HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The carnage!

The last family members left yesterday from the Christmas celebration and were out the door as a good friend entered for a visit. I love this time of year when family and friends gather in a kind of rotating door manner. Reacquainting ourselves with years past memories and professing new exciting adventures for the future.

Christmas brought great gifts of love, entertainment and food. The prime rib was perfect just like Paula Dean for casted. Games were played and football was watched while some snoozed on the couch. Left overs were recycled while the wine was flowing like a river.



Brian and I have decided to stay put for this New Years celebration and if strong enough to keep mister sand man away will watch the ball drop in Times Square in New York. Paqui and Zeyda are planning to join us in this rebirth of a year. The Voss family is heading to the ski slopes to enjoy a few downward runs before school starts.

Even though the Chinese New Year is in 24 days, it will be the year of the dragon.

The Dragon

The Dragon personality The Dragon is a creature of myth and legend. A symbol of good fortune and sign of intense power, the Oriental Dragon is regarded as a divine beast - the reverse of the malicious monster that Westerners felt necessary to find and slay. In Eastern philosophy, the Dragon is said to be a deliverer of good fortune and a master of authority. Therefore, those people born in Dragon years are to be honored and respected.

So in this year of the dragon lets gather up our fortitude and become masters of our destiny. Lets soar with the serpent of the sky and rejoice in our good fortunes! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A Wedding Tale

Do we have the wedding blues? Not really, but it was a little sad to travel from a 80 degree tropical setting to the cold harsh reality of snow and temperatures in the teens or below. Our trip out to Marco Island was very hard on Brian sitting in cramped quarters in economy. I made an executive decision and upgraded our return tickets to first class and Brian tolerated the trip better. The plane was full of family and friends both to and from the wedding. Thank goodness for wheelchair disability service it made going through security easier for both Brian and I.

Saturday night we enjoyed a wonderful plated dinner at the Marco Island Yacht Club and viewed the parade of decorated boats out in the harbor. We thank the Voss family for giving everyone that attended the wedding a great meal, free spirits and great conversation!

The next day the stage on the beach was set and the clouds rolled in. It rained earlier in the afternoon but it discontinued before the wedding began.

The sun set while numerous pictures were taken by the photographer as the wedding guests partook in h'orderves and cocktails on the beach as they waited for the special couple.

We then gathered up and headed into the ballroom were we enjoyed our plated dinner of red snapper.

The bride and groom did the usual rituals of cutting the cake, first dance, garter removal and throwing the bouquet.

The day after was rest and relaxation, spent most of our time at the pool and beach.

This was our good bye picture at the Marriott Resort and Spa lobby. Happy trails to all!

Short News Flash

Just a short note to let everyone know we are off today for Denver and then Marco Island tomorrow. We will celebrate Jessamyn and Jay's wedding at 4:00 pm on Sunday. Sunset pictures do not turn out I guess. There will be no postings until I get back next week. I imagine there will be several pictures to post, adventures to relay and anecdotes to be told.

Short Home Visit Then Off Again!

Brian and I finally arrived home yesterday evening after a week of treatments in Boulder and visiting family. We were sidelined to Aurora CO for two nights due to the snow storm so we could visit cousin Bill from California and niece Rita Tetsell who gracious put all of us up. What a wonderful time we had renewing our friendships and sharing memories. They wrapped us up with their love and support, comforting us in their love!

Another thank you goes out again to my brother and sister-in-law Margie for letting us stay at their home in Ft. Collins on our way to Boulder. Jan and Floyd for doing chores around our house while we are gone. More of our friends are heading our way today for a visit from Sterling CO. We appreciate Donn and Vicki and all who journey so far to make our lives so full.

From my observation, Brian is feeling a little better. He has a hard time right after the IV C infusions but seems to shake the side effects off quickly. He has also tried small amounts of liquefied foods or ice cream without mishap. He will go slowly and introduce foods that are easy to swallow first. But wow! This has been pretty encouraging to see. Hopefully, these IV C and mistletoe injections have helped! He continues to take the bulk of his nutrients through gastric feedings.

