May 27, 2009

We are grateful for the many, many ways that our family and friends have surrounded us and supported our family over the last 5 months through prayer, calls, emails, visits, cards, food, and the list could go on and on and on. Dad always enjoyed a good visit or a funny card! Dad passed away last night around 11:20 pm. As Mom wrote yesterday, his condition had worsened tremendously. As we grieve his loss, we are also grateful that Dad did not have to endure the worst of his cancer for a long period of time.

We prayed that God would heal my Dad. I know that God is able to heal and it would have been only a small task, but I also know that God sometimes has a greater plan and purpose for suffering on this earth. We watched my Dad walk through this trial with the utmost faithfulness and grace and for that testimony, we rejoice. Only a man whose trust is in the Lord could have walked through this with the peace and grace that he did.

God has already taught my family much over the last 5 months. It has loosened our grip on this earth and has increased our longing for an eternity without the suffering and pain experienced here. It is not death to die for my Dad or any other Christian, whose faith in the gospel will lead to an eternity in the presence of God. He is in the presence of God this morning and knows Jesus in a way more intimately than we can on this earth.

Please pray for strength and faithfulness for our family during this time- that we would not lose sight of the cross, and God's goodness and sovereignty. Pray that we would see many glimpses of how God is using our suffering for his glory.

I Peter 5:10-11 "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Update

Just a short update. Ronnie has had a really rough weekend through today. He grows weaker with each passing day. We continue to pray for better days. Please continue to lift him up as well as our family during this most difficult time. Please make the most of the time God has granted you. We thank God for our continued times together.

Update

What a beautiful week. Even the cool days were just beautiful. We continue to be thankful for God's perfect plan and His Grace and Mercy. Ronnie had a really rough weekend. Just felt awful in general. By Monday evening he began to feel much better and that continued through Wednesday. He hasn't felt quite as well today, but he and I made a trip to Big Apple Farm Supply for the yearly purchase of soy beans. We enjoyed getting out.

Matt and JB planted those beans this afternoon so hopefully the deer will have something to munch on besides our corn. Holly was in charge of fajitas for supper. They were great of course. Following the soy bean planting Jason, Kendra, Jeremiah and Simon came for a visit. There's never a dull moment with Jeremiah and Simon around. They'll have a lot of tricks to teach Baby Blacker.

Ronnie had the first look at the garden today. He hasn't seen it since the day we planted it probably 3 weeks ago. It looks pretty good for amateurs. Ronnie is the "master" farmer at our house.

We look forward to this Memorial weekend. Mike and Megan will be coming to NC on Wednesday and hopefully our family will be together some during that time. We are scheduled for a family picture on Thursday, so weather much like today would be great!!!

Please continue to lift our family up, especially Ronnie.

Baby Blacker

Is quite the mover and shaker. He is perfectly healthy, weighing approximately 10 oz. and growing properly! :) He gave us a little wave with his hand today via ultrasound and said he'd see us in October! He's breech right now, but Dr. said not to worry, as much as he's moving, he could be turned around many times between now and his due date. And yes... I typed he. It's a boy!! Pa and Graggie are getting yet another grandson!

Update

Just a short note this morning. Ronnie continues to have good and bad days. He's pretty weak and in some pain on those bad days. Also on those bad days he doesn't feel much like eating or drinking. On the good days he feels much better, eats some better and gets out a little more. Sometimes I think on the good days he wants to take advantage of feeling a little better so maybe we overdo it a little. We're so very thankful for the good and bad days. God's mercies are certainly new each day.

I failed to add Lisa to the list of those who didn't join us for Mother's Day at the Reid's. I guess I left her out because she wasn't working or sick, but enjoying a well deserved vacation.

Please continue to pray for Ronnie during this time. He continues to enjoy visits and getting out when he feels like it. When someone visits on a day he doesn't feel quite as well, it seems to lift his spirits.

Once again, thanks for the many prayers on our behalf.

