Staying Warm

Just spoke to Dad earlier today.  His appointment with the oncologist went well.  He's free to roam about until his 4th treatment cycle in mid October!  A few more side effects, including fatigue, but doing well otherwise.  When I called I asked him if he was having a good day?  His reply to me was, "Yeah, I guess because I woke up this morning it's a good day."  I said, "yes Daddy, you're right."  His words changed the  face of my day.  I messed up.  The question I should have asked is:  Dad, How are you feeling today?

He was outside enjoying his 'personal space' staying warm.  We spoke of cool Fall days approaching, rap and football stars who waste their money on stuff, and how we should have gotten tickets to go up to 'The Big House' at U of M for a game.  We had made preliminary plans to charter a bus for family and friends to go to the Classic game in Indianapolis next month. We also talked about that.  We're now making plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Trusting God for renewed strength and total healing!

Promise Land, TN

I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1

What Would You Do?

Finally...It seemed like months since I'd been home, so Harry, the girls, an I drove up to see about Mom and Dad this weekend.  We were going to surprise them, but Harry wanted Mama's famous catfish nuggets and fries for dinner so I had to call ahead and put our order in.  And of course Dad made his  famous toss green salad made fresh with his garden veggies.  Dad makes the salad even when he's not feeling up to it.  He complains that Mom and I only use lettuce and cucumbers. He,on the other hand, finely chops up all sorts of peppers, onions, tomatoes, etc.   We stayed up with Dad and watched the Honeymooners, with Cedric the Entertainer.  (I thought of you cousin Ben) Getting him a dose of laughter.

Dad is doing fine, not moving fast but moving nonetheless.  He has gained some of his weight back and looks good.  He was up early Saturday morning for his morning walk.  Dad does experience some pain and a constant headache.   However I believe boredom is his greatest side effect.  I'm thinking of getting him an Internet job. He goes back to the doctor Wednesday and won't have treatment again until the 2nd week in October. 

Harry and I have been making a few updates around the house while there and we needed to go by The Home Depot to get a few supplies.  As we were walking towards the store we noticed a man's legs hanging out of the drivers side of a jeep window, fresh broken glass on the ground next to it! It took us both several seconds to actually process this picture. In milliseconds I thought, 'Did this guy break his own window b/c he locked himself out? NO...  But if so, why didn't he just open the door?  Why did he jump through the broken glass, what is he fidgeting with in the dashboard?  After those seconds passed we both realized that this thug was stealing the radio or some other device out of this Jeep! Mind you, it is 1:00 p.m., broad daylight!

Now we have stopped, but others are walking by, looking in the direction we're looking and pointing, but saying nothing. They're just shaking their heads and moving on.  I don't have my phone so I tell Harry to get his cell phone and dial 911. While he's describing what is happening right in front of us to the  dispatcher, I notice a man in a grey Suburban parked directly  in front of the jeep. (engine running)  He and I make eye contact, then he says to me, 'ain't nun-a-my business'.  By now the thief is squirming backwards out of the broken window, stereo in hand,  and jumps into the grey Suburban!  They pull out of the parking lot and down the street.  Harry tells the dispatcher that he's now gone and which direction the driver is heading.  Harry and another lady, who catches up to us and explains she also saw what happened, head into the store to report to the store manager.

With all that is in me I knew that Harry wanted to rush the guy, drag him out of that Jeep and beat the snot out of him.  But every time he moved towards the vehicle I motioned him back.  If I had known the Suburban was the get-a-way truck I'd gone around the back of the truck to get his plate number. (Michigan doesn't have front plates and at the time I didn't connect the dots)
Our first thoughts were that this guy is vandalizing someones vehicle, its wrong, and he must be stopped.  The second thought was if we don't do something now, it could be our vehicle the next time. I'm aware we were in Detroit and it wasn't worth taking a bullet, but it was worth a phone call to the police.

What would you Do?




Robertson Family Reunion Dickson, TN 2006



Now WHERE did the rest off the Family go? Oh it's clean up time so you fanished.... :-)



Night At The Movies

Just wanted to let you know that Dad's appointment last Wednesday went well.  The CT Scan shows that the tumor continues to shrink.  All his blood work numbers were pretty good. No temperature.  He enjoyed just being home.  Dad is having a little trouble sleeping at night and the issue with the fatigue, but otherwise very few side effects to note.

Cousin Joe and Gloria (mom's nephew and niece) from Tennessee visited Dad and Mom this weekend.  What a wonderful surprise!  We are so very blessed to have such wonderful family and friends.  Over the years I have had so many of my personal friends say that they have never witnessed such closeness in a family.

