For those of you reading the Blog I'm sure you're interested in what the Oncologist had to say today.

What came as a complete shock to both of us is that evidently Tom had two tumors. At least that's what the Oncologist told us today. I'm not sure if we just don't ask the right questions or if the physicians aren't forthcoming with information they should be telling us. It's frustrating but how do we ask the right questions if we don't know what to ask?

In any case, we were told the tumor(s) have shrunk significantly. They have opted not to do a PET scan at this time because they don't believe it will show them anything. Tom will be receiving another round of Chemo beginning October 7. He will receive the Chemo once a week for two weeks, one week off, then again for three more "sessions" - two weeks on, one week off as long as he can tolerate the treatments. After the Chemo they will do another scan to see where we stand.

The Oncologist indicated they want to "kick this cancer in the can". No one wants that more than we do. The Oncologist also indicated this too, is an aggressive Chemo treatment. They will track Tom's blood count, blood pressure, the same things they monitored during the first rounds.

Needless to say, he isn't looking forward to it. He has gotten so much stronger and is feeling better every day so we continue to be hopeful. No one said this would be easy.

Jeanne stopped today and we talked about how much everyone's support means to us and how much it helps. For those who have not been through something like this support, prayers and thoughts mean everything. We are very fortunate to have you all with us.

Thanks for the card Nan.

The Belmont crew, along with one of the guys Tom used to work with stopped this week. Thanks guys!

Thank you all for reading the post and staying with us. I'll keep you updated more often once Tom starts Chemo again.

Not much to report.

Tom weighed himself today and he has gained a little more weight. He can eat a lot of stuff now but it still hurts him to swallow.

I may have told you that we see the Oncologist on Tuesday but we don't see him until Thursday. My mistake. Tom does see the Radiologist on Tuesday. He had his CT Scan on Friday but we won't know the results until this week.

Thanks to Jeanne, Brenda and Tami for the Blog comments. I'll check out those Organic places.

I went to the Whole Foods market in Andover, Mass on Saturday. They do have a lot of organic stuff but it's not all organic so you have to pay attention. It would be nice to have a Trader Joe's or a Whole Foods market closer to home. It would be nice to have a good fresh fish market too. If anybody knows of one, I'm interested.

If any of you saw the evening news today there was a story about families raising back yard chickens for fresh eggs. Guess we are getting back to more folks growing their own food. How great is that?

I don't want to get into politics because I know how dangerous that can be. I just want to comment though that if any of you are listening to the politicians running for office I have yet to hear anyone tell us what their plan is to change things; the economy, the jobless rate, etc. etc. I hear "we will change things". I would like to know how. Maybe I'm just not paying enough attention. I'm not sure how any of us can make a decision on who to vote for if we don't know how anyone plans to change anything. Personally I think if the Democrats and Republicans would spend more time trying to resolve issues rather than spending their energy on who's at fault something might actually get done.

Thanks for continuing to read the Blog. We truly appreciate the time you take to read it, leave your comments, send your e-mails and just be thinking about us. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you!!

I'm sorry I didn't post on the Blog last night. I was really tired yesterday, was going to post first thing this morning and got busy working. One thing led to another and it didn't get done. My sister e-mailed and my sister-in-law called to make sure everything was ok because there was no Blog. Again, I apologize for not posting. Thanks Nan and Jeanne for checking in.

So far, so good. I guess things are as expected. We thought Tom's swallowing would get better but it still hurts. He forces food down but at least he's getting it in.

Our sister-in-law sent an e-mail about asparagus being good for Cancer patients. Evidently the asparagus is to be pureed. Whether it's a hoax or not, asparagus can't be bad for you and I thought how could it hurt to have Tom eat it. I didn't think he would eat it pureed so I've been giving it to him for dinner. This morning, in my infinite wisdom, I thought I would put asparagus in an omelet for him for breakfast. He wanted to know why I would put vegetables in his breakfast. For those of us who like veggie omelets, no big deal but he does not like vegetables for breakfast.

Last night I cooked carrots with his potatoes and whipped them together thinking it never hurts to have too many vegetables. You guess it! He didn't like those either and didn't eat them.

