Not goodbye, rather, We'll see you later

Daddy went home to be with Jesus today. He had a restless night and refused to take his pain meds. Mom and Mari were able to get some in him early this morning and he appeared to be relatively pain free for the remainder of the time. Kate and Paul had to go back to Missouri for Kate, but otherwise we were all here. Just before Dad passed we were all in the room with him eating, talking, and listening to some of Dad's favorite music and Dad quietly stepped out of this life and went home to be with Jesus. We are so thankful for all of your prayers. Daddy is no longer suffering and is resting in the arms of his wonderful Savior. Please continue to pray for our family as we grieve.

This is Lisa writing for Mom :) Dad had his doctor's appointment yesterday and we got the results back from the CT scan. The cancer is growing and the lump in his liver is now baseball sized. This is probably what is causing the pain in Dad's abdomen. Because of the progression of cancer we have decided to place him on hospice. A nurse came out today to explain everything to us and to let us know how they can help. They do not think Dad will make it much longer and we would like him comfortable and at home with family. They will be bringing over a hospital bed for him to make him more comfortable and allow him to sit up more easily. He is still in a lot of pain. We are blessed to have all our immediate family here and to have had some visits with two of Dad's brothers. Please be in prayer for us these last few days with Dad.

Valley still

Today I was finally able to reach our oncologist about Allan's terrible pain...their answering service was not on this weekend so I made sure that I had a back up to call if this happens again. Dr. prescribed oxycontin (generic morphine). I spent the morning just trying to find a pharmacy that had the drug with all the doses that the dr. prescribed. Praise God for LOTS of different pharmacies!!!! I had to hold off Allan starting on it till 7pm tonight as he has to take it every 12 hours whether he is in pain or not and can take the hydros in between if the pain gets too much for him to handle. We had to be bullies today and it made me cry. We had to force Allan to drink his concoction and drink water, get out of bed and walk a little in the bit, just down the to the end of the house and back inside of course to try and get his insides moving. He was in so much pain that it was very hard but if we don't get him to do these things he will end up in the cancer ward at the hospital and we do NOT want that! He ate a few bites of dinner, sat in his recliner and now that he has taken his dose of oxy. he is off to bed for another nap. He did sit up for 2 hours today and watched a movie before he took his 3rd nap of the day so that is good! He watched "Field of Dreams". Allan only ate one egg salad sandwich and that was the sum total of his food intake for Sunday. His appetite is really bad now as the pain makes it so he feels he can't eat. y
Kate has been in the hospital all weekend in L & D. Baby Brooklyn is doing wonderfully, praise God! She weighs in about 2.6lbs. Kate had contractions all weekend, from 3 minutes apart for the first couple days to finally 4 or a bit more. The drs kept a close watch on her and released her finally this late afternoon. Brooklyn isSo far, the dr has given the all clear for her to come so we are all hoping and praying that she is able to come. Mari and Cody made it safely to Springfield and went to the hospital to help bring Kate home. Paul was able to stay with her the whole time and their girls were well taken care of. God has blessed us with such wonderful sons in law! I text Paul every little while to check on Kate and he never minded a bit! Molly and Pete came over yesterday and mowed and edged for us. We have such great kids!!! Tomorrow is CT Scan and labs. I am going to ask Dr to please not make us wait till next Tues for the results. So we will see.Yeah!!! Allan decided to watch the Rangers instead of napping for now!!! It is good for him to be out of bed and sitting up! What a blessing!!!
I had a wonderful call from Diane yesterday! I did not realize how much I needed that call!! Thank you thank you!!!!! Yeah I have not been doing so hot but we will get through this with love and prayer and God's help. Thank you all for your prayers and love!!!!

In the valley

Wow...it just starts small you know? Allan was dressing this passed week and fell twice on the bed cuz he couldn't seem to stand up and draw up his drawers. He is a little slower doing things. It takes longer to do normal things and his breathing is almost gasps for breath at times. Has to lean against a counter to catch his breath. Walking is different too. Allan went to bed one night this passed week cold. I piled lots of blankets on him before he said he was warm. I woke up at 0515 that morning to Allan shivering with cold but hot to the touch. They told us over and over...if Allan gets a fever of 100.5 call the dr immediately. Our Dr. Dalal even takes all the evening and weekend calls personally. In the span of 15 minutes Allan's temp went from 99 to 100.7. I called the dr and after lots of questions, he called in two prescriptions for heavy duty antibiotics for infection for Allan. He is back to sleeping more. He gets confused now about things that we have gone over and over but still can't remember. This is not my Allan. I hate seeing him change before my eyes. I try to be positive and strong but find myself constantly asking him if he is ok. It was so very hard to let him go to work this afternoon but he wanted to so he went. He came home tonight agitated because he got his medications confused. We had talked about it for two days, when to take which pill and which pills to take. I will write him out two copies of his med list so he can read them and remember.
Tonight I sent a text to our daughter, Kate, in Springfield, MO, who is due on Thanksgiving with their 4th daughter. Kate is in Labor and Delivery with very close contractions, in real labor, as the test showed, and the meds were not working on stopping the labor. Baby Brooklyn is fine but the contractions still went on. Finally a few hours ago, the doctor gave Kate blood pressure meds and sleeping meds so she could sleep and the contractions started coming not quite so fast and on top of each other. We are all praying hard for her and little Brooklyn. Next weekend is when we are all to be together for a camping trip. The kids are to be coming in from Tues to Saturday for a week of camping together with all of us together for the first time in awhile, never having camped with the all kids since they have been married and had kids of their own. The Lord knows best and we know that all will work according to His Word.
Thank you for keeping our family uplifted in prayer during this valley time. Lord willing, soon we will be able to look out from the tops of the mountains!

