Eight days after the most recent infusion of chemo, Theresa had to go into
the hospital because of extremely low 'blood counts' and hydration caused by a
leaking gastrostonomy tube and the chemo.
Roger & Theresa & Kathy.
Theresa with Kathy helping her create
an e-mail message reply.
Theresa is about to have a CT scan of
her tumor at the base of her tongue.
David & Mom.
Roger & Theresa embrace where germ
transmittal prevention is paramount.
=====================
On a rainy, snowy New Year's Eve day, Theresa's brother, Pete, his wife,
Linda, Pete's son, Jason, and his wife, Jessica, stopped by for a short visit on
their way to the Vikings game.
Jason, Jessica, Theresa, Pete, Linda,
Roger.
====================
The
day after Christmas, Theresa's cousin, Joan, her husband, Larry, and Theresa's
Uncle Vince came for a nice visit. Kathy had left us lots of 'leftovers' so we
also had a nice luncheon.
Uncle Vince, Roger, Theresa, Joan,
Larry.
===========================
In
early December, Theresa felt strong enough for she and Roger to travel 100 miles from home, to visit with Roger's 90 year old dad, Louis (whom the family calls,
'Pop'), and his wife, Marlys. They still live in their own home making their own
meals, playing cards, and watching TV and visiting with family. (Several of the
"kids" are local; and they all stop in to visit and to help.) On this day,
Marlys was recovering for a smaller medical procedure, and preferred to not be
in photos. (Diane & Jim hosted us for a quick overnight: Thanks!)
Louis, Jim, & Roger reminiscing.
Louis, I guess temporarily in thought.
We talked about the "old days", and all of today's happenings, too.
=======================
Kathy & Cam
hosted a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner 2006.
Kathy is seen here, putting place
cards in correct spots. Theresa created special, personalized "thankfulness
notes" for each person.
Here we see Cam's place with his place
card/note.
Dan ties on a bandana for the family
dog, Dakota. Roger is on the left. Although not seen very well, Kathy and Cam
are cooking in the kitchen beyond.
Everybody but Roger at the feast. (He
took the picture.) Missing this year were Daughter-in-law Dawn, who had a bad
cold, and her brother.
After dinner, Grandson Garth, Roger,
Cam's mother Virgie, son David, and son Dan sharing a good story. I guess it
took a little longer for some of them to figure out the punch line. :)
After all of the excitement, Dakota
was a little pooped out. Earlier he excitedly greeted everyone, true to form.
Dessert! after dinner wore off a
little, folks choose from two types of pumpkin pies - each baked by K & C's
kids, Connor & Kyla, and also a decadent chocolate bunt cake drenched in
chocolate sauce and raspberries. (Did I say "choose from"???)
Anyhow, everyone appreciated the day;
and each person offered a moment of thanksgiving for what was important to them
this year. It is good to have this family - and our extended larger families -
and good friends- in our lives!
=====================
Theresa
had her 3rd PET/CT scan after 19 weeks of chemo therapy.
There were also other scans in May and July. Each is a three hour procedure,
beginning with radioactive Iodine infusion into a vein; then time for circulation
of it; then three scans from, as the technician said, "the eyes
to the thighs". It is a combination of two types of pictures which create
apparently a better view than one type alone. The object, of course, is to
determine the exact location of the tumor(s). Coming up: "Tumor
Conference on Wednesday, November 22nd" attended by a larger number of doctors and nurses who know
my case. They will collectively determine what comes next.
============================
On a beautiful
Wednesday afternoon in late October, one of Theresa's nursing school classmates,
Chris,
came by for a nice visit.
On Sunday,
October 22, Theresa's sister, Charlotte, came over for a visit.
=========================
Sunday,
October 15 was a beautiful day. We went to 10:30 church, attended our
grandson's last baseball
game of the season at 1:00, and were treated to a visit from Roger's college
roommate and his wife, Hank & Paula, at 3:00.
++++++++++++++++++++++++
On a
Sunday evening, October 1, Theresa's brother, Mark & his wife, Rona, stopped by
for a short visit. They were returning from a nice vacation in England.
On Friday,
September 22nd, Roger's brother, Pat & Sue, on their way to see the Fall color
at Taylor's Falls stopped by for a nice visit.