This is the week before the BIG WEDDING! It will be a busy one for me and the girls. Tuesday spa treatments in Scottsbluff, Wednesday hair appointment and Thursday we head to Denver to fly to Florida on Friday. I am rushing around doing laundry, repacking, taking down Thanksgiving decorations and trying to start decorating for Christmas.  OH MY!!! It will be a challenge for sure.

Happy Couple

On the Move Again

I feel at times that we are on a roller coaster with all its ups and downs. It seems that we are not in any one place for very long and we are on the move again. Today we head back to Boulder for a series of three more treatments viva a stop at my brother and sister- in -law's home tonight in Fort Collins. We are also planning to see Brian's cousin Bill Tetsell who is flying into Denver from California on the 29th to see Brian specifically. Should be fun to visit.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, even though the trip was hard on Brian getting home on Wednesday night. Jessamyn brought a turkey and pies and I cooked the squash, potatoes and gravy. Paqui, Marc, and Zeyda came up in the evening and ate their second meal. Jay had to work Friday at the bank in Gordon, so both he and Marc left for home while the girls and grand kids stayed.

Brian playing us prospective wedding songs



Jessamyn, Paqui, grand kids and I went shopping on the dreaded Black Friday. However we waited to the afternoon before we headed to Scottsbluff and fortunately the crowds had subsided. We stopped at the wedding shop and picked up Jessamyn's wedding dress and the bridesmaid dresses were in. However, unbelievably they were the WRONG COLOR!!! The girl who ordered them wrote down teal instead of turquoise. Jessamyn even had the right colored swatches that the sales lady gave her to match tuxes and napkins etc. Holy cow! (not really what we said) The wedding is only in couple of weeks and no dresses. Hopefully they will be able to get some dresses the right color for us before the wedding. It took the wrong colored ones a month and a half to get made. Needless to say, we were pretty sick about it all. Have to wait to tomorrow to see what can be done. Poor Jessamyn she is stressed to the max! Planning a wedding so far away is hard as it is and to have this happen is just unacceptable!

Zeyda, Jarret, and Taylen grooving

How about those Huskers! This week they are in favor, last week not so much. Bye for now, I will continue to update the Lafler news.

Happy Thanksgiving To All!

Gobble gobble, it is the beginning of turkey week for us humans and the end for some of the misfortunate turkeys out there. Brian and I wish you all a happy and safe Thanksgiving. We are thankful for every day we have together with family, friends and nature. Sometimes you just don't realize what is important until it is gone. Lets celebrate for all that we have and be thankful!

We are getting ready for our trip next week to Boulder Colorado for Brian's appointment at NatureMed Integrative Medicine. We have high hopes that the doctors can help him at least feel better and maintain health. My brother and his wife have graciously invited us to stay at their home on Monday night in Fort Collins so Brian can rest. Tuesday we will head to Boulder for his appointment.

My knee has continued to give me fits and recently my orthopedic doctor ordered a MRI. The results are in and there appears to be a tear in the cartilage. Went to see him again and I don't have too many options. The steroid injection didn't work, so I opted for a Synvisc injection ($1000) instead of arthroscopic surgery. The injection takes about four weeks before we know if it worked or not. I just don't have time before the wedding to have surgery. If it doesn't work by December 14th, I will probably have to schedule surgery sometime after the new year.

 When we were down in Scottsbluff visiting my doctor we stayed over to see the Kris Lager Band at the college with Paqui, Marc, and Zeda. The band is great! They asked Brian to play a song with them on the slide guitar and of course the master entertained.

Also it is hunting season out on the ranch and my grandson got his first 5 point buck, on that note gobble gobble!

Another Week

We have definitely had a interesting week in the news that included tragedy, both physical and emotional. Earthquakes, sexual abuse, firing of a long standing coach and school officials that should have protected the innocent. What controversy swirls around the Nebraska football game at Penn State today. Sad....

Healing wishes go out to our son in law, Marc. He caught a nasty respiratory infection that eventually turned into pneumonia. He has been suffering with it for over a week now and is slowly making a recovery. Thank goodness for the power of antibiotics!

Brian has had a rough few weeks, with increased pain and inability to accomplish much other that read, take nourishment or rest. He had a doctor appointment with his family provider on Thursday and his pain medication was increased. The next day he was a changed man! Here is the Brian I use to know who would smile and could crack a joke. Do you know what the best part of it all is? He can now sit down and visit with me like old times.

