Tuesday....December 21st...2010

Cookie day today....Linda's niece Susan, her mother Jo, daughter Sarah and our grand daughter Jillian gathered at the Wood home to bake and decorate Christmas sugar cookies with Miss Linda....Linda began the day pretty weak but by lunch had gathered strength...all had a good time and there were some pretty cool looking cookies...
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Dave spent a wonderful morning finishing a gallon of ugly tasting pre colonoscopy stuff followed by a trip to the doctor followed by a long involuntary sleep followed by a trip home with daughter Janine (no yogurt stop at Costco which was a prerequisite for allowing her to drive me!).

Tomorrow our wonderful Dentist of old, Dr and Mrs. Durham come for a visit and dinner and evening with our wonderful insurance agent and friends Judy and Roman.....and they get to visit with wonderful us...

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Monday...December 20th...2010

Linda is doing pretty good..she is going without the oxygen for periods of time...she believes the radiation was effective and the left upper lobe reinflated...she does say though that it is more comfortable with the )2...she does like going into stores without it....so we are carrying it in the car now at all times so she can use it as needed.....she is pretty weak..hard to get up..almost impossible in she kneels down....can't hardly climb stairs...needs help doing so...

Last night Ginnie and Nancy came for dinner.. daughter Janine helped her mother prepare the meal...and did a great job...son Jim showed and joined in...a good time was had by all.....

Tomorrow grand daughter Jillian and Linda's niece Susan and her daughter Sarah are coming over to make and decorate sugar cookie....Linda has the dough ready to go...Dave wishes he could join in but the followup Colonoscopy is tomorrow....can they make that stuff you drink any worse...and the other half has to be drunk in the am....UGGGGGGGHHHHHH.....

The bathroom floor is tiled..now the counter.....

Mrs. Wood has acknowledged her loss of hair and cancer this round by wearing a baseball cap instead of a wig...she figures folks just aught to know she has cancer....she has always resisted wearing a ball cap...looks good...

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Sunday...December 19th...2010

Our Christmas Newsletter

Christmas 2010 by Dave and Linda

First, Linda and Dave wish you and you’re a very Merry Christmas and may your New Year be one of health and prosperity…

For us, it has been quite a year … one of gratitude and one of sadness. One of growth and one of realness. One of gratitude and one of limitations.

A quick review of the year past… Linda started the year two and half years into her lung cancer journey… 5 months of 2010 with Alimta, a targeted therapy which worked well… then moving to Oregon Health Science University (OHSU) in Portland and starting Tarceva, a very successful new generation targeted therapy… alas, the “miracle drug” failed to help Linda in any way and allowed the cancer to grow unabated for 2 and a half months …. then excitement to be included in a clinical trial but rejected after a month and a half of preparation just the day before the trial was to start (the cancer has free reign now for 4 months)… then 10 days of radiation to potentially deal with a collapsed lung lobe…and finally back to a new chemo to slow down the cancer …and on oxygen to help her breathe and (yeah) stopped the persistent cough…

So where are we? The cancer will ultimately prevail unless a miracle suddenly appears. What is amazing the strength and resolve Linda has shown…her Oncologists and Doctors have said “she is going through this with grace”...”strong and inspiring”…

We sold our Sisters, Oregon home in January and returned to our Florida home which we sold in April…then life started in the Portland area where we rented an RV spot for two months while we looked for a home. Then two months in the RV next to our new home in Canby, Oregon while we completely renovated the home to make it “ours”. We have lived in the home now for our 4th month and projects are still going on but it is a very delightful place to live. Linda has not regretted one moment of this project and is happy to have such a comfortable and warm place to call ours.

Now for the bad news… this rain is a bit much…the climate here is made for ducks…but we are coping….our Florida friends are surely feeling sorry for us.

