linda to go upstairs to the second and third bedrooms.....there is ample RV parking as a bonus...it has a great southern exposure and glass doors to a patio....

Daughter in law Jenn comes back Tuesday evening so we will preview the inside Wednesday and if agreed, we will make an immediate offer....

Where is it...Canby....not where we figured to live but the prices and opportunities are better..a bit further away but not significant....what is neat is there is a ferry which cuts the distance to everyone down significantly...it does take a bit of time but the adventure is wonderful...

Tomorrow we go to a condo open house but "me thinks" Linda will not be ok with it...it is her idea to visit so off we go.

We now have a beautiful car after much work today including washing the carpets and all....nice....

Dinner at Janine's tomorrow night....

Friday...May 14th...2010

Dave's back..well....what's left of him...anyway....

A rough three days...still not feeling that good...it will take a few days to stabilize.

Slept until 12:45 today.....getting up only to attend a Memorial to a Oregon Education Association staff colleague....Don Satchel...the Political Education consultant for the OEA. He...as someone said today....should be honored by all teachers...and all should say "Thanks Don"....for what he did in the political arena for teachers....

Don was an early supporter and mentor for Dave...was of great support in forming Dave's career....and Dave honors him for his service and his support....

Tonight we went to look at a house in Canby...great neighbors...we like it when several come out to ask if they could help us...an eye on things...it's great....anyway it has real possibilities....

Thursday....May 13....2010

Well, I finally got to bring Dave home this afternoon, and other than being tired, he is doing fine. The hospital was so great, and they were sorry to see him leave, giving him hugs. I never met any of the staff that wasn't terrific. They all acted as though they loved their jobs and it showed.

I had my appointment with my new GP today and really liked her. She made a decision on my blood pressure medication that should have been made a long time ago. She took me off of it altogether since it goes too low too often. Hopefully that will make me feel better most days.

Thanks for the prayers and support while Dave was in the hospital.

Love and gratitude......Linda

Thursday....May13....2010

I arrived at the hospital this morning to find Dave eating pancakes and scrambled eggs. What a change from yesterday. The doctor had been in and told him he just had a very bad infection. The doctor wants to see him in a month and depending on the results of one of the polyps they sent off, they'll retest him in around four months. We were happy to find out it wasn't colitis, just some other nasty infection. Depending on how he does on solid food for breakfast and lunch, he'll be able to go home today.

I'll check in later with whether he is home and how my appointment went.

Love and gratitude......Linda

Wednesday....May12....2010

I told Dave I'd do a blog tonight even though I have no news to report. Hopefully when I see him in the morning, the doc will have been in and i will know more.

I go see my new GP tomorrow afternoon, which will feel wierd for me since Dave always takes me to my appointments. I guess it's time for me to be a big girl. He has definitely spoiled me with all his care over the past three years.

Bedtime for me. Until tomorrow......Linda

Wednesday....May 12....2010

I'm at the hospital with Dave, but we're still a little in the dark. The test this morning only showed some polyps which they took care of, but no blockage which is good. I haven't talked to the doctor yet, so I don't know what the next step is. I just wanted to pass on what little I knew. He didn't get any sleep last night, so he's really sleepy right now. I suppose the pain meds might have something to do with that, too. He drank a gallon of that ugly liquid last night, so no wonder he didn't get any sleep.

He's in the Meridian Park Hospital just up the street from daughter Janine's place, so it's handy for me to come and go as needed. It is so much nicer here than the hospital I was in in Tampa. The staff have all been great.

Wish I had more to report which I will do as it comes. Thanks for your prayers.

Love and support....Linda

Tuesday........May 11....2010

Linda here checking in with good news. I got a call from OHSU today telling me I have been accepted by the lung oncologist as his patient. I will have to go back to Bend for my chemo next week, but three weeks after that I will start here, so I am very pleased. I will miss my doctor in Bend, but I will feel much better being close to my medical facilities.

Six hours later:
I got interrupted by a call while I was here at Janines doing laundry and writing the blog. Dave called for me to come home as he was in trouble physically. I rushed home to take him to the emergency room where they ran tests and diagnosed him with colitis. They checked him in so they can have him drink all the liquids for a colonopscopy (sp) in the morning. Meanwhile they are keeping him on anti-nausea and pain meds. He hasn't been overnight in a hospital in our almost thirty years of marriage. I want my care-giver well again.

I or Dave will update you tomorrow. Luckily I am feeling well right now, but am still spending the night with Janine so as not to be alone.

Love and gratitude...,.,.,,Linda

Sunday....May 9th...2010

Speaking out.....Dave..

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Today I saw family members and extended family members smoking...at a Memorial for two family members who smoked much if not all of their adult (and probably preadult) lives and paid the ultimate price....smokers today who most likely are at an additional risk of being genetically disposed to lung cancer..... I saw children subjected to second hand smoke indirectly and perhaps at home, directly.....

