July 31

Last chemo tx until Sept! Yeah! One more radiation tx! The itching is much improved and Dr. agreed that it was the Bactrim and it could be stopped. (a good thing for I was becoming rebellious) Roger and I went out to a small lake for a little while this afternoon. He fished for a little while and I did my 30 minute walk around the lake. It was very relaxing and the scenary was pretty. We have enjoyed the scenary around C'ville. The mountains are beautiful, however we are looking forward to moving back to the SW, where the mountains are bigger and also beautiful. We continue to be blessed by messages from you and we cherish you friendship and your prayers. We continue to the next step of the journey. Thank you for your support. Remember, God is Good.......All the Time. Love you, Roger & Marlene

July 30 '07

Hello to everyone. Hope you had a good weekend and a good Monday. We are in the final days of the C'ville part of this journey and we are so thankful that all of you have been with us and lightened our load. I have 2 more radiation tx. and 1 more chemo, then we have a 4 week break (yeah) before we return to C'ville for MRI & Dr. appts. and determine the next phase. I am truly looking forward to a break from tx and medication!! Have had a little problem with itching (palms, feet, head) ....I think it's the antibiotic they have had me take 3xw....hopefully, I can stop it this week. Everything else is going well, we are preparing to pack up and move. All the Pierson's are in Florida and spent the day at Epcot, having a great time. Sorry we are all missing Bible School. I know you guys are having a great time also!! Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we complete this phase and adjust to the upcoming changes. We continue to be blessed richly each day. Remember: God is Good.......All the Time. Love, Marlene & Roger

Weekend

This will be our last weekend in C'ville, at least for a while. Today we visited the peach orchard to have fresh fruit, may have to go back as we head for SWVA. Nothing like fresh peaches. We have had a good day. I am feeling pretty good. Not much energy, but otherwise ok. Thanks to all of you who continue to lift us up with your calls, cards, letters, pictures, e-mails and funny messages! Several of our family members are traveling so please remember them for safe travel mercies this weekend. Roger and I may take a break, so if you miss the blog, we will be back by Monday! Love to all. Remember: God is Good...........All the time. Roger & Marlene

Four To Go

We have had another very good day in C'ville. Our appointments have been in the afternoon this week, so we have met several new people. M continues to do well. We are trying to eat healthy fruits and veggies, and exercise every day. We are both anxious to be back in Gate City. God continues to work in our lives in a mighty way. Please continue to pray for us as we prepare for the second stage of our journey. Rem. God is good......and all the time ....... In His love, M & R

Counting on one hand

As we get to less than a week before we return to Gate City, we are excited. Treatment continues to go well, and side effects are about the same. Although this is a very pleasant place to be for the time being, it is not home and we miss all of you. I am glad some of you have reminded Roger what color he should be wearing (ORANGE), he's been eyeing the hats at the UVA shop pretty seriously, so we need to return, at least to Hokie country! We also heard that the watermelons in Carters Valley are beginning to get ripe! (along with the tomatoes and beans :) Everyone have a great day and remember: God is Good.......All the Time. Love you, Roger & Marlene

Six to go

Changed treatment machines today. All went well. Dr. L says 6 more treatments, everything is looking good. I am excited. Thanks to Teresa's response to last night's blog, I sat down at the piano tonight (there is one at this house, though Charlie will confirm it is very out of tune). You may recall my visual loss has been in the right lower visual field and I could not see my right hand, the treble keys or the right side of the music, so I had not tried to play since the first week I was here. Guess what, I could see the music, and the treble keys and played several songs, as well as I usually do! There is still some visual problems, but definite improvement!! I am singing Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho today, heard an instrumental on the way to treatment, reminded me of Cathy. I will be very glad to get home, I miss all you Music Masters!!
Must wish Edie a Happy Birthday!! Hope you had a great day.
Remember, God is Good........All the time. Roger & Marlene

Singing

I realized yesterday that I had forgotten to sing. Isn't it amazing when we feel a little low, how we forget the really important things. Roger and I were reminded of the importance of keeping joy in our heart and my favorite way is through music. I don't always sing out loud, but always have a song "in my head". Roger's favorite way is to whistle, and today I have heard the Andy Griffith theme off and on all day. (I may sing out loud tomorrow, for revenge :) Isaiah 26:3 says "The Lord will keep you in perfect peace if you keep your mind stayed on Him". Our thoughts determine our destiny. You can't think negative thoughts and expect a positive outcome. So everybody remember to think positive and sing or whistle. Things are pretty much status quo today. Counting down the treatments. Rem: God is good.......All the time. Love and happy music to all. Roger and Marlene