What do we find in Canby that excited us enough to find a place to call our own? It is more of a laid back community close enough to Portland but also far enough away to avoid the traffic jams, shootings, etc., etc… Neighbors take care of their places and are very friendly and helpful and it is not uncommon to lose an hour or two engaging in a spontaneous conversation in the middle of the street. Although a bit conservative, the community takes pride in itself and reflects that in many ways. We like Canby because we a very close to the city boundary surrounded by farms and nurseries…and a ferry that crosses the Willamette River just to the north of us…with a ferryman that one can ride with for an hour or two and just shoot “the bull”. We like Canby because one can go in several different directions and end up in a different town or store or mall … and all is very close drive. We like Canby as we are close to Janine and Jim and Jenn…and not that far from Seattle…and the train if we chose to ride north. We also can catch the west side train to the Max system into Portland. Enough said…we like it and feel blessed we found this community.

For a more exhaustive communiucation …day by day… check with www.linda-lou.blogspot.com
Odds and Ends…

Dave did a Crossover back up for Wings Seminars again this year as well as a couple’ Listening Heart Seminar with Linda….

We took granddaughter Jillian by train to Seattle and then by boat to Victoria where we stayed at the Empress Hotel…

We went on a “camping” trip with daughters Janine and Wendy (with Chris and Taigen)…we say “camping” because it is a 38 foot motor home for us…

Our kids put on a 30th Anniversary Event for us for which we are very grateful…they did a wonderful job and we thank them…we got to see a lot of “old” and “new” friends…it was very special.

In wrapping this up, we want to say we are grateful for each other and those around us…so many friends and family members have stepped up and supported us in many ways…we want to say..”Thank you”…you are special…. We have been through some hard times and we are committed to be “in the present” and not worry too much about the future where we lose the present. And to have such a support system of family and friends has been so critical to this goal in our lives.

Our “contracts” we have taken for our lives through Crossover…in 1988…
Linda….. “I am an open, powerful and courageous woman” Dave…”I am a gentle, relaxed and flexible man” Our “commitment statement” from Listening Heart…in 1989… to each other … begins “We are one….”

With Love and Gratitude…Dave and Linda

Friday...December 17....2010

Linda had a good day today..up at 7:30 while Sadie and Dave slept...Linda packed presents...balanced the checkbook...etc..etc ...a surge of energy...of course she went to far and tired a lot...down for a nap and then up getting ready for her siblings' arrival (with spouses)..

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Dave cut Linda's hair short but it looked a bit like "Phantom of the Opera" so tomorrow it all comes off....better now than later..and the wig fits better...

Linda had a great time with her siblings and lasted til late...the siblings had a good time with her too...it is so important this family support at this stage in her "journey"....

Tomorrow a day off...actually Dave will be tiling and keeping Linda slowed down...we shall see...

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Thursday....December 16th...2010

Another long busy day....

A trip to the OHSU medical oncologist first...he indicated that Linda did well on her first round of chemo (doing it over three weeks) so he was putting her to round two in the same manner starting today...after the 4 weeks of round two, another CTscan will be done to see if....a) the radiation or the oxygen has stopped the coughing and all....he says he believes it was the radiation..we shall see....and b) to see if the chemo has been effective...and if it has, he will continue on it for another round...if not, he will try something else. We asked him what that might be..he grinned and said "to be determined"...and then mentioned some drug with a very long name.

Linda's pulse and blood pressure have been good...which is a nice turn of events....with that in order and no cough, things are looking up.....Linda is still a bit weary of her hair falling out...it is like living old memories...and she didn't like it the last time...and having said that, she is getting used to it....she also looks a bit puffy in the face...which is due to the increased steroids....which she doesn't need to be reminded of either....

Linda had a "delightful" time in chemo..although it took quite a while again to get everything going....and we heard they had a new procedure..but one wouldn't have recognized it....and the "delightful" is relative...she sat in an area with a high spirited and delightful woman with breast cancer who had a great attitude and outlook on things....as Dave went shopping for Christmas stuff, Linda said the two ladies chatted the entire time...good to see others with good spirits and to associate with the same...

Tomorrow it's the get to gether for Linda's siblings and their spouses...it will be a delightful time for Linda..she is looking forward to it....

