Holiday Blessings and Latest Update

Could not resist.   Wishing you love and good reading in 2015!

First the update:  Dale continues on his singular path through this cancer.  He is up and around everyday, getting out to church and yoga class.  At the moment he is out for lunch with some good friends. He enjoys meals and visits with friends and is still telling lots of good stories.  Since we are no longer on hospice we have been back to visit our primary care doctor who ordered routine blood tests for Dale.  Tests came back showing all his counts have returned to normal levels.  This is more good news.

On Wednesday we went out to cut our Christmas tree at our regular spot and found a perfect one for the new space.  Still working on paring down the decorations from our big Irvington house.

A couple of weeks ago Deena Prichep, a free-lance radio journalist who lives in Portland, came to interview Megan, Jeremy, Dale and me about traditional holiday foods and specifically lefse.  Megan and Jeremy made lefse and she recorded the sounds.  Actually we had a great time talking about traditional Scandinavian foods and our memories.  She has let Megan know that the feature will air sometime this Sunday on weekend edition.  Listen for it if you have the time.  I can send out a link to it later after it airs.

We are continuing to count every day as a blessing and trying to enjoy some of our normal holiday routine.  Dale still loves to have people drop by to visit and listen to stories.  His remains positive and upbeat.  He does sleep a lot and has a good bit of confusion but thankfully no real discomfort.

Our family wishes all of you good times with family and friends this holiday season, and a blessed 2015.  

Book recommendation:  Everyone should read this! Being Mortal by Atul Gawande.  (and thanks to Paula and Sidney for telling me about it)

Again and again our gratitude to all of you for the love, support and prayers.

-- 

Patty

News of the day: Hospice gives Dale the boot

Today Dale is officially no longer a hospice patient.  He is doing too well to remain on.  It is still hard to imagine that in the middle of August he came home from the hospital unable to get out of bed, eat or drink water,  and on oxygen.  

Today we visited our favorite bookstore: http://achildrensplacebookstore.com/ and enjoyed wine and dinner with friends who brought Dale a new cane to practice his walking.  While we have no rational explanation for this miracle we are all so very grateful to be enjoying a little more time.  Our dear friend Stephen calls this an Indian Summer and we are hoping for a long and warm one.

As we are adjusting to our new home and Dale's increased energy our current needs for help and support are changing.  We have all been granted the opportunity to spend more quality time together. We have just moved all of Dale's family history boxes and his writing journals into the study and he looks forward to spending some time looking through some of this, sharing some stories and perhaps having someone record some of the stories.  Also he loves just visiting with folks and telling his stories.

The calendar on the blog http://dale411.blogspot.com/ has asterisks on mornings or afternoons when Dale would welcome visitors. Times are flexible except where specific ones are noted.

Dale also greatly enjoys sharing meals and visiting with folks at mealtimes.  It works well for you to bring food and enjoy our condo/bistro but also Dale is really up for meeting somewhere for lunch or early supper/happy hour.  He is really getting around well enough to enjoy being out and about.

The calendar goes through mid December and probably we won't do another update until then unless something changes.

Thanks as always for your continued love, support, prayers and wishes.  We are blessed and grateful.  I am attaching a photo of Dale and his best buds from a trip a couple of years ago:

-- Much love

Patty

Peaceful Time on the Lake in Lincoln City

A great blue heron on our dock this morning.  Dale and I are just finishing a wonderful six day stay at our beloved Freshwater Cottage at the Oregon Coast.

This is a long overdue update.  The good news is there is not much change in Dale's condition over the past couple of weeks.  He continues to get around well with the walker and enjoy short outings, visits with friends and family, yummy meals, and lots of naps.

We have been joined here at the coast by friends and family for two day visits.  We have so appreciated wonderful food that they have brought to share. Our thoughtful neighbor Micki had groceries waiting for us when we arrived and then brought fresh chocolate chip cookies the next day.

