In the Beginning...

Here we are on our wedding day in June of 1991.  Excitement and joy filled the day and the future was a promise of wonderful things yet to come.  Little did we know then, these two happy people, what else the future had in store.

We moved into new homes, had a beautiful daughter and a handsome son.  We went on vacations, fishing, and camping.  We had the "Woodfest" at our farm.  There were birthdays, Christmas' and New Years to be celebrated.  We were normal; like any other family. Then, in the blink of an eye in 2004, we found that our little world would never be the same.

Sometimes I wonder what our lives would have been like without the specter of cancer hanging over us.  Then again, I would never know that I married Superman and watch his incredible strength rise to meet each battle.  He would never know the warrior he married inside the woman he loves.  Dana and Dan would have never known the strength they have shown to succeed in the face of adversity.

They say things happen for a reason and that God has a plan.  I'm just grateful that plan included more time for Denny.  As a family, we embrace 2014 and are happy to enter this new year together.  Thank you for being with us every step of the way.  We wish you joy, health and happiness always.

TheWoodruff4

Miracles...They Are All Around Us

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from TheWoodruff4.  I have just a moment to spend writing before I begin baking and wrapping.  As I was getting the butter out of the refrigerator, I saw this little drawing that I put up last year.  Dana drew it last Christmas Eve in Church on her bulletin.  I remember seeing it on the kitchen table later that night and cut it out.  Dana was thinking of a holiday tradition we started when the kids were born. 

Each Christmas Eve, TheWoodruff4 sit together side-by-side on our couch to hear Denny read "The Night Before Christmas".  Seeing this little picture brought tears to my eyes.  How grateful I am that the four of us will, once again, be able to sit side-by-side on our couch to hear him read.  We have been given the greatest gift of all...time to celebrate as a family. 

Both of the kids are here.  TheWoodruff4 are together under one roof.  We will have our traditional turkey dinner, open gifts on Christmas morning, and just bask ourselves in yuletide happiness.

Yes, miracles are happening all around us.  We appreciate all of our readers who have been following this journey.  There have been almost 18,000 hits on this blog to date.  We continue to be inspired and are in awe of the wonders we have experienced.  Thank you for being with us every step of the way.  Denny wouldn't be here without the grace of God, your prayers and support.  We wish for you a safe and healthy Holiday.  Enjoy your families and friends.  We are sure if you look hard enough, you will see the miracles in your lives too!

Thanksgiving Blessings

I only have a few minutes but I wanted to share more pages to our story.  Denny finished his last round of chemo 2 weeks ago.  He retired from a distinguished career with the Corps of Engineers and spent the next few weeks at the farm.  He and Dan went back for the annual deer hunt.  No deer but lots of fun.

He had an MRI done on November 21st.  On Monday, we got the results.  He and I were both holding our breaths; trying not to let the anxiety get to us.  I have bitten my nails to the quick over the past week in anticipation of that day.  I am ecstatic to announce that TheWoodruff4 has received Thanksgiving Blessings.  Denny's scans showed that the chemo is still holding the tumor down.  No change from his last scan. 

To celebrate, he and I went to the Flying Saucer; a restaurant/pub in downtown Nashville close to Vanderbilt.  It is a place with good food and a lot of atmosphere!   We enjoyed a good meal and talked about how good it was to be going back to spend the holidays with our families.

Life is good.  We are blessed.  We hope all of you enjoy the holidays as much as we will!

Free Bird

Big news for the Woodruffs!  Denny retired on Friday, November 1st, 2013.  It was quite a big deal.  Dana came home from college and Dan left school early.  We were shown into a conference room crowded with many of Denny's work friends. 

He was given numerous awards, certificates, and a special coin for 36 years of meritorious service.  Congresswoman Diane Black sent him a flag that had been flown over the capital.  His boss gave him a pewter, commemorative antique plate that celebrated 200 years of the Corps of Engineers. 

Denny was given time to give a goodbye speech.  He talked about the many opportunities that he has had and the people he has met along the way.  It was very well done.  Then, without his knowledge, we had arranged for the rest of the Woodruff 4 to speak. 

Dana is terrified of public speaking but she was the first to stand before the crowd.  She gave a poignant and sweet little speech to her Dad telling him how proud of him she was.  Then thanked him for all that he has given her.  I watched his eyes water as she smiled at him. 

Then, Dan took the floor.  He spoke about the move to Nashville and how it not only gave his Dad a better opportunity but him as well.  He talked about the places he remembered visiting because his Dad worked out of town.  He was only four when Denny worked in Mississippi but Dan clearly remembered getting bit by fire ants.  When the laughter subsided, Dan said, "I'm proud of you, Dad." Denny's eyes watered some more.

I went last.  So many memories were flashing through my mind.  I spoke of the trips we made for his job interviews; role playing scenarios to help him get to the next level.  I spoke about driving to Mississippi in 103 degree heat with a 4 year old, a 6 year old, 2 yorkies and a rabbit; unable to turn the car off at restroom stops because the animals would overheat.  In closing, I said, "We are the Woodruff 4 and we stick together."  I looked at Denny and said, "Whatever challenges you face ahead, we are with you."  His eyes watered some more.

