August 31

This picture was taken on Saturday over Peter and Tricas new home. This is Gail and Chris from Arizona.This is the new Dave with no facial hair.I think he looks great. Sorry I didn't get to blog last night but family came in late and we moved the furniture in front of the computer.Its great having the family together Dave and I just keep smiling. Dave is having such a great time visiting with his brothers Al and Don.This is the first time Don, Lisa and Andrea have come to visit. They are here with Kim,Jr.,Megan,Morgan,and John. The house is full to the brim but its great. Dave went back for Radiation today with Jr.. He is going tomorrow to have a slice cat scan done again as well as radiation. His white count was up today to 4.5. This has been a great time,its hard to believe that he is sick.I know this next week is going to be tough again but as long as we have these kind of weeks it makes it possible to believe that our prayers are being answered . Thanks again to everyone for the support,love and prayers . We love you all. Talk to you tomorrow. Dave and Julie

August 29

Sorry this is so late. We have been watching the Jet /Giant game. Bob, Judy and Matt came over tonight to watch the game.The Jets won,Yeah!!!It was a good day. Dave and I went over to see Tricia and Peters new house and have breakfast with Gail and Chris. On days like this its hard for me to remember that Dave is sick. We had a great day together and visiting with friends. . Talk to you tomorrow. Love, Julie and Dave

August 28

Its a good day. I can't believe the difference in Dave from one week to the next. He goes for chemo next week so this is his best week for energy but the worst for his white blood count. Sorry I didn't blog last night but Dave and Barbara had us over foe dinner and we didn't get home till late. The 2 of us were like little kids getting out for the night. Thanks Barbara and Dave for the great night!!!Dave found out today that they want to do another cat scan next Tuesday and retagg him.. I am thinking that this must be great news.! Chris and Gail are leaving to go back to Arizona tomorrow and we sure are going to miss them both. Thanks Chris for the great week and company. Chris brought Dave a beautiful cross today that has Dave beaming over. Thank You! This has been a great week with me being back to work and Dave in radiation. Thanks for the prayers and the love. Remember with God anything is possible. Talk to you tomorrow, Love, Dave and Julie

August 25

Today was a good day. This is Dave's strong week and he is enjoying his days. Chris is still here with us and he has been going back and forth with Dave for his radiation. They have been having a good visit. WE went out to Dinner with Chis, Gail and Maureen tonight. It was great getting out .I went back to work on Monday, so things are back to normal this week.Dave's spirits are high due to Chris being here and all the good news from his Drs.. I really believe that the prayers are helping. Thanks everyone again. Talk to you tomorrow, Dave and Julie

Message from Dave

Today was a good day. I want to thank everybody for your prayers,support and love.Keep those prayers coming. I saw the Dr's. today and everything is going good. My arm is healing fine with the help of antibiotics and the heat wraps. I was re tagged today and they started a new regiment of radiation. I saw the oncologist this afternoon and we discussed all the problems we have been having with their breakdown of communication in the office. The Dr. understood our position and gave us her cell phone # so we can call her when we have a need.She also told us that I might be doing 6 rounds of chemo but we will see after the 4th is done and how the test come back.The DR. also told us that she thinks we are going to be very happy with the outcome of the treatments. The positive energy is all around us. Thanks Everyone. Talk to you tomorrow,Dave and Julie

August 24

Today was a good day. I think this is Dave's good week. He is starting to taste his food again and has some energy. Thank God for these days. He went into the pool today and cleaned it.! Dave and Chris had a good day visiting and napping. I know we are both glad for the company. I went back to work today and it was good to get my feet back under the desk. I know I have said this before But we are so thankful for all of the support from our families and friends. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers. We really do feel all of the positive energy. Dave is going back to be re tagged tomorrow at the radiologist and then we go to the oncologist in the afternoon. Keep those prayers coming that we have some good news tomorrow,! Talk to you tomorrow. Love, Dave and Julie

August 23

Hi everyone. Sorry I didn't blog last night.WE were watching the Giants lose to Chicago and I fell a sleep. I had over 2 hours of dental work done in the morning so I was pretty shot for the day. Dave had something going on with his right arm so Mary drove him to the oncologist office. it turned out to be an inflamed vein from having the IVs and chemo in the same arm, 7 days is just to long. I feel so bad for him, its one thing after another. Its been hard trying to keep his spirits up with all of this extra stuff happening. I keep trying though. Our friends Chris and Gail flew in from Arizona yesterday and Chris is going to be staying with us for most of the week. This is going to be good company for both of us. Dave has been complaining about the back pain again today. Ron was by this morning and reminded us that it could be from the shot he got last Saturday .He has been taking his pain bills and doing some sleeping. This was a tough week but I am thinking that next week has got to be better,!!! I keep thanking the Lord that he has the strength to keep dealing with all of this. Thanks everyone for the calls this weekend. Please keep those prayers comming. Till tomorrow. Love, Julie and Dave

