really good news!!!

I echo meg's comment about how nice it is to have mom and dad so much closer now.  I drove over on Monday, so that i could ride along for their long day at the hospital on tuesday.  Lab, CT scan of his brain, appointment with Dr. Heddinger, and then 5 hours in chemo!!!  Dad was in bad need of good news,(as were we all) and Dr. Heddinger had it for him.  The CT showed no sign of the brain tumors!  The Cancer Assassin has won the first battle!  They see Dr. Isaccs tomorrow and hopefully he will be excited about what his radiation treatments accomplished!  They will have a three week furlough, and then have a CT of the lungs early in January.  Hopefully the news will be equallly as good. 

 I got to spend a bit of time with them yesturday, and Dad was awake the whole morning and afternoon.  he was headed for bed early though , when Barb and I got home from shopping.  

  Mom mentioned to me that she would probably not be able to get her Christmas Cards out this year,  so i don't think she will mind if I send their greetings to all of you at this Christmas!  I know she would want you all to know how grateful they are for your love and prayers at such a hard time.  May God Bless you all,  from all of us, specially Mom and Dad!

Over the river and thru the woods...

Kate and I (Meg) crashed with Aunt Barb this past weekend for about 48 hours. Kate and Henry flew in from Portland on Wednesday night late into Minneapolis, and Milo and I and Kate and Henry drove down to Newton Thursday afternoon after I got off work. Got in kind of late, got to see Zach and Ariel and sweet, beautiful baby Alivia. And then we went to see the star of the show all day Friday and Saturday morning.

Grandpa Gary's moving just a little slower, but still pulling his weight. For those of you lightweights in the south, we yankees got quite the snowstorm this past week. Iowa saw about 14 inches, I think, and Grandpa was feeling a little cabin fever I guess so he decided it might be a good idea to crank up his snowblower. He cleared quite a chunk, we heard, and was feeling the strain a bit for the next couple of days, but I'll tell you what, I'm amazed that he's able to do so much. One of the neighbor ladies saw him out with the snowblower and stopped by when Kate and Henry were over Friday morning to give Grandpa a piece of her mind about him taking it easy. Grandpa rolled his eyes as this well-meaning woman sassed him up one side and down the other. Fortunately, she had parked Kate in, and Kate had to drive back to get Milo and me, so she shooed her right back where she came from :)

Grandpa's appetite seems to change like a pregnant woman's, but it never seems entirely absent, so Grandpa Sue rides the waves of uncertainty, buying the store out of tapioca pudding or cheerios as the mood fits. DQ ice cream seems to be the one constant over the past couple of visits since I've been there. On this most recent trip, made into delicious milkshakes!

It's been so great to be able to see both Grandma and Grandpa so much more now that they've come home to the north, and though I know the miss "down home," selfish me, I'm so grateful they're not so far away.

a nice thanksgiving

   just a quick note to say hi to you guys, and to thank Barb and Mom for a nice thanksgiving.  The  food and holiday atmosphere was great.  

   Dad was feeling well, (his most recent chemo treatment was monday) just very tired, which made it hard to stay up for big meals with lots of people.  His appetite is not very good, his favorite food right now is a DQ vanilla milk shake, so he is loosing some weight.  But we did see a lot of football, including a nebraska win on friday.  

   a new flag pole went up in their front yard, and it looks so neat!  We got one too, as did Barb and Marv.  Their's is up, and i hope ours will be up soon.  Can't decide whether to put it in the new front yard, or down on the dock?  any thoughts?

   Mom got all of her christmas decorations up with some help from her elves.  The new house looks wonderful inside and out! 

   There were a lot of people around, most notable of course were the great grand kids!  Yeaaa for Ava, Jacob and Jakie!!!!  They were all so good! We saw pictures of little Alivia (sp?), and are all looking forward to two new arrivals in the new year!! (those are the only ones we know about so far!!!)

