Dear family and friends,

Last Thursday and Friday were Nora’s last chemo treatments with this cocktail. In two weeks she starts a new round. There is no change in diagnosis, there is no outcome prediction. This is truly Limbo, a description apropos to the Easter season, the Resurrection. I remember as a kid, being raised in the Catholic faith, I aspired to “Limbo” because I was sure, when St. Peter looked at my “permanent record” I was in trouble. If I ended up in Limbo, at least I had a chance at the big time.

Limbo. In the Divine Comedy, Limbo was Dante’s first circle of hell.

It is no “hell” here. Rains and cold have succumbed to rains and sun. Last Thursday, there was an almost invisible hint of leaves on the hickories that surround us here on Boyd Creek. Today, the drama (musical?) of nature began in earnest with leaves in miniature. We will soon have shade.

Everyone in the chemo room at Lewis Cancer Center in Savannah, was proud of Nora. Other than being tired and finding food rather tasteless (thank God for Ensure), she’s come through this first stage of chemo well, with plenty of sleep. All the nurses know “Nora.”

We had a special treat this weekend. Nora’s youngest sister, Kathryn, came down from Pickens, SC to help with pruning and other yard work and to be with her sister. For those of you who don’t know my bride, she is a very private person. She does not like attention shown her. She is NOT shy or unloving. She just has her own agenda and is dealing with this condition in her own way, which can be tough for those who love her most.

An added benefit to Kathryn’s visit is she is definitely a “photog.” Below are photos she “daringly” took along the banks of Boyd Creek. She also included our two animals, Tybee and Bob. Take a look at what we see living here on “The Ridge.” There are hundreds more.

Paul

Dearest family and friends,

These, I guess you could say, are the good times, when there is kind of a normalcy that covers us here on Boyd Creek, a comfortable blanket. While Nora hit a bit of a rough patch last weekend, she’s now walking the dogs, doing laundry. This is the weekend without chemo.

Laundry may not be uppermost in everyone’s mind, but the end process, the drying, pleases Nora. Our yard is large enough to have clothes lines. The air is fresh here and there is no aerosol that can capture the aroma of sun dried fabric. It has literally been decades since we have heard the flap of a towel or sheet. Life gets simpler, more focused. A clothes line is a fantastic substitute for the waiting.

Nora was even able to stop by (with face mask) the Reeder “salon” down the road, one of our neighborhood’s two meeting places, and chat a bit, which always makes her feel good. And me. And our friends.

This weekend we will see Sarah and Jeremy, plus a special visit from Rebbecca (Nora’s oldest), husband Clint, and grandsons Emerson and Wyatt.

Nora is “herself” today, rearranging rooms, enjoying opening junk mail, making plans. We talk of everything. We talk of nothing. It is wonderful.

Paul

Dearest family and friends,

Nora had her third chemo treatment today. Her numbers were good. Dr. Yannucci, our chemo doc, outlined what comes next.  Nora will have her final “cocktail” she’s been getting on March 28/29 (she’s been getting a bone marrow shot on Friday). Then she starts a weekly Taxol therapy for 12 weeks.

About half way through the Taxol treatment Dr. Yannucci wants to do another PET scan. Nora’s insurance company doesn’t seem to view PET scans as necessary (see March 1 update), but we have an excellent team.

Thankfully Nora has experienced a minimum of side effects from the chemo. Well, her beautiful hair is gone. Thanks to our youngest daughter’s barbering skills all the little patches of hair left have been saved away and Nora calls herself an official “cue ball.” During chemo today someone said Nora had a beautifully shaped hear.  I knew that.

We both hate the waiting … is the chemo working? Nora’s vitals (BP, etc.) are excellent. But she has the nastiest of the nasty when it comes to tumors.

Your response to the “gofundit.com” page is so extraordinary. Feel free to share the link. In fact, please share the link! Thank you all for your help. Never thought we’d be here.

Also, the mother of a dear friend, Dave Lavery, has also just been diagonse with cancer. Please keep her in your prayers.

Jeremy, our daughter Sarah’s boyfriend (paramour) along with Katie (Sarah’s boss when she worked at Nick’s Seafood and Steakhouse all those years) put together a wonderful site for Nora and all those suffering from breast cancer. Visit http://www.bracketsforbreastcancer.com/.  An excellent way to have fun and support Nora and so many others.

Thank you for your prayers and thoughts.  We did not plan much, but we did not plan this.

When the tide is right, we do sit on our porch and admire the beauty of Boyd Creek.

WATER AT THE RIGHT TIME

Living on a tidal creek
moon controlled on the eights
and  based on observation
we know  egrets know
better than we  the time
to claim the life of a fish.

