New Year's Eve, December 31, 2008

As 2008 comes to an end and our 2009 New Year begins, I want to send a heart felt THANK YOU to all our family and friends for your support during this difficult year. For all your thoughts, prayers and many phone calls made to us, this year. There are NO words that can express my appreciation for all of you who have shown us so much concern for Jerry this year. Jerry started out this year with C-Diff colitus, then chemo therapy, then the removal of his gallbladder and now he is fighting the pain of a sinus incection which has settled in his jaw/gums. He is doing better today then on Christmas Eve, but is still fighting with pain in his mouth. I pray that all of you will feel God's Goodness and Blessings in 2009. My love and prayers will be there for all of you. Thanks you and I treasure your love and friendship. God Bless you!

Danya's 1st Christmas, Christmas, 2008

Ashleigh and Tinkerbell - Christmas, 2008

Christmas Greeting, 2008

WISHING ALL OF OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS A VERY BLESSED CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY SEASON.

Saturday December 27, 2008

Camie - always hanging out wherever I am... and right now she is sleeping on the printer next to where I am updating our blog.

Merry Christmas - Christmas Day, 2008

Around 4:00am Jerry was in so much pain, we both got up, Jerry had something to eat and then injected himself with dilaudid. We finally were back in bed about 5:00am. At around 9:15am I jumped out of bed and into the shower because Church was at 10:00am. I was scheduled to distribute the Eucharist at 10:00am mass. Jerry decided he was going to try to go to church, as well. When he asked me what time it was, he decided he wouldn't be able to get ready in time and we would be late... he told me I better go ahead without him. Jerry went back to bed and tuned into a church service on TV. When I returned home, Jerry was doing better, but still not feeling good. We were suppose to go down and see the boys and give them their Christmas presents after church. Jerry wasn't feeling up to it, but decided he would try to go down for a little while. The boys were excited that Santa Claus came and we excited with all their presents. They were particularly excited to get their own Nintindo DS's from Mom and Dad. We gave Jake a Spongebob cartridge for his DS and Zack the National Geographics Panda DS. They were both excited to try them out.

Christmas Eve 2008

Seems like Jerry and my Christmas Holiday has ended up like the beginning of 2008 and so much of the rest of the year. After enduring such of tough time getting through chemo therapy and finishing up the 15 treatments on December 10th. We thought our Christmas Holidays would be pain free and feeling good. However, Jerry came down with a sore throat and sinus infection. Because immune system and health is compromised the sinus infection has settled into g in on Jerry's right side of his face. His face is very tender, swollen (looks like a chipmunk) and Jerry is in excruciating pain. He has been taking hydrocodone for the pain. We tried contacting our dentist, oncologist, gastroenterologists, UCLA Medical Center (Maxillofacial Prosthetics Graduate Prosthodontics Hospital Dentistry Group, but being Christmas Eve everyone is on call and/or not available. Our dentist, Dr. Rasch, who was only on-call for emergencies contacted us and agreed to meet us, at his office, in Newport Beach. Dr. Rasch checked Jerry's mouth and saw where the swelling was, tapped on his teeth and took x-rays. However, could not determine that the infection/pain was a tooth, gums, blocked duct, sinus or something else. Dr. Rasch contacted an oral surgeon who has seen Jerry in the past and they decided it must be a sinus infection and recommended prescribing Penicillin. Because of Jerry's ongoing C-diff colitis diagnosis and because the colitis was finally under control, Jerry's gastroentrologist told Jerry not to take ANY antibiotics unless he spoke to Dr. Spirt first. Unfortunately, Dr. Spirt was not available, the doctor on call for him told us to go ahead with the penicillin along with continuing the vancomycin. Jerry does have resorption of a tooth. Tooth resorption is when the body cells attack and destroy part of a tooth. Since Jerry has been diagnosed with ONJ (Osteonecrosis of the Jaw) and because there are very few dentist knowledgeable of the severity of this condition we have been unable to treat this tooth, but if the infection/pain is being caused by this tooth than something will need to be done. As soon as possible we will need to follow up with the UCLA specialist who Jerry has seen in the past, before proceeding with any other invasive procedures. Unfortunately, the UCLA staff is out on Holiday until January 5, 2009.

