Building a Kiln

Today Curt started to work on a bigger kiln.  He took apart the electric kiln that we had and saved all the fire bricks.  He made a template out of plywood to start the frame. He dismantled our barbecue and will be moving it to where the smaller kiln is. He seemed to have more energy today and not as anxious.  The new kiln will be where the BBQ was and he will be building it up higher off the ground.  It will hold taller jars and more churches and he won't have to stand on his head to load it.  The smaller kiln served its purpose and he will use the fire bricks from it also.

Working on the bike:

NEW OLD BIKE

Today the weather was just perfect.  It was overcast and not too hot.  While I cleaned weeds out from around the apple tree in the back yard, Curt put together a bike for me.  He had  a frame from a girls Schwinn bicycle. He took wheels off his old black bike and found other parts on other bikes he had.  I didn't realize how many bikes he had and lots of parts of bikes. We went to H & R and picked up some paint and before too long he had the bike put together then taken back apart so he could paint it.  It looks pretty good and rides nice.  Now I just need to get on it and ride!  We did have to go inside for awhile because it started to rain.  It lasted about a half hour then we were back outside.
Clyde spent another night at the Vets.  We hope that we can bring him home tomorrow.  Curt had a better day today than yesterday. He is gradually getting his energy back. Just a little more each day.

Parowan

Just thought I'd catch up on the blog.  Curt is doing good.  He gets pretty anxious and shaky but spirit is good.  He is even going out looking for rocks today when it cools down a little.  My car is getting old and the transmission is not working.  Well it does go forward but not reverse.  I will need to have that fixed before I go to California.  I still am looking forward to putting my feet in the sand and just meditate. I might have to put that off for a while.  Bummer.
Clyde was home for a few days then started to run a fever and was bleeding.  I took him to the vet yesterday and he kept him.  He took a scaple and opened up the leg and lots of blood came out, so he wanted him to stay for a couple of days.  I called today and he is staying another night.
Tishanna is doing great on her schooling to be a dental assistant.  She just took her mid-term and got 90% 
Way to go Tishanna!!!
I am working on placing foreign exchange students for the school year. I had 9 that I supervised last year and it was really great. Hope I can place at least that many this year. 
Since we are home I probably won't add to the blog every day.  I will try to add stuff at least once a week though.

Just hangin at the home front

We've been home since Monday and just taking care of Clyde.  His foot was very bad  and needed to be amputated. We took him to Dr
Esplin in Cedar and we were able to pick him up today.  He is still very groggy but doesn't look like he is in any pain.  The Dr. took off his leg right at the top. He said that dogs adapt very well on three legs.  We just need to keep him in the house and make him wear the collar so he can't lick it. 
Curt is doing good too.  He just gets tired quickly and needs to rest often.  We took him off the blood pressure meds because his blood pressure was getting pretty low and he would get dizzy.  He is feeling better and every day has just a little more energy.
 Happy 24th to every one and thanks for all the support.
  FYI   If my Dad were still here he would be 100 tomorrow on the 24th.

Home again, home again

Monday morning we went up to HCH. Curt had labs done and then we saw Dr Tricott.  His regular Dr. is out of town this week.  He looked over all his records and checked his blood pressure, which was real low, and added one more drug. On Sunday Tishanna came up to SLC to bring the truck and Clyde.  The picture is Tishanna, Dr Tricott and Jason.  We ended up staying up there for another 2 hours. The meds they gave Curt was through an IV.  Tishanna and I toured Huntsman because she had never been there.  She took a lot of pictures.  When we finally got back to the trailer we loaded up everything and headed home.  We had Clyde ride in the trailer.  He really stinks!  Yes he will have to get the leg amputated.
Tuesday we started to unload the trailer.  Curt's BP is still very low and he gets real dizzy just walking around.  He is having a hard time knowing that he can't do what he normally did.  We know that he will get his strength back but it will take time.  I did call Huntsman and talked to Abby about taking Curt off the blood pressure medicine.
Wednesday morning.  We are taking Clyde to another Vet to have his leg amputated.  This is really sad.  I know he will do good though. I will be glad to get Clyde's leg fixed.  Then I can start cleaning so the house doesn't smell bad.  I will send a picture of Clyde when we bring him home.

Clyde

Just thought I'd bring you up to date on Clyde.  He got an infection in his foot after he broke his leg. The vet said that probably he would have to have the foot amputated.  We are devastated over this.  Tishanna is bringing him up here so we can see just how bad it is then make our decision.  Wish us and Clyde well.   Thanks for all your support and love. 

Chuck and Coleen

Yesterday we had a visit from Chuck and Coleen Cunningham from Vernal.  We sat under our tree and visited for a while.  It was so nice to have them come.  We took them up to Huntsman and had lunch at the bistro then they had to go home.  Chuck said that he will come to Parowan for the Elk hunt and help Curt  get his elk.  That will be so nice so Curt doesn't have to go out by himself.  I'm usually no help carrying elk!

At Curts visit yesterday we talked to Andrea P.A. and she thought we would be able to go home on Monday.  Yeah!  Tishanna is coming today (Sat) to bring the truck.  She is also bringing Clyde.  

Another wonderful day

Today we just spent at the trailer.  The weather has been great and the cooler actually had to be turned off because it was getting too cold.  Its bound to get warmer tomorrow.  Curt is getting more anxious to go home.  Me too.  He found out today that he drew out for the cow elk hunt.  Hope he gets some help when the time comes.  He is really looking forward to hunting.

