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.

Next update on Son, etc.

Yep it happened. He hoped he wouldn't be one of the many, but of course he was. David began to lose patches of his hair last weekend so he shaved it all off. He has taken it pretty well, but he is worried that he may lose his beginning goatee. You can see it a little in the photo below. At least he can still smile.
3 weeks into chemo and he lost his hair.

Last week he had a pretty good week and felt well enough to get out and do a few things. I took him to Pueblo last week to visit some family and he had a great time and had a chance to reconnect since he's been away from my home for the last 2 1/2 years due to my own medical issues. He was tired but happy.

Another day I took him to the park after we picked up his 'cousin', actually my best friends daughter. They have known each other since they were babies and she went camping with us and even lived with me awhile when her mama had an unexpexcted situation to deal with. We took Myrtle with us as we walked around the lake and visited.

The Ivy in my front yard covers the fence and the evergreen bush

David went up to Denver on Tuesday to begin his second round of biochemotherapy. The first day always hits him the hardest and makes him sick. Then the meds they give him for his stomach also puts him to sleep so he can rest.

Morning glory flower in my front yard

I went to Denver on Tuesday a.m. to visit with David and sit with him during the day. I happened to catch the Doctor in the hallway and asked about David and he said he was doing well for what he is going through with the treatments.

I guess I am such a realist I had a need to hear it again. I asked about the 10% chance of survival statistic he gave us last time and asked if David's general health and youth would positively affect those percentages. He basically said no, but that he will know more when they do the PET scan in a few weeks.

Flowers hold such promise and beauty

I thought I always tried to teach my children to have faith in God in all things and to seek his guidance, but I now think my daughter has more faith than I do. She is stubornly faithful to think positive and look for that miracle. You would think that my faith would be doubled after all the miracles I've had to still be alive. Truthfully I question it all at times (don't worry, my faith is still there) but my son needs for us to have faith so that he can have it and be positive and hopeful for his own wellbeing.

The last little strand of my faith always produces a beautiful flower

Well, anyway, he was much more alert yesterday and talked some. His foster sister, that I practically raised and had guardianship of, came up with me so they got to see each other which was good for both of them. My sister Brenda is coming to town late next week, so hopefully we will be able to get a family gathering together. David is interested in coming too and I'm sure eveyone will be very happy to see him.

Then shortly after that David's birth brother and his adoptive mother are coming out to visit with David. I think that will be a good thing for him also. He has asked about his birth mother and father but they are out of reach at this time.

In case you are wondering about all the pictures of flowers, etc. my front yard still has some life to it since all of the rains lately. I have alot of beautiful ivy that has just about taken over my side fence and is almost smothering the front evergreen bush. I love it though and the ivy turns a beautiful burnt red in the fall and contrasts just right on the dark green bushes. I'll try to put a picture of it on my blog this fall.

The Morning Glory flower is my dad's favorite flower and it's one of mine too. The glory of a sunrise always unwraps the tightly twisted bloom and it reaches upward all day long. It is a vining climber and reaches upward like we need to every day!
All the other colorful flowers I see are showing off and hoping we'll stop our busy day to notice, just for a moment, and to reflect on our hearts and God's wonder.

The vining flower represents just how I have felt in all the times of my life when I felt the lowest. The thick braid of my faith in youth, being tested sorely, has many times been worn down to just one tiny thread. But, somehow, that thread has been tougher and more resilient than any man made cable and it has always brought me through. Pretty soon the seeds of faith begin anew and blooms again. I think that is pretty much the story of my life and I'm sticking to it.

Enjoy your gifted day and remember who gave it to you!

No pictures today. Today is one of my contemplative days and sometimes pictures in our mind are more poignant that any photos or drawings. So here is my little piece of thinking about life. You know, my favorite subject.