Dave is continuing his project of tiling the upstairs bathroom...his last big project inside....and he is off to Woodburn to change vehicle titles and finish Christmas shopping at the Outlet Mall...the joke is that the neighbors recommended Woodburn DMV because if you get in the "English speaking" line, they said you will be the only one in line...wonder what that meant...anyway, going to the DMV is almost as bad as the followup colonoscopy he has to have next week...or is the post office the worst?

Finally, while "spell checking" this BLOG, it wanted to change colonoscopy to kaleidoscope...think about it......

Wednesday...December 15th...2010

Busy day today....

The visit to the radiology oncologist went well...he is very nice and supportive....he showed Linda her last scan (4 weeks ago) from the top to the bottom, identifying each structure in the body and where the cancer is....he said that the next scan in 4 weeks should show clearly whether the radiation was effective or it was the oxygen...he said...of course...they wanted the credit...but the scan would show what happened...

Tomorrow we go to the bottom of the hill to see the medical oncologist and get his take...and then start the next round of chemo (1/3 each week for three weeks and then the 4th week off).

Linda was pretty good energy wise today...she asked the oncologist today about exercise and he indicated as others have....no pain no gain...is not the prescribed routine...do what her body tells her...move about...but not push it where it doesn't want to go....

Friday Linda's siblings all get together at our house to celebrate the holiday together....that should be very good for her....

Tuesday...December 14th...2010

We are working on several fronts.....

Christmas cards are out...

The Trusts are funded and final papers are being sent to the various places for recording and..and...

Linda's major baking is done....

Linda is working on the Peachtree accounting on the investments to finish calendar year 2010o....

Christmas shopping is almost done....waiting a couple more ideas to finish up.....

Dave is starting to tile the upstairs bathroom floor and counter...the last major inside job....

Tomorrow it's off to see the radiology oncologist..as a checkup on Linda's treatment....Thursday it's off to see the medical oncologist...as a checkup also and then a chemo treatment....

ps..the hair continues to fall....as it continues to rain here....

Sunday....December 12th...2010

Would somebody...anybody...come here and slow this woman down??????

Bake...make candy...bake...make candy...the woman has gone crazy....

ps...the hair is starting to come out....chemo.....

Friday...December 10th...2010

Another busy day today recording deeds, establishing Trust bank accounts...etc...etc..
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Linda had a pretty good day considering the chemo and all....our comments re the hair are premature...small handfuls can be "extracted"...looks like the "blond" is going to show up again in our lives...AKA "the wig".....oh well....

Daughter in law Jenn came over in the am to brighten Linda's day...her cousin Ron ("Dr. Ron") came over after a meeting in Portland to see her...and her brother Marlin came over from the other side of the freeway...so she had lots of company today to add cheer to the day....

Tomorrow it is supposed to rain big amounts...we had a lot of rain two days ago...the ferry is closed because of high waters in the river..but this coming storm is supposed to be bigger...a good day to hunker down at home..

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Wednesday...December 8th....2010

Good day today.....Claudia, Claudine and Karen came over to bake with Linda.....the "St. Paul Girls"....Betty came over later to finish up....lots of goodies were baked and a good time was had by all....it is simply amazing to see the lift Linda gets from these visits.....Claudia stayed for the evening and it was most enjoyable sharing stories and memories from our youths...hopefully they all come back...

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Tuesday...December 7th...2010

Linda has been very happy with her Christmas decorating that so many people had a hand in..she raves about it every time she is on the phone with someone..so thank you again to those who assisted her...

And to the baker helpers...thank you too...and Claudia is bringing a bunch tomorrow to bake in the afternoon...cheers to you too....

Mrs. Wood is holding her own...the O2 is helping....the chemo is slowing her down..this next week is her week off...so she should have a better week....

This has been a week of Arborvitae planting outside by Dave...he is feeling his age though but is glad to be outside..even when it rains....Linda is addressing Christmas cards and letters....and both are still working on Trust matters...

Tuesday....December 6th...2010

Elizabeth Edwards has been advised by her doctors that further treatment of her cancer would be unproductive. "She is resting at home with family and friends," said the Edwards family in a statement issued.

