After being off chemo for a month, Donnie says his head is getting clearer. He feels like getting out for meals, and seeing friends and family. He still has to be careful about getting nauseated, as it continues to lurk around unexpectedly. Also, the heat is his enemy, so he has to avoid being outside at all costs. There are still lots of fun things to do in the air conditioning!! Hey, we are native Floridians, so air conditioning is where its at this time of year!!!!!!
We continue to “check off” Donnie’s bucket list, which included seeing his second cousins in Dade City, Florida. Maybe you have to be part of the McFarland clan to understand that “close family” includes many generations. I mean, doesn’t everyone spend EVERY WEEKEND with their family growing up, because those are the people you have all your fun with???!!! A complication to this scenario is that one “leg” of the McFarland clan had 12 brothers and sisters. To add to that complication, Donnie’s Mom (Joyce) married Lamar McFarland (who passed away at 52), and then she married Uncle Bo McFarland (one of the 12). I’m laughing at myself trying to explain this!!!!! So, Uncle Bo’s children were Donnie’s second cousins, but after Joyce married Uncle Bo, they became step brothers and sisters. Donnie and Ronnie (twins) used to laugh and call themselves twin step cousins!!!!!!!!!!! These cousins grew up playing ball together, going to high school together, and having lots of laughs together. Lots of stories were told! Sooo GREAT seeing them!!
Then we had the opportunity to catch Wendy (my sister) and Robin (husband) on their world tour 🙂 They just got back from a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Alaska for 3 weeks, and made their way to our famous IHOP, before embarking on a month vacation to Michigan and Chicago to see family and friends. It’s always so great to see them. They are both hilarious and we enjoy their company!
When Donnie stopped taking chemo, Marissa (ICU RN) texted me, to let me know some of the ICU staff at East wanted to have breakfast with Donnie. I didn’t really know how many were going to come. Maybe 4 people? Maybe 10? It was such a wonderful surprise to see so many people on Saturday morning. Donnie was totally surprised again, which is so fun!!! Tina Bennett (former ICU educator) even Facetimed him during the party while on a boat in St. Augustine. Others were in touch with us that could not attend, to schedule another day to see him. Even the “Filipino Mafia” will be coming to see him!! They signed t-shirts that they gave to both of us. He was on cloud nine all day! He felt so loved! Best medicine in the world (for both of us)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is really nothing like the family of nurses that you work with . . . always got your back!
In the afternoon, we got to see our dear friend Sharon Evans Ramsey (who drove down to see us from South Carolina), along with Scott (her oldest son), Amy (Scott’s wife) and Abagail (Sharon’s 2 year old grand baby). I am so irritated with myself for not taking a picture of us all. I was too excited seeing Abby to remember to take a picture. Bummed! It’s always so special to see all of them! They are family to us!
Of course, sprinkled between these wonderful events were special days with Ronnie and Darlene, Rodger and Terri, Mom and Lorraine, David and Beau, Rachael and the kids, FaceTime with Jeff’s clan, and an awesome day where Jim came over and did a days worth of electrical work for us!! It is just a very good idea to have friends that are multi-talented!!!
We have planned another jam-packed week full of fun. We are also planning on going to Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa for a second opinion in August. We are not expecting any earth shattering news, just want to be evaluated by another pancreatic cancer specialist there, with Dr. Zehngebot’s blessing.
Please continue to pray for Donnie to be healed if it is God’s will. Prayer has made all the difference thus far! Please pray for comfort and peace for him and for his family that loves him so dearly.
Love, Donnie & Tina
5 replies on “The good times continue”
Hi Donnie and Tina,
I sure do enjoy reading your posts and are so glad you are having wonderful times and making great memories. Still praying for all of you.
Peggy and Donell Mills
We love you and continued prayers are being sent your way!
Love,
Ryan, Lisa and Bella!
Hi Tina and Donnie!
It's always so good to get your blogs. You guys are such an inspiration to me and to others I am sure. I think Moffitt is a great idea. Another friend is currently a patient at Moffitt and she has not been disappointed in their care. Like Donnie, chemo just made her so sick and she couldn't think clearly. A day or two after each infusion she would be at the hospital as an inpatient getting IV fluids, anti nausea Meds and nutrition. After the 2nd time (2nd infusion) that happened they had her come in as an outpatient to get fluids and Meds every other day and sometimes everyday. She is a tiny little thing, not much over 100 lbs when she started. We came up the west coast of FL back in June (we usually come up the east side from the Keys) to visit them in Tampa and we were impressed with Moffitt. They cut 2 sessions off her chemo and went right to radiation therapy. She is on a month's break now before she goes back for more scans.
I guess I say all this to say that I hope Donnie will go to Moffitt and check them out. We have another KW friend that went there for her cancer treatment and she highly recommended Moffitt to Teri. The care has been wonderful and the staff very attentive. Teri is also in treatment for pancreatic cancer.
If you and Donnie ever come to Key West please let us take you out for dinner!
Lots of love,
Becky
Seeing loved ones and friends, laughing, and remembering growing up with cousins is the best medicine. I'm so happy Donnie is traveling and eating good food. Bless the good times and love both of you.
You too are simply amazing. I am in awe of your stamina and joy for life. You truly are blessed as are those who know you. We are still planning on visiting sometime soon, it was so great to talk with Donnie and to hear his voice. I had a PTCA at FHO 7-27 so still a little sore and reluctant to sit in the car for long but it will be better soon and I will call for a convenient time to visit you. Love the pics. What a beautiful family.