CT Scan results are in and the answer is....................

NO GROWTH of the tumor!  Every 2 months we have those few days in between the scan and getting the results from Duke that are somewhat nerve wracking.  But for the 3rd straight time, Joe has a great report from Leigh Howard with no growth of the tumor.  The chemo is working to maintain it.  Of course ideally we would like to have the tumor shrink, but we will take no growth any day of the week.

You can tell by the smile on his face that Joe was quite relieved and happy with todays results (you might have to zoom in on the face - but I guarantee you there is a smile).  Anyway, he is currently hooked up to his chemo in the infusion center and should be out of there within the next 30 minutes or so.  All in all, a smooth morning.  Now he can relax a little this afternoon, go for a walk on this glorious day, get some exercise and fresh air and hopefully sleep tonight (with the help of chemicals).   He is also battling the start of a head cold so we have to keep an eye on that to make sure it doesn't get too bad.  I may try to get him to wear surgical gloves and a mask when in public for a few days.  But that will be easier said than done.  However, stranger things have happened.  Sitting at Bible study tonight with a mask on might be interesting!

Thank you for the continued support and prayers.  We love you all for everything you have done for us and every kind word.

Quicker than quick post!

This post will be so quick, you have to look fast or you might miss it. This has been Joe's off week for chemo so not much to report. His sleeping schedule got messed up early in the week so it has resulted in some tired days but he has rested in the afternoons and heading into the weekend feels pretty good. I've had a crappy work week myself so I am incredibly glad to have the weekend here. Nothing makes you appreciate Saturday and Sunday more than a rough work week. One really wonderful thing did happen this week though. On Tuesday Joe stopped by the Subway near PGUMC for lunch and got a great surprise. Mary and Bob Anderson were there. I have missed them so much at church on Sundays since Mary's surgery. Joe was kind enough to take a photo of Mary for me and she looks great!

I hope she doesn't mind the mention, but I know that she was "tipped off" to the possibility. Joe and I are praying for both of them daily and we are thrilled to see her out and about.

Joe has his CT scan at Duke this Tuesday and then we will get the results on Thursday.

Thank you to everyone for their prayers, good wishes and concerns. Please also say a prayer for the Anderson's while your are at it.

Round 3 is Done! No Chemo for 2 Weeks!

Joe had his last Chemo infusion of January yesterday and it's a good thing it was the last for two weeks. He was there for 4 hours, much longer than usual and he didn't even have to see the doctor. He arrived at a little after 8am, had his blood drawn for labs by 8:30am and had enough time before his 9:15am infusion appointment to go to the food court and have sausage biscuits for breakfast. Things were going smoothly so we should have known it wouldn't last. He had a very long wait in the waiting room until almost 11:00am and when he did get back in the infusion center he finds out the blood work for the labs that was drawn earlier wasn't enough for a good reading. Therefore they had to draw more blood right there in the infusion center. Then finally they started his steroids and then the chemo. Long story short: Joe didn't get out of Duke until after 12:00pm. That makes for a very long morning.

But on a positive note, he doesn't have another treatment until February 2nd. However, he does have his CT scan on the 31st of this month.

So what are we doing this weekend you ask. (you were wondering weren't you?) Tomorrow we pick up 2 cakes at Costco and head down to Hope Mills for our neice Sara's surprise sweet sixteen birthday party. She doesn't read the blog so no fear here of spoiling anything. Joe and I just had a sweet moment remembering back in 1999 when Joe met Sara at age 3. On their 2nd meeting, Sara came up to Joe and asked in that little 3 year old voice, "can I call you Uncle Joe?". It was a moment that both of us remember very well along with so many other times we have had with Sara. She would visit for a week at a time from the time she was 5 years old. So many loving, funny, incredibly wonderful memories. Our goal was to make each visit to see us special and to make her feel just how special she is to us. Yes we spoiled her and delighted in each and every minute. Whether it was taking her shopping, riding the carousel with her (Joe did that, I was too embarrassed), taking her to the movies or just letting her snuggle up between us, our goal was just to make her happy and feel great about herself. She has grown into such a beautiful young lady and we are so proud of her and love her beyond what words can express. Happy early birthday to our little girl, Sara.

So hopefully we will have a wonderful weekend and we can enjoy some time with Sara and then next week Joe can have a nice relaxing week.

Thank you for all your prayers and support. Joe and I are truly blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people.

