First full day at home...

And oh my has it been wonderful! We got into Ketchikan a little after three pm yesterday; Faith's friend Lee picked us up at the airport and drove us home to greet Kona, Maxie and Minnie. I'm not sure if the dog and cats were happier at it or we were, but it was a great gathering. Mostly we spent the evening getting unpacked and organized back into our house, after a month absence for Faith and two months for me. And, of course, walking Kona and playing with the cats. Last night, it was very quiet and dark...something completely absent where we stayed in Seattle.



Today we started with a trip to the airport to pick up a cooler full of food from the apartment and an extra-heavy piece of luggage that we weighed at the Alaska Airline cargo center and decided to send with the cooler. Then we went to a couple of grocery stores -- driving a vehicle of our own, and parking without paying for it -- to replenish our empty refrigerator. We had a great coffee milkshake on the way home -- one made with locally roasted coffee beans. Once we got back home, I cleaned out a pipe point in the gutter to run water to the storage tank, and repaired a door that had gone out of alignment. If all of this sounds pretty normal and not really worthy of reporting -- then we are very happy!



Now we are preparing for the future. On Thursday we leave for Missouri, to see Mom and a bunch of relatives, and to attend my 40th high school reunion. On Monday we fly to Seattle, for an Avastin injection on Tuesday, and then return to home again. We plan to add a blog entry on Sundays, unless something exciting happens in between, so expect to hear from us again while we're in Missouri.

Have a great week...we sure are planning to!

Dennis & Faith

Phase 2 Done and we are Goin' home!

Our last day in the city has finally arrived. ..it was cooler and cloudy by afternoon. We awoke early for an appointment at the MRI facility across from the hospital. Realizing we had only one more night in Seattle and we'd be flying tomorrow I burst into tears. It was that kind of day, full of relief and thanks to all those who have helped along the way, including all our visitors, friend, colleagues that have been tracking us on the blog.

Today at about three thirty Dennis rang a bell outside the radiation room three times to symbolize his treatments were finished. The entire radiation team applauded and presented him with a certificate for accomplishing his program. He gave them many compliments for their care and their awesome attitude-they truly have a touch job. Afterwards we went for a walk and ate coffee ice cream bars to celebrate.

It was a monumental day-right before going in for radiation we got the MRI results back from that morning-the report from the radiologist, and later his doctor agreed that there were few perceptible dye enhanced cells indicating cancer. There was a symmetry that had returned to his brain, the folds and fissures were well defined, the blood vessels seemed intact, the optical nerve seemed good. These were very good results.

Today the medical records that will travel with us whenever he goes for treatment also arrived. Imagine a file folder three inches thick and you will have a sense of his records. We returned from his last appointment quite exausted but ready to eat leftovers and pack.

Faith and I have been going through celebration flurries throughout the day. Every step we took ended one more thing needing to happen -- on the last day of this phase. First was the MRI, which produced outstanding results. Then came the second application of the cognitive test, designed to see how well my brain functions were recovering from the tumor and the surgery. I did much better this time than the first one, showing improvement in several parts of it. Then I had the 30th and final application of radiation. The crew there is terrific, and served us throughout the six weeks as both highly competent and very caring and friendly. One couldn't possibly ask for a better crew. Finally, at the end of the day, we met with the doctor providing the overall management and direction for all the medical treatments I've been getting since my surgery. She was extremely pleased with the results of my treatments, particularly as shown by the MRI, and congratulated us on how well the treatment had gone.

I will have chemotherapy for the next year, and more MRI's and exams, as well as meetings with doctors and other people. But a great point has been reached, and I go home to build my condition and abilities back as much as I can. And I get to fish a little, and go hunting this fall. Life feels good right now, and once we get back to Alaska, it will feel a lot better.

We will cut our blog entries to once a week on Sundays, unless something really exciting happens. And we'll be back at our home mailing address, so you can use that again if you want to.

Thank you so much for your love, support and thoughts...

Dennis and Faith

One more day!

Today was a reasonably easy day, with only one meeting outside the normal treatment. That was an interview to gather information for a potential story about my experience and approaches to dealing with my brain tumor. That was from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, then Faith returned and shortly afterward Erin and Glen headed back to LA. Having both daughters here the last week of treatment was really grand; we had wonderful conversations and information-sharing.