One of the things that is so unique about my family is the closeness of my paternal and maternal families. My parents are both from very small nearby communities in Tennessee.  There was only one high school for Blacks in their area.  Mom and her six siblings and Dad and his six siblings attended the same high school. Each of their families with children around the same age.  So it works out that almost everyone of Mom siblings was in the same graduating class as of one of Dad's.  It might sound cheesy to you, but it's so neat to me.  Needless to say, my Dad and Mom were high school sweethearts!  Dad, I hear, was a basketball and football star while Mom was their class valedictorian.  Sounds like the the making of a movie, doesn't it?  Anyway, what this affords me is a cousin base of about 1 million! :-)  No not really, but almost.  Fast forward 50 years married and here we are.

Dad and Mom checked into Karmanos this morning for the administering of chemotherapy cycle #3.  This was the first time I was not able to go with them. (sidebar:  I couldn't drive because I fell and broke a bone in my arm when Harry and I took the kids roller skating a week ago- Friday)   We called and prayed with Mom early this morning.  And I know you all are yet praying too. 

Again I say, thank you.  Your love, calls, cards, visits, and prayers reach far beyond the surface of our hearts and most importantly God's heart.

 I needed clothes and you clothe me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me...When did we see you sick or in prison and go visit you?...The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'  
Matthew 25: 36, 39, and 40  NIV (Please read the entire of Matt 25:31-46 in order to fully understand this verse of scripture)

Prayer and Praise Focus:

• Wisdom for the Doctors 
• Steady-clean hands for the nurses and technicians who will care for Dad via touching him and his power port
• The tumor continues to respond to the chemotherapy by shrinking and not spreading 
• That during this journey Dad is transformed, even more, to the man that God has called him to be
• Dynamic strength for Mom  
• And please pray for Dorian as well

Dad and Mom 46 Wedding Anniversary

God Bless.

Renewed Strength

Dad has been regaining his strength since his return home last Monday.  Remember he was hospitalized unexpectedly on the 2nd of September when he went in for a blood infusion.  His temperature was almost 103 degrees and his blood counts were way low.

Dad had several out of town visits this weekend from some of our family in Ohio.  Uncle Hubert and Uncle Jack went up for the day on Saturday.  And Uncle John and Aunt Francine drove up yesterday evening.  They left this morning.  Dad had a great time!

I am actually on the phone with him now.  He sounds so much better than he did when I left Detroit last week.  He is still a little tired, but able to get up and move about.  He is watching the game right now.  He says Hi to all.  He had a CT Scan on Friday.  Just to see how the tumor is responding to the chemotherapy treatments.  We already know that it is shrinking....but hopefully we will get the specifics.   His follow-up appointment is on Wednesday.  Thanking you in advance for your continued prayers.

I'll be looking for your comments.  Talk to ya soon.

M-Go Blue!!!! August 2010

Yolanda and Dad 2006 Cumberland Furnance, TN

A Salute To Our Service Men and Women

As you all know this day is the 9th anniversary of 9/11.  I didn't want to allow the day to go by without respectfully saying Thank You to all the men and women who serve our country in various capacities: our Armed Forces, our Police, our Firemen/women, Emergency Personnel, and all others.  Let us never forget those who lost their lives that day, and also those who continue to fight for our freedoms and safety.  Let us also remember the families of those who serve our nation, cities, and communities.

And for those of you who do not know, my Dad also falls in this line of heroes.  My Dad is a retired City of Detroit, Michigan Firefighter.  Dad became a firefighter when I was still in elementary school.  I remember clearly his training and eventual graduation as a firefighter.  If I remember correctly, he was one of the oldest if not, the oldest, cadet in his class and the one with the highest test scores. This he accomplished after working for the Ford Motor Company for years.

I grew up knowing my Dad ran into danger and not away from it.  It is sobering for a child to realize that their parent may go to work one morning and may not return home the next because of the dangers of their job.  I was extremely proud of my Dad being a firefighter.  He was the Dad who was involved in PTA meetings.  He came up to the school in his firefighter uniform on Career Day.  I even remember the kids in my high school announcing to me, "Yolanda we saw your Dad down here today", when someone would pull the fire alarm in the hall in order to interrupt Final's Week. 

Thank you Dad for your service to your community.  We love you!