We head back to Portland today but hope to plan more visits here in the next few weeks. We are hoping to settle into a pretty regular routine.  Later today or tonight I will be updating the support team calendar on the blog.  Please check it tomorrow to see our needs. There will be regular needs for "Dale buddies" plus some opportunities to help unpack a few more boxes.  

Dale is really enjoying visits from friends and family.  He often has a story to tell and likes hearing what folks have been up to.  Call our land line 503 284 3184 if you are in the neighborhood and have a few minutes to stop by.

Dale is also really happy to be  getting back to attending church at Grace and even has been attending a wonderful gentle yoga class there offered by our friend Sherri. 

Finally again we are more grateful than you can know for all of the care, prayer and good thoughts you all continue to send our way.

With much love and gratitude

-- 

Patty

Thanksgiving for Miracles

A dear world traveling friend called us the other day (from Scotland) to say that he had been to Vilnius Lithuania about three weeks ago and had visited the painting of the Virgin Mary (Our Lady of the Dawn) known to grant miracles.  He said that of course he does not believe in such things but he was there and decided to ask for something wonderful for Dale Walhood.

Maybe it was that, maybe all the prayers and good thoughts from everyone, maybe Dale's stubborn Norwegian nature, maybe all of that, maybe something else. We can't know but we are so grateful.

Dale continues to improve - he is stronger, mostly just using the walker to get around, enjoying any food he likes, visiting and storytelling with friends  and family. Sunday we took the dogs to the St. Francis service at church.   Yesterday we took a day trip to Lincoln City.  It was glorious.  

We are completely out of the Wygant house.  A new young family is moving in and we hope they love it as much as we did.  

That never could have happened with out the combined efforts of so many of you.  You were amazing, providing love, caring, LOTS of physical labor and wonderful meals. 

The condo is proving to be a bright, cheerful, convenient place to be.  We are all feeling comfortable here, including the schnauzers. 

Again, the kinds of help and support we need have changed.  With Dale able to enjoy a variety of activities and visits we are calling a halt to the moving and unpacking frenzy.  The rest of the stuff can wait.

We hope to go back to a more regular routine of being present and enjoying each day as it comes while we can.

Support needs will be listed again on dear Debra's blog:

http://dale411.blogspot.com/

Mainly we need buddies to spend time with Dale while I shop, run errands and get some exercise. Also we would love to have friends bring dinner and share it with us a couple of nights a week. Email or call me to arrange that.

In addition, Dale would love to have people drop by to visit and see our new digs.  Maybe take a short stroll around the area.  Just call our old land line.

The only Constant is Change Part Two

Sorry it has been so long since the last update.  Things have been pretty crazy in our lives.  First and most important:  Dale continues to get stronger and a bit more active every day.  He no longer needs oxygen or a catheter, gets up almost on his own, walks a bit with the walker and is enjoying all the yummy and healthy (mostly) food we can give him.

He has gone to our usual coffee date the past four Saturday mornings. (The past two times our dear Pam Cogswell has provided transport in her van)

In addition he has gone out for dinner twice in the neighborhood to places he can roll to.

We seem to be in a good holding pattern for now with the cancer and intend to enjoy every second.  Dale still loves visitors when he is awake.  It is ok to stop by - maybe just give a call first to be sure.  We will be on Wygant until nest Saturday (9/21).  Then at 1718 NE 11th Ave.  #306. Same phone numbers.  

Other changes that have come our way pretty fast:

• House sold/new sewer and chimney work done/packing like mad for move in (yikes) one week

• Had to move Georgie (my mom) from regular assisted living to memory care with short notice.  Almost done with that one thanks to a great  amount of help from friends.

• Mark made an offer on a house with a HUGE yard in Milwaukee and it was accepted

• Jimmy got a new job in the Evergreen District at Sifton Elementary - started last Tuesday and wife Gretchen made a big switch after teaching grade 5 for at least 10 years - she is now working in an exciting team situation with second graders.

