Thanks to all! Donna's Medical Issue

[rockintom]

A few days ago I mentioned that we were staying here in Portland due to Donna's medical condition. We have be amazed of the great wishes, prayers and positive energy. We go to the surgery Dr. this Thursday to get a plan of action to remove her cancerous breast.

Again we thank you guys! This really helps us get through this. We plan on keeping our blog up to date so all can follow if they wish. Tom and Donna

[rockintom]

A few days ago I mentioned that we were staying here in Portland due to Donna's medical condition. We have be amazed of the great wishes, prayers and positive energy. We go to the surgery Dr. this Thursday to get a plan of action to remove her cancerous breast.

Again we thank you guys! This really helps us get through this. We plan on keeping our blog up to date so all can follow if they wish. Tom and Donna

[bbry]

Prayers for both of you.

[Hooligan House]

We've been preoccupied since return from Life on Wheels in PA couple weeks ago. We came home to a flooded basement.... I was lucky things weren't worse, considering all the sorting & piles I have down there in preparation for retirement & converting to full timing next year. (Did I say I'm a pack rat?)

Anyway, my love to Donna from a 14 1/2 year breast cancer survivor. Please give her a hug for me Tom!!! This will be just a bump in the road...& a perfect excuse for an extended stay in Oregon. When I was diagnosed I had to choose lumpectomy or mastectomy....we were already scheduled for a week vacation tent camping, so off we went to DEATH VALLEY to decide. (my mom died of breast cancer so I wasn't messing around=-went with mastectomy)While there I asked Larry what he'd do if I did die.... He said he'd buy an RV & travel with the dog. This from a man who felt the only TRUE way to camp was backpacking & sleeping under the stars. I said I wanna go too & thus, the seed was planted! Next year "we take it to the highwyas!"

Tell Donna she's in my thoughts....& I'm here for her if there's anything I can do!

[rockintom]

Thanks Linda....what a nice and helpful success story! After going to the Dr. we feel much better about the proposed outcome!

Thanks to you bbry for the nice comments, also! Tom

[D and J]

Haven't been vocal about this yet, but I want you and Donna to know tha Jutta and I have been thinking about you guys a lot (and sending our prayers) Actually, our prayers are split between you guys and Bruce and Jenna.

Are you guys plans still up in the air? or do you think you will be back in Tx this winter?

[rockintom]

Thanks D&J! Our plans were to do some lite workamping in mid to southern CA this winter just to do something different, but that be pushed back now. We will stay here in Portland 'til we get this thing under control. Fall and winter can be more rainy and windy than snow and ice, so we'll do just fine in our well insulated Excel. May have to think about covering the fresh water hose. Thanks again. Tom

[Bruce and Jenna]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by D and J:
Haven't been vocal about this yet, but I want you and Donna to know tha Jutta and I have been thinking about you guys a lot (and sending our prayers) Actually, our prayers are split between you guys and Bruce and Jenna.

Are you guys plans still up in the air? or do you think you will be back in Tx this winter? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks for remembering. Today Jenna completed her 7th of 12 treatments for lymphoma. She continues to feel better and suffering few side effects. For the same reason, we be staying in the Seattle area, just 150 miles north of Tom and Donna.

As long time Northwesterners, we know from rain, you betcha. Which is why we hit the road when we retired. Hope to go south by mid-Nov when J finishes her chemo.

[Hooligan House]

Wow, I guess I've missed quite a bit.

My best to Jenna & Bruce too. I know it's not easy for any of the FOUR of you! May I suggest if you have the opportunity to attend support groups that you do. (Even the guys in a 'caregivers' group. I may have been getting the chemo...but Larry's job was not an easy one.) I was surrounded by the most supportive family & friends going thru my journey, but there's nothing like being in a room full of people who have "been there--done that" & can identify with you & validate fears & feelings. It's priceless.

Hope to be meeting you all one day. When we were @ the RV show after Life on Wheels we met Bryan T @ the Excel booth & had quite a chat. I told him I hadn't been on line for nearly a week...I was missing knowing what Rockin Tom & Makin Smoke were up too.

Good thoughts coming to all of you!
Gotta get back to the basement & fill some more boxes for Amvets... You know, that important stuff I just HAD to have at one time......

[HB Phil]

I just got back from my Dad's funeral in PA. He was 83 and passed away in his sleep.

My mother was a 40 year breast cancer survivor.

My best wishes for all.

[rockintom]

HB,

Thanks very much. After visiting with the Drs. things are looking up.

[Endeavor2BnC]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Hooligan House:
May I suggest if you have the opportunity to attend support groups that you do. (Even the guys in a 'caregivers' group. I may have been getting the chemo...but Larry's job was not an easy one.) I was surrounded by the most supportive family & friends going thru my journey, but there's nothing like being in a room full of people who have "been there--done that" & can identify with you & validate fears & feelings. It's priceless. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Linda, after working for many years in pediatric & gyn oncology and a participant in the support groups, you hit the nail perfectly. It's a lot easier to walk through the "jungle" on the well trodden path than try to carve your own way. The ones who taught me the most about life were the children. To this day I carry special memories about them. Now I just try to carry their messages forward to others.

Good luck on your preparations to go FT next year. Make some memories.