Dad and Cousin Essie Gilbert
(one of our BEST Community Service Workers)

Things That Go Bump in the Night

Ok, I was not going to share this little bit of information with you.  But as I grow older I am learning to laugh at myself.  When I was home last and Dad was in the hospital I decided to go back to the house the second night I was there.  Mom and I usually alternate staying at the hospital with Dad overnight.  Well I waited until late to leave the hospital but it was still light outside.  When I got to the house I was exhausted and hungry.  So my plan was to eat a bit, shower and rest.  Nice quiet house, no children, no dog, no nurses waiting until you dose off to come in the room to take vitals...just me and silence, right?

Well, after I arrive I walk through the main floor of the house and look around-all is normal.  So I eat a hot dog and decide I'll try and find a movie I can watch after my shower.  I'm sitting at the dinning room table and hear the floor squeeking in the hallway, as if someone is walking back there!  I jump to my feet!  And grab the van key off the table and stand in the doorway between the living room and dinning room. "Alright, Yolanda, no one is in here but you," this is what I'm saying to myself.  I stand totally still and quiet to see if I hear it again.  All I hear afterwards is the bushes scrapping against the side of the house and living room window.  After I get my heart rate to slow down, I sit back down at the table and continue reading the store ads left there by Dad two mornings ago.

Now, back to peace.  Focus Yolanda. Relax.  So, before my shower I decide to find a movie that I can watch while I do my hair.  So I go to the kitchen and look down the basement stairs...Although the light is on in the laundry room I decide that it is not necessary to venture down there to find a movie.  So, my next thought is- go upstairs to Mom and Dad's room....  Before I do this I pick up my cell phone and call Harry just to let him know that I'm at the house.  When I get to the bottom of the stairs I flip the light switch on and SWOOSH....CLANK!!!! This noise came from up stairs.  I shout out!  Who's there???!!!!  In a whispered voice I inform Harry that I just heard someone upstairs.  He ask, "are you sure".  "YES, I'm sure!," I whisper-shout back at him.  "You want me to call the police?" he asks. (for some reason he's now whispering too) "YES, CALL THE POLICE", I say loud enough for the intruder to hear.  "Do you really want me to call," he asks.  "NO" I whisper, I just want whoever is up there to hear me.  "It's probably a squirrel, right Harry?," I whisper again in the phone.  "I'VE GOT-A-GUN!," I yell out. Nothing... Dead Silence.

Well you don't have to tell me but twice....I grabbed the house phone and called Mom at the hospital and quickly explain to her what just happened.  The whole time I'm gathering up my purse to get out of the house.  Mom tells me to come on back down to the hospital and spend the night with her and Dad.

When I get back to the hospital room Dad just shakes his head and says, "Yolanda, what exactly did you hear?" "Dad, I don't know, but something is in your house." I exclaim.  "Well, you're safe now", Mom assures, "Lay down a get some rest."  And that is what I did. (now that I think about it, the funny thing is, neither one of them seemed to be too excited about my experience with someone in their house)

The next morning Mom and I arise early to go to the house.  Mom declares, "We're going home to kick the devil out of my house".  When we arrive and go upstairs I notice papers on the floor.  "Mom, were those there on the floor when you left the house?" I inquire.  "I don't know," Mom replies.  Then I walk over to the bed and discover that the window is open.  Just as I aproach the wind blows the blinds and they clash against the bed.  "MOM.....you didn't tell me the window was open up here."  "That's who my intruder was."  We complete the prayer and walkthrough and all was well again.

Lesson learned:  Don't try to be brave when you are operating on low energy levels...physical and spiritual
RUN!!!!!! Then Pray:-)

Uncle June I dedicate this post to you:  I'll never laugh at the family jokes about you leaving all the lights on in the house down in the "FOOT" again.

To all of you who don't know, the "FOOT" is a inside family term for our land in Promise Land, Tennessee.

Papa and Sheronda at her 2007 Howard University Graduation

For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  II Timothy 1:7

Set Free....

Update:  I just received a phone call from Mom a couple of hours ago.  They are home!  Dad sounded great this morning.  His blood cell numbers are up, and his temperature is down.  Praise Be To Our God!  He is so Faithful!

Thank you, all of you for your vigilant prayers.

Confess your faults one to another, and pray for another, that ye may be healed.  The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.  James 5:16

Going Home

Saturday morning 6:00 a.m. the fever broke! Praise God! The nurse's aid announced that Dad's temperature was 37.2 Celsius, which converts to 98.6 Fahrenheit. His temperature had been 100 degrees or above since we arrived on Wednesday.  It was exactly 102.8 when they announced that he would not be getting a blood transfusion that day or going home. 
They finally administered the blood transfusion on Thursday, late evening.  Before receiving the blood and antibiotics Dad was very lethargic. Afterward, he was returning to his normal self, asking questions, giving orders, and debating with CNandN (CNN).

