Radiation Complete

Well its been quite an eventful week - radiation treatment started on our first visit to the Cross Cancer Clinic  and as mentioned they found two small tumors in the brain. Norm started radiation on those last Friday. One each day of this week with the last one tonight.  Also Norm was having pain in his collar bone that does have a tumor as well, they radiated that on Wednesday. For each radiation treatment the pains have quit. That's fantastic.

A tradition at the Cross Cancer Clinic is when you receive your last treatment of radiation you ring the bell. We are so fortunate that Norm's is complete and the bell was rung. Norm's appetite is still good and he still has his hair .....bonus

During the weekend and the first couple of days this week we created and completed a new sidewalk using paving stones.  Quite an exhausting but satisfying venture. 

Yesterday we met some of our Wagner RV Park friends for dinner, went to Olive Garden and found out that when they leave your food on the tray and you have to serve it to yourself ......all the meals are free. Worked out really well for all of us. Thanks Bruce and Dianna it was so great to see you.

Now we are set to enjoy the long weekend, celebrate Norm's birthday on the 30th with lots of family and friends. Expecting Mom Schopf, Gary & Elaine and Dave to visit for the weekend as well.

Through all this we are waiting for our first visit with the Oncologist to map out the plan for shrinking the rest of the cancer primarily in the lung, with Chemo.

Thank you each and every one for your prayers and positive thoughts we are grateful and blessed to have such great family and friends

Cross Cancer Orientation

Yesterday was a good day overall, we went for our Cross Cancer orientation.  Our whole beautiful and supportive family came for the session. Darcy, Leanne, Megan and Ashley; Renaye, Dallas, Amanda and Alyx each and everyone of them made concessions to be able to attend. We are so much stronger together.

The Cross Cancer is essentially run by caring volunteers many of them survivors of cancer themselves.  We kindof overwhelmed the poor little lady who was initially going to give us the review.  She was not expecting 10 of us and seemed quite perplexed lol. She made a valiant effort but in the end called upon a lady more experienced in larger groups. And that turned out to be for the best. Susan, was great mixing just the right amount of information, seriousness and humor into the session. I think each of us took away different positive   things.  One of the thing I gleaned was that the  Cross Cancer clinic  knows that you do NOT want to be there and so will do the utmost to make the stay as comfortable as possible.  We learned that chemo comes in various forms and can be regulated to adjust to the side effects that Norm may experience. I do believe we will have an information session on the chemo as well once the time is near.  That should be in a couple of  weeks, Oncologist visit a week after the radiation and treatments about a week after that. 

We left the Cross and went to Moxie's for lunch. Lunch was great as always incredible to be together discuss the events of the day and find the laughter that we always do.  Thank you so much for being the best family in the world. Love you all to pieces. 

Norm and I spent the rest of the day just chillin' at home, preparing for the start of the radiation treatments on the brain. 

Thank you for listening to me I think this will be therapeutic for me and hopefully keeps you up to date on Norm's progress.

Scared but Defiant

Hi Everyone,

This is a hard thing to write, but both Norm and myself felt that using this will allow us to keep all our friends and family and extended family in the loop. It's very difficult to call everyone even though we appreciate your calls sometimes its a little hard to answer each and everyone. 

For those who don't know a couple of weeks ago Norm was diagnosed with Non-small cell cancer -
adenocarcinoma is the sub name. The cancer is stage IV and treatment has begun today

• Non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. It grows more slowly than small cell lung cancer.

We have a fabulous medical team in our camp and from the first xray on the 18th of May followed by a CT Scan, as well as Bone Scan and finally the PET CT Scan we come to today. 

Today all the tests were discussed and a plan of action was developed. The cancer is not only in the lung but in some areas of the bones and two very small spots were found in the brain. This was just discovered today.

Norm underwent his first Radiation Treatment today which was to stop the cancer in his T11 in the spine - this was a large dose that will kill that sucker.

There are 5 radiation treatments scheduled for next week to attack the ones in the brain. Of course a gentler dosage is needed so therefore more of them.

Once this is finished we will then meet with the Oncologist to discuss the Chemo Therapy. 

All of this is treatable and we will be fighting with all we have. Norm with his body and his mind and me with my heart and soul along with our beautiful daughters, son-in-law and of course our sweet grand daughters. 

We most definitely believe in the power of positive thinking, prayer and the power of volume -  so we ask that you keep good thoughts and keep us in your prayers. Send any and all good wishes to us here if you would like. 

I will keep you all posted on our progress and thank you all for your support.

With much love and hugs
Jo and Norm