Needless to say I have to keep vegetables separate in our house and definitely not serve them for breakfast.

I've been having pretty good luck purchasing organic fruits and vegetables that don't break the bank. We'll see what happens as the weather gets colder.

Like the watermelon made of gold I also purchased an organic chicken - about five lbs - the price - $27. I know, I know, I really need to pay attention to prices. It's amazing to me that organic chicken is more expensive than local grass fed beef. I'll continue looking for less expensive organic chicken.

I'll keep you all posted on Tom's progress. I'll make sure I post on the Blog every Sunday and once or twice during the week.

Thanks you all again for reading. Thanks for reminding me to post too!!!!

Tom continues to get stronger. He's still having trouble swallowing but he is trying different foods now.

I am so thankful that he is getting stronger. I pray it continues.

Thank you so much for your comments Kelly, Brenda and Kristi.

Brenda, you are very kind to comment on my "art work". There is something very special about having your own pictures framed and hung. Each time I look at them fond memories come back. I love it. We actually had the picture that Kelly won 4th place for framed and hung in our stairway. It's very nice.

Kristi, thank you so much for inviting us to the party. It was very nice. Thank you for the information about plastic too. I actually discarded all of my old plastic as well. I bought a Brita water picture with a filter in it to prevent Tom from drinking water from plastic bottles. When I decided to go Organic that started me on a path to changing a lot of things. Plastic being one of them. From what I understand, through the internet, a substance called bisphenol-a or BPA is widely used in the making of hard, clear plastic (polycarbonate). The BPA evidently leaches into foods and liquids stored in the plastic containers. The chemical is used in making food storage containers, refillable water bottles and the lining of soft-drink and food cans.

There have been studies performed on Rat pups that suggest BPA poses a potential cancer risk, along with some other health risks.

Unless a plastic container specifically states that it's BPA free it probably contains BPA. Based on internet research almost every canned product, even those labeled organic, have liners with BPA. This, I did not know until I did the research so I'll be more diligent in any organic canned foods I pick up.

The recommendation to lower exposure is to use fresh or frozen vegetables. Use glass, porcelain and stainless-steel containers. And I'm sure you all know, if you do use plastic it should NEVER be used to heat food in a microwave. (For those of you as old as we are, remember when milk actually came in glass bottles?)

It's amazing, once you actually start looking at things and what's in them what you find. I know in a previous Blog I also indicated that I purchased organic sheets, made from organic fibers with no chemicals used to make them. Who would ever think chemicals are used to make sheets! I guess whatever produces things faster and cheaper. I continue to ask, to what end, at what ultimate cost?

Thank you all for reading the Blog. We're four months into this and I'm glad you're still here. Thank you!!

Tom is getting better each day. We are not out of the woods yet but he is so much better than he was even four weeks ago. I pray every day that he will continue to improve.

His CT scan has been scheduled for September 24.

Thank you Kristi and Kerry for your comments on the last Blog. I agree Kristi that Tom does seem to be able to fix everything. I ask him all the time - "how do you know that?". It truly amazes me how he can do the things that he does.

Tom and I went to a 25th wedding anniversary party for our very good friends on Saturday (those of you reading the Blog who were there already know this). While we didn't stay for the clam bake it was nice to get out for a little while. I worry about us going out too much because I don't want Tom to catch a cold or flu or anything else going around. He's still gaining strength. I'm not sure what getting sick now would do to him. Nor do I want to find out.

After going to the party this weekend and getting such a warm welcome I thought again, as I do so often, how truly blessed we are to have such supportive friends and family. I know I say it often but I'm not sure, even though you are reading the Blog, that it gives you a sense of the continued support that we get every day and from so many people. I end each Blog with a thank you to all of you but I don't think words begin to cover the gratitude we feel toward all of you helping us through this.

I was thinking too, how the choices we make in the friends we choose and how we conduct our lives has a great deal to do with the kind of support one receives in times of crisis. It makes me sad to think there are people going through a similar thing that we are and they have no one. Several times during Tom's Chemo treatments, I noted people having Chemo treatments with no one to sit with them and they had to ask the nurses to find them a ride home. I couldn't imagine not being with Tom while he was going though radiation and Chemo treatments.