Treatment went well, though it was an extremely good feeling to go into it knowing that this was the next to last radiation event. Anything like this moves an individual downhill, and that is certainly true of me. That is expressed in a number of individual ways that are usually somewhat different on each patient, though headaches, nausea, hair loss, burnt skin and smells that aren't really outside are pretty common. My headaches are pretty minor; I have yet to vomit, though the feeling is there a lot; I definitely need a mohawk haircut; my skin needs daily treatment; and we have defined the scent as the "inside the skull smell of dead cancer cells". So, while I feel nowhere near as good as I did, say, six months ago -- relatively considered, I have done very well the past six weeks.

Tomorrow, the last day, has a pile of meetings, services, and the final treatments. We'll be happy to eat dinner and go to sleep in our Baroness Hotel apartment tomorrow night -- but not nearly as happy as we will be to get on the Alaska Airlines flight the next day.

Take care, and we'll let you know the story from the final day of these treatments tomorrow night...

Dennis & Faith

Support Group Meets

Well, here is it Wednesday with two final days of Dennis's treatment to go before a break of 28 days. Phew! It has been raining and blowing in Ketchikan, and all reports are the weather is clearing for a short while, so at least we'll be able to fly home amidst the rain clouds.
Four large boxes of belongings are winging their way home. How did we ever accumulate so much? Don't ever ask an Alaskan about that-there's always something that is needed back on the island home.
Dennis was very animated about the brain cancer support group meeting he attended with his daughter Erin and her friend Glen. He said that he not only was able to meet some other folks who had the same type of tumor, but others who were much further along in their treatment than himself. A real eye opener. He said he was feeling much better than the day before and was looking forward to Erin cooking deer steaks for him for dinner.
Tomorrow I will be returning to Seattle and looking forward to helping Dennis through our move back home. I am praying that all the redhuckleberriesand salal have not fallen off the shrubs yet. Looking forward to talking with you again, Faith and Dennis

Relatives coming and going...

Today was a lesser treatment day, with only radiation in the hospital, and the regular pharmaceuticals taken at the apartment. That was a good deal in the family arena, as youngest daughter Heather and cousin Kevin both left this afternoon, and oldest daughter Erin and her friend Glen arrived. Kevin took Heather to the airport, and picked Erin and Glen there and brought them to the Baroness Hotel. A little later, he headed out of town, on his way back to his home in Iowa. This is a week filled with family, and I am very glad to have that comfort as I finish my treatments.

Erin and Glen went with me to my 27th day of radiation. Only three days to go, and I am glad. While I fully grasp the importance, value, and reality of this treatment, after six weeks I am thoroughly ready for it to be done. I am certain that it has been very successful at killing remaining cancer cells, and I am glad for that. I will be happy to be done, though. I will say that the staff that administer this treatment are high on the list of the finest people I have ever been associated with, let alone received life-saving treatments from.

So...just a few more days...

Hope things are going well for you too...

Dennis and Faith

Last Monday in the City

By all accounts it was a busy Monday, beginning with an avastin/placebo infusion beginning at 8 am, then Faith off to Bellingham to work around noon, then chemo and radiation and meeting with doctors afterwards. When I called Dennis to confirm my colleague and I had made it to Bellingham he was touring his daughter Heather and cousin Kevin around First Hill, showing them the architecture and enjoying the evening.

Everyone including Dennis's infusion nurse Min and the entire radiology tech crew had wanted to meet Heather, so it ws great she could be here. Kevin helped me pick up the rental vehicle that I would take to Bellingham, which was very helpful. The traffic going north was steady but in two hours my colleague and I arrived, and I must say, it is even more quiet here. We are working on a Forest Service exhibit at the ferry terminal, and I am due back in Seattle Thursday

Meanwhile, tomorrow Heather leaves and Erin arrives. I am sure Dennis will have lots of new adventures to report! Until tomorrow, Faith and Dennis

Too much activity for the blog last night...

We forgot to do the blog last night, and it was a good thing! It was relatives here to see us that led us into talking late into the night (for me, anyway) and just not get a blog entry done. Heather arrived Saturday -- in the limo, of course -- and yesterday evening cousin Kevin from Iowa drove in. He first went to Portland for visits with relatives there, then drove to Seattle. He brought an array of photos gathered up from a variety of sources, many of them from the 30's, 40's and 50's. Fascination with them is one reason we forgot to do this...