Jerry and I were suppose to have dinner and spend Christmas Eve with our friends Debbi and Stig and their family. Obviously, Jerry was in no condition to enjoy himself, but insisted I go ahead and try to have a good time. He was going to go to bed.

Even though Jerry wasn't with me on Christmas Eve I tried to enjoy myself with our friends. As usual Debbi has prepared a wonderful dinner of Swedish meatballs and ham and all the trimmings. Debbi's home was decorated beautifully and we had a nice evening.

Datatron, Inc Friends

These are some of our friends that we worked with from working at Datatron (Datatron is where Jerry and I met) we still get together with these friends... after all these years!
From left to right, (bottom row); Belva Quigley, Arlene Maahs, Mary Quigley, (middle row); Terry Vaughn, Peggy Sadler, Jerry Schomer, Terry Vaughn, Karen Schomer, R.B. Blaha (top row); Brad Maahs, Frank Blaha and Pat Quigley.

Making a List

Zack making a list for Santa Claus

Jake, Zack, Jerry and I playing Blokus

Thanksgiving Day 11/27/2008

Started our Thanksgiving Day attending Church. Because of the recent fires all around us in Corona, Anaheim Hills, Yorba Linda, Brea and Diamond Bar. Our priest invited the local firefighters to come and celebrate with us. They had two (2) fire large and one (1) small fire trucks in the parking lot. The firemen got at least three (3) standing ovations for they work and bravery. Father Joe invited all who wanted to come up to the front and tell the congregation what we were thankful for. One boy went to the front an said he was thankful for the firemen who saved his house. A gentleman told us he was thankful for the firemen saving his wife by knocking on the door and telling her to get out, they lost their home. There were many more brave people who got up in front and shared their gratitude. It was a very touching service and a great way to start off our Thanksgiving Day. Later on we went down to see "our boys" Jake and Zack and wish them a Happy Thanksgiving before heading down to Debbie and Stigs for our Thanksgiving meal.

October 31, 2008 - Halloween

Jake and Zack - Trick or Treating at Jerry and Karen's. These are their new motorcycle outfits. Daddy bought them a small motorcycle that they drive around in circles in their backyard. Daddy drives "of course"!

Catching up... October, 2008

10/01/08 - Jerry's 9th chemo treatment
10/05/08 - Another visit to the ER - ER personnel starting to recognize us!
10/06/08 - Jerry admitted to the ICU (intensive care unit) because the hospital was full and didn't have any available beds.
10/07/08 - Jerry receiving platelets and a blood transfusion, prior to surgery.
10/08/08 - Jerry had gallbladder surgery to remove his gallbladder.
10/09/08 - Jerry recovering from surgery, but released from the hospital to continue recovery at home.
10/11/08 - Back to ER, severe abdominal pain. Oncologist says: Pain from the Surgery and Surgeon says: Pain from the Cancer??? After 9 hours in the ER Jerry is released to go home. Jerry had diarrhea during the night.
10/12/08 - Afternoon nap until about 6pm. Went to local restaurant for dinner about 7pm, unfortunately Jerry had to get up from the table 3 times because of diarrhea.
10/13/08 - Jerry - has no energy, tired all day, no appetite and a sleepless night
10/14/08 - Jerry didn't get up and go to work until 10:30am. At work he was having abdominal pain and took some Tylenol Extra Strengh. Came home early, took some Vicoden and later on injected diladid for pain. Surgeon says: Cancer pain.
10/15/08 - Jerry's 10th chemo treatment - abdominal pain AM; jello
10/16/08 - Visit to the ER because of severe water retention in both his legs/feet. Oncologist concerned maybe blood clots or potentially heart attach. - 4 hours in the ER.
10/22/08 - Suppose to have chemo today, but because Jerry has lost 12 lbs this week and because Jerry's platelets were low, the oncologist did not administer chemo.
10/27/08 - Jerry with a positive diagnosed with C-Diff colitus, again.
10/29/08 - Jerry's 11th chemo treatment