Pain amd sleep

Allan had a good weekend but has been having more and more pain in his abdomen. Last night at 330am he woke me up and he was in excrutiating pain. The pain seems to get worse and worse. He asked for two of his hydrocodones and after about 30-45 minutes after taking the meds he finally was able to go back to sleep but had a rough night being in pain even though asleep. Allan went in for his labs and bone enhancer this morning. We were so sleep deprived and concerned about his pain that we forgot to ask what his counts were today. Dr. Dalal is not sure what is causing the pain...it could be that the cancer in his lymph node in his abdomen has grown. We wont' know for sure for two weeks as he gets his ct scan next Tuesday and then the following Tues we will find out. Thankfully, Lord willing, ALL the kids will be here for that visit. Allan slept all afternoon and we woke him up just before 6pm. He took two of his hydros at dinner time and will continue to take them. He can take up to 6 in 24 hours. If that does not do the trick then Dr. Dalal will set him up on round the clock meds, much stronger meds to help knock out this pain he is experiencing. He was able to get off for Labor Day Weekend when the kids will all be here, praise the Lord!!! We are all so looking forward to camping together! It has been since the early 90s since we have been camping as a family!!
Have a wonderful day!

Working and pain

We all decided to have our family reunion next month here as it would be so much cheaper and hey! we are in the country so why not? 5 tents and 2 RVs and all of us here...what more do we need? Allan is so excited about it that he was anxious to start getting the property where our RV is ready for tenters but Molly and Pete came and started the work last night for him so it will be easier on Allan. Sweet! Allan made it through the watches and his arm is fine. He has been struggling with moderate to intense pain in his abdomen for about a week now. We are trying different diet changes to see if that works and OTC meds that the dr and nurse recommended. He is asleep right now to get ready for work. Allan still loves his job and can't wait to work on the weekends. This coming week he has his bone enhanser, which is about an hour or so, usually a bit more, at the cancer center, through an IV. This last time of his vein blowing out was the first time that has ever happened to him so he does not need a port at this point. His veins have been really good to this point, no problems at all unlike mine so he is good. We were able to spend some time yesterday with Brit and Aiden so that was very special. Aiden sure loves his Gpa! When he sees his Gma he cries and then falls asleep in my arms and when he wakes up we are friends! Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!!

Blow-out and Numbers

Well, today we went in for Allan's second round on this chemo (alimita??). Poor guy was stuck 4 times today as the first stick (IV) was going good for awhile until Allan started feeling a burning sensation in his arm. The vein had blown. So she had to stick him two more time on his other arm till she found the right vein to use. Allan is now on a watch: every 4 hours he has to put ice on the arm that had the blown out vein for 2 days. We have to keep an eye on it for any adnormalities that could pop up but we are trusting that the Lord will have no complications whatsoever from the blow out and chemo. Allan's counts were excellent today!! Whoo hoo!!! According to the cancer center scale he weighed in at 166.6 lbs!! He was 175 lbs when all of this started so this is great. Next week he goes in for his bone enhancer, Zomita, and the following week (Sept 1st) Allan has his next ct scan and the following week he will have his next chemo/lab/dr visit. Allan told me that if he does as well on this chemo as he did the last time he wants to put in for more hours at work. Whatever he can handle or wants to do...go for it!! As long has he does not over do it great! He wants to start getting in the wood for the winter this week too. He is just amazing!! Thank you again...I can never say enough how very much your prayers and emails/comments mean to us!!! We can feel all the love and thoughts and prayers daily and it is soooo uplifting. WE love you all!!! All the kids and grandkids, Lord willing, will be here next month and we hope to go camping for at least a few day while they are all here. Havea wonderful week y'all!!!!

Allan is out fishing with Tom on the lake today while Brit and Aiden visit with Brit's family on shore. Today Tom and Brit got married. Allan is doing great! He worked on my Dad 's truck today trying to figure out what its problem is. He was really looking forward to fishing with Tom today. Hopefully it won't be another catch-and-release session! Allan has his next chemo and labs on Tues. His counts are good! Mine are 40 so will have another blood draw tomorrow. We both go to bed early now and get up early so we can beat the Texas heat and get some much needed chores done. Good ol' farmers! : ) Allan is just looking so great now and most of the time I even forget he has cancer!!!

ANOTHER GOOD COUNT!!!! PTL!!!!!