Meg and Jeremy are keeping Viking Soul Food going three days a week (Thurs - Sat) and it is going well and still allowing lots of time to hang out with the Dale.

The big change coming next week will be an adjustment from living for 12 years in this wonderful house with fenced yard for Ozzie and Harry to a third floor condo with a modest deck.  Someone is going to be doing quite a bit of dog walking.

Our blog and Walhood Support Team needs will be updated sometime today.  If you have any problems with the sign ups email me.  We are suspending meal deliveries  for a bit until the new kitchen is up and running.

Thanks for all of your thoughts, prayers and hours and hours  of help. 

-Love to you all-
Patty

All We Can Count On Is Change

Dale continues to march to the beat of his own drum - no surprise really.

He has astonished us all by growing stronger, being up in the wheelchair more, and most of all by beginning to be able to eat and drink regular stuff.  We are all working on "mindful eating".

Dale is sleeping lots but really enjoys company when he is awake.  He loves being read to and visiting and telling stories and looking at pictures with friends and family.

In the midst of everything else, our house has sold, work is being done on our new condo, we are busily finishing packing and plan to move sometime in late September.

Needless to say some of the kinds of help we needed last week have morphed into needs for different kinds of help.  And we fully expect them to change again and again.  We have altered the sign ups on the blog:

http://dale411.blogspot.com/

-- Thanks more than we can ever say to all of you for the prayers, thoughts, love and amazing support.

Patty (and all of us)

So Happy to be Home

We have been back home since Tuesday and are so glad to be here.  We are supported in a caring and complete way by our hospice team and Dale is really doing well.  He is able to enjoy small tastes of yummy stuff and really likes ice chips - water and other frozen bits, sorbet and more.

In addition he is able to get up with some assistance to spend time in the wheelchair.  

Last night we all enjoyed an amazing potluck and sing with the Grace choir and some friends and family.  Thanks to Susan Jensen for coordinating an unforgettable evening.

Thanks to the skills of Debra we have put together a new sign up on the blog for visit times and some meals.  Here is the link:

http://dale411.blogspot.com/

Click on visitation sign up or meal sign up on the right.

As always our deep gratitude for your continuing prayers and love.  We feel so blessed by the support we feel from friends and family.  

--
Patty

Going Home with Hospice

Well, these past few weeks have certainly been a roller coaster ride, with encouraging news from the oncologist followed by a descent into pneumonia and a week's stay at Kaiser Westside Medical Center.

We now have a better understanding of Dale's medical status. Because he has lost the ability to swallow without aspirating, prolonging his life would involve a feeding tube and IV fluids indefinitely. Dale has made it clear that that is not his wish.

We have now made the decision to bring Dale home tomorrow (Tuesday) so he can spend his remaining days in a comfortable space with loved ones. The doctors have informed us that we are looking at anywhere from a few days to weeks, with Dale sleeping more and more. He should not be in any pain.

We know many of you will be anxious to visit, but please give us the chance to get him home and settled in first. We will update you all with information about visiting and bringing food just as soon as we can.

Words cannot express the gratitude we feel to all of you for your unending love and support through this challenging journey. 

-- 
Patty and family

The Dale 8.15.14

We are still out here with dad at the Kaiser Permanente hospital in Hillsboro (room 304) and expect to be here at least through the weekend, with the earliest possible discharge/next steps decision sometime Monday.  Yesterday the pneumonia was better on one side of the lungs and a little worse on the other, but overall steady.  Last night, however, was horrible.  We learned this morning that the swallowing/aspiration problem is worse than originally thought, and the doctors took him off all food and drink.  We also have urology issues, and the catheter is probably in for the duration.  Today's thinking is that the cancer is on the move again, and starting to mess around with various autonomic/involuntary body functions.  We will not be leaving here without at the very least in-home hospice care.  Discussions with our medical team are, suddenly, advanced to the hospice/comfort care stage.  I'm sorry to dump so much bad information on you all at once, but now you know.  Overall it was a pretty messed up day.  