Paul

Dear family and friends,

As her doctor suggested, Nora is just hanging around “the ranch” and getting plenty of rest. She has to wear a mask for awhile when we have visitors since her immune system is low. She’s eating well (my skills are improving) with frequent, yet small, meals.

Nora’s hair is almost completely gone so we’ll have a shaving party for her shortly. We’ve had several volunteers.

While Nora has good health insurance and we had enough in savings to cover the high deductible, breast cancer gets extraordinarily expensive right away. Ironically, at the beginning of the year, before Nora’s diagnosis, I had just started doing research on an article about “crowdfunding” and how the concept has had a tremendous impact on business start ups. But I also learned it is successfully being used for so many other situations, one being helping to pay medical expenses.

The idea is to provide a way for friends, and friends of friends, and friends of friends of friends to donate a small amount. It’s kind of one answer to the most difficult question Nora and I are asked: “What can I do to help?”

So you’ll notice in the right hand corner of this blog is the “gofundme” button. This is unbelievable. In a day or so people started reaching out to Nora very generously. We want to thank you so very much. Spread the word.

Tide is coming in now. Nora so much enjoys the view of Boyd Creek as the water slowly rises at the edge of our back yard. It is part of healing I think. No more chemo until March 15.

Our love to all of you,
Paul

It is now official. Nora’s hair is shorter than mine (well, I do need a haircut). As predected, two days before her second chemo treatment, Nora’s hair started “thinning.” Got a beautiful new yellow scarf yesterday at the Lewis Cancer Center (volunteers supply them) and a cool brown, tan and white cap.

The PET scan showed three additional tiny tumors on the left side lymph nodes that were not picked up by the CT scan. Thank you Dr. Yannucci for fighting for the additional PET. This is, in a way, good news, because it gives Dr. Yannucci more accurate information. But it’s still early in the game.

During these first two weeks of chemo Nora has had minimal side effects. No real nausea and a minimum amount of taste variations … and I’m becoming a better cook. She does get tired but that’s typical.

When we left the “chemo room” yesterday (actually a very comfortable and convivial spot if you [I] avoid focusing on the drip stands) Nora had everyone laughing followed by a couple high fives.

Thank you, everyone, for all your posts and kind thoughts. Keep them coming. It is all about spirit. One great moment this week was getting a card that was signed by many of the regulars at our local “salon” (Ridgeland’s version of a Virginia  Woolf gathering) at the Reeder compound. What a neighborhood.

We also just met the pharmacist at Main Street Pharmacy in Ridgeland. Great guy. Knew exactly how to approach Nora.

We’re doing fine, thanks to all of you. Yes, spread the word to our friends and to those who know Nora. It means a great deal .

Our love,
Paul

Dearest family and friends,

There is nothing worse than waiting. We go for #2 chemo treatment Thursday. While I sometimes have to strongly suggest she eat (my cooking or the chemo?), she’s doing fime. A little tired but is determined to live a “normal” life. Spent one morning choosing her “trail mix” combination (dates, dried cherries, raisins , nits, etc.). She seems to like that.

Neighnor and friend Holly brought soup (and flowers) last night. Melanie will do the dogs Thursday. What a neighborhood.

I, of course continue to write. The opus I am working on is “30 Degree Golf” for Dr. Ned Armstrong. He makes this all possible.In all this pandemonium I have had a poem accepted by Poetry Magazine and the The New Yorker. Won’t appear for probably 12 months and I have to decide which publication. Yes, I do poetry. Just remember, Shakespeare wrote for money.

We are well and ready for the fight. Please keep Nora in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you so much for your support.We need it.

Pau

Included is my favorite pix of my bride 25 years ago (more or less) with Sarah.

PET scan took much less time than we thought. Our new rule is to get to every appointment an hour early. We arrived at the J.C. Lewis Cancer Center in Savannah yesterday morning an hour early and they took Nora in right away! Less stress is good for everyone. We won’t know results until next week. Due to fasting prior to the scan, Nora was ravenous (good) and was treated to a vanilla milkshake on the way back to “The Ridge.”

Nora is finally feeling the effects of her first chemo treatment. Not severe but she’s gets tired easily. Still sticking to strict regimen of “heavy on the leafy greens” diet. I have been told, in no uncertain terms, brussel sprouts are out.

Tybee and Bob  passed the  “new person” test. The Palmers (Karen usually walks the dogs) are on the way down to the Keys for a show of Karen’s work (beautiful stuff) so dear friend and neighbor (and landlady) Melanie Reeder kindly walked the dogs while we were in Savannah. She said they “did their business” quite well.