In closing, his boss said a prayer for his health and wished him happiness.  A receiving line formed and all of his friends went through wishing him the best.  Everyone had cake and punch.  It was a fine ending for a wonderful career.  Well done, Denny, well done!

On Monday, Denny started his 6th and last round of chemo.  Dr. Murphy told him he looked terrific.  He feels good and has lots of plans for the coming month.  Time for him to fly.  He's a free bird!

The Beat Goes On...

I've been getting some emails and facebook messages asking, "What is going on? How is Denny doing?"  In answer to that, Denny is doing fine.  I think of the line in the song, "The beat goes on."  He started his 5th round of chemo on October 14th.  He will have one more round after this.  He is tolerating the treatment well and feels pretty good.  After the 6th round completes, he will probably have another scan.  Treatment plans after that are undetermined at this time.

He is retiring after 35+ years from the Army Corps of Engineers on November 1st.  There is going to be a luncheon in his honor.  Dana is coming home from school so our family will be together for him on his special day.  He already has his next few weeks planned after that!

We are thankful for every day and this celebration to look forward to.  Thanks to all of our family and friends for keeping hope alive.  He appreciates the cards, emails and phone calls from you.  We could not be as strong as we are without you!

Fantastic, Magical Things

"I'll bet a lot of you folks don’t believe that, about a wish coming true, do ya? We'll I didn’t either.
Course, I’m just a cricket, but lemme tell you what made me change my mind.
You see, the most fantastic, magical things can happen, and it all starts with a wish!"

 

Yes, Family and Friends, fantastic magical things have happened today.  We went to see Dr. Murphy this morning to get the results of Denny's MRI done Monday, September 16th.  I think we have both come to dread meetings with her.  It seems that after every meeting, we find ourselves in a new battle to fight the war. 

 

Today was different.  She came in and said, "We are going to continue the current chemo treatment.  It is working.  At the tumor board meeting this morning when Dennis' films were shown, several doctors thought they were looking at an MRI after surgery.  The tumor isn't even showing up!" 

 

We sat there in stunned disbelief.  What did she say?  The tumor wasn't showing on the MRI?  What?  The answer is: the tumor has shrunk so significantly that it isn't visible on the MRI.  It is, however, still there and he is not in remission.  I asked, "Does this mean he has been taken off of the "you-only-have-months-to-live-list?"  Dr. Murphy said, "Yes!"

 

This chemo regimen has given him more time.  He had his 4th round today and he will have 2 more of this same cocktail.  After the 6th round, he will have another MRI.  Then, he and Dr. Murphy will decide if they should give it a rest or start with something else immediately.  There is a reason for that which I will tell you in a minute.

 

 In addition to that good news, the Foundation One biopsy report was in.  It identified 3 genetic abnormalities within the tumor.  Genetic does not mean inherited to clarify this for family members.  The first marker has 2 medicines to target.  The second has a medicine that is currently in clinical trial.  Denny may qualify for this one if he is off treatments for 4 weeks.  The 3rd has no known medicine or therapy available.  This is all being set aside for later when all other options are exhausted.  We feel immeasurably comforted in knowing there are "options."

 

After we left Dr. Murphy, Denny went into chemo and I called Dana and Dan.  It was a celebration of unimaginable proportions!  The tears of joy from TheWoodruff4 have filled our glass full.  We wished with all of hearts for this day to happen.  However, contrary to my little cricket friend, it doesn't start with a wish.  It starts with a prayer.  God has shown us his greatness.  All of our prayers have been heard and answered.  We will continue to pray for healing but feel so blessed this day to have more time.

 

Many, many thanks to all of you for all the love, encouragement, support and prayers for Denny.  This day would not be here without the power of those prayers.  I speak for TheWoodruff4 when I say, "Thank you."  Now, let's all enjoy this wonderful day; full of fantastic, wonderful things! 

 

Star light, star bright,
first star I see tonight.
I wish I may, I wish I might,
have the wish, I wish tonight.
We'll make a wish, as dreamers do,
and all our wishes,
will come true.



Peaks and Valleys

Denny saw Dr. Murphy yesterday and started his 3rd round of chemo.  She has been out of the country for a week and has not had time to go through her mail so we still have no news from Boston. She is very pleased with Denny's condition.  His labs are normal and his energy level is great.

The good news is this chemo cocktail seems to be working and she is going to proceed with a 4th round.  In between this 3rd round and the 4th one, she is going to schedule a CT scan or MRI.  We don't know which one it will be. So it seems Superman is riding a Peak right now.

It is hard to describe what it is like living with this disease; as the patient as well as a family member.  The Peaks are always very high and the Valleys are always very low.  There never seems to be a middle ground.  When I say, "TheWoodruff4 fight to be normal", it has to do with this very subject.  We try to find the balance between the two.  We stay optimistic that the treatment is working but always hope that there will be a way around any bad news we might receive.  It is our way of keeping our balance. 

Does this mean we have stopped being optimistic about Denny's future? Does this mean we have given up?  NO!  It just means we have to keep things in perspective and try not to let the emotional rollercoaster wear us down.  This is very difficult to do.  However, for now, Denny is physically stable and the cancer appears to be in check.  We are going to take things day-by-day and just enjoy it. Life is good.  YOLO  :)