This morning will be my second Avastin injection, first thing today at 8:00 am. They come on a Monday, every two weeks. Then will come the standard chemotherapy, followed by radiation number 26. After today I will have four more days of chemo and radiation -- then fly home to Ketchikan. Yes, this is tremendously significant to both of us, and yes, we are likely to mention it every day!

And so...the last week here for us starts...

Dennis & Faith

Heather arrives!

The black limo (don't ask) pulled up beside our hotel today-and there was Heather-here for a visit and it was so good to see her!! Since she left Seattle the day of Dennis's surgery she has traveled to Ireland, so we got a full account of her adventures and a lovely dinner together at a local restaurant.

Heather is still attending classes, albeit remotely, at Fuller Seminary. She took some intensive courses this summer that lasted all of two weeks. We are both happy she is here.

We expect a full house at dinner tomorrow night, with cousin Kevin from Iowa arriving from Portland. The weather has been very pleasant, and we are begining to feel like home is just around the corner-and it is. Reports from a friend in Ketchikan indicate it is cool and wet. Kona and Max and Minnie are faring well. We look forward to talking with you tomorrow, Faith and Dennis

TGIF? You bet...!

Are we happy today is Friday, and the next to last week too? Yes we are. Things have been going relatively well, perhaps a step or two above average -- but they are still sometimes difficult, and build up over time. Both of us are tired mentally and physically, and really eager to return home.

We did make one group's day today, though. When we went over for my radiation treatment at 2:30 today, Faith brought over a plate full of gravlax on crackers with cream cheese. I made the gravlax at home, after returning from surgery and before coming down here, so it meant even more to them. They have done great work on me, so it's good to do them a small favor.

Tomorrow is the start of visits by family members. Youngest daughter Heather will arrive mid-day tomorrow, followed by Cousin Kevin on Sunday. Or Monday, depending on when he feels like coming up from his trip to Portland. Then on Tuesday, oldest daughter Erin and her friend will show up as Heather heads back home. They go home Thursday, but then there is only one day left for Faith and I to go through, before we can go home. So everything here will end with family activities -- which is probably a pretty good approach.

Here's hoping you have good events in your weekend too...

Dennis & Faith

80% there...

Today my radiation treatment shifted to a "booster" program, where the diameter of the radiation is tightened for the last seven days of application. When completed, it was number 24 out of 30 days of radiation killing the remaining cancer cells left behind after surgery. With only a little math while laying under the equipment, I figured out that 80% of my treatments had been done successfully. If this were being graded, I would already have a "B". Now only six days of radiations until I get an "A" and get to go home!


Things are beginning to tighten up now, as meetings and sessions for the last week are being planned. Along with Avastin and blood testing on Monday, I'll meet with a tumor support group on Wednesday and have an MRI and cognitive test on Friday. By the way, when we read the results of my blood test this week, we saw that all but one of my points were within the standard criteria, and it was only a touch high. The doctor said that it was close enough that it might only represent a variance on my part.

Along with all of that, both daughters and a cousin will arrive over the next days. So the days will seem full and go quickly.

Hope you are having a good week as well...

Dennis and Faith

The Heat In On...

As the mercury climbed into the 90s today Dennis and I both felt like crawling into a refrigerated truck or a cold shower. All in all it was a day where everything we needed to do proceeded, but it seemed the heat made us slow and encouraged napping. Today was the very last regular radiation treatment for Dennis-for the last seven days, ending next Friday, the field of the beams is narrowed to a much smaller area pinpointed around where the tumor had been removed-this is called the boost phase.
Boost or not, we can visualize leaving and we are excited about the arrival of both daughters and possibly other family in the next few days. We hope they bring their sunscreen, or, in lieu of that cooler weather and rain. Anything akin to temperate rainforest will be appreciated. We are homesick and it will be a long time before we complain about rain again. Here's hoping, Faith and Dennis

Photo ops and auras...

Today was a day of many meetings, along with treatments. The first meeting was with the Virginia Mason photography shop, where they took a head shot of me for use in a potential interview. This should prove interesting; there are quite a few features of this situation I'd be happy to talk about.



The next meeting came with one of the doctors and a nurse in the Radiology-Oncology section, after I received my radiation treatment for the day. (Eight days to go...!) They agreed that everything was going very well.