This is such a wonderful neighborhood full of wonderful people. The Reeders are very special. A few days before Nora’s first chemo teatment, Melanie, husband (and my new golf buddy) Wayne, Nora and I went to our new “home course,” Sargent Jaspar GC, and played 9 holes. (Nora beat me on the #1 par 4.)

Nora reads the blog every day and it sure helps keep her spirits up. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.

Paul

Preparing for PET scan on the 21st. All protein, no carbohydrates.My company,Mirror Image Golf Swing, LLC (www.mirrorimagegolfswing.com)  sent Nora a beautiful boquet today (from partners Steve Anderson, MItch Laurance, Sara Fields and Dave Lavery). Take a look:

Talk about a bunch of good people.

We also got a fantastic care package from The Sisters Coleman! Not only are the three of you the most beautiful women in the world, you put up with your sister, my bride. She needs you … in her own way. We love you. We love you al.

Footnote: Where we now live is “Really Rural; Ridgeland.” While our neighborhood is peaceful, even joyful, Jasper County is a bit rough. When the kif dropped these flowers off today he was very hesitant. As he slowly approached me, he said, “I’m not trespassing am I? I can deliver these flowers, right? Thank you sir, thank you~” And off he went, relieved, I an sure, I wasdn’t carrying a shotgun. Rest assured, Boyd Creek Drive is very restful and laid back. But I couldn’t stop ;laughing.

Please know that Nora reads everything on the blog.

PauL

My dear family and friends,

Visitors this weekend included Sarah (daughter) and Jeremy (Sarah’s paramour) from HHI, and Dustin (son) down from Charlotte, NC. Too cold (30F) to do much of anything but sit by the fireplace and enjoy the warmth, which seems to satisfy all. (Fire logs diminished but that’s they’re there for.)

Nora is holding her own after her first chemo therapy (last Thursday). Slight reactions so far but she will not be immune to all the stuff they are pumping into her. Still… this is Nora. Amazing.

Dustin got to meet Walter and Karewn Palmer at the “compound,” and The wonderful Reeders (just down thew road). He was, as he should be, impressed with our very caring neighborhood.

Good news on the diagnostic front: Nora’s insurance company initially denied  coverage for a PET Scan. Her chemotherapy doc didn’t accept that (three cheers for Dr. Yannucci) and badgered the insurance company. Nora gets a PET Scan on 2/21. Nora did have a CT Scan last week (showed no signs of the cancer spreading to vital organs or bone.  Just the lymph nodes under left arm and neck). But a whole body PET Scan is really state of the art and she needs that.

We are now altering Nora’s diet so she’ll be ready for the PET scan (NO CRABOHIDRATES),  so we can see what’s what.

She’s a little puny but loves all response on the site. She reads every word. But she’s not ready to talk to her most intimate relatives and friends yet – friends and relatives are one in the same, i.e. sister-friend).

Fire in the fireplace right now. Nora sleeping. You guys are so very special and the very best. It helps so much hearing from you. Keep it coming, even if it is to say “hi.”

Paul

Paul

Happy St. Valentine’s Day to everyone! And thank you.

Nora has had first chemotherapy session today and came through just fine. The “port” she had put in last week is fantastic. Pop the stuff in there and you’re set.

Nora is being treated at the Nancy C. and J.C Lewis Cancer Research Pavilion at St. Joseph’s Candler Hospital in  Savannah, a first rate facility. Her chemo doc is Dr. Jennifer Yannucci, top drawer, 5 star.

Today, Nora was “fed” Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide. Check it out on chemocare.com if you are so inclined. We were given more info on side effects and diet. Actually, since moving to “The Ridge,” we’ve been eating better than ever. Now, it gets gourmet! That, of course, means more fresh fruits and veggies (nothing acidic like oranges).  My dear friend Walter Palmer and I went to Food Lion (closest “big” grocery – 14 miles) when Nora and I returned from Savannah, in search of almond extract, which we found. Walter helped make my day. More on that later.

I promise to leave my office and take long walks with my bride every day. We now have plenty of places to go.

All side effects will probably become apparent in the next two days, but we’re prepared. We live in an astounding place. Our friends and neighbors are so wonderful. Melanie’s lily bouquet is awesome! Wayne’s tests make my(our) day. Karen’s dog-walking (plus gardenia bouquet AND split soup) remind Nora and I just how lucky we are. Then there are your texts and calls to me and comments on the blog – Nora, my semi-Luddite wife, actually reads the blog. Next treatment is 2/28/2013.

Whenever you want, whisper to Nora through all these tools. Though she’s one tough cookie (others have use the “b” word, she actually appreciates your thoughts and prayers. So do I.

Paul