It saddens me....

Please do whatever you have to....to quit...before it's too late....if not for yourself.....think of those around you...and the pain they must go through if you begin the journey through cancer because of smoking...

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'Nough said......

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Sunday....May 9th...2010

We went to Federal Way for Memorials for Dave's step sister and Mom...both passing from lung cancer..so it was very personal in more ways than one....step brother Mick put together a nice get to gether including a memorial of pictures on computer..of which we were able to get a copy to digest in slower times..also one had been done of Dave's step sister....so we have that too.
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Step sister Kelly was there as well as her daughter and her husband and 4 kids....daughter Wendy was there with son in law Chris and grand daughter Taigen.....daughter Janine made the trip with us from Oregon.
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Linda held up well....better than we expected...she "rises to the occasion" once again. For a round trip of over 300 miles and a gathering of many people over 3 hours....she held up extremely well.

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Linda has pretty much figured out that her back/pleuritic pain was caused by the coughing from the "Florida crud". Then the pain meds caused the nausea...which has diminished by no longer needing the pain meds....it all makes sense....

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Tomorrow we are looking at a potential home in Sherwood before going back to the condo possibility for the third time...all with realtor daughter in law Jenn....are we getting closer to a decision...we shall see..

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Pictures today of attendees at the Memorials and the many faces of grand daughter Taigen....my future "rocket scientist" (which she very loudly denies....and claims she is going to be a "Mom")....

Saturday...May 8th...2010

Linda started the day pretty nauseated and not feeling really very "swell".....after sleeping on and off for most of the early day, she perked up a bit.

We went back to the condos we are looking at and found the one we want if that is the way we go....Daughter in law Jenn...the realtor...will go back with us on Monday if that is the direction we want to go in terms of a purchase...if we do buy we want it "barebones" and will put in our own selection of light fixtures and flooring.....

Dinner was at Jenn and Jim's with grand daughter Jillian and daughter Janine...and early Mother's Day celebration as we go to Federal Way, Washington for the Memorial tomorrow....

Pictures following the delightful dinner and company...

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Friday....May 7th...2010

Some new news today.....Linda has a primary physician as a result of the efforts of friend Shari...we owe her as the physician was not taking new patients....Linda has an appointment next Thursday. This is important because of her prescription needs, among other things.

Linda has not felt good today...nausea....perhaps the same thing she went through during the last cycle of chemo....no news yet on the Oncologist....Linda called in to ask but no response from him yet.....

We looked at houses again today....nothing to "shout about" although Linda is more excited about a house rather than Dave's desire for a townhouse....

Tomorrow we have dinner at the "kids" (Portland area kids) to celebrate Mother's Day....then Sunday we travel to Federal Way, Washington for a memorial for Dave's Mom and step sister...who both passed away recently of lung cancer....we will be able to see the "Seattle area kids"...

Thursday....May 6th...2010

Not much new.....on the Linda "front" or house "front"......

Tuesday....May 4th...2010

Lots behind us today.....

We viewed two homes we were interested in with realtor daughter in law Jenn.....one was a very nice townhouse....the other a big house.....

We also went to the area on the Willamette River south of downtown Portland called John's Landing.....nothing popped up that excited us..we also went to a quaint but dated community south called Charbonneau...and spotted a couple of possibilities to follow up on.

While in south Portland on the river, we went to Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) to see if we could get Linda an appointment with the leading lung cancer specialist....we had visited a year ago and found that a transition to OHSU would be "seamless" but were unable to visit with Dr. Alan Sandler as he was not certified in Oregon yet at that time.....now he is....

Everyone in the Knight Cancer Institute at OHSU was very friendly and helpful...all raved about Dr. Sandler....and we await word from Dr. Sandler...we got to see the infusion room which has a great view from the 7th floor of the river....so we are counting on Linda's chemo in two and a half weeks being at OHSU....

Tomorrow we are going to "take a day off"..ie Linda is doing the laundry at daughter Janine's while she is teaching...Linda is napping between loads...Dave is going to replace the "flapper" and all in Janine's toilet as well as powerwash her driveway...all still counts as a "day off".

Alan Sandler is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon where he also serves as the Division Chief of the Hematology & Medical Oncology Division, and is the DeArmond Chair for Clinical Cancer Research.

After earning a B.S. in Pharmacy (cum laude) at the University of Toledo in Ohio and an M.D. at Rush Medical College in Chicago, Dr. Sandler completed an internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Yale-New Haven Hospital and a Fellowship in Medical Oncology at the Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. His academic honors include membership in Alpha Omega Alpha and Rho Chi, the medical and pharmaceutical honor societies.

