Overall, Gary's health is very good. He is undergoing a 6 month chemo schedule that works like this: 5 chemo pills x 5 nights, then 23 days off to recover from the affects of the chemo. This goes on through October, 2008. So far, the only side affect of the chemo is "FATIGUE". In other words, he's exhausted most of the time, but very cheerful, pleasant, and easy going. He's a good sport about the whole thing. We won't know much for a few more for a few month when they do another MRI to compare it to the ones taken "in the beginning".
We're going to Alaska for my "BIG 60" with our wonderful family this July. There will be 10 of us and we're all excited about sharing the experience of a small boat and getting "up close and personal" to the glaciers, bears, and whales. Gary adores his grandchildren and the whole experience will be good for all.
Our doctors are fantastic and have his seizure meds under control. He's finally getting used to them. Hurray. His Oncologist monitors his progress carefully through constant blood tests and doctors visits and is taking no chances on any set backs.
The Oregon weather hasn't allowed Gary to spend much time on his putting and chipping, but he's up to it - weather permitting.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
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Why now?
All is well, so why now?
Well, we have been extremely touched by the care and attention so many of you have showered upon us over the past 6 months (yes, this whole thing started 6 months ago, ie. 11/27/07). Throughout this time, we've had ups and downs and many of you have shared them with us and lifted us up with your love. When this first started, I sent out emails to our beloved prayer chain warriors, our faithful families and friends. Undoubtedly and unintentionally, people who care about both of us were missed.
As snowbirds, we have returned to our home in Bend, Oregon and we miss our "Southern Friends" who have done the same thing by going home to countless beautiful communities throughout the United States and Canada. This offers an opportunity to occasionally check on Gary's progress and post your comments.
My focus is Gary, so sometimes the phone call I "should" make to friends isn't made. I'll try to update this blogsite once a week to say hello and let you know how he's doing. Please don't hesitate to call us or check this blog from time to time and leave a comment.
We know that you worry about Gary and me and hope that this will give you some comfort.
Hope it works for you. Works for me.
We're sending our love to you through this blog. Please keep him in your prayers.
Virginia and Gary
Well, we have been extremely touched by the care and attention so many of you have showered upon us over the past 6 months (yes, this whole thing started 6 months ago, ie. 11/27/07). Throughout this time, we've had ups and downs and many of you have shared them with us and lifted us up with your love. When this first started, I sent out emails to our beloved prayer chain warriors, our faithful families and friends. Undoubtedly and unintentionally, people who care about both of us were missed.
As snowbirds, we have returned to our home in Bend, Oregon and we miss our "Southern Friends" who have done the same thing by going home to countless beautiful communities throughout the United States and Canada. This offers an opportunity to occasionally check on Gary's progress and post your comments.
My focus is Gary, so sometimes the phone call I "should" make to friends isn't made. I'll try to update this blogsite once a week to say hello and let you know how he's doing. Please don't hesitate to call us or check this blog from time to time and leave a comment.
We know that you worry about Gary and me and hope that this will give you some comfort.
Hope it works for you. Works for me.
We're sending our love to you through this blog. Please keep him in your prayers.
Virginia and Gary
32 comments:
Virginia and Gary, So very good to hear from you. We are still in the desert for one more week enjoying the unbelievably unseasonable weather-75 degrees today!
There are just of few of us left and it seems very quiet around here.
I love the idea of the blog and will look forward to getting the monthly updates.We all think of you often and I am glad to hear that you are doing well and that you have a wonderful family vacation coming up. We wish you a very happy birthday!
Eddie and Lynn
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY, GARY AND VIRGINIA.
So glad to know that you both are doing well and thank you for keeping us posted on Gary's progress.
Your BIG BIRTHDAY trip sounds like a wonderful time for all and we wish you MANY MORE.
We have returned to the Bay Area/Tahoe for the summer, but really miss all of our wonderful
Tradition friends.
We look forward to hearing more from you both and just know that you are always in our thoughts and prayers.
Tom and Diane
V and G, You both continue to be in our prayers! Know you are loved...........
Kristi and Doug
p.s. Happy Birthday Virginia (we're right behind 'ya!!).........
Gary and Virginia: How happy we are to hear from you. And now that we're home, we had no way of keeping up on the latest, so thank you for the blog.
Gary, I know it's been a long six months, but so happy to hear things are going more smoothly. And thrilled that you get to have FUN with Virginia and the whole family.
Virginia, Happy Birthday, and enjoy your trip!!!