Edwards posted to Facebook on Monday, an incredible "spot on" statement worth repeating

You all know that I have been sustained throughout my life by three saving graces -- my family, my friends, and a faith in the power of resilience and hope. These graces have carried me through difficult times and they have brought more joy to the good times than I ever could have imagined. The days of our lives, for all of us, are numbered. We know that. And yes, there are certainly times when we aren't able to muster as much strength and patience as we would like. It's called being human. But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful. It isn't possible to put into words the love and gratitude I feel towards everyone who has and continues to support and inspire me every day. To you I simply say: you know.

Saturday...December 4th...2010

I am feeling so blessed after the last couple days. Here I was going through a grieving process when Jim and Janine showed up to set up the tree. Then Nancy and Ginnie showed up and put up the lights and ornaments to make the tree absolutely beautiful.
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The crowning glory was when four beautiful friends (Judy, Rhodie, Maureen, and Kathy) showed up last night serenading me in matching pajamas. Of course they had a pair for me which I hastily put on. What a night we had. We ate. looked at old pictures, and made beautiful new memories. My days of making memories are not over which was great for my morale. These gals gave me a gift that can not be measured and hopefully we can do it again. We called it a slumber party even though everyone went home at 11:00 so I could get my beauty sleep.

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I know it was necessary to go through the grieving process,, but I am grateful for all of you that got me out of my funk. Christmas always puts me in a good mood.

Love and Gratitude.......Linda...

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30 years of marriage..

Dave and Linda were celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary.

Suddenly, a tiny yet beautiful fairy appeared . She said, 'For being such an exemplary married couple and for being loving to each other for all this time, I will grant you each a wish.'

Linda answered, 'Oh, I want to travel around the world with my darling husband, Dave.
The fairy waved her magic wand and - poof! - two tickets for the Queen Mary II appeared in her hands.

Dave thought for a moment: 'Well, this is all very romantic, but an opportunity like this will never come again. I'm sorry Linda, but my wish is to have a wife 30 years younger than me.

Linda and the fairy, were deeply disappointed, but a wish is a wish.

So the fairy waved her magic wand and poof!...Dave became 92 years old.

The moral of this story:

Men who are ungrateful bastards should remember fairies are female.....

Linda had a good day today mentally...visiting with the Doctor yesterday helped..and having such good friends to help her out..more on that later....and it being Christmas..all helped....she is in a good place...

Nancy and Virginia came over today and decorated the Christmas tree and some more of the house....and we all sat down to a Chinese dinner..from the local Chinese restaurant....thanks and more thanks to two wonderful people for their love and support...and for being there at a critical time for Linda..

Linda's fortune tonight...."An admirer is too shy to greet you at the moment...."to me this means someone who has something to say to Linda is holding back and might regret it down the line...step forward...take the risk...and talk with Linda...don't be shy!

Tomorrow is a BIG day....first we meet with the banker in Portland who handles our annual builder's loan on our Brasada spec house...seeing how this February will go with the loan and to meet Dave...Linda has been working with him solely....then Linda has her two hours in the infusion center at OHSU getting the third week of chemo in her first cycle..next week she has off. We are going to get a private bedroom for the infusion..nice of them to accommodate our needs as we are going to use the time as time to spend with our trust attorney to continue the trust development..tomorrow is about funding the trusts and to set up title changes..loan changes, etc., etc..

Thank you ..all of you for understanding the blog entry for yesterday...it is where we are at...in our basic form...

Dave got another question today...one he has heard a few times over the past couple of weeks: "AND..how are you DOING?".......a tough question as I am not really sure.....I've not been in this exact spot before...I never anticipated being in this place in time...I do know I am watching my health as I let it slip early on in this journey and paid dearly for it....I know I don't want to be alone...I am scared to be alone...I know I don't want to lose my wife...especially since it is Linda....who is one in a million...I know I am wanting to be in the moment and not worry too much about the future..but I also know I have an "eye" on the future..and I question constantly whether I am being "real" in this place I am in (I want to believe I am)...I know I am not looking for advice....or to be "fixed"....we get enough of that...anyway...it is a tough question which has left me to ponder each time I am asked....and it will continue as such...

