LIVING EACH DAY TO ITS FULLEST

Constantly, the days are full of blessings, which we really enjoy, and they are also packed with various responsibilities which are keeping us busy. God is indeed good, every day, and His people are remarkably thoughtful.

Let's start with an update on Betty’s condition. Most folk who know her are aware of Betty’s quiet and gentle spirit. It is even more powerfully displayed in her serene and peaceful acceptance of the cancer which has invaded virtually all her bones. She is completely aware that by opting against chemo or other aggressive therapies her journey will be terminal sooner than later. This choice she felt was preferable to undergoing the reported horrors of chemotherapy and its accompanying nausea and superior also to even surviving the cancer to linger in the wilderness of Parkinson’s disease. The only treatments she is receiving are a monthly infusion designed to stabilize her bones by locking in some of the remaining calcium and the collective palliative efforts of Hospice; however, neither of these plans can cure or control the cancer.

There is some solace in knowing that Hospice through the special ministry of Nurse Cathey is doing all it can to make her days comfortable, although that struggle has not gone well this week. For the most part, bone pain has been successfully managed; however, nausea continues to be a challenge not yet mastered. Various possibilities as to the cause have been explored, including varying the timing of medications, elimination of all non-essential supplements like multi vitamins, swapping suspect medications for others, and a wide selection of foods to try with the pills. We are hoping that the most recent change and manipulation of pills and times will result in less need for the pink bucket and the cool washcloth. (For the record, nausea is the top item on Betty’s list of personal things she hates, so she will literally do anything to avoid it.)

In other good news/bad news, the water damaged bathroom floor was finally repaired making showers possible again after thirteen days of bathing with wet-wipes and a pan of soapy water.

Best of all, during the past week, Betty was able to have all of her children at home and waiting on her, showing their love in words and deeds and lavish acts of generosity. In cooperation with a Bible Study LIFE Group, the owners of a lovely Beach House on the Oregon Coast made their cottage get-away available to our family for three days. Attending were all of our own kids. We even had one grandson and one granddaughter with us. It was a wonderful time of fun and memories and shared entertainment and good food (and no ringing phones with their sometimes annoying messages).

Our oldest son has been able to come from his home 200 miles away for six of the last eight weekends. Our youngest son from Alaska was able to come for ten days thanks to the availability of the compassionate leave provided by his school district. The middle child, our daughter, and her family live nearby and have been constant help and support on almost a daily basis. With astounding regularity, other friends and family have communicated their love and support and have made short visits, calls, sent cards full of love notes and encouragement, brought meals, provided “baby-sitting” and errand running, and have even wiped away Betty’s precious collection of dust on the household knick-knacks. Such thoughtful attention has been a joy to savor and to share about with others.

We do not know how long this portion of our journey will last. Neither the doctors nor the nurses know, and having no clear insight to the daily progress of the cancer, they are all careful to make no predictions. Certainly there is less time remaining than we would like, so we too are not going to second guess the unknowable. We will instead rejoice in having one another in each “today”. Should these final days last a month or several months, we will be grateful, and we will thank God for each day and moment we have to cherish Betty’s company.

JESSIE IS AVAILABLE ON KINDLE

"Jessie" is one of our family's proudest achievements. Betty wrote this book based on the contents of a trunk of treasures obtained in Alaska and has told the true story of a truly remarkable individual. Our kids, growing up, always thought "Jessie" was a member of our family, perhaps a far away grandma or aunt seldom seen. Actually she was a lady who lived a remarkable and adventurous life which Betty has related in sparkling detail and with a warm personal touch. In that sense, yes, Jessie was very much a part of our life.

Once again I must refer you to "Patty's Blog" where you can find the details of obtaining Betty's book for your eBook reader.

Click her site here at the right or go directly to www.clayinkspot.blogspot.com

"Jessie, The Story of a Genteel Lady in Frontier Alaska" will someday become a modern classic of Alaskan Literature. It tells the story of an English girl born to privilege and wealth and how she became stranded in Alaska virtually destitute - sort of a "riches to rags" story. But Jessie was a fighter and a survivor and ultimately became an outstanding citizen and a Sourdough of the finest order in what has always been America's finest frontier.

If you have not read this splendid historical account, don't put it off. You won't be disappointed. If you decide you want an autographed copy, do request a it directly from Betty soon ($16.00, plus shipping if required), as that is a limited offer.

PS... Please continue to pray for Betty as the cancer advances. We know your petitions are accomplishing much good as God answers each one to comfort her.

A WEEK OF UPS AND DOWNS

My, how time flies. It seems I just updated this blog a couple of days ago, but it has been over a week. It feels like yesterday, and it feels like about a year ago. What is happening to time?

David flew over from Kennewick on Friday evening arriving a little after days light ended. He immediately began taking care of us and filling our lives with joy and great company. Whenever any combination of our kids is around, we delight in the conversations, the reports on various family events and grandkid activities, and love to share meals and evening entertainments. These are good hours that enrich our lives and bring us much contentment. This was the character of the entire weekend. David and Patty had some time together; everyone was here for main meals (great Walleye provided by our buddy Buddy, and pizza again!) We didn’t tackle any major projects this time but important little tasks still are accomplished and appreciated.

On the health front, we had our ups and downs this week. We are still learning how to juggle medications to control pain and nausea. Sometimes it works, but sometimes it’s a challenge. So many factors seem to be involved: the level of fatigue, the time since the last food eaten, the peripheral activities going on, the amount of successful sleep achieved, the level of hydration, and more factors we haven’t identified yet. One thing we know for sure: no one enjoys the “dry heaves”. Once all that is available has been offered up, the remaining efforts are most unpleasant for victim and assistant alike.

Our primary Hospice nurse is on vacation spending time with her husband who is briefly home from Afghanistan. In her absence we have had others visit and call, but it has been another form of juggling to keep all the parallel stories and advice straight in our minds. They are all wonderful, well-meaning people and we are thankful for their availability.

The major challenge this week has been the discovery of “floor failure” in our bedroom’s little bathroom. The vinyl In front of the stool began to buckle up and when it was pulled up, the particle board floor was all damp and crumbled. Then things became complicated. Call the insurance agent: talk to people in Washington, Florida, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Washington again. The local company assigned has sent out four men individually on different days for different reasons. And the bottom line is that after seven days NOTHING has been done to affect the repair required for the damage found. The local contractor can not proceed without approval from the insurance company which has not given the go ahead so far and we do not know why.

Meanwhile we are trying to get by on spitz baths and “handi-wipe” cleanups. Of course I can go upstairs to the tub/shower, but Betty is limited to the lower floor. We finally have covered the damaged area as best we can and have used the shower stall anyway, but it is enormously inconvenient.

My advocate with the local agency is due back from her extended vacation Tuesday and I am hoping she can bring order and resolution to this ongoing disaster. Politicians and Wall Street financial types are not the only problems with this nation; insurance companies, in several ways, must bear their share of the current national turmoil. We are not happy consumers of this necessary evil.

Our blessings continue to be family, friends, and God’s never ending providence. We have been covered with cards and contacts and covered dishes of food and others offers of time and love. Betty’s only outings this week were with Patty at a chick-flick and more importantly to attend the Sunday morning worship at church. Sitting between husband and son in those services and greeting precious Christian friends afterward were the highlights of her week. Some of you were important parts of that event. We are still relying on prayer for comfort and courage in these days. Although this past week went by without major personal crisis, we know there are greater challenges ahead, so we are treasuring up these “better times” to be a cushion against the trials to come. Thank you for helping us walk daily by the Savior’s side.