Hello from Tulsa

Hello!  It is 11:00 pm now and we arrived in Tulsa about 8:30.  When we arrive at the airport there is always a  car waiting for us from the Cancer Center.  Well this time it was a stretch limo as they had three couples to pick up.  One couple didn't show, so it was just us and a couple from Louisiana, Charles and Joyce.  Joyce was hungry so she asked the driver to stop so that they could get something to eat.  The poor couple had been traveling all day and was tired and hungry.  The limo pulled into Wendy's Drive-Thru!  I just started giggling.  The stretch was almost long enough to have each end of the car at the pay window and the pickup window! Charles and Joyce have been coming to CTCA for about eight months and what an encouraging and inspirational couple.  They shared about their journey and what this cancer center means to them.  

Pat got his blood drawn just a bit ago and was able to get his favorite pain medication, Delotid.  It is a nice change from his Hydrocodone and to top it off we had our favorite nurse, Wendy.  The staff and patients here truly feel like family.  

We will see the oncologist, Dr. Stresthda in the morning, a few other doctors and then chemo at 11:00.  We will catch the 5:30 flight home just in time to catch Garrett's basketball game at 7:30. 

I accompanied Elizabeth to the oral surgeon today.  She is going to have some gum drafting (ouch) done on December 20th.  She has had this procedure done when she was little.  I just hate it that she will have to do this, but we do have to protect that beautiful smile!

Pat had a good day!  Going to call it a night!  Will talk to you tomorrow!  Thanks again and again for your prayers, encouraging words and love!

Pat & Paige
xoxo

PS:  This is a photo that I surprised Pat with in 1994 for Christmas.  My babies were so angelic in this picture!!    

First Season Game

Hey, Hey! 

It has been such a good day around here!  Pat has felt really good and was busy selling windows today.  This month, Clear Choice has had its best month since the opening of the company last September and the month isn't even over yet.  We continually praise God for our company's success .  Pat is so pumped about the Clear Choice  team and  their hard work that they have done particularly since his presence has been scarce.  We give you Lord all the thanks and the Glory!  

Garrett's picture made the local paper today.  It was a picture of him shooting the ball at the game Monday night.  How cool G!

I have to share this cool story that Pat shared with me today on the phone.  He was at his primary care doctor getting his blood drawn early this morning.  The girl that was drawing his blood said, "Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?"  Pat answered "Sure!"  She then said "It's real personal."   He said, "Go ahead, ask me."  She said, "Do you believe that God can heal you"  Pat replied, "Absolutely".  She said "I am glad to hear that.  I am going to put you on our church's prayer list tonight if that is okay." When Pat shared that with me it just brought tears to my eyes.  Her asking that question was certainly bold.  Pat said she was very nervous when shed asked him.  I am sure she felt prompted by the Spirit and was obedient.  How many times are we obedient when we feel God nudge us. I am not always.    Sometimes it isn't comfortable and takes me way out of my comfort zone.  But the times I do remember being nudged and I was obedient it was a wonderful feeling.  I so want to please Him.  I hope the nurse felt a peace when she asked Pat her question. I would love for her to know how much she blessed Pat by asking and then blessed me.  Remember I talked about those moments of joy or "God hugs".  That was one.  I believe Pat is going to be healed and that was just another confirmation to hold on to my faith.  We have had some tough days in the past few weeks, but our good days have been so sweet.  God is using this journey, particularly from 2008 to now, to transform me and I could make a list that is really long.  I hope he is not finished with me yet.

I had to pause here and watch Modern Family!  It was the funniest episode that I have seen of this crazy show.  It had me rolling! 

Hugs my friends!
Paige
xoxo

My Husband Rocks

Hello to all!  This photo is me  with a few of my Life Group girls, Kelli, Jennifer and Lisa, who joined us for Garrett's basketball game last night.  

Are you ready for Thanksgiving?  If I am not, I'd better get ready as we are hosting both sides of our family for Thanksgiving, which will be about 25 people.  My brother-in-law, Brian had the great idea of hosting both families so he and Kelly will come early next week to start the preparations. Thanks Brian and Kelly...that means so much to Pat and I.  This way we will see everyone and then depart for Tulsa on the day after.  My thanksgiving list is long and I realize every single day there is even more to be written on that list.  

Pat had a better day today and went into the office for a bit.  He is still really tired, but he has a great attitude...you rock, Pat! Did you know that there are t-shirts out there that say "My Husband Rocks". Gotta get me one!  Pat will have his blood work done early in the morning to check his white blood counts before we head to Tulsa on Thursday.  This will be routine for him every week.   

Hope you have a great day tomorrow.  
Hugs,
Paige
P.S.  Look, I made paragraphs!  
xoxo  

Spartan Season Opener

Spartans had their first win at their season opening against Mansfield....61 to 41!  We had a good time watching the game and being in the new gym!  A big thanks to those from our Life Group who joined us, that means a lot.   Today started off pretty rough for Pat today, but as the day went along he got a little better.  Matt made it home for the game, so we were all together which this momma loves!  It is late and Matt needs sheets put on his bed, so I better sign off!  

Thankful for so much!
Paige 

Thursday Thoughts

Hello!  Hope you have had a great day.  It has been a good one around here.  Today was special for me as I got to eat lunch with my Life Group Girls (Brenda and Jennifer, we missed you).  I also ran into a friend, Linda Black, who we met at our first church, Retta Baptist, in 1992. It has been such a long time since our paths have crossed, but I believe that these meetings are little gifts of joy from God because he knows what brightens my day!  I have actually had this happen to me every day this week. 

Pat's blood work came back normal today, so we will head to Tulsa early in the morning.  We have a busy day tomorrow meeting with his team, followed by chemo.

We plan to get back early Saturday morning and try to catch Garrett's scrimmage.  The first season game is Monday and we Easterlings are pumped.  We had a basketball booster club meeting tonight where we watched the boys practice a little, fed them some ice cream, had our meeting and bought some Spartan gear. I will be sporting my new Spartan hoodie tomorrow. I am an officer of the booster club this year as the webmaster and I had loads of fun creating the website.  Since I am able to do that job from home, that works for me!  The website is www.centennialbasketball.org if you want to take a gander.

I am enjoying the "purple color" stories.  My nephew, Kelton, had purple rubber bands put on his braces yesterday.  You are the man K!  You saw the picture of my cousin's dog yesterday and now her daughter, Tyler, has purple bows on her dog's (Chloe) ears! Y'all are great!  That makes me smile!  You can see Chloe's picture on my Facebook wall as i can't get it transferred on here for now.  

To answer the burning question for tomorrow:  Yes, Elizabeth is driving us to the airport and it will be a beautiful experience!  Gotta pack!

Paige
xoxo