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Our New Normal, Plus Good News!

Let’s Celebrate!

The past week has been whirlwind-ish.  I’ve hardly seen Helen she has been so busy.  My strongly extroverted wife runs with about four groups of gal-pals (not counting pottery class and pickleball). The outpouring of love and support from them has been both overwhelming and endearing. She has been out to dinner or lunch almost every day since we returned home, and that’s a good thing.

Nevertheless, we’ve tried hard to resume our regular Knoxville routine and activities as much as possible. We attended church services last Sunday, which is a blessing any time of the year.  We love our church as well as the staff and our friends there. Helen returned to her seat in the choir, which she enjoys immensely.

Poker Night

I prodded our neighborhood poker group to get back together for a session in our clubhouse. The fellows I play with are good card players, and we always enjoy each other’s company.  The games are simple, and the stakes are low…I went in with ten dollars and left with precisely the same amount two hours later.  All had a good time!

Return to Exercise Class

We resumed our membership in the YMCA to attend much-needed exercise classes three days a week.  The forty-five-minute workout is a great stress-reliever, not to mention what it does for this well-worn body. I was sore after the first class but recovered by the end of the week.

Helen’s Hot Pink Camelia

East Tennessee saw the first signs of spring in recent days. Helen’s Hot Pink Camelia put on quite a show for everyone. The blooms are large and in great quantity on the bush.  She had enough for cutting and gave out several thank you gifts to friends and neighbors.

Many of the early flowering trees have sent out buds and enough green shade to make us think that the season is about to burst forward any day.  I “borrowed” the picture below from a friend who has a home in our mountains and gives an illustration of the hint of spring we are getting excited about.

Hint of Spring

That excitement will have to wait, however.  We have had gorgeous weather for the entire week with clear skies and temperatures in the 70s. Friday was a perfect day weather-wise.  We woke up to six inches of snow on the ground and predictions for the overnight temperature to plunge to 14 degrees on Saturday. I have some pictures that will give readers an idea of what our Saturday morning resembled. There’s nothing ordinary about that!

Honeybee Bush – Friday (L) Saturday (R)

Now for the big news.  On Friday, Helen and I met with her oncologist, Dr. Feng, a delightful man with a calming demeanor.  Helen met with him previously when she flew home from San Diego for the initial consultation. During this session, Dr. Feng (pron. Fung) summarized a course of treatment for Helen’s breast cancer dictated by one significant finding.  Her CT scan revealed no indication that cancer had spread to any other parts of her body. Her post-surgery chemotherapy could be kept at a very low level of intensity. When Helen learned the scan results, she couldn’t hold back the tears of joy…nor could I.  Dr. Feng held her hand. The cancer was detected early.  Helen’s adherence to annual mammograms had paid off.

Big News!

Our new normal will include surgery, weekly chemotherapy for three months, and targeted therapy every three weeks in the coming year. The schedule should permit some RV trips closer to home, which we will plan once we have a date for surgery.  Our trip to Maine will have to wait, but we intend to take it at some point. 

Thanks so much to everyone for the thoughtful well-wishes, words of encouragement, and prayers for Helen. The experience has been very heartwarming.

For now, we’re settling into the routine and still Easin’ Along! 

Easin’ Along

32 thoughts on “Our New Normal, Plus Good News!

  1. Good news! You both seem to find comfort and enjoyment in your homey routines and have settled right in to this new normal as Helen receives her treatment. How wonderful the cancer was localized! And her positive mental attitude will also contribute to a healthy outcome. I’m reminded that while we can’t control all of our health challenges we must take responsibility for it (like making sure to stay current on our appointments, tests, and screenings…thank goodness Helen had!) in order to maximize that health. As we get older sometimes it seems we are going from one dcotor’s appointment to the other, particularly as we cram them into times between travel! Inconvenient at times, but so necessary! All the best to Helen as she begins her treatment journey.

