Wednesday....September 30th....2009

Well....the mystery is solved....what was wrong with Dave.....(well at least one of the things (Humor))..

After another sleepless night (4 nights in a row) and another day of not eating (4 days in a row)and a night of continuous pain and discomfort (4 in a row), Dave and Linda went to Bend this am...to yet a third doctor....to figure things out....and guess what...he didn't say it was a virus and sent me home with pain pills....he didn't say it was an infection and send me home with antibiotics....well in a way he did. The Doctor immediately identified the situation as Peritonsillar Abscess......a "pus pocket" in the right tonsil....a very serious infection that warranted an "emergency"....a trip to the emergency room followed by surgery and a stay in the hospital.

We picked "option B"....a Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist Physician was available....we went over immediately to his office.....after looking things over he said we could either head for the hospital or he could try to syringe the pus out under local anesthesia...which we chose (mistake as it was incredibly painful..not a mistake in that it was done without a hospital surgery and stay).

You wouldn't believe how ugly it was ......the first 5 cc's were pure white...the second pink....it was the third amount he had the most trouble with and had to cut into the chamber to allow access...he got it but again the pain was incredible...even under local anesthesia.

We then worked out being able to go to the Urgent Care facility at Bend Memorial Clinic instead of the hospital for the aftercare....and there was still a chance that a night at the hospital might be needed but they had a "great patient" who did not want to go into the hospital....the aftercare consisted of dosages of steroids.....doses of painkiller....doses of antibiotics and fluids to stabilize the body.

What now....we missed our Eugene Couples Seminar today...but if we wake up tomorrow with no medical issues, we will drive over and "start the seminar" late. Dave is on a massive prescription of steroids, pain meds and antibiotics. He hopes to sleep for the first night in a while tonight...but with those steroids??????????

Tuesday....September 29....2009

Me again, as Dave is still under the weather and trying to get well to go to Eugene tomorrow to start our seminar on Thursday.

I've been cleaning like a dervish before we leave town, as the house was sorely neglected while I was in the hospital and recuperating. We are having a showing on Friday, so I want the house to look it's best. Maybe we didn't rent it because we have a buyer arriving instead. That would be so great.

Don't know if we'll have wi-fi in Eugene, so if you don't hear from us for a while, that will be why. We will do our best for sure.

Love and gratitude......Linda

Monday....September 28th....2009

Dave has been ill, so I am writing the blog again. Yesterday he asked me to take him to urgent care as he had such severe pain swallowing. The doctor ran some blood tests which only showed that his while blood cells were trying to fight off "something". His glands on the right side of his face were swollen as well as his difficulty swallowing. The doctor ordered some pain pills for the pain and said to call if he got a fever.

Last night I called the doctor on call that he had a fever of 101 degrees, but they said to call back if it reached 103. This morning he was more swollen and not better, so we went back in to see an internist. He decided it was an infection, not a virus, and ordered antibiotics. Hopefully, they will do the trick, as he is still in pain and not a happy camper. I guess it's my turn to play caregiver. We'll definitely never be even on that score, and I decided he's much better at it than I am.

It looks like we'll be staying in Sisters, as the potential renters have gotten cold feet. I can't blame them, as the sale of their home is never secure until closing date. I would hate to be all moved out in a hurry and have them back out at that point.

We're still hoping to be off Wednesday to do the couples seminar in Eugene. The owners of a lot across the street are willing to let us park our motor coach there, so I can be close for taking rests when needed. What a relief that is for me!

Love and gratitude.....Linda

Saturday....September 26th....2009

We have booked flights to Florida and return......with the doctor's blessings....we leave October 19th and return December 8th.....now we just have to find an Oncologist down there to assist us...and we will.....

We also have decided to rent our Sister's home.....if we can reach an agreement on rent...we have a significant interest for 18 months....again price is the only thing holding us back. Linda wants so much to be with her friends and family in the valley....she is ready to go.....the last two days have made it clear that now is the time to leave.....it's in her hands now to work it out.....we even went and picked up boxes from a couple of folks having just moved to Bend...so she has the intention....