Sunday, July 22

Thanks to Laura for doing the blog last night. Those of you who know Laura will not be surprised that she arrived with a burst of energy (and a spider plant, but that is a story for another day) and suceeded in lifting my spirits. She ask me: "well Mom why do you think you would be the only person to not have side effects?" And of course she is right. I have been very blessed to only have a few, and I really am feeling OK. So I will not complain about my energy level or my hair loss. I am ready to start the last full week of treatments. (8 remaining) I am remembering that a thankful and joyful heart will dispell fears and anxiety which can drain energy. I have much to be thankful and joyful about, so I expect to sail through the remaining treatments. Thanks for your continued prayers and support! Rem.. God is Good.......All the Time. Love to all, Marlene & Roger

Weekend Visit

Mom has asked me to post tonight while she relaxes after our walk. Yes, the energy level is a little lower, but if you know my mother, you know she is nothing if not determined! As the treatments continue, and we really begin the countdown, I am constantly amazed at her beautiful strength, her quiet resolve, her steady faith, and her sense of humor! She is such an inspiration to us - and I guess I had better give Dad some credit too! He is doing a wonderful job taking good care of the patient (who has already admitted she is a much better nurse than patient!).

Eric and I are glad to get to visit with them again this weekend. We know that soon our visits will be back in Gate City, and believe me when I say that Mom and Dad will be glad to be home. Until then, our family is so grateful to everyone for the thoughts, prayers, cards, and the many other things that so many of you have done for our mother. We know the Lord is with us - through all of you. God is good...all the time. Love to you all,
Laura - #2

Energy

Anybody got any extra energy? For the second day, mine has been low. I may resort to Mt. Dew (not my favorite drink) but it seems to give Jack & Luke extra power when Papaw gives it to them. I suppose I should not complain. I was warned that the energy level would continue to drop, and it has. However, today I was able to cross stitch for the first time in a long time. Guess I will take that ability to see as a pretty good trade. I am really not complaining. Things are still going well. I was able to walk my mile this afternoon, thought Roger thought he might have to leave me once or twice. The weather was very pleasant so we enjoyed being out for a little while. Continued graditude for your loving support and concern. Remember:
God is Good..........All the Time. Roger & Marlene

Single digits

We completed treatment 21 today, and everything went ok. Marlene has had the weakies today and took the day off from shopping to rest. She has listened to a book on tape, and reclined on the couch all afternoon. I'm beginning to think she's becoming spoiled. On a serious note, thank all of you for the beautiful, inspirational cards. They are the highlight of our day. God has truly blessed us by providing so many friends who take the time to think of us. May God richly bless you all. God is good.......and all the time........ In His love M & R

Mid-Week

Hope everyone has had a good day. Laura and Eric came to visit today, which always makes me happy! I was also able to work on the computer for a while, I think there is improvement in my vision. Continue to have problems with fatigue, but pushing forward. Our hearts are very saddened tonight as we learned of the unexpected death of our friends, Pat & Ray's son, Jason. Please keep this family in your prayers. I pray that God will hold all of them in the palm of His hands providing consolation that only He can provide. Remembering that even in the most difficult circumstances God is Good......All the time. In Love, Marlene & Roger

July 17th

It was good to hear from many of you today. The calls, cards, e-mails and blog message's keep me laughing and lifted up. I have had a more energetic day today. Talked to Dr. L and he thinks my progress is good. Encouraged continued exercise and keep it at the status quo. 11 treatments to go! This afternoon we drove a few miles up the Skyline Drive into the Shenandoah Park. It was a pretty day for a drive and we enjoyed the scenery, animals and wild flora! The rain held off until tonight. Hope you all are getting some also. Understand the garden at Mother's is still dry. Happy Birthday to Rosie and Anna! Hope you gals had a great day with lots of cake and ice cream! God continues to bless daily, and we see answers to prayers, big and small. Yes He is good...........All the Time.........Love, Marlene & Roger

