Saturday, April 24, 2010

It is way past time for an update on our travels. It seems a whole month has slipped by since I last wrote. Let me get out my calendar and catch you up.

March 22-25 We traveled to DC for Fred's new treatment. He did well and we headed back to AZ a couple of days early. This treatment was to decrease his bone pain and he has gotten a lot of bone pain relief.

March 28 We got news that my Dad was stomped by a cow while he was tagging her calf. He went by ambulance to the hospital in Rapid.

April 2 We left Uncle Norman's camp spot and headed north. We slowed down as we drove by the blooming orange trees for the last time. It has been another great winter for us on the desert.

April 4 Easter. We drove into Boise as the sun was setting. We had every kind of weather that day; sunshine, snow, rain and clear Idaho skies. The closer we got to Boise the better the weather got. It was worth the drive to see all those smiling little faces at the end of the day.

April 10 - I left Fred with Misty and family and flew to Rapid City to see Mom and Dad. It was fun to room with Mom and try and keep up with all Dad's visitors at the hospital. I had 5 days there with the folks. Dad is strong but has had some ups and downs with his lung and rib injuries.

April 19 Fred and I flew to DC. When I got back from SD I noticed that Fred's eye was different. Within a couple of days I got the whole picture. He was loosing some of his vision in his left eye. After some phone calls to DC and Alaska we were on the plane headed to see our Doctors. In the past 4 days Fred has seen at least 11 doctors and I can't count the number of tests.

To make a long story short----
Fred has a tumor behind his left eye that is about 3.3 centimeters in diameter (about 1.5 inch). It is very round so looks like a third eye, but a little larger. It is in both the eye socket and the brain cavity. Our plan is to give him most relief with the least trauma.

We have been in the information gathering stage this week. Once we get all the information the decision usually seems clear. As of Friday evening, it was looking like radiation will be the treatment we choose for now, with possible surgery in the future. We have one more neurosurgeon to see on Monday.

The plan is to start radiation treatments this Thursday for two weeks. We could be back to Boise by May 13th and home by June....who knows?

Oh yes, Dad went home from the hospital this week.

Fred and I are both feeling so well taken care of here and are confident that the Lord will continue to supply our needs, whatever they may be.

Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement.



2 comments:

Unknown said...

Only problem I forsee, is Little Joe going to let you take his Sadie puppy when you go?

Sodak Girl said...

Thanks for sharing, Sis. You are constantly in our prayers.