Catching Up

Hi everyone...we hope you're enjoying your weekend! We've been having a really good week - As always, Dallas continues to amaze the medical pros by feeling better than they could have ever predicted. We know that having such a wonderful team of family and friends who continue to carry us through both the good and bad times is the secret to our success. So thank you!
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Last week Dallas was down to one pair of slippers that he could barely squeeze on his feet and his hands were very swollen. Fortunately, tests ruled out the chance of a blood clot and after a week on diuretics he is moving around better and has graduated to a pair of running shoes. Today we took a walk around sunny Sidney - I still can't believe that last weekend it would have been difficult for Dallas to move around town without being in a wheelchair. He continues to amaze and inspire me with his determination and fighting spirit.
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We recently enjoyed a visit from Dallas's cousin Shelley and her hubby Chris from Edmonton. Dallas, Jordan, Grandpa and Chris went crabbing and fishing with great success but they will always remember that they were pulled over by the RCMP for a routine safety inspection on the way back to the boat house! At dinner we enjoyed hearing Dallas and Shelley reminisce about a family vacation they went on in the '60's. Four adults and six kids in a station wagon traveling through the states - those were the days!
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Thanks again for being there for us - we couldn't do it without all of you. Special thanks to Anne and Brian for lighting a candle for us in every church on their travels...every little bit helps! More later...
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Love,
Patty & the Big Guy xoxo

Good News!

Hi Everyone,
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Thank you so much for all of your prayers and positive thoughts - as always you carry us through the most difficult times. I am happy to report that Dallas no longer needs his meds by injection and he is getting both his energy and appetite back. It is truly miraculous for me to think that a little over a week ago he had difficulty walking on his own. We have been granted another reprieve and are so thankful for that.

We are staying close to home and are enjoying special times with our family. Having Jordan here now is incredibly helpful to both of us. Marcus and Heather are here as much as possible too. Having our family all in one place is a very special gift. More later...

Love, Patty

Another Update on the Big Guy

Hi Guys...the last couple of weeks have been our most difficult as you have probably guessed. Dallas was having trouble keeping any food down and last Wednesday was the worst. We went to see Peter and Dallas needed a wheelchair for the first time. Peter immediately set another plan in motion for us. Dallas was given an injection of dexamethasone (strong steroid anti-inflammatory) as well as one for his stomach, which was continually in painful knots. The next day a nurse was by to set up two different IV ports in Dallas's arms and also pre-filled syringes for me to administer.

As you can imagine, things are very difficult right now. Thankfully Jordan flew in from Calgary for a visit on Friday night, assessed the situation at home and immediately put in for a leave of absence from work. He flew back to Calgary on Sunday to pick up a few essentials and drove his truck here yesterday. He has been such an immense help to us both already - he has learned how to give Dallas his meds and is freeing up some of my time so I can stop and take a breath. It is such an amazing gift to have my son share the load with me.

I am happy to report that the dexamethasone is doing it's job and Dallas is now carefully eating some light foods. A nutritionist will visit us soon with some more food suggestions. The nurses visit almost every day and we know that medical help is just a phone call away.

Now that Marcus and Heather are back from their honeymoon they'll be spending more time with us. We have a family dinner planned for tonight - I love it that all my kids are good cooks!

I am sorry that I haven't answered emails and that phone calls and visits are still difficult for us. Right now we are spending time together as a family and coping as well as we can. I'm afraid the "No Vacancy" sign will remain on our B & B as we enjoy the time that we have together. More later...

Love, Patty

Belated Happy New Year

Hi there,
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I just wanted to give you a quick update on how Dallas is feeling. We saw Peter, our doctor at the Cancer Clinic, on Wednesday. As usual, Peter was upbeat and made us both feel better. He reassured us that the exhaustion and appetite loss that Dallas is experiencing right now is all part of the recovery process from the aggressive radiation treatments he had. We are noticing slight improvements in how Dallas is feeling almost every day now and Peter said that although Dallas won't completely rebound to his previous energy levels they should continue getting better. We realize now that we've been granted a reprieve and are in the bonus round so we're going to enjoy every minute of it together.
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Thank you for all of your calls, cards and emails. Sorry that I've been slow to respond to them - I know you'll understand. We wish you and yours a happy, healthy 2011. More later...
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Love,
Patty

The Straight Goods

Hi Everyone,

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We hope you had a wonderful Christmas - ours was very special. We were surrounded by family and our wonderful sister-in-law Tina took over my kitchen so that I could rest and relax. Imagine having your own personal chef (who provides all the food!) and clean up crew - the best gift ever!

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Dallas wanted me to update the blog and let you know that he's not recovering from the last round of radiation the way we'd hoped. He is still spending most of the day sleeping and his appetite hasn't returned. Visits are particularly difficult right now because he is so tired - please excuse us if we put a "temporarily closed" sign on our B & B - we know that you'll understand.

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Thank you as always for your love and ongoing support. I'll update the blog again soon. More later...

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Love,

Patty & the Big Guy

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Hi there,

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Dallas and I wanted to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2011!

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We are looking forward to a wonderful Christmas with our family. I'm hoping that Dallas will be able to enjoy turkey and all the trimmings by then - he's slowly gaining back his appetite but it has been a real struggle this time. We saw Peter this week and he reassured us that the last few weeks have been difficult for Dallas because of the cranial radiation that he had as well as the cold/flu that he picked up along the way. Right now the Big Guy is resting and sleeping a lot of the day which I take as good sign - his body is healing. Although he's still getting most of his nutrition from boost meal replacement drinks and fruit he is starting to eat more "real" food every day. And of course that smile never leaves his face so I know that things are improving.

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We'll also celebrate Marcus's birthday this week - I can't believe that our "baby" will be 28! Yikes - where does the time go?? Jordan will fly home Christmas Eve so we'll have both our boys in the same place again - yeah! Yesterday I enjoyed a great day with Heather - pedicures and lunch - it's so nice to finally have my girl!

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Hugs and every best wish for a wonderful Christmas to all of you! More later...

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Love,

Patty and Dallas

A Tough Week

Hi Guys...just thought I would give you a quick update on my Big Guy. He's had a tough couple of weeks but is now pulling through in his usual style. Dallas was tired from the radiation treatments and unfortunately picked up a virus or bug which set him back in a major way. Peter ran all the tests and reassured us that Dallas's symptoms were not related to the cancer. Unfortunately, the symptoms were pretty severe and knocked the wind out of Dallas's sails - he's spent the better part of the last week being feverish, nauseous and exhausted. Today is the first day I can honestly say he's getting his colouring and appetite back, thank goodness. Knowing my guy, he'll be out on the boat within the next few days as his energy improves.

We recently enjoyed visits from Calgary friends Ev and Bill as well as Bruce and Assunta from Vernon. Old friends really are the best anti-cancer drug going - thank you all. Bruce set to work right away hanging Christmas lights so we're on track for December 25th. Jordan was able to fly home for the weekend and Marcus visited with puppy Sadie so there was never a dull moment!

Thanks as always for being there. More later...

Love, Patty