    1. Good morning, Nancy,
      Thanks for the kind words. I’m so grateful that Helen began a regimen of checkups many years ago and I did the same. We bost lost parents to cancer and know how important those checkups are. We just deal with them and move on. I saw on Suzanne’s blog that you and Dan are moving soon. Best wishes for a smooth move and we want to hear all about it so, please stay in touch. Best wishes to you both. Joe

  2. A beautiful that celebrates friendship, daily routines, spring flowers, spring snow, and, best of all, hopeful, happy news for Helen. You’re both in my prayers. And we hope spring is blooming in your hearts as well as in your yard.

    1. Hi, Rusha,
      The snow gave us an opportunity to sit back and reflect on all of our blessings, and we are truly blessed…and grateful! The routines are well underway. I’m going to exercise class today, and Helen is playing pickleball. We were supposed to be in California for another month, but, while we wish we were there, we’ll settle for FaceTime with the grandchildren. Keep those prayers coming, and please stay in touch! Joe

  3. Dr Feng was my doctor back in 2011 until we moved to Hixson. Loved him. Loved all the ladies where I got chemo too!!! You’re in good hands!!! Plus Gods in control!!!!

    1. LuAnne,
      Dr. Feng is wonderful and a true professional. Helen has heard nothing but good things since they first met. I felt very comfortable around him as well. You’re right, things are in God’s hands, so keep those prayers coming! Joe

  4. During this emotional time of coping with a cancer diagnosis I know ya’ll are glad that Helen’s recent scan was good news. Positive news is so uplifting when a cancer patient is on the road to recovery.
    My diagnosis 30+ years ago gave me more strength & courage than I could have imagined. It truly changed my life & career.
    As she joins the Pink Sisters, I will keep her in my thoughts & prayers.

    1. Tandy,
      Helen’s news was indeed a joyful experience in this journey. She can now move forward with treatment and get this situation behind us. I remember that you went through this long ago and now consider yourself cured. That gives us hope for the same. Pink Sisters…I like that! Please stay in touch! Joe

  5. I’m so happy for your latest news. Being so positive and smiling a lot is the main ingredient to fight the C. Bryce has beat cancer twice and I always said I watched him go through this like it was his job. He carried a briefcase to all his appts. I will continue to pray for both of you. When I’m in Knoxville, I would love to see you. Also when you start your travels again, please come to see us.

    1. Hi, Cheryl,
      Prayers are working, and Helen has received a lot of love and support from friends, family, and our church family. We’re blessed and so grateful to have them all with us on this journey. Keep the prayers coming–would love to see you soon! Joe

  6. What fabulous news! And so glad you both like the doctor and have confidence in the treatment plan moving ahead. Continued prayers for successful surgery and complete recovery.

    1. Good morning, Carolyn!
      Keep the prayers coming! Things seem to be moving in the right direction and will become a little clearer this week. Hugs! Joe

  7. Such good news, Joe! I was brought to tears reading Helen’s updated diagnosis, not to mention the absolute look of joy and relief on her face in the photo. Let’s not call it a new normal but a temporary one for now. Life has resumed for you all and that is the best thing. BTW, I have a dear colleague friend now living in the Chattanooga area, who moved there last year from Sacramento. We were both Sacramento State lecturers together for years. Another good reason to visit you all some day (I also have a nephew in Nashville). Have a wonderful, uplifted week!

    1. Thanks, Teri,
      Helen, blessed with a wonderful attitude, looks at this situation as a “bump in the road” so, it is probably more accurate to say we’re in a “temporary normal.” We would love to have you visit East Tennessee and hike through our mountains with us. Don’t lose that thought–we’ll be close to home for the next year. Loved your latest post. Helen glazes a lot of her pottery with a Jade color. Talk soon! Joe

    1. Ed and Wilma,
      The news was so welcome! Helen has a great attitude, and we’ll know more about the upcoming surgery later this week. Thanks for checking in–please keep those prayers coming! Joe

  8. Joe, I’m so glad to hear Helen’s good news and to see her joy! It’s wonderful that you have so many friends and activities that you enjoy in your hometown. We send you our best. That snow is beautiful, but brrrr!!!