Allan had another week of good counts!! Wow are we blessed!! He is exhausted as he woke up early yesterday to deal with some medical bills so is catching up on sleep today after his blood draw. He is anxious to get working on getting in the firewood for the winter as we don't have a heater and use a insert in the fireplace to heat the house. He weighed in at 166 lbs!! Allan is just doing so well. Aunt Carol and Uncle Bill did not show up so not sure what happened there. Hope they are ok. Thank you all for your continued prayers for us, especially Allan!!! : )

MARRIAGE LICENSE AND A GREAT WEEKEND!!!!

I swear that I want to marry and that the stuff on the paper is true! Tom and his BritBrit, Molly , Allan waiting for the license to be printed

Ok, how much longer will it be??

We had a very good Sunday...Allan slept in (after his morning wake up for concoction and pills) for about 15 extra minutes today before getting up for work. Aunt Carol and Uncle Bill are supposed to be here tomorrow and part of Tuesday so hope that Allan can get a visit in and still get his sleep time before he has to go to work. Allan's appetite is still great!! He is happy as a clam and has energy to spare. He shared with me this morning that he had the best day yet at work: he wa able to fix a belt at work (took 2 1/2 hours, normal stuff) and then continue on with his walk-throughs! He also said he could have kept on working past the 8 hour limit that the doctor gave him but he also realized that he needed to see how the next few days go and how he feels before asking the doctor for a new order for work. He is pacing himself too in all his work...keeps an eye on me too and makes sure I don't over do it. We were able to meet Tom and Brit at the courthouse as they applied for their marriage license! That was special! Tom and Brit then took us out for Chinese (one of our favorite foods!) and then to Tom and Brit's for fishing and movies. Still working on the garden...the cows are sure enjoying the corn...hopefully next year we will get it in earlier so we can enjoy it!

Have a wonderful week! This week just has Allan going for lab work and next week is the same thing. I go in for lab work too. So a much easier week doctor wise!!

Maybe a misunderstanding? corrected

Hello Everyone. This is Molly. It was brought to our attention that the last post regarding no cancer in Dad/Allan's brain sounds like he no longer has any cancer. I wanted to make sure everyone knew what was going on. There is still approximately 10% of the original larger mass and the smaller one have either shrunk small enough not to show on the MRI or is beign, in his brain. The cancer in his liver/kidneys/adrenal glads have grown 25% or more and have spread to his right hip; it is in his bone. There are more seeds/masses in his liver/kidneys/adrena glands. The masses in his lungs are smaller (we did not remember to ask how much it shrunk.) So currently he still has malignent cancer but the masses in his brain and lungs are smaller and the liver/kidneys are larger.

He started the new chemo yesterday and so far no side effects except some diarrhea, poor thing. He is looking awesome. He worked on the John Deer lawn mower today and we went out to Oakwood to have his friend Pete weld an idler pulley stud. He had a blast hanging out with his friend. When we were done we put the lawn mower back together. He is now really hungry and waiting on dinner to be ready. He is so energetic right now and looking so good!!! He is currently talking to Gma in the kitchen.

Here is Mom. Love you all!!!

Well I am really sorry to have maybe given those of you who have not had a chance to follow Allan's blog site for very long the wrong impression. I guess when we get good news, especially after the sooo bad news last week, I just wanted to celebrate! Just did not realize I may have given some of you the wrong information. And Allan is indeed just running around with a new kick in his step, having a ball being "normal" which I know for sure you understand, Kim. It is like a whole new lease on life. I hope and pray that Allan can be this way for a very long long time.

WHAT A BLESSED DAY!!!!

Wow yesterday was LONG!!! But it was all GOOD!!! Praise the Lord!!! We started off with Allan's new chemo yesterday and that went well but a lot longer than we were told...there were sooo many people in for chemo. Last time Allan was the only one there for a long time and then 2 other people came in...yesterday I think all the chairs were filled with chemo patients. The back xray showed NO CANCER!!! but scoliosis of the upper back and the beginnings of arthritis in his lower back...we did not previously know about either one. Allan's counts are up too! He will be getting the bone enhancer, to keep the bones from getting brittle as the cancer weakens the bones, every 3 weeks I believe and chemo every 4 weeks. I may have gotten that backwards...it could be chemo every 3 weeks and bone enhancer every 4...I know the vit B12 shots are every 9 weeks for sure. Then we did a little running around as Molly had to make a car payment etc and then off to Tyler. The MRI went fine and then to the neurosurgeons. The MRI showed no visible cancer! Molly heard that the existing one was 90% smaller. So that was GREAT news!!!! Dr said to come back in 3 months and they will have another MRI done so that IF a tumor/lesion shows up they will immediately plan on doing the cyber knife on him to get it out...doc says we need to catch them as early as possible so that is ok with us but Lord willing there won't be anymore tumors/lesions. I have not figured out why they call tumors 'lesions' anyway? Anybody know the answer to that one? How about our favorite nurse in WA? Do you know why???
We went shopping for my folk's at Sam's Club afterwards and had to pick up some things at WalMart and Kroger's so we got home late and Allan was still going strong! We did go to bed early but we had such a great day. Allan hopes to fix the John Deere today so he has a plan! Thank you thank you all for your continuing prayers for Allan and I! They were sure felt yesterday big time!! We love you all!!!