Dr. Sandler is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, where he serves as the Co-Chair of the Thoracic Committee. He is principal investigator or co-principal investigator of several therapeutic clinical trials that evaluate the activity of chemotherapeutic agents and/or combined-modality therapies in both small and non-small cell lung cancer as well as sarcoma.

Dr. Sandler serves on the Editorial Boards of Clinical Lung Cancer and the Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology, and is a reviewer for several journals including The New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Cancer Investigations, Cancer, the British Journal of Cancer, and European Respiratory Journal. Dr. Sandler is the author or co-author of more than 200 published articles, book chapters, reviews, and abstracts involving the pharmacology and clinical activity of chemotherapy and novel targeted agents, with a particular emphasis on lung cancer.


The following is Linda at the Knight Cancer Insitute..

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Monday....May 3rd...2010

Linda is napping.....tires fast...the crud seems to have come back a bit....it wears one out...and the pleuritic pain is still intense...

We are still house hunting...we will look in depth at two of them tomorrow....with realtor daughter in law Jenn...have crossed out Canby, Sherwood, and Beaverton...Wilsonville and West Linn still in the mix....

All the homes on our short list from previews months ago are gone...

Good news.....we have packed...unpacked...and had one big chore left...the car..got it out of storage...and surprise...it was virtually empty...we had left very little in it...we are very happy ....

It's "kinda" fun being "trailer trash"......

Saturday....May 1st...2010

Not much to report.....we are busily unpacking.....repacking.....shifting....storing.....adjusting to a small space...beginning initial look for home.....

Thursday...April 29th...2010

Tonight as of 8 pm, we are officially "Valley People"....having moved from Central Oregon to Wilsonville.....we are open to visits.....or for people to come and take Linda....or....so don't wait for an invite....

Linda's cell phone is 541 390 4836.....

The last two days have been hectic...going to Central Oregon to get the RV....make medical appointments.....meet with the broker....meet with friends...etc...etc...

Today Linda got her chemo infusion...the Alimta....the Oncologist agreed that the pleuritic pain was most likely caused by the coughing and upped the morphine amount Linda has been taking for a couple of years....he also prescribed some additional pain medication. He looked at the summary of Linda's last MRI in Central Oregon and it mentions hydrocephalis...but he didn't seem to be too concerned as in the scheme of things we had more to worry about with the cancer...anyway we were able obtain 3 past MRI scan discs from various agencies and will have a Neurologist examine for a recommendation.

The Oncologist sees 2-3 more rounds of Alimta, counting today's, and then another CT scan...to assess the effectiveness of the Alimta....it has been 7 months now....we also scheduled another appointment and infusion with him in three weeks but might be set up at OHSU (Oregon Health Sciences University) here in Portland...and if so, we would cancel the appointment...we shall see.

We have our RV set up and will begin organizing things tomorrow....Linda is holding up well.....again to see Linda...it's your call...

Wednesday....April 28th....2010

We have been in Bend for most of the day....got the RV and minor repairs done....went to Brasada Ranch to check our properties out....and Dave got the "look over" by the Dermatologist.

Tomorrow Linda does a chemo session and a couple of meetings to follow...and then we are out of town heading to our new "diggs".....in Wilsonville...aka an RV spot for 60 days....

Linda is having a lot of pleuritic pain.....most likely because of the coughing from the crud and travel....we'll have the Oncologist check it out tomorrow....

If the Weeks are home we will stop by....for a short visit.....

Tuesday....April 27th...2010

We are in Oregon!

Friend Grace tatted an angel for Linda to protect her on the trip....we hung it in the window of the airplane..named it Angel Gracie and it protected us all the way.....

We took a LOT of "stuff" and got Southwest Airlines to haul it all the way..for not one nickel more.....our driver.....to the airport....the housecleaning fairy from yesterday...got "big eyed" when she saw how much stuff we were flying.....but we made it....

Our plane was late leaving due to some minor problem.....but they held all the connections in Denver ....we were 45 minutes late departing but only 4 minutes late into Portland.....take a lesson Delta, Continental and American...learn a lesson in customer care and you might make a profit too!

Linda held up well...got her a wheel chair each step of the way.....tomorrow we head to bend to get the Rv and doctor appointments...

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Monday.....April 26th...2010

Another chapter being turned ......leaving Florida tomorrow....finding a new home in a new city in Oregon...

Linda is doing much better today.....feeling much better after the infusion session....not as good as she was before she got sick but still much better....

We are virtually packed and a few things to clean and then we are ready to be "outta here"....Kim and Ernie pick us up at noon....we all go to lunch and then on to the airport....with a checked bag....3 boxes to be checked....a carry on bag of great weight.....two back packs ...a dog in a carrier...and a beach umbrella....wish us luck....

