Monday's MRI brings GOOD NEWS!

Dennis was off to Seattle last Sunday while I visited my Mom in California. He had an MRI to see the results of the 8 days of IMRT radiation he had over a month ago. The MRI showed that the two lesions were smaller and had not spread. He must be living right! He was very relieved going home on Monday and now is planning another visit at the end of our New England tour in September-thw doctors said they wanted to see him again in three months,

This is great news.... and he ia feeling fine, hiking daily, and taking power naps each day. We are both going to be getting ready to have some massive yard sales un July. I return home tomorrow, Thursday, just in time for the weather to get hot here in the Valley. Wishing you a happy fourth! Dennis and Faith

Graduation Day for Heather!!

(left) Heather receives congratulatory kisses after the ceremony

(Left) Glen, Heather, Dennis & Erin before the ceremony

Despite the early hour we drove to get to Lake Street Church in Pasadena- we had plugged the location in the GPS-bless those machines-we had to drive right through downtown LA on the 110 freeway-Phew-remind me why I love Alaska. Traffic was relatively light until we got to Pasadena-where crowds of people were arriving for the baccalaureate cermony.

We picked up the soon to be graduate at her friend's place near campus-then Erin and Glen joined us-we all carpooled over to the enormous church where graduation ceremonies were being held. The graduates filed in at 10 am-and we were done a little aftenoon. It was a long ceremony with over 800 graduates-that is a lot of names and life stories. Now Heather has her Master of Arts in Theology, and we are all thrilled!

Afterwards, being truely hungry, we all went to Roscoes for chicken and waffles and then on to the Autry Museum nestled in the park for an afternoon of exhibits on cowboys, Colts, and basketmaking. Faith walked in at the end of a silent auction for Navajo Rugs -and picked up a storm pattern rug, waiting the 15 minutes to win it-it was a fortuitous arrival! By five pm we were off to Pasadena Old Town to eat at a restuarant Dennis and Glenn had discovered before the wedding last year: Green Street Tavern is really yummy and we all ate way too much.

It was bittersweet to have to leave the family after dinner-Heather flies back to Denver Monday- she's job hunting and dog training her new dog Charlie. Erin and Glen are moving to Denver from LA in three weeks. Erin finishes her teaching job at Watts Charter School in two weeks and then she will become a reading teacher in Lakewood, CO.

It was so great to be together-while we dislike the hustle bustle of LA and the air quality, we are very glad the family is going to be relocated shortly and that we could all be together for this important moment. Love to all, Dennis, Faith, Erin, Glen and of course, graduate Heather.

The Family is in Los Angeles for Heather's Graduation!

We are all here in Los Angeles for Heather's graduation from Fuller Institute in South Pasadena. We flew in from Seattle today and are now at the Courtyard Marriot. We are all so proud of her accomplishments, and we are really looking forward to a fun day.

Dennis has now been back from his radiation treatments for over a week. despite fatigue each day he hikes and walks about two miles or more, and has had few headaches.
More tomorrow from Pasadena-with pictures! Love, Dennis and Faith

Feeling Better All the Time: First Weekend Home

Dennis is feeling better being home! Yesterday we went for a 2.5 mile walk to Totem Bight State Park-and inspected the brand new totem carving shed built next to the dance house there. The tide was very, very low-we saw folks playing out at the mouth of Mud Bight. It did not rain a drop. All the rain happened on Saturday, when friends came over to drive the little Mustang skip loader to spread gravel on the driveway. Go figure....! Thanks to Forrest Cole, who made that happen-our driveway looks awesome!

Sunday Dennis had a visit from a retired Forest Service friend working on the Disney Wonder, a cruise boat that is having its first year in southeast Alaska. They tooled around the island for awhile, stopped in at the house, then headed back to the boat. It was a weekend of playing catch up and projects. Dennis is still fatigued and that is to be expected I guess.

This weekend is an important one-Heather Megan Neill graduates from Fuller Institute in theology! We are both excited to see this - Heather now lives in Denver, and has already moved. We'll be home Sunday. Have a great week, Dennis and Faith

Home Sweet Home Friday June 3rd

It is an understatement to say that Dennis is happy to be home. I picked him up yesterday after work-his suitcases were packed to the brim at 50 pounds apiece. He was tired but relieved. Luckily the temperatures in Seattle were mild while he was there.

The team in radiation at Virginia Mason was pleased that his side effects thus far are minimal. Fatigue is a very common side effect, so Dennis has perfected the super nap. He slept well last night and woke up without a headache. His hair needs cutting-three to four weeks without a trim has made him look scruffy. The doctors want him to return for another MRI at the end of June

Having a weekend together has been wonderful. Today friends helped us spread the gravel on our drive (with a little rented "Mustang" skip loader) and around the house and it looks like new. We are so very thankful for their help.

Dennis has been able to go through all the mail and is very thankful to those of you that have sent cards, letters, and prayers.

Our next trip is to LA at the end of the week to watch Heather graduate! More updates soon, Dennis and Faith