Wonderful pattern

Allan has gotten into a wonderful pattern: he comes home from work about 2 a.m. showers then goes to bed. He wakes up about 9am, sits in front of the TV and drinks his shake (2 big glasses of the stuff!), then watches TV till he nods off and then goes back to be till 3pm. He eats his normal (which was the way he USED to eat before all this hit) meal and then goes to work. On the week days we get up, have our quiet time together and then we start our day. Allan is back to doing chores and puttering around. I love it!! Thank You Lord! Tomorro is going to be a very full day for Allan. We go to get his new chemo at 9am. It is supposed to take like one and a half hours and then we come home for a little bit, then go to Tyler to have his MRI on his brain at 1:15pm and then to his neurosurgeons' at 3pm to find out the results of the MRI. A VERY LONG day for Allan. Please keep him in your prayers tomorrow. Will let you know what all of the drs and test results are tomorrow hopefully. Have a wonderful day!!!!

WONDERFUL SUNDAY MORINING REST

Allan got up early this morning about 9am and wanted his shake! He drank all of that AND two banana split muffins! He watched National Geographic channel till he started getting tired and took numerous short naps before he decided it was time to go back to bed. When he got up I fixed him a huge plate of bbq beans and bbq brisket on a whole wheat roll and boy! did he go though that!! He had fun watching NASCAR and the Rangers beating the Royals. He left for work a very happy camper!! What a wonderful Sunday!! : ) Thank You, Lord!!!!

'THE BEST I HAVE FELT IN MONTHS'

Hi, All!
Hope you are all having a good weekend. Allan was busy with puttering most of this week. Mowing, errands, fixing stuff, keeping busy. He took naps too off and on. He had a short nap today before he dressed, ate, and went to work. He was very excited about going after missing last weekend. Allan started eating the concoction that his older brother Charles has been recommending for him to try: 2/3 cup of organic cottage cheese, 6 Tablespoons of flax seed oil, a few nuts, strawberries, blueberries and mix it in a blender. I added a bottle of Ensure Plus to help him put on more weight too. He actually liked it! So that will be his breakfast from now on. We are trying to feed him good stuff. Last night was fresh squash from the garden stir fried, bbq salmon, and corn on the cob. We had fresh fruit for dessert and Allan cleaned his plate and bowl! His appetite sure is getting better and he is feeling so much better too! He is talking about the things he needs to get done 'when he gets well'. He said the quote up top to me yesterday. It is such a blessing to see the Lord's Hand at work and so very comforting to know so very many people are praying for us! Talked to a very nice lady in England who has been praying for Allan. She is a dear friend of our Brit Sis. It is just incredible to me how very many people...people we probably will never know until we all meet in Heaven with Jesus, are praying for us! What a HUGE blessing!!! God bless all of you!!!!
Allan has his new chemo on Tues morning and then in the afternoon we travel to Tyler for his MRI on his brain and then a follow up appt with his neurosurgeon. Will let you all know how all that goes. Congratulations Brit on the new Strong baby due!!! January right?
Love you all!!!

Newest Dad/Allan Update

Hello Everyone!! Today I took Mom/Colleen and Dad/Allan to dad's chemo appointment. We got his newest blood count ... everything is once again normal and high so dad can go back to work. We also received the results of his CAT/MRI (sorry don't remember which it was) and some is good but most of it not so much. The good news is that the masses in dad's lungs have reduced in size some ... the doctor was not specific on how much. The other news is that the masses in his kidneys and liver have increased 25% or more and he has new masses in both the liver and the kidneys, as well as, one in a lymph node. The scan also showed some new masses in his bones, his pelvic area, basically, where the joint in his right hip is. Dr. Dalal is taking dad off of the chemo treatment he has been on for the last 2 months, because when the cancer grows 25% or more and spreads then it is not working properly. He is starting dad on a new treatment called Alimta. It only takes approximately 25 minutes to do and he will also be taking a bone strengthener, which takes about 40 minutes or so ... total taking about an hour to an hour and 15 minutes. Which is 6 hours less then the old treatment. He will also be getting a B12 shot every 9 weeks to help with the possible side effect of being worn out and tired. Dad will also be taking 3 days of steroids before each of the new treatments instead of the 2 he was taking with the old one. The doctor is also putting dad on folic acid pills to assist with possible side effects. Dad currently weighs 155.8 lbs ... he has lost 6 pounds in 3 weeks, a total of 20 lbs since he was diagnosed with the cancer. Mom asked Dr. Dalal about something to improve dad's appetite, sorry I do not recall the name of most of the drugs dad is not on, but he did prescribe something to help rebuild his appetite. Dad got his first shot of B12 today and wont need another for 9 weeks. After the appointment we went to the hospital to get an X-Ray, we should have the results next Tuesday when he goes in for the new chemo treatment. Next Tuesday he also has an appointment with Dr. Ledley to check one the masses in his brain. I will be trying to go with them to it so that I can provide support and help update the blog more so that mom doesn't have to as much.

