Glorious Sunday

Mr. G is much better today. He still has the horrid sore throat which still makes it difficult to eat. However, they are no longer talking about a transfusion since his counts are coming back up. Dr. Keedy says that if he continues to improve, he should be able to get out of the hospital by Tuesday. He no longer has to be hooked up to so many machines and IVs now which he is thrilled about.
We spent a quiet day in Nashville watching the NCIS marathon. We could work for the military investigation teams after today.
Thanks be to God and all of those wonderful folks who have prayed on his behalf for his many improvements in the last 2 days,

Cathy

Super Saturday

This is our first weekend in Nashville since this journey began. Today, he spent his time in the hospital. His fever is up and down, but thank God, it is more down than up now. His throat is still extremely sore. As he states it, on a scale of a 1 - 10 with 10 being extreme pain, his throat is a 50. His counts are very low and a transfusion may be in the works.
Doctor Keedy, his oncologist, was on call this weekend, so we have had access to her advice and expertise all weekend (beginning yesterday).
Hopefully, that which has really depleted his body is also depleting the cancer as well.
I spent some of my day at the Lodge, some at the hospital, talking to Ruthie and Brooks on the phone, and eating lunch and hanging out with my sweet sisters (Kay, Carolyn, and Diane) who came up for the day. Ruthie was coming, but is still recuperating from her recent heart attack. She thought that she might have a problem being wheeled around (huge)Vanderbilt Hospital in a wheelchair.(We missed her!)
Even though he is not a "hospital person", apparently he is not ready to come home- since he has not really been complaining.
Pray that his counts start coming up soon. He is really "beaten down" physically, but continues to have that "let's get this over with" spirit.

Enjoy one of God's beautiful days tomorrow,
Cathy

TGIF Week 5

Week 5 is now completed. We only have 2 more scheduled for radiation, and then reevaluate whether more chemo is needed.
James G. is a patient of Vanderbilt Hospital since early this morning. They continue to give him IV fluids, antibiotics, and meds for low blood pressure and trying to build up his white cells. He will probably be there through Sunday or Monday.
He is so much improved since yesterday afternoon when everything turned sour.
Our girls (Amy, Kate, and Beth) surprised us with a visit today. It was nice for them to be able to visit with their dad, and I was able to get a little extra rest. He continues to run a fever tonight and still has the horrible sore throat, but he is eating and keeping it down. I just left the hospital, and he was preparing to bed down for the night. He was trying to keep me company instead of resting, so I chose to leave and go back to the Lodge. Maybe he will get some quality sleep.
Have a great weekend.

Love to all,
Cathy

Thursday/Friday Early Morning

Mr. G. had a terrible day with vomiting and a sore throat being such a problem as to prevent him from eating and drinking since Wednesday a.m. He did try to choke down some Carnation Instant Breakfast, but this too did not stay with him.
He went on to the radiation treatment, but he developed the chills - no fever. They sent him to the infusion lab for iv fluids and nausea meds at which time he developed a fever. White cell counts were very low, fever was 102, and not being able to retain liquids or food, caused them to send him to the ER since a bed was not available in the hospital. We spent from 6:00 until 2:00 in the ER at which time we were transferred to the hospital. Mr. G. (Grouchy) is now a Vanderbilt Hospital patient in room 8215. He probably will be there most of the weekend. The stipulations are that he cannot have fever and must be able to keep food down.
Since we left our car in valet parking at the Cancer Clinic, I had to leave this morning and retrieve it. When I left him at 6:00a.m., he was sawing the "heavy lumber"--which he so desperately needed.
He would be the one that waits until radiation treatment #22 and finished with chemo to develop some nasty side effects.
Looks like another soggy day in the city.

God bless,
Cathy

Wet Wednesday

What started out as a beautiful spring day, has now turned into a very loud, electrically charged wet day. We have had several storms here in the last few hours-with lots of heavy rain that doesn't last very long.
Mr. G is not a "happy camper" today. His throat is extremely sore and makes eating hazardous and very unpleasant. He is still hungry even though there are other nasty side effects that have surfaced last night and today.
They have xrayed him and have marked him again for his radiation. They know that the tumors have shrunk, and want to be sure and allow for the shrinkage. Yeah!
He really is looking forward to going home on Friday, uncovering the pool, and resting, resting, resting in his own house.
God continues to comfort and keep JG through his misery.
Jamey continues to handle whatever this dreaded disease hands him.
We try to keep in mind that blessings are found in all situations.
God is good all the time, and all the time God is good!