  Happy holidays to all who are following this blog, and don't forget to send your well wishes along , it's really easy to leave a comment  on this blog.  We would love to hear how your thanksgiving was!  anything funny happen?  love to all, kris

their home!!

Well i talked to mom last evening, She was watching CSI and i think trying to stay awake to take the dogs on their routine 10;30 walk!  She sounded so tired, but happy!    Dad was up and about, fussing with the thermastat i think.  The cardiologist seems not concerned enough to keep Dad from having his next chemo treatment on Monday.  Maybe this weakening was a minor heart attack from the past.    Dad is ready to go back to radiation and go after the brain tumors all over again!!!  Sheesh, i would be grateful to have that behind me, but his battle is still out there!!!  Well keep up the prayers, and remember that calls, cards and comments are always welcome! love to you all, especially you Mom and Dad,   kris

hmmmm new problem

Well the U/S showed no clots or blockages in the arteries, so that is the good news.  But it appears that there is a problem with the heart muscle.  Seems so odd, because Dad's heart has been so strong.  Maybe a result of the chemo?  Any way, when i talked to them this afternoon, they were waiting to hear from a cardiologist.  Dad is getting quite a collection of Doctors.  that has been Mom's forte up until now!  Mom sounded pretty tired, but Dad really sounded good, and strong.  He has been up and walking around, and eating and drinking. all good things!  Keep praying, and i will keep us all up to date.   love      kris

update II

   Talked to Dad this afternoon, and he sounded great!  really strong and well.  still in the hospital though, they want to do an U/S tomorrow to check his arteries in the neck and heart.  Checking for blood clots.  They think he had a seizure/stroke on friday, so this is making sure all bases are covered i think.   He hopes to come home tomorrow (Monday) but not too sure right now.   Mom sounded rested, as did Barb, but i think the trips going back and forth to the hospital must make them tired out.  It will be good when they all get home again!    love to you all,     kris

update

Talked to mom this afternoon, and Dad is feeling alot better.  They did an MRI this afternoon, and will get the results soon.  Must have been a CT last night.  Anyway, thought he might go home this evening, but it will probably have to be tomorrow.  They had to knock him out for the scan, and he was still sleeping when she called.  All is well.  I will write again soon.  love to all,   kris 

not a good evening

Mom called last evening, 10:30 my time, 9:30 their's.  They were on their way to the Des Moines hospital from the one in Newton.  Dad had a lot difficulty with his speech earlier, and they were all very concerned.  Mom called Carissa, and she said to get him in.  They ran a brain scan, MRI i think, and found that he still has a lot of swelling in his brain, left over from the radiation i' m sure.  So now he has been admitted to the hospital in Des Moines to have IV steroids started.  This is good on a couple of counts, not only will it get the steroids started again (his last dose was on Tuesday), but it will also get him some nourishment and fluids.  He just has not been interested in eating and drinking much lately.  As a result he has lost a lot of weight.  He really needs to stay as strong as possible.  Mom hopes that they will send him back home tomorrow (Sunday)

   On one hand this was scary for all of them, but the good news is that it wasn't a stroke.  Dad really fears that.  Mom sounded OK, but very shaken.  I'm sure that Barb and Marv will be at the hospital early today, so i will update later.

   For those of you who would like to send cards, their new address is

       302 So. 11th Ave west

       Newton, Ia.   50208

   and their home phone number is 641-792-1143.

They are always so grateful to hear from all of you, and if you have time a card or call would be muchly appreciated!  Also your prayers!!!!   love to all        kris

Some newer pictures...

Yeah!! Mom (Kris) figured out how to post! As I have been a negligent granddaughter, I'm glad she's stepped in to help with all of Grandpa's adoring fans :) As Mom mentioned, Milo and I and Mike were able to jaunt down again with Grammie Kris this weekend, and I've got pictures somewhere of that, but can't put my hands on them, so you all will have to put up with ones about 2 weeks old.