However, dad is doing much better this afternoon, and quite chipper and chatty.  The fever broke and the only thing he describes when asked about discomfort is his desire for "a cheeseburger and a martini".  Dick and Diane came by and shared some old travel stories, which he totally loved.  Stephen Schneider made the comment today that he is still very much acting like himself, which is so true.  He is gracious and inquisitive with strangers, cracks dry jokes and chuckles to himself, and still never complains.  He enjoys asking the nurses about their family life, what their kids and spouses do, and telling stories about the old days (today a recurring theme was the family farm implement business back in North Dakota).  Just now he cracked up the nurse who came in to take vitals by replying to the final question about needing anything with "how about a beer and a sandwich".

In other news, the Wygant house went on the market today, and the garage sale/final prep could not have happened without the heroics of George and Annis Bleeke, Sarah Rowley, Holly Nelson, Anne Schneider, and Candy and Wes Walhood.  Stephanie Oliver did an awesome job of posting and taking down huge garage sale signs all over North Portland for both of the sale days.  Allan Oliver staged the place so it looks like a million bucks inside, and the photographer said "wow, this place is already sold" when he first walked inside.  Cameron Denny and Jon Grenfel have been around constantly lately, and we would be lost without their unending assistance.  Stephen Schneider is by our side each day here with his attention, good questions for the docs, and prayers.  We would be lost without all the love and help of these folks and so many many more, too many to mention.  Thank you all.

We will keep you posted, with an update on Monday sometime when we know more, probably later in the evening.  Prayers and good thoughts appreciated.  Blessings.

Mark

August 13, 2014

Yesterday Dale was taken to Kaiser Westside Medical center where he is resting and being treated for pneumonia and related complications. Within the next 24/48 hours we should know more about the path ahead. Your love, prayers and support are much appreciated as always.  We will update as soon as we know more.  Much love to all.

-- 

Patty

The Latest and Greatest!

This little adventure began just over four months ago, and we're overdue for an update.  

Last week Dale had his first MRI since the end of the first course of radiation/chemo in June.  The results of that and the most recent labs were shared with the family today by our Kaiser oncologist.  With great joy we can report that the MRI shows the first round of radiation/chemo has done it's intended job, stopping the cancer from growing since the surgery (!!!).  There even appears to be some slight reduction in the tumor size.  As a final bonus for the day we learned we can take dad off the horrible steroids in another two weeks, which should help with lots of unpleasant little side effects.  

We've been taught the things to watch for that would require quicker action, and we've got to encourage more exercise & physical activity, but things are slowly improving after that rough first round.  In three months we do another MRI and see the oncologist again.  Although the blood platelet count is improving it is still not where we want it to be, which means foregoing the second round of chemo, we are nonetheless pleased with the news for today and will take it in with a glad heart.  Dad went in there a little anxious, I think we all did, but the oncology update was a pleasant surprise.

Last week Mom and Dad did the annual Paulina Lake camping trip with extended family.  They had an awesome time, including an exciting thunder and lightning storm.

The Wygant house has been a hub of frenzied yard sprucing, culling and sorting, packing, garage sale pricing, hauling stuff to the dump, etc.  We are on track to list the Wygant house for sale next week!

The folks are planning kitchen upgrades at the Irvington condo with our friend Neyle, and looking forward to settling in there soon.  Patty is trying out a new continental living room/salon concept, and enjoying planning out the new space.  Back to the old neighborhood! 

We remain overwhelmed by yet another surge of incredible assistance from folks who have signed up on the blog to help with packing, yard work, meals, and moving prep.  So much kindness and generosity has been coming into this house, and Jo Bronson's prayers continue to lift our spirits.  Dad is really enjoying the visits and conversations with old friends, many of whom he has not seen in many years.  A party is still planned, targeting September while it's still warm out if possible, and we will hope to see many of you there.   