If it all works out, we will put our furniture in our Brasada house which is for sale......and put our personal things in our motorhome...the rest of what we don't need will be in storage in Portland.....

It should be clear in the next few days if this will work out.....either way, we are heading to two months in Florida....

Friday....September 25th....2009

Long day today.....Linda got the "low down" from the Oncologist tonight about her next regimen...looks like she will be on Alimta for at least 9 weeks (3 cycles)....there was not enough of the original biopsy to test the sample for the EFGR so the Tarceva is out for now....they would have to do surgery to obtain a sample big enough ....not a desirable option at this time....

We are clear then to go to Florida after the first infusion on October 13th. There is one infusion of the Alimta at the beginning of a three week cycle.....so for cycle 2 and cycle 3 we have to find an Oncologist in Florida who will work with our Oregon Oncologist.....a scan then would be done upon our return after the 9 weeks.

Friends Deb and Don came over tonight and we "feasted" on the halibut caught in Alaska as well as played a couple of great card games.....Deb recently went through ovarian cancer and has been an inspiration to Linda....in fact, both Don and Deb are great folks for Linda to "hang out with"......

Tomorrow we rest....
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Thursday....September 24th....2009

Dave says I'm hyper with too much energy, so I have to do the blog. I'm back on steroids for a while which is great for finally giving me an appetite, but I'm so keyed up I can't sleep. I get rid of one problem and gain another. Only one more day, though, and my steroids get cut in half. I shouldn't complain, as it is nice to want to eat again. I was losing way too much weight.

I had a beautiful bouquet of flowers delivered today from brother Darron and wife LaVelle. Thanks, guys! They perked me right up.

My pain is down enough that I am off the pain pills, but will sure be glad when the incisions heal up. I don't think I'll be wearing a bikini any more. I need to be exercising again to tone up my weakened muscles, but finding the energy for that is not easy.

We have friends Don and Deb coming for dinner tomorrow night, so I am looking forward to that and maybe playing some cards. I love card games, even if I don't win. I won the last two with Janine, though, so maybe I'm on a roll.

Love and gratitude......Linda

Tuesday....September 22nd...2009

Here's the "scoop"....

There is no change in the T1/T3 vertebrae (as to cancer in the bone...Linda did receive another infusion of Zomita (bone builder) as a precaution today....

She also received a pneumonia shot and will receive the general flu shot and the swine flu shot as soon as they come in......

With Linda's loss of appetite...some might be due to the surgery...her steroids are being "upped" to increase the appetite.

Her loss of voice can be cancer related...the Oncologist is going to look into that further.

The Oncologist wants to give her two more weeks to recover from the surgery. Linda will meet with him again on the 7th of October and a decision will be made on what direction to go....the Oncologist still does not know the results of the EFGR test talked about earlier. Once he knows, Linda will either start on Tarceva (if EFGR is positive), taken daily, or an anticancer chemotherapy drug, given once every three weeks, called Alimta. Tarceva is given in pill form...Alimta is by infusion.

The regimen will begin on October 13th...so immediately thereafter, we will fly to Florida....go on the cruise planned....and return in six/nine weeks for a CTSCAN....with Tarceva it is not a big deal as the pill is taken daily.....with the Alimta we would have to find a cooperative Oncologist in Florida who will do an infusion at the three week marks. We shall see.....again all is dependent on the EFGR test we have been waiting for.

The regimen (one of the above) depends on the results of the EFGR test we have been waiting for.....


Tarceva: prescribed for patients with advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have received at least one prior chemotherapy regimen. Tarceva® is a cancer chemotherapy medication which helps to stop the growth of tumor cells by targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 1 (HER1/ EGFR), the protein in the body responsible for normal cell growth.

Alimta: is indicated for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients who have previously undergone chemotherapy treatment.It is included as part of a group of medications known as antineoplastics.

Tuesday....September 22nd...2009

Today we go to the Oncologist...to map out the treatments for the next three months....and hopefully be able to figure out a schedule and all to spewnd time in warm Florida...Linda dreads the idea of a cold central Oregon winter.

Another picture for all to see:

Sunday....September 20th...2009

Couldn't my journey be a little more boring?! Honestly, I'm not trying to be a Drama Queen or provide new fodder for the blog! I've been saying that I'm looking for new experiences for my bucket list, but this is ridiculous.