Dinner last night with Steve.....Ethel...and Mike...lunch today with Dick...Ann....Frank ...and Grace.....we will miss them all....and Peter too .....who we didn't have a last moment with....

While we were getting Linda "infused" today, a little fairy...aka .....Miss Kim....came by and did a lot of cleaning.....wow.....what love! Thank you....thank you....thank you...

Southwest Airlines...here we come! 4:20 PM EDT flight from Tampa......35 minutes in Denver....arrive in Portland at 9:10 PM PDT....

Sunday.....April 25th...2010

Dinner last night for friends Kim, Ernie, Bob and Anita...then a recorded HBO special on past award winning rock and roll stars..especial for Ernie and Bob as each is a guitar player in bands or on their own....

Tonight dinner with Ethel, Steve and Mike....

Tomorrow hydration and last visit with the Florida Oncologist for Linda followed by lunch with Grace, Frank, Dick and Ann...

Then final cleaning and packing and prepare for the flight back to Oregon....

Linda is napping...not a great amount of energy today...

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Sunday....April 25th...2010

Notice.......Mrs. Wood is still "kickin"......but her cell phone "ain't".....Linda has discovered for the second time that cell phones are unable to swim in toilets.....so it is GONE....to reach Linda call 541 390 5550 til Tuesday when she gets to Oregon and her new phone arrives.

End of Official Notice

Friday...April 23rd....2010

We no longer own a home in Florida...but we get to stay until Tuesday.......closing occurred today and money wired to our bank account......

Tuesday we fly out.....

Linda feeling a smidgen better today....the crud still overwhelming....

Thursday....April 22nd....2010

Linda's been feeling poorly.....a bit of depression.....more than likely caused by the "crud"....ie upper respiratory infection and sinus infection.....which will NOT go away no matter how many antibiotics...
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So off to the Oncologist to get antinausea meds and hydration.....he said to get in there.....so most of the day was spent getting to the Oncologist and getting Linda "bulked up".....
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Does she feel any better....a small bit...this crud will knock you down regardless of being with cancer or not....

Linda is scheduled for one more visit Monday to ":beef her up" prior to the flight home Tuesday.

We spent the late afternoon packing boxes of our "stuff for the flight....50 pound come pretty fast....

Pictures below..."Anteaters"....ie friends Susan and Rick...sent pictures of former Champ car fans sending a message to Linda aka "Linda-lou"......wow......what a neat connection.....we cherish the memories of those days working for CART and Champ Car as Fan Ambassadors. We seem to have interest again in helping the Indy Racing League with their fan program but it appears again the "follow through" is lacking...so who knows....we shall see....with Linda among family in Portland it is something Dave can commit to...

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Tuesday.....April 20th...2010

Linda did much better today.....was able to do some things....and of course did too much....but that's her nature....both of us are feeling better with the crud...not healed but feeling better....

The limited edition art has been packaged up into two parcels for Fed Ex to Portland.....tomorrow we pick up the 4 boxes to put our "stuff" in for the flight home to Oregon...it had better all fit!!!!!!!!

Monday....April 19th...2010

Yesterday was an awful day for Linda.....she threw up all day...if she hadn't thought the hospital she just got out of wasn't so awful too...she would have gone right back in. Her upper respiratory and sinus problems continued also.......
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So today we set off for the Oncologist as soon as we could get in....believing her white blood cell count was trashed...still (1.8 which is very low)....and feeling very weak,....the Oncologist agreed that Linda needed hydration today and also next Monday before the flight home....so no appointment on Thursday......which is the regular time....the white blood cell counts were improved to 2.4 so no shot to produce more cells is needed....it's on its way up....on its own. Linda also got infusion of anti nausea medications so that will hold her for a day or two...and we will see what happens.

By the end of the day it seemed that Linda was a bit more like her "old self".....which is a good sign....we shall see what tomorrow brings.

We have started the sorting of our "stuff"...leaving the things of less importance as we are flying rather than driving. It seems weird to not have the pukemobile anymore but the neighbor's mustang makes us feel a bit more powerful on the road.

We have scheduled dinners with friends at the end of the week....assuming we are feeling well....we want to say good-bye and get rid of food....

While Linda was in her two hour infusion, Dave took a walk in the cancer survivor plaza....very inspiring....the pictures show messages for cancer patients along the walk to inspire them in their cancer journey......a casting of images shows apprehensive cancer patients and caregivers entering the maze of cancer and coming out the other side energized and healed. There is also a children's memorial having pictures and sayings and hand prints of children having survived the cancer journey...My only wish was that our home in Oregon have such a contemplative memorial where one could go to sort feeling s and fears and gain strength...and...

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Saturday....April 17th...2010

A mixed bag today.....we both felt sick from this respiratory/sinus stuff....

