Christmas at Duke

We've already spent Halloween at Duke this year. We came really close to spending Thanksgiving at Duke. Now we are managing to get the Duke Hospital experience for Christmas. Not exactly what we had planned, but we are together and that's all that is truly important to me.

Joe had been having severe back pain over the last few days and it had become obvious that the fluid was once again building up in his abdomen.  So I called the oncologist covering for Dr. Zafar today and he urged us to come on to the emergency department.  He called ahead so they were already expecting us.  We were checked in quickly, an ultrasound was done, fluid was drawn and he was admitted to the 9th floor all within 4 hours.  That's good service!  When we got up to the room, not only do we have one of our favorite nurses (Brittany), but our absolute favorite 9th floor doctor is here, Dr. Yvonne Mowry.....YAY!!

Thank you to the near capacity crowd that attended Joe's piano concert last night at PGUMC.  With it so close to Christmas, we were pleasantly surprised with the turnout.  I hope it helped get everyone in the Christmas spirit.

Hopefully this will be a short stay but neither of us will let it dampen our Christmas.  It's just a delay in getting to the presents and food.

Worship fully, Spend less, Give more, Love all

WOW...what a week!

Yep, it's been a good week.  Joe has been tiring of an evening, but other than one afternoon of a little 99 degree fever, he has been sick free.  He finished his antibiotics for the c-diff infection on Wednesday so he is down one pill to take.  He's had piano lessons, wonderful choir practice, lunch with PGUMC staff, lunch with me, lunch with friends as well as accompanying me to my office holiday party.  So there haven't been any real negatives and those weeks have been few and far between since August so I have been very pleased.

Joe has his next chemo infusion on Monday, November 17th so he's a little pre-occupied with that day looming.  Fortunately, he has the Christmas program at church to concentrate on.  Tomorrow morning the choir will have their last rehearsal before Sunday's two performances.  Saturday's rehearsal will feature the full 11 piece ensemble he has put together along with the choir singing.  I'm really looking forward to seeing how well it all comes together.  If Wednesday's rehearsal with just a handful of the instrumental ensemble present is any indication, everyone should be there on Sunday at 11:00am for the full production.  It should be beautiful.  Possibly better than last year and that is saying something because that one was great!

Then of course he is also preparing for his "Christmas Piano by Candlelight" piano concert on December 23rd at the church.  We just have our fingers crossed that he doesn't have a bad reaction to this weeks chemo and the effects have worn off/subsided in order for him to get through the concert.  It would be a shame for this traditional concert to not happen this year, so say a special prayer for that.

The concert is at 7:00pm at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, 4415 Pleasant Grove Church Road, Raleigh, 27613.  If you need directions, let me know and I'll send them your way if you don't have a GPS.  It's very easy to get to and it's a fantastic way to really get into the Christmas/Advent spirit.

Speaking of PGUMC, this week the first monthly "Ask Jay" podcast began.  It is only 19 minutes long but I think everyone who goes to PGUMC should hear it.  If you don't attend, I think you'll enjoy getting to know Jay Minnick our minister.  His personality really comes through in the podcast.  Also, Dave does a GREAT job as the host (but then he is a professional)!  Here's the link if you want to take a listen.

Podcast of "Ask Jay"

Now if Joe & I can just get our family visits during Christmas arranged and lined up all will be good.  Since Joe has his concert on the 23rd, two Christmas services on the 24th and then we leave on the train for Old Town Alexandria on the 28th - and all this coming the week after chemo - we aren't going to be able to travel to Hope Mills or Greenville.  So if the families want to see us, they are going to have to travel and it's been difficult getting timing arranged given everyone's different schedules.  But it will work out and all will be good.  I have faith.

Thank you for all the Christmas cards that are coming in along with the emails, phone calls and prayers during this Advent season.  Joe and I are both so grateful for our friends and loved ones.

I just keep repeating my mantra for Advent:  "Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, Love All"