Happy Mother's Day

I trust all you mothers had a wonderful day. If your day wasn't good you certainly can't blame it on the weather. What a beautiful weekend. We had a great Mother's Day around here. We began the weekend with dinner at Matt and Holly's (after picking up Megan at PTI), prepared mostly by Kendra. Nothing better than a grilled hamburger, unless it's Kendra's chocolate pie especially when shared with friends and family. All our family was there even Grandma Mildred joined us. Saturday everyone just sort of "did their own thing". Ronnie even turkey hunted. Sunday following a wonderful service at Sharon Baptist we joined my family for a picnic lunch at Grannie's (we missed Mike, Sean and Joey). What fun!! For dinner Charles and Betty hosted the Reid clan at their home (Mike, Nick and Grandma and Papa were not able to join us). Jeremiah and Simon added quite a bit of excitement as neither of our families have had small children in a while. We're so thankful for wonderful family and friends.

Matt picked up Megan for her return flight to DC this morning at 5:00 AM. We're already looking forward to her next visit.

Ronnie is about the same. Some good days and some bad. His appetite surely isn't up to par. Please pray he'll feel a little more like eating this week and the pain won't be so severe. We're so thankful for your prayers, cards, and visits.

Update

Ronnie continues to have pain that is mostly controlled by the medicine. He hasn't felt quite as well for most of the last week. We saw the Doctor on Monday and he was pretty surprised that Ronnie had not lost much weight. I think he looks like he's lost more than he has. He just doesn't have much appetite and eats many times, I believe, to please me.

We're looking forward to this weekend with all our family together again with the exception of Mike. We'll certainly miss him. We have plans to be with my family for lunch on Sunday and Ronnie's family for dinner on Sunday night. I hope Ronnie will be up to both those gatherings.

Ronnie continues to enjoy visits. He's had several friends stop by this last week and he has certainly enjoyed talking with them.

We thank God for each day as he's able to be "up and about". We thank our friends, family and acquaintances for the many prayers on our behalf.

Happy Mother's Day.

HAPPY SUMMER!!!

We're certainly enjoying times sitting on the porch and even having a meal at the picnic table. The weather here has been incredible. Ronnie has so looked forward to warmer weather, but the hot is really hard on him. We're certainly thankful for this beautiful weather. Our friend "Red" has taken Ronnie turkey hunting several times, but no turkey yet. I'm not the best wild turkey chef as we found out Sunday.

I failed to mention in the last post how excited we are about the addition of a new grand baby. It's been over four years since Simon was born and we're ready for "baby Blacker". I would refer to our new grand baby by the name Ronnie affectionately calls him/her, but I think Megan is afraid it'll stick. We know Mike and Megan will be wonderful parents and we can't wait to be grand parents again.

Ronnie continues his favorite routines. He doesn't feel as well, but continues to push himself, for that we're grateful. His pain is greater and comes more often--we continue to be thankful the medicine mostly controls it. He was the overseer on Tuesday evening of the annual garden planting. Now I know many of you are chopping your gardens by now, but Ronnie has never believed in getting in a hurry when planting. We had lots of fun. We just might make farmers of Jeremiah and Simon yet. Ronnie's trusty 4-wheeler came in handy for him to travel from place to place that night.

Ronnie has been concerned about all the HUGE trees really close to our house for quite a while. I finally agreed to the loggers. We watched from the safety of our front porch yesterday as logs hit the ground with such a thud they shook the earth. I know we'll feel much safer during storms without all those stately poplars so close. I went through the woods closest to our house with strings in hand as Ronnie agreed for me to mark some trees for keeping. Thank heavens we have some pretty large white oaks on the outer edge that we can keep.

We're so thankful for family and friends as well as each day we have to spend together. Ronnie continues to enjoy visits and calls. Please continue to pray for God's Grace for our family.