Blessings to all,
Cathy

Post Memorial Day

We had a very nice, wet weekend at the lake. I attended the Camp wedding, and then Papa, Andy, Kendall, Shelby, and Mimi headed to the lake. Josh and the boys were already there cleaning and getting the cabin opened up for the summer. Kate and Josh joined us Sunday morning. The crowd was small, but nice.
Mr. G. got to do some fishing with Josh Smith on Sunday and Kate/Josh on Monday. He swears they caught all the fish and didn't leave any for him. He was properly covered up from head to toe and looked rather goofy, but he got to fish after all he's been through.
We are now back in Nashville. He has finished his treatment, and is now down for a "long" nap (as he informed me). His throat is really worrisome this afternoon and he doesn't feel like eating. He weighed at home, and I hope the scales are wrong. He is 10 lbs lighter. He doesn't need to lose right now.
We are going to an ice cream social at the Lodge tonight. This might help on the poundage. He is not looking forward to the event, but is rather excited about the ice cream. --Ice cream seems to be his favorite food now.
Hope everyone had a good Memorial Day weekend-even though it was wet, wet, wet.

Love to Milan from the folks in Nashville,
Cathy

Finally Friday

Thank heaven for the last day of school. Thank heaven that Beth and James made it home safely from Nashville.
Week four is now complete. There have been 6 chemos and 19 radiations thus far. The plans now are to finish radiation June 12, and then check on more radiation and chemo the week of June 15.
This week has really drained his hair, his energy, and his sense of humor. We are going to a wedding this weekend and then on to the lake. Hopefully the weekend away and change of scenery will improve his spirits. However, he wants to go fishing. Doctor Keedy said that he could, provided he wore a long sleeved shirt, long pants, socks/shoes, a hat, and sunscreen of #50. She also told me to take a picture of him for proof. - That should be an interesting sight!
Have a great long, weekend!
Remember those that are no longer with us who represented us in the world arena. Happy Memorial Day.
God bless and keep you safe as you celebrate our first warm weather holiday,
Cathy

Last Chemo Maybe

Today, May 21 could have been JG's last chemo treatment. Dr. Keedy (oncologist) will do a CT scan on June 16 (after last radiation on June 12) and determine if she is satisfied with 6 treatments or if 6 more are needed. Wouldn't it be wonderful if 6 "nasty old chemos" were all that are required?
This week has been very draining on Mr. G. Between the chemo and radiation, his eating, sleeping, resting, and everything in between are in disarray.
TGIF is only one day away! Yeah. Tomorrow is also my last day of school. Yeah!

Thank you Lord for helping him through it!
Thank you Lord for the beautiful spring days, too.
We love them.

Hugs and Kisses and Love to all,
Cathy

"Hump Day"

Finally, Wednesday is here. Day 2 out of 3 chemo days is completed. Today the treatment was only 3 1/2 hours. The folks in radiation are angels and took us earlier than our one thirty appointment. It is a good thing. JG is exhausted and in need of a good nap.
We got results on his blood work. Dr. Keedy said that his blood work was excellent. She and the chemo nurses have said that it is hard to believe that he is taking chemo. He is doing so well.
He has one more day of chemo and 2 more days of radiation. Then we have a nice, long holiday weekend. We won't have to be back here until Tuesday at 1:30p.m. Yeah!!!!!!!!
Kate is now bathing suit shopping. Beth and Trent are golfing. Papa and Mimi are napping. Well at least Papa is. Mimi will join him in just a minute. (It is very nice to have visitors from home.)
Enjoy God's beautiful day!
Love to all,
Cathy

Whew!!! What a Day!

Today began at 6:00a.m.- we were anxiously anticipating beginning chemo for round 2. After arriving at the hospital at 9:30a.m., he had a full day of labs, a doctor's appointment, treatment of radiation, and 5 1/2 hours of chemotherapy. We finally got back to Hope Lodge at 8:30p.m. He's still such a trouper. He's doing great with God's help guiding the doctors. Kate, Beth, and Trent are all here with us the next day or two.
Time to eat a quick bite, watch "Dances with the Stars" finale, and go to bed.

