Hi from the Sunny (finally!) coast!

Hi Guys,

I'm sorry that I haven't been "blogging" lately - we've been busy having fun but the Big Guy has also been having some issues with his back recently so I didn't want to comment on it - no news is good news, right? Well, apparently I'm wrong! Thanks for wanting to continue to hear the good, the bad and the uncertain! Don't get me wrong - for the most part Dallas has been doing super well but he's had some very bad back pain. We try to put it aside in our minds - just must be the usual aches and pains of mid-life. But of course every thing's different the minute when cancer enters your life.

Yesterday we met with our super Doctor - Peter Battershill. His is really like a super hero to us as far as this disease goes. He doesn't downplay symptoms or panic unnecessarily either. When Dallas described the sometimes debilitating pain that he's been experiencing, Peter interviewed him in the usual way - "Okay Dallas - how many fishing lines, prawn and crab traps have you been pulling up lately?" - Peter never jumps to conclusions so we don't either - he's a very calming influence. He takes a clinical approach to the situation - yes we'll run a bone scan and x-ray to be sure, but he also doesn't let us give up hope that this could just be age related back pain too. One way or the other we'll get to the bottom of it all and deal with it in the best way possible. We're both feeling pretty confident that Dallas is still going to be out fishing for a long time to come and this is just a little "glitch" in the big scheme of things. However, positive thoughts and prayers are always appreciated...

Thanks as always for your love and support - you continue to show us the way. I'm hoping that blogger has fixed their glitch and there won't be any more problems with you publishing your comments instantly. Please keep them coming...we love you all. More later....

Patty & the Big Guy

FUN IN THE SUN!

So this is how I know that we're winning this thing. Today Dallas has a double whammy of treatments - herceptin at the cancer clinic in the morning and his bone strengthening IV in the afternoon at another hospital. As soon as we get in the door the Big Guy races to change into his fishing clothes so that he can enjoy a few hours out on the boat. He's throwing the crab trap in as well as fishing for more salmon. The very best therapy for him is catching a few rays on the Cinnamon Girl!

We've had a busy time since the wedding. Our good friends the O'Leary's stayed on for a couple of weeks so we enjoyed another wonderful visit with them. They left this morning and coincidentally, so did Mom & Dad who are heading back to the valley. We hope that Gerry and Velma are able to sell their Invermere home soon so that we have the pleasure of their company here year round - we're really going to miss them!

We're crossing our fingers that the weather holds so that we can spend more days on the boat and plan more evening BBQ's on the water. Life is good. More later...

Love, Patty

The Best Day!

Our Marcus, married the wonderful Heather on Saturday, March 13th - life just doesn't get much better. Jordan was the best man, and toasted his older brother with style and grace. We couldn't be prouder of both boys (and of course our very special girl!). More later...

Love, Patty

Spring Cleaning!!

Hi everyone! So yesterday was the annual spring cleaning for the Cinnamon Girl. After she had her mechanical tune up she was moved into the driveway so that the Captain could order his crew around. We were joined by Mom and Dad who helped us wash, scrub and polish every inch of the boat. The Big Guy was in fine form (I think in part because he was playing drill Sergeant!) and when the boat was relaunched last night she was sparkling. The weather continues to be just amazing here so this morning Dallas grabbed a quick breakfast and is now out on the boat fishing. We have a busy week next week and are so EXCITED about Marcus and Heather's wedding. As Dallas said last night, "if it wasn't for the cancer thing our life would would be just perfect, wouldn't it?" - more later....

Love, Patty

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!