All in all, dad had a pretty good day, considering the news he got. I showed up at their house this morning and surprised them, we went to the appt and then to get the X-Ray, went out to eat and then to Wal-Mart to pick up there meds. He was able to go see Tommy at work (Tommy and I needed to trade vehicles for the day.) Once we got home dad and I messed with the pool (in the process of cleaning it from the weeks of neglect from when we were in Cali last month.)

Please continue to pray for both mom and dad. I know that both of them love it when they are able to see the responses you guys post and they can feel your love and support, so do I. I love you all. Molly J. Connell

A Wonderful Restful Weekend

It is so nice to have a weekend with Allan home and just rest and putter around. Thank You Lord!! The kids are coming by today so we are looking forward to that. Rangers are on tonight so we are looking forward to watching them play. Thank you, Steph, for your encouraging email! We love hearing from you! Yes, we are staying indoors, Uncle Allan at least! Tomorrow is a gardening day/mow day/with Allan and Dad indoors, resting. Sundays are such a wonderful day of rest to get ready for the week ahead. Hope you all have a great weekend and can rest and relax! Love you all and thank you for your encouragement and prayers!!!

Tinkering around

Wow! thank you Kim for your encouraging words!! No, they did not tell us that if his counts are down that means the chemo is working and I will definitely check on his hemoglobin counts! Praise God that you can help us with info! Thank you so much! We are doing our best to find odd jobs for Allan to do around the house to relieve his boredom. He fixed a lamp yesterday and will fix the sprayer on the kitchen sink today. Molly is bringing over electrical stuff that needs fixed from their place so that helps too! He played crib with my Mom yesterday while my Dad and I did the running around town that needed done. I wish I had been here cuz Mom said Allan got a 24 hand and gave the biggest grin that she has seen in a long time!!! He got another one the next game too so his day was much brighter being able to skunk Mom!! He does love to win!! We can never say enough how much your emails/blog comments/prayers mean to us! And we LOVE nurses advise!! :) We love you all so very much!!!!

Counts WAY down

Allan's ANC counts today were 400 so he could not get his xray but was able to have his CT Scan. Unfortunately, Allan's veins are starting to collapse due to the chemo so they had to stick him 6 times today, poor thing!!!! :( He has to stay home, no fresh fruit or veggies, stay away from crowds or sick people or anything dirty. He has to wear gloves, hat, scarf, mask and wear long sleeves and long pants if he goes outside. Of course here in Texas were at 612pm it is currently 108 outside he needs to stay inside anyway!! :) He can't go back to work till his counts go back up so he will be here with me!!! Good thing right?? ;) God has Allan in His Hands!

CT's AND XRAYS

I called the dr on Allan's back pain and headaches so now he is scheduled for his CT Scan at 9am and blood draw tomorrow and then after that to the hospital for an xray on his back. He is at work tonight. Thank you, Kim, for the great soap! Uncle Allan's skin feels soooo very soft now!!
Love you all!!

Very Tired

Allan has been dragging a bit this weekend. Last night his back started hurting him and he did not sleep good because of that. He has had headaches occassionally now...and today he even asked for one of his pain pills. If you know him at all you know he almost never takes pain meds. He has a very high tolerance to pain. He is working this weekend. He just has to do walk throughs which means he rides to a piece of equipment that needs checked out for PMs (preventive maintenance) and log it in the computer if it needs it or what exactly does it need etc. He comes home at 2am exhausted and sleeps till 315pm.
We had a good day/evening at Tom and Brit's on Thursday and Allan even got to fish with Tom which he LOVED...and he was the only one to catch any fish and he caught 3!! They were doing the catch and release from a pier. He really enjoyed it and I am so glad he got to fish!!
Tuesday is CT Scan day at 9am and also blood draw and weight check. Next week on Tuesday we will find out the results of the scan and do another round of chemo after his blood draw and weight check and see the dr. Thank you for your prayers!!!!

Gpa baldy and grandbaby baldy!!

Tom and Brit came over last night and brought baby Aiden...we had not seen them in about a month. Aiden cried when he looked at Grandma but talked up a blue streak when he got to sit with his Grandpa! Allan LOVES having his grandkids around. Allan is slowly getting his strength back and watching the Rangers play. Man is Andruw Jones one good baseball player!!

COUNTS GOOD! WEIGHT : (

Allan's counts today were 'good' the nurse said but he has lost more weight : ( He is down to 158 lbs so we went shopping for high calorie stuff for him to eat/drink. He just told me today that one reason why he hardly eats anymore is that the chemo makes everything taste 'off'. So we will try and make him small high calorie drinks that he can drink and hopefully that will work till is taste is back to normal. He is busy helping my Dad figure out his computer. Allan loves to help!! Next week is Allan's CT Scan, on Tues also...will not find out the results till the following week at his scheduled chemo appt. Love you all!!!!