Love to you and yours, and thanks as always for your continued good thoughts and prayers.  m

-- 

Patty

Dale Update 7.9.14

Hopefully everybody had an enjoyable time together with friends and family over the long holiday weekend. Mom and Dad enjoyed a nice long week at the beach relaxing and visiting with folks and lots of dogs. The weather was fantastic and there was a surprise bonus round of fireworks set off July 5th from a barge moored in Devil's Lake right out in front of the lakehouse. Dad had a front and center seat for the festivities, and has been feeling better and better these days, with more energy and oomph to get up and go. It's been over a month now since the first round of treatment, and although there is fatigue things are generally looking up at the moment.

Unfortunately, however, it's looking like the oncologist is not going to put Dad through the second round of chemo, as his blood counts are not where he wants them to be. On the upside, he has started physical therapy with good results, and soon also some occupational therapy and more alternative stuff. Cousin Judy has recommended an alternative therapy expert from Ashland and we plan to consult with him, as well. Any way you slice it there's a tough road ahead, but Dad is still optimistic. He really does not complain much if at all, and the overall crabbiness factor is pretty nonexistent. It has been nice to not have to run over to the doctors so much, and the summer has been lovely so far for just hanging around here.

Lots of other balls are in the air right now, including a deep purge and packing up of the Wygant house to list for sale in early August. In the next few days, hopefully, we will be sending along another sign-up sheet on the web page http://dale411.blogspot.com/ for assistance with packing, moving, hauling stuff to Goodwill, yard fluffing, and some meals. It's a bit of a whirlwind this month but what else is new...

There's no details yet, but Dad has also decided that in lieu of a big memorial service later he wants a big party sometime this year. We are working on the details, and hope to have that event sometime later this summer in August or perhaps September. You all will know the moment we have it figured out.

All our love goes out to you all, and a big thanks from all of us and The Dale.

And a parting shot of the fireworks on the Lake July 5th!

Almost Home

Tonight is the last night of our trip, hanging out here at our airbnb rental in beautiful downtown Dunsmuir, CA.  Attached below are pictures from our stop in Big Sur, CA, seated on a bench overlooking the Pacific Ocean (plus the doggies looking out the window).  

With Jeremy and Megan cooking we have eaten very well along the way, although there were also several amazing restaurant meals (Dad is all about the food).  Megan and I perhaps drank a little too much on that one late solstice night by the pool in Rancho Mirage.  There have been many teary, bonding, joyous, memory-making moments on this trip, and wonderful visits with friends and family along the way.  OMG Megan and I together (plus Vodka) with this Dad stuff going on gets sloppy pretty fast...  ;)

Dad has been a real champ, despite lots of car time ("I have sore butt").  His energy levels and strength, as well as his blood counts, have improved significantly over the week of the trip and we are very happy for that change.  The Kaiser visits for blood draws in Oakland and San Diego were easy and close-by.  There have been virtually no major snags except for when Harry dog rushed into Sean and David's house in San Diego and tried to eat their kittens (bad dog!).  

Cousin Judy and her step-daughter Cynthia jumped into the pool Saturday night after dinner with their clothes still on, adding a festive exclamation point to our days in the desert.  Jer and Meg and I took off to give Mom and Dad some chill time in Santa Barbara and found a fun outdoor drink spot and incredible local/artisan ice cream to  bring back for desert (the Oaxacan Chocolate was incredible).  Everybody has gotten along in close quarters for the whole ten days flawlessly, except for an ugly passive-aggressive hissy fit on my part a couple days ago which passed relatively quickly (47 & single, go figure...)

The trusty Eurovan has been great, despite a fickle air conditioner which conked out early on in the hot weather.  Undeterred and feeling thrifty, we decided not to do a rental and instead picked up some squirt bottles and washcloths to face the hottest driving days old-school.  Windows down, cold towels on the dogs and Dad, and constant misting with the squirt bottles got us through just fine.  As a bonus, this brought out lots of good road trip stories from the 50's and 60's.  

