That annoying word verification thing...

A problem has arisen with unwelcome spam links posted as comments on this blog. They seem to be generated by an automated site, and some of them have had links to undesirable websites. They have increased in frequency to the point that I need to make some changes to attempt to keep these off. I have to delete each one individually as I find them, which is aggravating and time-consuming. I hate to have people using my website for this.

I've researched the problem, and have found that asking commenters for word verification will possibly prevent these automated abusers from doing their thing on my blog site. For those of you who choose to post a comment, it will just be one simple additional step in the process. Pleases bear with me, and please let me know if there is a problem posting this way...

The very latest most recent update...

Once again, our trip this past weekend to SA was filled with awe and wonder at the handiwork of the Lord. We were sure to drive a different route coming and going to take in as much as we could. Although the bluebonnets appear to have peaked in their intensity, so many others were at their brightest, with hues of red, yellow, purple, pink, and white almost everywhere we looked. In spite of making this trip more than ninety times, this one was far from boring or monotonous.

Yesterday's clinic visit was as uneventful as we had hoped it would be. For probably the first time since October, I didn't lose any weight in between appointments, for which we are thankful. My taste problem has not really changed much, if any, but I have been trying really hard to make myself eat more. I have been on this reduced dosage for only two weeks. It may be awhile before we know if that's going to make a difference in my taste. We are just happy that at least for now, my weight is stable.

People have told me lately that I am looking better. I'm not sure better than what. Anyway, some have even said I'm looking good. I take that to mean they think I'm good looking. It's nice to have friends like that to lift me up. Seriously, we appreciate all of the encouraging words from so many of you. You don't realize how much your support means to us.

Love you all...

MRI results are in

This afternoon we heard from our research nurse with the news about the MRI from Monday. The results were negative--meaning there was no evidence of any cancer in the brain. PRAISE THE LORD! While we were not worried about it, it was great to receive confirmation. I guess the torture was worth it.

One thing I forgot to mention in my last post -- the daily dosage of my cancer drug has been decreased by half. It's hoped (although not known) that dropping to a lower dose might make a positive difference in my taste. Ultimately, I need to be able to stop losing and at least maintain my weight.

It has been raining almost continuously since yesterday morning here. I love it! I just heard on the 6:00 news that there has been a report of 5" of rain somewhere here in town. Boy, do we need it! It looks like it may rain at least through Sunday night. Maybe we'll catch some good run-off in our lakes. We really need that.

For all of you procrastinators out there, you have about six hours to get your 1040s sent in!

Later...

Day 1 of Cycle 12 on LDE225...

...presented us with an unexpected twist. There is always a pretty full slate of blood work on the first day of a new round, but with no scans scheduled this time, we figured it would be a pretty easy day. We were discussing a recent problem that has come up with deteriorating vision in my right eye, curious to see if any other of the 20 to 30 patients on this drug had experienced similar effects. Thus far, none have, but it is still very, very early in the game as far as this drug is concerned. Coupled with the fact that I had lost another two pounds in the past two weeks, Dr. Mita ordered a (non-emergency) brain MRI just to make sure that nothing crazy is going on in my head to cause it.

If you have ever had an MRI, especially on the upper half of your body, you know it is something akin to psychological torture. After it was done, when the technician rescued me, I told him I was ready to talk--whatever he needed me to tell him, I was ready. He said he gets that response quite often. I was only in for 35 minutes or so; I can't imagine the state you would be in if it lasted several hours. Anyway, we are not really worried about the results. My eye problem is probably the result of my aging body, and the weight loss is from my eating problems. The main thing I'm worried about is that they won't find anything in there. It would only confirm what many people already think about me. Oh, well...

Anyway, we had a super good Saturday in Austin, as we celebrated the marriage of our niece Jillian and new nephew Joel. Many of Helen's family were there, an invasion by invitation, but a good kind. It was really great to see all of them. God blessed with perfect weather. It was inspiring to witness a young couple who seek to serve God and one another for the rest of their life.

If you have never enjoyed wildflower watching, you really should learn to. It's one of Helen's and my favorite things to do in early spring. We look forward to it every year. We have been known to just take off with nothing else planned except to find the most awesome display out there. This year has produced perhaps the best crop in recent years, thanks to timely rainfall in late winter. There is usually a very brief period of optimum viewing, limited to a couple of weeks, and now is the time this season. The drive just east of Mason was especially amazing. It is just as if God took His creative paintbrush and splattered the colors across the fields and road sides with beautiful bright colors.

"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" (Matthew 6:28b-30) The Message says it this way: "...walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you even seen color and design quite like it? The ten best men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers--most of which are never even seen--don't you think He'll attend to you, take pride in you, do His best for you?"

God is so good...