Hey, Everyone!
I hope your 4th of July celebrations were great! Allan hit his wall on Wednesday and was very tired and has done a lot of sleeping. I was wondering if he would even be able to go to work but you know Allan! He went last night and came home early...poor guy just does not have the energy or stamina lately. This round of chemo just knocked him sideways. He slept through last night and today and got up for work...he was so exhausted we all tried to talk him into staying home but he insisted on going. So please keep him in your prayers! He goes for a blood draw on Tuesday and a weigh in to check how he is doing.
WE love you all!!!
Colleen

Reunion, new grandbaby, and chemo

Hey, All!! Here are some pics of Allan: chemo today, family reunion where he played horse shoes with his brothers, during the service for Mom and Dad Strong, the Strong kids line up one more time for photo ops. We had a great time in CA! Visiting with family is a great thing! Allan loved it and his appetite showed it too! His appetite really kicked up in CA and has remained so.

Today we went for Allan's second round of chemo and they did a blood draw on him first to find out what his counts are. For you that keep up with the numbers, here is what they gave me today on Allan: on 6/2, his first day of chemo, he had 13k ANC, 12.8 Hgb, and 426k on his platelets. 6/9 2600 ANC, 12.0 Hgb, and 382K on the platelets. The day we left for CA, his counts dropped to 700 ANC, 11.7 Hgb, and 404 k for platelets. TODAY: 4500 ANC, 13.1 Hgb, and 230k platelets!!! Next week we just go in for a blood draw to check his levels and the week after that Allan is scheduled for a CT Scan. The following Tues he has his 3rd chemo and finds out what his latest counts are and what the CT showed...it is just to see if the cancer/tumors are bigger, smaller, etc so they can adjust the chemo either up or down so the chemo is working better for Allan. He has had no dizziness, nausea, vomiting etc. God has his in His Arms for sure! They give Allan two bags of stuff to help his tummy to not get nauseous etc before they start the actual chemo.

Allan is feeling good and enjoyed his weekend back at work. We miss all of you already and are looking forward to when we can be together again.

Allan was loving meeting our newest granddaughter during the reunion. She is adopted by our Lisa and her hubby, Jeremy. I think babies are such healers when your heart is tore up. Allan is really enjoying the fact that he only has to shave maybe once a week!!! Thank you again for all your love and support. With out the Lord and you all, we could not make it through this valley time. God bless all of you abundantly for lifting us up in prayer!! We appreciate it more than you will ever know!!!

Allan went to see Dr. Dalal yesterday. His counts are ok but he lost 4 lbs! The oncology office gave us 6 bottles of Ensure which we will give him in milkshakes for snacks or when he does not want to eat. Dr. Dalal told us that Allan will only be getting the 6 rounds of 3 weeks each of chemo and then it will just be a check to see how he is doing every month. The dr. is hoping that this chemo will take care of the cancer. He told us that IF it comes back or gets worse he will have to go to a new chemo regime. Allan did good at work this weekend and even though he is tired he is doing great. Lisa went to get her precious boys last night and will bring them back here on Thurs night. Cant' wait to see them!!! Please pray that Allan's appetite comes back so he will eat more. We have been giving him fresh fruit and veggies along with pasta and lots of tomato products but the smallest meal just fills him up for hours. We are trying to find the perfect balance for him of meals that help his body and gives him energy and stamina. We leave in less than a week for CA!!!

GRANDPA, SIS, AND AIDEN

Aiden came over for a long visit this afternoon and was awake when Grandpa woke up so I had to get some pics...Aiden is Tom and Brit's son...who will be 4 months old on the 19th. He is growing so much and sure brings smiles to Grandpa's face! Allan/Grandpa is working this weekend and looking forward to seeing family, leaving for CA in 9 days. Allan was pretty tired for a few days but is slowly getting his energy back. He sees Dr. Dalal on Tues for a blood draw to find out how his weight is and how his counts are. He sure is not eating a whole lot and shock of all shocks...has pretty much given up coffee!! Seems so weird to not make up two thermoses of coffee for Allan on the weekencds to take to work...he takes milk now.



Have a wonderful week and we will update with the drs news when we get it! Love you all and thank you for your words of encouragement and prayers and LOVE!!!

Sis and Aiden greet Grandpa/Allan before he goes to work

Aiden makes Grandpa smile!!

Hey, All!!
I am not going to post a pic of Allan today...we were warned that sometime after chemo started he would have a day/days where he has no energy or stamina...today it hit. He took a long nap this afternoon and is still dragging this evening (it is 750pm here now.) Allan plans on going to work this weekend (tomorrow, Sunday and Monday; 5pm to 130am.) We had another shocking piece of news today not concerning Allan but it hit both of us hard none the less: my Dad has now been diagnosed with prostate cancer. He sees the dr the day after we leave so we will be on the phone with them to find out what the dr says. Wow I can't believe that we will be in CA in a week and 11 days!!! It is coming so fast! Allan sees the oncologist (Dr Dalal) on Tues for lab work and to see the dr. Will let you know what the dr says and how his counts are.
Love you all! Have a wonderful weekend! Hey, Bobby!! You made Allan's day yesterday with your email to him! He would LOVE to go fishing with you!! Yes please, could you bring a rod for him? Do you have some place to fish where Allan does not need a fishing license???
God bless all of you!!