We are looking forward to being home and getting back to a routine, with our own beds and the beautiful Portland summer days in front of us.  The sorting and down-sizing of the Portland house in preparation for a move to Georgie's condo later this summer is the next big project, and of course Dad begins round 2 of the chemo next month.  

The timing is uncertain but in the next few weeks we plan to do another online calendar for visits and meals and other Dale-focused social things.  We look forward to hearing from and/or seeing you all again soon.  Dad is a deeply social creature who is energized by people around him and good conversation, especially over food and a nice glass of wine, and we hope you can join us for such sometime soon.

Love and thanks and big hugs to you all from the Dale Sherman Walhood family!   m

Dale Update 4.29.14

This comes a day late, but Patty tasked me with sending out a few specific thanks, as we have been feeling a gratitude deficit.  We have been showered with so much love and support and help over the past month, and are all so truly grateful.  

We have been blessed with many delicious and amazing meals, and every single one has been a treat.  Special visits from friends far away have provided support that made all the difference at just the right time, including Bonnie Stanke (New Jersey) for the original hospital drama and Sarah Rowley (Sedona) as treatments began last week.  Shelley just rocked an incredibly kick-a$$ stirfry that we are still talking about.

Another special shout-out goes to Uncle Dan and Uncle Steve for those first few days at the hospital, and again to Rev. Stephen Schneider (spelled correctly this time) for his ongoing support.  Stephen's Grace Episcopal Church has generally been a real beam of light in this house over the past month.  We have gorgeous collages created from the many cards and letters Dad has received that now adorn our living room, thanks to Julie Romberg.  Sue Jensen brought beautiful flowers and carried forward a card signed by many others that still sits centered on the mantelpiece.  Such a wonderful fellowship and family at that place.

Dad is handling the radiation/chemo treatment combo very well so far, with some fatigue and treatable yeasty throat yucky stuff from the steroids but otherwise all is good.  He has been enjoying cat naps and excellent organic healthy food and smoothies every day.  Patty administers a posh daily essential oil suite of treatments that keep it groovy, including citrus essential oil with soda water at happy hour, nightly tummy rubs with a digestion-support potion, and daily frankincense under the tongue to help the chemo work better.  Dad has this hippie-ish lavender-filled floral print cotton eye sack thing that he uses for the cat naps (and fake-out cat naps where he's still listening/laughing/etc) that I covet.

We are well along in planning an awesome June family road trip to California.  Last night we made several reservations on airbnb, including an off-grid hillside home in Big Sur near the Esalen Institute, a sweet  little cottage in downtown Santa Barbara, a 1920's craftsman bungalow in San Diego (with detached casita and retro trailer), and an over-the-top midcentury modern in Rancho Mirage with the classic kidney-shaped pool.  Bam!

OK, guess that pretty much 

covers it for now, except Patty wanted to remind people of the Dale Blog, where you can still sign up for dates and food bringing and stuff:  http://dale411.blogspot.com/

All our thanks and love as always, every day is the greatest blessing.  m

The Dale: Treatment Day 2

Today was the second day of dad's high-tech radiation/chemo combo treatments, and so far so good.  Dad says it's pretty mild and complains of nothing unpleasant except a little claustrophobia during the procedure itself.  He is otherwise chipper and doing well.

Patty is managing a baroque scheduling of the daily pills, including a big cluster at the beginning and end of the day, two intermediate clusters taken with food for the steroid pills, an anti-nausea pill precisely one hour before the chemo, two (different dosage) chemo pills at home precisely one hour before the radiation appointment at 3:30, and then a quickie 3-minute trip down the road on Interstate to Kaiser.  It is a huge bonus to be so close to Kaiser's radiation oncology center, which many people deal with by destroying an entire day in the car or getting motels nearby for several weeks, etc.  NoPo rules!