Update

I would imagine any of you who has been checking this blog have given up by now. Sorry for the length absence. Continuing from my last post. Ronnie did get to go turkey hunting on the Saturday before Easter and got a pretty nice bird. He was exhausted that night, but enjoyed the hunt.

We had an incredible Easter with friends and family. We were so blessed to, again, have all our children here and at Grannie's. What a blessing to be able to celebrate together during the blessed season of Easter. The knowledge that we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord on that day is just breath taking.

Ronnie has continued to feel pretty bad since my last post. Mostly just really tired. He began having some pain on Sunday afternoon and that has continued. We are thankful for medicines that help control that pain and make it possible for Ronnie to lead a semi-normal life. He continues to visit McCollum's and the guys there most mornings. His appetite hasn't been as good the last few weeks and for those of you who know Ronnie he, unlike me, doesn't have any extra weight.

So having said all that--our request for prayer at the present is that Ronnie will not have so much pain and I'll be able to think of think of things to cook that he just can't resist. We continue to Praise God for every day and are enjoying this time together. I am only working 3 days a week now and am really enjoying having more time to spend here.

I really tried to include pics on this post, but I guess the other time was beginner's luck.

Our prayer for each of you is that you make the most of every day, which is a gift from God. I think we take that for granted far too much.

Pa is getting another Grandbaby! :)

In case you have been out of the country(or maybe even in outer space!) and have somehow not heard that Mike and Megan are expecting a baby... well, they are! October 9th to be exact! This little one will be joining the best family on the planet and I know baby Blacker just can't wait to get here and meet all the Reids. Particularly Graggie and Pa!

Update

We continue to be thankful for God's provisions. We have had the answer to many prayers. Ronnie has felt much better than anyone ever imagined he would for the last 3 months. For that we are so thankful. For the last 3 weeks Ronnie has felt increasingly worse. His energy level has diminished greatly--he's tired most of time. I pray this will pass and he'll feel more like doing things he loves.

The spring turkey season begins Saturday. He hopes to be able to participate and if JB, Matt, Red and others have anything to do with it he'll be right out there. I don't believe Ronnie is quite as sure he'll be able to join them.

We look forward to a great celebration of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. What a blessed time. All of our children will be here for the weekend. We plan dinner together on Friday night with Grandma Mildred joining us. On Sunday we'll be joining my family at "Grannie's" for lunch following the service at church. I'm really hoping to get to help Jeremiah and Simon find some Easter eggs. Hopefully they'll find at least one with a surprise in it.

Our family hopes for each of you a wonderful Easter season with a celebration of Life!! We ask that you continue to pray as we wait to see what God has planned for us. Hallelujah--What a Savior!!

Happy Easter to each of you!!

Update

We've had a pretty good week. Ronnie did go quail hunting with Charles and Wayne on Monday and they enjoyed the hunt.

Ronnie hasn't felt quite as well for a couple of weeks now. We saw the Dr. yesterday and he didn't have very good news for us. Apparently he saw from the scan on Tuesday that the chemo isn't helping so that will be discontinued. Dr. Neijstrom is still amazed at how good Ronnie looks and that he isn't nauseated and that he doesn't spend a portion of each day in bed and that he hasn't lost weight. We have all the right answers to those questions, but according to the doctor the cancer just isn't getting better. We continue to be thankful for God's Amazing Grace. When you're a believer it is a win/win situation. Please continue to pray for Ronnie and our family as we're hoping for a lot of good days ahead of us.

We're so grateful for this beautiful weekend--hope you've been able to enjoy it.

"Time Out"

This is Ronnie's week off from treatment. We're looking forward to a good week without the Chemo. It has really made him feel bad the last couple of weeks for longer than usual. We see Dr. Neijstrom on Friday for further instructions. Please pray that the Dr. will make just the right decision regarding further treatments.

Ronnie has been invited to quail hunt with friends today. He's looking forward to that.

We continue to be thankful for the "good days". Thanks for your continued encouragement and prayers.

