Cash

A Nice Post for the Camera
Cash's favorite spot...next to Pat in the truck!
Yes, Cash found the couch and loves it!

I wanted to post some updated pictures of our baby, Cash! Gosh he is spoiled rotten. Our house looks like a two-year-old lives here! He weighs about 40 lbs now and grew so much while we were gone on vacation. His hair is a much darker red now.

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Pat got an itunes card today from our neighbors, Bill and Cindy, and he is loading up his new IPOD with new songs...I believe I hear the Neils playing (Young and Diamond). Thanks Bill and Cindy. What a perfect gift! He also received a couple of new CD's today from a friend from work that he is also uploading. He will be set with great music in the hospital. His last day of work was today and he goes for preop tomorrow at the hospital.

I plan on posting every day next week so that you can keep up with Pat's surgery, progress and amazing recovery!

Hugs from the Easterlings!

Happenings & Update

Pat's surgery is still scheduled for Tuesday, August 5th. We have to be at the hospital, Downtown Harris Methodist in Fort Worth, at 7:30 a.m. and his surgery is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. The surgeon said that he will be in the hospital for a week and a half.

Pat is doing well and a little anxious of course. We got home safely from Florida on Saturday night. We had such a good time. Yesterday, Pat and I took 19 calves to the sale barn and we will take about 35 or more in the next six weeks. Interesting note....Pat and I have been waiting for the results of the Harris Tumor Board's decision that was to be presented three weeks ago. They were going to present Pat's case which was whether we were to do surgery first or chemo/radiation first as the surgeon and the oncologist could not agree. We never heard from anyone on the results and I called just now to Dr. Crim's office and spoke with his nurse. Dr. Crim never presented Pat's case to the board and she did not know the reason why as he was not in the office when I called. I told his nurse that I was glad that we made our decision and we were not still waiting to hear what the Tumor Board had to say. She then asked me if we would be seeing Dr. Crim after the surgery. My answer was no and particularly a "no" now. I don't know if I shared with you before now, but I did not have a peace about Dr. Crim or his facility. I really tried to shake the feeling and blamed it on denial of having to deal with all of this, but the feeling was the same the next week when we visited with the radiation doctor at the same facility. I lost the back to my earring in the parking lot of Dr. Crim's office the first time we went to visit him. Pat and I looked for it several times while we were there. Well, when I lost the earring back I whispered a prayer, "Lord, show me where that earring back is and I will know that we are on the right path in finding the right doctor." The next week when I was there, we looked again for it on our way in to visit the radiation doctor...couldn't find it. As we were leaving for the last time and on our way to find another oncologist for a second opinion, I found the back to my earring! Pat said he definitely looked for that earring back in that particular spot. Pat asked me what that meant to me in regards to my prayer. It meant that God is in complete control and that there are no coincidences in this world, and I found that earring back on my way out knowing that I would not return to that doctor or facility. Call me crazy or call it coincidence if you want to, but My God is that intimate and personal and I have truly seen his devine intervention and guidance from the beginning of this journey. If you want to hear more, just ask me!

G will have a birthday the 6th, so we will celebrate his birthday Monday night. Did you know that many of his birthdays have been either while we are on vacation, moving either our home or his sister to a new apartment, and now hanging at the hospital. He doesn't mind though. G will be the big 14!

We have a few more details to wrap up before Tuesday so we will be doing that.

Again, we love hearing from you via a phone call, cards, email and texts. Your love for our family is so humbling and we thank you from the bottom of our heart.

Hugs!
xoxo

Vacation Album

Thanks To The Love of My Life!

Pat, thanks for this wonderful vacation! The kids and I have had so much fun along with lots of sun, ocean, (sand where we don't want it) love, laughter, good food and great friends! I love you with all my heart!

xoxo

Two More Days....Then Back To Reality

The weather was gorgeous today! The boys left early this morning for fishing in the bay and caught their limit. They came back, cleaned the fish (they smelled like bait) and we plan on eating it tomorrow night.

We had a leisurely breakfast (I made gravy for the first time in many months). Gosh I think we all put on the pounds this week. Who cares! It is vacation! After that we headed to the beach and pool. Pat went in early as he got too much sun and that caused us to go fetch some Aloe Vera at the local CVS.

Dinner tonight is pizza and we are waiting for it to be delivered now. Pat, David, Sis and Mindy are headed fishing tomorrow morning at 5:00 a.m. (yes I agree that no fishing is worth that!). They will have fun though.

Oh last night we went sand crabbing again and Sis lost her phone. So, she said her life is "ruined" and she is not happy. This is not an unusual occurrence for her though. Fortunately she has one more "warranty" left for another phone.

Can't wait to show pictures. I have really captured some fun ones.

Until then.....

Hugs!

Vacation Vacation Vacation

Hi there! I wanted to say hello to those who are bored and dropped by! We are having so much fun and I am so thankful to God for answering my desperate plea for vacation. The weather has been beautiful with lots of sun, sand, ocean, and jellyfish stings. It is cloudy this morning, but we had enough sun yesterday to make up for today. The Rosses traveled down with us. They have two teenagers and two small children age four and 18 months. David and Tracie came to these condos here in Perdido Key, the Eden Condominiums, on their honeymoon years ago and they are very nice. They are on the 10th floor and we are on the first floor. I will have a picture when we get home.

