The New Normal

It is amazing how time can help so much in adjusting mentally to circumstances. We are thankful that we are now used to the idea that Tom had cancer- I use the past tense until we are notified of any new developments. Tom went to the oncologist yesterday, and has decided to wait on making treatment decisions until he gets test results back. In the meantime, he is off (with his doctor's okay) to Kentucky and Tennessee, and then an appointment in Michigan.

He is feeling really good now- better even than before surgery. Our new bathroom water supply line decided to leak last Sunday, so this is what I found when I came home from work this past Monday evening.

Your eyes are not deceiving you- Tom is sitting IN the ceiling.

He cut out a part of the ceiling to get to the water supply pipes- much better than tearing into the walls of the bathroom. He found to his chagrin that it was NOT the earthquake that pulled the pipes apart- evidently one of the joints hadn't been glued in the original installation. We needed an access to the plumbing anyway, and nothing was harmed, thankfully.

Spooooooky!!!  He has work glasses with lights on the side- perfect for this task!

And of course this time of year there is a lot of yardwork- Tom behaved himself and hired out the pruning to a local.

Cal volunteers his services as peach tree branch-dragger-to-the-burning-pile.

We were supervised by these two-Isaac and Calvin were mellow fellows.

The weather was just too beautiful for these guys- after playing a few sets of tennis, they decided to work on some golf skills.

Jason and Sam show us their picture-perfect driving.

McBurglar

Last night we ran some errands 'in town' (Alton) and went walking in the mall. Don't let Tom's surgery fool you- there's nothing wrong with his legs- I had to really put it in high gear with my shorter legs as we made four circuits around the place to keep up with him. I got a shopping time-out in Penney's to look around in their bedding department- Sam needs some replacements, but I didn't find anything in Duke blue and black. Tom found a place to rest his velcro-tennis shoe heels and overalls- which are nice because they don't have an irritating waistband.

Tom is ready to consult with those who would like to imitate his cutting-edge fashions.

Afterwards we picked up some supper (it was healthy!!!) at a drive-through and parked in the restaurant parking lot, enjoying the fine weather when we spotted this varmit stealing food right out of the trash can in front of us- I wasn't fast enough with my camera to catch it- he was so slick- dove right into the trash can hanging on with one back claw. He fished up a sack, and took it home to mama and the kids. I hope he remembered to ask for ketchup.

Settling in for the Duration

Tom went for his follow-up appointment with the surgeon this morning- no surprises thankfully. She described him as a 'model patient'- he has been behaving himself with his diet and exercise.  We got the results on the tumor itself- it was very advanced, which she had indicated to us at the time of the operation- today we got the report with all the numbers and descriptions. 

 We would have loved to have heard that cancer wasn't found in any of the lymph nodes that were taken out along with the tumor, but one lone one did have it in it.  BUT--all in all, we feel that prayers were answered, and as so many have told us, who are related/know someone who has "been there- done that" this can be taken care of with treatment and vigilance. The surgeon gave Tom the names of some doctors who practice on 'this side of the river' who will evaluate the situation and formulate what kind of treatment he will require. We haven't gotten as far as getting appointments set up- this might be a little tricky with Tom's schedule, but I am sure it will all work out.

The outpouring of love and good will towards us continues to shelter us- along with faith that God can use us for good in whatever 'state' we find ourselves in.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Happy Birthday to Marlene Mae Bown today- our next door neighbor and great mother!

A big hug from our youngest a year or so ago.

Paid in Full

Yesterday saw Tom clean-shaven and feeling pretty well. He and Eric Owens somehow ended up wearing matching suits. Eric had the lesson yesterday on the cross and redemption. Tom had the Scripture reading, subbing for Sam in Kansas. Drew H. commented to Tom after church that it was the first time in his memory he had heard Tom do the reading. Eric chimed in, "and he nailed it!!!"

Paid in Full!

We had a taste of what it feels like to have the kids all elsewhere yesterday. So different from our usual Sunday of cooking and chatter and companionship. Tom and I did something really novel- we ate out (Fazoli's) for lunch, then went home for Sunday afternoon naps. We are glad to report that our kids all made it home from Kansas safely, thankfully. Looks as if they had a great time according to daughter Grace's site- Mahalaleel.

Now we are doing our Monday morning thing- I best get busy- I didn't get a whole lot of newspaper-ish things done the last few days- I need to get caught up.

Nothing new to report on Tom's health, other than he looks a lot better without his beard. He will go to the surgeon on Friday, so I don't expect to find out anything new until then. He is recuperating really well, and I expect that I will have to hand over his car keys soon. We are keeping Byrl Rhodes (neck surgery) and Roy Tutterow (gall bladder surgery), both of Prince Road in our prayers this week.