Then, late in the day, we met with the doctor who is basically in charge of my participation in the clinical trial program that two others and I are participating in. This was a good meeting, where I got a lot of questions answered -- as did the doctor. A lot of it involved preparing for events after I finish this six weeks of treatments and go home. When do I restart one form of chemotherapy; how can we make the schedule of using the other chemotherapy better for my life and schedule; what can I eat and drink; when should I go see my opthalmologist to see if my vision has been affected; and several others. One interesting discussion was about my "sense of smell" from inside my brain, from an effect caused by the radiation. This is refered to in the medical arena as an "aura." Though I occasionally pick up a smell, or "aura," best described as burnt hair, rotted leaves and ozone, in fact it doesn't exist and is totally within my cerebral functioning. Apparently a variety of people suffering cerebral impact of various forms smell the same scent. Personally, Faith and I call it the smell of dead cancer, since killing the remnants of cancer in my brain is the entire purpose of these treatments. I like the notion that I can smell it dying. After the meeting was over, I felt that every question was patiently answered; I hope I was as patient answering the doctor...!



After all those meetings, we returned to our apartment and ate dinner, after which I did laundry. Finishing the day with "common events" was comforting, somehow.



Hope you had a productive day too...



Dennis & Faith

An Olympic Weekend

The Olympic peninsula was a sea of blinking lights as we arrived in the fishing resort village of Sekiu facing the waters of the Straits of Juan de Fuca friday evening. It had taken four hours to move along across the ferry from the east side of Puget sound to the west side and along the winding route along the Olympic peninsula in nw Washington.
But it was worth it for the peace and quiet, the sunrise and sunsets, lavendar fields, the seabirds and beaches full of wonderful rocks and shells, and-campers, a sea of them. This was the escape for many city folk, and it felt great.

Dennis was very tired from his radiations and the meds were beginning to take their toll. I drove into the night and we fell right to sleep in our little seaside cabin after meeting out hostess and her lovely chocolate lab "Bird-ette".
The next day we went to Neah Bay, looked at the wonderful artifacts excavated from the site of Ozette-including the coolest orca whale effigy studded with teeth-and headed out to Cape Flattery for a trip to th lighthouse overlook and the furthest point northwest on the continental US. The Makah Nation is a vibrant whaling people with unique culture and wonderful art forms covering 4000 years. We were glad to visit.
Our second day we took off for the Ozette area, which has some petroglyphs we could not visit, as it was too long a hike for the both of us along the beach. We then went inland to the Hoh temperate rainforest and while Dennis napped Faith walked among the moss and big spruce and douglas fir trees. It was a terrific day and we were both tired at the end.
Monday we went inland and across the Olympic National Forest and the National Park, including the Sol Duc and Elwha river valleys through Port Angeles and Sequim back across Puget Sound on the ferry, grocery shopping, in time to arrive back in Seattle for radiation and weekly blood tests.
The weekend served its purpose-Dennis slept completely through the night Sunday for the first time. I got to pick salal berries. We saw an elk cow sleeping in a meadow. At the end of the day today he now is in single figures for the number of radiations of his brain-only 9 are left! Talk with you tomorrow, Faith and Dennis

Saturday out of Seattle...

Today is a great day, because we spent last night in a resort in the little Olympic Peninsula town of Sekiu. It is a small, mostly resort, community on a grand little bay -- currently filled with an array of campers, RV's, boats, trailers, trucks and about anything else you can think of. A youth salmon competition started this morning, so there are lots of families here with kids taking part. Nearly everyone here is from Washington -- only two vehicles from Montana and two from Oregon were spotted this morning on my exercise walk around the harbor.

While I sit behind the closed library in Clallam Bay using their wi-fi and outlet, at the recommendation of several different residents, Faith is at an organic natural food outlet, shopping for our weekend and remaining 14 days before flying home. It is quiet here, and the air is clean. The "escape" from urban vibration is exceedingly good for both of us, and we slept very well last night.

Since wi-fi is pretty limited around here, we may be a little limited on our ability to write on the blog every night. If you miss anything for a couple of nights, just know that we are in a beautiful rural area enjoying ourselves very much. As the owner of our resort, who used to live in Alaska, told us: "It's almost as good as Alaska!" We agree with her -- this is a grand part of Washington indeed.

Here's hoping you're having a great weekend too...

Dennis & Faith

Returns of rain and a friend...

Today had a pair of good features. For one, rain has returned to Seattle. After a couple months of real shortage, rain seems to have returned in a normal fashion. We've also been informed that the same is true at our home, Ketchikan, which has had lots of rain over the past few days. This is important knowledge to us for a variety of reasons, among which is the fact that our dog Kona now has streams in the roadside ditches to get her drinking water from. This makes her much happier.