I am definitely glad to be home from the hospital and in my own bed. It's also nice to be able to hop up to use the bathroom without being disconnected from five different devices. I'm really sore in the mid-section, but doing fine otherwise. I hated to say good-bye to Janine today, as she is always good for my spirits, a great cheerleader.

Thanks for all the love and support while I was in the hospital, and, yes, one of these days I will get even with Dave for the photography at my expense!

Love and gratitude......Linda

Saturday....September 19....2009

Linda gets to go home this am....the doctor said she should be totally normal (discounting the cancer part) within 2 weeks.....we expressed surprise that the gall bladder surgery didn't cure the cancer.....

We are waiting for the Oncologist who is to come this am...we want to set up a meeting ASAP to discuss "next steps" so we can plan on Florida....or....or....I wrote a letter last night to the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa to see if they would work with Linda's Oncologist so we can go to Florida this winter.

Linda needs a shower....she can have one....and will do so immediately upon arrival at home.

I was reading the paper this morning and was looking through the obituaries (one does that when getting old)....a fellow passed away and was noted to have "a gift of gab" and "knew something about everything"....I thought...I know a guy like that....whoa....it was the guy! He owned an RV park in beautiful Camp Sherman where we take our motorhome from time to time....Jim could/would talk your leg off....he's probably talking the wings off of "you know who" now.....

2nd post......awaiting discharge...ssssssllllloooowwwww!!!!!!

Linda's Oncologist came in.....we all agreed we would come in this Wednesday to plan the next 3 months...so we are excited to get to know soon what the "next steps" will be.

Now..."Can we go home"....Mrs. Wood has her lipstick on....deodorant .....perfume on....ready to go....
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Friday....September 18th...2009

Linda called at 7 am....not a "happy camper".....her surgeon had come in and she was "cranky" with him....her Oncologist came in at 8 am and said surgeons are "that way".....

She is doing well....still quite a bit of pain....she is not able to get the Kadian....the morphine medication she takes for pain maintenance...as the hospital doesn't allow personal drugs...the substitutions don't seem to work...anyway they are working on it...

She is not going home today....maybe tomorrow....she needs to walk today....

The Oncologist is giving her two weeks off and then starting a regimen of new drugs...Alimta, Navelbine and Erbitux.....as the Avastin by itself has not stopped the growth...there has been no spreading but the tumor nodules in the lung have grown a bit..not significantly though....he wants to go with these new drugs to see their effectiveness. The drugs work in three week cycles....some once every three weeks....some a week on then a week off, etc..

Anyway tomorrow he will be back and we will talk more...and it looks like in two weeks all will be figured out...as for Florida he is not opposed to working with someone there if they will work with him ....as opposed to wanting to go their own direction....we shall see if we can work that out....

Thursday......September 17th...2009

She's done it again!

Mrs. Wood came out of surgery......checked into her room....felt pretty good....with a pain level of 2-3....wanted to eat something....talked on the cell phone with different people....

All is good...right?

Nope.....Linda suddenly (emphasize suddenly)....developed a pain in front of her right shoulder.....which escalated immediately to a 12 on a scale of 10 on the pain scale....extreme pain....

Everyone panicked....nurses who had inserted her port for the surgery were called in....was the port causing the problem....was there a clot .....no one could figure it out....

In the meantime she was suffering real pain...big tears....the whole thing....scary.....

Long story....short version....Linda had sat up in the bed to eat....this initiated the whole thing....when she finally was "cranked back down flat....the pain subsided....when they sent her to XRAY in a wheel chair to check the shoulder....the pain returned....when she returned and laid flat...the pain went away.

The nurses knew about "referred pain" but had never seen the pain so intense....that's what it proved to be ...."preferred pain".....during the surgery, the abdominal cavity is filled with air....to aid the surgery....this oftentimes creates pain in the shoulders......referred pain.....Linda started the whole thing by sitting up....somehow it created a bizarre chain reaction.....

Is she OK....you bet...the mystery and excitement are over....enough of this drama.

