8/3018

I haven't posted on this blog in a while - there have been a lot of setbacks, but they are far outnumbered by the things I'm grateful for. Setbacks have included a gallbladder tube and some issues with that and the gallbladder. Some bouts of pain, some bad rashes going on now, blood clots in a leg, and a few other things.

But I have a powerful God, a loving wife who has had to take on the roll of caregiver, a wonderful family, amazing friends who pray and have come to our rescue, a better chance than most with this disease, pictures of my grandchildren to look at whenever I want, my weight has come back up - not normal but getting close, memories of a fulfilling career, memories of beautiful places visited in this country in  past few years, etc.  And many more things to be grateful for.

We are back home for a few weeks. Resting up after all the chemo and radiation. The plan is to have the Whipple surgery in a little over four weeks. Then a long recovery. God bless all of you for your help, your concern, and your prayers. I'm grateful.

August 7

There have been some setbacks but we are still hanging in there and still full steam ahead. I'm in our apartment in Houston about a mile from MD Anderson. I had an upper respiratory infection that with chemo was a pretty big deal. Now I'm dealing with blood clots in  my right leg.

But we were able to spend a week back at home last week and what great medicine that was. Seeing and laughing with friends may have been just as good medicine as chemo and radiation. Speaking of radiation I have finished two days and have eight more days. Then the docs will look at results and if everything looks good then surgery should happen around middle to late September.

The two Kathys - my sister and my wife continue to be great and loving caregivers. I don't know where I would be without them. I also don't know where I would be without all the cards, letters, emails, and prayers - thank you!!

I'll finish with this verse: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above." In other words, cancer brings gifts - I just need to find them.