The other good feature of today was the overnight visit of our friend Elisabeth. She came in yesterday, and spent the night and most of today here with us. She and I took a nice walk around Swedish and Harborview Hospitals, while Faith was accomplishing a bunch of her work in the apartment. Like everyone else we've taken out to see it, she was impressed by the features of the 1931 original hospital building. It is definitely worth the time to go look at it, if you're in the area.

Every day is a celebration these days, as the treatments are coming to a conclusion, and our return home looms ever closer.

Here's hoping you have a good weekend...

Dennis & Faith

So it is Wednesday

Today we were blessed with cloudy weather and really helpful discussions with medical types at the hospital and coordinators of the clinical trials. Dennis, although tired and nappish throughout the day, has high hopes of being able to coordinate getting his avastin/placebo infusions with his hunting goals and tags. Wowee, the fall is getting busy, and it sounds like our freezer at home may benefit.

Naps are therapuetic and I sometimes wish I had time for them. Occaisionally I will feel like it, but with the cooler weather I have been getting a lot of work done. Dennis will pick the couch if I have moved my office to the bedroom, or he will use the bed if I haven't expanded past the coffee table.

We have a close friend from Ketchikan visiting overnight-Elizabeth brings us news from home and updates on what is happening in town. It is wonderful to see friends. It sounds like it has been raining at home and our pet parent Ardath has called to say the "cistern runneth over". Kona has been in good health and is "shedding again" This is great news and we really appreciate all Ardath does.
Dennis hit the hay early - with only a dozen treatments left to go, we are looking forward to Friday and the last two weeks of radiation and visits from both girls. Talk with you tomorrow, Faith and Dennis

Over the crest and headed downhill to home...

Today really felt like we've moved over the top and began to accelerate downhill toward home. We're well into my fourth week of six weeks of chemo and radiation treatment, and the 17th of 30 radiation visits. It seems like we can really see the end of what needs to be done here, and the joy of returning to Alaska. It's still two and a half weeks away, but somehow seems closer.

We have also developed a real practice of buying ice cream at the hospital cafeteria after my radiation. Somehow that seems like a good "treat" -- and Faith wants it as much as I do. Sitting quietly in the cafeteria dining room eating an ice cream bar seems wonderful, and it means that all of the day's treatments are over. Then we return to our apartment, where typically Faith goes back to work on her multitude of job requirements, while I take a long nap. Then we have dinner -- today was a great spaghetti dish, with the sauce featuring Montana mule deer burger and a bunch of vegetables. Another grand feature of this evening was calls from my brother and my cousin, and a call to Faith from a long-term friend she hadn't heard from for a while. All in all -- a pretty good day.

Thanks for your support, and the great comments many of you leave for us...

Dennis & Faith

The Clinical Trial Begins....

Today was some Monday. It began at 8 am and we are now back at 3:30 pm. Dennis began with his first infusion of avastin or the placebo that took 90 minutes-they do this slowly the first time in case the person is allergic to the drug. He will receive this once every other week for 26 weeks. Avastin is use on recurring cancers of the brain but has only recently been accepted by the FDA for clinical trials and initial treatment.

Then when he went to radiology they used x rays to make sure what they were targeting had not changed in dimension.

The techs said there were no changes and that was a good sign. Fourteen more to go and we are outta here!

He sailed through both of his appointments, and is now more tired than most days. Thank goodness it is cool and cloudy. We are celebrating by having home baked Amish chicken (from Missouri) and heating up the apartment.

Talk with you tomorrow, Faith and Dennis

A City Sunday

Only to be interrupted by the powerwasher that is...for some reason the hospital was being power washed yesterday morning. We saw our friends off after breakfast: all three were headed home to Alaska. Dennis and I had projects to do, including plan a birthday for his mom (those in the family that read this PLEASE DO NOT GIVE THIS AWAY, it is a surprise). The one thing we are counting on is that she won't read this on the internet or be told it by a family member...please don't spoil the fun!

I finally pulled out my featherweight sewing machine and worked on two projects, that are now semi-complete enough to tape of the wall. Dennis napped. We did laundry. It was a lovely afternoon. The weather is due to cooperate this week, which is nice.

Tomorrow is a day of anticipation and begins the clinical arm of the treatment for Dennis. Since I am writing it this morning it is here! There will be lots to report tonight. May you all have a great start to your week, Faith and Dennis

Out into the southern Washington country for a birthday surprise...