The Oncologist stopped by while she was in XRAY....we will meet with him at 8 am....to talk about what's next.....

Referred pain (sometimes referred to as reflective pain) is a term used to describe the phenomenon of pain perceived at a site adjacent to or at a distance from the site of an injury's origin. One of the best examples of this is brought on by a heart attack where pain is often felt in the neck, shoulders, and back rather than in the chest, the site of the injury.

Doctors and scientists have known about referred pain since the late 1880s. Despite an increasing amount of literature on the subject, the cause of referred pain is unknown, although there are several theories.

Scary isn't she????????????

Thursday....September 17th...2009

The surgery went well...Linda is staying the night (one at least).....

This morning we started with ultrasound at the hospital...which clearly showed the Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gall bladder)...no stones were seen. We then went to meet with the surgeon who outlined a couple of alternatives to surgery (which didn't sound too hot)....he called the Oncologist...who wanted it out (out of the way of the cancer treatment for sure)....we also wanted it out of the way as it might be a lingering situation interfering with the cancer treatment.

So out it came....laparoscopically.....4 holes including the naval......

The surgeon said it went well and he wanted to keep her in the hospital for a day or two because of the condition she was in when she came in. He couldn't say all her symptoms would go away as a result of the surgery...time will tell.

The Oncologist is coming by tonight ...maybe he will discuss next steps with the cancer treatment based on the scan or wait till she can come in....we shall see.

Funny happenings.....when Linda wanted to use the bathroom the first time, the nurse used the time to remove Linda's paper operation gown for a hospital gown......I said "I have never seen my sister naked before".......the nurse's eyes got big and she sputtered...and then we told her the truth....priceless.....

Linda asked the nurse after the operation if they were able to do the operation laparoscopically....the nurse replied "yes"...Linda said "good...then I can go back to work on the pole at the strip club".

More tomorrow.....the first picture is "pre" and the second"post"......

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Wednesday....September 16th...2009

She is AT IT AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!

Mrs. Wood went in for her CTSCAN this am ...everything went well...we returned home...and then....

Linda has been experiencing some nausea, abdominal pain and belching....these started to increase in intensity once she got home. Finally she called her Oncologist who was in the Redmond office today....he took a couple of hours to return the call, for as we found out, he wanted to see the CTSCAN to see if there were any clues....there were...

The Oncologist called to report Linda had Cholecystitis an inflammation of the gall bladder. It is usually a pretty severe disease and requires the removal of the gall bladder immediately. The Oncologist called a surgeon...who then referred Linda to another doctor to look at the symptoms.

It was decided that Linda had eaten earlier and that a ultrasound scan was needed..but eating would affect the outcome.....so she was sent home with instructions to take pain medications and to head to the hospital for an ultrasound at 7:15 am.....then she meets with the surgeon at 8am....

What then? She either goes to surgery for one of two types of surgery....laparoscopic surgery which is the least invasive.....traditional surgery....an incision in the abdomen....or avoidance of surgery....which we will not know till tomorrow.

If Linda doesn't have surgery, we then meet with the Oncologist, as scheduled, at 11:40 to review the CTSCAN results and where she goes from there. The Oncologist did indicate today there was a small increase in the size of the nodules...but no spreading of the cancer......exactly what that means and where we go next will be known tomorrow....we hope.

It is important to note that this new "disease" (the gall bladder) is not cancer....it was not caused by the cancer...as the Oncologist said "cancer patients get sick too"....and it's not all cancer.

Finally. Linda threw up big time tonight but seems to be resting well...I am reminded why I suffered from anxiety last year...it is the unknown and the helplessness.

The gallbladder is a sac located under the liver. It stores and concentrates bile produced in the liver. Bile aids in the digestion of fats, and is released from the gallbladder into the upper small intestine (duodenum) in response to food (especially fats). Conditions that slow or obstruct the flow of bile out of the gallbladder result in gallbladder disease.

Cholecystitis is a sudden inflammation of the gallbladder that causes severe abdominal pain, abdominal fullness, fever, heartburn, indigestion, nausea and vomiting.....it comes and goes and surgery to remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) is usually needed.