August 21

Today was a good day. I stayed home from work because we just got him out of the hospital yesterday. We both slept in late.YEAH!!!!Dave is feeling dragged out but otherwise ok. He still has his appetite. He is eating smaller meals but more times a day. I think we both are beginning to feel overwhelmed by the last months news. We are trying to regroup and think positive things. We talk about keeping only positive thoughts in our minds and pray to God that he hears them. This has been a quiet day for both of us.. Thanks everyone for your prayers and support. Talk to you tomorrow. Love , Dave and Julie

August 20

Its a good day. I brought Dave home early this afternoon. He is doing a lot of sleeping. He was cranky all day due to being in the hospital. He got a new room mate last night who tried smoking in their room. He really set Dave off. Things are quiet here and that is a very good thing.!! Thanks everyone for your prayers. Keep them coming!!! I am calling it a night. Talk to you tomorrow. Love to you all, Dave and Julie

Great News

Hi everyone. We have some great news to share with you. Dave is coming home tomorrow!! The stress test went great without any problems. Thanks everyone for your prayers. He needs to get over this infection before he can have any more radiation though. I left him at the hospital tonight in great spirit and excited about coming home.Today was a good day. I keep thanking the Lord that we have him for another day. Thanks everyone for your love ,prayers and support. I don't know how we would get through this without you all. I don't have any new pictures to share but I thought you might enjoy a picture from the past. Talk to you tomorrow. With MUCH Love, Dave and Julie

update 8/18/09

Thanks everyone for your calls and support. Dave is resting well on some good meds!He is going to have a stress test tomorrow and it should take about 3 hours. I hope he will be back in his room by 2 PM. He is in Mather hospital room #306, second bed. The phone # is 631-473-1320.The Drs. want to rule out any problems with his heart.Please keep us in your prayers for tonight and tomorrow. I am going to go to sleep now because I need to get to the hospital by 8 AM. Talk to you tomorrow. Love, Dave and Julie

IMPORTANT NEWS!

Dave had some chest pain around 9 last night ,right after doing the blog. We called the ambulance and they took him to Mather hospital. Mary drove over with me to keep me company. Thanks Mary.They thought he might be having a heart attack but they ruled that out. They took more x-rays and a cat scan. The good news is no heart attack, No blood clots in the lung and the TUMOR has SHRUNK. YEAH!!!!! They think he has pneumonia or a bad bronchial infection. I am heading out to the hospital at 2 and I don't think I will be back home before 12 tonight.I got in this morning at 5:30. I just talked to Dave and he is still in the emergency room(no beds are available) and his voice sounds strong. He was asking about eating. You have to love his appetite.I will blog again when I get home. Please keep us in your prayers today. Remember with God all things are possible. Talk to you all tonight. Love, Dave and Julie

8/17/09

This has been a sleepy day. Dave had a bad night sleeping with a lot of coughing. The chemo is really kicking his but this time. He slept for a good part of the day. I stayed home and got some sleep also. He is feeling pretty down in the dumps. He went out and sat on the side of the pool this afternoon while Paul was here. Thanks Paul for mowing the front yard.The sod in the front yard seems to grow faster then the weeds use to!!!!This a picture from over the weekend while he still had some energy. He sure does love cleaning the pool.!!!Dave is going back to have radiation tomorrow. I don't know if they will know anything from his last cat scan. Lets keep our fingers crossed that we get some great news!Keep those prayers coming. Talk to you tomorrow, Dave and Julie

August 16, 2009

Dave had a sleepy day today. I think the chemo started to beat him up last night. He had a night of a lot of coughing. About 3 he put the oxygen on, then slept like a baby.He wound up taking 3 good naps today.It was a sad day because Al, Ellie, Delores and Joe left for home. Thanks everyone for all your help this past week. Lisa , Paul, Tony ,Robin and Their son came over for a barb-b-que. Tony and Paul did the cooking and the food was great. Dave really enjoys the visits and phone calls. I think he is his happiest when the house and pool are full with people.!!!He has always loved a party, even now!!!The weather was beautiful today and Dave even went swimming. I know I just marvel at his spirit and love for life. Thanks Mary and George for the great fliers about the blog. Today was a great day. I just keep thanking God that its another good day. Talk to you tomorrow, Dave and Julie

