2024 THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS
Well, 2024. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. (I think I read that somewhere?) Definitely a year to remember … or not! It started out just fine, we thought, till Cooper came down with Diabetic ketoacidosis. He spent 5 days in ICU and slowly came out of the coma, requesting a trip to Hawaii. Full blown Type 1 juvenile diabetes. Geez, not how we wanted to start the year. Then I, who hadn’t driven at night for three years due to the pandemic, freaked out by driving at night in the rain, resulting in double cataract surgery since I was oh so blinded by the glare of traffic lights. Hey, the sky got sooooo blue after the surgery. And I could see to drive at night again! A trip to Palm Desert with Jake, Rylee and Aliette in celebration!
Then, in early April, we trekked down to Texas with family and friends to watch the total eclipse. It was great except for my nagging abdominal pain, and weakness. Tried antibiotics etc while there, didn’t help much. We came home to blood tests and moving the kidney cancer 7.5 year CT checkup from July to early May. Not good results as the CT scan showed stage 4 Pancreatic cancer with mets to liver, lungs, lymph system, abdominal walls etc etc etc. Again, not what we wanted to hear! RAPIDLY got in to see an oncologist at Fred Hutch in Seattle. Tumor markers were quite high and it became obvious this was an aggressive tumor. 3-5 months, they said…a good summer was promised. Chemo was started almost immediately. The first regimen gave me coronary artery spasms, such fun. An ambulance ride, cardiac tests and a fun overnight visit to the UW hospital. They nicely started me on another regimen. This one has been lowering the tumor markers and shrinking the tumors. Yay! Unfortunately, at first it gave me an extremely awful rash which was like having a total 2nd degree burn inside and out, along with fevers, etc. Mark did some research (thank you for dermatology training!) and found a study that showed massive doses of Vit D might help. It did! After a horrendous summer, chemo became much easier. Tumor markers have now been normal for 7-8 weeks and tumors and mets have shrunk by more than half. It won’t last as this type of CA almost always wins, but it sure looks good from here! We are going to Oahu for a week with Jake Liesl and their families on Jan 5 to celebrate. Cooper and I are quite happy with this trip!
On to other news: Liesl’s family, and especially Coop (age 15) have had quite a learning curve. Cooper now manages his diabetes quite well and joined the high school cross country team. Every race became a personal best. Well done!! He also still plays the viola in the school orchestra and has acted as stage manager for some school plays. Gracie (13.5) has grown into a charming young lady. She continues to be in school plays, plays the trumpet in band, and has absconded with all my bridesmaid’s dresses from the 70s. They are long on her, but my I must have been skinny! Because she is petite! Liesl continues as a therapist for at risk youth and is much in demand by all the local pediatricians. Nathan is in the second and final year of his horticultural and landscape design classes. I hear his next plan is to rearrange (and improve) the Gearheart house grounds! We can’t wait! Despite forest fires, he also completed another segment of the Pacific Crest Trail, the farthest north part in Oregon.
Ian is doing quite well in his law practice. Stressful difficult litigations concerning abuse of his clients. We listened to his opening statement for one big trial this month. Very impressive. For relaxation, he has resumed his music. He usually sends me a new song or cover to listen to as I head north for chemo. He now has a spotify channel (the orphan 40 – 1424 sessions). He has a show in Seattle on April 9 at Conor Byrne pub. Exciting! Candace continues to hold down the home front, but is contemplating becoming a guardian-ad-litem for the court system, representing clients who may not be of legal age or are handicapped in some way. She will be marvelous at this! So proud of this choice if it works. Aidan (almost 18) has been acceepted to numerous US colleges, plus one in England. Can’t wait to see where he ends up, hoping for fun visits in the future. Heh heh. Donovan (16.5) is still acting in plays and highly enjoying his computer programing time. Nya (almost 14) is a beautiful young lady with great grades, soccer and volleyball skills.
Jake has gotten back to triathlete type competitions. He swam the Fat Salmon in Seattle last summer, swimming between the I-5 and 520 bridges in Lake Washington. Mark and Nathan kayaked support for the race. He and Rylee have continued with their extremely competent raising of Aliette with some of her disabilities. They work so hard and Aliette shows the results.
She is the sweetest, kindest toddler and loves the 5 day a week preschool experiences. She has a marvelous woman named Mollie who attends with her as her aide. Mason (almost 18) is still in the chamber choir, plays soccer (his rec team won the state championship) and is still dating Ella. He has been accepted at Wash State U, U of Hawaii, and Oregon State U, and has not yet decided where he will go. He works at an ice cream parlor called The Humble Cow. So - of course - we gave him a cow costume for Christmas. Heh. Kale has become quite the baseball player and is a great student. He is becoming a nice young man. It is so fun to watch our grandkids become people we enjoy spending time with. Paige turns 11 this month and has fallen into the joys of grade school crushes and jewelry. She is a good big sister to Aliette, very patient with her.
So, the insanity of the year has continued. As if we didn’t have enough to do we rediscovered that happiness can indeed be a warm puppy. Jimmy joined our family at 3.5 months just before Thanksgiving. The kids have not yet tried to commit us. (Be warned, children, we are prepared to defend ourselves!!) He is likely the smartest dog we have ever had, meaning … trouble ahead! He watched me open a lever handled door into our guest room and immediately tried to copy me. He now enters any door in our house that opens away from him, letting himself into the bathrooms to destroy the evil TP rolls, letting himself outside, and entering the forbidden laundry room while Lizzie is eating. Lizzie is his grandmother and tolerates him okay. He and Alfie may likely destroy the house with their antics. How did we end up with two rampaging dogs, just like Sancho and Dulcie when we first married! Oh my!! Insanity does rule, but also provides some much appreciated laughs throughout the day. He will be a great dog if he lives that long! He is co-owned by our breeder Joan and she intends to show him. Shine on Stagedoors Diamond Jim!
Not much more to say here, we are hoping the chemo continues to work and I hope to be sending you another letter next year. Happy New Year to all! Yes, I did not get this off on Christmas Day. Maybe next time!
Kathie (75), Mark (75), Jimmy (5 months so far), Alfie (9.5) and Lizzie (12.9)