We have been fortunate to have had several visitors of late. A week ago Friday, Pastor Juan from the Mitchell Methodist church drove to our place for a visit and a prayer. Then Pastor Charles from the Alliance Methodist church visited with us on Tuesday afternoon. To top it off Jeannie, our church's outreach pastor stopped by Wednesday afternoon. Today old friends that we have known, Harry and Wilma, through the post office are planning on coming out to visit this afternoon. Brian might not be able to do as much in the community, but what wonderful people there are to mission to us. We are thankful to all our family and friends, those that visit, call, write, or text. We appreciate you so much!

I Survived!

Yes, I survived Jessamyn's bachelorette party Saturday night. Twenty women showed up to reminisce their youth and throw caution to the wind. At least I tried the cloak of youth but ended up watching the show to the end instead. Really enjoying that I did not have a headache the next day like my children and friends as they nursed their bruised bodies. Hurray for me!

Lanie, Bree, Jessamyn, Paqui

We were responsible in the fact we had drivers that were hired to drive one limo and two SUVs. Two wonderful high school boys and one hottie limo driver.

Taking care of our limo driver!

The night progressed and Jessamyn's last party before the big wedding was a huge success with stories of the past, present and dancing until you thought you would drop.



Queen and her attendant

Just a note to let everyone know Brian has an appointment with a doctor at the NatureMed clinic in Boulder on November 22. He spoke with the doctor over the phone. The doctor believes he has some treatment options to help Brian regain his strength and possibly stabilize his condition. Hope is the elixir of life!

Playing the Waiting Game

We made it home safely, however I would not claim so sound. Brian's ability to withstand travel has diminished and we need wheelchair help to and fro at the airports. Overall, it has become a nightmare on the tamarack.

Unfortunately, I have suffered a set back and have acquired a rip roaring cold. I am carrying around a Lysol wipe (lemon flavor) container to try and circumvent the event that Brian might contract it. I have moved to the guest room at night, stopped kissing him, hugging and trying my best to disinfect after I have passed.

We have contacted the NatureMed Integrative Clinic of Denver / Boulder by phone and now by email. A doctor was suppose to call back but hasn't of yet. We are interested in their mega dose Vitamin C infusion therapy. Hopefully, they will contact us soon!

Halloween is over and we received cute and spooky pictures of the grand kids in which I feel obligated to show you all. This Saturday night we are taking Jessamyn on her bachelorette odyssey while Jay goes on his bachelor party in Deadwood. Haven't worked out all the details yet, but should be a fun time.

Zeyda

Jarret and Taylen on the left with Carlson





Heading Home Tomorrow With Our Heads Held Low :(

Well what can I say, but that we are heading home to rethink the possibilities. Brian's scans revealed that the areas that were radiated in his neck, the tumors on his lymph nodes surrounding the internal jugular and carotid areas grew bigger instead of shrinking like the doctors hoped. Plus a new lymph node increased in size near by. The chest and pelvic scan indicated the tumor above his primary one has enlarged too. Not the news we wanted to hear. More radiation is out of the question, along with no surgery. The only option is trying another chemotherapy that might or might not work with lots of side effects.Brian isn't up to more chemo at this time, or maybe ever. Currently his plan is to check out some alternative treatments such as orthromolecular therapy. It is a treatment with mega doses of Vitamin C given through an IV. The doctor says he has a very aggressive strain of cancer that isn't responding to normal treatments. The only good news is that the cancer hasn't invaded the liver, lungs or other organs. The bad part he is having trouble eating orally and takes all of his nourishment through his gastric tube. Esophageal cancer is a horrible disease!
I will keep you posted on what is next. We do have Jessamyn's wedding on the horizon which is a joyous occasion. There is lot to be thankful for! We are thankful for everbody's prayers and the the time God has given us.

Last Football Game of The Season

Taylen

Saturday Paqui, Marc and Zeyda picked us up on their way to Chadron to attend Taylen's last seventh grade football game. You would think these young players would not have the ability to sustain a whole game of tackle football. However, the game I witnessed Saturday was one of the most exciting games I've seen! They played a hard four quarters with both sides battling for dominance. In the end Gordon - Rushville lost by only 2 points. Chadron being a larger school, had bigger and more players for substitutions. But the Gordon Mustangs fought hard and should be proud of their performance. Taylen plays both on offense and defense on the team as a middle linebacker.