First Chemo

Dad had his first chemotherapy treatment on Tuesday, June 2nd. He had come home from work at 2 am that morning, got a little bit of sleep before having to wake up to take pre-treatment meds at 6 am and then officially got up around 8 so he could start his chemo at 9. Surprisingly, he was up all day and didn't take a nap! I would have been exhausted. The nurses at the cancer center were great and Dad's chemo (all 6 hours of it) went off without a hitch. They warned him of the typical side effects: weakness and tingling in extremities, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and general tiredness. Praise God, as of today Dad has felt NO side effects! They usually come within the first few days after treatment is administered, so he is doing really well! Please continue to pray that the chemo attacks all the cancer cells it is designed to an leaves his healthy cells alone! Dad has been steadily gaining back his strength and has been able to do work around the house. Yesterday he fixed Grandma's mower (Mom had run over some hidden barbed wire in it that popped a tire and wrapped itself around the blades ;D) and got under our borrowed van to help install a trailer hitch. He is enjoying getting his hands and arms all greasy again :) The pics are of him sitting in his chair watching a movie during his chemo treatment. We are so thankful that he is doing so well! We pray his health continues and God blesses him with many more years with us!

sitting back and relaxing

smile for the camera! (chemo IV pump to the left)

Yesterday was the first day that Dad returned to work. He was very excited to be going back and was cheesing for us. He decided to try and work for 8 hours (his normal shift is twelve but the doctors don't want him working longer than 8 a night) and was zonked when he came back home, but headed out again today for another round ;) His work has been wonderful and his coworkers helped him pace himself so he can get his stamina back after being out for so long. Lord willing chemo won't knock him back too far :)

Getting ready for his first day back at work!

He's sure in a good mood ;)


33 years and still in love :)

Heading off to work!

allan relaxing with the computer after returning from his appt with his neurosurgeon

Here is what we found out with Allan's last two drs appts this week: The neurosurgeon said that the tumors are 1/3 smaller!! Radiation still works for 3 months afterwards so Lord willing they will continue to shrink. He was released by the surgeon to drive and go back to work on a limited basis. The oncologist said that if Allan wants to go back to work he would gladly support him but for him to take an easier time at work. Also...NO BONE CANCER!!!! The bone scan showed no bone cancer! What a HUGE praise!!! Allan is set up for chemo to start next Tues, June 2nd. It will be a 5-6 hour time of it. Normally they want him to go in every 3 weeks for it but with the June trip coming up very quickly the oncologist (Dr. Dalal) said that he could put off the next chemo after the 2nd to the Tues after we get back from CA. He said that the cancer will keep on growing but if we want to go to CA, go ahead and go. So we are as that is what Allan really wants to do! Allan is off by himself, took our car, to work so he could get the paperwork that Dr. Dalal needs to sign in order for Allan to go back to work this coming weekend...man, it is hard letting him go by himself! For so long now he could not drive so I or Lisa took him wherever he needed to go. Feels almost like letting your child drive by him/herself for the very first time alone in your car!! God is taking care of him, I know. He is trying to do more every day to gain back his strength. He normally works 12 hours a shift, Sat, Sun, and Monday nights...the drs asked him to start at 4 hours a shift and see how he feels and go up from there...the max Dr. Dalal wants him to work now is 8 hours a shift which is what Allan feels he can safely do. Allan is sleeping really good lately, taking the cough meds with codeine before bed so he can sleep all night without coughing all night long and he takes his Xanax in the morning and at night before he goes to bed and that is working good too. He found out that the Prilosec is not working for him so is now on Nexium...that is helping with the acid reflux and the gas that just builds in his chest...Kim, did Jake have that problem? Lisa is here now to go to the drs appts with us and to help us out with the gardening...we put in most of it yesterday and will finish planting the tomato and bell pepper plants today. She is leaving for CA, Lord willing, on the 13th of June and we leave on the 16th of June for CA. She will stay in CA till September when they come back for Tom and Brittani's wedding on the 5th. She has been a huge help as well as Molly/Pete/Tom/Brittani. We are blessed with such great kids!! Will let you know how Allan does this weekend and with his first chemo treatment. Thank you so much for all your love and prayers!!!! It is so wonderful knowing we have such a huge amount of support from you all!!! We truly feel all your prayers for us!!

Here is Allan relaxing with a jigsaw puzzle after a very exciting Indy 500 race!! Happy Memorial Day!!!

enjoying the hot tub after a big day of work! May 21, 2009

Hey Everyone!!