August 15

Sorry there isn't a new picture tonight. Look for one tomorrow!!!It was a great day. Joe took Dave to get his shot at the Drs.. Dave can't believe there was no pain with this one. Last time his bones were hurting. Lets hope this stays like this. He had a great day swimming with the family.He cooked some steaks out on the grill. Talk about a happy man!!! All that was missing was his golf!!! Joe put together the desk for Daves new computer. Thank you Joe. He worked over 4 hours on it!!! The room is coming together. Lisa and Paul stopped by for dinner and helped with the desk. Thanks everyone for all your support and Love. Remember to keep the prayers coming. It was a good day. Talk to you tomorrow, Dave and Julie I put Daves wrong Email on the blog last night, its dp713@verizon.net( lower case). Uncle Dave said thanks John Colby for your haircut. Till tomorrow

8/14/09

How do you like Daves new Do? Barbara and Dave brought him this new hat. Thanks guys!!!Today was a great day. Dave is half way done with his chemo. This was day # 6 out of 12. YEAH!!! No radiation today but a cat scan . Joe brought Delores down to visit last night. Sandy and Steve left for home today. Thanks guys for coming. Sandy and Steve went into the city via the train yesterday and brought us all home gifts. Ellie took Dave for his treatment this morning. Thanks to all of the family for all this help. I just don't know how you would ever get through this without the help of family and friends. Dave goes for his shot tomorrow and Joe has offered to take him to Setauket . Keep those prayers coming. Remember with God anything is possible. Talk to you tomorrow, Dave and Julie. Dave said to send out his Email address: DP713@verizon.net.

August 13

Well sorry I didn't get to blog last night. We got a new computer for Dave yesterday and Steve was installing it for us. So now Dave can do email and everything!!!!Its been a couple of busy days with radiation and chemo.I took the day off yesterday and went with Ellie to take Dave. It turns out that they want to do something called coning , which is when they take another look to see if the tumor is shrinking and then change his radiation. It sounds like its a positive thought. Dave is having chemo at the Dr's. office in Patchogue . The office and nurses seem like great people. Dave had 2 bags of chemo yesterday and he also had radiation. They put him into a private room so you know he was like the MAN!!!!!He came home and had a burger and hot dog for supper!!!He is something else. Next thing we knew he was up dancing in the living room to the Blues Brothers!! You have to love his spirit. Ellie took him today and they did radiation and 1 bag of chemo. only a 3 hour day compared to a 6 hour day yesterday.They decided to retag him for his radiation. The plan is that he is going to have chemo tomorrow and a cat scan to check and change his dose and position of his radiation.He is feeling tired this evening but he is up watching TV talking on the phone. All and all it was a good day. Keep those prayers coming. Talk to you tomorrow. Dave and Julie

8/11/09

What do you think of today's pictures? I think he looks great! Al,Ellie and Sandy took him for his radiation this morning. He met with the Dr. and he had an xray done. The Dr. is happy with the fact that the tumor is shrinking.YEAH!!!!! He wants Dave to have a cat scan after he has the chemo. They want to see exactly how it has changed and change his tags for radiation. This all sounds positive to me.!!!I took him this afternoon to see about getting his social security, it took us over 3 hours but lets keep our fingers crossed.We came home and he went in for a swim with Ellie, and Al. Thanks again for all the help and prayers. Talk to you tomorrow, Julie and Dave

August 10, 2009

Take a look at Dave. I think he looks great!Thanks Ellie for the pictures! Today was a great day. Dave has energy and he is enjoying visiting with the family. This is a picture from this morning when the gang went for breakfast. This is Al, Steve, Sandy, Ellie and Dave.Dave went with Ellie to have his radiation this morning. Everything is set for his chemo on the 12th. We want to say Happy Anniversary Momma and Dad! We tried calling you but you were out.We want to say THANKS to everyone for all your support and prayers. I don't know how we would have ever gotten through the last month without you all.!! THANK YOU ALL. Please keep the prayers coming remember with God anything is possible. Love you all. Talk to you tomorrow, Dave and Julie

August 09

Look at Dave !! Today was the big day. He went to the salon this morning and shave his head. Dave kept saying that his hair was tingling and was starting to come out by the strands when he ran his hands through his hair. I think he looks great.!! This has been a great weekend without Dr. appointments.!!! Dave decided that he had to clean the pool and then we went to the pool store and then Home Depot! I had to take him home for a nap. Elli and Al came in this afternoon and Sandy and her son Steve came in from North Carolina this evening. Its great having family in. I just got a chance to see what everyone is saying on the blog. Thanks everyone for your love and prayers This is going to be a big week with Chemo staring on The 12th and radiation all week. Sorry I didn't blog last night I was just to tired. Talk to you tomorrow. Love, Dave and Julie

