He is who He say's He is

Regardless of our circumstances...as believers we know God is good.

Auntie Laura Up-date

Saw the Oncologist. CT scan in 2 wks. and see him in 3 for results! If
treatments helped then I will see a surgeon. If they didn't, then I
have Chemo again. Tks. for prayers!
...Also need prayers for Uncle Hartley. He has
a high PSA score which could mean prostate cancer and is having an
ultrasound on Friday!
I will have a bone scan on the 4th and a Cat Scan on the 7th. I meet
with the cancer doctor on the 14th for the results. The results are
my future!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Love and miss you all. Aunt Laura

Up-date on Mom

So no avastin for mom... now we wait...again... the oncologist and surgeon are meeting tomorrow to go over mom's chart.

Duck 4 Dinner

I have to say it was delicious! Nat would not eat it.
Emeril Lagasse's Recipe...

3 duck breast
Essence
1 Tablespoon Olive oil

Essence:
2 1/2 Tablespoons Paprika
2 Tablespoons Salt
2 Tablespoons Garlic Powder
1 Tablespoon Black Pepper
1 Tablespoon Onion Powder
1 Tablespoon Cayenne Pepper
1 Tablespoon Dried Leaf Oregano
1 Tablespoon Dried Thyme

Pre-heat oven to 400
Season the entire duck breast with essence
In a large sauce pan over medium heat, add the olive oil
When oil is hot, add the duck breast, skin side down
Sear 6 minutes
Flip the duck breast over
Place the pan in the oven
Roast the duck 8-10 minutes for medium rare
Remove pan from oven
Allow duck to rest 2-3 minutes
Slice duck on bias

our improvised changes to the recipe:
I tossed finely chopped onion into the pan when searing because I was out of onion powder.
I forgot the cayenne!!!
Our power was out so...It was done on the grill side burner and in the grill (acting as the oven).

Mom Up-date

if you have talked with mom lately you might have noticed how much clearer she is in her conversations. she is on decadron - a steroid to reduce the swelling (not reduce the tumor growth).

she is also scheduled to do her temodar chemo treatment the 1-5 of dec (at home-capsules).

so today... she has an appointment with the oncologist, at portage, to go on avastin (in hopes to halt the tumor growth.) as far as expected results, side affects, dose amounts or frequency i am not sure. we are assuming it is IV but are not sure- dad should have answers today after mom's appointment.

backing up...this is how she got the appointment today...her surgeon had sent her records to a neurosurgeon at ford hospital in detroit.
because...the oncologist was requesting a "3rd" mri PLUS a pet scan to be done in marquette on the 24th with a follow-up appointment with himself on the 30th. (he still claimed what was going on in moms head was a reaction of treatment rather than the the surgeons opinion a progression of tumor growth.) the differing opinions made the second opinion necessary.

the ford hospital neurosurgeon's response to the oncologists request for the additional mri and pet scan 'made no sense - there is progression'. this has FINALLY been enough to convince the oncologist he was wrong.(1 1/2 months later). the appointment was then set for today to get mom started on avastin.

Zacs First Duck

Maui Nat's 13

YUM

Baked Pesto Chicken

4 Boneless Chicken Breast
1/2c. basil pesto
2 plum tomatoes (I used a couple good size scoops of sundried romas-bought from costco jarred in olive oil)
shredded mozzarella cheese ( used fresh parm last night cause i did not have motz)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Put pesto in bowl with chicken, toss until chicken is covered. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Place tomatoes and cheese on top of chicken. Bake for another 5 minutes.

Serve on top of angel hair pasta and anything else your heart desires.

regina made this for us. she got the recipe from momswhothink.com

Senior Pics

Senior

Shane home on leave from Iraq

Dad's Update on Mom

Hi, Mom is doing quite well. She had lost some ability to remember some names before her surgery and that part has not returned yet. I'm sure you had recognized that. Mom has a follow up MRI on September 8th in Marquette. Also she will have an appointment with the oncologist on September 29th in Marquette. These two appointments will determine where she is at. She will still be on the chemo capsules, temodar, no IV's. All her other appointments and blood work can be done here in Hancock.

later
Dad

A few Treasured Days with TJ

Teen Discipleship TAHOE

Teen Discipleship Tahoe- Paintball

Cancer

So, Not only does Lisa's mom Phyllis have Glioblastoma Multiforme (Brain Cancer) Phyllis' sister Laura was just diagnosed with stage 3 Cancer. Please keep them both in prayer along with their husbands and families. Thank You.
Regardless of our circumstances...as believers we know God is good. This is the latest email I just received from Auntie Laura:

To family and friends: I have stage 3 cancer. They took a biopsy of
my chest lymph nodes and they are cancerous as all around them. I see
the doctor on Sept. 22nd and will have x-rays then. That is all I
know so far. I am still groggy from the surgery and I hurt. The
anesthesia and pain pill has thrown me for a loop! It looks like my
throat was slashed! Thanks for everyone keeping me in your thoughts
and prayers. I have a rough road to travel ahead! I haven't heard
about the PET Scan that was taken on Thursday if the cancer has spread
beyond my chest area. Hugs, Laura

1st day of School 7th, 10th, 12th Grade

Ash & Her 1960 Studebaker Lark VI

MI

Off The Dock

Jacobsville,MI

Road Trip To The U. P. of MI