deliquent blogging....

so i know i have not been blogging like i should. please forgive me. this blog was intended to keep you posted on papa vern's health and efficiently pass along accurate information (with a slightly charming twist!). i wish i could write you tonight and say that we are on a speedy road to recovery and that everything is just wonderful... however, if you aren't aware, dogs are pretty open and honest creatures with little to hide. (i mean we freely poop in our neighbors front yard for all the world to see!)

papa vern has completed his chemo treatments and IS on the road to recovery. while he is no longer receiving treatment, the effects of the chemo and radiation are still pumping through his system. he is still coughing, still weak, still on feeding tubes, and still in good spirits.

i think the last 2 months have been a whirl wind of emotion for papa vern as he welcomed his second grandchild (1st grand daughter) ms. addyx ryan, and major walker turned 5! much to celebrate and count these blessed events! sean and jen also hosted a fundraising night in honor of papa vern out at the barn which he was able to attend. it was such an amazing reunion of old friends and new ones alike, all there to support papa vern on his continued journey.

papa vern is tired of being sick and ready to be himself again. we have a couple more weeks before any follow up appointments. (the last follow-up was positive) i think really he is tired of being stuck at home with just grandma and i! (more so her than me, i am sure!) please continue to pray for complete healing, and for papa vern to get his strength back.

much love,
harley

ps... here are some current pics!

We have our ups and downs...

I have to say this has been a down week in terms of Papa Vern's condition. It seems like as the radiation and chemo continue the cancer gets weakened, but so does Papa Vern. He has lost most of his signature beard, and decided to shave the rest of his head. Since being on the feeding tube Papa Vern has lost about 30 lbs, and a lot of strength. (I too would like to share that I have lost about 8 lbs from Papa Vern and I no longer sharing our daily snack of triscuits and cheese. Oh' how I miss that!! Papa Vern needs to get his swallower back ASAP so I can get something besides this diet dog food!)

This week has been somewhat exhausting. Papa Vern's Dr. advised no chemo this week as he was too weak, however we continued with radiation and fluids. Hopefully we are looking at only 5 more radiation treatments, and possibly the last round of chemo on Tuesday. At that time he will take a month off of treatment, and then have another PET scan taken. Let's just pray there is no cancer anywhere else, as Papa Vern has said he won't go through with all of this again...

Our hope and prayer at this time is that Papa Vern has complete healing and can get his strength back soon.

Thank you for your diligent prayers from those we love, dear friends, co-workers, bloggers and everyone else who has been following Papa Vern's recovery. Its not over yet but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

We have truly been humbled from this experience and the amount of love and support received is insurmountable. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!

Enjoy these pics taken at the chemo center last week and today!!





On a lighter note, we have some very EXCITING news on the horizon! Stay tuned for more!!! :)

Much love,
Harley

Abundent Blessings

Papa Vern and Nana Bebe have been truly blessed in this time of need. While the chemo itself is hard, and the word cancer is tough to swallow, God has poured out his blessings in abundance!

Financial Blessings - God hears our prayers, knows are thoughts and worries of our hearts. Financial struggle through this chemo treatment was a huge burden looming over an already dark situation. God has taken that darkness and shown his light! An Italian feast was prepared as the Lowe's family gathered and through their efforts a HUGE prayer request was answered. What a blessing their financial donations have been! Nana Bebe's office offered photo sessions with the Easter Bunny as a fundraiser for Papa Vern too!

Papa Vern and Nana Bebe can not put into words their thankfulness for the generosity that has been bestowed upon them. The love and support is beyond anything they could have ever imagined and they are truly grateful!

Please continue to pray for strength, healing and comfort.

Much love,
Harley

chemo looks like this!

Ready for round 2 of chemo....



Comfort during round 3....



The side effects of chemo are starting to wear on Papa Vern. Tues was supposed to be Round 4 but the Dr. decided to let Papa Vern heal for a week. Papa Vern has had a feeding tube placed in his stomach in order to get his nutrients. Eating and talking are becoming more strained.

Truly its time to just rest and let the chemo and radiation do all the work. Papa Vern has taken a medical leave from work. This was a very humbling and hard transition for Papa Vern to make, but we are grateful he made the decision instead of us or the Dr. making it for him.

Papa Vern and I spend our days napping and dilidaddling around the house. I am totally cool with this life style but its hard on Papa Vern. He is continually reminded that this is just a time in his life, and will not become his life though your continued cards, calls, TEXT, love and prayers!

Please continue to pray for healing!

Much love,
Harley

A quick update...

