Mom and Dad in their new home

October was a very busy month as Mom and Dad Dodds made the huge move from Palm Springs, CA to the Oklahoma City area. All three of us kids did all we could to help facilitate this move and they are now nicely settled into a lovely Christian Retirement Community called Tealridge. Here they are in the lobby of the facility, each with their matching walkers!!

They have a very nice one bedroom apartment overlooking a parklike setting. Their family room furniture fit perfectly into the small living room and they're really quite comfortable.

All three meals each day are served in a lovely dining room, however if they prefer to eat alone in their apt every so often, they can go down and bring their meal back and eat at their own little table surrounded by pictures of all the family!!

My sister Barb's two sons and their families live very close by and frequently come by to visit. Here are most of us enjoying a fabulous Sunday brunch in the Tealridge dining room. Barb and her husband Buddy are having a home built nearby as well and although they won't be living there permanently until they retire in a couple of years, they do plan to spend one week out of every month in OK, which is four hours east of Perryton, TX where they've lived for many years.

Barb and I stayed in the area for about a week after Mom and Dad arrived and then I flew to Palm Springs to see that everything was cleared out of their home. We're hoping and praying that it will sell soon.

Jim has already visited Mom and Dad in OK and plans another visit in late December. All of us are quite impressed with Tealridge and look forward to many trips in the near future.

From Palm Springs, I flew to Calgary to join Bob at Ambrose University College (formerly CBC/CTS of Regina, where we served for so many years). We were there for the installation of their new president and our good friend Gordon Smith. It was a wonderful few days of reconnecting with so many former colleagues and friends and we were so encouraged to see the growth and expansion of that campus and its vision for the future.

I thought that by the time I got home I would have missed the fall colours, but the trees in our courtyard were still ablaze with deep reds and oranges.

Immediately upon our arrival home in early November, Vi and Bart visited us from Edmonton. Here we are celebrating Bart's October birthday a little bit late.

Bob has also had two trips in the past couple of weeks to conduct board workshops--in both Toronto and this very weekend he's in Quesnel, BC. These are very short trips due to his need for dialysis, but we're SO grateful to God that he's been feeling well enough to be involved in this way.

He completed his second full round of chemo at the end of October and will have a rest from treatment until there are indications that the cancer is advancing. Increased pain and also a rise in the "tumour markers" in his blood would trigger concern. But for now we are full of thanks to the Lord. His doctors are very happy that he's doing so well, and somewhat confounded by it, but we know that with God, all things are possible!!

Our daughter-in-law Kim will have her final herceptin treatment on Friday and she's looking so forward to the end of this chapter of her life. She began chemo last year just two days before Christmas, so it's been quite a year. She and Tim are hosting Christmas once again this year and I know that there will be extra rejoicing as we all gather together.

The six cousins are already counting the days until they see one another. And of course Grammy and Papa are counting the days too!!!

Impossibilities?

About a year and one-half ago I (Bob) was given a prognosis of 12-18 months of life left on this earth. Today I've finished my second round of chemotherapy and am "free" of it for the next little while, and I'm feeling quite good.

About two and one-half months ago Carol first broached the subject of her folks moving into a senior's living setting. Today the move is complete, her folks are happily settling in and their former place is cleaned out and ready to sell.

Two "impossibilities" when viewed from the front end, but today look very different. I like the thought attributed to Soren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher, who said, "Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." And so we live forward, with all its mystery and uncertainties. And when we look back there is much that becomes clearer with reasons for thankfulness.

Some gratitudes I live with today include the fact that God enabled me/us to live through these two periods with thankfulness, not just at the end of the time period. It has sustained and strengthened me beyond what is natural. I'm grateful for being drawn into the lives of family and friends in a more significant way because they too are facing huge health and life challenges. I know that this life is not the end of things, and I pray they will be able to keep our momentary troubles in a heavenly perspective. I'm grateful for friends who have expressed concerns and prayers for Carol and me, and provided tangible help when we needed it. And I'm grateful to still be able to make a contribution in the lives of people and organizations.