Chemo: Round 2 (Ding, Ding)

This week was the 2nd of this 3-week cycle at Duke. Although we made good time, this week was no new record. Joe didn't get out of chemo until 11:00 am. We did get to see both Dr. Zafar and Leigh Howard, which is always a good thing. Joe seems to be doing well enough that for now, he'll only see the doctor one time per chemo cycle. The other two appointments will just be for labs and then his chemo infusion. No co-pays for those visits...YAY!

It hardly seems possible but it's almost time for Joe's next CT Scan. Two months fly by when you're having fun, right? The next scan is scheduled for January 31st. We won't know the results until his February 2nd appointment. We just love waiting for the results (if you don't hear the sarcasm in that, read it again and listen carefully).

All in all, a good week except for my cold which is now entering its 5th week. Maybe by next Christmas I'll be well! We also set a record this year by getting the Christmas decorations down the earliest ever. Joe didn't get to have them still up on his birthday once again.

Thank you for the continued prayers and good wishes. We appreciate each and every one.

First Chemo Treatment of 2012

Joe had his first chemo treatment of 2012 Thursday morning. And WOW what a morning! Ok, ok, WOW might be overdoing it with fake enthusiasm just a bit. But there was one good thing....Joe got out of chemo in record time - before 10:00 a.m.. That might not seem like much but in our world it's a big deal. Especially since we get there so early, 7a.m.  We weren't the only ones who were tired and sleepy while in the waiting room.  This lady just gave up and took a nap.

For the month of January his chemo appointments will be on Thursdays since last Monday was a holiday for the Duke Clinic employees.  It also means that when the February treatments start, he'll get an extra 3 days off before the cycle begins. Don't worry if you don't understand, I've managed to confuse myself as well.

Of course, as usual, Joe had trouble sleeping last night as he normally does on chemo nights.  The steroids they give him work against him sleeping.  Even with ambien, benadryl, tylenol and sleepy time tea, it was after 2a.m. before he was able to get to sleep.  One culprit however, and this is just my opinion, is his addiction to "Words with Friends" on his iPad2.  I have no idea how many games he has going at the moment, but last night, even in the wee hours he was on the sofa with iPad in his lap playing.

At least he was dressed in appropriate DUKE attire.  Not that he cares, but I like it!

Thanks to everyone for all the warm holiday wishes and prayers.  We appreciate all the support and outpouring of love.

Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot.......

As 2011 draws to a close, please indulge me while I reminisce about the good and the bad parts of the year. I think I'll start with the bad, or at least not so good parts. Of course, Joe's pancreatic cancer took "center stage" much of the time. Early in the year he finished his radiation and first round of chemotherapy. He had gotten through this with very little side effects. We then had a 6 week waiting period before he was to have his surgery. Just 6 days before his scheduled operation he developed an infection and was hospitalized after more than 24 hours in the emergency department at Duke. We played a game of switching rooms before we took up permanent residence on the surgical floor. Joe had the surgery on schedule on that Tuesday but the surgeon could not remove the tumor due to it's attachment to an artery. He did however remove his gall bladder and "re-design his stomach" in case the tumor should start to grow and block the colon. Joe remained in the hospital for 8 more days before coming home. Unfortunately, he was only home for 2 weeks before he was back at the emergency department (only 8 hours this time) and subsequently admitted for a post op infection. This stay was just 6 days but ended up with him coming home with a wound vac. The trauma that caused when it malfunctioned is not something I'll ever forget. (imagine me having to remove the vac from his open incision and then stick my hand back inside him to pack the opening with gauze......I still have nightmares). And of course we can't forget that during this time I was hobbling around with 2 fractures & a torn ligament in my left foot from a fall the day after he came home from the hospital. But after that, it was smooth sailing for a few months.

Once Joe was fully recovered from the surgery, he started back on chemo. He has 1 treatment per week for three weeks, then one week off. After that, it starts over again. He has done well, even gaining a little weight in the process. Weight however isn't the only thing he gained. He also acquired a hernia, a big hernia. We saw two surgeons (I did NOT like the first one) and unless Joe develops any problems we will just let it go for now. He did get a binder to wear around his waist to help hold the hernia in somewhat. He continues to do well with the chemo and his two most recent CT Scans have shown no growth of the tumor.