The boys boogie boarded yesterday in the ocean and got stung many times by jelly fish. As a matter of fact the storm last night brought them upon the beach and they are all over. Little Hudson, who is four, was screaming so loud that everyone was bringing over their meat tenderizer to put on his sting, but we already had some in hand. One jellyfish wrapped his whole body around Bubba's neck and he was in pain. The waves were huge yesterday but the stings were not worth the fun on the waves.

Monday night I was introduced to sand crab hunting by David. They are so fun. You hunt for them at night with a flashlight. They are white, the color of the sand, and the crabs are so fast. Last night we had family portraits on the beach and my family was not happy. This seems to happen every time I ask for a family picture. You would think they could tolerate it once every six years as that was the last time we had a family portrait. I think the pictures will be good and I am excited about viewing them online this weekend. Thanks, family, for making Mom happy (after it was over).

We are eating good as David is the chef. We had shrimp pasta Monday night and green enchiladas last night. Pat and I are responsible for breakfast and lunch each day.

This afternoon we all drove into the Naval Airbase and went to the museum. It was raining today, so it was a good day to tool around town. Afterwards we enjoyed a burger in time and buying loads of candy from CVS!

The guys found about 12 starfish late afternoon along with shells, a snake, and beatiful shells. The storm brought in all kinds of treasures. The day is ending with a great dinner and lots of laughter.

Well, that is all until the next posting!

Hugs from Florida!

2008 Weaver Family Reunion, Lake Buchanan

The Easterlings: Carol, Uncle Mike and Aunt Jeri, Richard, Aunt Ruthie, Estelle and Scott, Pat and I

Rocking on the porch!

Dinner Cruise on Lake Buchanan...Thanks Carol!

Lake Buchanan is located near Burnet, Texas (pronounced burn-it). Every year the family of TP Weaver meet in different cities each year. This is a huge family and this would be Pat's dad's side of the family. Pat's Uncle Mike and Aunt Jeri are from New York and Carol and Aunt Ruthie are from Austin. We always have such good fun and food when we are all together! Can't wait until next year!

G's New Braces

Had to get a picture of G's new braces...but had to twist his arm for the photo! You are still handsome!

Update on Pat

Today was a great day! We have been praying for wisdom and discernment in choosing the oncologist for a second opinion and we found him, Dr. Michael Ross. We were able to get in to see him at the last minute and I can see how God steered us in his direction. We tried several other doctors, but they were unable to give us an appointment quickly. We were impressed with the doctor, the staff, and the facility and felt such peace when we left...so much that we high-fived each other as we left the Center. Dr. Ross' opinion is the same as the surgeon and that is to have the surgery first and follow up with chemo and/or radiation after the surgery. We will see Dr. Ross again the 9th of September. He believes that Pat's case is quite different than the other esophageal cases because we found the cancer early and because he is young. He feels very strongly about this decision. We have not heard the recommendation from the Tumor Board and we should hear from them tomorrow or next Wednesday. Pat was also able to have a long conversation with the surgeon yesterday afternoon and Dr. Lin answered some questions we have. Needless to say we feel so much better and ready to move forward with this plan. It looks like vacation is going to happen and we are so excited! The surgery is scheduled for August 5 at Harris downtown========Thank you, Lord, for hearing our prayers and allowing us to feel your presence and your peace! We are so thankful for the love and support we have received and we count ourselves as blessed.

Hugs!

xoxo

Update on Pat

Happy Monday! It has been a full one already. Pat and I had an appointment this morning with a radiation doctor. We liked him and listened to his recommendation...which was to do chemo/radiation prior to surgery, but of course, listen to the advice of the Tumor Board. The Tumor Board meets on Wednesdays, so we hope that our case will be up for discussion this week. We have an appointment tomorrow with another oncologist for a second opinion.

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This weekend was nice and we were able to enjoy our neighbors in Hico. Lonnie had a birthday and we celebrated with them with good food and friends! Thanks Lonnie and Charlene!

The rest of the week will be full. G gets his braces tomorrow and that is exciting as we have been waiting a while. M got registered for college this fall and will attend Freshman Orientation this week. Sis is moving to another apartment and she will need to be moved by the weekend, I will probably help her pack. I plan on meeting my sweet, sweet mom half way between here and Madill, who has agreed to take our dog, Pope, to Oklahoma with her for a little while. Pope is a diabetic and requires two insulin shots a day. Since our time will be devoted to Dad, we need Pope to have good care too! Thanks again, Mom, you are a sweetheart! This weekend we will go to an Easterling family reunion at the lake and we are excited about seeing relatives.

Then..............VACATION! (That is the plan for now.)

xoxo

Update on Pat

After the appointment with the oncologist, Dr. Crim, yesterday, our mind and emotions are just mush....or another way to describe us is that we both feel like we have been run over by a Mac truck.

