Tumor Marker Update!!

Don was recently seen for a follow-up after having a CT scan and blood work done. His liver remains tumor free and his tumor marker has dropped once again. For the last year his AFP has remained in the 104 to 109 range. Don's latest blood test shows his AFP has dropped to 88.9!! If you remember, his AFP was 55,000 in July 2008 - we are more than thrilled each time we hear that the marker has dropped.

We are truly thankful for the great nutrition Don receives each day through his shakes. We are certain, without a doubt, the nutrition provided by the shakes gives Don's body what it needs to fight back against his cancer. We are thankful we pushed our skepticism aside and gave the shakes a chance. I thank God everyday that Don followed the regime and did what we heard helped others fight the fight. We are forever grateful to Blessed Father Seelos for his comfort and guidance. We are grateful for Nexavar and it's tumor blocking capabilities - Prayer, Shakes, and Nexavar continue to help Don fight the fight!

Still At It

Well, the house has progressed quite a bit since the last post, and slowly but surely it is starting to take shape!! The contractor said it should be finished sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas...I hope he means 2011!!!! The house is a double - Don and I will be on one side and my brother and his wife on the other. My mother lives right next door (you can see a tiny piece of her roof on the left) so it will be nice to have everyone close together.

This is a picture of the garage which is quite possibly the largest garage in the neighborhood. I shake my head each time I look at it because I think we may have gotten a little carried away. I have reached a point in my life where I want less "stuff" and I think this garage lends itself to storing stuff that we may need "one day". If you have any stuff you would like to save, send it over and we'll take care of it for you!

Moving Right Along...

It has been a busy few weeks for our family. We packed up all of our belongings, put everything in storage and moved in with my Mom. Her once quiet life has become a hussle and bustle of activity, but I think she enjoys the company. She's even enjoying the company of Drew's Weimariner, Hooch. We call Hooch the foreman, because if there's something going on at the new house, he's on top of it. He greets each and every subcontractor the same way, with a stick in his mouth ready to fetch! He's very sweet, but persistent - if they don't have time to throw, he'll just hang around until they do.

Formation of the foundation is almost finished and I think they are going to pour the concrete early next week. We are now up to 84 loads of dirt and sand. Each time the sand man comes he tells us goodbye and it's been good working with us...next thing I know, we need more sand!!! If this keeps up, the Corps of Engineers is going to start coming to us for sand for the levees. Hopefully, we are finished...for the time being. After the concrete, the framers will come and frame it up. And, the Foreman will be happily waiting to greet the new people with his stick!!

Pilings are in Place

Because of the soft ground in New Orleans, pilings must be driven into the ground before a house is built. The pilings stabilize the ground upon which the foundation will be placed. The truck carrying the pilings showed up at the lot loaded with pilings. Before we knew it, the pilings were off-loaded and ready for the pile driver. It took 2 days for the crew to drive 129 pilings under the ground beneath where the house, garage, and sidewalks will eventually be placed. I know the neighbors are happy that the pile driving has been completed!!!



Next: Building of the foundation!

Bringing in the Dirt and Sand

The lot where our house is being built has been in our family since the 1940's. The house that was on the lot was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina and was eventually torn down. In order to rebuild, we had to prepare the lot with dirt and pilings which is what has been going on for the last several weeks. Sixty-one dump truck loads of dirt and sand have been brought in and the lot was brought up to grade. The foundation was mapped out and stakes placed as markers for over 100 pilings that will be driven to make sure our new home has a firm resting place. After the pilings are in, the next step is forming the foundation, meetings with plumbers, electricians, and the pouring the concrete!! What a learning process this has been and will continue to be until this home is completed...hopefully sometime before Christmas!!

So Many Things We Used To Take for Granted!

It has been a long time since I made a post so I'll just sum up our lives since our daughter's wedding in May. Don and I have been enjoying our time together whether we are cooking in the kitchen, shopping at the grocery, watching television, or even napping!! He does nap often with the Nexavar but as long as we schedule naps into his day we're good! We used to take busy days and lazy days in our lives for granted, but no longer. Bad day, boring day, lazy day, or crazy day - they're all good days in my book.

When Don was diagnosed we were in the process of building a new home and put a halt to the whole thing. Now, almost three years later we have dipped our toes into the uncertainty of the real estate world and just yesterday, put our home of 25 years up for sale. We have decided to try again to build the home that will take me back to the neighborhood where I grew up. Don told me yesterday that "nothing" is going to stop us this time and whatever happens, we will build this house, we will not be derailed again. I would be lying if I said my insides were not a jumbled mess and every time I see the For Sale sign out front my nerves rattle a little. I guess I'll be posting updates on this latest experience - but, I will tell you this, I am not looking forward to leaving my house each morning in a "ready to show" condition!! With two grown boys at home and 4 large dogs, show ready presents a challenge!

No More Liver Cancer - But, still taking Nexavar!

We have been so happy with Don's continued good health and honestly did not think things could get any better than they have been. We were so wrong!!! Yesterday while at his regular doctor's visit, we were informed Don is cancer free. There is no evidence of tumor!!! Even though it has been 24 hours, we are still in shock. Ashley brought a cake over to celebrate the occasion!!