Last night we headed off to meet our friend Jim's mother, sister and other family members overlooking the Cowlitz River in southwest Washington. The drive alone was nice, sitting in a quiet rental car with my friend driving, making our way south. When we arrived, we met more people in the family, who pretty much reflected his appealing personality. His entire purpose in coming down was working with his sister to create a surprise 85th birthday party for their Mom...which happened very nicely. Getting to take part in that was a great break for Faith and I from our usual proceeds.

Faith also got to spend some hours out picking blackberries, in a productive and very attractive countryside. We did some hiking too, and truly enjoyed being out in the country -- with very nice weather with temps in the 60's too. Now we're back in Seattle, with our friend staying with us a night before flying back to Alaska.

Hope all of you are having a great weekend too...

Dennis & Faith

From City to Country

Dennis is now half way to completing his chemo and radiation! Yahoo! It is Friday and the end of the week is marked by great anticipation- we are escaping into the southwestern Washington countryside with a friend who has flown in from Alaska and rented a car.

The trip south from the city took several hours and we were stunned by the traffic-wow! It was a veritable parking lot. It was so nice and cool in the air-conditioned car I fell asleep. The skies were gray and it sprinkled a little. Finally we arrive to a lovely spot overlooking the Cowlitz River Valley. The gardens were in full bloom, the blackberries and other berries were hanging off the vines and we all relaxed. It felt wonderful... and we are ready to enjoy the night outside the city and our new hosts are great people, we really enjoy them.

Thanks again to all those that have visited this week-we appreciate you! Talk with you tomorrow, Faith and Dennis

Fine Friends

Today the cooler weather ushered in friends. One set was here from Ketchikan and visiting Virginia Mason for medical reasons. Thank goodness their surgery went well. We were treated to a lift to the bank and some shopping and then back. Phew, that was fun! In the afternoon a friend from Juneau stopped by to spend the afternoon before going on to visit family in Michigan and parts east. It was nice to see everyone, and the weather held the entire day, keeping the treks uphill more tolerable.

Tomorrow is a milestone in Dennis's treatment-it marks 15 days have passed, and there are 15 days to go!! He is doing well, and pacing himself, with lots of naps, and time to get exercise and to be with friends. I think he is doing great, considering everything that is happening. The last seven days of his treatment will involve radiation of the same dose in a smaller, pinpointed area.

This weekend we are escaping to rural Washington with a friend from Thorne Bay, and are both looking forward to the quiet of being outside the city.

Hope your weather is great too...

Faith & Dennis

Cool weather here for sure...

It's sometimes amazing what a week can do for the weather...in this case, very much in our favor. The temperature here when I went over for my radiation was a solid 62 degrees -- a mere 43 degrees lower than the high last Wednesday! It was so cool today that Faith went from shorts in the morning to jeans in the afternoon when we walked down to the library. Did I mention how much better we like this weather than hot summer days?

On the wi-fi customer service front, we continue our mission to get the system in our hotel fixed. Right now, we typically get our computers kicked off the wi-fi Internet about every 15 to 30 minutes. Then we have to remember the special code and reregister into the ysstem. It's such a difficulty, to say nothing of nuisance, that I emailed the department in the hospital that provides services to patients about the issue. Since they also run both of the hotels next to the hospital, they seemed like the right ones to talk with. I got a response fairly quickly, but when nothing happend in a few days, I sent them another email. This time I got a phone call from a higher-level official there, who promised stronger effort. He has called several times, keeping me informed on their effort and progress. And while it may not happen in our time, it does look like future residents of this hotel will have good wi-fi service available to them. Seems pretty important in the 21st Century to me, so I'm glad they're trying to fix it.

Here's hoping you had a good day too...

Dennis & Faith

An Afternoon of Meetings

Besides being my first full day back in Seattle, it was a day of meetings and a new schedule for Dennis. The clinical trial begins next week, with the first infusion of avastin or the placebo.

Dennis received his third haircut as well, now called the "No. 1", which means that there's about one fourth of an inch of hair on his head and beard. This allows the radiation mask to fit better and more accurately, an extremely important fact. Lan, who is a wonderful female barber, now knows us and smiles when he walks in the door.

I decided to spoil him so I am making him tapioca. The hottest it got today was 70 degrees, so I figured I should go for it. It is nice to see sunset with clouds out the window, and it is a great blessing to laugh together and be together again. Talk with you tomorrow, F and D

Gary leaves; Faith returns...

