It's been a long time!

I can't believe it's been so long since my last post. I apologize to all of you who keep checking for news and then have to call, message, e-mail, text, FB, or stop me on the street for updates. Generally, it's safe to assume that "NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS." I seem to write for therapy, so if I'm not writing, that's a good thing!

Where to begin . . .

On September 12 Phil had a CT scan which showed NO NEW GROWTH! We were elated to learn that the cancer was not growing and had not spread. It was phenomenal news, really, when you consider his original prognosis of 6 months to a year. Phil is still getting chemo every other week and his next CT scan is December 10. We'll get results on the 12th when he sees his oncologist (and I'll try to post the results more quickly this time). Meanwhile, we're trusting in the Lord and praying for this great blessing to continue.

Chemo leaves Phil very tired all the time, more so the first week, and he fought (and defeated) a bad cold over the past 2-3 weeks. But despite all that, he never misses his 2:00 a.m. wake-up call--when that alarm goes off, he's up and on his way to Moab!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and the entire Moab community is invited to dinner at the Grand Center--so we'll dine there amongst Phil's amazing friends. What are we most thankful for? This Thanksgiving we're thankful that despite our challenges, life goes on!

In September we took an amazing trip to Albuquerque, NM and came back by way of Winslow, AZ. I attended a professional conference in Albuquerque so we were there all week. I presented at two sessions: one session on my 4-H afterschool program and the other on how to get published in the national journal that I edit (Journal of National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences). While I was working, Phil luxuriated in our gorgeous hotel room.

We had the best view and it was the week of the Albuquerque Balloon Festival. Almost every day we saw balloons float by, not that far from our wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows. We really enjoyed every minute we spent there!

One of our favorite spots on earth is Winslow, Arizona! As train enthusiasts, we love to stay at La Posada--an old train hotel which has been completely restored in period style. We checked in, dined on amazing southwest cuisine at the Turqoise Room, and sat in rocking chairs by the tracks and watched trains till well after dark. We had a room overlooking the railroad tracks and the next morning we realized we could actually see the trains while sitting in bed! Sadly, we could only stay one night this time.

Before we left, we had to have our picture taken on the corner made famous by the Eagles!

We wandered through a car show that happened to be in town and Phil found a friend he had made at the hotel. I'm always amazed that Phil finds friends wherever he goes. This fellow seemed to be in a rush when Phil first spoke to him, but before long, he was totally engaged in conversation and when we saw him the next day, he was anxious to pick up where they left off the night before!

Finally on the road, I convinced Phil to take a "shortcut" across the Navajo Reservation. I told him I had traveled that way before, with our aunt, Lucille Hunt, who is Navajo, and I was sure I could retrace our route. When we drove for some time and ended up on a dirt road, I reluctantly confessed that I hadn't recognized any landmarks for quite some time, but still thought it was a good route!

A Navajo lady drove past us as Phil hung out the window waving his arms ("Crazy bilagaana!"), then backed up her pickup and kindly guided us back to a main road. She said the road we were on turned into a mud bog and we surely would have gotten stuck. I told her she was an angel of mercy, and she was! Of course, Phil was his usual good-natured self. He so easily could have said, "I told you so." Instead, we both appreciated that we had seen new country and had quite the adventure!

There . . . doesn't that feel great to hear good news for a change?

Sending love to all our readers!