Moving on

We know we are moving forward but today seemed like we are moving with a herd of turtles :) Had thunderstorms all afternoon and had to stay inside. From phone reports, much of the State has had some rain, and that is a good thing. Grass is growing and vegetables are getting ripe. Happy Birthday to Gary today! Won't revel his age, but he is almost as old as me! Treatment still going well, gotta early schedule in am (I like the early schedule). Today's message from Joel Olsteen was especially timely for me and I will share a little of it: Banish Bad Thoughts. "The Lord will keep you in perfect peace if you keep your mind stayed on Him"(Isaiah 26:3) (Also reference to Prov 23:7) Your thoughts determine your destiny. You can't think negative thoughts and expect a positive outcome.
Have a good day.... Rem: God is Good.........All the Time..........Love you Marlene & Roger

Grandchildren, etc

Grandchildren are a blessing and we have enjoyed having Luke, Linley & Jack visit this weekend (and Patti & Otis) They are safely back in Church Hill tonight and we miss them. I am thankful for the energy to "battle" several times with Jack, and for the vision to play Uno, even though I didn't win. A friend told me that we "gain energy" from our grandchildren, and I suspect that is true. I find that putting forth an extra effort can energize. Seems to work when I make myself take a 30 min walk also. Well, if the doctor makes no change in current orders, I have 6 more tx on the machine I am on now, then change to another machine for the last 7 txs! Things are going pretty well, I have a collection of hats and scarfs....still have my hair in front and on top, but it is scarce everywhere else.....may have to have that wig afterall. FORTUNATELY, I am NOT sick at my stomach, but Mitzi, Roger wants to go out and get some kraut juice, sorry but I cannot drink that, he can have it all! I will stick with the goji!! Hopefully all you travelers for last week have returned safely home. Mark & Andrew were in South Dakota last night, they are on a 2 week camping/hiking trip, destination Montana. Keeping all this weeks travelers in our prayers for safety, rest & relaxation. We begin another week of the journey. Remember, God is Good.........All the time-------
Love to all, Marlene & Roger

Friday the 13th

A lot of people consider this day unlucky. Not me! The grandbabies are here for the weekend. There's no better way to spend time than with your family. Isn't God wonderful? He blesses us with so many good things. Praise his holy name. Marlene has had a good day. Her energy level is still good. She takes a couple of short naps each day and wakes up fully rested. Does't God work in mysterious ways? She has lost a little more hair, but she looks really good in a hat. My thanks to all of you for the calls, cards, and prayers that have been sent our way. May God richly bless you all. In His love. M & R God is good-----and all the time------

Counting down

We continue to count down the days. We are over half way! So far, so good. No major problems. We enjoyed delicious food and the company of one of our neighbors tonight. She wanted to know about Roger being a liberal. I do not think she was convinced that he fit the bill. She is a lovely neighbor, as we are discovering is the norm here on Old Farm Rd. Looking forward to the weekend and a little break from treatments. Hope all of you have a safe, relaxing and peaceful weekend. Love to all, God is Good.... All the Time..... Marlene & Roger

Friends

It is hard for me to follow Otis' blog last night, so I guess I will just say thanks to him and write my own note. Roger has fallen asleep early tonight, so I am alone. This will be a test, to see if I can type without leaving off letters and mispelling words, actually don't count misspelled words, for I never could spell! We have enjoyed visiting with friends from Gate City/Kingsport. Jim, Carol & Allen have lifted our spirits and made us smile and we are grateful. I am feeling pretty good. No new symptoms or side effects and I believe my vision has improved, at least slightyl. Yeah! Tiredness comes and goes, they tell me to expect that to increase a little, temporarily. My treatments have been later in the morning for a couple of days, so haven't seen the same folks in the waiting room. Thank you for continuing to keep them in your prayers, esp. Marie and my little teenager friend. Tomorrow is her last radiation treatment, but she still has more chemo to go through so my prayer is that she will tolerate it well and that it will do the job it is suppose to do. She has a lot of courage, and she and her mother are an inspiration to me. I continue to get as much exercise as I can.....it is an important part of my treatment plan and is written in the instructions, really. We are blessed to be in a wonderful residential neighborhood of walkers. Tonight we met a lovely grandmother, walking with her grandchildren. Her name is Diane and she invited us to go to church with her. For those Baptist and Methodist amoung you, both of our invitatioins to church have been from Presbyterians. Not to cause any of you any further worry about my newly liberalized husband, but we plan to visit the Presbyterians!! Until tomorrow, remember God is Good, all the time. Love you all. Marlene

Trip Photos

Marlene and Roger are entertaining guests tonight so I thought I would post a couple of pictures from Patti's and the kid's trip see Mimi and Papaw.