I've talked about Organic stuff in prior Blogs. If I haven't mentioned it before, the primary reason I made the decision to buy all organic products is because with Tom's treatments I thought he was getting enough put into his body without any other chemicals, hormones, whatever they put into food today. One thing led to another. I started doing some research and as a result became so much more aware of not just Organic foods but Organic cleaners, recyling and all the things that are referred to as "green" today. Many of you reading the Blog are too young to know this but years ago (and some still today - I'm sure some of you) people had gardens, they raised their own vegetables, they went to the butcher to buy meat or raised their own, they picked wild berries. My great aunt used to make her own soap with lard and lye. Cleaners were made from things like baking soda, which, for those of you who don't know, was also used as an antacid as well as toothpaste.

I know for some folks Organic isn't the way to go because with kids Organic foods are expensive. Organic cleaners though can be made from Castile soap, baking soda, borax, salt, things like that. They are considerably less expensive and less caustic than some of the cleaners out there today. Just something to think about.

Thanks for reading the Blog. Thanks for being there. Thanks for being YOU.

Tom and I met with the Oncologist today. He's is scheduling a CT Scan (it hasn't been scheduled yet but some time before September 27). Tom meets with the radiologist on September 27 and the Oncologist again on September 28 to review results of the scan.

The Oncologist plans to administer two more sessions (meaning 6 days each) of Chemo. One of the types of Chemo they gave Tom during the first round is unavailable because there is a shortage. Do you believe that? A SHORTAGE, really?? The Oncologist assured us there are other Chemo's out there that can replace the one that's unavailable.

Tom did gain a little weight in the last couple of weeks. He is eating a little more but I suspect the weight gain is partially due to no radiation and Chemo for the past week and one-half.

I'm praying each day that Tom continues to improve and be cancer free.

I have a few things I would like to share.

As you all know Tom works for the State. He had approximately three months of time accumulated which has truly been a blessing during this time. He needs more time because he's not healthy enough to go back to work, although he is getting stronger each day. The State has a system that allows employees to donate their accumulated time to someone who needs it. We requested additional time and have received it. First, I would like to say what an incredible benefit this is to those of us who need it. Second, I want to thank those who selflessly donated their time to Tom. Your generosity is truly appreciated and we can't thank you enough. Thank you so much.

Our daughter, who is going to college to become a teacher, has taken an interest in photography. She's taken a couple of classes and I think her work is really good (of course, I'm her mother - what else would I say?). In any case I, without her knowledge, entered one of her pictures in a photo contest. I did this for a couple of reasons. I thought she should realize how good she is and I think a little healthy competition causes us to work to be better. As it turned out she took 4th place out of 60 entries. No, she didn't take first place but 4th out of 60 when she just started is amazing. I didn't write this to brag about our daughter (we also have a daughter who is a very talented cake baker). I've never been the competitive type. I'm self motivated and always try to do a better job than the time before, in anything I do, but competition isn't my thing (Truth be told, I'm a perfectionist but we won't go into that flaw in my personality). What I realized in entering Kelly in the photo competition is that healthy competition truly is a good thing. It encourages us to try harder, do better, make a better product. I know our daughter will continue to work at better photography, if not for anything else, just to see if she can come in first. I think that's a good thing.

Thank you so much for continuing to read the Blog. Thank you, again, for the donation of your hard earned time to those of you who donated time to Tom. Thank you for going through this disease with us. We are very appreciative.

I can't believe it's Labor Day weekend. When Tom and I started this journey it was Memorial Day weekend. Here we are more than three months later.

Tom feels a bit better each day although the swallowing is still very difficult. He's sticking with eggs, soup, spaghettio's (organic ones), and jello although he has added toast to the routine, as long as it's on the soft side.

We see the Oncologist on Tuesday and we'll see where we go from here.

Tammy thank you so much for your Blog comment. You said some wonderful things and we are very appreciative.

Shelley, thank you too. I generally look at the prior days post to review comments that folks have left. I nearly missed yours until I looked at all the past comments to read some of them to Tom. It would have been a shame to miss it. It was very thoughtful. Thank you.