Treatment time

Curt is coming every day now for treatment.  He has labs drawn, gets an antibiotic and usually another neupogen shot.  The neupogen is supposed to increase white blood cells in the body.  It is the one that makes his bones ache all over.  Sort of like have a very bad flu.  The girl in the picture is Malene.  She has been the most help in explaining every treatment. 

Air conditioner

Yeah!!!   I finally got in to the blog.  The one picture that I didn't tell you about is the air conditioner that Curt put in the trailer.  What a difference it makes!  The people next to us moved and left their steps so we used some of the lumber to close the gap in the window. 

Sunday

  When he did his infusion I didn't know that I would have a worse reaction than him.  I have been itching and my tongue was orange and covered with yuck.  It was really bad yesterday.  I took some allergy meds and that seemed to help a little. I think I slept as much as Curt.   On Sunday we took a ride and went the back road to Woods Cross then up the hill behind the capitol and saw the trailhead for Ensign Peak.  Some day we will hike it.  On our way back to the trailer we were in a huge downpour.  I love rain.

Today, Monday we came to the clinic and he got antibiotics and a Nutlasta shot.  Thats the one that makes his bones ache.  Last time he didn't want me to even drive over a crack in the road.  Hope he does better this time.  We will be coming to the clinic every day now for awhile untill the cells implant.  His white blood count is at  0  so he will need to be on lock down.  No company.

The computers here at Huntsman still are not running very well.  I haven't been able to see the blog since the 4th.  I hope all the entries are O.K. I can send pictures with my phone and I can add text with my email but I haven't been able to get to the blog. 

Backtracking

Well the computers here at Huntsman have been down since July 4th.  I have sent several pictures for your enjoyment but haven't been able to tell you what or who they are.  Here goes:  Starting with Curt fishing, Daniel took this one while we were still at home.  Next is Curt back at Huntsman  on July 2nd. Curt actually had a test and blood work then met with Dr. Zangari.  On Friday the  3rd he started back with Chemo and Erlene has double gloved so she can give the Chemo.  The dark headed girl is Andrea.  She is our PA and we like her a lot.  She is very easy to talk to and so so smart! Andrea said that Curt might tolerate the Chemo O.K. this time because he is so healthy. She said that the bad stuff will most likely start next week. He had the 4th off and we came up to Huntsman to watch fireworks from the hospital.  We were not alone and so we didn't stay long.  We got back to our trailer just in time to see the fireworks from Sugar House park. On Monday the 6th we came to HCH and started with more Chemo. (Curt with girl in blue)  On Tuesday the 7th we came in and they started the replacement of stem cells.  The picture with a round container is what they transport the stem cells in.  They keep them frozen in liquid nitrogen.  The place where they are stored is monitored 24/7 to keep everything at a certain temperature. The man holding a red package is the technician who brought the stem cells and un-thawed them and gave them to the nurse.  They gave Curt 4 bags of stem cells and it took about 3 hours. I think there is a picture with Curt and his nurse, Malene giving his stem cells back. On July 8th we were back a HCH for labs and check with Andrea. (Happy Birthday Clint!!!) He has had to use pain meds only twice and nausea meds once.  He really is doing good.  We had Friday and Saturday off.  On Friday it was very hot and we took a drive and toured all the D.I.s in Salt Lake.  Yes Curt wore his mask!  He found some very nice books.  Then we went to Geralyn and Wayne's for a a quick lunch.  When we got back to the trailer Curt got his tools out and started to fix the cooler. It is installed in the window and works very well for that small area.  We sat out on the lawn for a while and we both had a bottle of water.  Curt got me wet then the water fight was on!  We both ended up wet but cooler.  We laughed a lot.  Sure felt good.

Tonight, Saturday I will be going out to dinner with my manager and regional manager in CETUSA.  Curt can't go because they want him to stay away from crowds.  I will try to bring him something good home.  I don't like leaving him.  Wish one of the kids were here. Well hope this brings the blog up to date.  I will try to enter something every day if possible.  We do come up to HCH tomorrow, Sunday, and then every day for about 12 days.

Back to SLC

We came up to Salt Lake on July second.  Curt had a test, then we were scheduled to see the Doctor.  His Chemo was started on Friday  He is really feeling O.K. for now  but to be prepared for the bad stuff next week. The nurse in the blue is Erlene and she had to double glove just to handle the Chemo.  Harsh stuff!  The woman with black hair is his PA Andrea.  He sees her whenever we are here.  She really keeps track of Curt very well.  We don't see Dr. Zangari very often. Just when we are starting a new program,  Then  Andrea is there.  She said that Curt might tolerate this treatment better than most because he is pretty healthy,  except for the cancer.

We had the 4th off and Sunday too.  On the third we went to the genealogy  Library and Curt found some information about his family that he didn't know.  He was excited about that.  Then on the 4th we just stayed around the trailer for most of the day.  At 2:30 we came to the media room here at HCH but the computers were not connecting well.  At  3:oo Huntsman was having a 4th of July party where they had food and games.  We went and had some food but then went back to the trailer.  That night we came up to Huntsman and watched fireworks from the fourth floor out on the back patio.  We had a pretty good view of the valley but went back to the VA and got there just in time for the finale  at Sugar House park.  Sunday we took a drive and just relaxed.  Today is Monday and he will be done here by 11:00 AM  He wants to go to the Library but I don't know just how he will feel.  This stuff today could make him very sick.  Guess we will play it by ear.