Another Meeting with Dr. M, the Neurosurgeon

Aunt Jen, Aunt Katie, Aunt Karyl and Lex went with Grandma and Grandpa to see Dr. M. Dr. M. had said that he may need to resect the newest growth. After not hearing from Dr. M., we called out the big guns: Dr. H. Dr. H. is wonderful. She lives in the same community as Aunt Katie and Aunt Karyl. She has grandkids who play sports with James and Kaleb. She takes very good care of Grandpa Grover. She explained to Dr. M., who is usually wonderful, that he blew it. We got in the next day for an appointment.

Aunt Katie wasn't feeling well, which was too bad for Aunt Katie, but provided a necessary break in nervous energy. Aunt Jen and Aunt Karyl thought it was pretty funny. :)

Dr. M. had conferred with Dr. A. and others and decided that a surgery wasn't the way to go. Dr. M. would have to take Grandpa off of his chemo meds for at least a month to prepare for his surgery. After surgery, it would be difficult for him to heal because of residual chemo meds in his system. He would have to wait at least another month after the surgery to start chemo again. Two months off of chemo is too long, so the surgery is off. The doctors agreed that had the tumor shown itself from the beginning, they would have done the surgery, but they haven't seen tumors show up this late in the game, during chemo, before.

Dr. M. told Grandpa Grover that they aren't giving up on him and that they will be as agressive as he can tolerate, as long as he can tolerate. He also told Grandpa not to waste a single day and that if there is anything he wants to do, he should do it. Good advice for all of us, I suppose.

Uncle Scott and Karyl's Boys

Erica, Uncle Scott, Heather and the puppy

Grandma Linda's Birthday and Visitors

Aunt Jen had tickets to go to Colorado for Grandma Linda's birthday. We had a week of parties. Grandma loved all of her flowers and pictures.

Aunt Jen extended her trip and was able to stay long enough to see Uncle Scott, Aunt Shari, Heather, Erica and Uncle Chris come visit.

Levi liked to wear Erica's boots. Jayden, Levi and Lex liked watching Erica do her hair and make up. Everyone but Lex thought it was funny when Erica was afraid of the grasshopper in the minivan.

Everyone enjoyed the bar-be-que and the kids swam and swam and swam in the pool.

Overall it was a nice chance for everyone to get together. And Uncle Scott went home with a new puppy!

Family Pictures

Better late than never...

Jumpstreet Pictures

These are the pictures of Grandpa's most recent project. This is the one he was working on when he got sick.

No Change, Restarting Chemo

Grandma, Aunt Jen, Aunt Katie, Aunt Karyl, and Aunt Zelda all went with Grandpa Grover to have his MRI and to see Dr. A to review Grandpa's scan. The tumors haven't grown, which is good, but they haven't shrunk, which is disappointing. There were a couple of shadows Dr. A was concerned about, but we're hoping they are from the radiation and not new growths.

We were all disappointed, especially Grandpa to find out that Grandpa had to start a 4 hour chemo treatment. He's taking BCNU, Taxol, and Temedar in addition to the regular meds. Here's a picture of what we refer to as "the pharmacy."

The Big Scan

Grandpa Grover has a scan July 2. We will find out how much the chemo and radiation did and what happens next. Aunt Zelda and Aunt Jen have come from California. They will join Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Katie, and Aunt Karyl at the scan and following appointment.

Everyone keep us in mind tomorrow.

James hit a Home Run!

Grandma and Grandpa didn't get to go to as many of James' and Jayden's baseball games as they would have liked this season. Fortunately, Grandpa was feeling up to it, so he and Grandma were able to join Aunt Karyl, Uncle Matt, Lex and Levi to watch James and Jayden finish their seasons. As a special treat, James hit a homerun. Grandma and Grandpa were so happy to be there.

Aunt Katie and Uncle Paul would have taken Kaleb and Keeley, but Aunt Katie has been banished because she has a cold. :( Feel better Aunt Katie!

John and Bob

Grandpa Grover's boyhood friends came to visit. We all heard stories we'd never heard before. Grandpa laughed and laughed. Everyone had a good time. It is nice for good friends, old friends, to get together. Everyone is so glad they came, even if they couldn't break a secret pact and tell some of the really good stories!