Bob and Diane
Hi Gary and Virginia . . . gotta love technology . . . a blog is the perfect way for you to publish your updates without having to email your entire list of friends. I know recapping on the phone is exhausting and you need to focus your energy on Gary. So glad you set this up so we can all pass on our LOVE to Gary . . . the photo of his smiling face is exactly how I tend to picture him! You are both lucky to have each other going through this. Should the circumstances be reversed, I can easily see Gary doing all the things that you are doing . . . a match made in heaven. As always, you know that both of you are on the top of my prayer list! Much love, Jean and Dick
Virginia and Gary, Happy Memorial Day!! The blog is such a good idea and we are so happy to be included. We have been keeping up with Gary's progress through friends....but as summer approaches and we spend very little time in the desert...it will be more difficult. Your trip to Alaska sounds absolutely wonderful and we feel certain you will enjoy it...especially with all your family to share it with you. We wish you a very happy birthday. And please know that you both are in our thoughts and prayers so often. Jack and Chris
Hi Dad & Ginni, We are very glad to hear and see that you are doing so well. The picture is worth a thousand words without doubt. Can't wait for Alaska! Love,
Lisa & David
Hi V & G,
We are so glad you got this started ! Gary looks great.
This will really help us keep up to date on how you are doing.
Love,
Stacy, Jim and James (AKA J.J.)
Hello Gary & Virginia,
I am sure there are many of us who are very interested in how you are both doing, but not always wanting to call and intrude, so this blog is a great way to allow us to let you know we are thinking of you.
Thanks for the update, we are glad to hear you are doing well Gary and we love the photo, with a big smile!
The Alaska trip sounds incredible! Happy Birthday Virginia.
You are always in our thoughts and prayers.
Bruce & Vickie
Hi Gary, and Virginia too -
Finally got my head together so as to figure out how I leave a comment! Been using the computer for years, and amazes me how much ignorance I still possess. So happy to see that you are doing so well, and you are an inspiration in how you are dealing with your illness. Nancy and I send super best wishes, and we will be looking forward to your blogging your Alaska trip! Nancy & Sherwyn
Gary and Virginia,
This blog is such a wonderful idea, especially for "Gary's Army" (sorry Arnie) who want to know how things are going but don't want to intrude. Perfect! We continue to send all good thoughts your way and hope Gary tolerates the chemo as well as can be expected.
Virginia, "welcome" to the 60s which of course is the new 40s. You look fabulous, darling!
Love, Jill and Mike
Hi Gary, I called Monday and talked to Virgina, then called later but misssed you. We were in Sunriver for the weekend, with Marilyn and my new Caregiver Tara. Virginia filled me in on your progress. sounds good. I will be back and forth from Sunriver this summer, so hope to see you both. If you get to Portland call. I've got something fun for us to do,or call anytime for a chat. Dick and Marilyn.
Hi Virginia & Gary, It is such a great idea you had to establish the blog for all of your fans!! And, Bob and I are certainly among them...Gary, you look wonderful, and how great it is that you are feeling better with the new chemo and anti-seizure medication.
We are having a nice May with unseasonably low temperatures. We will be heading north to Idaho the end of June and hope to make a detour thru Bend to see you two either coming or going. The vacation with your family for your birthday sounds great! Have a happy "big" birthday, and we look forward to seeing you.
Love, Marjorie & Bob (I hope I can get this magic machine to work)
Wow, what hip parents I have! Great Blog! You look great Dad and I can't wait to see you. Alaska is just around the corner.
I love you both a bunch! Keep on the healing path.
Laura
Dear Gary and Virginia,
It was so great to get your blog and to see Gary looking so well! We are packing to leave for Minnesota, via a visit to our son in Colorado, so it was good to hear that we have a way of keeping up with your progress throughout the summer. Our very best wishes and prayers continue to be with you....have a wonderful trip to Alaska!
George and Sandy P.
Hi Virginia & Gary........thanks for keeping us in the loop. We think of you so often and we are glad to hear that Gary is doing well with his medical protocol. We continue to pray for you both and your reminder of making the best of each day is so very true.
Enjoy your celebrations this summer and our best wishes and thoughts go out to you.
Terry & Tom
Hi Guys! I am so happy to read (and hear) about the huge turn around you have had. I knew you had it in you, all it took was a little rest and relaxation - but enough of that - GET YOUR BOTTOM BACK OUT ON THAT GOLF COURSE! I love you both dearly - you know that. Have a happy birthday Ginni, I know all of you will have a great trip - ENJOY!
Love from Minnesota,
Sara
P.S. When is the next Maddie going to join the deKat family???
Hi Grinni, hi Grandfather.HAVE I TOLD YOU LATELY I LOVE YOU?!?!?I am glad to hear you are doing great.I like the picture of Maddie.I can't wait for Alaska.
LOVE,
Jocob/Jakester
Hi Grinni, hi Grandfather, And by the way, I think I'm the only kid with grandparents with a "Blog"!HOW COOL IS THAT?!?!
