No chemo Aug. 18

My handsome husband! This is how good and relaxed Vernon looked on Tuesday before we left the house for what we thought was his final chemotherapy treatment. He had just shaved and I think this color looks good on him. Guess who selected it for him to wear! The circular patch on it says "JAGM" for Joint Air to Ground Missile, one of the Lockheed Martin systems he helped develop during his 22 years with the company.

Now he's comfortably seated in one of the treatment rooms at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. The IV is in his left wrist, he's checking email or ebay and his sandwich (in foreground) is ready when he's ready to eat.

He's ready now - tuna salad on wheat with romaine and cucumber added. Patients and their companions are offered box lunches and beverages free of charge while receiving chemo. Vernon usually chooses tuna salad. I added to his sandwich some romaine and cucumber plus hot sauce I brought from home. If a vegetarian sandwich is leftover after everyone has been served, several times he has added those vegetables to his sandwich. Being more particular, I bring from home what I want to eat.

No chemo was given because his white blood cell count was too low plus he was low on magnesium. The trip wasn't a waste, however, because he was given magnesium via IV plus a neupogen shot while we were there. Here he's napping while receiving the magnesium. He received another neupogen shot on Wednesday and as I write this on Thursday, his white blood cell count is 5.1, so he's recovered and is above the preferred minimum of 4.1.
We have an Aug. 25 appointment for the final chemo treatment.

Radiation and Chemotherapy

Our summer hasn't gone according to plan because of a small skin cancer tumor removed from Vernon's neck May 26. The pathology report indicated radiation was needed to be sure that the cancer hadn't spread. And then we were told chemotherapy would be added to make the radiation more effective. Radiation began June 17, daily for 33 times. Chemo started July 14, once a week for 6 weeks. We had planned a three week trip to the Northwest but that was cancelled because of the needed treatments.

This is how Vernon looked last Tuesday while receiving chemotherapy. We can bring our laptop because the hospital offers free internet access. It helps pass the time, too. He looks fairly comfortable, doesn't he?

I haven't given him the computer yet today because I got inspired to update our blog after several months away. I'm with him because they don't want him driving after chemo.

A few minutes ago, a pet therapy dog named Suzy stopped by to see us. Suzy is a black lab 11 years old who has undergone chemo and is in remission. We learned from Suzy's owner (and we observed Suzy do this) that Suzy senses the patients that need comfort and she lies down on the floor beside their chair. She did that with the woman who is a few feet away from Vernon. I assumed Suzy was tired, but her owner explained why she laid down. A few minutes later, Suzy jumped up when a staff member walked into the room and greeted her. Then Suzy went to the next patient and laid down beside her.

A few weeks ago I was able to take this picture of Vernon being placed into position within the TomoTherapy machine for radiation.











I am showing you this close-up so you can see the fish-net effect on his face. The 'mask' that is put over his face before he goes into the tomo keeps him from moving so that the radiation is targeted precisely where it should be.



Vernon is standing beside the bell that the patient rings after the last radiation treatment. This was taken the day before his final one. Knowing I wouldn't be there for the picture then, I took it.











Vernon resting at home the evening of Aug 5 after the last radiation treatment. I placed the certificate on his chest so I could get a picture of him and it.









Here's a close-up of the award.












One morning this past week I happened to be at the kitchen window at the right time to notice the beautiful colors in the sky.

Baldwin Park in March

After a long silence, I decided to post some pictures of what we've been doing the past two months.

One Saturday in March we enjoyed walking around a new development a few miles from us, Baldwin Park. There's a large lake and we found a bench on the dock to sit a spell.





























We enjoy walking in that neighborhood because of the architectural styles and variety.


This is one of the homes we noticed as we walked past. Very nice, don't you think?





Here's the front steps and door.




















And one more view of the same house.

Here's another home I liked because of the second floor porch and the picket fence.

Not all the houses are white, of course. Here's a Mediterranean style that is very appealing.

