Beginning Passover

The beauty of receiving bad news at this time of the year is that it is overshadowed by the "Good News" that God provided through his son Jesus Christ.
James continues to be "Gravy" and prayerfully he will be when his time is spent. Either through medicine or just the course of this illness, his appetite is better, but quite specific.
He is having family times with his children/grandchildren. He is having friend times too. He is thriving on all of this quality time. He is "holding court" and is loving it.
Enjoy this Holy Week.
Cathy

Life is So Unpredictable

Just when you think that you have life figured out. Just when you think that it is manageable, it throws you a curve ball. We spent Wednesday through Friday of last week in a suite (804) at Jackson Madison/County General Hospital trying to figure out what was causing his discomfort. It could have been pneumonia or just scarring from the radiation. Whatever it was, God got us in the hospital so that they could run the tests that needed to be run on him. Unfortunately, the tests results were not what we wanted to hear. The cancer is spreading. He is losing his battle against this wicked disease. We continue to pray for healing and that God will continue to guide our steps and actions.
We will be going to Nashville on Tuesday to meet with Dr. Keedy. As he said, it may not be necessary, but it is what we have done each month for a year. It is our monthly pilgrimage.
Please pray for him in the coming weeks for peace and comfort as he battles this newest phase of cancer.

God's many blessings,
Cathy

TGIF

Days in a hospital seem to melt into each other. We have only been here since Wednesday, but it seems like a week. They did a bronchoscope this morning. They ruled out an additional tumor in the left lung; major blockage in the airway; but they are doing cultures on samplings from the fluid in the lung. The pulmonologist doesn't think that it is pneumonia, but they are treating with antibiotics as a precaution. He feels that most of his difficulties are the result of scarring from all of the radiation. The radiation may have stunted/contained the tumors in the lung, but it also has caused a collapsed lung and so many other problems.
We may still be transferring to Vanderbilt later this weekend, depending on their findings.
I would just as soon stay locally if at all possible.
We were due to go back to Vandy on Tuesday, March 30 for a follow up with Dr. Keedy. I guess we will find out today what their plans are for us.
My poor, weak best friend has had to endure so much for this dreadful disease. But, I am so thankful for all of the blessings/prayers/love that have been extended to him and to his family because of this dreadful disease.
Enjoy the weekend.
Hanging on to HIS hem!
Cathy

March Visit at Jackson General

Well, I thought that we had made it and would not have a hospital visit in March. We had one in January and one in February. However, yesterday, March 24 we checked into a suite on the eighth floor overlooking the parking garage. We are higher up this time (2nd floor the other times) and have a much nicer view.
This visit centers around issues with the left lung. When we left home yesterday afternoon, his BP was 80/50, heart rate 133, grayish in color, extreme shortness of breath, massive headache, and extremely adverse to smells. He has a condition known as "white out" of the lung. This could be a sign of change in status of the cancer, pneumonia, collapse of the airways, or bacteria/infection.
He also in need of some blood. Isn't it strange that they constantly take several vials of blood every few hours, but yet he is in need of blood. He calls the ladies that take the blood-"vampires" or"Twilight Wantabees".
He has been rather lifeless today until a few minutes ago. Even in illness, men retain control of the remote. He was running the dial and found Cardinal baseball and the channel that would carry the NCAA basketball games. He seems content. At least his testerone is still intact!

God's blessings on this sunny/dreary, rainy day!
Cathy

Welcome Spring!

Spring is finally upon us and the forecast is calling for rain, a severe drop in temps, and snow flurries!?!?!? Welcome to Tennessee weather.
James may not have a lot of energy to expend, but his spirits are sure high this week and weekend. NCAA March Madness is in full swing, and we are trying to see all of the games that they will broadcast. This was one of our favorite times of the year as a young couple . With little or no money, exciting basketball games on tv were great, free entertainment. With him working nights for so many years and not being able to enjoy March Madness together (except on the weekends), I had forgotten how much fun we had sharing this time together. I will have to admit, the mister was not always "WISE" in his choices of favorite teams-especially if they were not my choice.
Enjoy your day. We may venture to Jackson this afternoon to watch a little baseball with one of our favorite 12 year olds (Scott's son, Colin).

