Today

Well, the family is together. Dad had a pretty hard day yesterday so the shindig that was planned for last night was cancelled. We appreciate everyone's understanding that we needed to cancel it at the last minute but we all want what is best for dad. The Douglass' arrived about 7:30. Dad had spent most of the day in bed and resting. Didn't eat much and didn't get much medicine in him.

As I speak we are getting ready to have a family photo shoot. Dad is a photographer and so he is pulling out the lights and umbrellas and the whole works. We tried to talk him into just using all the digital cameras laying around but he won't have it. He wants these to be GOOD family photos. Hopefully we can post some later for you all to see. We have all of the immediate family here; both of his kids (and their spouses) and all six of the grandkids.

He has a little more energy and is eating enough that we are getting some meds into him. We are asking you to pray for WEIGHT. Yes, I said weight, as in weight gain. When dad was diagnosed Jan 2 he weighed 197. When he went to the doctor last week he was 154. He has lost 43 pounds in 2 months. He said it is very sad to look in the mirror and see himself. And of course, we always ask with faith for healing.

With thankfulness for His faithfulness..... The Cameron, Douglass clan

A Good Day

Dad was well enough to have his chemo treatment yesterday. He said that he won the contest because he got 6 bags of chemo, more than anybody else in treatment and that didn't include the one he got sent home with! :-) Mom and dad had slept in so they didn't have time to have breakfast before their ride arrived to go to treatment so dad went with an empty tummy. He started having a lot of pain so they gave him a cookie and some juice AND some vicodin. YIKES!! His treatment lasted for 4 hours in which he spent most of the time sleeping. When he got home, "I threw up everything but my butt hole". That's a direct quote. They don't know if it was from the chemo or the pain meds but my bet is on the empty tummy/pain med combo. I talked to dad and he sounded tired and a bit groggy but said he was doing "okay". The day ended on a good note when Greg and his family arrived from Tennessee. Greg's older son Greg Jr came over and spent time with the family which was really nice for both dad and Greg.

Today was a great day. Dad felt well enough that they took Greg, Jennifer and Tyler to Multnomah Falls which is about an hour drive from their house. I don't think dad got out of the car but at least he was able to get out of the house for a bit on such a beautiful day. Maybe he got to take pictures from the car; I forgot to ask. Talking to mom and dad this afternoon, dad sounded really good. He said he was a little tired but overall doing well. He is enjoying having family around and can't wait to see all of us together this weekend.

Please continue to pray for dad's strength. His equilibrium is still off so walking is still a bit difficult. He has taken a fall or two but nothing like what happened while he was in the hospital. Pray for healing. God is the great physician and His heart is moved by the prayers of His people. We trust God's will is perfect for each us and that what God has in store for dad is perfect. Mom and dad have mentioned that the cards they have been receiving and all of the comments you are leaving have been a blessing and encouragement to them. Words cannot express their gratitude for every one's love and care for them. Thank you from all of us!

Ever wonder if anyone reads your blog? Just miss a couple days and see how many people come out of the woodwork wanting to know what the heck is going on!! Proof positive that there are many that love and care for Larry and want to know as "up to the minute" as possible how he is doing.

In our last update we told you that Larry had had a very good day. Saturday and Sunday were pretty much the same. He was able to go most of each day without needing his oxygen full-time. He is eating three meals a day and getting around the house, and resting quite nicely.

Today (Monday) was a pretty good day as well. He sat down for a quick rest and woke up four hours later. Again he needed his oxygen on a limited basis. The weekends' activity is catching up to him. He is getting pretty sore again and is pretty tired. He didn't sleep to well last night as he was hurting a bit.

Tuesday (March 17) is a big day for Larry as his son Greg and his family come into town in the evening from Tennessee. Larry's niece will be driving them down from the Seattle airport. Larry restarts his chemo treatments Tuesday as well. We are praying that his chemo goes very well and that he will have the necessary energy to enjoy his son Greg and a grandson he has never met (Tyler - 4 years old). Melody and her family will join them Friday evening. It will be the first time the family has been together in a very, very long time.

Thanks again for your patience when blog updates are a little farther apart. While we don't want you to assume "no news is good news", we do promise to update the blog immediately if there is a significant change in Larry's condition. We will also be adding some pictures a little later in the week when the family is together. The current picture of Larry at the top of the blog was taken at his daughters home in Sisters, Oregon many months ago. We don't think he was as bored as that picture would indicate.

Please pray for a good week......