LAPAROSCOPIC GALLBLADDER REMOVAL
Under general anesthesia, so the patient is asleep throughout the procedure.
Using a cannula (a narrow tube-like instrument), the surgeon enters the abdomen in the area of the belly-button.
A laparoscope (a tiny telescope) connected to a special camera is inserted through the cannula, giving the surgeon a magnified view of the patient's internal organs on a television screen.
Other cannulas are inserted which allow your surgeon to delicately separate the gallbladder from its attachments and then remove it through one of the openings.
After the surgeon removes the gallbladder, the small incisions are closed with a stitch or two or with surgical tape.
ADVANTAGES OF PERFORMING THE PROCEDURE LAPAROSCOPICALLY......
Rather than a five to seven inch incision, the operation requires only four small openings in the abdomen.
Patients usually have minimal post-operative pain.
Patients usually experience faster recovery than open gallbladder surgery patients.
Most patients go home within one day and enjoy a quicker return to normal activities.

Monday...September 14th....2009

Not much to report today as it is a "down day"...ie. do "nothing day"
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We watched the US Open for the men's finals and went to the local library.....that's about it.....we are waiting for the scan on Wednesday and then find out the results on Thursday. We seem to have a bit of anxiety this time as Linda continues to have a tender stomach as well as belching ...and...and.
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Yesterday we visited friend Claudia...then on to brother Marlin and sister in law Joni (who knited Linda a great pair of socks...then a short visit with friend Judy and Roman...

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Saturday.....September 12th....2009

If you'd like to learn more about our friend Roger Traweek, who passed away this week...please go to the following site...he was a wonderful poet...our favorites... "STRONG MEDICINE" and "SO LONG COWBOY"

http://www.cowboypoetry.com/rt.htm

Very impressive work...we also have these poems as a gift from Roger..profesionally set to music in the background.

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I wrote a piece about Roger for his Memorial and spoke to it before the gathering...it starts with....

I am driven to spend a bit of time expressing my appreciation and awe of having known Roger Traweek. He was a truly unique and gifted man. I always looked up to him in terms of his skills as a staff person with the Oregon Education Association, as an orator and his compassion as a human being.

My experiences with Roger were many over the years and a few stand out. ............

(I go on to talk anout some experiences with Roger which were quite funny and lessons for me)

.........I learned a lot from that activity (an activity among the ones I talked about) and Roger…keep the pressure on….don’t back off….do something different….be unpredictable…. Thank you Roger, for that valuable lesson. I used that “learning” for the rest of my career.

Roger was my Facebook Friend. Some of his “messages” over the past few weeks…they each are wonderful and reflective of Roger….

(I go on to list a few...this one is my favorite):......

Roger L. Traweek......... Just wondering who the first person was to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze those dangly things hanging there and drink whatever comes out." I'm not even curious about the first person who was inspired by seeing a chicken!

And I finished with.......

Lastly I want to acknowledge Roger for his support of my wife and myself in our difficult times. We lost our youngest son in 1989…..Linda and I have never forgotten Roger’s kind words of support in our grief. I know Linda is going to speak to this so I will leave this for her.

Linda felt absolutely “grounded” with Roger’s support of her in her fight with cancer. She knew he was there for her. His kind words and gentleness gave her strength. Even from afar, Linda felt a closeness and connection with Roger. And I know she will speak to this also in her own way.

I will never forget visiting Roger in the hospital last week and seeing Roger reach out to her and hold her hands…and she, his….

Roger..rest in peace…know…that you will live on in the hearts of those who knew you….

From your poem “So Long Cowboy”….”riding with you has made all our lives easier….so long cowboy”….

Linda wrote and spoke too...a very heartfelt piece that starts like this......

Roger became one of my beloved supporters after my diagnosis and I appreciated his visits, calls, and e-mails. He always seemed to know the right thing to say which is such a gift. I am so glad we got to see him a couple times in the hospital. He seemed so vulnerable the last time as we visited him before we headed to the airport to fly to Alaska. I am glad I kissed his hand and told him I loved him, not knowing that it would be the last words I spoke to him.

And she finished with......