St. Patrick's Day Party

Friday evening Vernon and I enjoyed gathering with my co-workers for a party with the St. Patrick's theme. Here are some photos we took, so you can see we are alive and well. Deb wore the shamrock head band all evening.Vernon put this hat on and posed several ways. I like this one the best.

Isn't it amazing what a hat can do for you?Do you see a bit of sunset color in the sky behind him?

One friend commented that this pose was a bit scary to her. What do you think?

We were outside all evening and when Vernon got cold, I retrieved an extra jacket of mine that I keep handy in the trunk of the car. He was pleased with how colorful he looked.

Shands visit 2-24-09

Vernon had a routine check of his heart at Shands this week. Walking past a plywood construction fence that has been decorated by visitors and patients, this artwork caught my eye. I bet you can guess why - the hearts! Plus I like what it says, "Somethings I love..."
Here are some of the CICU nurses we saw Monday evening. We always get such positive response from them and it keeps us coming back for more. They tell us they really appreciate seeing a former patient looking so healthy. Notice the container of candy Vernon is holding?

This is how Vernon looked at noon Tuesday as he rested after the heart biopsy and other tests of his heart's function. The benadryl they gave him to relax definitely made him relax and sleep for several hours. Wednesday we learned the results of the biopsy - zero rejection, which is good as it can be. Also, the arteries of his heart are clear and the squeezing action is great.

Sleeping Beauty opened his eyes and looked at me.

Before leaving Gainesville to return home Tuesday evening, we were able to meet Larry & Renae, who had arrived in town for his heart biopsy the next morning. They live near Charleston, SC, and we haven't seen them for a year, since the reunion Shands hosted last February. We spent a couple hours talking and got to eat together before leaving for Orlando. I held the camera to get this picture of us. Renae crossed her eyes on purpose to be silly.

Dinner with heart transplant friends

Saturday evening, Feb. 7, we enjoyed being with some heart transplant friends. Next to Vernon is Chuck, and next to Chuck is Russ, then Charlene. Chuck lives in Kissimmee, not too far from us and we've met him several times recently. But Russ & Charlene live in Fort Myers, which is at least 3 hours away. So we don't see them often. They let us know they would be in the area and proposed getting together with Chuck for dinner. We all got acquainted while at Shands waiting for transplant and it is very special when we can see each other again.

We ate at Longhorn Steakhouse and had a good time. We told our server the significance of our gathering, the 3rd anniversary of Chuck's transplant and of Vernon & Charlene being in their third year, too. She told the manager and he came to our table and asked some questions. Vernon invited him to sit down and he did. He shared with us that he'd been putting off having his heart checked, that his father had died of a heart attack. We certainly encouraged him to make the doctor appointment. He gave us his business card and I want to return soon to see him again. See this huge dessert Chuck ordered? He asked for help eating it and we had mercy on him. (smile) The manager comped this dessert and a sundae Charlene ordered.
One sad note: Chuck's wife, Cheryl was not with us because he's been forced to place her in a nursing home because she has Alzheimer's. Neighbors complained to authorities when she wandered to their house in the middle of the night. Chuck didn't know she had left. Just today he wrote that sometimes she just sleeps when he visits her, but other days she gives him lots of hugs and kisses. Today was one of those good days. Besides dealing with this challenge, our dear friend's kidneys have failed enough since transplant that he'll be evaluated soon at Shands for possible kidney transplant. I know he'd appreciate your prayers. He is raising their 12 year-old grandson, too.

Gift fromTina

When we met Tina for dinner (see previous post), she brought a gift bag of heart-shaped items, including the wall-hanging above, which is 2 hearts intertwined. Isn't it beautiful? I took it to my office to display this month, known as heart month because of Valentine's Day. It is also heart month for us because Vernon received the heart transplant. Below you can see part of my cubicle at work. I brought some heart items from home to add to the Valentines theme.

Dixie Crossroads

Sunday evening Vernon and I met Tina McKinnon, the wife of Vernon's heart donor, for dinner at a well-known local seafood restaurant in Titusville known as Dixie Crossroads. I held the camera to get this close-up picture of us before we went inside.

Then another guest take this photo for us. I like the close-up better, don't you?