Here is Roger with the infamous electric lawnmower and some of the flowers he has planted. He is doing his part to save the environment. I think the college town is turning him into a liberal.

Here are Marlene and Roger hard at work on the blog. Note all of the cards along the windows. These are cards that Marlene and Roger have received from all of you people out there in blogland.

Author John Maxwell writes "In life, both faith and fear will arise within you and you choose which one will prevail. Someone once wrote,

Two natures beat within my breast,

The one is foul, the other blessed.

The one I love, the other I hate;

The one I feed will dominate."

So thanks for all your cards and letters they help feed Marlene and Roger's faith so that fear has no place in them.

Treatment 13

We are almost half way finished with the radiation treatments and Marlene continues to do well. She had her weekly visit with the doctor today. She has lost some hair in the areas where the radiation is being applied. However, she does have a ducktail behind which looks very cute(she does'nt think so, but her opinion does not count anyway). Her energy level is a little lower, but we just came in from walking a mile and it's hard to walk when the temperature is 88 degrees. We have met a lady named Marie that has the same type of tumor that Marlene has. When you lift Marlene and I up in prayer, please remember Marie. God continues to bless us each day. Sometimes our prayers are answered just as we pray them. ISNT GOD GREAT! We had a surprise visit from Charlie Lawson(church choir director)today. We spent the afternoon with him. Thanks Charlie, we love you. Again, thank all of you for the mail that you send us. We look forward each day for the time when the mailman arrives. May God richly bless you all. In His love. M & R God is -------And all the time--------

Grace

Good evening friends. Hoping each of you have had a good day. It was good to hear from several of you today. We have had a quiet day, "resting". The weather is hot and muggy here, so it wasn't hard to stay indoors, well maybe a little hard for Roger. A friend provided me with beauty products called Amazing Grace. Today was the perfect day to use the Grace Shampoo....feeling not so great about my hair lose the shampoo was great on my scalp sufficiently moisturizing. I am amazed at God's plans to providing for my (our) needs, even before we know we have a need. He reminded me with the shampoo that indeed His Grace is Sufficient for Me. (Anybody know that song?) We are ready to start another tx week. Praying for continued minimum side effects. Praising for improvement with visual symptoms. In Christ Love, Marlene & Roger ...........God is Good..............All the time...............

Scalped!!

Saturday Greetings! Roger says that I look like an Indian made an unsuccessful attempt to scalp me! But I still have more hair than he does! Pretty significant hair loss in the radiation area; I have always enjoyed wearing a hat. Now I have a great excuse.

We have had a good day. Laura and Eric joined us this afternoon and we went to see an outdoor opera production of 'The Sound of Music' at Ash Lawn (the historic home of James Monroe). It was a unique time in a beautiful setting. Even Roger and Eric enjoyed it, but they were skeptical when they first heard the word 'Opera'!

We are all very tired, but grateful for another good day. Remember, God is Good.....And all of the time......

We love you all, Marlene, Roger, Eric and Laura

Not quite 1/2 way

Greetings to all. Completed 12 radiation treatments today. We were in and out quickly this morning, and there were not many in the waiting room. I am beginning to lose a little hair in the radiation area, otherwise, doing pretty well. We enjoyed a quiet day and went for a long walk this evening. We also had a visit from our next door neighbor, who's husband (now deceased) was from Gate City, and they met when she was working at the Eastman in 1950. She is a lovely lady who is having some medical problems also. It truly is a small world. She invited us to go to church with her, and also advised us on the Methodist Churches near our house. God continues to bless us continuously and we rejoice. We wish for each of you a great weekend with your family. To those who are leaving on vacation....have a wonderful, safe, relaxing time. Remeber: God is Good--------And all the time--------- In His Love, Roger & Marlene