I would like to respond to a couple of things that were said in those comments.

I have no idea how hard it is to quit smoking because my experience with smoking was when I was probably 14 or 15 and stole my father cigarettes and smoked one just to be cool. Now to let you know how really uncool that was, I smoked them in the living room while he was sleeping in the bedroom!! Not incredibly bright but I was a kid, what did I know (although at that age I'm sure I knew everything).

I know I've said this in previous Blogs, if you think quitting is hard it's nothing compared to this.

When Tom had the first biopsy he had to be awake because they had to put four tubes down his throat - one to get the biopsy, one for the camera, one to brush his lung, and I don't remember what the other one was for but there wasn't enough room for a breathing tube. He said he wished everyone who smoked could go through that. If they went through it once they would never smoke again. I can't imagine how hard it was, and how scared he must have been. And I won't even elaborate on how scared he was when he started vomiting blood after the biopsy.

Smoking isn't worth it! No matter how you slice the pie. It's expensive, it's toxic, it's harmful to those around you. It does absolutely nothing for you except to help tobacco companies become richer. It drives me nuts when I see people driving, with kids in the car, the windows up smoking. I have to ask myself, are they completely ignorant?!?!? I'm guessing many of them may be intelligent but I would have to guess they have absolutely no common sense. It truly makes me sad.

No one can make a person stop smoking until they are ready to stop. No amount of preaching or story telling will change that.

If I had my way I would make smoking illegal. I find it extraordinary that politicians focus on things like same sex marriage and abortion and never address the effects and the costs associated with smoking! So ask yourselves, why do you suppose that is?

I know in a previous Blog I mentioned this Blog was my therapy. So, Tammy when you talk about my writing the Blog to keep people informed it really helps me stay sane. You, reading the Blog, are more help to me than you know. Actually, those of you who know me well know that I'm not really forthcoming with personal things about myself or my family. Talking about those things is difficult for me. The Blog allows me to express myself, let you know what's going on and helps me feel that you are all there helping us. So instead of thanking me, I'm thanking you all. Thank you all so much!!

I can't imagine ever being without Tom. From the day we were married, almost 40 years ago, there was never a day that I could imagine us not being together. That's not to say we haven't had arguments because we've had our share. Never once, no matter how mad we got at each other, did we ever think it was time to throw in the towel. I think with any long term relationship, the longer you are together the more you appreciate your partner. Some of that may be a result of getting older but for me, I continue become more aware and more appreciative of Tom each day. We are truly blessed.

I've said it before but it bears repeating, let go of the little things. They don't matter. Look at the bigger picture. Be grateful for the things you have and the people in your lives. Let them know.

Those of you reading the Blog know Jeff, our friend, stops every weekend. This weekend he not only stopped but he wired in our generator. Thank you Jeff. Your help is very much appreciated.

Jeanne stopped again this weekend too. Thanks Jeanne.

I can't say enough how I'm so appreciative of you all reading the Blog and leaving your comments. Thank you so much!!

Yup. You're reading it. Another Blog.

Just wanted to let you know that Tom is doing well today. I was pretty sure if he had a good day yesterday he would have a bad day today. So far, so good.

I continue to pray each day that he will get better and be well (completely well) soon.

Thanks Jeanne for the Blog comment. The reality is that even when I teach him he probably won't be consistent about reading the Blog. I think partly because I don't think he particularly likes reading things about him.

In one of the previous Blogs I talked about the appreciation I have for those folks who keep the highways clean in winter, and those folks who work with their hands.

Today Kelly stopped to visit Tom. She hasn't had a chance to visit this week because she went back to work (she works at a school). With work, kids in school, kids activities, it makes it difficult to stop as often as she did during the Summer.

In any case, she told us how she stopped on her way over this morning to thank some guys who were cutting trees away from the power lines and to thank a policeman that she happened to see. Not only did she thank the loggers and the policeman but she paid for a stranger's coffee at Dunkin Donuts. All to "pay it forward" and be appreciative of those who provide a public service.