This was Tina's first time to eat at Dixie Crossroads even though she's known of it all her life. She grew up in the area and remembers it was one of her mother's favorite places. She knew to order broiled rock shrimp and this photo shows her ready to enjoy them. Tina liked the idea of her first time to eat there was with us.

We enjoyed our server, Katrina, and she took this photo for us. Of course, we told her the significance of our being together, that Vernon received a heart transplant nearly 3 years ago and Tina's husband was the donor. Katrina said she hopes to be a radiologist and she seemed to appreciate what we shared with her.

Saturday afternoon Vernon and I visited his donor's parents, Bob & Esther McKinnon, in their home. We had a good visit with them, too, and I took this picture as Esther and Vernon shared a good-bye hug.

Three years ago today, (Feb.3) the McKinnon family gathered at ORMC in shock and grief over the sudden death of son/brother/husband, Steven. Because they made the choice to donate Steven’s organs, Vernon and I received a phone call at Shands 3 years ago tonight informing us that it looked possible that a good match had been found for him and he’d go to heart transplant surgery the following morning. Vernon is one of five patients who benefited from that family’s decision to share what they could in the midst of their grief. So we are celebrating 3 years since he received the heart transplant and that is why we chose to spend time with Steven’s parents and wife this past weekend. God has blessed us with a good relationship with them and I believe they are comforted somewhat in their loss. Please pray for their continued comfort and praise God with us for His continued good work in all our lives.

A wedding

Isn't this a beautiful scene? We attended a wedding recently and the reception was at a marina on East Lake Tohopekaliga (or Toho), St. Cloud, FL. We enjoyed the view very much.

It was cold enough outside that we didn't stay there long but it was still beautiful.

Deb worked with both Aaron and Katie at Campus Crusade for Christ. They married here but now live and work in Ohio.

Vernon got to travel to Atlanta for a business trip one day this week. And he surprised his mother before leaving the city by taking her a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts. The donuts could have been an early birthday celebration but we didn't think of that until now. Her birthday is the 28th.

We are approaching Feb. 4 , the 3rd anniversary of Vernon's heart transplant. Three years have passed quickly in one way. And yet when I think of all that has transpired since that day, it seems like it has been a long time. We both remain very thankful for the gift the McKinnon family shared with us.

Weekend Guests

Last Friday evening we welcomed to Orlando Vernon's brother, Richard, his wife, Susan, and their daughter, Morgan. We enjoyed dinner together at a Pizzaria Uno. Morgan made her own pizza to be baked for her to eat. In this pic she is wearing the plastic apron that was supplied. In front of her on the table is the pizza dough spread with sauce. She hasn't added the cheese yet. Doesn't she look pleased to be making her own pizza? While Morgan wasn't wearing her new Minnie Mouse hat, Richard put it on his head and posed.

There was a balloon artist in the restaurant. Look at what he made to wear on his head, some kind of alien. He's making something for Morgan to wear. She let him decide after he asked her questions like her favorite color. Can you tell what he's making?

Morgan approved of it - a castle!

Here's another view. Notice he drew on the balloons with red marker to make it look more like a castle.

Now her pizza has arrived and she's ready to eat it.

Here's the bee I asked the guy to make for me. Cute, isn't it? I chose a bee because Deborah in Hebrew means "bee".

Saturday morning they left our house by 8:30 to spend the day at the Magic Kingdom. Morgan is dressed for it. She took her autograph book along and got quite a few signatures of the Disney characters. It was perfect weather and even a full moon that night.

Sunday noon we ate at Cheescake Factory and celebrated Vernon's birthday a day early. He doesn't look very happy in this photo but the picture I took when he was smiling didn't turn out. He also could look unhappy because we were singing to him. Ha!

Our guests returned home Monday morning. Since Morgan is home-schooled, they didn't have to leave on Sunday or have her miss a day at public school.

We didn't celebrate Vernon's birthday on Monday because he didn't feel good that night. In fact, he slept several hours after getting home from work. We hope to celebrate with friends this weekend. Maybe I can get a happy picture of him to show you.