Fun in California

Last week we visited Charlie, Kathleen and Ryland in Santa Monica and had a wonderful time. We stayed at Loew’s Santa Monica Beach Hotel. Some of our friends will remember that is where we had the rehearsal dinner almost eight years ago when Charlie and Kathleen got married so it was pretty neat to be there again. The photo below is a view of the beach from our room. Also there is a photo of Gorman and Ry playing checkers in our room. We celebrated Charlie’s 43rd birthday with dinner at the Saddle Peak Lodge, a lovely restaurant up in the Santa Monica mountains (see my three guys below). I picked up Ryland from kindergarten every day and took him to get an ice cream sundae. Gorman and Charlie went out to the Northern Trust Open golf tournament one day and saw some big-name golfers. An exhibit of many paintings from The Hudson River School was showing at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art so I drug everybody out to see that and it truly was stunning. That city is amazing in all that it has to offer. Also the weather was delightful, sunny and about 70 degrees every day. OK, that’s the end of the travelogue but it was good to be distracted and be with loved ones the week before the MRI.

Today we had an appointment with the oncologist, Mike Meshad. When he walked in the room he said, “Gorman, you are amazing! We shouldn’t be having this conversation; you shouldn’t be alive!” Well, that was a little unnerving but we got his point. The fact that Gorman was diagnosed with Stage Four Glioblastoma three years plus one month ago and is still here is really unusual. We discussed whether to continue with the Avastin infusions. Mike said they have no studies of patients this far out and he couldn’t make a recommendation one way or the other so we all decided there was no need to stop what seems to be working! It doesn’t make him sick and he has had no side effects. If nothing else, the fact that he’s getting some kind of treatment helps him psychologically and that’s worth a lot.

So we will keep thanking God for every day that He gives us and, as Gorman says, go forth hopefully and gratefully.

We Are Blessed

Yet another “normal” MRI! Thanks be to God! More later but wanted to let everyone know our good news, three years and counting! Thank you for your prayers.

Blessed Ordinary Days

Gorman and I are enjoying these cool and sunny days; just hanging out together, running errands and, as always, thanking God for every day he gives us. Last week we walked out on the Fairhope Pier, overlooking Mobile Bay. Right now Fairhope is filled with tulips and daffodils in all the beds along the streets.

Next we have a trip to Santa Monica to visit our California children and then Gorman’s MRI is scheduled for Mon., Feb. 23. He had been having some headaches, which is frightening but we think they were sinus and they have subsided.

We are so focused on Gorman’s brain but it occurs to me that my brain is something of a problem also. I have to work at not letting myself anticipate the worst and get bogged down in despair, dwelling on all the “what ifs”. Here’s what I read recently in Jesus Calling, my daily devotional: “Follow me one step at a time….you see huge mountains looming, and you start wondering how you’re going to scale those heights. Meanwhile, because you’re not looking where you’re going, you stumble on the easy path where I’m leading you now….But you don’t know what will happen today, much less tomorrow . Our path may take an abrupt turn, leading you away from those mountains. There may be an easier way up the mountains than is visible from this distance. If I do lead you up the cliffs, I will equip you thoroughly for the strenuous climb……walk by faith, not by sight.” Such truth and such comforting words. Then I climb out of despair until the next time.

Thanks to each and every one of you for your prayers in advance. My next post will probably be the MRI results

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