Dad describes radiation as 13 unremarkable minutes in the mask/cage, with an initial 3 minutes of zap-free calibration maneuvers where the machine is checking stuff, followed by ten minutes of full-on zappage with rotating robot arms and two plastic cookie sheet shield thingies  moving around.  Apparently the only sensation during the entire robot radiation sequence is a mild pulsing in his head, along with bright blue flashes when he closes his eyes, as predicted by the radiation doctor dude. That part is kinda trippy and he smiles while describing the experience.

Anyway, everything is chugging along pretty good right now, and dad is in good spirits.  Special appreciation to all our dear friends helping out with Dale dates and yummy food and stuff, and all the amazing cards.  Keep the good thoughts coming and we'll keep the updates coming.

Go Blazers!

Mark

Our Six Week Adventure Begins

Tuesday Evening in Lincoln City

Dale and I are spending a few quiet days at our place on the Lake in Lincoln City.  Tomorrow we head back to Portland to get ready to begin (on Thursday) the six weeks of radiation/chemo combination.  

The chemo, called temozolomide (temodar) is in a pill form taken 1 hour before the targeted radiation treatment each day (Monday - Friday).  The doctors and others we know who have had this course of treatment tell us it is well tolerated by most patients, with few side-effects.  We are praying for that.

Please keep those prayers and positive thoughts coming Dale's way.  His spirits are good and so is his appetite.

Here is the link to a Dale 411 Blog  created for us by dear Debra Thomas.  All of our emails since we started are posted there.  On the right hand side you will find links to click to sign up to provide support by dropping meals by or coming by to hang out with Dale at various times.  

Thanks for all of your continued support and love.

-- 

-- 
Patty

April 14

Today was a very productive day in terms of getting our heads around what is ahead for Dad's oncology treatments.  We had a meeting with the chemo oncologist, had a good experience, and got lots of information.  Basically there is a six week program of 5 days/week with both chemo and radiation, followed by a 4-week break, followed by six months of chemotherapy only.  

After checking around and hearing stories of others who have survived well past the expected timelines with this cancer, including an aunt in North Dakota, we are hopeful about getting positive outcomes.  We feel like Dad is in good hands, but are getting a consultation and second opinion on the treatment options and issues with the UCSF Brain Cancer Center, probably the top brain cancer center in the U.S.  There is a clinical trial involving a vaccine that we are looking into, as well.  The first phase of treatment starts April 24th.

We have Dad beginning a low-sugar, high-protein, low glycemic index diet on the advice of our oncologists and several friends.  The sugar is especially bad for several reasons, so we really need to watch out for sugary stuff.  However, Dad really likes visitors, going out to lunch, and wants to see people.    

We are all anxious to get back to some semblance of a normal lifestyle, and keep things as steady and normal as we can during treatment.  We're going to have to play some things by ear, but are ready to try and organize helpers for lunch, maybe some shopping, perhaps some cleaning or yard help for Patty, outings for Dale solo, etc.  Things will fall into place once we start treatment next week, but please get in touch with Patty or I if you would like to help and we will get back to you.  Might be kind of a big chunk of time all at once on the weekends that we get back to you, but we will get back to you.

Thanks for all the good thoughts, for keeping Dale in your prayers, and for the offers of help.  We are planting summer things in the garden and thinking positive, keep the good stuff coming. 

Love you all, thank you, be well.  

-- 
Mark & Patty

April 10

Howdy Everybody,

We met with our radiation oncologist today, and really like the guy (Dr. Wynne - like that name!).  We asked lots of tough questions about the various treatment options folks have told us about (shout out to Sarah Corbett Morgan & Neeta Rowe).  We are going to meet the other half of the oncology team on Monday, but are relieved to feel a plan coming into shape. 

The cancer is a bad one, but the treatment itself is one of the most mild treatments of all the cancer treatment protocols.  Another upside is that brain cancer is not a physically painful thing to experience when it's happening to you.

We are going to start working on setting up a system for helpers and meals and dates with 'The Dale' over the weekend, probably have things running in that department in the next week or so.