Here's a snapshot of a heated discussion in Grandma Sue and Grandpa Gary's kitchen in their new house, I think having something to do with something terribly important, maybe who was going to start the next pot of coffee or who's turn it was to do the dishes. Grandma Sue likes to start that fight as it seems impossible for her to sit and let anyone else do anything for her ;)

This was the week of Halloween and Milo informed me that he would accompany Grandpa Gary to one of his last radiation appointments, and I figured I should chaperone him. Grandma Sue and I drove with Milo, and Mom drove with Grandpa to the clinic in Des Moines. That way, we still managed Milo's carseat and the dogs could still come, because who would ever dream of leaving them behind? We waited a few extra minutes for Grandpa's "yoga" drugs to take effect in the parking lot, and for Grandma to double check that it was okay to bring the little munchkin in; Des Moines had put out word that kids under 18 weren't allowed into the hospitals because of everything surrounding H1N1, but this was a clinic, we weren't really in close quarters with anyone, so we were all good. Good thing too, I think it might have broken Milo's heart had we not been able to go and woo everyone in the waiting room in his skeleton costume. We stopped for a celebratory breakfast on the way home, and of course we saved all three of the little canine friends a little bite of pumpkin pancakes.

While we were in the clinic, we met some of Grandpa's fellow soldiers in his battle against cancer. We met a woman who's husband was in for radiation who had made little coins with angels on them to guard over all the fighters and their families. We met a mom who's son was in for pancreatic cancer, who was very hopeful even against great odds. And Milo and I found "lucky" pennies left by another kindred spirit we never met on all of the chairs in the space. This is definitely a place of hope, of support, and of camaraderie. We added another layer to this common experience: we had printed Grandpa some business cards with his new job title of "Cancer Assassin" and some stickers for fellow fighters. Soon everyone was part of the war on cancer, proudly donning their own badges claiming their fight.

We also met Carissa, Grandpa's patient advocate. I think I may have heard this term in the past, but not until now did I understand what this meant. Carissa was there at every appointment, she met with Grandpa and Grandma whenever something was happening in his treatment. She answered questions, and in the rare occasion that she didn't know something, she quickly found the answer and relayed back to them. She walked along with them along this journey. She was a representative from the clinic, but not a doctor or nurse; she was someone who's area of expertise was people, and knowing and helping people. Carissa was warm and caring, and professional and intelligent at all times. She was someone who knew what she was talking about, definitely had the brain to comprehend all the ins and outs of treatment, but she had and used her heart to make sure her patients had the moral support all along the way. I hope everyone who has to go thru anything like this would have a Carissa.

weekend of Nov. 7th

Good, Meg was right, i can post on this blog!!!

Hi to all who are following this wonderful blog created by Meg.  It is so fun to go on and see all of your comments, and I encourage you to keep writing!   Mom checks it almost every day, and conveys all wishes on to Dad!

   We really had a good weekend in Iowa!  The weather was so pretty, and i hope it was the same for all of you.   Dad was feeling well, but very sleepy, and terribly weak.  His left ear looks like an old leather shoe!  It would appear that they hit that left side of his brain with a lot of radiation, because he sure has a deep tan over that ear and surrounding area.  It has been pretty sore, especially when he sleeps, but I have a feeling that it will begin to peel and itch one day soon. 

 So far the nausea has only come up once, and mom had the appropriate meds on hand to take care of that.  Barb said that Marv offered a day on the road with him today.  he was out talking to contractors i think.  I am sure that Dad loved it, as he always does, and I know mom appreciated a day of quiet.  It was a very busy weekend!    Thank you Marv, you are great!

   I think that Barb and Marv feel like they are running a bed and breakfast, especially for us McGrails!!!  But it is so nice to come and stay in their comfortable home when ever we can get close to Newton!

   Hans was down this weekend, and got to see pictures from last weekend of the reunion of Mom and Dad and Ben!    Both weekends were fun, with a lot of catching up and watching football!  Thank God that Nebraska won this weekend!  I think i saw it three times, as Hans helped Dad figure out the DVR so they could tape the game! It was deja vue when I got there on Sunday morning!

