My brother’s family (Don) came from Memphis, and Daddy and my family (Tina) came from Orlando, and we met in the middle at Callaway Gardens in Georgia.  It is a beautiful place with lots to do.  Dad had a great time, and ate lots of great food that we cooked for him.  It was  definitely a memory to treasure!  Here are a few highlights:

On Saturday we had Dad’s birthday celebration.  David and Donnie orchestrated putting 90 candles on Dad’s birthday cake.

After dinner, the whole family went to the sand beach area around the lake to listen to a great band and watch fireworks.  Two great granddaughters sang Happy Birthday on stage with the band for Dad.  It was so special!!

The next day we rode the large golf cart around the gardens with Dad in tow.  We saw the butterfly gardens, the golf course, martins nesting in clay homes under a bridge . . . just a wonderful 3 hour tour.  Donnie was making up songs with the great grand kids on this journey to the tune of:  “Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale” . . . so we were all full of laughs!!

 

 

The last day, Don and Elaine cooked up a catfish fry (one of Dad’s favorites!), complete with hush puppies, slaw, french fries, cheese grits, and corn.  We cooked on the back porch of one of our villas.  It was great spending time outdoors!  Donnie even played corn hole with the fam 🙂

Just a great time was had by all!  So grateful for our awesome family!!!!!!!!!

We all drove home Monday.  Today (Tuesday), Donnie had chemo.  His tumor markers were up to 282 (last week’s labs).  Also, his absolute neutrophil count was extremely low today.  He got his chemo, but he will be going to the clinic for the next 3 days in a row to get a neupogen shot.  This helps his bone marrow make white cells, important for Donnie to fight infection.  He has also been taking 30 mg of morphine twice a day for about a week, due to increased pain in his abdomen.  He continues to have bouts of nausea as well.  Donnie has had plenty of ups and downs, so we are praying his new chemo regimen will “kick in” and help him get better again.  Please continue to pray for him.

God has given us so many blessings of being with family over the past month.  It has been very wonderful for both of us!  Donnie is especially crazy for Don & Elaine’s grand babies, so he was really on cloud nine getting to see them!!  Thank you Abba Father, for such wonderful memories with Donnie (my husband) and Don (my brother), and especially Daddy!

We appreciate your prayers so much!!

Love, Donnie & Tina