Monday

Today was a slow day. Because yesterday was so long we decided that we would rest most of the day. Barbara is still eating good. She rested until 5 and then we had a reception with the captain of the ship. Barbara got dressed up because tonight is picture night. We all wore purple. Then we came back to the room
Tonight we start maintenance chemo
She is very tired but enjoying the cruise. Our normal schedule is 12 to 16 hours but we have had to limit our activity to 6 hours.

Notice the spiked hair. Two ladies from church spike their hair and they convincer Barbara to spike her hair. Her hair is growing good except where the radiation was

Sunday

We are on a cruise ship. We spent the day on Maui we had a personalized driver that helped Barbara We rented an electric scooter so we had to have a vehicle that accommodates wheel chairs. Saw lots. Barbara saw lots and only took a short nap. She is tired but enjoyed the day

Friday

we are getting ready for the cruise. We went to the Statute of king K... But I allowed Barbara to fall so we came back to the condo. She is having muscle spasms just like she had when lying in the table of the extra long radiation. So we are using muscle relaxers.

We have rented an electric scooter for the week. I have talked to NCL and they allow scooters

As Barbara said we have it pretty good. We are in Hawaii getting ready to go on a cruise

Thursday

Got up early and met a guy who rent electric shooters. So Judy had rented one for Barbara. Today was going to be a big long day. So we got the scooter and then got on a bus to the Pearl Harbor area.

We sure are glad that Barbara had the scooter

We saw the USS Missouri. Very interesting. Then we went to the Pacific Aviation Museum. Lots of aircraft that was used in the war

Then we went through the Bofin submarine. Now Barbara didn't get to go through that because her wheelchair wouldn't allow it

The the grand finale. We saw a movie of the cause and actual air strike on Dec 7 1941. The we rode in a boat to the Arizona. Very moving. There is still oil leaking from the Arizona

Barbara is tired but had a good day. Tomorrow is a rest day

Tuesday

We left OKC early. The security was very good we had no problem getting through. We arrived in la and have spent the day at Aunt Lucrecia
It was great getting to spend the day with her and her daughter Diane and son in law Jim.

Barbara has done very well traveling when we got off the airplane we got a young lady that pushed the wheel chair. She even went with Barbara to help her in the bathroom. Very nice. We gave her a nice tip

In the morning we leave for Honolulu

Thanks for the prayers as we travel

Wednesday

Got up early this morning. Went to the la airport. Thanks Jim and Diane for a great time. Yesterday was very relaxing. Appreciate spending time with Aunt Lucrecia

So we headed to Hawaii. Met Sonny and Judy at the Honolulu airport. Barbara was hungry so we had some Kobe beef for lunch.

We are back at the condo and going to rest the rest of the day.

Thanks for all the prayers. You will notice that I didn't send a update yesterday. I didn't have wifi.

So I am downstairs in the condo sending yesterday's update and today's

Monday MRI day

Today we got up and went to Baylor Medical for a MRI and a doctors appt

Miracles happen every day if you just look for them. Well the MRI showed that the large tumor is just a big hole on Barbara's brain. (no hole in the brain jokes). It shows no signs of cancer

The little one on the top of her head shows a lesion. But the doctor felt that was just radiation residue. He did not think that Barbara had cancer. But he wanted to start chemo maintenance.
It is glioblastomia multiforma standard practice to start a maintenance program of 5 days of strong chemo and 23 days of rest. So beginning Monday Barbara will start chemo. Yes we will be on a cruise celebrating my brothers and his wife 45th anniversary. Way to set the bar high. Roy and Judy have been an inspiration to many people. Thanks for being my brother and sister

We have to go back next month for another MRI to see if in fact it is shrinking

Please keep the prayers coming. I know that is the reason that Barbara isn't having the symptoms that most cancer patients have.

Sunday

We had a good day. We got up and went to church. Good service about faith. We left OKC this afternoon to get to Dallas. We have an appointment with the doctor to find out if the cancer is gone in Barbara's brain. It has been a long 30 days since the last radiation but the time is finally here to find out if the cancer is gone.
Leanna barbara and I are in a hotel about a mile from Baylor medical center. Will let you all know the results tomorrow.