Today was the annual garage sale in the preserve....we didn't think anything about it...must had other things on our mind...but once we put a few things out which quickly sold, we made a few bucks....Dave also had to clean up the yellow pukemobile...tomorrow it head to New York...never to be seen by us again

Our neighbors leave tomorrow.....we will miss them...but again it will be quiet (again).

We are laying low this next week......getting packed slowly...feeling good enough we hope to have friends over before we go...

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Two pictures from the hospital stay....

Friday.....April 16th...2010

Linda is home.....not doing too bad....a bit tired...why do they keep waking you up in a hospital....and then you have to come home to recover.

Linda will need to be somewhat isolated from people for a few days as she has an extremely low immune system....on Monday she will go in and get a shot from the Oncologist which will promote the production of white blood cells...until her counts get back up, she will be avoiding people...she wants me to explain that it is nothing personal.....just being safe.

We basically have 10 days before we leave Florida....we plan on slowly packing our stuff...some for the airplane and some to ship home.....since we are not driving, the pile of "stuff" has and will grow smaller....We also plan on enjoying our last days at this beautiful home we put together......

Linda wants to thank all of you for your BLOG comments and support during her latest "crisis"......

Friday.....April 16th...2010

2:15 PM EDT

She's getting out!!!!!!!!

The doctor finally stopped by.....she is responsible for all the patients without primary physicians..so it takes a while to get around.....Linda acted her "perkiest".....as she wants OUT! The food sucks...the help is slack....

One and one half hours to go....

We then sign some closing papers on the house on the way home..the house sale will close by next Wednesday....

Tomorrow at noon we no longer own the "pukemobile"...ie the yellow Ford Focus...the morning will be spent cleaning it up..and getting our stuff out of it. We will use the neighbor's Ford Mustang until we fly out.....just short trips to the store...friends will take us to the infusion center and to the airport.

Linda's white blood cell count dropped again to 1.8......it needs to be above 4.....so Monday we will go to the Oncologist and get a shot to produce more white blood cells...in the meantime Linda will stay in the house away from other people.....getting out of the hospital will help....as they say, this place is full of airborne critters......

Friday....April 16th...2010

11:50 AM EDT

Still no word on the doctor letting Linda go...she is getting impatient as she wants to go to a quiet home at home...to heal.

We definitely will fly back to Oregon on the 27th....sold the Florida car yesterday.....

Now we have 1000 plus little tasks to complete......

Thursday....April15th...2010

6PM...EDT.....Here's Linda.......

This is definitely not how I planned to spend the end of my time in Florida, but as Dave says, "it is what it is".

Daughter Janine called this morning to tell me that great friend Amber had her first baby last night, so I have been recalling many life memories. I remember my young years of raising my family, of all my dreams and goals and all the unlimited possibilities in the world within my optimistic grasp. Like most young people, I thought I was immortal and never thought too much about what my retired years might bring. Don't get me wrong, I learned early about tragedy, losing a husband and then a young son, but I always kept my optimistic attitude. I guess that's why they say "attitude is everything". I'm just glad to say that now that life has thrown me all these curves that I have no physical control over, at least I'm grateful that I know I have the choice of how I accept it emotionally and mentally. I refuse to let these obstacles destroy whatever time I have left with those I love.

Thank you for being such an important part of my journey.

Love and gratitude....Linda

Thursday...April 15th...2010

1 PM EDT.......

Lots of things going on......

Dave was late coming in to the hospital as the "chores" and other tasks had to be done.....AND....they moved Linda to a new single bed room early....not a big deal?...not supposed to be....except....they moved only part of the stuff......and the rest got tossed or was still in the old room....it took a while to find everything but now all is OK.

Linda was removed from the liquid diet last night by the doctor...but...but...a liquid diet showed this am....the right breakfast came about 20 minutes before the lunch...oh well. It makes us appreciate St. Charles in Bend Oregon where the patient gets a menu and selects what to order...and an order can be made at any time...here...everyone gets the same thing at the same time....the good news is the strained cream of broccoli soup is now strained cream of mushroom....ugly!

Linda's fever has gone down...good news....BUT now she has acute sinusitis....inflammation of the sinuses...they did a scan of her sinuses last night late. She also has a very low white blood cell count from fighting off the infection.....and low but not dangerously low hemoglobin and platelet counts.

So she "ain't" going "nowhere". We are working on the informations and all needed to complete the sale of the Florida home....we sure wish we could find an exact duplicate in Portland ....not going to happen. We heard this am another house sold in the area sold for $109K which is less than half of its initial cost...we guess we should be thankful we only lost $25K....and remember we made a killing on the condo we sold before this home....

We have decided to enjoy our time here once Linda gets out of the hospital...visit friends...and fly out on the 27th as originally planned....the car can come later...

Today maybe Linda may write a piece so you will know none of these blogs have been made up...

Wednesday....April 14th...2010

10:10 PM EDT.....