Here's the thing....my first thought was how proud I am of her that she took the time to do what she did. My next thought was, I wonder what the people she thanked thought and what about the person at Dunkins? What would you think if someone thanked you, out of the blue or paid for your coffee out of nowhere? Aren't people generally suspicious when they are thanked just for doing their jobs or if someone offers to buy their coffee (unless of course it's some sort of pick up line, which this clearly wasn't)? So here's something to ponder. Should people be suspicious? If more people did what Kelly did today would we be less cynical, more trusting? Wouldn't it be a better world in which to live? Would it really hurt us to be kinder, more appreciative?

Our neighbors stopped by the other day and brought us a goose (not living - ready to eat). I've never had goose but they gave us a good stew recipe and we'll certainly give it a try. Thank you.

If you have time, think about the questions above. Maybe you'll buy someone's coffee next time or thank someone for just doing their job.

Thank you all for continuing to read the Blog and for all of your well wishes. We are and will continue to be very grateful.

Ok. I know I said I would update the Blog on Sundays but I can't help myself.

Tom seems to be feeling better each day. Now that I've said that let's hope tomorrow isn't a bad day.

He is still having a hard time eating but his diet choices have increased a bit - eggs, chicken noodle soup, spaghettios (organic - they aren't as acidic), jello with whipped cream, and a soft serve ice cream cone daily (great for him, me, not so much). The soft serve ice cream doesn't seem to bother him like real ice cream does. Being on my organic kick that and the jello are the two things he's eating that aren't organic. Let's hope the soft serve isn't full of chemicals.

I'm updating the Blog for a few reasons. I want to thank Kelly, Jeanne and Andrew for responding to the Blog. Thanks Kelly for recognizing the "little people" - I use those words lightly because I have never, in my lifetime, felt there were those superior and those little people. Nor do Kelly and Tami. Everyone should be judged on their own character and not what they do for a living.

Thank you Jeanne for the nice things you said about Tom. I haven't read them to him yet but I know he'll be touched.

Andrew, what can I say. Your words made me cry. I know Tom will be touched as well. Thank you so much for the kind words and continued offers to help. Believe me, if we need something we'll call. I'm sure you know us well enough to know it's hard for us to ask for help but we will if we need it. Thank you again.

I keep saying I will read the Blog to Tom, not because he can't read, but because he's not really a computer guru and although I tried to teach him I don't think he knows how to get to the Blog.

Tom and I received two really nice cards today from friends of ours. One was thanking me for the Blog and wishing us continued strength. The other was letting us know they are thinking about us and we are in their thoughts and prayers. What was interesting about the cards is that the one sent to me was from the husband of the couple and the one sent to Tom was from the wife. They both had very nice messages and we thank you for them. We also thank you for the unique way in which you sent them. Very cool.

I also received an e-mail from our sister-in-law, while I won't list the whole e-mail following are some pieces from it:

To realize
The value of a sister/brother
Ask someone
Who doesn't have one

To realize
The value of four years
Ask a graduate

To realize
The value of one-second
Ask a person
Who has survived an accident

To realize
The value of one minute
Ask a person
Who has missed the train, bus or plane

Time waits for no one
Treasure every moment you have
You will treasure it even more when
You can share it with someone special

There was more to the e-mail but I thought I would share those few parts. I don't believe truer words were ever spoken.

I've said it before, and here it goes again, take the time with your loved ones. If you don't spend it now, you can never get it back. Remember, time waits for no one, not even you.

Our ever loyal friend Jeff stopped again this weekend, like he has every weekend since he found out about Tom's disease. How nice is it to have friends like that?

Jeanne stopped in again today to check in. Thanks Jeanne.

Thanks Donna for the call checking in.

I know I don't thank Kelly and Tami in the Blog but they are the best. They check in all the time on their Dad. We are very lucky and very blessed to have the children (and grandchildren) that we have. We love you.

Thanks again to all of you reading the Blog and staying in this with us. We are very appreciative. When I said above, how nice is it to have friends like that, how blessed are we to have all of you?

It looks like I'll be updating the Blog more often. I hope you'll be reading.

Thank you, for everything!!