Left to right: Back: Pat, Sue,
Theresa, Roger; Front: Derrick, Nicole, & Dave
==============================
On Sunday,
September 3rd, we celebrated our 46th wedding anniversary quietly at home. Our
son & daughter-in-law, Dan & Dawn, spent the afternoon with us. Dave's
visited Friday before heading out of town; Kathy had a cold; thanks for not
sharing that!
===========================================
On Tuesday,
August 29, Theresa's brother, Rich, one of the 'old' twins, was in the area on
business and stopped by for a visit.
Rich, Theresa, Roger. We had a good
visit!
I always say that I became a mother
when Ron and Rich were born; that is when Mother taught me how to change
diapers, bake cakes, etc. (Now Rich and Karen have their own 4 kids and many
grandkids.)
===========================================
On Monday,
August 21, after hearing from her Oncologist that her tumor had shrunk, Theresa received
her 3rd chemo treatment.
Friendly and pleasant Nurse Melissa
finding the proper vein for infusion, which will include a combo of at least 5
medicines (two are actual chemo.)
Here she is setting up the apparatus.
Melissa kindly agreed to take our
picture: my loving Roger and Kathy taking yet another day to be with me.
Infusion has begun; they stayed a little longer until I got sleepy, then they
went out for lunch.
Caught: slumber, blessed slumber.
It was a long day. Early appointments
and labs, then this. We were gone from 9 AM to 6 PM. The boys were at our home
with take out food when we got home and we forgot pictures.
===========================================
From time to time we get visitors and
somehow we forget the camera. Apologies. But we show what we did catch.
Over the
weekend of August 12 & 13, Jerry & Sandy, and later, Brian & Dawn & Jacob came to visit.
First, Theresa is pictured with
one of the chemo head covers generously hand made by sister-in-law Shirley (Pat's wife).
Brother Jerry and wife Sandy came on
Saturday.
Later on Sunday, almost "every body"
and brother Brian with his family. (David was here from Brian's previous visit.)
===========================================
On Friday, July 21,
Amy (Roger's brother, Jim's daughter) came to visit . Later her sister Beth
came. Why, oh why, did we forget to take another picture when Bethie, along with
our son David and his children came, along with daughter, Kathy. I am so sad
that we did not get a second picture.
Pretty as a picture, school teacher
Amy and Theresa. Very sorry that later her sister Beth came, and where was that
darn camera??
===============================
One of the
consequences of chemo therapy is losing one's hair. Today, Theresa experienced
that phenomenon. This was is July 19.
Kathy in the mirror (taking the
picture), shaving has begun.
Almost finished. ("you have a nice
shaped head", she said. I asked Kathy if i look like my dad. (no). The lady said, "You cannot imagine how
many women say, "oh my gosh, I look like my dad".
The deed is done. Wasn't too bad...
Just a little tear to dry.
Back home in familiar surroundings,
Kathy takes another shot.
My first chemo bonnet. I bought a few
different colors, and a little wiglet to wear with it, or not. I tried on many
big wigs, but they are so heavy, hot, and expensive; I might reconsider
- or might not. My dear friend Sandy has lent hers but whether I use it, not
sure. So, stay tuned to this space to see other styles -with or without wigs.
The eyebrows, everything, will be gone in a few days. This way, tho, I do not
have to go through the mess of clumps of hair all over for two days as it comes
off "naturally", which will surely happen 10-14 days after first chemo infusion
(today was 10th day). LIFE IS GOOD! Hair is only hair.
===============================
On Tuesday, July
18, Theresa was surprised with a package in the mail from a high school
classmate, Violet.
Violet also went to nurses school,
married her high school sweetheart, had kids and grandkids, but she knows how to
make a great quilt! And then there is our mutual hobby: barbershopping !
===============================
On Sunday, July
16, Theresa's youngest brother, Brian, from Washington D C, and her sister,
Charlotte, came to visit.
Testing the camera before company
came, we did a self portrait.
A light moment with baby brother
Brian. Here we are,oldest and youngest: 23 years apart in age.
Also visiting Brian at our house, here
we show David, Kathy's kids Kyla and Connor and Roger; then back row: Kathy,
Charlotte, Theresa, and Brian.
===============================
On Monday, July
10, Theresa started chemo treatments at the University of Minnesota Masonic
Cancer Facility Infusion Center using Taxol & Carboplatin. She will have a 2nd
treatment in 3 weeks. Then in 6 weeks, she'll have a new PET/CT scan to establish
the results on the tumors. It took several hours. Kathy and Roger went for moral
support... and driving the "sleepy time gal".