Treatment #3 of cycle 3

We've had a great weekend. Ronnie hasn't felt as well since Thursday as he usually does. He gets really tired. Please pray that he'll feel better soon. He's continued to do his usual weekend things, visit McCollum's store, spend time with the children and I. We went out to dinner last night at one of our favs Jose's. Just a plain old place, but somehow that's where we end up a lot of the time when it's just the two of us. We went to church today and visited with Matt, Holly, Jason, Kendra, Jeremiah and Simon for a little while over Sunday lunch.

Following lunch Holly and Jeremiah challenged Kendra and Simon (well mostly Kendra as Simon got distracted) in a little friendly game of soccer. Kendra just couldn't keep up the pace and I believe the final score was 4 to 1.
I assume part of the prize was that Simon had to pull Aunt Holly in the wagon.









Ronnie has a treatment again on Tuesday. Please pray the medicine will do what it's suppose to do and won't make Ronnie feel too bad. We so appreciate your prayers and encouragement. We're thankful for another good weekend with family and friends.
NOTE: This is my first attempt at posting pics. I'll try to do better next time. I felt like 1 hour was enough time to spend on this.

Rainy Birthday Weekend

I know that you, like us, complained at least once this weekend of the unending rain. In spite of the wet, cold weather we had a great weekend. All of our children humored us and joined one of Ronnie and Matt's deer hunting groups for a covered dish on Saturday night. There was lots of good food and we certainly enjoyed seeing everyone.

Three of our children have birthdays in March. Since Megan and Mike were home for the weekend, we celebrated her birthday yesterday (the 15th is actually Kendra's birthday). I had ask Megan a week or more ago what she'd like me to serve for her birthday--the entree she chose was BBQ chicken. Remember it was raining a LOT here Sunday morning. I don't think any of our children actually thought there'd be any thing from the grill for lunch, but we had the chicken along with the sides Megan had requested. We plan to have dinner for Matt and Kendra on Tuesday night, which is actually Megan and Matt's birthday. We enjoyed being together at church and afterward for lunch.

Jeremiah and Simonvisited for a little while Sunday evening. Kendra and Jason went out for Kendra's birthday. There was more conversation during that few hours than is in our house in a normal week. Those boys just love to talk and Pa and I just love to hear them talk. The evening ended with Pa and I enjoying a couple of episodes of Scooby Doo with the boys. Their favorite!! We're so enjoying time with our family.

Our weekend was great. Ronnie had felt pretty bad Thursday afternoon and Friday following his Tuesday Chemo. We're so thankful he felt better for the remainder of the weekend. He has another treatment tomorrow. Please continue to pray these treatments will do exactly what they're intended to do. Our pastor spoke on prayer yesterday. What a timely message. Thank you so much for praying for Ronnie and our family.

Cycle 3 session 1

Ronnie had his 7th treatment on Tuesday. This is the beginning of his 3rd cycle. He was really tired Tuesday night. The treatments usually make him tired, but he also saw Dr. Fagan for a follow-up visit that afternoon. Dr. Fagan was pretty excited about Ronnie's progress. After some much needed rest on Tuesday night he seemed to feel good yesterday--good enough for breakfast and gun store visiting with his friend Eddie Lamberth. So thankful for friends and family.

Ronnie took advantage of our last day of spring, for a few days, by doing some yard work. His brother JB came over with his 4 wheeler rig and helped him put fertilizer on the lawn. Ronnie used his trusty lawn mower to get up the stray leaves. It looks so much better around here. The sound of the mower when I arrived from work was music to my ears. So thankful he felt like getting out there in the beautiful weather. I hope you are as encouraged, as we are, by God's Grace. What a blessing

Great Report

Ronnie saw Dr. Neijstrom Friday. The Dr. was really happy with the progress he feels Ronnie is making. There haven't been any further test, but the fact that Ronnie continues to feel pretty well and doesn't show any adverse reactions to the chemo is pretty exciting. At this time he plans to have Ronnie continue the three week on and one week off schedule of chemo for another round or two. The monthly blood test indicate the cancer marker (whatever that is) has dropped some. We're so incredibly thankful for the good news. We celebrated with our dear friends Sharon and Dennis at Ham's on Friday night.