Well.....all the doctors have finally come through...the last one...the Neurologist just left....

What do we know....

Linda has hydrocephalus.....totally unconnected to her cancer or initial hospitalization. When we get back to Oregon, we will have another Neurologist compare this MRI with the two previous scans done over the past three years...this will tell what the pattern has been as to this situation. Linda also will need to get another MRI to check things out in 4 to 6 months.

The bottom line to us is there is no cancer in the brain....we have NOT turned the page on this cancer journey......and that is wonderful news.

We have yet to have the results of the echocardiogram....tomorrow we should know....we suspect there will be no bad news there.

Linda has been running a fever since last night....100.3 last night...100.1 this morning....100.6 tonight.....she will not be released from the hospital until the fever is gone....we suspect she will be there at least another day.

Linda is being put on a solid food menu starting tomorrow....no more Ensure....which caused many problems today....

Linda is still on a heavy regimen of antibiotics....she still suffers from this "Florida crud".....lots of persistent coughing...upper respiratory congestion and sinus swelling.....

The good news is the cancer is unrelated to what is going on...other than perhaps lowering the resistance to this nasty crud.

Other news....

As we mentioned..the Florida home has been sold..papers are being signed and the title company is working to close this up by the end of the week or the first of next week.

What then?

We have many options....we have an agreement to stay in the house until our flights on April 27th....flying on Southwest Airlines, we have the ability to check 4 items of luggage....up to 200 pounds.....so we can send lots of personal stuff home....at no additional cost....like those other airlines (have you heard Spirit airlines now will charge for carry ons).....silly....now people will wear all their week's worth of vacation clothes on to the airplane.

We also have friends who are willing to store our car in their garage as they are leaving for Canada to their home...for the next 6 month...so we can drive the car back with the rest of the personal things at any time....or have someone else drive it to Oregon....

Then of course we can drive ourselves back...depending on how Linda feels...and her wants....and I'm not voting for that...we shall see....

I think this pretty much covers everything...it has been a stressful...sleepless time...but the gift is NO new cancer.....particularly in the brain...

Wednesday....April 14th...2010

4:00 PM EDT..

Things are happening...

The Neurologist's assistant has visited twice and will be back in shortly...the Neurologist will be in tonight.

The short version.....Linda has mild hydrocephalus not caused by any tumor they can detect.....


What is Hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephalus is a condition characterized by an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within cavities called ventricles inside the brain. CSF is produced in the ventricles, circulates through the ventricular system and is absorbed into the bloodstream. Hydrocephalus occurs when there is an imbalance between the amount of CSF that is produced and the rate at which it is absorbed. As the CSF builds up, it causes the ventricles to enlarge and the pressure inside the head to increase, resulting in hydrocephalus.

Hydrocephalus can occur at any age, though the most well-known forms of hydrocephalus are those that occur at the extremes of life—in infants or the elderly. Hydrocephalus has a variety of causes.

Adult-Onset Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus – This form of hydrocephalus is marked by an accumulation of CSF that causes the ventricles in the brain to become enlarged, sometimes with little or no increase in intracranial pressure. It is most commonly seen in older adults (age 50 and older).

Wednesday....April 14th...2014

3:20 PM EDT....

Anybody know of a good Neutorlogist to recommend?

We asked nurse Deanna if a patient can go on strike..she said we can do anything we want because the patient is always right...so we informed her we were on strike until the Neurologist shows.......

Wednesday....April 14th...2010

2 PM EDT......

Miss Wood is doing better...the cramping and and nasty results seem to have calmed down....the ostomy nurse and we are thinking it is the liquid diet Linda had been on..ie ENSURE...."ran right through her"....we have asked for solid food.....didn't really get it but at lunch today Linda did much better...

Dave has cleaned Linda up and Linda has cleaned Linda up....brushed her teeth..spiked her hair..she did...etc..etc...opened the blinds...etc...etc.

Linda seems to be more restful...we hope all this is about the crud and nothing more.....

Hey.....if you see a neurologist.....send him our way....

Wednesday...April 14th....2010

10 AM EDT......

Linda is cramping bad..not sure about what that is all about...everyone is waiting for the Neurologist to report of the MRI...the "core" concern at this point....Linda's Oncologist came by....this all has nothing to do with the Alimta treatment he assured...we didn't think it was....

Linda's "abandonment " last night was because of the shift change..one would think they could be a bit more "seamless" in the change..oh well...now she knows now when not to need something...

Our house is sold....closing as soon as possible..what next in terms of returning to Oregon depends on Linda...Dave is covering the options including storing the car at a friend's house until later etc...etc.. The appraisal was not improved upon...ouch...but we did get $10K more so no use being upset....and besides the loan on the house, the money was from profits from the sale of the condo...so it all evens out....and at this point the priority was to have it sold...done.