Holding hands, IV already in, feeling
hopeful. Roger & Theresa
===============================
Theresa's
brother, Chuck, and his wife, Karen visited on Sunday, July 9
Karen, Theresa, & Chuck
===============================
Roger's niece,
Jessica, and her husband, Jeff, have a new baby girl, Vivian.
Little Vivian Lee Lu and her mommy
greeting Roger on their front porch.
Inside, Uncle Roger gets his chance to
hold her! Mommy urging a smile for camera.
Theresa and little Vivian, cute as a
button and very lucky to have these ready, willing, able and enthusiastic
parents.
===============================
Theresa's
brother, Joe, and wife, Linda, visited on July 5th. And we took the occasion to
shoot some other pictures.
Linda, Theresa, Joe, who was only 8
years old when big sis got married.
Daughter Kathy came to visit when Joe's were here.
Grand Kids: Kyla and Connor
Roger & Theresa remembering many good
times.
===============================
Theresa's
brother, Mark, and wife, Rona, visited on July 4th.
Brother Mark, Theresa, & Rona -
the best thing that ever happened to him!
===============================
Theresa's brother, Mike, along with his wife, a couple of their kids, and a
grandchild visited on Sunday, July 2.
After conversing in the living room,
it was time for Theresa's medicine, so we went to the family room, where she is
more comfortable with tube feeding. In chair, back to camera, Tamra, her son
Adam, Juanita at table, Theresa, Mike,, Sheila.
Now we get a look at Jay, and a bit of
Tamra, along with the others. Nice, quiet visit, always welcome from those you
love.
===============================
Theresa's
sisters drove down from northern Minnesota to visit on Saturday, July 1.
Ginger, Gina, Rhonda, Theresa,
Charlotte, & Franni.
===============================
Theresa's friends, Sandy & Carolyn, visited on June 30
Three chicks from the old days, all
nurses together, now "Rusty Nurses". Left to right: Carolyn, Theresa, Sandy.
===============================
Dan has never
owned a new car. He finally went out and bought one. Nice!
Here, Dan and wife Dawn pose beside
the one deemed best to tow the camper trailer into the mountains.
Checking out details inside.
===============================
On Father's
Day, Kathy put together a shadow box of our family portrait.
Picture message: "Roger & Theresa
surrounded by family."
===============================
Grandma
Theresa has another tumor in her throat and can't swallow. So she had to have a
g-tube for feeding installed. She was in the hospital for several days.
Here her sister & husband, Charlotte
and Frank visit her.
===============================
Dave has always
been interested in motorcycles; every since his legs were too short to reach the
ground on his first 6 cc Yamaha. Below are pictures of his beautiful new cycle.
With his dad (his first teacher over 30 years ago on driving, safety, mechanical
& repairing ), he shows us his black Harley. (Had to be black!) He found a
dealer who was willing to deal, and a friend to donate the leathers. Great
friend!
All decked out in the leathers, ready
for his first ride down to scenic "rivertown" to see Uncle Tom on a beautiful
spring Sunday afternoon.
After a Lyon's club pancake breakfast
in the belly, ready to hit the road. You only live once, and this is his big
dream. Note the helmet, evidence of safety, so he can be a good dad.
======================================
All of
Theresa's female siblings gather a couple of times per year. This time, they met
at our home. We chatted from early morning to early evening, and still had more
"in us".
Back row: Gina, Rita, Theresa,
Charlotte. Front row: Ginger, Rhonda, Frani. Twenty one years between youngest
and oldest of the girls. (Connie "was there", too:-).
Soup and potluck for lunch: at the
table, before dessert. Left to right: niece Mary Sczepanski, her little daughter
Emilia ("Emmy") - did not want the camera :), Charlotte. Our daughter Kathy,
Rita, Frani, Gina, Rhonda, Ginger, daughter-in-law Dawn, Theresa.
Another shot, this one taken by
daughter-in-law, Dawn.
===================================
Our oldest
son, Dan, fixed our living room ceiling fan when it quit working.
We have a 14' ceiling so he had to use
a 10' ladder. Roger looks on.
Grandma got this picture from the
upstairs den.
Another one from the den. He's
starting to reassemble the parts. Thanks, Dan.
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