Hallelujah Robert Has Rung the Bell!!

Ringing the Bells

Proud Graduate

No More Mask

March 30, 2007
Friday

Well treatments are over!! Robert had his last radiation treatment Wednesday. At Paris Cancer Treatment Center they have a bell you ring after your last treatment. Robert told Dr. Kerley when he saw him Monday that he better be sure and wear his ear plugs because he was going to get down on that bell. And let me tell you he did, it was so good to see him ringing that bell, they heard the bell all over the building. Dr. Kerley told Robert he would continue to get worse before he gets better. The radiation will continue to burn him. The radiation burns from the inside out. When the doctors and staff would tell Robert he would have pain, they were not stretching the truth. Robert is in constant pain now. As you could tell by the previous pictures Robert’s face is really burned. He does not complain about his face, he just complains about the inside of his mouth and throat. I think Robert is a little discouraged now, he was thinking when he woke up Thursday morning he would already feel better. He had hopes of being able to go back to work by his birthday which is April 18th. Robert still has a long recovery and I hope and pray God gives him the strength to stay positive and see the light at the end of the tunnel. We can not tell you how much your comments have helped us and please continue to let Robert hear from each and everyone. It helps more than you realize. Robert does not talk much, probably does not say more than 10 words a day, but looks forward to reading the blog. If anyone wants to send Robert a personal email and does not feel comfortable leaving comments on the blog please do so. You can email him at judygood@pine-net.com. Robert got his first ecard from Sandi the other day and thought that was the coolest thing. Thanks again for your prayers and thoughts.

Judy

Let's Say a Special Prayer

This is Robert's last week of treatment but as you can all see he is in tremendous pain not only from the burnt areas on his face and neck but also from the sores inside of his mouth. The pain for Robert is so tremendous that he is consistantly on liquid morphine and at times still finds the pain unbearable. Robert and Judy are almost done with this treatment but still are in need of healing prayers so let's all pray;

Lord Jesus Christ, by your patience in suffering you hallowed earthly pain and gave us the example of obedience to your Father's will: Be near me in my time of weakness and pain; sustain me by your grace, that my strength and courage may not fail; heal me according to your will; and help me always to believe that what happens to me here is of little account if you hold me in eternal life, my Lord and my God. Amen.

posted by LisaW

3-2-1 Countdown to last treatment YEAH!

3 More radiation treatments, we are so excited!! You can see in the pictures how burned Robert is. If he even touches his skin it peels off. But at least he has the next 2 days off and then only 3 more treatments and then every day he should get a little better.

March 20, 2007
Tuesday

Hey Guys!! Today is March 20; I had my last Chemo treatment today!! YES! YES! YES! Thank you Lord! It is also my daughters birthday today, so happy birthday Cassie !! We love you. I really feel good today. We met with radiation Dr. Kurley Monday he said everything is looking like it is suppose to. My mouth is really sore inside, when my teeth touch my tongue it is very painful. My skin is peeling on my face where the radiation is hitting it. It looks like I have 2nd. Degree burns on my face. He told me it will take about 2 weeks after last treatment which is March 28 for my throat to heal to where I can begin to swallow and begin to try to eat. My weight Monday was 203 lbs. Met Tuesday with Chemo Dr. He said everything went as planned. I still haven’t lost any hair except at the bottom of my neckline. The Nurse said she was surprised that I was able to still talk, she said most patients are not able to at this point. She is still stunned why I haven’t lost my hair to. I asked her why I am still producing saliva and she said be thankful that you are. She said most patients at this point have dry mouth and it takes close to a year for it to come back, and they have to carry a water bottle with them all the time. So I give thanks to God for all this that he has brought me through. I don’t have to sleep with oxygen any more either! The light seems to be getting brighter everyday. Thanks everybody for your continued prayers, cards, calls, and concern. I will post next week after my last radiation!! May God bless you and your families.

Robert

Hello from me now, I am also grateful how well Robert is doing. I am in awe of him and his strength. As some of you are aware my father had sinus surgery yesterday, they removed his adenoids, tonsils and his uvula and they rotor rudered his sinuses. Dr. Oxford, the same surgeon who did Robert’s neck dissection did my Dad’s surgery. My dad had people telling him that this type surgery was the worst surgery you could have as far as pain goes. Well Sandi and I got him to the hospital Monday at 5:15 am and the surgery lasted for 4 hours and he was in recovery for 4 hours. He and Sandi were home this morning by about 10:00 am and our Dad is doing really well. Last time I talked to them Sandi was cooking hamburgers for dinner. It is amazing how well he is doing and I think we have the excellent surgeon Dr. Oxford as well Robert’s attitude as an example to contribute to his great recovery. Of course he has the best nurse in the world taking care of him also. Thanks Sandi!!!! Thanks again for all your special comments. We really appreciate them. And we are so looking forward to next Wednesday for Robert to ring the bell.

Judy

Ps. Robert’s favorite driver Jimmy Johnson has won 2 races since Andrew gave him that @#$% hat. It sits right on top of our TV, so when I watch my NASCAR races I have to look at that @#$% hat. Lisa Garvin (a Jr. Fan) made me promise that I would hide that @#$% hat Sunday before the race, and if that does not work, when her and William come back to visit we are going to use the @#$% hat to start our camp fire. Go # 2 Miller Lite Dodge - Kurt Busch 2004 NASCAR Champion!!!
I have attached some pictures… Robert’s last chemo treatment and how we spent St. Patrick’s Day!!

