Yesterday and Today

Last night I was just too tired physically and emotionally to blog.  I worked too hard and my body was telling me I had better slow down.  My brain was mush and I just went to bed early.  Bill didn't have a very good day, either. 

Today Mom S had a cardiologist appointment and Bill felt well enough to go along.  We were gone for several hours and it totally wiped him out.  Shannon, Jessie and I began putting ornaments on our tree.  It's almost done and we'll finish tomorrow - hopefully.  You'll know if I post pictures.

If you don't have kids in your house and you need someone there to remind you that Christmas will soon be here, just let me know and I'll bring Jess over.  At least 30 times a day she 's hollering that Santa's coming and she gets "10 presents" in the morning!  I'm not sure I'll be able to handle the 30+ days until she gets her 10 presents.  Yesterday she pointed to my harvest decorations and said, "Halloween done!  Santa comin!" 

I Should Have Been Decorating, But ...

instead I rested and took a nap.  Maybe I'll tackle the Christmas closet tomorrow.

Bill felt well enough to go to church today.  He went to the 9:45 service and after he got home he watched Jess and I made the 11:30 service.  When I got home, though, I was surprised to see him so sick.  He was wrapped up in his electric throw and having chills and shakes.   I had him put on flannel clothes, wrapped him up in several blankets, put a hat on him and prayed.  Shortly after his shaking ceased and he slept for a couple hours.  He's feeling much better now except for his big toe!  He said it hurts.  I don't think a big toe ache counts - sorry, Bill. 

Jon worked and Jess occupied her time with the iPad, tv, videos, apples to apples, bingo and "ten foods" (her grocery list for the week in the grocery adds).  Actually, she's now circling items she wants for Christmas in all the extra store flyers that fill the newspapers.  When you think of it, pray for my friend, Julie, who delivers these extra flyers.  This up-coming week is the worst of the entire year for her delivery job.   

Applesauce

Rox, Chris and I worked for over 4 hours turning 5 bushels of apples into 60 cups of applesauce, 4 pies and 9 cups of cut up apples to freeze for future pies.  We all needed tylenol before we were done!  Had a great time, though!

Jon worked, Shannon and Jessie hung out and Bill worked in his workshop for a couple hours then vegged on the couch for the rest of the day.  He was very fatigued this evening. 

A Decision Has Been Made

I would like to share with you what Bill put on his Facebook page just a few minutes ago:

The results of my last CT scan were not good. The cancer has progressed in all areas. I was given the option to try another 3 different (and very nasty = 2 were specificially cardiac toxic and 1 causes nerve naraphothy) chemo threatments. I have chosen quality of life verses quantity of life. I will not have anymore chemo treatments. I have asked that Hospice be put in place, so that when I need it, it will be available with only a phone call.

I ask that you continue to pray. We have a mighty God who chooses when we are born and when we die. I ask that you pray that I (and my family) would remain faithful and strong during the days ahead. I would ask that we would have many more days of laughter and fun with friends and family. Thank you so much for your continued support.

 

 

How are we doing?  Good.  We've known that this day would come when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer 17 months ago.  We will just continue to do what we've been doing since then ... living one day at a time, and enjoying life as much as possible.  Bill, Jon and I had a fun couple hours out this morning.  We went to the indoor range and watched Jon shoot, then went out to lunch.  When we got home, Bill spent the rest of the afternoon in his shed working on his birdhouse. 

 

So, as you can see, we are not going to do anything different.  We openly talk about death and heaven.  We laugh and cry together.  We are blessed to have each other.  We are blessed to have so many friends and family that care and will continue to pray for us.   

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow - Or Not

It was official here in Washington.  Snow fell to the ground and in just a short span of time almost covered the ground.  Granted it's gone, but it still happend.  Earlier today there were flurries while we were putting up our new, smaller tree (pre lit!!!!!!!!).  It's such a beautiful tree.  It has white flocking and pine cones on it.  Almost needs no ornaments.  Notice that I said the tree was up.  I said nothing about being decorated.  That'll take days. 

Yesterday Bill took me out to breakfast, today Jon treated me to breakfast, with Bill coming along for company.  That was sooo nice.  I have the greatest husband and son.  I'm glad they like me!

Decorating

The Christmas decorations have begun to go up.  Bill and Ruth gave us a pre-lit tree and we put it out on our deck.  Bought some sparkly garland and bulbs.  Looks great.  Official lighting date:  Thanksgiving.
I made an outdoor wreath years ago and the bulbs were faded and it was oh, so dusty.  Bill blew it off with his air compressor, I tore off the old ornaments and remade it.  Looks nice, if I do say so myself.  It's on the front porch.  Friday our new tree goes up in the family room.

My wonderful husband took me out to breakfast, then we went to Home Depot for a few odds and ends that we needed.  Post Office.  Washed clothes, sat outside on the deck and the swing for a bit.  That was REALLY nice.  The last 2 days have been good for Jess.  Jon worked.  Bill didn't feel real well today, and especially tonight.  That's about it!

At The Crossroads

Our visit to the cancer doctor didn't turn out like we had expected.  Knowing that the cancer has progressed, we were expecting the doctor to say that there wasn't anything else that could be done.  Instead, he encouraged a different round of 3 types of chemo.  Three nasty ones again. 

At this time, I believe that Bill will decide in the next 3 weeks (chemo tentatively scheduled for December 7) whether or not to continue treatment.  It is time to decide on quality of life verses quantity of life.  A difficult decision to be sure.  I think Bill was prepared to just do paliative care (hospice), but when the doctor encouraged trying more chemo, it gave him a glimmer of hope in arresting the cancer again. We have 3 weeks to decide.  We'd appreciate your prayers as Bill decides what he wants to do.  Only he knows how he feels after chemotheraphy.  Only he can make this decision.  Please pray that he will make a decisionn and have peace about which way to go.

Thanks!