Memorial Service

The memorial service for Mom will be at the First United Methodist Church in Stephenville at 5:30 PM on Thursday, July 28th. Click here for a map and directions. There will be a private family burial preceding this.

We look forward to seeing you and celebrating Mom's life on Thursday!

Flowers and Memorials

Some of you are asking about flowers or donations. Mom asked that in lieu of flowers you send memorials to one of the following charities, or to a charity of your choice.

Hospitality Apartments Foundation (building fund)
P.O. Box 25213
Houston, TX 77265-5213

First United Methodist Church Foundation (for the new building)
422 W Washington St.
Stephenville, TX 76401

We are working on plans for the memorial service, and we will post updates when we have the details worked out. We anticipate that it will be either Thursday or Friday this week.

Home at Last

At last Mom is free of melanoma and pain. At 8:30 tonight, Mom went to sleep in this world and woke up in heaven. Of course we're thrilled for her to be in the presence of Jesus Christ, but it doesn't make it any easier for the rest of us. What a beautiful life we have to celebrate, though.

But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31

We know many of you want to know what you can do to help. We will let you know soon. Thank you for what you have already done. Thank you especially for your prayers. We have felt them.

Muster

We had quite a few people in and out today. Hospice has been by to help make mom more comfortable and to show us how to do that, too. Mom was having trouble keeping some of the medicine down, so she got a pain patch that seems to be working well. But the most comforting thing of all today is...Leslie got back from Lubbock! She has brightened up the whole place.

My family and I have basically moved to Stephenville and taken over the guest house. (We even had friends come and meet us for Pizza in town.) It's great to have the family together, and great to know our friends are out there praying, thinking, and expressing your interest in mom and the rest of us. We have been blessed by your comments on this blog, too.

-Steve

It's A Quality Life

Dr. Nemunaitis called from Baylor yesterday afternoon to explain that mom couldn’t be in the study. Apparently the committee was unwilling to budge on the tumors in her brain, even though they had been treated and were eliminated or in check. This was, needless to say, disappointing. He did offer that there was another study starting in the latter part of August done by Dr. Fay, but because of the delay, that wasn’t very comforting. Dr. Fay’s office called and talked to dad about it today, and mom is on the list. They also said that things open up on a day’s notice, so to remain hopeful and ready.

Mom and dad had talked about this phone call in advance and were at peace with whatever Baylor’s answer would be. In fact, mom is at peace with everyone and everything, ready to let go of whatever God doesn’t have for her, and it’s ok. So we’re not planning on any trips to Mexico or Houston, and not looking for any new chemotherapy or alternative medicines. If something like the dendrite vaccine opens up suddenly at Baylor, mom will give it a shot, but for now, we are just going to take one day at a time, try to give mom the best quality of life possible, and enjoy our time together. We have had some rich family time in the last few days and weeks, and want to continue that.

Again, it’s great to know she is loved by such a great community. I think about It’s a Wonderful Life when all George Bailey’s friends come in to amaze him with their support. The advantage mom has is that she knows she’s not alone.

Holding Pattern

I'm writing this from Stephenville. The doctor's call yesterday afternoon was a setback. The committee at Baylor had reviewed mom's report from MD Anderson, and they called to say that she is not ready for the treatment. They want to run at least one more MRI before they do anything else. Since then dad was able to get a more recent report from the radiologist at MDA and fax it to them, so they promised to take it back before the committee. Hopefully they will call us back, ready to begin. For now we are in a holding pattern.

Mom is resting well and is able to tolerate some food and medicine and us. Mary Gordon was here for a day, and that really blessed her. Leslie is out for the week, but I came last night. Jill and the kids are at the guest house, and the kids are coming by to visit one by one. We also had a few home health people come. This morning they took a blood sample for testing in Stephenville. They'll continue to come when we need them. Dad and grandmom are pretty much here 24x7.

We know you are out there, and we appreciate all your concern for us. Keep praying for us.

-Steve

Re-creation

When I talked to dad yesterday he was working the cows with Max and mom was resting. It has always amazed me how much recreation dad gets from working with those half-witted cows. Mom's recreation of course is taking care of others, so I know that even resting is not as refreshing as it would be for some. Still, she's feeling much better than she did over the last few weeks, and we are all enthusiastic for what lies ahead in Dallas.

A good day

Today was a good day. Mom, Dad, Leslie and I drove to Baylor Medical Center in Dallas for an appointment that went very well. The doctor was optimistic and encouraging. They are to return next week for the Dendrite Vaccine screening. The doctor felt that she was a great candidate for this vaccine and optimistic that it would help her.

Our feelings when we left there were joy and hope, and thankfulness to God for bringing this option across our path. Also, Mom seems to be feeling much better and tolerated the drive very well. They are already back in Stephenville now, and hopefully Mom will be able to spend the rest of this week resting and building up her strength, getting ready for Dallas next week.

This Bible verse hung prominently in the Center and really captured Mom and Dad:

Anyone who is among the living has hope

- Ecclesiastes 9:4

God bless all of you for joining with us in this struggle in your own way. We appreciate your offers and your help and your prayers.

Home again

Mom is home from the hospital. She is still experiencing some pain and swelling, but is better than she has been. Mom, Dad, Leslie, and Jill are planning to head to Dallas in the morning for consultation for the Dendrite Vaccine. We will keep you updated as we have more information on her qualifying for that study.

We are praying that she is able to rest comfortably tonight and make the trip easily tomorrow.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

Still in the hospital

Mom is still in the hospital at Stephenville. Leslie just called and said that they are going to perform a surgical procedure to help drain the fluid on her abdomen. It will actually consist of two procedures that they will do at the same time. She is still in considerable pain. Hopefully this procedure will help relieve some of her pain. We are going to drive up there this afternoon, but will try to keep you all posted.

Hospital visit

Mom was admitted to the Stephenville hospital yesterday afternoon. She was having some stomach discomfort and not feeling well. Her hemoglobin and hematocrit were low so the doctor decided to do a blood transfusion. Polly, Steve and Leslie were there with mom and dad today. She is still not feeling well and unable to eat, so the doctor wants to keep her at least until Monday. He is planning to do a CAT scan of her abdomen tomorrow. They are still planning to go to Baylor on Wednesday for the consultation for the Dendrite Vaccine.

Thank you for your prayers. They are so appreciated. Please continue to pray for Susie and Don and all of us. With all the attention that they are receiving in the hospital - it is difficult for them to take calls or visits, but we are happy to keep you updated with what is happening.