Thanks for all the prayers

Saturday

Barbara got up and went to breakfast with some Girl Scout friends. I tried to help David work at his new house. They are making the house theirs and the colors are very pretty and so David and Sarah. Them Barbara watched movies and slept. She is still weak but very alert. She is looking forward to Monday's doctor appointment

Leanna got a new cell phone from Brian for her birthday.

Don't forget "Sunday is coming"

Friday

Thanks to all those hard workers that spent many long hours after the OKC bombing 17 years ago. As a survivor I will never forget that day.

Today is Leanna's birthday. It seems that we have celebrated with her all month. But we wanted to continue celebrating so Barbara and I drove to OKC and took Leanna Brian Ralene David and Sarah to dinner. We sure do like spending time with our family. Barbara is doing pretty good today. Her ankles swelled a little because we were in the car for over 4 hours but she did walk into the restaurant without the walker tonight.

It seems that each day she is getting stronger. Thanks for the prayers. They do help. Your cards and phone calls just keep her spirits high. Thanks

Again thanks to David and Sarah that they just open up their home to us. We appreciate them very much

Thursday

We had a good day today. Barbara was using her left hand and was able to walk unassisted. I worked outside most of the day with frequent trips to the house to Check on Barbara. She continues to have a good appetite.
We had several visitors today. Barbara enjoyed each of them.

She has a positive attitude and feels that the cancer is gone. This is the best day she has had in over a week

We will go to OKC tomorrow and then to Baylor Medical on Monday

Thank you God for taking care of us each step of this situation

Wednesday

Barbara had a good day. She had visitors most of the afternoon. She is able to use
Her left hand today. Most of the time she is able to get up and around by herself.

Our neighbor , Nancy, came over this afternoon to help Barbara do some knitting. It is with some silk string and is much different to knit(like I would know)

I went to Awana this evening. Most of the boys worked hard on verse memorization. Next week is the awards ceremony so they were trying to finish their specific book. Hopefully they will remember those verses.

We were supposed to go to OKC today but the court hearing we were going to attend was canceled so we are staying in Kansas until Friday.

Barbara told me today that she thinks that the cancer is gone. One of the today's visitors lost her husband to glioblastomia brain cancer. Barbara said it was good to be able to talk to someone that has gone through what she is going through.

Tuesday

Today is the day we check our blood to see if Barbara has an infection. So we drove to Parsons and then went to Pittsburg for dinner. We had a relaxing day. Barbara is doing much better today than the last three days. She is still weak and definitely has trouble using her left side. But she is able to walk and get in and out of the vehicle

Blood test came back with no infection. Good news. We don't know what caused the weakness on the left side but the doctors have always said there would be times that were not good. I don't want to get complacent.

Monday

Don't forget that you must pay your taxes tomorrow.

Today Barbara just rested. She is still having trouble with use of her left side It is getting better. The doctors thought we would have periods like this before. It is still very upsetting.

Our 30 days of waiting for the chemo and radiation will be over on the 23

We will be talking to the doctor tomorrow.

I planted some shrubs and a white rose bush. Barbara wanted them planted before we left to go to Baylor Medical Center

It was good to see the sun shining. I think the grass grew 2 inches today.

Sunday

Went to church today and then came home. Barbara slept most of the afternoon and evening. She is still having trouble with her left leg and left arm.

I have been talking to Sarah and Melissa about the relay for life on June 15 in Parsons Kansas. The team is called unobug shell The three cancer members are Mike Evon Barbara Thompson and Michelle Platt. Anyway Melissa has designed a shirt that she is selling for $15. You can contact her for specifics. Also if you want to be in the relay in Parsons then you may want to stay at the sleep inn just north of parsons. I know melissa and mike ac and virginia have already got rooms there

I will try to get more info and post a picture of the shirt designed by Melissa

Saturday

Woke up this morning in Branson. Barbara had a very bad night. Upset stomach and inability to sleep.

So this morning she was like a limp rag. She had no energy. We had to physically get her into the car.