  Zeyda watching

After the game we went over to visit Andrea and Gaylen Voss. They have a beautiful older home with many interesting rooms with lots of  historical antiques. Andrea also gave us a ride in her restored Studebaker. When we got home Brian's brother James was there waiting for us. What a pleasant surprise! He stayed over night visiting and helping Brian with a few chores the next day.

We are all gearing up for the destination wedding in December. Invitations have been sent, tickets have been confirmed and hotel arrangements are being arranged. How do we travel with wedding dresses, tuxes and all? I am sure we will figure out something. Zeyda will be a flower girl, Paqui is maid of honor and Jay's sister Joy will also stand up. Plans, plans and more plans. Thank goodness, Jessamyn will have a wedding planner at the resort that will help with the details. Jay and Jessamyn's colors are turquoise and corral.

Finally, Its Official!

Wedding Bells Are Ringing

It is official and I can finally announce the good news to all! Jay has asked for Jessamyn's hand in marriage. Jay proposed yesterday and has given Jessamyn this gorgeous ring to seal the deal. Jay will be a wonderful son and we are excited to have him to join our family.

I know Jessamyn and the boys have been accepted as part of the Voss family for along time now.

Brian and I can not be happier for Jessamyn, Taylen and Jarret. They deserve to have a happy ending and Jay loves the boys like his own. Congratulations to all!

The wedding will take place on Marco Island off the west coast of Florida on Sunday December 11, 2011. Our families and a few very close friends will be flying to paradise to witness this joyous event at sunset on the beach.

Hallelujah!



Stop, Off With Her Head

What was I thinking? Maybe it was the heat of the day or the heat of the moment. Maybe my mind was far away in the celestial heavens. I know, I was thinking of Julie on her way to New Delhi and towards her quest of enlightenment. What ever the cause, yesterday's slip was made unintentionally in my joy of being a mother.

Fall continues to march on here in western Nebraska with days that reach 86 degrees and nights that dip only in the 40 or 50's. What's going on? Don't get me wrong, I love the warm weather but hopefully we will get some moisture soon. Even the beat harvest has been but on hold due to the unseasonable warm weather and fear of spoiled sugar beats.

I saw my orthopedic doc the other day and he had x rays taken of my sore right knee. As I figured, there is moderate arthritic damage but bone isn't on bone as of yet. So he injected my knee with steroids and it has helped some but there is still that darn nagging spot.

Brian had a little set back in his recovery over the weekend but was feeling better yesterday. I pray every day that he will get stronger and even put on some weight, or at least maintain it. He plays an essential part in this family and each day is another gift. Get well wishes also go out to Andrea who needs our prayers for a speedy recovery!

It Has Been 39 Years!

Yesterday Brian and I celebrated our 39th wedding anniversary. Do you imagine what it was like back in those olden days?

We enjoyed a quite day together and contemplated many more. He who is the love of my life!

Harvest is upon us with time spent gathering the acorn squash, pumkins and gourds out of the garden. Also there were more tomatoes to be found. Jessamyn gave us some wonderful apples that were made into applesauce. Today's project involves picking the rest of the grapes and making a strong antioxidant concoction to freeze.

Brian is doing much better on the new medications. Healing from his radiation and gaining some strength. His voice is returning and headaches have diminished. He is also eating some orally and that in itself has help lift his spirits. Ice cream, pie, and soups seem to be the foods of choice.

Fall and The Freeze

Yes sir!

Today is the autumn equinox and it has frozen at our place. The delicate flowering plants have wilted, along with the garden. The pumpkins can be seen and so can our breath with early sunrise. Some hardier plants are still brazenly displaying their colors.

Yesterday Brian saw his family physician and he changed Brian's pain medication back to the fentanyl patch. This way the pain medication by passes the gastric system all together and hopefully will help Brian with eating and digesting. Brian's voice has returned and he is getting a little stronger each day.

Tomorrow our grandson Taylen plays in his first 7th grade football game. I can hardly believe he is getting that old. He has turned into a fine young gentleman! Paqui will pick me up and Brian if he is up for it to attend the game in Rushville. Fall is truely in the air!