Now...where is that Neurologist....

Tuesday....April 13th...2010

10:00 PM EDT.....

Linda called a little while ago and had just completed her MRI...the Neurologist will be reading it and sharing the results in the morning......

Linda said the reason she was left without help earlier in the evening was because of a shift change and she is in quarantine because of her shingles and supposedly those in quarantine are left to the last...we will be fixing that mentality in the am....

Grand daughter Jillian just called...she then called her Gandma to "perk" her up.....which she surely did......good kid...

Night all.....really.....

Tuesday...April 13th...2010

9:11 PM EDT......

Linda called about 7 pm..Dave had just arrived home to get some rest.....still no MRI....why did we hustle over to this hospital at 6 am by ambulance to get the test done....and we don't have a clue why some tests were done and the results.....tomorrow we will seek answers.....definitive answers.....

Linda was a bit upset tonight...needed help..called on the call button..no answer for 45 minutes and finally a response...then affirmative response for help but as of 20 minutes later..nobody. We wonder if the day crew had gone home as they were every attentive...maybe it was the night crew and they have different priorities..we will find out tomorrow as Linda should not be getting up by herself....with all the tubes and whistles and all....

No word yet on the appraisal....the broker said it would be last night..then this morning..then tonight.....who knows..hope we are not being set up again....we'd like to sell our Florida home for a fair price and get back to Oregon....

Tuesday...April 13th...2010

3 pm EDT.....3 hours ahead of the west coast....

Linda is sleeping fitfully...her coughing wakes her up from time to time. They have given her morphine as well as fluids and antibiotics.

Our hope is that this is all about the upper respiratory and sinus infection she has contacted....Dave and Linda got it at exactly the same time...Dave has had it previously and it lasted over 5 weeks...and now he has it all over again. Linda describes it as the worst illness she has ever had...not counting the cancer....she is absolutely miserable.

While Dave went home to get Linda's power port ID card (they won't use it for contrast without it) and advanced directives...and...and.....Linda's doctor in charge (who she never met previously) came by and evaluated things...the Neurologist assistant came by also (the main reason Linda had to change hospitals as the first one is so new they have yet to have a Neurologist).

The doctor said Linda's sweating and clamminess was due to the infection...she has no fever. The Neurologist Assistant is setting up the MRI to see if there are any tumors in the brain which might be causing some of her symptoms. This has us a bit concerned as that is where lung cancer likes to go. Both Dave's Mom and step sister developed tumors in the brain as a result of stage 4 lung cancer.....we'd like to cross that off and not open that "chapter".

Someone decided to have Linda do an echo cardiogram...seeing if there was a problem there....we have yet to hear the results.

We will update this BLOG as things happen and we have the energy..sleep is lacking right now and things are going slow here.....we are keeping our phones off to preserve the "quiet"...no visitors as Linda is sick and also the shingles has created a big red flag for visitors....

Thanks for the support..just read the BLOG..that's about it....

Tuesday....April 13th...2010

9 am EDT....We are at the big main hospital in Tampa...

Linda is quite uncomfortable with no sleep..nothing to eat since last night.... nausea.... headache...sweating profusely due to the cough and congestion from the upper respiratory infection....etc...etc.

They have assigned a primary physician to her but she is on her rounds and should arrive soon...so meds can be administered. This physician will also order the MRI......so who knows when that is....

They are concerned that these dilated ventricles in the brain may be tumor caused..so that is the reason for the MRI....this has Linda freaked a bit....particularly with some discomfort in her arms and legs....particularly on the left side.....we are keeping the faith that this is about nothing other than the nasty respiratory infection....

More later....

Tuesday....April 13th....2010

4:30 EDT...they are getting ready to transport Linda by ambulance to the main "campus"..ie the main St. Joseph's hospital in downtown Tampa...they have seen some dilation in the ventricles of the brain and want to do an MRI now with a Neurologist present to view....they also are doing a different type of scan of the body..searching for a possible clot...the other tests came out ok...so it's about crossing off these additional tests....

So who knows...we are both tired...so onward.....

Monday...April 12th...2010

Linda was bad...bad....today with the crud.....

Tonight her blood pressure was all over the place....so off to the emergency room we have gone....pretty neat new hospital within 7 miles of where we live.....open for two months.

Anyway they have stabilized her blood pressure but concerned about possible pnemonia....even though she has had a pnemonia shot.....they are going to pump her full of anitbiotics and fluids....and have done a chest XRAY and now a scan is ordered.....we shall see what all this means....

Linda is not comfortable but tolerating the procedures and all....she is getting hungry...good sign?

More later....

Sunday....April 11th...2010

Linda is really congested with this "stuff"/"crud"....Dave is not much better...we cancelled a social engagement tomorrow and will go to the Doctor if needed....we loaded up on meds today....but still under the weather...

