Grandma's 93rd Birthday

I wanted to post a quick blog with a picture of my Dad, Aunt Betsty, and Grandma on her 93rd Birthday. I was just home a few weeks ago with the whole family. We had such a nice time being together and so special to be home in Duluth. We were able to go fishing and help my Dad train Sammy. I sure do feel fortunate to have such a wonderful family. Love, Kimber

Il Camposanto (secondo)

The Old Oak Tree

Built in 1862

I suppose it seems a little odd to use Italian to describe something so Scandinavian, but the Tuscan vernacular is so appealing. Linda and I have always enjoyed traveling the back roads when we have the time as you often find such beauty and interest off of the beaten path. A couple of weeks ago while on one of our forays into the farm country we found this scene just southeast of Northfield, near the town of Nerstrand. It seemed to be one of the most beautiful and pastoral settings we have ever seen in Minnesota. There are actually two churches faced directly opposing one another and the one pictured was built in 1862 during the Civil War and the U.S.-Dakota war of 1862, which began 150 years ago yesterday. Obviously there were some very ambitious and reverent people living in Southeastern Minnesota at that time in our history.

These discoveries as we travel around bring some measure of peace to us while we deal with all the days of medical care and the inconveniences that can really wear you down. Seeing the lush farmland on the rolling hills of this part of Minnesota along with the occasional spectacular setting can't help but be inspiring for anyone needing a lift. Driving into Duluth and seeing the Big Lake is also very uplifting.

Again,

Gary and Linda

Terra Incognita

Dear Friends,

Whenever we enter into "unknown lands" it is natural to consider this a kind of adventure. It is really quite impossible to know exactly what you will find. The intelligent person does adequate research to increase the chances of success, but we all know too well that there will be many obstacles and delays. Take the example of Sir Ernest Shackelton or Sir Edmund Hillary. Due to their various styles of leadership both were successful in that they made it back alive to tell their stories. More modest adventures abound all around such as canoeing to the Arctic, marathoning or even learning to play Bridge.

Sometimes adventure comes to us without our having asked for it. Whether you join the military or are conscripted the result is the same; you enter a "Land of Dragons" so to say. Personally, I think we all need adventure in our lives, but not to be foolish in the endeavor because we want a long long life as God should desire.

Linda and I did not ask for this trip and we are in it together whatever it takes. Again, we took adequate time to choose our health care facilities carefully. Now we both feel trust and confidence in the direction we are given. So now we try to the best of our abilities to do our part and let God do the rest.

I am very sure both Shackelton and Hillary spoke to Him daily. So does Robin Roberts and so do Gary and Linda DeLoia.
My best, Thank you for reading my blog.
Rochester Methodist Hospital

Summer in Duluth

We had a very nice two weeks in Duluth, warm weather and the grass is green. We returned home to find everything in good order due to the help of some fine friends. We enjoyed visiting many of our friends and catching up on the current events. For me, I was able to work with Sammy many times and she was almost always with me. We even got out fishing and to our surprise we caught some nice lake trout, even though Lake Superior is still kind of muddy from the big storm. Linda learned to mow with the big rider as I was told to stay away from dust, dirt, live plants and machines. Anyway we did it together in a sense. Got to keep the place nice just to stay contented.
Tomorrow we are going to Rochester for some appointments and possibly more treatment. I am feeling good with fairly good energy, but my actions are a little slow. Linda is packing my bag for the trip. I guess she'll come with.

Leaving Rochester

Sammy

Sammy In Training

Gary

NBA PREDICTABILITY

MONDAY After my morning appointment at Mayo Clinic, Linda and I drove up to St.Paul to spend the afternoon with Allison and her family. This helps restore some sense of a normal day to our routine. Rochester is a nice town surrounded by very well kept farmland, a growing community with a lot of health care workers, unless they work for IBM. This is all well and good, but even someone with an even personality like me might go a little nuts after a time. As to my physical health it might be best to describe it on a "scale of one to ten". I learned this from my nurses. Are you having any pain? Yes, I have a headache. Can you describe your headache? Well, I've had worse. Can you put a number on it? I guess it's not that bad after all. I was always good with numbers, but ambiguity is a problem for me. Honestly, the care we are receiving is excellent, the nurses are terrific as you might expect. It would be nice to draw a path for my ongoing treatment, yet that is like predicting the NBA finals. If you have paid attention to the series then you know what I mean. Just when you think you have a plan it changes. Sunday morning Linda and I went to Mass, not at the same time as we could not plan even that. This is a good day. Peace to you all, Gary

Update on Dad

Hello friends and family, I wanted to give an update on the past week. After my dad's chemo he was able to leave the hospital and go back to the hotel with my mom for a week. They enjoyed sitting at the church gardens and going on walks each day. The Kinneys came to visit who is a dental school friend of his and Toni and Ann spent a day visiting as well. Tuesday he was put back in the hospital to treat an infection which tends to happen when a person has neutropenia which means no immune system. He is feeling much better today and more like himself. I am not sure when he will leave the hospital but probably in the next few days. He will meet with his doctor in two weeks to decide the next course of treatment. My mom is going on her daily walks and her sister Brenda spent today with them and is staying the night with my mom. Love, Kimber

Rochester Mayo

Dear Friends and Family,

I wanted to write a quick post to send an update on my Dad. He is almost done with his first week of treatment at Methodist Hospital at Mayo. He has had very little side affects if any, although they say that may come in week two. His chemo stops tomorrow and then he will remain in the hospital for another week while his body recovers and blood counts are healthy enough to leave the hospital. Things tend to change so we will see what the next few weeks bring. My mom has a nice extended stay hotel to stay in which is just a block away. She has been giving our guests a tour of her favorite restaurants and her favorite hotels in Rochester. Everything is within about 6 blocks so it's a quick tour (although I have been on it about 3 times so I sometimes feel like it is groundshog day :)). My dad has been in pretty good spirits and chatting it up with the nurses, doctors, and patients. He just hangs out in the community room hoping for someone to join him in conversation or suggest some good book authors as they are about to read their own book. We go for walks each day and his only rule is that he can't leave the 7th floor. Fortunately for him the 7th floor stretches through all the Mayo Buildings so we can get pretty far on the 7th floor. We have had quite a few visitors already which has been so nice for all of us. Micki Bell spent a few days here before I came which was wonderful for my mom as she got settled here. Saturday my 3 friends from college Patty, Erin, and Sarah came to visit with my cousin Janel. Bob and Maureen Ryan were here as well to have lunch with my mom and dad. Allison got here on Sunday and stayed until today which was great and we were able to go to my mom's favorite restaurant with her. It was a special dinner. Then today my aunt Betsy and Steve and Nancy and Joe came for lunch. We are hoping they don't kick my dad out for his excessive partying and guests.
All and all things are going pretty well considering his situation. We all hope and pray his treatment gets him healthy so we can continue this party at home in Duluth.
His address at the hospital is: Rochester Methodist Hospital, 201 West Center Street, Room #7-421, Rochester, MN 55905 

Love, Kimber