Any Movies You Think We'd Like?

We're looking for your recommendation on a movie (on Netflix, Amazon, etc) you think we'd enjoy; got one or two for us? Thanks.

Blogged Down | Top Line Takeaway

Blogged Down

We've delayed making an entry for too long-so we've ended up with way too much for one entry, and gotten us locked up, so will release a number of more bite-sized entries over the next few days.

Top line Takeaway on Steve's Condition

. Steve continued to have a rough week from the chemotherapy: lucky this is an off week, so he could recover further. But it's taken a lot of his energy and he's lost weight.

. Pain in Steve's abdomen has grown had become pretty constant, triggered by jostling or repositioning himself. Steve always thought pain was a bad sign, it turn out that pain can come from shrinking tumors; so Steve is hoping this is the cause of the new, persistent pain that can be managed with regular doses of Tylenol. 

. These developments have been challenging for Steve. Seeing he will need to scale back by as much as a 1/3 how much he can achieve during treatment. 

Family & Friends from Afar | More Than I Realize

Dixie and Steve enjoyed having Dixie's mom, Emily, stayed with us last weekend, during the garage sale. Then again tonight before flying home. 

We're equally delighted to have our friend, Heidi, from Chicago hanging out with us this weekend. It's so good to see her! We're both excited about her new job as a director focused on customer/user experience innovation. She's got great technical and social skills that we're sure will help her excel in her new role.

Unfortunately Steve's treatment has taken more out of him this week than I expected or even realized, until Dixie pointed this out to him. Also, Steve's pain is becoming more persistent. Though it is held at bay with regular Tylenol. This has influenced and somewhat limited what we chose to do during Heidi's visit.

Steve is looking forward to a couple midweek days on the coast with Dixie to celebrate his 58th birthday-and yes, we get to bring the dogs along!

Garage Sale | Back to Seattle | Clovers

Our garage sale was a success. And may not have happened or at least been as successful without your help! Thank you downpour help in setting up and running the sale! It's felt good to let go of some dead weight we've "carried" for far too long! Steve will continue to eBay some of the items he's confident will sell there.

We're in our way back north to Seattle for Steve's infusion today. Despite indications the treatment is working, Steve is experiencing a bit of persistent low level pain that the doctor had suggested using Tylenol to alleave.Its unknown what is causing it and whether the pain will increase, decrease or stay the same.This has gotten Steve in a funk 

that he is feeling his way through. Chronic pain that increases over time is not a future state Steve would relish, though sadly is a possibility.

Finally one of Dixie's hidden talents is to spot four leaf clovers. After the first day of the garage sale she was with my brother Gregg  in our backyard and spotted in a 20 square foot patch, eight four leaf clovers and one five leaf clover. What were the odds of that? I'll stick with Dixie to increase my odds :-)

Skipped Infusion This Week

Bad news, my blood work showed my platelet count was too low, after driving all the way to Seattle. This could mean the chemo from last week is still working away, or ?. Good news is that I have another week to recover from side effects. And my planned visit with friends in Seattle after my infusion has been more pleasant. We'll try the infusion again next week.

Share, Assist? Garage Sale This Fri & Sat

We're having a garage/workshop sale to sell items too big to be worth selling via eBay. It'll be from 10-6 this Friday the 14th and Saturday the 15th at our place. 

We could use help on Saturday, since my brother won't be available, if anyone's interested in hanging out with us.

Details here: http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/gms/5162996852.html

Also please pass this on to anyone you might think would be interested.

Thank you!  

Weekend of Visiting

Friday: Dixie's mom is in town, staying with family in White Salmon. We drove out to visit them on Friday, and also to meet their new alpaca family! We had a wonderful brunch Jo prepared then took the dogs swimming on the Columbia River. 

Saturday & Sunday

Steve's good friend and long time fishing buddy, Herb, that now lives in the east coast came to visit and stayed with us prior to going to a fly fishing conference in Bend taking place this week.

Then too on Sunday Jude earned her K9 Nose Work 2 title. She's a bit slower at 15 yrs but just as stable and steady as ever!

We're so grateful to have each of you as traveling companions on this journey.

We Are Relieved: Modest Results From Treatment

We're relieved to learn that the aggressive form of pancreatic cancer Steve has, has stopped growing, blood markers seem to confirm it, and the tumors on Steve's livers have diminished in size. And he'll continue in the study. Whew!

Your well wishes, positive energy and prayed have definitely helped Steve. Thank you.

Wonderful Night in Seattle

We had a great stay here in Seattle yesterday thanks to a couple friends that put us up prior to today's therapy session! Yesterday we had drinks and appetizers at the Hilton exec lounge (see picture), then later dinner down the street at Palamino's. We walked around downtown and then walked over to REI's flagship store (Dixie had not seen it before; she really liked it). Later we se Uber to get back to the hotel. Once back, Steve was certainly ready to relax and sleep in our nice room!

Tuesday - Moment of Truth: Is the Treatment Working?

Steve has a CT scan on Tuesday morning August 4th, prior to beginning anther round of chemo, to determine if the two months of chemotherapy is working to slow or reduce the cancer. If it is working we continue with the routine. If not, and we don't like to think about this...time to try something different; perhaps we will be forced to find another clinical trial - and back to improvising as we go again.

Your prayers, thoughts and well wishes that the current treatment is working and will continue to work, are much appreciated.

Steve is  grateful for this past week off from chemo, it's allowed him to renew body and soul. 

Thank you

Steve & Dixie

Steve's Really Nice Time Fly Fishing

Coldwater Lake Fly Fishing Club Outing

. Mt. St Helens in top picture

. Everyone caught & released trout-beautiful colors and very frisky 

. Comfy seat up front on the cooler on the raft

. My fly fishing buddies - for the day and beyond. Thanks to them especially and other club members too, for the great companionship, the wonderful time and smoothing the way!