All Dad talked about was going home.  However in order to go home his temperature has to be below 100 degrees for at least 48 hours and they would like for those blood counts to begin to rise. Because he was feeling a little stronger I decided to return to Ohio. 

I spoke to Mom and Dad this morning.  Dad is up and doing much better.  However his platelets are now low.  Sooo....they want to do another transfusion.  After much discussion, it was agreed that Dad needed to stay a few more days. When making decisions we must always consider the fact that Dad is a heart patient. We must take special precautions because of that fact alone.  The final decision was his, and he was alright with it.

Veggies Mom and I picked from Dad's garden Saturday Morning.

Mom and Dad before I left to go home on Saturday

I want to say a special thank you to all our followers.  I know it takes an extra step and extra time to actually sign up. You are appreciated. The comments to Dad really lift his spirits.

And for those of you who have attempted to sign up and make a comment but have had difficultly doing so, I apologize.  Email me please, and I will put you in touch with my daughter, Sheronda.  She is willing to walk you through the process.

And to all others:  jump right in, the water is fine...

...And This Too Shall Pass

Now, where were we....Dad being home, extreme fatigue, really wiped out from this second treatment cycle. His follow up appointment on Wednesday revealed that his red blood cells were low, so were his white blood cells.  His doctor was concerned that he was experiencing neutropenia and anemia. One type of white blood cells is called neutrophil. When that count is low, it is called neutropenia. Remember it is important to watch for signs of infection when this occurs. And of course anemia occurs when the red blood cells are low.  That is the reason for the 'wiped out' feeling.  His blood pressure was low and his pulse was high. My interpretation: if your blood is low, then your heart has to work harder to move that blood through your body.  

Well, Dad's care team at Karmanos took that seriously.  Especially because of his heart history.  At first they were giving him a choice as to whether he wanted to and when he wanted to come in for a blood infusion (transfusion). But after they saw his total blood work results they strongly suggested that he come back this morning for blood. 
Once here they took Dad's vitals to prepare for the infusion and found that his temperature was above the 100.5 degree mark where they tell you to call your doctor or nurse immediately.  The transfusion has been postponed.  We were admitted into Karmanos this morning. They are giving Dad antibiotics, some fluids (not many), and working very hard to ward off infection while we wait for the Neulasta shot to kick in and rebuild those white blood cells. Primary goal: reduce that high temperature.

And yes, I said we.  I drove back to Detroit this morning around 5:00 a.m.  I was glad to see them (Dad and Mom), and I believe they were glad to see me.  Dad has already ask, "how long are you staying?" I told him he'd do anything to get me back here to stay with him :-)

Dad and His Brothers
Promise Land Festival 2010
Promise Land, TN

Today, Let's Be Aware- Silent No More

STOP THE WHISPER!!!
Today, September 1st begins Ovarian Cancer Awareness month.  As some of you may know this is not my first experience as a caregiver for a cancer patient.  Three weeks after the birth of my dear granddaughter her mother was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer.  She was 21 years old at the time. Her only symptom was bloating, which we thought was a result of her giving birth. Pain and discomfort sent her to the emergency room one night. What followed was emergency surgery and several months of chemotherapy.  Ovarian cancer has been known as the silent or whisper cancer because it's symptoms were believed to be very vague. Or symptoms not unusual to most women at some point and time.
My grand's mom made full recovery.  My plea to you is to know the signs of ovarian cancer. Don't ignore persistent (for more than one month) or worsening signs of bloating, abdominal pain, urinary changes-frequency or urgency, eating and feeling full quickly.
For more information on Ovarian Cancer please go to ovariancancer.org, howdini.com and search: ovarian cancer, or just google ovarian cancer.  If you are a male, please share this information with someone you love.

What's so extra about this post is that as I was preparing to write today the question came to me if Sarcoma Cancers have an awareness month. When I googled the question I found that there is currently an ongoing campaign for congressional recognition to make the month of July National Sarcoma Awareness month. Hmmm...July...July 13, 2010 is the day we received Dad's diagnosis of Ewing Sarcoma-Askin Tumor.

Save a life, break the silence -make someone aware today.

Papa and Leif

Papa and Leif the day we celebrated her mom being cancer free!
September 2008