Good News!

I do have good news, but first, I just have to reiterate some of the fun we had when my sister and her daughter's came to visit. Chelse had a great time with Myrtle, playing tug of war with one of Myrtles toys.


That is until Myrtle decided to take her for a ride...










Grace making chocolate chip cookies










Mariah taking her turn to stir
Time for beddy bye little bears









The girls had a sleep over and made some chocolate chip cookies. They played all evening and then carefully put some stuffed bears to bed. Hoping that they wouldn't have to follow suit too soon, I'm sure. They hoped their cousin, Savanah could join them but she was sick, so maybe next time.

Now, for the GOOD NEWS!

In Denver this morning, David had a PET scan done to check on his melanoma. Afterwards we had a consultation with his Doctor. The verdict was that the biochemotherapy is actually working! The spots in his lung are completely gone and the areas in his neck and the lymph nodes there are much smaller.
David and his birth brother Bill at Balancing rock in Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs this last weekend. Bill was adopted by his grandma (who also adopted both boys birth dad) and we adopted David. We have kept an open adoption in regards to his brother, so this was a good weekend visit for them to get to know each other more.



The Doctor said that they have a real chance of curing this for him which is FANTASTIC news!! I was very excited. I don't think David is quite sure what to think and isn't realizing what a wonderful thing he is being given. He is not happy right now that he has to continue with more chemo and I fully understand why. But he will soon settle down and be ok once he has a chance to absorb the news today.
David and big brother Bill (note) they haven't seen each other since they were both about 5 and 6 yrs old


He will be going back up next Tuesday for another round of the biochemo therapy. It takes 5 days to administer while he's in the hospital and then 2 weeks at home for recovery. I am so
glad he has such a good chance for a cure.

Brothers again at last

Dr. Gonzales said that 50% of patients with stage four melanoma don't make it past 9 months and none of them make it past 5 years. When I talked to the doctor 2 weeks ago, he still gave only 10% chance that this would work and that being young and healthy wouldn't affect the outcome. Other than possibly recovering quicker after each chemo session.

David last weekend


So, this is really amazing and such extremely good news. He's not cured yet and still has a ways to go, but at least there is real hope for his full recovery. Can you believe it? Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers and please keep them coming.

End of Summer??

Hey, please don't tell me that summer is over. No way. I am definitely not ready for that. According to the weather this last week or so, it might already be fall. It has been down to the 60's and even 50's during the days, with some cloudy, dreariness added to it at times, with temps at night in the 40's. In some parts of the state it has even been in the mid 30's. Thank goodness today is somewhat better and will hopefully be in the 70's. It's really nice out right now and I'm running in and out as I'm changing the sprinkler location on my thirsty front lawn and flowers.

I can always be thankful though, that I don't live in the hurricane or tornado prone areas of the country. We actually have it pretty easy here so I'll stop complaining now.

This last weekend was great, as my sister that you probably know as "It's all Good", was here to visit and do some neighborhood trolling in anticipation of moving here this next year. That is great news for me and the rest of our family and her inlaws too.

We took time out to have some fun too of course, including going to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo on Saturday.

Ready for a zoo adventure








The weather was perfect with jackets in the early hours and tee shirts later on. Most zoos are on the flat which makes it easy to walk, but it's not as natural for the animals as this one. They have continued to update and upgrade the enclosures for all of the animals, making them much more spacious and very natural with the original trees and plants on the hillside, plus more water streams and falls with pools for them to enjoy.

Will Roger's Shrine above the zoo











Giraffe enclosure overlooking city












The kids had a great time and I even managed the mountain by riding the old time trolly car to the top after riding an elevator (believe it or not) to an upper level, and then walking down. I pulled my oxygen behind me in a business case on rollers which helped alot. Brenda was gracious enough to pull it for me on the laborous portions, giving me a break. There were stratigically placed benches for me to rest on, so it was very pleasant.

Kids feeding a peacock

The kids enjoyed a peacock that ate out of our hands (they run loose on the grounds), and the chipmunks looking for handouts.

A chipmunk begging for food

The monkeys were a hit, including several with babies they hugged close and an orangatan that gave kisses through the enclosure glass. One of my granddaughters, loved giving kisses to him and it was especially fun since she is our autistic beauty. She would put the crackers for the giraffs on the railing rather than put it on their tounges and yet she gladly leaned over and let them lick her face from chin to ear and loved it. It was great to see all of them interacting with the animals and not being afraid. We can't forget the hippo's. They were a real favorite.

Feeding the giraffes











Meerkat Manor?

Frogs are a fun ride

Almost cowgirl cousins Mariah and her Grandma (me)

Cousins relax at the zoo

It was a beautiful day to spend outdoors and with family. Memories are made this way and we will all remember the fun we had with each other. We will do more of this when they move here, I'm sure.

The big little and the little big sisters

The next day we had a family get together at my house so Brenda could touch base with everyone at once instead of trying to drive all over, especially since time was tight. A few of the family were sick and unable to attend, but the rest of us ate plenty and visited all afternoon.

David with nephew Ethan

My son David, who has cancer, was able to be there and that was really good for him and for the rest of the family to see him and talk and let him know they are praying for him and keeping him in their minds and hearts. I know he appreciated hearing good things and being around them. His foster sister came also and they got to catch up on old times and current times too.
Of course our time was too soon over and Brenda is on her way home. The guests are all gone and it's just us and our Myrtle. Myrtle, the bull dog, is already sad that there is no one to play with now and she is bringing me her toys once again for a game of keep away or tug of war.