The oncologist recommended chemo and/or radiation prior to surgery. He said that the microscopic cells that can't be seen need to have this treatment. He was going to call the surgeon and discuss the case and call us back with a plan.

It is 5:45 p.m and the oncologist left a message that he spoke with the surgeon, Dr. Linn, and Dr. Linn still recommended that we have the surgery first and follow up with chemo/radiation. Dr. Crim said that he checked with other partners and a online review board and still came to the conclusion that they recommend the treatment before surgery. Since the two doctors did not come to an agreement, they will take Pat's case to the Tumor Board at Harris Hospital next week to be discussed further.

In the meantime, Pat and I have decided to get a second opinion from another oncologist.

Pat talked with a woman today, Carol, that works in the RV industry and her husband had the exact cancer and surgery. Everything about this man's case is the same as Pat's. This man had both chemo and radiation following the surgery. He was diagnosed in February and went back to work this past June. Carol told Pat that it will be a very rough road, but to remember that it does get better. Now, I call that a God thing again as we have someone we can talk to and she was sent to encourage us.

We have an appointment Monday with a radiation doctor. Hopefully we can make this decision soon. Depending on the route we go will depend if we can go on vacation.

We are praying for wisdom and discernment fervently and we ask that you join us in this prayer.

We are off to Hico and hope to not think about this for a bit.

Pat is now going on the "buffet diet"....what fun!

Hugs,
Paige
xoxo

Update on Pat

Pat's surgery is scheduled for Aug 5th at Harris Hospital downtown Fort Worth. He will be in the hospital for a week and a half. It is an extensive sugery which will last approximately three hours. They will go through the neck and the stomach and remove a section, about four to five inches, of his esophagus and reattach the stomach. His stomach will be like that of a gastric bypass patient from now on. While in the hospital he will be on a feeding tube. We met with Dr. Linn today, a cardio-thoraic surgeon here in Fort Worth. The first thing Dr. Linn said today when he met us is that he has never seen a patient this early in the first stages of esophageal cancer…thank you God! Also, he is the only surgeon in this area that does this particular surgery that goes through the neck instead of the side of the chest…another God thing! Pat has adencarcinoma esophageal cancer which is the most common kind of esphageal cancer. After the surgery, they will let us know what stage the cancer is and check any lymph nodes in that area as well. Recovery will be very slow and he will not have much of an appetite for quite a while. He is a little worried about the eating habits he has to change after all of this is done. Just today God showed us how Big He Is. Of course the two God things I mentioned above and the fact that we were able to rearrange our vacation. We had planned on going to Perdido Key, Florida on August 9th, but obviously we had to change that. So, we thought we would try to move the vacation up and the biggest hurdle would be Sis (She has a real name, but I don't use my children's real names in my blog.) getting off of work. I called her and she said that would probably not happen and my reply is "already prayed about it". She called me right back and they said "yes". The second challenge was seeing if our friends, the Rosses, could change their schedule at the last minute and go with us early as they were going on the 9th also. They said yes! So, the condos were available, and we are on our way this month. We will meet with the oncologist tomorrow. It will be a consult to meet him and get him into the loop as we do not know exactly what will be done as far as chemo/radiation until after the surgery. The kids are doing good and I think they are optimistic because Pat and I are. I can't say enough of how loved we five feel. Your cards, hugs, texts, food, emails and phone calls have really carried and encouraged us. So thank you again for your prayers and concern...we are so humbled. We feel each and every prayer.

In His Grip,

Paige
xoxo

Oh My! This would be awful!

My lovely husband sent this to me....what a joke!

July 4th Heat Basketball Tournament, Georgetown

This last weekend, G's select team, Heat, headed to Georgetown which is near Austin for a basketball tournament. They played four games on Saturday and two on Sunday. This team has been together for about five years. I can honestly say that we have never been a part of team such as this. All of the parents and kids enjoy being around each other and we have a great time. Georgetown has a great outlet mall for shopping, so the mom's had a good time and was able to drag our husbands along! A special thanks to Greg, the boys' coach, who is so patient and shares his wisdom and expertise with the guys.

2008 Camp Eagle Photos

Here are some photos of the guys taken at church camp the week of the 21st.

Great News!!!!

Pat on the phone sharing the goods news as his buddy, Cash, enjoys the new chair! He received this chair for Father's Day from us and he really doesn't like to share his chair.

We just got word late this afternoon there is no cancer in the lymph node that was biopsied near the nodule in the esophagus! Praise God! God is So Big and So Amazing. The appointment with the surgeon is scheduled next week on the 9th.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your prayers.....We love you!

Update on Pat

I just spoke with Mallory, Dr. Dave's nurse, and she will be referring us to a surgeon and oncologist. We are still waiting on the results of the biopsy, but we wanted to get those appointments lined up so that we can move through this process quickly. If the biopsy comes back normal, we will then go directly to a surgeon. If not, we will see an oncologist.

We pray for wisdom and discernment in choosing these doctors, so we ask that you pray with us on this decision.

Hugs to all!

xoxo

Paige