The appraiser has admitted he was conservative......thanks a lot......the parties have agreed to another appraisal tomorrow....with the report tomorrow night....

The hockey season is over..at least for the Tampa Bay Lightning as they missed the playoffs....Stomkos got another goal today.....Crosby got 2.....Overhkin got 0.....so Crosby and our Stamkos tied for the trophy of most goals scored in this season...the benchmark of 50 goals is an enormous accomplishment..we actually watched all three games today to see how each did...how exciting. Please remember Sidney Crosby was on the Canadian team and scored the goals that beat the USA team.

Saturday....April 10th...2010

Good hockey game tonight with the Lightning winning in a shootout...4 to 3.....but the good news is Stephen Samkos got his 50th goal....(3rd youngest to do so in history).. ...he is tied at 50 with Alex Ovechkin of Washington Capitols (played for Russia in the Olympics)...Sidney Crosby of Pittsburgh Penguins (played for Canada and got the goal that beat the US team) has 49 goals.....all three teams finish the season tomorrow....who will win the trophy for the most goals....

Linda did pretty good today..the upper respiratory and sinus stuff continues for both of us....

No word from the realtor as to how things are going to be "fixed (if there is such a thing) by getting another appraiser involved.....time is running out.

Friday....April 9th...2010

Yesterday and today have been stressful...we had a cash offer on our home here in Florida which we accepted...the buyers wanted an inspection done as well as an appraisal...the realtor arranged both...the inspection went well...the appraisal was an absolute disaster....and has messed up the sale. Now the buyers have countered back a ridiculose low offer...who can blame them on a screwed up appraisal....now the realtor is trying to get another appraisal...blaw..blaw..blaw.

To say we are upset is putting it mildly..a realtor should know how her appraisers work..this one had no clue..the guy based his appraisal on square footage with no consideration of land values, square footage costs between models, improvements, etc..etc. The Realtor said he will be out of the business....but that doesn't help us.

Anyway, Linda is doing well...good infusion Thursday....the cough is still getting to both of us...but she is doing well...being with friends....

Tomorrow we go to Sarasota to see a car the brother of Linda's late husband wants us to view..then on to dinner and our last hockey game of the season.

Wednesday....April 7th...2010

Busy.....

Linda is doing well..although she has the "crud"...and Dave has it again...upper respiratory infection....feel like crap in the am....better as day goes along.

Linda has chemo tomorrow.....

We hope to hear tomorrow about the appraisal and the home inspection.....if these are handled then it's "closing" on the 16th and we drive out of town on the 18th......

We've been selling some things on Craig's List....a few things left....

Monday.....April 5th....2010

Several things going on.....

We went to Cocoa Beach to see the space shuttle launch at night..the launch at 6:21 this morning was the last night launch of the shuttle series...there are .three shuttle launches left with all daytime launches. We also got to spend time with Linda's niece Denise.....husband Clark...and daughter Rachel. We enjoy spending time with them....

During the night last night Dave happened to his phone on and received a call that his Mom had passed away. It was expected but not so quickly.....we had hoped to make it back to Oregon to visit one last time. She was blessed with no pain and lived a long life...but was up against impossible odds with her health issues. We are having a family memorial the first part of May when we return.

Our house sale here in Florida is moving forward...the appraisal is tomorrow with the inspection on Wednesday.....we plan on closing on the 16th and begin our cross country trek in the car with personal belongings and all soon thereafter.

Below are various pictures including the last hockey game where we sat so high in the Forum...but worked our way down to the 100 level big spender seats...we have another game tomorrow night..

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Saturday....April 3rd...2010

Thereare two ways to live your life.....one is as though nothing is a miracle..the other is as though everything is a miracle......Albert Einstein

Last night the Tampa Bay Lightning lost 5 - 0...boy did we have a great time...yea right...

Yesterday we interviewed a possible realtor recommended by a friend....last night she called to say she might have a buyer...this morning the home was shown....this afternoon we have sold our Florida home (subject to closing).....

Now what?

We plan on driving our car to Oregon....starting about April 18th and arriving in Portland on the 27th.....that way we can get our belongings and art home.....we sold the home "turnkey"...ie sheets, towels, cooking ware, furniture, etc...etc...everything except our personal stuff.

How's Linda ...doing well....doing quite well....Tomorrow we travel to Cocao Beach (on the opposite coast..Atlantic Coast) to visit Linda's niece Denise and her family....and to watch the launch of the shuttle Monday morning.....

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Thursday....April 1st...2010

No April fools!!!!!

Linda had a great day at the Oncologist.....good CBC numbers.....no need for hydration....no need for procrit....the reexamination of the scan showed no big differences.....no tears....no depression....

Back to the salt mines for her!