Give thanks for God's abundant blessings!
Cathy

Happy St. Patrick's Day

'Top 'o the morn'in, lads and lassies! Hope you wore your green and remembered your Irish ancestors.
Beth, Kate, and I are nursing poor health. Thankfully we have sinus issues. I went today to be sure that I did not have anything contagious. A sinus cocktail shot and some antibiotics later I am feeling better. Beth and Kate have had it a few days longer and are already feeling better. I hope that I feel well enough to go to school tomorrow. As Beth said, we have been remodeling everything on tv today. Daytime tv is just not what it used to be.
Mister went fishing yesterday and spent all day today in bed or close to it. He went with a friend of his who is having memory issues. James has physical issues. So between the two of them, he said that they could only make one good man. They always manage to have a good time when they get together. However, the fish weren't in any danger yesterday. The bucket was empty.

Enjoy God's Hump Day,
Cathy

The Sabbath

Even though it is dreary outside, it sure was inspirational in church. Good job, Brother Al, Alicia, handbells, and children's choir.
Who would think that a little game of trivia would be so much fun!? The Relay for Life team at First Methodist had a trivia night with 7 tables of people (with 8-10 people per table) with lots of useless knowledge that needed to be shared. Morris Chandler was the emcee. This fact in itself provided some lively entertainment without the participants.
I was on the team of Camper (Diane and family) with Kate and Josh Smith. With a multigenerational team we thought that we would be a cinch. However, we didn't even place in the top 3. We did really enjoy many of our wrong answers much more than we did our right answers. It was a shame that James didn't feel up to going, We could really have used his knowledge on the Bible, Sports, and music. We perserveered and had a great time for a great cause.
God be with each of you as you enter and travel through this week.
Cathy

Another Week in March, 2010

Another week in the "salt mines" is at an end. This is the 2nd week in a row that we have worked 5 days in a row. Since Christmas, we have been out for snow, 2 holidays, and I have been out with James. I had rather gotten used to working 2 or 3 days a week.
We are settling into the routine of his retirement. He, also, finally has recovered from the hectic schedule and lack of sleep on the Emmaus Walk last weekend. His soul was refreshed and renewed, but his body was crying for rest.
We were able to sit outside yesterday and watch the grandchildren play on their bikes and climb in our tree. That was such a nice feeling after being cooped up inside for so long.
Enjoy your weekend (inside), but the beginning of the week promises sunshine. Mr. G. said he might go fishing with a buddy on Tuesday. Please warn the fish!!!!!
God's comfort, guidance, and blessings,
Cathy

Home Again

The Mister made it home safely from his man's retreat. He had a great time and met a lot of great men. He said that the Lord was definitely in "this place". He is simply glowing from the experience, the fresh air, and the sunshine.
However, he had such a good time that he went to sleep Sunday night (which he didn't remember doing) at 9:00 and slept until 11:00 the next day. He napped in the chair all afternoon and went back to bed at 8:00p.m. and slept until 7:00 this morning. He had a doctor's appointment (the cardiac surgeon) this morning at 8:45. He came home and went to bed at 11:30 and slept until 7:00 tonight. He is currently dosing in the chair now. "FUN sure takes it out of you, doesn't it?"
Sleep really seems like a good idea right at this moment.
Enjoy your evening.
God's blessings,
Cathy

"Glorious Day"

This is a glorious day in God's world. I woke up to birds singing, sun shining, and toilet paper hanging from the bushes, vehicles, and garbage can. Kendall was 10 years old yesterday, and celebrated with 10 of her friends and 3 of Andy's. They had a large time karaoking, eating, movie watching, and rolling Mimi's and Kates's yard.
James is at the Emmaus Walk for the weekend. I was not confident that he should go, since this week has been rather up and down for him. However, as he said, "what better place to be than in God's woods doing God's work." I spoke to our friend Randy, who saw him last night, and said that he looked good, well fed, and glowing. Thank you, Lord!
Go out and enjoy this sunshine and fresh air. Spring is coming!!!!! Wahoo!!!!!
Love,
Cathy

The first week of March

It is hard to believe that we are in March, 2010. However, if all you do is get up, go to work, come home, eat, sleep, and reverse the process since it has been so cold, snowy, and dreary, then time will definitely pass quickly. These cold winter days have just melted together for those of us who tend to hibernate in the winter.The cold really affects James G. these days. He can't seem to catch his breath in the cold air.
Life seems to be settling in for this ex UPS feeder driver. As of Monday, he is officially retired with 27 1/2 years of service. He still is having a hard time adjusting his sleeping habits to nighttime sleeping. He is still adjusting his eating habits to eating during the day and not at 2 or 3 in the morning. I often hear him on the phone talking to his "buds" at 3 or 3:30 in the morning. They are in the process of driving home from Nashville and he is still prowling--trying to get sleepy.
Life continues to improve for the patient, but I think that Spring weather will really improve his health and disposition. There is nothing quite as exciting as a beautiful , sunny, Spring day.

Enjoy your evening.
Cathy