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

Welcome

We are creating this blog to keep everyone updated on Allan's progress through this journey. Your prayers and comments are welcome. You can post a comment at the bottom of each post, if you would like. Thank you, all for your love and support.

We had our first appointment with Dr. Dalal yesterday. His office called us after our radiation appointment and asked us to come on in. We were able to sit down with Dalal and go over our charts and learned a few interesting things. Allan has a few larger tumors than we were aware of. The tumor on his adrenal gland is about 3 inches in diameter, while the largest one on his lung is about 2.5 inches in diameter. There are also more spots on his lung than we were aware of. Dr. Dalal also confirmed that the cancer is not operable.
Allan has decided to do chemotherapy. Dr. Dalal answered all of our questions and confirmed, again, that if the chemo is making him sick it is Dalal's fault and will be modified or changed accordingly. Dalal is also wanting to make all decisions with Allan, not for Allan, which we really appreciate. He does not want to sugar coat anything or hide anything from us, and is very respectful and understanding when explaining things. We are very blessed to have him as our Doctor. Please continue to pray for his wisdom and for God's healing for Allan.
Allan has one more radiation treatment tomorrow and then Dalal wants to give him a rest before starting chemo so that his body can recoup and side effects won't clash. Allan has been really tired lately, from all the running to Tyler and back and is still recovering from his brain surgery. He is still hoping to be released to return to work and Dalal is more than willing to write him a chit once he is released from the surgeon to go back to work. Allan is really looking forward to the family reunion in June and has Dalal's full support. All treatment will go around our schedule, not the other way around, which is very nice.
We will try to put up posts as often as we can and will be adding pictures and possibly videos of Allan so you can see how he is doing. Please keep us in your prayers. :)