Perpetual summer in the desert!!

I've been down here in Palm Springs with Mom and Dad for over a week, with one more to go before my sister Barb arrives to help them finish the preparations for their upcoming move to an independent living facility in Oklahoma City. It's a lovely complex called Teal Ridge Retirement Community, operated by the Church of Christ and located right beside the campus of Oklahoma Christian University, and just minutes from all of the Bolerjacks!!

Both Mom and Dad are showing their age more and more and Mom in particular is less steady on her feet and still struggling with constant headaches. She's experienced a small degree of relief from the acupuncture treatments for which we're grateful, and plans to have a few more treatments before leaving. Dad's eyesight continues to deteriorate due to both macular degeneration and glaucoma and he's coming to the end of his driving days--a difficult place to be!!

We've all decided that they should make the move to OKC before winter, even if their house isn't sold yet. So, they will be flying back with Barb to OKC in three weeks. I'll also fly down there at the same time from BC so that I can help them get settled. They'll have a lovely one-bedroom apartment, complete with a small kitchen, although all of their meals will be provided.

This is such a major move for them, having lived in California for over 57 years, and in the year-round warmth of the desert for 33 of those years!! But they're really looking forward to being near family for the first time since all of us kids left home. They have three little great-grandchildren who live just five minutes from their new home, and they will bring much joy to Mom and Dad.

Here are a few pictures taken this past week.

Jim came out for the day on Saturday and Dad barbecued the most tender, delicious steaks I've ever tasted. JIM got the results from his recent CT scan last week. The gastro-esophogeal and stomach area were clear!!--however there was a tiny spot on his left lung. Both the oncologist and surgeon said that it's so miniscule that they couldn't even take out a sample with a needle. They assured Jim that it wasn't anything to be concerned about, but they'll do another CT scan in three months to check for any change.

Since Jim's surgery, he hasn't been able to put on any weight and can't seem to get above 137 pounds. Hoping that he'd gain some weight has kept him from buying any new clothes that actually fit his reduced frame. So I went on a clothes shopping spree--without him!!--and brought back a whole new wardrobe for him. He was a good sport and tried everything on and approved of all I had chosen!! Here he's modelling some of his new "digs"!

Mom loves to play games, and 70% of the time she wins!! Here we are playing "Kings in the Corners".

Mom and Dad have had wonderful doctors and specialists who have cared for them so well over the years--particularly their amazing GP Dr. MawMaw, originally from Burma. She shed a few tears on Monday when she learned that they were moving and all three embraced one another in a "group hug". We're praying that they will soon be established with good doctors in the Oklahoma City area.

This is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and KIM will be participating in the "Run for the Cure" on Sunday. Last week she posted the following on Facebook: "Thanks everyone for your support. Here's to putting on the running shoes, leaving the last year in the DUST and running to my 'ONE YEAR' Milestone :)." We're so proud of her and Tim and the way they have not only survived but thrived in the midst of the biggest challenge of their lives. It's not been easy, but God and the loving support of friends and family have gotten them through.

As for BOB, he'll be having an ultrasound on Friday, hoping that it will give a clearer picture of the status of his tumour and also reveal whether there's a blockage in the stent in his uretor. He'll also be having chemo on Friday, then a week's rest before his last two chemos, ending an eight-round cycle. The Lord is renewing his strength and providing opportunities for his gifts and experience to be used in a variety of settings, giving him a new sense of purpose.

We're really missing one another and look so forward to being together again on October 5th!!!

Bob and his girls!!

Barbie's been out here with us for a week. The weather's been absolutely gorgeous and we've enjoyed every bit of it together.

Walks down to the beach, picking blackberries along the way!!

Visiting Lynn Valley Park and the suspension bridge in North Vancouver

Checking out the fantastic view of Vancouver and area from Cypress Mountain Lookout

Enjoying coffee together on the way to Stanley Park

At Prospect Point in Stanley Park

It seems there are trips to a doctor most weeks and here Bob is with another one of his "girls"--Dr. Le, his oncologist. He had an appointment with her on Thursday and she confirmed that his tumour markers are continuing to drop--thank the Lord!! He will actually be having two more rounds of chemo which will take him to the middle of October.

And here he is with his best girlfriend, thankfully!!

On Monday I'm heading back down to Palm Springs for two weeks to help Mom and Dad prepare for their move to Oklahoma. Mom's headaches are still plaguing her and she's decided to try accupuncture. She had her first treatment yesterday and will have two more next week, with much hope and prayer that they will bring her some relief.

More comings and goings

When we began this blog almost a year and a half ago, our purpose was to keep friends and family up to date on how Bob was doing after his cancer and kidney failure diagnoses. So many of you have supported us through your love and prayers over these many months, and you have accompanied us so faithfully on this journey. We will be forever grateful.

As the months have gone by, we have seen God answer prayer in remarkable ways, not just for ourselves, but for other family members who were shocked to receive a similar diagnosis, namely my brother Jim and our daughter-in-law Kim. Your interest and prayers for them have been so much appreciated and at this point in time we can say that all three are doing remarkably well!!!

This past weekend Bob and I were able to fly to Edmonton for two days to attend Vi's step-son's wedding. Bob actually officiated and David flew out from NY to provide music for the wedding, accompanied by me!!! This is something we haven't done for YEARS and it was such a treat.

Here are a few pictures from the wedding rehearsal for Burke and Tanea, Vi's husband Jerry's son.

Burke and Tanea

Burke and Tanea with "Marryin' Uncle Bob"

Vi and Jerry

David, Bob and me having breakfast together the morning of the wedding

Five handsome guys--Vi's son Bart with his two sons Chase and Brock, and David and Bob

Mom and son making music together


Barbie is flying out to visit us on Saturday for a week--yippee!! And Bob is heading to Toronto for a couple of days next week on a consulting job. He can be away from home for two or three days at most without having dialysis, so these two trips to Edmonton and Toronto have to be short, but we're SO glad that he's feeling well enough to go.

BOB will have two more chemo treatments this month, then an ultrasound at the end of the month. JIM will have a CT scan on Sept. 14 and then see his oncologist a few days later to find out the results. Of course we're hoping and praying that there won't be any evidence of more cancer. And this month is "Breast Cancer Awareness Month". It was exactly a year ago that KIM received her diagnosis of breast cancer. She's excited about particpating in the "Run for the Cure" at the end of the month.

So, although we have so much to be thankful for, we're still "standin' in the need of prayer"! Thanks for standing with us.