    1. Hi Laurel,
      At least we now have a course of treatment, but we don’t have a start date yet. We should get that information later this week. We plan to go to the NC mountains before surgery and visit Helen’s favorite campground by the stream in Cherokee if it works out. Come join us! We mentioned last night that “The Forgotten Coast” is not that far away, so maybe we can visit there in the fall. At any rate, things are firming up. We’ll be in touch! Joe

    1. Good morning, Annie,
      We expect to have more of a plan after we get a surgery date later this week. Hope to slip off to Cherokee and camp by the stream before surgery in Helen’s favorite campground. Want to join us? Thanks for Easin’ Along with us. Please stay in touch! Joe

  9. Will be praying for both of you through the surgery, chemo, and recovery! Admire your zest for life and all your adventures!
    Kim Murrian Pierce

    1. Good morning, Kim,
      We should have a date for surgery this week and that will clear things up as far as our schedule for the next year. From what we’ve learned so far, we’ll be able to work on some shorter RV trips between treatments. We love the RV lifestyle and are not ready to give it up. Great to hear from you! Thanks for checking in and please stay in touch! Joe

    1. Good morning Donna,
      Helen was very relieved to hear that the cancer is isolated for now. We should have a date for surgery this week, and then we can make plans for the days and weeks ahead. It is wonderful to have our blogging friends reach out to us. Thanks for checking in and we’ll be in touch. I have a recipe that I will share with you soon! Joe

  10. Joe, God has a way of testing us old folks. I find myself raising a 14 year old after losing my daughter and my huband. Helen’s new sounds so hopeful and her positive attitude goes a long way toward healing, plus that faith you both have. I am sure your friends in Knoxville are happy to have you pause and stay a while. Praying for you both. Sara Sue Claiborne Niemann.

    1. Sara Sue,
      It is wonderful to hear from you. I remember that you lost your daughter, but I either didn’t know or forgot that you lost your husband…so sorry. I’m certain that your granddaughter is a lovely person and will be great company for you. Without our grandchildren, I’m not sure I would ever have learned how to work my cell phone! Helen’s attitude is incredible and makes it easier for the rest of the family. She’s playing pickleball this afternoon. Thanks for the prayers, and please stay in touch! Joe

  11. Good morning Joe,
    Thank you so much for the “good news” regarding Helen! I’m sure it was a huge relief to her and you as well as the rest of your family. Our continued prayers and thoughts as you go forward with her surgery and treatment including special prayers to St. Peregrine.
    P.S. Thank you for you email too! I understand last week was a very busy one for you guys.
    Take care,
    Ron Ellis

    1. Hi, Ron,
      So far, we feel like we are in a good place and ready to begin treatment. We will have a date for surgery this week. Thanks for the prayers and good wishes as well as alerting St. Peregrine. We’re delighted to have him on “our team!” Take care and please stay in touch. Joe

  12. Oh, yay! That’s WONDERFUL news, Joe! And it sounds like Helen has a very caring doctor – that’s good news, too. Just the simple fact that he held her hand tells me he values the personal connection with his patients, and that’s huge. It sounds like you and Helen are doing all the right things to help deal with a tough situation. Keep up the good work, you two!

    Forgive me for laughing, but you actually got more snow from this past storm than we did. It had been predicted to drop up to a foot on us but, happily, it only left about four inches.

    1. Hi, Mary,
      We are very comfortable with the medical team working with Helen. I have friends from church that also have worked with them and they tell us we’re getting “top drawer” care. We’ll move forward and will keep everyone updated as this challenge develops. I owe you an email and I will send it out soon.
      You wouldn’t believe it, but our 6.5″ snowfall is completely gone. We are basking in 70-degree weather today. Tennessee weather is always a roller coaster ride in the spring. Thanks again for reaching out and we’ll be in touch. Joe

  13. I’m pretty sure Helen already knew this in her heart. How satisfying to have it confirmed. I love her spirit of faith and joy. Life is good. Well maybe except for 14 degrees and snow on that beautiful honeybee bush.

    1. Good morning, Suzanne,
      Helen is blessed with a beautiful gift of calmness and strength which will serve her well in the upcoming year. You’re right–life is good. That snowstorm was a freaky thing. The snow was gone in a day, and we’ve enjoyed a beautiful spring. Enjoy your weekend. It’s always great to hear from you. Joe

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