Life is a growing thing. Sometimes it grows well like new sown grass, all fresh and soft and full of promise. Sometimes it matures and get's stronger and darker green showing it's wellness and strength.
Sometimes weeds begin to grow and try to suffocate the grass and if it is not tended, the grass gets weak. If it is burnt too long in the sun, without water, it becomes brown and eventually dies.
If it is watered in time, even thin, brown grass can be resusitated and become strong again. Eventually though, even strong grass withers and dies during the winter.
Then new baby grass comes up through the cold, ground. It is protectected by the leavings of the old dead grass, which helps to hold in the moisture and hold off the heat so it can grow and prosper.
This is so much like our lives. We start off young and usually healthy, full of zest and promise. If we are nurtured as children, then we become strong, knowledgeable adults, able to withstand much of what the world can throw at us.
As long as we continue to grow and use what we have with wisdom we stay strong, even in adversity. We raise our young and teach them and protect them as we were raised.
If we get caught up in life and ignore the signs of trouble or weeds, whether financial, family matters, selfishness, or whatever, then we become strangled with our lives and our stress and we become weak.
If help arrives or we turn our minds to what is important in life and we begin to be nurtured and cared for again, many times we can become strong and prosper again.
Eventually we, each at different stages of our lives do face adversity and heavy burdens and then finally death. By then, we hope that we have left ourselves inbedded in our childrens lives so that they also can grow and prosper as they stand strong in the sun and wind and rain of life.
We have all had adversity and many have dealt with health issues for themselves or family members. I am so happy with how I have come back from the withered and brown stages of life more than once, only to grow and stand for another season.
My faith has brought me through some very tough times, even when all else seemed lost. But knowing in my mind that there is something so much stronger than I who is very interested and caring about my life, then it makes all things possible. I am not here to give up and I sure do think that being available to other's in "sickness and health" (both ways) is what keeps me keeping on and liking it!!
My son is now facing one of those brown seasons of famine as he goes through the chemotherapy for his melanoma cancer. I am hoping he will be sufficient in strength and hope, to live through this difficult time in his life.
Maybe my longivity is needed to help support my family through this time. Although I have to admit that I have thought selfishly that if things had been different, then I wouldn't have to face this too. But, that was a very fleeting thought and I am going to be busy helping my daughter and my son deal with the realities of this life we live and celebrate the joys of each day we have together.
Maybe by next spring my son will also be starting fresh with new wisdom about life. Maybe he will have a new outlook and new goals to look forward to and family to lean on and to love.
We all need a time in our lives to look at what's important and necessary and then what most makes each of us happy in life. Mine is my family, all extended and my friends that have also shared and cared through the tough times.
My goal is still to gift myself to them and to recieve the gifts they offer me of themselves as well.
Now, what's new with you??

A fun get to know me day!

For my latest update on my son David, please scroll down to my latest previous blog.

For today I wanted to do something fun and positive. My sister, Brenda did this and I decided to follow suit. Just as she posted, if you decide to do this on your blog, let me know so I can see yours too. To check her's out click here.

What kind of soap is in your bathtub right now? Zest - his, Dove - hers, and liquid body soap
Do you have any watermelon in your refrigerator? Ate it all already
What would you change about your living room? Nothing, got it just the way I want it except for nice curtains
Are the dishes in your dishwaser clean or dirty? clean
What is in your fridge? you name it, just don't look too closely
White or wheat bread? White, medical reasons believe it or not.
What is on the top of your refrigerator? A fake plant but look what's on front....

What color or design is on your shower curtain? We don't have one, just a glass shower door
How many plants are in your home? 9 live ones and 2 or 3 fake ones
Is your bed made right now? yes but not for long
Comet or soft scrub? Comet
Your closet organized? semi organized, short sleeved, then medium sleeved, pants together, etc. Just don't look at the shoes on the floor (thanks to Myrtle our dog)
Can you describe your flash light? clear blue with wide round lighting area and red flashing dot to find it in the dark.
Do you drink out of glass or plastic most of the time at home? Now that kids are grown, glass only. I deserve it.
Do you have iced tea made in a pitcher right now? No
If you have a garage, is it cluttered? Of course, isn't yours?
Curtains or blinds? Some of each
How many pillows do you sleep with? Count for yourself....

Do you sleep with any lights on at night? no

How often do you vacumn? I don't, my husband does it for me. Too strenuous.
Standard toothbrush or electric? standard
What color is your toothbrush? purple and white
Do you have a welcome mat on your front porch? yes, 2 of them
What is in your oven right now? Do you really want to know?
Is there anything under your bed? Dust bunnies and etc.
Chore you hate doing the most? Dishes
What retro items are in your home? What's that? actually sounds like a colorful disco but I have a little of everything, antique, new and inbetween.
Do you have a seperate room that you use as an office? yes and a pantry, a sewing room, a craft room, a photocollecting room, and file cabinet room and a dust gathering room. It's called multifunctional.
How many mirrors are in your home? Aproximately 7
Do you have any hidden emergency money around your home? Don't tell my grandchildren....

What color are your walls? wheat color in livingroom and dining room, cranberry in bathroom (looks great), and my own splash design with lavender, rose and cream (looks like wallpaper), spring lime green in guest room

Do you keep any kind of protection weapons in your home? Don't mess with me baby....
What does your home smell like right now? on a humid or wet day? wet dog. Right now, cranberry and vanilla to cover up the wet dog smell since it's been raining for 2 days.
Candle scent? anything berry smell
What kind of pickles (if any) in your fridge? dill slices and dill relish
What color is your favorite Bible? which part? canvas zip cover is blue, print is black or red, pages are white.
Ever been on your roof? yes
Do you own a stereo? How about a big boom box
How many house phones? 3
Do you have a house keeper? used to but can't afford it. Now it's just us
What style do you decorate in? I like modernized country or western as long as it's homey. Don't like ultra modern
Do you like solid colors in furniture or prints? solids
Is there a smoke detector in your home? 8 or 9
What are the items in your house which you'd grab if you only could make one quick trip? Just our big baby....

Whew, that's definitely enough about me, how about you?