Mowing the Lawn!

So the Big Guy was mowing the lawn yesterday and I took the opportunity to snap a picture of him to show you his new 'do (and of course he wanted to brag that he was actually mowing the lawn on February 16th)! As you can see he's looking great, always smiling and feeling good. Dallas has been catching salmon and enjoying lots of good times on the boat with his Dad. Tomorrow he has another herceptin treatment in the morning and I'm sure he'll want to get back out on the water by the afternoon!

More later...

Love, Patty

ENJOYING THE SUNSHINE

Hi there,


We haven't posted any updates lately because we've been busy enjoying the sunshine here on the coast. The weather has been great - we're even getting out in the garden (sorry - that was a dig for those of you living out there in the cold!) to begin our spring cleaning routine.

We escaped to Seattle for a few days and had some fun. Dallas followed me around while I shopped till I dropped - he's always such a good sport about that! I was on the search for a dress for the wedding and came back with two possibilities. The Big Guy said his contribution was to purchase a tie that matched my dress which he did in about five minutes flat (maybe he doesn't enjoy shopping as much as I do!).

Dallas has been fishing quite a bit and is having some luck in that department so he's a happy camper. He went out last week with Marcus and Gerry (he says there's nothing like fishing with three generations of Stober men on board and was wishing that Jordan was there too) and they all caught a salmon. Yesterday we were out enjoying the sunshine and he snagged another salmon so that was good. Today he's out again with Marcus and Gerry so here's hoping that they have good luck.

On the cancer front things are okay. I know that Dallas is having more aches and pains than normal but he rarely complains. He has another herceptin treatment next week so hopefully that will help the way it usually does. Despite his increased pain the Big Guy continues to amaze me. I rarely see him without a smile on his face and he has more energy I do. More later...

Love,

Patty

Happy 2K10!

Hi Everyone,

We hope that you enjoyed your holiday season as much as we did ours. We had a lot of fun with the kids, enjoyed meeting more of Heather's family members and spending quality time with friends. Jordan flies back to Calgary tonight so our home will be a lot quieter for awhile!

We have been anxiously awaiting the results of Dallas's latest CT scan. At the end of his last chemotherapy session before Christmas, he was really feeling ill (the first six sessions of herceptin were accompanied by a very strong chemotherapy to "kick start" the herceptin. The chemo is what causes the most side effects). Our doctors felt that a CT scan was in order so that we could all get a clearer picture of what was going on with the Big Guy. You may remember that Dallas's continuation on the herceptin is based upon whether or not he's improving or at least feeling well on the drug. The results are in today and the news is mostly good. Dallas isn't showing any new tumours in his neck area which is always the area of greatest concern. There are three very small nodules which have shown up on his lungs. These nodules may have been there before and were not picked up by previous CT 's or they could be brand new - either way they will be watched from now on. The cancer in Dallas's bones has also advanced, but at a slower rate.

All in all it was a good cancer day. Dallas's herceptin treatments will continue and we can't emphasize enough how wonderful this drug has been for us. Dallas hasn't felt this well since before his surgery. The movement in his neck continues to improve, his energy levels get better every day and the rosy colour is back in that smiling face of his. His hair is starting to grow back we hope he'll be sporting another new 'do in time for the wedding.

Thanks as always for your support on our journey. We don't know what we'd do without you! We'll look forward to seeing more of you this year. More later...

Love,
Patty & the Big Guy

PS - You may have noticed that our comment section on the blog has been getting "spammed" lately. While blogger tries to fix this glitch in their system there may be a delay in your comments appearing on the blog. Please keep them coming anyway - we love reading them!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Happy Holidays and all the best from our home to yours. Many thanks for your ongoing support - here's to a wonderful 2010! More later...

Love, Patty & Dallas

YEAH!!!

We're so relieved that Dallas was approved for herceptin treatment so the stress of waiting for cancer agency approval is gone! It was like a very heavy weight was lifted off our shoulders when we received the news. The deal is that as long as Dallas continues to feel well on herceptin he'll receive the drug. Finally!!!

The Big Guy continues to amaze me. This week was a tough one for him (a double whammy with his last chemo treatment as well as his regular bone strengthening infusion) so of course he felt compelled to powerwash the moss off the driveway. Our driveway is exposed aggregate so the moss loves to cling to it - one of the few west coast disadvantages. He's also been refinishing a vintage dresser that we purchased and managed to go fishing one day this week. Today he's finally crashing.

Thanks so much for your blog comments, emails and calls. Your support continues to inspire and strengthen us. More later...

Love,
Patty & the Big Guy

HI FROM THE WET AND WINDY COAST!!!

Hi everyone! We've recently enjoyed visits from Sharon and Ed Wiens as well as a weekend with Brian Schaal. It was great to catch up with them but unfortunate that the weather didn't cooperate. Dallas has been itching to get out on the Cinnamon Girl before the halibut season closes but it's just been too miserable. Oh well - no shovelling required yet - just good rain gear!

Yesterday Dallas had a MUGA scan which is a test that measures the strength of his heart (one of the prerequisites for his next phase of treatment with herceptin). Once again he's glowing from the nuclear tracer that they inject him with so we'll be sure to stay away from airport security for awhile. We have our fingers crossed that he's passed the scan with flying colours and will be approved for hercepting treatment by the cancer agency board - always a nerve wracking time for us. Dallas's next round of chemo is on Wednesday so we'll try to keep busy with projects around the house until then.

Thanks as always for your support! More later...

Love, Patty & the Big Guy

DOWN TIME

Thanks again for helping us through a tough week! As usual we got by with a LOT of help from our friends and family - special thanks to Bev for being chauffeur, personal shopper and chicken soup chef!

Tuesday was my surgery day and I woke up through my drugged haze to see Dallas's face smiling at me! He was joined by Peggy and then Steve. Marcus and Heather filled in the dinner hour so the first day went by incredibly fast. The next day I was home by noon (yeah! early dismissal for good behaviour!) warming up the sofa.

Dallas has had a challenging week. Not only did he stubbornly drive himself back and forth to chemotherapy but he also received both flu shots. It was especially hard for me because I've been there for every treatment, poke and prod he's had so far. Sitting on the sidelines this time was so difficult!! Thankfully, by late afternoon he was back in his lazy boy chair resting and letting the chemo drugs do their thing.

It's been a great week for both of us to recover - most of the time the rain has been in a constant downpour. Today the sun is finally shining so we'll probably get over our cocooning phase and drive into town for rations. Thanks again for your support, calls, emails, flowers and other goodies and of course those wonderful blog comments which cheer us on! You're awesome! More later...

Love, Patty