It's a tough road for sure, but Dad is being a total champ.  He's going to have to cut back on the Gateau au Chocolat, ginger ale and other sugary stuff but otherwise today was a step forward.  Megan's idea is a trip to Norway for Christmas.  My friend Laura says just take trips.  Dad has mentioned Hawaii.

We are happy to be blessed with time to share experiences and make new memories with Dale.  

Thanks as always for the prayers and patience and love and cards, etc.  

Mark & Patty

Primary Care

We met with Dad's Primary Care Physician today at Kaiser to hear the results of the pathology report, ask some questions, and find out what we can about what's next.  We are devastated to report that the diagnosis IS glioblastoma, a very aggressive brain cancer.

We still have lots of questions, and have not met with the team of two oncologists.  Those appointments come over the next week, as we learn more about the choices to be made regarding treatment, comfort, lifestyle, etc.  Dad and the rest of us are still digesting.  Everything has changed.

We are full up with food in the house and support/helpers right now at least for the next several days.  Within a week or so we hope to be using a website already set up by the lovely Debra Thomas to help coordinate helpers/visits/food, etc. (please stay tuned).  Patty's cell phone is still on tilt and there's a million things that need to happen.  Thanks for your patience.

Dad is really digging the (snail mail) cards, and we are already working on ideas for a display of sorts in the house.  It would be awesome if you send him a good story, a few jokes, or whatever sentiments arise in an old school card or letter (1554 N Wygant St., Portland, OR 97217).  You can also send him a text. 

Thank you, everybody.  Go hug your people!  

Mark

Today was a much better day.

 Dearest Friends and Family,

Today was a much better day.  Dad recovered quickly from the surgery, and got moved down to a regular room from the ICU in the early afternoon.  He had a headache today, not surprisingly, but that should not last long. He was pretty zippy and more like his usual self, telling stories and cracking jokes and chatting up the hospital staff.  Ozzie and Harry got to come visit and give daddy some love.

Main thing we want to share today is that we are still in a floating/waiting place without a firm prognosis.  There is a bizarre Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde aspect to the communication style of our neurosurgeon, who was Doom and Gloom right after the surgery but much more skeptical, open and positive this morning (kind of a sexist dickwad to be honest, but he's a good surgeon so we'll let it slide and move on).  Bottom line is we won't know until probably Monday at the earliest the specifics of what we are dealing with here, because we don't have the full pathology report yet (biopsy results from surgery).  Rest assured we will let you all know as soon as possible when we find out, hopefully early next week.  

Thanks especially for all the well wishes, prayers, and cards/messages.  Dad wants them all read aloud to him, and we got through a big portion of them already. I want to especially thank Rev. Steve Schneider for his support and presence at the hospital the last couple days, including pre- and post-operative prayers with dad and family.  We are a strong, tight, loving family and will get through this, in no small part thanks to all the love and prayers and white light streaming down on us from all you good people.  Many blessings, indeed.

Mark

Meeting with Surgeon

Dr. Wrobel met Dale this morning and asked a lot of questions, did some visual/coordination tests, and answered questions (Dale, Patty, Dan, Mark).  Good news is that it appears to be mostly cystic, so the surgery will immediately and dramatically reduce the internal pressure and swelling inside the brain.  Upper right frontal lobe location, probably follow up with chemo or radiation therapy if it's cancer (TBD).  The specific form of cancer, if any, will not be known until the surgery, but the doctor thinks it is most likely an astrocytoma (intrinsic primary brain tumor, not from somewhere else - good sign).  Dr. Wrobel has done over 1,000 brain surgeries, and will do the surgery himself on Wednesday 4/1/14.  Along with Patty's homework on the guy and our Q & A today, we feel good about the surgeon.

He'll be at least one night in the hospital if things go very well, two nights if it just goes well (quoting the doc).  We are worried but relieved to have an attentive, experienced doctor who sounds optimistic about things.  Tonight is his last pre-op happy hour, but beside that we are in better spirits now.  Prayers and well wishes appreciated.

-- 
Patty