Ronnie continues to enjoy cards, visits and phone calls from friends and family. Thanks to each of you!! We're enjoying the spring weather as we're sure you are. Thanks for continuing the faithful prayers. God has been so good to us.

Short update

Ronnie continues to do well. This week the treatment was probably kinder to him than any of the other 5. He's been a little tired, but other than that he seems to feel well. Next week is his week off. We see Dr. Neijstrom on Friday and will proceed following his recommendations.

Last night (Friday) we, along with, Jason, Kendra, Matt and Holly (we missed y'all Mike and Megan) had dinner with the Sedgefield Hunt Club. What a treat. Such interesting food and entertaining auction. We enjoyed seeing old friends and meeting new ones.

Today was the last day for rabbit hunting and if where you live is at all like Bethany, NC--it's cold and rainy. So Ronnie and the boys have hung up their rabbit hunting gear until next year. I hope for their sake that Matt and Jason cleaned those guns well!!

We're so thankful for God's provisions and His continued Grace in our lives. Please continue to pray for our family.

Preparing for #6

Ronnie continues to do well. We had a really nice weekend. All our children were home and that's always so much fun. He and the boys were able to get in a little rabbit hunting on Saturday.

We were able to attend visitation for our Aunt Owilda last night where we saw good friends and family. Owilda was 87 years young and was actually Aunt Owilda to both of us.

Ronnie's schedule for a treatment tomorrow morning. Please continue to pray that those meds will "do the trick". We continue to be thankful for good days.

Treatment #5

Ronnie had his 5th chemo treatment yesterday. It was pretty uneventful--PTL. He had the usual shortness of breath afterward needing oxygen for a few hours when we returned home. Ronnie continues to feel pretty well and is able to get out some for his daily visit to McCollum's to visit with his friends. (For those outside Rockingham County--McCollum's is a local convenience store).

Ronnie, Jason and Matt are anxiously anticipating another rabbit hunt on Saturday. We had a visit with our friend and neighbor Fred Berry this week who has a good place for them to hunt. Thanks Fred!!

We look forward to a visit from Mike and Megan this weekend. I lovingly tell everyone the only thing I've found to dislike about my son-in-law is that he took Megan to Maryland. :-) We're so thankful for our children. God has certainly been good to us.

Thanks for your continued prayers and encouragement.

Wonderful weekend

I know all of you, like me, was dreading the rainy Saturday that our weather people predicted. Once again, I'm thankful we're not in charge of anything including the weather. In NC the weather couldn't have been better--especially for rabbit hunting. Ronnie was able to hunt again yesterday with the same fellows as last week and with the addition of our friends George and Alan. They had a great hunt. Ronnie was pretty tired last night, but this morning he was feeling fine. His leg/foot looks normal and we're planning on being at Sharon Baptist for services in a little while.

Ronnie's week has been good. He felt a little bad for a couple of days following his treatment, but all in all it's been a good week.

Specific prayer request this week would be that Ronnie would be able to sleep better and that the treatments would go well. We're excited to see what God has in store for us.

Thanks again for praying for our family during this trying time. We're so thankful to have our children, so many dear friends and our families near to us. It's true--God's Grace is Sufficient.

Yep!! Treatment today!!!

Ronnie's counts were good and he had his 4th chemo treatment. When we met with Dr. Neijstrom Ronnie ask about the possibility of going rabbit hunting (guess he believes in getting forgiveness rather than permission). Dr. Neijstrom said he thought it would be fine. I said, as the Dr. was leaving the room, Dr. -- he went on Saturday. Guess Dr. Neijstrom realizes what a determined fellow he's working with. That determination is ONE of the things that endears Ronnie to all of us.