Nebraska Sandhills

Safely Tucked In At Home

We made it! We are actually sleeping in our own beds and communing with our poor lonely pets. Rico met us at the airport in Scottsbluff and jumped up and down until he choked. Paqui and Zeyda brought him to the airport so we could go directly home after our long journey. The flight back was pretty strenuous! Brian was so weak, he needed a wheel chair to get around. I had to manipulate the guitar, the computer bag, a carry on and my purse all the while trying to keep up with the airline attendent. Which did nothing for my sore knee! The jostling of the plane, wheel chair, and car made Brian motion sick. So by the time we reached home we both were wiped out.

Yesterday a long time friend of ours, Doug Mellgren, stopped overnight.  He is doing research along the North Platte River valley through Nebraska and Wyoming for his up coming book. Doug lives in Norway and we met a long time ago when he was writing for the Sidney newspaper. Both of our girls were excited to see him and they came with families in tow for dinner. Many great stories were told, catching up on our years apart. What fun we had! Just sorry Eva, his wife, couldn't come with him too.

Doug in red sailing his boat



Home Again, Home Again, Hip, Hip Hooray!

Hooray for us!

We finally get to go home tomorrow. Brian saw his oncologist, dietitian, and natural path today and we got clearance to disembark. It has been a long four weeks with many trials for Brian and I, but it is over for awhile now. He doesn't need to return for six weeks while he recuperates from the radiation treatment. Next time we go he will have scans to see to what extend the radiation worked and what the next course of action will be for the remaining tumor in his esophagus.

Jessamyn flew home today and we sure enjoyed her short visit. Brian wasn't up to much activity, so she and I shopped, toured Kenosha, WI harbor and went to see the movie " The Help".  The movie was GREAT! I will probably read the book too.



Paqui called and she is getting our lawn in shape and picking up our mail again so all we have to do when we get home is settle back into our routines. Thanks Paqui, we couldn't have done it without you!

Counting Down!

This hopefully is our last week here at the CTCA in Zion. I am certainly counting down the days until we get home. Brian is counting down the last three days he will have to take radiation. It has been a rough go for him and it still will be for a few weeks after, while the radiation continues to work. At least recuperating at home is easier and more comfortable when you are surrounded by familiar objects and of course people. The speech therapy for his swallowing difficulties has helped strengthened his pharynx muscles and he is able to swallow water again. I have been taught how to help. I just need to make sure I don't get too zealous about it :)

Today we are moving to the Radission Hotel in Pleasant Prairie. It will be a new location to scope out with restaurants and outlet mall near by.

Jessamyn will be coming next Tuesday night and we can scope out the new shopping possibilities.

Unfortunately, I have injured my right knee and when I bear weight and walk the knee talks back to me. It is the knee I didn't have replaced so hope it will heal. I will need to see my orthopedic doc if it doesn't get better soon, darn it! 



Tonight is Nebraska football and being such a loyal fan I will try to watch or listen to the game viva my computer or the TV. Go Nebraska! Go Nebraska,  Go, go, Nebraska!



Extended Stay

It was a quiet Labor Day weekend for us. Brian was recovering from the  week of radiation and didn't feel up to an adventure. He continues to have difficulty swallowing, probably from his radiation treatments. He saw a speech therapist about it today and tomorrow he is going to have a swallowing evaluation with x rays to determine the cause. Today we also got notice that his oncologist wants to see him again, which will extend our stay through September 16th. The doctor scheduled a chemotherapy session to our dismay.  Brian will try and contact her to see what type of chemo she is ordering so he can research it and decide if he wants to take it.

Jessamyn trying on the old cheerleading uniform.

On a lighter note, Jessamyn called and she is flying to Chicago to hang out with us for a few days next week.  She will be here the 13th through the 16th of September. It will be a nice diversion for both Brian and I.

 Zeyda celebrated her third birthday party (birthday was actually on Sat.) on Labor Day. Brian and I Skyped the party and Brian, with guitar in hand, accompanied both of us singing Happy Birthday to her.

I have been pretty homesick and I am glad Jessamyn is coming to visit next week to save the day!