Have a great week,
Cathy

Monday

We are back in Nashville for a rather long week. This is week 4 for radiation and chemo begins again tomorrow for 3 days. Chemo and radiation really take it out of James G., but he handles it like a trouper.
We will begin the day tomorrow with labs, oncology doctor's visit, chemo, and finally radiation. Please keep us in your prayers this week.
Enjoy the cool, sunny spring weather.

God bless,
Cathy

Week 3

Wow! What a week this has been. We came home on Wednesday to check on Ruthie and her "heart". Mr. G. had to travel Thursday and Friday back to NashVegas for his treatments, and I got to be at work 2 days this week. We both were really glad to see Friday "dark" get here. (You can officially go to bed at dark!)
Hoorah! Week 3 of treatments is completed. JG had a week of radiation which left him pretty drained in the energy department. He continues to have mild side effects. His major complaint is a bad sore throat, which might interfere with his eating. He held his own in the weight department this week. Thanks be to God.
He continues to have that "upbeat Gravy" attitude, and we, both, are learning to finally take life one day at a time.
We are looking forward to a restful weekend with family and friends. Next week begins another week of chemo and radiation. Ugh!!!!!!!!!

Cathy

Tuesday

Haven't slept much what with all the worry over Ruthie and her health issues. Thank you God for having her in the right place at the right time.
The radiation has now produced a "radiation throat" which leaves his throat very sore. We just left the pharmacy with yet another prescription that should relieve the symptoms. The nurse assured us that he would have it the remainder of the treatments.
He continues to do well, just very fatigued.
Coming home on Wednesday, yeah. He will still need to come back on Thurs. and Friday, but wants to check first hand on Ruthie. He also wants to check first hand on all the other family members too.


Love
Cathy

Sunny Monday

God provides the sun to chase away the blues! The rain is so needed, but we were so glad to see the beautiful blue skies-even though we had to come to NashVegas to see it.
Mr. G. is now sporting a new haircut. His hair has now gone the way of the mustache.
We have finished radiation treatment number 10- Yeah! We won't worry about how many are still are left at this point. We have a full week of radation ahead, but next week we start back with the chemo too.
Enjoy the day!
Love from Nashville,
Cathy

Week 2

Yeah! A full week of radiation is under our belts. Week 2 is finally over.
We have just completed a bumper to bumper trip home on I-40. There apparently was a wreck early this morning and had traffic stopped until 1:30. Spoke with Jane Fields at this time. They were on their way home as well, but had tried to avoid traffic by cutting off at Exit 196 to drive Highway 70. They apparently were in bumper to bumper traffic as well.
This was just another of those speed bumps of life. At least we are both at home this weekend.
Praise the Lord.
JG is still doing great - a loss of 8 pounds and lots of energy, but still great!!!!!!!!

Cathy

Surprise!!!!!!!!!!!!

Carolyn and JG went back to NashVegas (as he fondly calls it) on Tuesday, but he assured me that he was coming home that night. He pulled that on me on Monday, and I thought "what the heck!" - It is just radiation. That's not bad. However, Monday night proved to be very, very tiring on him.
I insisted that he stay at Hope Lodge on Tuesday.
Now I can share the secret. Aunt Liz and Uncle John (from Minnesota) are in Nashville with him. They drove in to check on him, hold his hand during treatents, and to visit with him for a day or two.
Hoorah! I was able to keep this secret from him and make it a big SURPRISE. He was most touched as you can imagine.
I'll head back to NVille later this afternoon and stay with him so that we can come home Friday. Week 2 is almost over. Yeah!
Love to all,

Cathy

Rainy Days, and Monday

Even though it rained, rained, rained, and continued to rain this weekend, it was so nice to be at home. Week two begins today with radiation every day this week. JG will travel to Nashville with Brian Thompson today, but will come back home tonight. He wanted just one more night in his own bed.
Tomorrow, he will travel back to Nashville with Carolyn for another treatment. He will stay in Nashville, and I will join him tomorrow.
He is still doing well, eating mostly anything that he wants, but mostly eating lots of french fries. (I don't understand this, but this is what he wants and will eat.)
God continues to bless and protect us. Thanks be to God!

Cathy

TGIF

Thanks goodness, it is finally Friday. He had radiation at 8:30 this morning and then we blew Nashville.
After a rather long, very rainy ride we have made it back to Gibson County. Yeah!!!!!!!
Thank the Lord for all of our blessings this week. Week one is over. Hopefully a restful weekend filled with Home, Family, Church, Fish Fry at the Church on Sunday, and Friends.
God bless us all.

Cathy