........in closing I would like to quote a paragraph from that letter that has meant so much to me over the years:

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“Surely the pain will ease with time, and your best memories will be the only ones that will remain. Cling to them, for they become more precious with time. Jonathan will always be your happy, smiling 10 year old son. He’ll know no heartbreak, no pain and suffering, no growing old; he’ll be forever young as he was the last time you all had a good laugh and a good time together. God bless little Jonathan and care for him and for you.”

I wish the same for you and will hold you all in my heart as you grieve for your husband and father. Thank you for sharing him with me and know that I too will miss him greatly.

Rest in peace Roger....you will live on in our hearts and many others too......

Saturday....September 12th....2009

A couple of busy days...Linda still has headaches and she hasn't been eating well....says it doesn't taste good and no appetite and she fills up fast.....all these things will be addressed with the Oncologist next Thursday.....she still tires easily so naps and "down time" are critical within each day.

Yesterday we ended up in Portland as tonight was the retired staff picnic for the Oregon Education Association. We got to see old colleagues and friends....Linda knows most all of them and they have been checking in on her...

Linda got to see friend Mary today....(Mary...I wasn't "dodging" you....I got to go to Fryes...the local electronics shop as well as Costco to have unlimted cokes and soft ice cream without getting "grief " from "you know who"...I owe you one (or two).

Tomorrow we stop to see various folks on our way back home. the pictures are of dinner with friends Nancy and Steve last night and then Linda with friends at the picnic today..

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Friday...September 11th....2009

A busy day today......

On the way to Roger's memorial celebration, Linda, being persistent with calls to the doctor's office, found out NO CANCER in the brain.....wow....now what has caused the constant headache for a month or more...the good news is it isn't cancer.

Next week is the CTSCAN....to check the status and control of the cancer in the rest of the body...please remember we are no longer talking about a cure (unless some miracle cure comes along) but rather control is the "word".....

Roger's memorial was great.....plenty of stories.....plenty of tears....plenty of laughter. Both Linda and Dave got up, together, to share stories about Roger and how special he was to their lives.

Following that, we headed to Portland and had dinner with friends Steve and Nancy...Linda looked a bit worn....having napped a bit on the way to Portland....but as soon as we got to Janine's house....to bed she went.

Tomorrow is a full day...Linda will try to see son Jim....visit with daughter Janine.... try to have lunch with dear friend Mary who will be flying home to California....and then Dave's retired staff members are having their annual picnic late in the day....

Sunday Linda will try to see dear friend Claudia.....sister in law Joni and dear friend Judy....maybe it will be Monday before we make it home.....

Thursday....September 10th...2009

Today Linda did her MRI..which was done with contrast..of course she didn't know that ahead of time and they didn't know how to access her port at the hospital imaging center....so no port used..poked again....

We should get the results tomorrow..our hope is that there is no metastasizing of the cancer to the brain ..our theory we are hopeful for is that the headaches are a result of the primary doctor cutting back on Linda's hormones about a month ago....the timing of all was about the same....we shall see.

Tomorrow we go to see Roger's family to express our condolences...and then on to Portland for dinner with friends...and then a picnic for retired Oregon Education Association staff consultants. Sunday we visit with family and head home.

Check the BLOGGER and BLOGGETT pictures from a day or so ago...a few more have been added...get yours in to avoid "pictures" made up for you.....we have our ways....

The following are examples of pictures we plan on using...and worse!.

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Wednesday....September 9th...2009

Saw the Oprah show today...Josh Groban surprised a fan with a song which "knocked my socks off".........

Lyrics to Awake :

A beautiful and blinding morning
The world outside begins to breathe
See the clouds arriving without warning
I need you here to shelter me

And I know that only time will tell us how
To carry on without each other

So keep me awake to memorize you
Give me more time to feel this way
We can't stay like this forever
But I can have you next to me today

If I could make these moments endless
If I could stop the winds of change
If we just keep our eyes wide open
Then everything would stay the same

And I know that only time will tell me how
We'll carry on without each other

So keep me awake for every moment
Give us more time to be this way
We can't stay like this forever
But I can have you next to me today

We'll let tomorrow wait, you're here, right now, with me
All my fears just fall away, when you are all I see

We can't stay like this forever
But I have you here today

And I will remember
Oh, I will remember
Remember all the love we shared today

Linda and I have been paying a lot of attention to a song by Trisha Yearwood..also sung by LeAnn Rimes.....a song that means a lot to us...having said that...the Josh Groban song is amazing too...we just might use it in our upcoming Listening Heart Wings Seminar for couples we are participating in and helping out with towards the end of September.