Today was a big change in my company. Gary flew back to Colorado early this afternoon, after two weeks of staying here and helping me out. He got well-acquainted with staff at the hospital, and I'm pretty sure they will miss him now that he's gone home. I don't think he's going to miss the heat much, but he did like some of the technicians giving treatments to me quite a lot. And rightly so...they are several steps above most that you encounter, even if the others are pretty good. Then Faith arrived in the early evening, after two weeks at our home taking care of lots of things that needed caring and attention. It's great to have her back; we celebrated with Montana mule deer steaks for dinner! Yum-oh was that good; it was also good that it has finally cooled off enough here that I could actually cook dinner without heating the whole apartment up.

Today is also the start of week three of my treatments, and the start of week five of our stay in Seattle. So, while I am only a third of the way through my radiation and chemotherapy -- we are half way through our two months here. The notion that our time is starting to slide downhill toward our trip home is a really good one. I do appreciate what all the medical folks here are doing for me, and I am certain that it is necessary, but I will be very happy to return to Alaska after the second phase is finished on August 28th.

Thanks for all the comments and support you have been giving us...

Dennis & Faith

Another nice Sunday...

Today is Gary's last day; he leaves tomorrow to return to Colorado. Faith returns from Ketchikan a few hours after he leaves, so I won't have much time "alone" here. While things have gone well for me so far and I am fully capable of functioning by myself -- at this point -- it has been comforting to have people here to take care of "things" for me. Throughout my life, I have mostly thought of helping my friends, and seldom thought of my friends helping me. Now that situation has been reversed, though hopefully not for long, and it is staggering to me how many people care about me. I am fortunate indeed, to have a grand wife and a great measure of friends helping me in one way or another. It has all been somewhat humbling, in a positive and valuable way. Gary's support and help has been wonderful, and I deeply appreciate it. It's way different from going hunting with him, but I'll be back to doing that by next year.

Gary and I left the apartment shortly after 11:00 am, headed for an early lunch at a restaurant we had been to before. On the way we passed a nice-looking pizza place, and decided to have lunch there. Then we saw that on Sunday, they didn't open until 12:00 noon. Hmmm...what to do? Since it was a pleasant and relatively cool morning, with lots of shade on the streets, we decided to take a wandering walk around the neighborhood. We walked by a giant, cathedral-looking church, only to discover that it's a Baptist Church. I've been around a lot of Baptist Churches in the Midwest, and have never seen anything that looks like this one, so I assumed that the current occupant had bought it from someone else when they moved to another site. So we walked all the way around it, and found two interesting, though totally unrelated, facts. One is that, in fact, this church was built by the Baptists in 1869. The other is that the building on the other side of the street is the Polyclinic, and there is easy parking and an entrance. Faith and I have been going to a doctor there for several years, but have been entering from Broadway. This will be a much easier way to get in, I think. And oh by the way -- the pizza was really good.

Here's hoping all of you had a great weekend.

Dennis & Faith, with Gary one more night...

Walkin' to REI...

What a great change from Wednesday and Thursday today was! The temperature at noon was at least 20 degres cooler; but the temperature at night was even lower by comparison. When I woke up at 6:15 this morning, after sleeping very well, I fired up my laptop to find the temperature was a mild 61 degrees. With a small fan blowing the cool night air into my bedroom, I slept better than I had in days.

About 8:30 this morning, Gary and I launched our walk to REI. (For anyone who doesn't know, it's a great recreation/outdoor gear store, originally established in 1938.) According to my Mapquest map, it was 1.15 miles from my apartment. This seemed like a good walking distance on a cool morning, and so it was. We made no particular effort to move fast; instead we enjoyed the walk and the views, and arrived a bit after they opened at 9:00 am. The staff was friendly, and the store was fun to wander around in. I even bought a small, multi-functional tripod to use with my camera and small version spotting scope; and a bottle of "multilevel protection sun block" to help protect my skin. Happily, not only were both items relatively inexpensive -- they were both made in the State of Washington. A grand visit, and a nice walk.

No radiation today or tomorrow, but I took the Temodar on the same schedule for the weekdays with radiation, since it's been moved to the afternoon. That fit nicely with our "hike" to REI, as we arrived back at my apartment at the right time to meet that need.

All in all, a really nice day. Hope you had one too.

Dennis & Faith, with Gary