DEAR G AND V:
THIS MAY BE A GREAT WAY TO COMMUNICATE BUT YOU BOTH KNOW WHAT A SKEPTIC I AM, SO WHAT DOES "BLOG" REALLY MEAN???? SOME SUGGESTIONS:
1)BURN LOTS OF GAS
2)BLONDE-BI LEAVES OLDER GAL
3)BURY LEAVES OVER GRATE
4) BOUGHT LONG, OUT (a) GRAND
OR THE BEST ONE:
5)BRING LOTSALOVE ONTO GARY
LOVE HEARING FROM BOTH OF YOU, PLEASE KEEP COMMUNICATING WITH ALL OF US.
GARY, IF YOU WANT COMPANY, CALL ME THE NEXT TIME YOU WANT TO PRACTICE PITCHING AND PUTTING, AS I NEED THE PRACTICE, TOO.
BEST TO BOTH OF YOU!!!
STEWART
Hi Grinni and Grandfather, I wanted you to know that we are thinking of and praying for you constantly! We love you so much, and are really happy to hear that things are going well! Keep feeling even better and better! Love Always,
Heather, Ron, Evan & Jason Rubio
Hi Grinni and Grandfather!!!
have I told you lately that I love YOU?
I'm glad to see and hear that you both are doing great, especially you grandfather. So I can't wait to see you both. I believe I will be seeing you two pretty soon to help drive. That will be loads of fun. I really can't wait for Alaska, thats going to be a blast.
I LOVE YOU
Daniel
Dearest Gary and Virginia,
We are SO impressed with your setting up the 'blog' and check on it once a week. As always, Gary appears to be handling all adversities thrown his way with his usual classy style! What an example you are....
We're off to England tomorrow but will still be able to check up on you via our computer!
Love you both...
Clive & Linda
Gary and Virginia: The blog is a great idea. Gary, you look great and the picture releaved many of my worries. Let me know if I can be of help in any way. I will be at Harvard from June 13-24 but am here the rest of the summer. Love, Dave and Helen
What a wonderful blog and very informative. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. I know everyone has you both in their thoughts including me.
The painting of Mattie is incredible. What a wonderful gift. It is so difficult when we loose our pals.
Please give yourselves hugs. Love you both. Betty
We are thinking of you and appreciate the time you have put into this blog. It is such a great tool.
We are leaving the desert on Sumday after being cleared to leave by my doctor. Bill is so happy. It has been a good month and the weather has been great.
Congratulations on successful cataract surgery. I just love mine and am so glad I had it done.
We love you both. Betty & Bill
Dear Virginia and Gary,
This is a great idea! I especially LOVED the picture of Gary and of course the painting of Maddie. I am so thrilled that you get to go on a cruise Virginia for your sixtieth!!! Wow, have a wonderful time. I am leaving the desert on Tues morning...packing up tomorrow and heading home to Danville. A few of the stragglers have been speed golfing in the mornings and the evenings as you well know are so warm and gorgeous. I miss you already. Poi very sweetly brought me some of your delicious vine ripe tomatoes!!! We had them for dinner tonight actually and they were scrumptous. I hope to see you soon and hope you feel better Gary. Keep up your good spirits even though I know it must be tough!!! Hang in there.
Fondly,
Marcia Field
Dearest Gary & Virginia...
We are safely in England at the moment, but still thinking of you. Hope the Chemo treatment continues to proceed well (keep crossing off those weeks on your calendar!).
We had our interview at the US Embassy yesterday (Friday 13th!!) and YIPPEE have been approved to remain in the USA through mid 2011 so I'm afraid you'll be seeing more of us..
Our thoughts are winging their way over to you...
Lots of Love
CLIVE & LINDA
Hi Gary and Virginia,
The blog is a great idea... thank you so much for sharing how things are going. Jerry and I are thinking of both of you and are excited for you and your family in your upcoming trip. V... wishing you a very Happy Birthday!
We're heading to the Las Vegas area for a couple of days to visit my parents in Sun City Anthem and then heading back to Bend. We'll look forward to your updates.
Take good care.
Kathy & Jerry
Hi Virginia and Gary, So glad to hear things are going as well as can be expected; you both are thought of and prayed for every day. Have a wonderful time in Alaska with the family and a very Happy Birthday. I couldn't get Larry to see Sex in the City either, too bad because I loved it. Very funny and a few good laughs.
Sending "Air Hugs", learned that from my grandgirls, Donna & Larry
Hi Grinni and Grandfather, I just wanted you both to know I was thinking of you and hope you have a wonderful time on your cruise to Alaska! You are both in our thoughts and prayers! Stay strong! Love Always, Heather, Ron, Evan and Jason Rubio
Gary good luck tomorrow with your Chemo treatments; as requested prayers and positive thoughts will prevail. Hugs, Donna Q
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