Trisha Yearwood

Lyrics to How Do I Live :

How do I
Get through one night without you
If I had to live without you
What kind of life would that be?
Oh I need you in my arms
Need you to hold
Your my world my heart my soul
If you ever leave
Baby you'd take away everything good in my Life.

And tell me now
How do I live without you I want to know
How do I breathe without you
If you ever go
How do I ever, ever survive?
How do I
How do I
O how do I live?.

Without you
There'd be no sun in my sky
There would be no love in my life
There would be no world left for me
And I
Baby I don't know what I would do
I would be lost if I lost you
If you ever leave
Baby you would take away everything real in My life

And tell me now
How do I live without you
I want to know
How do I breathe without you
If you ever go
How do I ever ever survive?
How do I How do I O how do I live?...

Please tell me baby..

How do I go on?

If you ever leave
Well baby you would take away everything
Need you with me
Baby don't you know your everything good in My life

And tell me now
How do I live without you
I want to know
How do I breathe without you
If you ever go How do I ever, ever survive?
How do I
How do I
O how do I live

How do I live without you
How do I live without you baby.......
How do I live....

Wednesday....September 9th...2009

Tuesday...September 8th...2009

Linda is having a brain MRI Thursday as a precaution against the headaches she has been having for a month or so...the headaches have not been severe but consistent and the Oncologist decided to check things out.....Linda is also having a contrast CTSCAN a week from tomorrow of her chest and abdominal areas....by a week from Thursday we should have a very clear indication on how things are going......

Tonight we attended the DEFEAT Cancer dinner and meeting.....it was very insightful with the emphasis being on clinical trials...Linda's Oncologist already has told her there are no trials available for lung cancer at this time...but it was important for us to understand what they are all about...and we now have that understanding.

DEFEAT Cancer is a year-round survivorship empowerment program for cancer survivors and their caregivers focusing on nutrition, physical activity, education and inspiration. Under the direction of oncologist Archie Bleyer, DEFEAT Cancer is sponsored by St. Charles Medical Center and the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

http://www.defeatcancer.info/

There are some things we are interested in including a caregivers support focus group...sharing information we gained from our visits with the cancer seminars at the Moffit Institute in Florida, etc..

Interesting article at http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/29988909/sick_and_wrong

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BLOGGER COMMENTER pics are coming in.....get yours emailed ASAP to make the first publication..soon....!!!!!

Monday...September 7th...2009

We made it home today...safe and sound....

Shortly after arriving back in Oregon, friend and colleague Roger Traweek passed away.....more on that soon....as soon as we absorb things a bit...it hit Linda especially hard....he was a special man...

Tomorrow is a "relax day"..... we do have a dinner in Bend and an evening with the Lance Armstrong funded DEFEAT CANCER program....and we pick up Sadie the Lady fro son Jeff....

Pictures are coming in on our "IDENTIFY YOUR FELLOW BLOGGER" program....get yours to Dave at dave@lindavwood.com .......avoid the use of cartoons where your picture should be by getting you pics in....that includes Miss Swee who is very cute and "picturesque".

Sunday....September 6th....2009

Day 5 .....Anchorage, Alaska....

Yesterday's fishing was a "full boat of fish".....3 hours to get out to the fishing grounds and 3 hours back....yes...there was some "puk'in"...but not by us....Dave caught 4 halibut...Darron 5....not a bad size but not like the giant ones of yesterday....

Beautiful trip....crossing the part of the Prince Williams Sound where the Exxon Valdez "did its thing"......

Linda is resting today....she continues to exhibit some tiredness that is new...this week...we will most likely have a blood test done when we return tomorrow to Bend...to see if there is any anemia or low blood counts...or....