Allan had a long day yesterday with supervising putting up the pool for the grandkids, weedwacking with the new battery operated tools that my folk's bought, playing with the grandkids etc. He ended up in the hot tub to help ease the sore muscles which seemed to do the trick! We worked on the strawberry bed today...implimenting Grandpa Leonard's way of watering the bed. So far...will need a bit more work! We will just be relaxing this Memorial Day weekend (MAN did it come up quick!!!!) Have a safe and fun weekend! Lisa and the boys are in Houston for the weekend so it will be a bit too quiet! : D

Love you all!!

Colleen and Allan

Hi all

It has been very busy for me around here lately even though i can't do much yet. no driving or use of equipment. So I am trying to get Wes, colleens brother to do some of the thing that need done. and help him with some of the problems he has. So with all that i still get worn out easy. But have been sleeping much better and am getting my stregnth back little by little.

Thank you all for the comments and Prayers they are so much appreciated and felt.

LOVE ALWAYS ALLAN

2 very handsome men!!!! My Dad and Allan

Happy Monday!!

My Dad decided that Allan should not be alone in his baldness. So yesterday Lisa got out the trimmers and shaved Allan and my Dad's heads! They look so cute and both say they sure like the no hair thingy...cooler! Allan had a full day today with my brother, getting Wes's truck and trailer fixed. He over did it as he took a nap after dinner and is still sleeping! He is so much happier too. It is at times like these that it feels like there is nothing wrong at all with Allan. Praise God for the good times!!!! Here is a pic of Allan in his bandana...for you, Mari!!

Love you all very much!

Allan and Colleen

This was taken while Allan enjoys another Rangers game after a good nap! May 16, 2009

this shows him having way more hair than he really has!!!!

Saturday May 16 2009

Happy Saturday!!


Allan has been sleeping lousy since we came back from WA and his appetite has gotten almost non-existant now...so. I took him to his appt with our family dr (an internist) and told him Allan's problems. Allan told the dr that he is eating less cuz when he eats his stomach starts burning. So Dr prescribed ulcer meds for him along with something to help him sleep. He got his first real good nights sleep in AGES last night!! and he ate almost his usual portion (bc: before cancer)of food this morning!!! Thank You Lord!!! He still takes naps in the afternoon but that is ok. Allan has a week off from appts so hopefully he will improve more every day so he can start responding to your emails personally. Thank you for the cards and emails! They sure make his day brighter!!! We will see how the Rangers do in the next round with the Mariners...Go Rangers!:) That is for you, Marge!! Allan sure grins like crazy when I read your notes to him!!! He LOVED hearing from you, Loretta!!


God bless you all and yes, we can sure feel your prayers!!!!!


Love always,


Allan and Colleen

Allan eating dinner, after nap

Allan after his nap

Sleeping beauty! May 12 2009

Yep, Sis, that verification twice, happened to me today too! Love you!!!

Good morning, All!!!!!
I took Allan in today to be shot up for his bone scan later this morning...he should be glowing about now!!! His hair is falling out soooo fast! Our bed is just covered in his hair!! He is still the most handsomest man in the world! God only made a few perfect heads...the rest he put hair on! ;) If you want to leave us a comment just click on the comment button down at the bottom of the blog and when you go to post it, use anonymous as your profile...that is the only way it seems to put it on the blog...was practicing earlier as my comp tech is still asleep! Allan is doing so good...he is happy and just loves hearing from everyone. He is really looking forward to June and the family reunion.
God bless all of you with a wonderful day!!!
Colleen

Yesterday was a good day for Allan. He did have to take a nap in the afternoon but he had a good day. Today...he woke up to a lot of his hair on the bed and when he combed it...wow! gobs of hair came out!! So...we will soon be seeing a different Allan!! He will still be the most handsomest man in the world!!!!!

Having a good Mother's Day

Ranger's are not doing so well...

Ok...Rangers won!!!!

Man, they told me I would lose my hair but not so fast!!!



what a difference a day makes!!!

Pics of the most handsomest guy in the world!!!!!!!!!!!

Allan's hair is growing in great!!!!

We can barely see the scar!!!

reading a cookbook: 'I want cookies!!!'

THE most handsomest man in the world!!!!

Last day of radiation!!! YEAH!!!!!

Today Allan had his last radiation treatment!!! They gave him a silver bell to put by his chair so if he needs something he can ring for us....hmmmmmm ;) He also got to ring the brass (ship bell) bell to signal that his radiation treatments were at an end. He rang it very hard so I know he is especially glad to not have to do that anymore! He is very tired from the radiation but he now has a few weeks off to recuperate. He slept in for the first time since the hospital and felt really rested so that is a huge blessing!! We are fast learning to celebrate the 'small' stuff as it is HUGE to us now. We took some pics today of Allan and we will post them...sure hope I don't post this without them! Have a wonderful Mother's Day all of you mothers!!!! We hope your day is very special for you. Ok...Lisa says I will be posting this without the pics as the pics are still in the camera...I learn something new all the time from our kiddos! They are so smart : )
Love you all!!!
Allan and Colleen

Dad's monk cap, shaved before surgery


Allan with grandson Aiden



Allan and Colleen with grandkids :) Taken about 3 weeks ago, after surgery