Against the Wind

I realize updates have been very sporadic.  Life has been moving at a very fast pace for TheWoodruff4.  Like the quote from my last entry said, the plane takes off against the wind.  That is our life right now. If you have a minute, I will fill you in on the latest happenings since my last post.

The stressful issue we were dealing with has been resolved.  As I said, there were no winners but there was a lot of hard feelings.  I have reserved opinions regarding Dr. Murphy and will refer to her as "the oncologist" from here on out.  Denny still feels comfortable with her so I will take the high road and just move on.

On Wednesday, July 30th, we attended an Auburn Alumni Send-off for the area freshman.  Denny, Dan and I went and had a great time.  Denny and I didn't know a soul but Dan, being the social butterfly that he is, knew several people.  As Denny and I were sitting at the table, I noticed the first symptoms of the tumor returning.  His left eye was watering profusely.

The tumor has steadily gained ground as the week went on.  Today, he started chemo and the left side of his face is very swollen.  The oncologist put him on an antibiotic as she suspects he has infection due to the redness of the skin.  The pain is controlled which is good.  He had an episode earlier in July where he had to go through Vanderbilt's emergency room for pain management.  This tumor is hard to predict and sometimes the pain gets away from him.

He will finish this round on Friday.  We have the weekend and then we will be taking Dan to college.  Denny has never seen the campus of Auburn so he is looking forward to seeing where Dan will be spending his next 4 years.  After we get Dan settled, we are going to head to 'Bama to see Dana.  She is having a sorority function that I get to help with.  We will be glad to see her as she has been taking classes all summer and hasn't been able to come home.  Denny should be feeling well during this time period so we are looking forward to a little time away from hospitals, medicine and doctor visits.

We have been enjoying visits from out of town friends.  Bob & Linda Buechel and Meg & Randy Lang have been in and out for the past month.  Local friends, Mark Myatt, Mark Youngman and Keith Harris have also been by to visit with Denny.  Johnny Whitmore went to the hospital to pick Denny up from an appointment when I had to work and Dan had his widsom teeth removed.  Keith Harris picked Denny up to go play cards and that was the happiest I've seen Denny in awhile.  He had so much fun.  All of you make a difference.  The cards, texts, emails, facebook comments,  phone calls and visits really brighten his day. I think Denny's cousin, Pat Hanneke, sends a card every week!   In case we don't say it enough, "Thank You"! I will keep posting updates so check in when you can.