Ronnie had a fine weekend as you could see from Megan's rabbit hunting post. He shot skeet with one of his brothers and Matt on Sunday afternoon. The skeet shooting was after going to church and having lunch with our entire family present. If I do say so myself his dear wife and "daughters" prepared a fine meal. What a blessing. Thanks again to each of you for your prayers for our family.

Treatment Today...

Dad saw Dr. Neistrom this morning and he was very impressed at how great Dad looked- his leg/foot especially! He is supposed to get a treatment today assuming that the blood counts look good. We'll keep you posted!

Rabbit Hunting Trip!

Yesterday, Dad went Rabbit hunting with Jason and Matt and Dad's friend Mike.

Here he is on the 4 wheeler. Don't worry, He kept his leg propped up on the four wheeler some and you wouldn't know he was up and around all day yesterday by looking at his foot this morning! :)


Here they are after skinning their kills. 7 rabbits altogether! We know that Magnet Barrel (aka Dad) killed at least one of these!


What a beautiful, beautiful day to be outside! (It hit 68 degrees in NC yesterday... just amazing!) And It was the first time in over 3 years that my ENTIRE family was all in one place at one time. Mom, Dad, Jason, Kendra, Jeremiah, Simon, Matt, Holly, Mike and Me! Good to be together and lookin' forward to all being in the same place again today for lunch! :)

Quick update

Just wanted to thank all of you for praying for our family. Ronnie has had a good week. He felt a little bad on Friday following his last treatment, but has felt pretty well since then. Some minor swelling in the left leg, but nothing compared to what we'd seen before. He continues to jump when I stick him for his twice a day shot of Lovenox. I'm not nearly as good a nurse as Lisa, but I don't know anyone who is. We're looking forward to this week off without a treatment. Ronnie continues to enjoy visits, cards and phone calls from friends and family. May God continue to bless each of you for your faithfulness.

Completion of 1st session

It's 4 pm and we just returned home from Ronnie's 3rd chemo treatment (appointment at 10:45). This concludes round 1. The treatment went well and the port a cath was certainly well worth it. In Ronnie's words, 1 stick instead of 6+. Dr. Neijstrom met with us regarding the leg problem and I think gave us some pretty amazing news. He told him it was ok to be up on it as long as he's moving and that if he stops he's to elevate it. That should make a huge difference for Ronnie as he's not much of a sit at home person. We're thankful for every step we make forward as we know it's through God's grace and the encouragement of prayers from so many. Next week will be a "week off from treatment". Treatments will resume on February 9. Thanks once again to each of you for caring for our family especially through prayer.

Ready for Round 3

Ronnie was feeling some better this morning following a night at home, notice I didn't say in his own bed. He only slept there for a few hours after a little while in the recliner and on the sofa. He endured my second experience at administering an injection without too much complaining. Lisa, our sister-in-law was very patient while training me to give the "shot". While I was practicing on the orange Jeremiah wanted to know why I was giving the orange a shot and I ask him if he didn't think the orange looked sick--after a minute of studying he said yes, but shots don't make oranges well. Ronnie goes for his 3rd chemo treatment tomorrow. Thanks for your continued prayers for our family.

Ronnie is coming home today! :)

Dad was admitted to Annie Penn Hospital Saturday afternoon because of increased swelling in his leg due to blood clots. Thanks for your prayers! Mom reported this morning that the swelling in his leg/foot is almost completely gone and that there is some redness leftover from the irritation. With a little pain left over in general and after 2 nights of "hospital sleep" (mom says they have no intentions for you to sleep/rest in the hospital) I am sure Dad will be happy to sleep in his own bed tonight!

They also put in a portacath this morning to make future chemo treatments easier as they will no longer have to poke and prod him in order to start the treatment. The Doctor said it went well. (and deer, turkeys, birds, rabbits, etc.- you're not in the safe... they put the portacath on the right side of his chest- allowing my left-handed Daddy to continuing shooting easily!)