As the days passed, Dennis got sicker. Aimee came to help for the week. She is such a wonderful daughter. We were supposed to help Paul and Kyla move to Tennessee but we postponed the trip one week. Even then it was doubtful he would be able to travel. I arranged for wheelchair assistance and he didn't argue.  A little boy at the airport asked him what was wrong - why he wore a mask. He explained he was sick and the mask protected him from germs. Many people stared at us...Dennis with a mask and me pushing a wheelchair (at Detroit the chair didn't come with a person to help).

At Paul's, he felt a little better each day. Before traveling he had injured his thigh, but it appeared ok, but sore. His leg would swell a little but then go down at night. Then one day it didn't look right and the swelling didn't go down. Paul and I were worried about DVT but Dennis declined having me take him to the hospital. Dennis knew this would be the last time he would see Paul. Paul was starting a 6 year residency the end of June and there would be no time off for several years. Kara was driving 8 1/2 hours to bring her kids to see him and to make some memories. We haven't seen those grand kids in a long time. It might be the last time he sees Kara. He always put his kids first.  What would you choose if you knew you would never see your kids or grand kids again in this life?  There were many tears shed at good bye.

We should have insisted on a hospital visit as his leg got worse and he got a P E. He was finally ready to go to the hospital. We spent the night at the hospital so we wouldn't miss time with the kids. The ER doctor allowed us to do the Lovenox shots, but the male nurse became very alarmed when Dennis said we should just give them in the I.V. They had started. Dennis protects his chemo port.
Dennis told me, " I can't travel anymore when I'm on chemo. It's too hard.

Paul's home teacher trained at Cleveland Clinic and recently came to Rock Springs to practice. He's a gentle giant at 6'11". He told me of an old conference talk where the authority described terminal cancer as a disease of love, going on to explain that it allows families to grow stronger and to prepare and say their goodbyes. When Duella died, I discovered it was a privilege, not a burden. The Lord was preparing me. It's been an amazing 38 years.

It was a treasure to watch and hold and love our grandchildren. They were so cute and played well together. Colby (3 years old) scraped his leg and said to Lydia (2), "Come give me some feel better". Lydia kissed the scrape twice and Colby said, "Ahhhh, you love me"!

Tennessee is beautiful. The streets are narrow. Traffic goes about 15-20 mph above the speed limit on the freeway during daylight. The people we met were nice. Paul and Kyla were amazing to us as was Kara and her family. It was hard saying good bye to our loved ones.

Dennis was in a lot of pain traveling home and for almost another week.

The next chemo seemed to be a little better. He kept his potassium and hydration better. He has been able to eat better. He's still very tired.

Justin has become an accomplished cook and he made several meals for us. He spent all day cleaning when we were away for chemo. I don't know what I would do without my kids. They have been a source of help and strength. The bonus is that they come with cute grand kids whom I love dearly and whom I pray for daily. Each one has unique talents and a unique personality.