Prayers Needed

Okay, cousins, it's time to rally around and send up SO MANY PRAYERS that Debbie can't help but feel the love.

In case you haven't heard, Debbie is in Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. Last night she was diagnosed with metastasized cancer - it started in her throat and is wrapped around her carotid artery, and spread throughout her body.

Here's Barbie's email from this morning:

"Nick took her in last night, She was bleeding in her throat badly. This morning they are going to do a Cat Scan to see how far her cancer is in her body. At this time they know it's in her throat and surrounding her carotid artery. She is refusing chemo or radiation but her doctors say they probably won't help anyway, the cancer is too far spread. She may be trached later because the swelling in her throat is making it hard for her to breath and they are having difficulty keeping the swelling down. There is no room number at this time because they keep moving her and taking tests, we should have one later.

Deedee is going over to stay with mom this morning and to tell her the news. She has been having trouble with her heart again. The nitro is helping but this could be too much for her. I'm so scared but Deedee and Aunt Janet will be with her. I'm sure she'll want to travel to Nashville but I don't think she's up to it physically.

Daniel isn't completely recovered yet from his accident and he relies on his mom a lot so he's been with Kathy all night and she's called our brother Mike in Colo. My sister Jenny is my contact and Kathy's for now. Lee (my ex) is going up to Vanderbilt this weekend and taking frogger. Nick and Lee are friends so it will be of some help to Nick.

If ever a man loved a woman its Nick. He's completely devoted to her and this has to be devastating him. They talk numerous times a day and share everything together. They are just never really are apart.

The cell phone I used is Dylans so if you call that number that's who you'll get. Our home phone is 308-233-5521 and that's the best for getting to me. I will be gone for a while at 1pm to take Vivi to the doctor for her check up then I'll be back home.

Love to you all,
Barb"

I have spoken to Barbie and she will keep us all informed as she gets any news. I'll try to keep this blog updated as quickly as I get any information.

Now here's what I'm asking from you guys - just prayer. Go to the bottom of this post and click on "comments", then leave a message for Debbie & Nick, Jenny, Daniel, Jake, Aunt Sherry and the rest of the family. LET'S LET THEM KNOW WE'RE HERE. Say a prayer for them, for support and comfort and the miracle of healing, and the ability to accept whatever comes. I can tell you from experience that just knowing people are praying for you and your family is extremely helpful during a time like this.

Also, I'm hoping to go to Tennessee if at all possible. I don't know when yet - it'll depend on what all they decide in the next few days - where Debbie will be, etc. If anyone would like to go along and share the cost, I'd love some company. I'll post details when I know for certain what's happening.

New Old photos

Aunt Sherry sent these to me tonight. Hopefully I put the right list of names with the right photos. :o)

Tammy



The first picture is a group picture of mom's family(back)Fay, Ruth, Grandma Lura, Grandpa Henry. Elsie, Orville, Floyd (front) Wilma, Bobby, Leonard, Eben, picture was taken approximately 1930-31. I am guessing by uncle Bob's approximate age,he was 7 yrs. older than me so he was born in 1928, he looks to be 2-3 in this photo, this is my reasoning for date when it was taken.

Picture # 2 Grandma Lura's Family, Back row: Harold, Francis, Lura, Henry, Elsie, Orville, Great Grandma Agnes Dunlevy Colliins, Great Grandpa Willie Collins, Fay and Ruth. No date, but my guess would be maybe 1915-16

#3 Grandpa and Grandpa Giffords Wedding picture.No date but figure it was around 1908-9, mom was born 1911.

#4 Group picture taken when dad was home on leave just before Marilynne was born. I am guessing on some of the names with Janets help, the little ones we couldn't name, here are some of the, Back row: Uncle Ed Hoffschnider, Aunt Fay, holding Tom, Betty Hoffschnider, holding Phyllis, Alice Hoffschnider, dad behind Alice, Mammie Pinneo, holding Barbara P.? Right to left: Junior Hoffschnider, Sherry, Jim, Bill, Fred, Bobby, Dick, Front: Kenneth, Janet, June, taken in Sept. 1944.

Happy Gardening Everyone

Hey all its gardening time! I've found an extra 17 X 9 ft area to plant! Woohoo! More flowers. A few weeks ago we bought a used tiller. Needless to say it is now the neighborhood tiller. Once our friend Monty heard we'd gotten a tiller he was over like a shot, promising to do all the tilling in exchange for getting to use it in his yard. Now Monty's a flower fanatic and he makes a really great salsa so you can see what he grows. In the end he was so excited that he said that he'd furnish all the gas and till for everyone that asked. Ok I said. Last night he came over to test it out on our vegetable garden space. It ran really well and tilled up the soil beautifully. He was so excited. We're planting in raised beds this year and using complimentary planting. This means that we can save space by planting say corn and in between the stalks we can plant melons and pumpkins. See increasing the use of the space. Or planting rosemary and basil in between tomatoe and cucumbers. The belief is that planting complimentary encourages good insects and discourages bad. But then Zinnia's and Marigolds will do that too. So the adventure begins. Happy gardening everyone!

March B-days!

Hello fellow March birthdays!

I can't believe I turned 54 this year! Gaaaaaaaa...

Happy Birthday Bobbi!
Happy Birthday Jody!

Just wait someday you'll be as old as me!

My Luekemia

Hey Cousins its Barb! As many of you know I have Chronic Myelogeous Leukemia (CML). First off it is not a genetic cancer,none of you can get this cancer thru our bloodline. None of my siblings, children or grandchildren are vulnerable to this illness. Basically what has happened is I have developed what is called a Philadelphia Chromasome that has caused a mutation in my blood cells giving me cancer. Now....the good news is that it is a highly treatable cancer with an oral chemo drug called Gleevec. I'm waiting at this time to qualify for a program for uninsured persons that will provide me with this drug. Once I have the medicine its just one tablet a day. After 6 months on the drug I will have another bone marrow biopsy to determine if the chromosone is gone or if treatment goes on. As of friday I have been taken off my med for reducing my white cell count. I take this as a sign that its within normal range again (down from 462,000)or I'm getting the chemo drug soon or both. I'm also taking a drug called Allpurenal to prevent me from developing gout or other similar illnesses due to the cancer. That little pill is only $4 a bottle while the chemo drug is $3000 a month. Yes I did say $3000. Anyway I continue to have an optimistic attitude. I have no doubt that I will win this battle and all things will be taken care of in due time. Feel free to have a fundraiser if you want, I'm 6 weeks in and $10,000 in debt not counting the $36,000 needed for the chemo. Hmmmm...maybe I can qualify for Oprah's Big Give? Well that's my gripe for the week. Wait that's not true I have a bad, bad cold and haven't been able to talk in over a week, now that's a hardship for an Adams woman! I wanted to make sure that you all know that my disease will not affect you, that its rare and attacks people between the ages of 40-65. You are safe as are your children and grandchildren. I love you all and I feel all your arms around me. Thats what keeps me strong. Hug and kisses to you all.

February Birthdays

Yeah, I know. The month is over by next weekend. So we're wishing all the February cousins a Happy Day at once. :o)

Birthday day