Settling In

The Seattle weather has cooled off, and there were signficant clouds today. Most locals were chilly, but we loved it, because it reminded us of home.
Today Dennis met with two of the doctors on his team, who both pronounced that he looked very well and improved from his last visit with them. He also met with the community contact for the clinical trial and the logistical organizer who is assisting with helping us with travel and lodging. We should be notified by the end of the week if Dennis has been accepted into the clinical trial which tests the efficacy of the drug avastin as a component of initial treatment of GBMs (the type of cancer Dennis has is glioblastoma multiforme.)

There is a signifcant amount of testing ahead to prepare for the radiation, including a simulation of the radiation procedure and the creation of a special mask that is worn to protect the head while having the pinpointed procedure.

We learned more about the Temedar chemo today.... it is taken orally right before the radiation each day. It actually "snips" the genetic information in rapidly reproducing cancer cells at the tumor site, disallowing them from surviving.

At the end of the day we decided it was time to find the grocery store. A big thank you to our local QFC, who bagged up groceries and drove them back to our hotel for us. We celebrated by making homemade spaghetti with Montana mule deer and Dennis's fantastic garlic bread. All in all, a good day, but we are both tired; talk with you tomorrow, Faith and Dennis

A Seattle Place

We flew off Revilla Island and landed one and a half hours later in Seattle. We are now ensconced in Casa Neill on the 5th floor of the Baroness Hotel directly across the street from Virginia Mason Hospital, smack dab in the center of the First Hill neigborhood. It is a city full of noise, which will take getting used to. The apartment is comfortable, and has a sofabed for visitors. Tomorrow Dennis has his first two appointments with the nuero oncology team.

We were sad to leave our animals, home, and garden. Kona refused to stay in the kitchen, and ventured out onto the front steps as we tried to move our bags to the car. She and I had had a talk earlier in the morning as I brushed her. We hope she stays healthy so that she can help Dennis stay healthy in 55 days.

Excellent news from Ketchikan tonight-the USDA Forest Service received the best performance award in the July 4th parade! Yahoo! Great job everyone! Talk with you tommorow, Faith and Dennis

Headed South

We are headed "south" tomorrow-in Alaska speak that means off island and to the lower 48.
Our last night at home (for Dennis 55 days) is really bittersweet. It was beautiful weather, and Kona and I got in some gardening therapy in by going to the nursery. We spoke to or had visits with many family and friends, who had also had good 4ths in their own ways. We packed the last box of stuff to send to Seattle tomorrow morning. Kona and I went to the Frog Pond, a special place to walk in the summer-and I picked salmonberries that were just turning ripe We had dinner on the deck again, this time including our own steamed rainbow chard. Kona carefully observed every bite of the salad we were eating and was disappointed there was little meat. The sunset was pink as the robins called way into the twilight anda few errant fireworks were let off.

We are ready to embark on this next part of the journey, and no matter where is takes us, the comfort of home will linger and draw us back when we have beat this cancer into the ground. The next time you hear from us we'll be in our apartment in Seattle. Cheers, Faith and Dennis

Independence Day

How we love a parade! And the sun shown! In Ketchikan it always starts with a flyover by Eichner's helicopter towing a ginormous American flag. Yahoo! The look on people's faces when they see Smokey Bear, and marvel as Sammy Salmon and Woodsy Owl wave at them...especially thousands of kids. That makes the Fourth for me... Dennis returned to driving and waited at the federal building for the parade to pass. He was definitely in his element and felt good all day.

Maybe it was that therapuetic apple pie from St. John's-it just tasted all that much better this year. There was a classic car show and above the parking lot bald eagles reviewed the human shenanigans, including local kids diving into Thomas Basin for tourist money. It was nice to be with friends and hang out- we returned to have our supper on the deck-luckily there were no insects to speak of. Fireworks begin late tonight from the Pennock Island barge. Yippee!

Tomorrow we pack. I am finishing a quilt for a friend, so I had better get to it. Hope your holiday was as fun, love from us, Faith and Dennis

Summertime

Well, it's about 65 degrees at 8:30 pm in this island world-was in the 70's today for sure. Dennis comes in from walks with wild strawberries or salmonberries. Kona snoozes peacefully by the screen door. Fireworks are heard in the distance as the " red sky at night, sailor's delight" takes over the sky.

Today we shipped 56 pounds of frozen food to Seattle on Alaska Airlines freight. They promptly called us a few hours later and let us know it was in the freezer at the airport in Seattle. We'll pick it up Monday on the way in to the hotel. It may seem silly, but we are convinced our own healthy fish and game meat will support Dennis's recovery. Dennis seems to be more relaxed, feeling good and eating well. We already have appointments with the nuero oncologist and radiation oncologist Tuesday.

It promises to be an awesome Fourth of July. I am looking forward to marching in the parade, and Dennis is looking forward to rootbeer floats. And, no, we don't have the skinny on why Alaska's Governor stepped down. Happy Independence Day everyone! from Faith and Dennis

Dennis Won; Tylenol Zero

It's 10:45 pm and the house on the hill is quiet with the sounds of sleepy cats, and old brown dog and a snoring pirate. That is, except yours truely, who insists on letting the blogosphere know that a bright orange moon hangs outside the open window. Today Dennis commented on the bright orb in the sky...could this mean (a hush falls over southeast) sun on the 4th of July parade? Unbelievable!

It was Dennis won (a pun in honor of the Neillster) Tylenol zero today-mark one down for the pirate, who has become the master of healing. Dennis walks Kona, then leaves her at the house in the am and walks two more miles-he is beginning to get his strength back each day as he plans more walking as we return to First Hill this Monday. He is gearing up for that goat tag....
Tomorrow we ship a cooler of strength building food-venison and fish, mostly-so we can pick it up at the Seattle airport Monday. Dennis is an Alaska Airlines "known shipper" which comes in handy for 7 week trips away from home.

I am attempting to chip away at the work that has piled up at the office, keep the banana slugs out of the garden, nurse animals, and work on quilt projects. Salmonberries are beginning to ripen here, I may sneak out tomorrow to look at how my favorite places are doing. Until then, Faith and Dennis

July Begins

Mileposts help you guide your progress, and for Dennis these are important. This morning Dennis realized he had not used an ice pack last night. While there is still swelling at the incision site, it slowly goes down and his pirate headgear is beginning to approach a fashion statement. Complete with sunglasses, and you have a rather suave biker look. He even got some consulting work in today! See the pirate without his parrot to left.

Anyway, it was Minnie cat's day to feel bad. Having lost two pounds since May blood tests showed thyroid levels 5 times higher that of normal. So now Minnie and Maxie are on thyroid controlling pills. Although Kona manages to nose the cats into line most of the time, she just nuzzled Minnie today. Everyone here is a little raw still.

July4th approaches. For Dennis and myself this has always meant parades and pies and rootbeer floats and rubber duck races in Ketchikan Creek. We are both looking forward to spending the holiday at home and at a much more subdued pace than in past years.

Many friends have mentioned that they may want to visit while in Seattle-that would be wonderful!! Since we have yet to know how each day will shape up, please call us ahead of time.
We'll let you know how Dennis is doing and how we can see you. My cell is 907-821-0022.
Looking forward to hearing from you, Faith and Dennis