CT / PET SCAN RESULTS

"The disease is stable", was the only information we got from the oncologist when we went to see him last Monday, May 15, 2006. Dr. Johann said that he hasn't received the "hard copy" from the radiologist. This is his first PET scan since he was diagnosed, so there's nothing to compare the results.

Dave was supposed to pull some strings and try to get a copy of the results but we ended up at the ER. He had experienced shortness of breath after his chemo treatment #6. The movie, "Forever Young" saved us. He was done with his treatment and he asked the nurse if he could finish watching the movie, ( he was her last patient of the day). (He wasn't able to get his chemo on May 8, because of so much complications). We spent a few hours there before going home.
For his next appointment, I will just drop him off at the bus stop! Everytime I go with him to the hospital, we always end up at the ER.

We left the hospital in good spirits. We went to Outback on the way home since Dave's appetite is back! We had to wait for a table so he decided to go to bar. He ordered a "Margarita" and I tried to stop him but he presented his case to a couple on his right who were having a nice dinner and to a guy on my left who is drinking a glass of cold beer. To say the least, I lost my case but he got a free drink from those nice couple and more strangers praying for him. We couldn't asked for a better night out! He devoured a 12 oz. prime rib, make it 10, since I didn't order any for myself, a whole baked potato, and some bread. He cleaned his plate, even ate the potato skin! We shared a cup of potato soup and a bloomin' onion.

He did more power washing on our deck, mowed the lawn and he went with me to the commissary when I got done with work yesterday. He decided to splurge since our future is uncertain. He bought 2 packs of crab legs, lobsters and scallops and not to forget a pound of butter. It's all packed in the freezer!

For the last few months, I would pack his clothes, get everything ready for him to go VA without me and the girls during the week like the old days but he would cancel it on the last minute.
He has been feeling great like "human" as he puts it for the last several days. We did a lot of talking, made a lot of decisions and he finally set himself free. He drove to VA early this morning by himself. I shed a few tears while doing the dishes at naptime. I am so used of him being here. I know, I'm selfish because I would feel some relief whenever he would cancel his trip.

He went fishing on the boat with his mom this afternoon as he proudly told me. He knew that it had given a some security. He went out to dinner with John and had a "rib eye", can't get enough beef in his system. He dropped off his truck at the dealer after having dinner to have a cruise control installed tomorrow. He wanted to drive my truck but with my, "what if I have to come pick you up" or "what if you fall asleep because you're not moving your feet", he drove his truck which is now costing me $700. I know I need to have more FAITH than what I have now but...

He sounded happy and content on the phone. He is going to ride the Peg River with 2 old fellows, Jimmy and Maxi, tomorrow. They will be fishing while going down the river. He took Melissa with him last year and their boat turned over. It was a wild experienced for Melissa.

"While the mouse is away, the cat will play". The girls and I fried all the fish we have in the freezer and had it for dinner. It's somewhat burned, freezer burned, but it's still tasted good!

Dave decided to stay with this chemo regimen since it's not making him sick. He is going to see his oncologist on May 26 and starts another cycle the first week of June.

Please continue praying for Dave-- for his strength to fight this disease, physically and mentally. Thank you for all the calls and cards that are still coming in. We appreciate and treasure them!

May 8, 2006

Barbie and Robert took Dave for his chemo # 5, last Monday, May 1st, after having a week off his regular schedule. His blood counts went up to as normal as he could get but everything changed when he went for his chemo # 6 this morning. His oncologist decided not to give him treatment for this week.

Last week, he started power washing the deck and he got the cold from getting wet but he still went to VA with Brandon to fish a tournament this weekend. No such luck! He uses all his energy pre-fishing the lake on Saturday and playing cards with the guys. On tournament day, he was so tired that he just threw the fish that they caught, back in the water, couldn't make it through the day.

Melissa had her play, Annie Jr., last Friday night so the girls and I stayed home. She did very good as Mrs. Pugh and a "hobo". She was so cute in her old jeans, army jacket and her dad's hat. When we got home we watched, "Meet the Fockers". The weekend, started to be so relaxing, but it was too good to be true. Melissa started getting sick and by Saturday night, her asthma was flairing. Used my nebs on her but it didn't work. I had to take her to the ER and stayed there until 7 am Sunday. She had to stay home from school this morning because she said that she was going to the nurse if she would have a hard time breathing. I wouldn't have enough seats for all my kids if I had to pick her up.

Dave's schedule for PET and CT scan is May 11. Please pray that we will have a positive result from his treatment. Thank you all so much for your support and prayers!