Dear Friends and Family – been hectic few weeks and so many of you call us or come by, but for the ones that are not near I will give a brief update. Rick is on the third week of chemo/radiation therapy. All is going well medically, his labs are good, but he is weak and tired of feeling bad, the loss of appetite, and staying nauseated most the time. He is pretty fed up with this lying around all the time – Rick is usually on the go so the past couple months of just lying around watching TV or sleeping has him so ready for this to be over with. Unfortunately we are still in the beginning, but I know him – he will tough it out. Only two and half more weeks of therapy then he has an entire month of nothing but getting ready for surgery. Thanks for so many of calling wanting to get with him but I am sure all of you understand that it just has not been timing to go out a lot. He is lucky that he has two days a week that he is up to being out. But soon he may be able to accept those invitations.

We are looking forward to the surgery to know we are getting the cancer out and one more step on recovery, but then as with any surgery that is scary also. At this time we have the first of November as the target timeframe – should be getting a date soon.

We are looking forward to mountain trip soon and that will be a really good pickup for us – we love the mountains and just can’t wait to get to the old familiar farmhouse that we have enjoyed for over 25 years. The location is just about as perfect as you can get – surrounding by hundreds of acres of mountains, Blue Ridge Parkway up on the hill (away enough that we barely can hear the traffic), wild life visiting every day and gorgeous views from the porches and kitchen. We got the favorite haunts we go to – antiquing, country store with the blue grass bands and of course a trip to the local hardware just to see what is going on in the town of Floyd VA. Rick really enjoy's going over to the Woods Bros Racing Museum in Stuart VA. Rick and Mr. Wood chat and it is great seeing the old memories of the Butner Speedway - yes folks - for you younger crowd Butner and Franklington use to have a very active speedway. I got some pics below. We usually trek over to Hillsville for the huge annual flea market; we will just see what the family wants to do once we are there. Last year we had a brief rain storm and then a “double” rainbow (pic above), hope we get one this year. If we don’t we still have many more things to smile about. Just remembering each day the blessings we receive. As one of my favorite quotes goes “Each day is a gift, that is why it is called the present”

 

Enjoy the pics and we will be thinking of each of you. Thanks for the many cards, calls, visits, emails and let us not forget Facebook – omg!, Rick has enjoyed that – Fb was not his thing till his buddy Johnny encouraged him – he has enjoyed connecting up with people that he has not spoken to or seen for years. But then it is somewhat overwhelming at times, so be patient if he does not get back to you.

Thursday – August 8, 2013

Well we are almost through a week of treatment and Rick is handling things very well. We want to thank all the family and friends that continue to come by, send cards and calls. We love the prayers and so grateful to have such wonderful family and friends at this time.

 

Monday – August 5, 2013

 

Today Rick started the radiation and chemo therapy at Duke Cancer Center. The tumor is a 3.0 x 2.7 cm mass in head of the pancreas consistent with recent diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. This mass questionably abuts the portal vein and superior mesenteric vein. No evidence of metastatic disease to the chest or pelvis, so that is great news! But the results do mention the lymph nodes being involved as expected with Stage 2 to Stage 3 pancreatic cancer. So glad that he has been able to get better and ready for the radiation/chemo treatments, sooner we can start killing the cancer cells the better!

The grandchildren who have been so good in helping us out will be taking turns going with him each day. Next week he is expected to have a set time for the radiation therapy at 7:00 AM thru September 9^th.

July 29 – August 3, 2013

Wow was it ever a busy, busy week, Caitlin and I got some shopping done but not before we worked very hard at chores around the house. Along with Garrett we got lawn care done, pressure washing and painting. I don’t have the touch with blower, weed eater or power washer as Rick does so I spend hours trying to start them and get them to run. I am about ready to go out and buy the electric versions – at this point it would be easier to drag the electrical cords told him I will never discount how hard he works outside. I figured we were even with me doing the flower beds ad him the rest – but I was wrong!  

Rick was busy with appointments every day and they are getting things ready for the radiation and chemotherapy. He has made considerable progress in the past week, bilirubin down from 17 to 4.5; he has had the radiation workup so he has permanent markers coordinates along his sides and abdomen. Had a kidney scan, all results were good! He has a very hectic schedule this week of appointments each day for the therapy, doctor appointments and labs. Still concerns with his sugar, that is quite high some days so they have him scheduled to see a doctor later in the month to discuss.

The past week or so has been filled with wonderful visits from friends and family. Our friend Kelly spent the afternoon with us. Rick’s sister Lilian came over and we enjoyed a good lunch of Bob’s Barbeque. It was really great to see her. Over the weekend we spent a wonderful evening with our buds Wendell and Denise and then our favorite “Cedar Grove” friends David and Jennifer Honeycutt drove all the way over to spend the day with us on Sunday. We took them for a short trip to the edge of Bahama for some excitement..LOL – one of things you have to be there!