We managed to get a real week of vacation at the beach this summer and as the warm weather was drawing to a close, we made a trip to Connecticut (thanks Bill & Sandy for getting us there and back) where one of Joe's college roommates and his wife, Rob and Lola Hugh live. There we also did something we have talked about for years...we got married. It was the most wonderful day of both our lives and not a day has gone by since then that I haven't thought about that day and what it has meant to us. We will never be able to thank Lola and Rob enough for making all the arrangements and putting it all together so perfectly for us. We have so many photos from that whirlwind trip and will have a video to go along with them soon. Labor day brought a quick trip to Surf City to visit friends, Thanksgiving was a trip to Myrtle Beach to relax and Christmas was a trip to both Greenville to see Joe's family and a trip to Hope Mills to see mine. Our traditional holiday trips the year before had all been canceled due to Joe's diagnosis so this year we were determined to do what we have traditionally done. Cancer be damned!!

There have been many highs and many lows this year but one thing has remained constant, the love that Joe and I have for one another. Actually one other thing has remained constant, the love, caring and prayers from our friends and from Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church. PGUMC has been so supportive and loving. Regardless of what the future brings, Pleasant Grove has made an indelible mark on both our lives.

Last year in the final post, I said good riddance to 2010. Although 2011 has been a rough year and there are certain things I wish hadn't happened or had turned out differently, there were so many wonderful and loving times that I am sorry to see it end. I'll just say good-bye to 2011 and hope that 2012 brings as many happy memorable moments. If we get that, it will be a great year.

Twas the Week Before Christmas and Jeff STILL has a Cold

That is my only defense for not posting anything in so long.  I have been battling a cold since early last week.  By this past Friday I had to leave work at lunch time and came on home.  I basically stayed in bed or laying on the couch from Friday at 1pm until we got up Sunday to go to church. (we get up at 6am - Joe has to be there at least an hour before the 8:30 service to practice the organ).

Last week was a huge week for Joe.  He had his regular doctor and chemo appointment on Monday the 12th.  It went well but we were told that his white blood cell count was down as well as his neutrophil count.  The neutrophil count is important because if it drops below 1.0 then they will either have to stop his chemo treatments for awhile or at the very least decrease the dosage.  On the 12th his was at 1.2, not much room for error.  So they tell us for him to be sure and be careful about being around anyone sick and if he should develop a sore throat or a slight fever, to call them at once.  Of course, that Monday is the same day my cold started kicking in. It made for an interesting week trying to keep my distance here in the same house.  However, Joe had a busy week of preparing for the church choir's Christmas music as well as his 4th Annual "Christmas Piano by Candlelight" concert.  Both of which were this past Sunday.

First the choir's performance.  They were magnificent!  I don't use the term lightly either so please believe me when I say it.  Never have they sounded so wonderful and the sanctuary been filled with more beautiful music.    Everyone in the congregation for both the 8:30am service (I did not attend except to take photos) and the 11:00am service was mesmerized.  Joe had arranged for a string quartet, french horn, flute, clarinet, piano and organ to accompany the choir and the sound was so full and glorious.  I wish everyone could have been there to hear it.  I was so proud of Joe and the entire choir.  I still smile thinking about it.

Even Jill was a "trooper" and agreed to put on one of the choir robes.  She played the piano beautifully and we are so grateful to her for stepping up once again and helping Joe out.  

Once the 11:00am service was over, it was time to transform the sanctuary for Joe's candlelight piano concert and then for him to practice some on the piano.

This is only 50 seconds of a couple of hours of rehearsal at the church on Sunday afternoon.  However, it paid off big time as his concert was a resounding triumph (yes, I know I'm getting carried away with the praise, but I can't think of another way to describe it).  Thank you so much to the 170+ people who came out Sunday night for the concert as well as the 3 people (Rob, Lola & Bert) in Connecticut who we Skyped in on my iPad2. They had the best seats in the house.  Lola referred to them as the "Royal Box Seats".  I have heard from several people about how nice it was to spend an evening listening to his beautiful music and to just slow down for an evening during this holiday rush time.  Afterwards, the senior high youth had arranged a reception for Joe in the fellowship.  They went all out with multi-colored lights hung around the walls and wonderful refreshments.  A big thank you to all of those that put forth such effort to make the reception happen.   Sunday was certainly a long day at church. I counted the number of hours we spent there on Sunday and it was more than 10.  Needless to say, we both got lots of religion that day.

Yesterday, Monday the 19th, Joe had his last doctors appointment of 2011.  We were a little nervous about what his white blood cell and neutrophil counts would be since I had been sick around him all week, but it turned out ok.  Actually better than ok.  His white count was up a point and his neutrophil was at 1.7 so he was able to have his usual chemo infusion without any change.  YAY!