She slept in the car all morning and also until about 4 this afternoon Then she began feeling better. We made it home about 7:30. Our neighbor saw that there was a light on in the house and he stopped to check on us. Thanks Dwight

Barbara has gone to sleep so that she will feel like going to church.

It was very important to Barbara to have a good day with her children. But today we are paying the price of over extending herself

Pray that in the future we will exert ourselves in moderation

Friday the 13th

We are in Branson. Our birthday present to Leanna was to give her a weekend in Branson and a day at Silver Dollar City. She and Brian worked on Thursday but arrived at the condo about 1 am. We got up and ate breakfast at SDC. The we went to several shows. It was "world fest" so there were entertainers from all over the world.

We saw shows from Kenya, Mexico, Italy, Hawaii, and Peru. Leanna said she had a great time. Barbara drove an electric cart all day. She did fine and did not get real tired until just as the park closed. So we brought her back to the condo and she is already asleep. She said that she felt good. I know that she wanted to do this for Leanna.

We will see how her energy level is tomorrow.

Thursday

Barbara had a good day. We got up and drove to Branson. We met David and Sarah in Joplin and then we drove to Branson. We did some shopping and then ate. We had rented a condo for the weekend. We checked and played a game of cards. It is bedtime. brian and Leanna will arrive later tonight. We have a day planned at silver dollar city

This is to celebrate Leanna's birthday. We thought we would be in California on her birthday but life has changed some of our plans. We decided to keep this weekend and just relax as a family. I sure am thankful that we enjoy each other as family.

Praying that Barbara has a good day tomorrow and that she doesn't get too tired.

Wednesday

We went to Oswego to pay our property taxes. Yes we must pay for owning property. Barbara did pretty good. Then we took a nap. Naps are becoming a must in our house these days. Then we got ready for Awana's. Just as we were to leave Barbara said she wasn't feeling good and needed to lie down. So she did not go tonight. I went and Matt Herold had the lesson. It was very good. He read verses that we had memorized during the year and gave teams points for book, chapter and verse number. Made us realize the importance of memorizing bible verses.

Barbara is doing better. She wanted to eat a snack when I got home.

We just have to remember that is is able to handle about 6 hours and then she needs to rest.

Tuesday

Today is the day we do blood work for the oncologist. I spent the morning working on the lagoon. Then John and Rosie (Barbara's brother and sister in law) came. They went with us to give blood and then we went out to eat. Barbara still has an appetite The doctors said she would loose her appetite but she never has. I think it is because I am such s good cook. Not. She has been real good and hasn't complained about my cooking.

She did rest this afternoon. She is on the computer so she is feeling better. The doctor called and said that her blood was within range. That is always good to hear

Monday

Barbara spent most of the day resting I think that the fact that she spent 12 hours going to Easter services yesterday took their toll on her. She is doing better since she rested.
I mowed the yard and then Barbara and I put some bird feeders out. Almost immediately we had birds coming to eat. The hummingbird feeder that Leanna filled last week was empty so I filled it again. Last fall Barbara purchased a Baltimore Oriole feeder because we have a family in the yard. Anyway we put the feeder up. It is fun to watch the Baltimore oriole family because they have unique color patterns

Here is Barbara watching me work

Notice that the hair is getting longer

Easter

Got up early and went to the lake for a sunrise Easter service

Then we went to church. Had two baptisms this morning.

Barbara had a good day. She seems to have more energy each day.

Looking forward to coming days.

Below is the deck that my brother is putting together.

Saturday

Barbara didn't do much today. She
Rested and slept most of the day. She still has a great appetite. That is good. The doctors say that often patients loose their appetite and then become lethargic Barbara has never had that problem.

We have to go to bed early because we are going to Easter sunrise service. Barbara wants to go. Received a call from Kenya that wanted to pray with and for Barbara. We appreciate all the prayers. You are all awesome

Friday

Got up early so we could meet Barbara's brother Richard and wife Alice. We had a really great time just talking. It was so good to see them. They drove down from Minnesota to visit with Barbara. We ate and visited then we went to visit Aunt Ethel and Uncle Kenny. The will be 91 and 92 in May and June. Both very alert and enjoyed the visit. Barbara did very and seems to be regaining her strength. We did come home and take a nap. Then we had supper is my brother and wife.