I'm still doing a little consulting, including travel, as well as some coaching of people as they face organizational or life challenges. As long as God gives me life and strength I'm looking for ways to make myself available and present for those who need or want what I have to give. Who knows, I may just get some writing done, which has been on my mind for the past few months.

Thanks to all of you who read these blogs and follow our lives with such interest. You are a gift to us.

Bob (for Carol too).

Always giving thanks

Bob and I have had such a wonderful almost two weeks together, but in just a few hours I board a plane to take me to Oklahoma City to help Mom and Dad settle into their new home.

Having been apart so much this fall, we decided to go into seclusion on Thanksgiving Day--which was a week ago--Monday, Oct. 8 for you Americans!! We still cooked a turkey, went for a walk through the forest on a bluff overlooking the ocean--just eight blocks from our home (in the picture below), and came back home to the fabulous aroma of our turkey ready to be carved and eaten.

While I was cleaning up the dishes, Bob sat down at the piano and played some of our favourite thanksgiving hymns--"Great Is Thy Faithfulness", "Give Thanks", etc. When Bob was a little boy, his mother would excuse him from doing the dishes if he would play the piano for her while she did them--or so I've been told!!! No wonder he became such a wonderful pianist and improviser!! Let me hasten to say that he also is a very good helper around the house and did his usual perfect job of carving the turkey!!

My sister Barb has been down in Palm Springs with our parents since I left twelve days ago. On Thursday she will fly with them to Oklahoma City and since I'll be there a day ahead of time, I hope to have their little apartment all set up for them by the time they arrive. Jim's also spending quite a bit of time with them and in November he'll be driving their car to OKC with more of their things and plans to spend American Thanksgiving with them and all of the Bolerjacks.

And this very weekend, Jim is flying up to Vancouver and will spend four days with Bob. He's wanting to attend a seminar here related to fighting cancer through alternative methods, so both of them are going to attend it together.

There are still quite a few things to be done in Palm Springs, so next week I'll fly there from OKC and spend a week tying up some of those loose ends. Then on Oct. 31, I'll be flying up to Calgary to join Bob at the events around the installation of our good friend Gordon Smith as the new president of Ambrose University College, formerly CBC/CTS. And we'll be back home together on Nov. 3rd!!

I know that these next couple of weeks will be somewhat exhausting both physically and emotionally, but it will all be good. We've learned that we can depend on the Lord to provide the energy and strength to do what He's put in front of us. And maintaining an attitude of "thankfulness" is a key to unlocking heaven's resources.

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.

Celebrating weddings and anniversaries

I returned home from Palm Springs last Friday, the 24th. A lot happened in the two weeks that I spent with Mom and Dad. Mom's sudden hospitalization and our ongoing concern that they not live alone much longer, caused us to get serious about addressing their increasing need for care.

Jim, Barb, and I have been in discusssion about this for some time and proposed a plan to Mom and Dad that they have both embraced with amazing openness and peace!! The plan is that they will move to the Oklahoma City area where Barb and Buddy are building a new home and where both of their sons and their families live. Not only would they be just a few minutes from family, the cost of assisted living and eventually nursing home care is much more affordable than southern California.

There are a couple of assisted living facilities that they are considering in OKC--with the option that they might even live in Barb and Buddy's new home at first. They put their home on the market a week ago and much depends on the speed in which it sells.

It's incredible to think that they have lived in this very home in Palm Springs for one third of their lives and a little less than half of their marriage!!

And . . . last week they celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary!! Here they are all ready to head out to The Outback for a steak dinner.

Bob and I had to delay celebrating our anniversary until I got home. We took this picture last evening after we had supper on our patio, which is just about our favourite place to dine!!

Bob is having a two-week rest from chemo and will have his last two treatments toward the end of September. Doesn't he look great in spite of his illness? We are FULL of thanks to the Lord.

This Labour Day weekend, we're flying up to Edmonton to attend Vi's step-son's wedding. Bob will actually be performing the ceremony and David, who's coming from NY, and I will provide the music!!

And at the end of next week, Barbie's flying out to visit us for a week. We are SO blessed!!