August7

Well today was a great day. Dave is feeling great. His blood work came back today as 11.4. YEAH!!!! He also had a radiation treatment today. His appetite is back. Hes eating like he use to. He said to tell everyone Hi, and that he feels good. Thanks again for the calls. Keep those prayers coming. Talk to you tomorrow, Dave and Julie

August6

Sorry I'm so late with tonight's blog we were watching the movie The Secret. Marvin sent it to us from California.What a great motivational movie, all about the positive and how to help heal yourself. Anyway can you believe that here we are 2 weeks into all of this. Time does fly.Dave had a good day. He drove himself for his shot. He will have blood work done tomorrow, keep your fingers crossed that his count goes up.Thanks Rene for the call telling him his chemo is working and that's why is count is so low. One of the highway guys stopped to visit him today over lunch. His spirit has been great. Dave told me he feels like his appetite is back because hes hungry and enjoying eating again. All good signs. Dave sends his love to you all and says keep up the prayers. He said he feels their power.I just keep saying thank you God for the miracle that we still have him here. Thanks again for the visits and phone calls they really do lift his spirits up. Talk to you tomorrow . Love you all, Dave and Julie

August 5

Thanks to god this was another great day. Ron drove Dave to have his blood work done and get his shot. His count is up to 2.4 but no radiation for the rest of the week till its up about 9.I told Dave that I am going to have to be a real BITCH to get things done right. I still can't believe that the nurses wouldn't listen to him last week when he said he was suppose to get a shot.Dave saw another Dr. from the group today in regards to his ribs hurting so bad.His ribs have been hurting since they pulled his tooth last Friday. This Dr. told him to start living his life again, go play some golf. Talk about someone being happy!!!!!The Dr. told him that he has to stay out of the sun so when he is feeling up to it he should play early in the day or towards the late afternoon. Dave drove himself to have an x-ray done on his ribs. George came by and took Dave with him to a wake for their friend from the highway dept., Richy McCarrick, who passed away Sunday night. He went before 7 so he could get in before everyone else. I called the visiting Nurses this morning and they actually showed up this afternoon. We are both feeling tired this evening so we are heading to bed. Thanks again for the prayers,calls and visits.Talk to you tomorrow,

Julie and Dave

August 4

Today was a good day. I took Dave to get his shot this morning. The shot seems to have caused him some back pain. God knows he doesn't need any thing else right now. This was a quiet day and I think his mind was doing a whole lot of thinking. I keep telling him how lucky we are to still have him here with us.Dave keeps second guessing whether his chemo is working because his hair hasn't fallen out. Who would think you would be praying for your hair to fall out.This is one crazy roller coaster ride!!!Thanks everyone for the calls and friendship.I don't know how we would ever get through this without our families and friends. Please keep the prayers coming. Talk to you tomorrow. Julie

August3

It was a good day. Paul drove Dave for his radiation treatment. I went back to work. This is a great bank. It was great to get my feet underneath the desk.Dave had blood work done today and I took him to get his shot. He says hes feeling much better. His whit blood count cells were at 1.5.yikes!Donna and Brian went back to Georgia. Thanks guys for spending your second anniversary with us. Thanks everyone for the calls and visits. Please keep your prayers coming. I believe in Miracles when I see Dave. I can't believe that all of this has happened in such a short period of time.I believe that with with God anything can happen.Talk to you on Tuesday, Jewel. Dave sends everyone his love and Thanks.

August 2

Its been a busy crazy weekend.Dave has had a great 2 days visiting with Family and Friends. Ellie,Christy ,Robert,Donna and Brian from Georgia came in on Friday. We all took a ride out to Dunne Road and then stopped for lunch at Oaklands for Donna and Brian's 2nd anniversary. He then decided when we got home to go in the pool for a while. Ellie,Christy and Robert left for home this morning. 3 of the guys from the Rocky Point crew came to visit today and took Dave out to lunch. Donna and Brian spent the day visiting with us as well as Paul and Lisa.Thanks everyone for the calls and visits. I think the treatments are starting to kick in. Dave is starting to be tired and achy. He is starting to rest more but he says hes still feeling pretty good. He is keeping a positive outlook. Sometimes I still can't believe this is happening. All and all today was a good day. Talk to you tomorrow

July 31

Dave had a trying day. The day started with his radiation at 9. Ellie took us so she could see where it is. He still hasn't received his shot for his White blood cells to be boosted. We went to the oral surgeon at 3:30.They had to pull his tooth on the top right in the back. It took the dentist over an hour.Donna and Brian flew in to Laguardia from North Carolina. They were here when we got home. Talk about putting a smile on someones face. Dave and I are both so happy to have so much family come in as well as friends. Bob Westenberger and Dave Hazard stopped by to visit. Thanks guys.Thanks everyone for the calls, cards and prayers. Its another day.