It's Cold!!

I hope its warmer where you are than here in northeastern Kansas. I seems like we haven't had any temperatures over 30 for week or 10 days. I am ready for a warm-up. We haven't seen much snow this winter, although I think some cross-country skiing would do me good. Let's hope for say 5" of dry, light snow. I'll break out my pair of Fischers. Lovely!
Ashley and Dan have a new puppy, a black lab Ashley has named Dugan. Dugan is named after a stuffed dog that belongs to Justin. The stuffed Dugan is a Greensburg tornado survivor. All the better to survive a punctured abdomen. I haven't met the real, live Dugan yet but it sounds to me from Ashley's reports that she and Dugan have become fast friends. I'm not sure Dan and Ashleys' three cats (Phil, Gabbie, and Joe) feel the same way about their new little brother.
Well, next week is a busy week for us. Session Meeting (1st Pres) on Monday night, Avastin treatment Tuesday, etc. We'll stay in touch so please send us your comments. It sounds like you're doing well, Danielle. Love your blogs!

John

Off to Presbytery

Tomorrow I travel with two of my Church friends to a Presbytery of Northern Kansas meeting. Brad Walker, our Church's new Senior Pastor, will accompany Harlan Edmonds and myself. I asked that he drive my car and he agreed to do it. So we'll make the trip in my Audi A4. I don't drive much these days and the car needs to be driven. I only wish it was clean. When I return, I'll share the details of my first foray into Presbyterian polity. I know many of the folks who will be there so I am excited to go.
I am feeling well these days, now that I am off-cycle with the Chemotherapy. The doctors at Duke have toned down my Temodar and this has given me additional energy.
Well, it's off to bed now. I must rise very early tomorrow (around 5 am) to get ready to go. Karen says this excursion will be hard on her and Katy (our elderly Cairn Terrier) as they wait for me at home.

I'm Still Here!

Sorry for giving everyone the impression that I forgot how to blog. I'll try to correspond with you in a more timely fashion from now on. Please be assured I have been following your posts closely and I appreciate your support, more than you know. Martha, thanks for your loving words of encouragement.
We were in North Carolina last week for treatment at the Robert Preston Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke Medical Center. Karen and I consulted with our Cancer treatment expert, Dr. James Vredenbaugh (forgive me, Doc, if I misspelled that). The news is encouraging to say to least. Whereas in the past, certain physicians were only willing to admit that there was "no change", a good sign in and of itself, Dr. V said there appears to be improvement. Dr. V is not projecting these results into the future, but you can understand our optimism. We are very pleased with our decision to seek treatment there (Sorry all you UNC fans). Our brain surgeon, Matt Wills, got his MD from UNC, so I know it's also a high-quality institution.
Tomorrow is Ashley's birthday. Happy Birthday, Ash! Karen and I wish we could be with you and Dan but, oh well, we hope to see you soon. We hope you enjoy your trip to the Symphony! Karen and I stayed up New Year's Eve and watched a New Year's concert by the New York Philharmonic from Avery Fisher Hall. It was fantastic! I discovered that I love Offenbach, Rossini, and Hayden's 5th (dance concerto, perhaps?), among other selections.
Thanks for your posts and comments. We'll be in touch soon!

More Cut Backs!

Hello Family and Friends,

There have been lots of ups and downs since the last post on John's Trophy Run. Right after Thanksgiving and our wonderful family reunion, John had a serious chemotherapy treatment. His Temador was increased by 50% so the recovery cycle was as tough as the treatment. He also developed an eye infection that required medication to get through. All the while, he had an infusion of the Avastin every other week.

John and Karen celebrated Christmas at home with Ashley, Dan and Justin. Good thing we didn't suggest another family reunion! I talked with Karen several times about the upcoming trip to Duke. Do they go? Do they try to reschedule? Do they put off? Questions and more questions!

Well, they did go to Duke and got GREAT NEWS!!!
Dr. V, as they affectionately call the specialist, was able to tell them that there have been improvements in John's MRI, AND they want to cut back some of the medication. John is happy about that. This was especially good news as the seizure meds make him tired and not as alert as he loves to be.

During this past week, John had another round of Temador . The dose was reduced from the last round and, while it wasn't without some complications, he is recovering slowly and surely. This week John will be able to take a week off and gain some strength.

The news from Duke is the best hope for the New Year! It promises to be the beginning of a wonderful 2009! YEA! MORE CUT BACKS!