Thank you again for your support..and understanding....the picture below include Linda at her last infusion session..then Linda at Thanksgiving and finally Nancy, Virigina and Linda before the decorated Christmas tree

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Wednesday....December 1st...2010

Quite a day today.....we met with the Palliative Doctor...(Palliative care: Medical or comfort care that reduces the severity of a disease or slows its progress rather than providing a cure)...Linda had met with him a while back but was in a much better condition...this time she felt she needed help....she wanted to know why she felt the way she did...and was part of her feeling due to the chemo or the cancer...and why was she so depressed....

The Doctor was very helpful....after talking and listening to Linda....first he explained that she was not depressed but rather grieving...that grieving is a natural process for where she is at in her journey through cancer...that it is a process that comes with the knowledge that one will lose their life because of the cancer...it is inevitable...he advised her to be with the grieving..not to reject it or shove it away...with this there will come a sense of acceptance....

The Doctor said it was the chemo that was making her feel the way she does...the fatigue...and other side effects..not the cancer....he is putting her on steroids daily to help her with the fatigue and other symptoms...

He emphasized that she has done nothing wrong..she has been a model patient through this journey...she has done her part...and there is no blame...

There was more but the time was well spent...and Linda appears to be comforted by the visit....as we talked with the Doctor, Christmas is a special time for Linda..always has..and to know that this will be her last Christmas is hard on her...and to feel the way she does...and to move to the Portland area believing there was greater hope and to find that there would be one failure in treatment after another. but again, it was the risk we took...and we are in acceptance of what has occurred.

What now?

Linda is a strong person...with an incredible religious belief system..so she is comforted by that. She can accept things that others would/could not....so as the Doctor said..focus on the time you have...which is/has been one of Linda's goals throughout this journey...

We are surrounding her with friends and relatives ...baking...visiting... decorating..etc. We will continue to do so recognizing she needs rest time each day...

What can you do? Pray... encourage her...support her....nurture her....laugh with her...cry with her.

What we ask you not do...please do not call and ask her what happened that day at the Doctors or...or...that costs too much energy for one person's benefit...call to encourage..to support..not to gain information...read the Blog....for that...

Don't offer cancer remedies that involve anything in any way..it is counter productive..besides, we have heard them all..or enough that we wish not to hear more...we know the neighbor's brother's dentist's dog's groomer's mother was cured of a cancerous brain tumor...you get the picture..offering false hope is not reasonable nor wanted...

Stop by....don't wait and then regret....say what you want to say..Linda loves people who are current and honest in their communication...she has done enough personal growth work as a participant and in a support role to recognize when friends/relatives are doing less than that...you can't fool her..she is a very wise insightful woman...

I've said about enough..you get the picture...Linda is an incredible woman...she didn't deserve this..nor the other sad times in her life..she is one in a million (or billion)....and having said that...It is what it is.

Thank You for listening and your support and involvement..we are all part of Linda Wood's journey....

Tuesday...November 30th...2010

Linda is tired most of the time..sleeps a lot...having said that, she is not coughing and breathing easier...thanks to the supplemental oxygen...she is dealing with some depression, knowing the oxygen is not a sometime deal as she originally thought..but rather 24/7...and that it is another step in the cancer journey.

Many friends and family members are stepping forward knowing Christmas, including baking and decorating are very important to Linda...and we are very thankful for that...

Linda had some difficulty breathing this am while she was doing some paperwork in the office...it was only after letting her know her chair leg was on the oxygen tubing that the breathing became easier again....duh....

Tomorrow we are going to OHSU to visit with the Palliative Doctor..we think he might have some thoughts about making Linda's life easier...we shall see.

We also have our cleaning lady coming for the first time...yea....

Sunday....November 28th.....2010

Linda is doing well on the O2 but still not much "gas in the engine" ....she tires quickly and recovery takes time...she has talked with numerous folks by phone and appears to be saying she is sliding downhill.....this has been hard on her..even though the O2 helps her ...so a bit of good and bad mixed together...and then there is the impact of the chemo...