Michelle Platt has been a good friend and she went through cancer about 2 years ago so she knew that Barbara would need a wig. So Michelle brought one just for Barbara. She began to loose her hair Three weeks ago. Well today she broke out the wig for her brother. Nice shade of green Michelle

David and Sarah called and told us about the changes to the house they are doing. I am so glad they are making it into their house.

Thursday

Today we closed on our house in OKC. We bought that house in 1990. A lot of memories. We sold it to our son. He and his wife have already begun to make it their house. So the house will get new paint scheme and will be their home. I am so glad for them and proud of them. They still say that we have s room in the back if we need it.

The closing did not go smooth at all. For years I have had USAA insurance and banking accounts. David has also had the same type of accounts with them. So when it came time to get a loan he chose to go with USAA. If you have a couple of hours call me and I will tell you of all the mishaps that happened. I still think they have a great insurance department and we very much like banking with them but I would not recommend them for getting a loan

Anyway Barbara did very well today. She seemed to have more energy. We ate breakfast with David and Sarah and then went to the closing. Then we had lunch because the closing was not finalized. We we were finally finished we headed home but stopped to see Leanna and her students then we stopped in Tulsa to see a Girl Scout friend Karen. We had supper with her. If was good spending time with her. Then we drove home and got here at 8:30. A full day but it was good because Barbara felt good. She was tired when we arrived home but she said she felt good. Hope this is a sign that she is beginning to gain some of her strength back after the chemo and radiation

Wednesday

Pretty slow day. Barbara wanted to go out and visit a friend , leava. We had a good time then came home and took a nap. Then we had lunch with David and then went to shop for food. We came back and had supper with Leanna David and Sarah. Just relaxed.

Our hope is that Barbara will continue to feel good.

Tuesday

Got up this morning we to help my brother get a deck framed in. The are putting a new deck around their pool. We had to hurry and leave because we needed to be in OKC to give blood for testing and to give Dr Parikh a spread sheet of Barbara's blood sugar. We can not keep her blood sugar regulated with her taking steroids.

We made it to OKC in plenty of time. Barbara slept all the time I was at my brothers and most of the trip to OKC.

We got to David and Sarah's at 6 and they received a call from the loan company. We don't close on the house Wednesday but close Thursday So we will stay in OKC an extra day.

We are very thankful for the generosity of our children. They just open their house to us. We enjoy them and like being around them.

We are thankful for friends and the power of prayer

Monday

April fools has come and past. Barbara did not do very well today. She spent time in the bed or on the sofa. She had no energy. We had the cable guy make the tv's work with the remote. Barbara never got of the sofa. She said she didn't hurt She was just tired. Hopefully with a good nights sleep tomorrow will be better.

Thank you for your prayers.

Sunday

Had a good day. Barbara went to church. It was good to see the church friends that have turned into prayer warriors. A couple of the young men in her Sunday School class made it a point to say hello to Miss Barbara

Then we went out to eat with Sonny, Judy, Brian, Leanna, and Ralene. Then we came home and Brian Leanna and Ralene headed back to Oklahoma. We took a nap.

Barbara did real good but she was tired.

I know yesterday's was late in getting out. While painting Brian had covered the dish for our Internet service. Well that meant that we couldn't send anything until we took the covering off this afternoon.

Saturday

Today was a work day. Leanna and Brian are here. Brian came up to paint the facia and soffet boards. We got up and were outside sanding by 7. Barbara for the first time put jeff own shoes on. They are Velcro. She had me buy her new shoes so she could put them on herself.

By 7 tonight we had the painting done. Yes we will have a few little touch up places Sure is nice to have a son in law that is a talented painter.

The house sure looks good. We painted it hunter green. When we have the new roof put on due to the storm it will be hunter green

Even though Barbara rested most of the day she is tired. But Sunday is coming. So tomorrow we get to go to church