Happy Holidays

As much as I love to write, I have to admit that I was not looking forward to working on this letter. The Christmas season is supposed to be one of joy and happiness and no matter how I write this, some of you will not realize just how lucky Barb and I have been this year..

After the celebrations last December of Sara’s wedding and the holidays and the birth of our 3^rd grandchild in January, Barb and I received the shock of our lives when we found out in February that she has breast cancer that was already metastatic and in many of her bones.

Surgery was not an option, and the proper treatment was not determined until almost a month after we heard the news, although she was immediately put on Zometa to strengthen her bones. When the doctors were ready to start her on chemotherapy, she was also put on Herceptin.

After 16 weeks of chemo (an IV once a week), the cancer markers went down to the level where we were able to stop the chemo. We have continued with the Zometa and Herceptin treatments, but have only traveled to the med center every three weeks instead of weekly.

Since this summer Barb has felt good enough for us to take several trips. We had a long weekend in Vegas with Barb’s sisters and their husbands, we traveled to Knoxville to see Sara and Jason and took a side trip to Ashville, NC to see the Biltmore. We’ve traveled to see Barb’s mom a couple of times, made a couple of trips to Kansas (for a wedding and for Thanksgiving) and naturally traveled to Dexter and Des Moines to see the grandkids and kids.

Our most recent doctor’s appointment on Dec. 10^th was good enough that we are still avoiding a second round of chemo. He said that it appears the main cancer tumor has shrunk and the bones seem to be healing some. The cancer is still there, so treatments continue every three weeks.

Our year has not gone as we had hoped, but we have so much to be thankful for including our family, our friends, and our faith.

When others ask what they can do for us, we simply reply that we accept prayers of all kinds, but just as importantly, we love to hear from everyone.

 

Best wishes for the New Year!
Nick and Barb