Claudia was a "champ" ( a Christmas Fairy?) today...came over and did Christmas decorating with Linda...the decorating is very important to Linda ....they also planed a "girls baking day" and have the recipes picked out....actually we asked her if she was a Fairy or an Elf...and she was very clear that she was a Elf!


Dave is tiling the counter in the laundery....and it looks great...he also bought 40 Empress Green Arbivitae...to make a hedge out on the front sidewalk....tomorrow he is picking up the remainder of the plants and buy materials for a front porch railing....


One more Turkey Day cartoon..and that ends it....

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Saturday....November 27th...2010

Well...first trip to the store with the wheelchair and oxygen tank...and Mrs. Wood passed with flying colors....she's getting things figured out and accepting the O2 as the "new normal".....what is surprising is the coughing that has gone on for months is GONE.....and she feels better (duh)....
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This Christmas will be very important to Linda....people are already committing to come over and bake cookies and such with her...as that is her favorite thing...and to help her decorate for Christmas which is also her favorite thing....anyone wanting to come over and engage in one or the other or both...just call Mrs. Wood and find a time....

Linda thinks the BLOG comments and all within them are so wonderful....not able to thank each and everyone of you personally...consider this your THANKS! You are all special in her eyes....keep those comments coming..she reads and rereads every one of them.....

Some Turkey Day cartoons sent to us...brings a chuckle....

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Friday...November 26th...2010

Another "line in the sand" crossed...Linda is on O2 now..and will be on it...whenever and wherever...a bit of a shock for her....she has a machine that creates O2 which is her main source...she also has a big emergency tank should there be a power failure..etc...etc...and she has several small tanks (well kind of small) for travel...it will take a bit getting used to but she has what it takes to prevail and she will......

Friday....November 26th..2010

Things didn't go well after company left last night...Linda was short of breath and every effort drove her heart rate and pulse up.....today the answer became clear..she is not getting enough oxygen...we knew this was something in progress and last night was the "turning point"....

Today at chemo, Linda's O2 was at 90 then 89%....when documented twice..which it was, then she is put on oxygen..once they put it on her, she relaxed immediately and went to restful sleep....we believe they are arranging for oxygen equipment for our home as we speak...

Most of the OHSU facility was closed so no garage parking..no help downstairs etc..etc..only the infusion center is open..so it was a struggle to get Linda to the center...but we made it...

Thursday....November 25th...2010

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Linda and Dave had Sons Jim and Jeff, Daughter in law Jenn, Daughter Janine and her roomate Katie, and Grand daughter Jillian and her mom Julie.....so a house full of people. Everyone pitched in to make Linda's day a good one...and it was....now it's evening and quiet and we can reflect on our rich lives and our relations....

Tomorrow back to chemo...

Linda is not the strongest energy wise but good spirits...

Some pictures Jenn took at the Anniversary Event......

Monday evening......Nov..22.......2010

It's Linda, just checking in to thank everyone for all the well wishes, cards, gifts, and flowers for our 3oth anniversary. We had the most wonderful day filled with love, family, and friends. We couldn't have asked for anything more. I am so proud of my children for doing such a wonderful job. We came back to the house after the event and had more family show up here that couldn't make the afternoon, so it was after midnight before we got to bed. It was well worth it, and I rested up all of Sunday, and I am still recuperating. I've barely made it off the couch or the bed, but hope to bounce back for Thanksgiving. I'll have lots of help.

Thanks again for all the love you show me. What a lucky woman I am!

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

Monday....November 22nd...2010

Not much new to report...Linda is still recovering from her long day Saturday....but would not have traded it for anything....

Linda is setting up for Thanksgiving...has lots of help..and for some pre Christamas baking too...

Saturday...November 20th..2010

The 30th Anniversary...The Event...
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Our kids and their spouses (for those with spouses) put on a very wonderful 30th Anniversary for us today...followed by a gathering of family at our home this evening. all was very special and heartfelt..we are very appreciative of the support and the effort they went to on this very special day.....

We saw many friends ...from old to new...from here...from there....who took the time to come and spend time at our "Event"..we thank each and every one of them (You).....thank you..it meant a lot to us....and the kind things you said....

Some pictures.....