So I don't have much to say... Papa Vern is neither feeling good or horrible. He is working when he can and resting when he can't. Last week was rough and pretty scary. Papa Vern was sick, with massive migraines. The doctors had his brain scanned for possible tumors but nothing was found.

Our prayer right now is that he can just be comfortable. We know the next 2 months will be tough treatment wise, and certain side effects are inevitable, but our prayer is that he can just be comfortable.

I also want to recognize his Lowes family in all that they are doing to support Papa Vern. Not only is he allowed to work when he can and take off on a moments notice, but his co-workers have rallied and made the most wonderful cards, and sent the sweetest words of encouragement. They are also hosting a fundraising dinner in his honor to help Papa Vern financially through this tough time. In no way would Papa Vern have ever asked for any help, they are simply doing this because they care. I know I have said it once, but truly if you need some home improvement done, please shop at Lowes. Lowes truly cares about their employees and intern the employees truly care about each other, and their customers.

I truly feel that God's light is shinning through Papa Vern. He is continual inspiration to those who get the chance to be around him right now. He is diligent and faithful, God IS in control, and God IS good all the time.

Please continue to pray faithfully, many blessings and...

Much love,
Harley

I received my official servement of lawsuit...

Per the terms of The Agreement entered in by said blogger and blog reader. The blogger is being sued for breach of contract under the terms and conditions of negligence to maintain a timely and entertaining blog, while leaving the general public in a state that would cause immediate and irreparable damage due to constant worry.

Letter from Harley's attorney:

Dear Blog Readers,

I want to formally apologize for my clients negligent behavior. The lack of information you have been receiving is unacceptable and for that we are deeply sorry. We want to ensure you that The Agreement entered into by both parties will continue to be upheld in a timely fashion. Blogger is aware that the information he is privy to is not to be kept confidential, and is for the good of the general public. Please accept this as our formal apology as we hope to continue this relationship. Blogger wants to ensure the general public that this will not happen again in hopes to continue in an amicable relationship.

Best Regards,


Barrett Black Lab
Canine Attorney of Law
PR Relations

Never know when you are going to need a great attorney!! Little did y'all know I had such a shark in my back pocket! I understand your worry about Papa Vern and want to apologize personally for not updating like I should.

First and foremost I want to THANK YOU for the prayers. Your faithfulness has already brought healing and comfort. I have to tell you at Papa Vern's first radiation treatment the fear and anxiety of the unknown began to settle in and brought a since of panic to Papa Vern. As he sat there hooked up to weird machines, breathing out of this new tube in his throat about to let the panic settle in... he thought of all of you praying for him and was instantly at peace. We know that God is in control with a purpose and a plan. He is fully driving us down this road even though our GPS has no clue where it is going... I am sure the final stop is in God's abundant grace and we are all going to get some yummy glory burgers (not diet dog food!) at the next gas station, but until than God said he's not pulling this car over until we get there!

Papa Vern received his results from the scan they run to check for cancer anywhere else in the body and the scan came back NEGATIVE! Hallelujah, Praise Jesus, AMEN!! We now now that we are fighting a central group of cells that has not spread to any other organ at this time. The triple treatment going right now consist of 2 types of chemo and daily radiation. The radiation and 1st type of chemo are attacking the centralized cancer. The 2nd type of cancer is killing all abnormal cells in the body in hopes of preventing any spreading.

Papa Vern is doing great right now! He is eating bland and soft foods, and resting when he needs to. We are very proud of all that he has accomplished and ask for your continued prayers in the next 8 weeks of treatment!

Much love,
Harley

Welcome HOME Papa Vern

GREAT GREAT NEWS!! Papa Vern came home today!! He didn't bring home non-diet dog food, but I can deal with that at this time... He did bring home a great smile and lots of energy. I think the hospital was making him go stir crazy!! We took a nap today and had some neighbors drop by! Feel free to come over, however I will be sniff testing everyone at the door! Should I not recognize you I will bark at you like crazy, and possibly show my teeth, don't think this 15 lbs can't do some damage! After all I am his official body gaurd/blogger!

Once you have been screened at the door, feel free to have a seat, some iced tea and chat! Papa Vern sounds great, and looks great too! He has lost a little weight, they must have fed him diet dog food in hospital... But other than that we are in great spirits!

While the next 8 weeks of chemo might be a long road, Papa Vern is ready to start the trip! We are ready to put all this behind us and move forward with our lives!

God has already answered so many of our prays. We continue to ask for his strength, healing and comfort, while we glorify him!

To God be the Glory, forever and ever, AMEN!

Much love,
Harley