Lazy Weekend

It is a good thing that he and I were not getting paid by the hour this weekend. Both of us would owe the company.
This has been one of the laziest, yet most enjoyable weekends that we have had in quite some time. We did manage to go to a wedding, church, and a quick trip to Wal Mart, but that is the total of all activity at the Gravenmiers'.
Amy was puny. Clayton worked all weekend. Kendall and Andy played soccer yesterday.
Kate and Josh were tied up with wedding activities for his brother.
Beth and Trent were engaged in an invitational golf tourney in Lexington.
This left Mama and Daddy to fend for ourselves. Thus, we did nothing constructive.
Life is good!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, it is back to the grind tomorrow.

Bunches of love,
Cathy

Good News!

We got some awesome news yesterday. The tumors had shrunk 25% on our previous trip back in July. She confirmed that they are still there, but continue to shrink. The chemo and radiation will take some time to completely eradicate from his body. Therefore, they are continuing (at this time) to work. We are taking a wait and see approach. We are now scheduled again in 8 weeks. If all appears to be going well, then she will stretch it to 12 weeks, etc. There is still no more talk of surgery and probably won't be a consideration.
She told him to continue to work when he felt like it. He does have some radiation side effects that we will have to keep an eye on, but he looks and sounds more like himself everyday.
Thank you Lord for your mercy and for your loving, devoted prayer warriors who have lifted us up in prayer.
Have a blessed afternoon and evening,
Love and kisses,
Cathy

Tomorrow's the Day

Tomorrow we go back to Vanderbilt for a CT scan and consultation with the oncologist, Dr. Keedy. Pray that she has really good news for us.
It is on our minds today and will be even with good news - or so we have been told.
This has been Monday all day!!! So many things to do, and so many mixups to fix.
"Yes, Scarlett, tomorrow is another day!" Thank goodness.
I have another meeting tonight, tomorrow night, and Thursday night.
Enjoy your evening!

Cathy

Week 2 - TGIF

Well, his energy levels crashed on him yesterday. He struggled to get up, get dressed, but went to work anyway. However, when he got there, he asked if they could cover him. They said, "Yes!" and he added, "I am out of here!" He then spent yesterday and today just hanging out, being lazy, and resting.
He spent 3 months doing very little except living with chemo, radiation, and drugs. I don't know why he felt that he could go back to a normal routine so soon. But, with this hard-headed German, proving is often "believing". He tried, but it might take a little longer to get his legs back under him.
I am finally returning to the land of the healthy after being sick with flu/bronchitis/asthmatic bronchitis/crud/etc. for over 4 1/2 weeks.
Kate, Beth, and I are hosting a bridal shower tomorrow (poolside-of course). Mr. G. will be travelling to Memphis for UPS to pick up some trailers. There will be no loading or unloading, just hooking up and rolling.
Enjoy this glorious, hot summer weekend.
Cathy

Wonderful Wednesday

It is Wednesday, isn't it?!?!?!?! The past two weeks seem like such a blur. His days are flying by as he works, comes home, showers, eats, goes to sleep on the couch, gets up to go to bed, and gets back up the next morning to the grind.
School is whipping by. When you cover two schools, you don't have a set routine. It is just a constant rush or constant state of decision making. I am constantly trying to decide what to do since I left what I needed at the other school. I will get the "hang of it" eventually.
Beffie is working part time as an intern for a marketing firm in Jackson. Bless her! She was getting rather down applying, filling out applications, and waiting for news back on job prospects. This is a tough time for an ambitious young lady!
Next week and a trip back to Nashville loom in the distance. I wish we could live without dreading it.
Whew!!!! I just opened the door to pour out my left over coffee from this morning. Who turned on the heater?
Enjoy your evening. This is "Hump Day".

Cathy

Sultry Sunday

What a hot, muggy day. The family has been at the lake, but I stayed behind. I just was not up to the trip. I am still nursing ill health for the 5th week. I went to Convenient Care in Jackson yesterday and am on more meds for the newest diagnosis of asthmatic bronchitis. The breathing treatment and shot sure made a difference today. Maybe, finally this will be the ticket to good health.
Mr. G. completed a full week of work, a weekend at the lake fishing and playing golf, and is now resting and preparing for week two at work. He said that his golf game was a bit weak (pretty awful, actually), but he made it even in the heat.
We are anticipating next week's return to Vandy for the CT and results of the treatments.
Have a blessed week,
Cathy

Yesterday was Hump Day!!!!!

It sure seems strange to be back in the grind, but yesterday was Hump Day. So there you have it! We both are back in the saddle and praying that Friday comes quickly. He has done really well, but as he said, "Night doesn't come soon enough right now!" Most of the people that he delivers to have been awesome about helping him. This has helped make his transition much better. However, he is still very, very tired (and hungry) when he gets home. Shower, food, rest, and sleep are the order in which he winds down in his day.
Strange thing - His moustache is beginning to come back. Nothing else is visible. ODD!!!!
It's really foggy out there, so please be careful this morning.

Have a blessed day,
Cathy

Time flies!

Time flies when you are having fun or want to postpone the inevitable. School begins for the students this Tuesday, August 4. James G. starts back to work Monday, August 3.
It just seems like yesterday that we got out of school.
When you say your prayers this week, please pray that normalcy will be his routine this week. He is excited in a way to be returning to work, but he is apprehensive whether he will be able to hold out all day.
We made a quick trip to the lake Friday afternoon and returned Saturday night. He and Beth went fishing, but Trent and I hung at the cabin. This bronchitis is wicked and continues to hang on.
Have a great week, one and all!!!!!

Love to all,
Cathy