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ps...we have a "new deal" for BLOG readers..send us a picture of you....the best you have and lower pixel (but not necessary)....we are going to publish a "BLOGGER APPRECIATION" post.....so you can be seen by your fellow BLOGGERS......."lurkers" are required to send a picture also..to dave@lindavwood.com....

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Day 4, Anchorage, Alaska, Sept. 5, 2009

Dave is not back from fishing yet, so I am doing the blog. I got up early to have breakfast with him before he left, but went right back to sleep for three hours. I have been really tired on this trip and just a little depressed feeling. I actually feel as if I have the chemo punies, but I'm not on any chemo drugs. I suppose my blood count could be off, or I could be anemic. I have felt so good most of the summer that I start getting scared when I start feeling less than good. I'll be glad to have the scan done in eleven days so I can put any unfounded fears aside. Sometimes I just forget to BELIEVE.

LaVelle and I watched Revolutionary Road this morning and did a puzzle this afternoon. We went to have pizza this evening with my nieces Laura and Sarah and Sarah's boyfriend. It was another pleasant day today, even if pleasant here is a high of 65 degrees. The guys should be home soon with their catch. Dave will have to tell you about it tomorrow.

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

Friday...September 4th....2009

Day 3...Anchorage, Alaska

Today was a "rest day" although we did some small trips within town and went to dinner with all the relatives at niece Laura's home....and had king crab legs and scallops...

Tomorrow Dave and Darron are going fishing for salmon and halibut out of Whittier, Alsaka....Linda and LaVelle are doing puzzles and watching movies....

Linda is doing well today....

The picture is of: nieces Sarah and Laura....Laura's daughters Haley and Emily....and sister in law LaVelle......

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Thursday....September 3rd....2009

Day 2...Alaska

Today we went to the Alaska State Fair for the day....It was a fun event....not overdone...so nice....

Linda's energy level was still a bit down but she did well...resting on benches from time to time....

Wednesday....September 2nd...2009

Day 1 in Anchorage, Alaska.....

Last night the last 100 miles of the flight was rough..and the landing a bit anxious for everyone except the two guys in the exit row who were drunk as skunks..which heightened all the anxiety a bit higher....but we survived.

The first thing we noticed in Alaska was that no one had voted for Sarah Palin...how then did she get elected Governor...my sense is folks are glad to see her gone.

Today we went Alyeska and rode the tram to the top to have lunch...courtesy of Brother Darron and Sister in law LaVelle...a bit cold and wet but fun.

Linda is doing pretty good..she doesn't feel the "energy" from the excitement of the trip...which worries her a bit..she just can't put her finger on it...but the energy seems a bit low....we will monitor.

Friend Roger had emergency surgery today......again..high risk....but did well....we all pray for his recovery....

Pictures of the plane ride....the tram ride....Darron and LaVelle....etc.

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Tuesday....September 1st...2009

We fly today so an early "BLOG Edition".......

1. The folks looking at our house (having already sold theirs which is a rarity) bought another one..but it looks like we were "second best".

2. The weather today is so beautiful...a wonderful Central Oregon day......

3. The Defeat Cancer program is publishing my "BLOG and Cancer" article..along with excerpts from your wonderful and insightful comments....what an addition they were!

4. Six days in Alaska..a break from the neighbor's dog......the sheriff's deputy has been involved the last two incidents.....almost 30 minutes of non stop barking the other night....the neighbor's defense: "we didn't know they were home (ie. "us")".

5. Linda is doing well this am..looking forward to a new adventure today......

6. Friend Roger is back in ICU....clots and mysterious fluid in his body....no wonder he was "cranky" the other day....

7. I just finished the book "Columbine".....great insights into "psychopathic behavior".....there doesn't need to be some "event" that triggers these incredible acts and events....even though the media wanted to portray it as such.

8. We will all miss Teddy Kennedy...."politics" as opposed to "what's good for our country" is ruling right now...the insurance companies "rule" as well as politicians who have the desire to "bring down a President". I am getting ready to fight....my "Eugene McCarthy" energies are starting to boil to the surface.

9. Finally (in part from an email recently from a friend):


Remember to just keep going, and keep your head above water..




















And you'll get by with a little help from your friends!