Robert's Surprise Package

March 10, 2007
Saturday

Hello again to all. I wanted yall to see Robert in his new hat. This is the surprise from Julie and Andrew. Andrew is the manager of Lowe’s in Hot Springs. He went to Las Vegas last week for Lowe’s Managers Conference. Andrew knew Robert was a Jimmy Johnson fan. For you non Nascar fans, Jimmy Johnson is the driver for the # 48 Lowe’s car. Andrew bought the hat and then got Jimmy Johnson, Chad Knaus crew chief for the # 48 Lowe’s team and the car owner Rick Hendrick of Hendrick Motor Sports to sign it. Andrew could have got Jimmy’s wife to sign it but he said she was so beautiful he was too intimated to ask for hers. Also, Jimmy was the 2006 Nascar Champion, but that’s o’k because my driver was the 2004 Nascar Champion. Go # 2 Miller Lite Dodge woo hoo!! The hat came in the mail Thursday. Robert has felt bad Thursday and Friday due to the chemo kicking in. I was not able to take his picture until today. He was so happy when he saw the hat, he could not say anything, and he got choked up. Julie you and Andrew have really got to stop making him cry, it hurts him too bad. Ha Ha. Andrew thanks again so much for thinking of Robert. I can not tell you how much it means to him. Also we want to congratulate Julie and Andrew on their upcoming nuptials. We are happy you will be a part of our crazy family. Poor guy you don’t have a chance. Also we are so proud of you for receiving the award at the conference for Highest Gross Sells and for Store Manager of the Year! That is so awesome and we are so proud of you.

Roberto's Update:)

March 7, 2007
Wednesday

Hey Guys! Just a little more update from me, so here we go. February 28 one of our dearest friends Lisa Garvin came up to help us for a few days and she did a great job. She was such a great help to both of us. She suggested I try some potato soup to help me gain weight, and by golly it worked! She took me to treatment Friday while Judy stayed home and got caught up on some chores. She even got to feed me while I was getting hydrated, she did a great job! She left from Paris and went home; we sure enjoyed her company as always. We love you Gabbin! When we got home Friday my favorite nurse Sandi-Sandi and niece A.K.A. Mud Bug came to spend the weekend with us. I felt pretty good except my mouth is constantly hurting, so she didn’t have to tend to me much. Mud Bug had 2 teeth implants put in before they came up so she was in a lot of pain also. Both of our jaws were swollen so we looked like chipmunks. We enjoyed their company as always, we love ya’ll very much. They left to go home Sunday. Monday was radiation day #19; we got to see Dr. Kurley he said everything is looking like it is supposed to. My throat is pretty much raw, and he will continue to make me a redneck before it is all over. On the lower half of my face he said I will never be able to grow a beard because of the radiation. My weight went up from 195 lbs. to 205 lbs. My goal is to get up to 210 before I finish treatment. I am pushing as close to 64 ounces of PowerAde & Gatorade & water as I can, they want me to do 2200 calories each day I am not quite there we are doing good if I get 1500 calories a day, I can tell ya’ll that it is hard to do when you can do only 2 ounces per syringe. I wake up each morning at about 1:30 A.M. and feed myself to help me through the night. I don’t get much sleep at night because of having to suction my mouth every 30 minutes or so. That will all come to an end soon but then I will have dry mouth for awhile. The Nurse said I would have to continue my feeding tube for about 2 – 3 weeks after treatment till I can swallow and eat without any problems. Tuesday was chemo day, only 2 left! I didn’t get to get radiation because the machine was broke, but I got to continue Wednesday. That is #20. My daughter came up Monday afternoon and she went with us to treatment Tuesday. I was so glad to see her, we had a good visit, she went home Wednesday. Can’t wait till our next visit, I love you Cassie! Judy said to check postings in about 2 days, her sister Julie and Julie’s fiancé Andrew are sending me something to have my picture made with so keep looking and we will all find out what the surprise is! I felt pretty good today so I got outside today and washed my Peterbuilt it really made me feel better. I will be hollering at ya’ll later! The light at the end of the tunnel is beginning to get brighter.

We Are Here for You Robert and Judy!

Judy and Robert you have weathered a great deal of your journey and together your opportunities are endless focus on Quick Healing, Good Health and Great Times Ahead!

A Message from Robert

Thursday
March 1, 2007

Hey everybody, thought I would update ya’ll while I feel a little better today than I have in the last week. I finally have February behind me. I hope the worst is behind me but we will have to wait and see. Tomorrow is March 2 so I will be halfway through with treatment. Monday when I weighed I was at 195 lbs. Thursday weighed again at 202 lbs. I took IV fluids Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and again Friday. I actually look like a Kill-Dee bird standing in a pair of shotgun shells! I started losing some of my hair today in the back so Judy cut it really short for me. It’s really difficult to keep enough fluids and nutrition going through my tube to keep me hydrated. I didn’t know how hard it would be to not be able to eat or drink for a long period of time. I can’t wait till the day I can eat, drink, and taste again. I just want everyone to know how much Judy and I appreciate everyone’s prayers, calls, cards, and thoughts from everyone. May God bless each one of you and your families. I will be talking to you guys later!!