This weekend at PGUMC we will have 2 Christmas Eve services.  The one at 4:00pm is geared toward families and is a lot of fun as it is interactive with all the kids in the church.  The 7:00pm service will be a more traditional communion service.  If someone is looking for somewhere to spend a lovely evening on Saturday, please consider the door at Pleasant Grove open and welcoming for you to stop in.   On Sunday, we will have one 11:00am service and then Joe and I will be off to Greenville to have Christmas lunch with his family and exchange gifts.  Then on Monday we will be in Hope Mills with my family.  A bit different than we typically do Christmas but we are very grateful that we are able to travel this Christmas like we have always done.  Last year with Joe just getting out of the hospital and undergoing his radiation treatments, both families had to come here.  It's much easier for 2 people to travel than it is for 9.

Joe and I both hope that everyone has a wonderful Christmas and New Year.  We are so very grateful for all our friends and family and the prayers and good wishes that we have felt all year long.  Although this has been a difficult year, we have grown closer and have never felt more loved and cared for in all our lives.  Thank you for the gift of love that everyone has given us.

Wanna See Something Gorgeous?

So do you?  Well just take a look at the photo below.

Isn't that tree gorgeous?  And yeah, Joe looks nice too! He's all dolled up in his tuxedo for the TGMC Christmas Concert.  Tonight it was in Durham and on Sunday it is in Raleigh at 3pm at St. Marks Episcopal Church.  Tonight's concert was wonderful.  The chorus sang beautifully and of course Joe was great on the piano.  If anyone doesn't have plans on Sunday afternoon, I highly recommend a drive to St. Marks.   Of course no show is complete without a wardrobe malfunction.  Tonight it was Joe.  After the show he comes walking up with half of his vest hanging off his shoulder.  It was very Janet Jacksonesque.  As soon as we got home I had to get the old needle and thread out so he doesn't cause a scandal tomorrow in Raleigh.

Thanks to everyone who came out tonight to support the chorus and see Joe, especially Doris, Scott & Ken. It was great to see all of you.  Joe and I continue to be very grateful for all the prayers and good wishes.  We are so grateful this holiday season for our wonderful friends.  Your support continues to mean so much to us.

Monday morning we will be off to Duke for Joe's 7:20am doctor and chemo appointments.  

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

The picture below should say it all with regard to the results of Joe's latest CT Scan.

Joe is all smiles and so am I that the CT scan done of Friday showed no growth of the tumor. STATUS QUO.  It was a long anxious weekend waiting for this morning and the results.  But it was worth it for these results.  A few more months before we have to worry about another scan.  Now we can both relax a little and enjoy the Holiday Season.

Thank you to everyone for your prayers, thoughts and concerns.  Someone is listening.



Christmas Photos 2011

We've both been working all day (well Joe has, I finished up my part about 2 hours ago), but he is finishing up the 2nd Christmas tree.  Yes ladies and gentlemen, we have two trees.  The tree in the living room is the white one with uniform lights and ornaments and the family room tree is the one that Joe gets to put all the assorted ornaments that he has collected over the years.  That one is a green one.  Then throughout the house are assorted decorations that the 2 of us have collected over the years together.  Joe's favorites however are his Christmas trolls which he has had for eons.  He insists on them coming out every year.  I've posted the photos of  our decorated home on a link on the right hand side of this page, but they can also be accessed by clicking here.

Christmas is Joe's absolutely favorite time of year.  He loves all the decorations and I get used to them after awhile.  If he had his way they would stay up through the entire winter, maybe even into spring.  I have to put my foot down after "old Christmas" and I slowly start putting stuff away.  But for now, we will enjoy the color and the festive atmosphere that the Christmas decor brings.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

CT Scan tomorrow but tonight, Paul Simon

Tomorrow afternoon Joe will have his 3rd CT Scan since he started his post surgical chemo treatments. The last scan showed no growth of the tumor but we won't know the results of this scan until Monday at Joe's oncology appointment at Duke. It will be a long weekend. However, tonight we go to the Paul Simon concert at DPAC. Joe has been looking forward to this for a long time. Not that he hasn't seen him in concert before, but Mr. Simon is one of his "all-time favorites". (He has lots of those). I had hoped to post at least one photo from the concert but Joe's phone takes such crappy photos that it's not worth even trying. We are home now (finally - its 11pm) and Joe really enjoyed the concert. I'm really glad he got to see Paul Simon in concert again.

The rest of the weekend will be decorating the house with Christmas decorations. Joe has finished one tree but still has one to go. I have the rest of the downstairs to work on. We need to get it done so we can get the decoration boxes out of the garage so Joe can get his car back in.

Thanks for all the prayers and good thoughts everyone has been sending our way. You are all much appreciated.