 Meg and Mike and Milo were down this weekend too, and what can i say except that Milo is so darn cute!  There is something to be said about a little baby lightening the moment! 

 Ava got to stay at Gramma Barb's this weekend, and what a doll she is!  she is so smart, and got a lot of anatomy as she watched Milo get a bath and be nursed before bed!  I'll bet she had a lot of funny questions for Katie and Luke when she got home!!!

   We also stayed close to Marv's phone, Ariel is ready to deliver at any moment, Alivia!!!  We got an on going play by play from Zack, and all I can say is that Areal will be in really good shape after all the walking they  have her doing!

  Well this has gotten a bit long winded, sorry, but wanted to catch you all up on our great weekend!  I know you are all praying for Dad, and Mom too.  They are so grateful for your thoughts and prayers!!  Keep writing and calling, you have no idea how much it helps!  Love to you all, especially you, Mom and Dad!    keep up the good work!     kris

Okay, i am going to try and see if i can do this.  will post this small blurp and see if it works, before i get too long winded.   kris

A quick trip...

Milo and I (Meg) drove down to Newton for a quick trip to see Grandma and Grandpa. Grandpa was in fine form :) He explained to me about his trips to the "electric shop," where he receives his radiation treatments. He told me about how he's clausterphobic, something I never knew about him, and that strapping him to a table is about the worst thing they could do to him. So he talked to his doctor about when he's had other procedures done, and they give him some sort of sedative. So he does his "yoga," takes his relaxation drugs, and they hook him up. He says that it's all still very real to him, he's fully awake and aware of what's going on, but he just doesn't care. Kinda nice, probably means he gets a little time not to worry too.

They've made friends with everyone at the clinic. I think this social desire is genetic because my mom has it too. They talk to and encourage the patients going thru the same thing, they befriend the nurses and the techs. Grandpa talked about how sullen and sad a place this can be, such scary things, cancer and its treatment. But with some smiles and a laugh or two, it's not so bad. He has told his fellow crusaders of his new title, his calling as cancer assassin. They love this, and like a general leading an army, Grandpa rallies the troops, and together they declare war on this illness.

He explained the actual radiation treatments, how they put this helmet-type thing on, and then the "ice-blue" light comes on. How he has to close his eyes because it's far too intense and bright to look at. And then they get to go.

Sounds like there are just a few more radiation treatments, they're done on Wednesday, Grandpa gets the weekend off, and then they'll start chemotherapy the following week. And it sounds like they'll do one chemo treatment every two or three weeks. That the side effects will be tough the closer to the treatment, but Grandma Sue hopes for a good couple of weeks of feeling better inbetween. We'll keep you up on all the comings and goings of our own cancer assassin.

"Killer of Cancer Cells" and mean SOB...

Starting this blog as a place to post updates for Grandpa Gary. I don't think he minds getting phone calls, but this way, if you're thinking about him in the middle of the night, or the wrong time in a different time zone, you can check in and see what's going on.

I got a call from Mom (Kris) this morning while I was at work, and usually I don't answer my cell when I'm there, but it was before the store opened, and I knew Mom was with Grandma and Grandpa this weekend. She asked me if I could put together some marketing for Grandpa Gary, Cancer Assassin. And in the background I hear Grandpa's gruff, strong voice shouting to me thru and over Mom's voice saying "that's right, Killer of Cancer Cells and one mean SOB!" Granted, Grandpa didn't use SOB, but for our more delicate readers...

Leave it to my Grandpa, in the toughest battle of his life, to spring to action, to fight. He tells me of when he was a game warden in Utah, of shady characters causing all kinds of trouble, and he reminds of me of John Wayne. He talks about when he was a partner in a cattle-buying business in Sioux City, and how they battled rising and falling prices. He always has been a fighter, a tough SOB, and now it's no different. We're fighting with you, Grandpa, every step of the way!