Quiet day

After a great 4th celebration with the kids, today has seemed unusually quiet. Everyone was "recovering" and Roger and I spent a little longer than usual at the hospital for therapy. That is valuable time for we have the priviledge of meeting and talking to the folks who are having the same kinds of problems as us and Roger says we are all in one big boat. I think that is a good analogy. It gives us an opportunity to share and Roger usually causes everyone to laugh, which as you know is the very best medicine. We are making new friends. That is a good thing. Please remember not only Roger and I, but the others in the small group in the waiting room between 9-11 in your prayers. We feel those prayers. Thank you for your continued kindness and love to our family. In His Love, Roger & Marlene

Happy 4th

Completed the 10th treatment today and saw the doctor. All is going well. He said he predicted I may loose a little hair by next week (radiation area), but he smiled then said prove me wrong. He is a very uplifting man. I continue to have a pretty good energy level most of the time and have managed to keep up with Jack, except when Papaw is "battling" with him. We wish for each of you a Happy and safe 4th as we celebrate the day (I won't have treatment on the 4th) with our children. Love you, Marlene and Roger Remembering God is Good.........and All the Time.............

Official Tourists

Hello to everyone from C'ville! Luke, Linley, Jack and I (Patti) arrived yesterday afternoon to chase away Papaw's boredom and make sure he is not able to nap for the next few days. Mimi has played nurse to the kids as they have managed to scrape, cut, and bruise themselves nonstop. I think she likes being the nurse rather than the patient!

This morning, Luke went with Mom to her treatment and saw the radiation machine. He reported that it was really cool, the people were really nice, and Papaw talks to everybody! After a quick lunch, we headed to Monticello and a special "kids tour" of the property. We had a great time and all agreed that the kids's tour was better than the regular tour. We learned a lot and especially enjoyed the vegetable garden, where Dad was glad to see that Scott County is not the only place with deer problems! We were official tourists and had a great time.

The house here in C'ville is perfect for Mom and Dad. Just more evidence of who is in charge of this journey! The front yard is equipped with a tree swing- much to the delight of the kids-and we enjoyed coffee on the outdoor patio in the back yard this morning. Mom is truly doing well; her energy is high and her attitude is awesome. Daddy is good too; let's just say this is the best yard on the street!

Thanks to all of you for your continued love and prayers for Mom and our family. I hope you don't mind my posting tonight--Mimi is busy. Besides, I can't be outdone by Laura (#2, the sequel, Aunt LaLa, LA...). Remember, God is good... all the time...

Love to all,
Patti

Nursing Notes

This jouney (or battle if you prefer) that Roger and I are on is holistic, Spirtual, Physical and Mental. It will come as no surprise to most of you that the physical part is the most difficult for me. Needless to say, I am not a good patient, and I do not like to discuss it. I would much, much rather be the nurse, checking your B/P, or helping with your symptoms or investigations. So many of you are helping me with the spiritual and mental journey (thanks for keeping me laughing) and I know that many of you really are "my nurses", so I thought I would break down this afernoon while I await the arrivel of Patti and my 3 wonderful grandchildren, and send you a nursing summary for the past 12 days.
June 20 -July 1, 2007 Completed 8 Radiation, 12 Chemo.
NO N,V, D. No Pain. Sl frontal HA, prob. allergy related. Taking Allegra and sudafed prn. Decadron 2xd, Zophran 1xd, 30 min b4 chemo. Cont. to have right lower field visual loss, best described by inability to see piano keys above middle C or computer keys to the right of k & m. Adjusts by turning head until visiual are clears. Energy level high in am, short rests 1-2 x as needed in afternoon. Walking 20-40 minutes 3-4x/wk, weather permitting. Skin clear, exept for redness with slight soreness at radiation site. No hair loss, so far. Soda and flouride for tx/prevention of mouth ulcers, (working well). High Fiber diet. Appetite fair. No weight change.
Drinking> 64oz h2o daily. 4 1/2 weeks to go!! Marlene

PS For all of the folks that don't know what this medical gibberish means. Marlene is well (she is still trying to tell me how to take care of her). She's a terrible patient, but I'll be persistant because God is on my side. Rem God is good -----and all the time God is good--------. In his love, Roger