Today I received an answer to prayer that I didn't realize I prayed for. The answer was "Wait." And, after fighting my human side that wanted to ask "Why?", I am now resolved to the answer.
My docs, chemo, digestive and the one who does scans, plus my brother Charles, have been mulling over the fact that I have that "twist" in my gut and have been looking for a solution. After much discussion, which I dearly appreciate, they got me an appointment with a general surgeon, the one who put in my feeding tube and I trust him with my life. Their collective thought was that he could, laposcopeley, (I misspelled that word but it means with three little bitty holes he sends in a camera and coupla sets of scissors and pulls out what doesn't need to be there and you get well), I digressed there! They felt that he could do one of three things and I might live a little more happily the rest of my life. They were: 1. Find that the problem was adhesions and cut them out and my "twist" would be gone. Or, 2. Find some lymph nodes (probably with a bit of cancer in them), trim those out and I'd be happy, or 3. If the first two don't work then create a bypass around the "twist." Sounded good to me and I looked forward to which option he would choose. First thing he did was to tap just above my belly button, where the my last surgery was, and proclaim, "Hmmm, that's kinda hard and it could be the tumor growing right there and if I go in, which in any case would be a full blown surgery, I could be doing more damage than good."
I wanted to say, "Is this a Ceallis commercial where they tell all the negative effects of the drug and never say anything about the good side?" But I didn't. While I was pulling myself off the floor he said, "Before we can make any decision (I started feeling some hope) I need for you to get another scan." OK, so there is hope!!!!! Soooo, now I'm set for it on Sept. 7, but now, I'm off to New Mexico for the next five days and going to stay cool. Needless to say, Caregiver Lynda was devastated but after reviewing the fact that under the present conditions we can go on for a long time (and the Lord whopping us up side the head a coupla times), we moved on.
Life is good so appreciate every second. Hard to believe this journey has been over a year but then I realize that's time the Lord has given me and I feel blessed. Love you all.

My last chemo, which started August 18 (for four days) was so much better on me "during" than last time. When I finished my thought was, "That wasn't bad at all." And then a day later, BOOM, --- now it's working and killing the cancer --- got to be because I feel like it's killing me. Next day a little "lower" and then I started coming "back out." Mouth was sore as was my tounge and throat. Didn't want to talk! Slight nausea all the way, don't you know. But today, I'm feeling so much better. Not gonna push myself but right now I'm on top of the world. (Relatively speaking)
Tried to eat something the last coupla day, mostly soup. Day before yesterday it worked pretty well, but yesterday I "went out to eat" and had some broccoli cheese soup that had something in it that didn't set well with my FPC. Paid for that --- all night long, so, so much for that. Have an appointment with a surgeon next Monday and we are going to talk about a "bypass" around that "twist in my gut" that doesn't let food down. More on that later. Lynda is still right on my shoulder and it sure feels great having her! I'm still thanking God for allowing me the privilege to go to the wedding. Love you all.

We've got past Thursday and the barbeque. Now, to Friday. That morning my son in law had planned a skeet shooting outing for the guys. About 25 went but I declined and you will see why later because I only had so much engery to use that day. While the guys were out shooting all the girls were at the bridesmaid luncheon. (I dropped a load off at 11:30 and promptly got lost and it took me 45 minutes to get back to the hotel. Had my daughter and her two children waiting on me so I was a bit rattled, don't you know.) They stayed with me until their dad got back home and then I dressed for the 4 oclock wedding rehearsal. Had the rehearsal and then off to the rehearsal dinner, 7 PM. After that my daughter had planned a party for all the out of town guests, back at the hotel (Dupont Hotel in DC) and I abandoned that about 11. Enough of good thing is enough.
Saturday morning we rested for the wedding. 3 PM, the guys loaded into a limo and went to my son in law's country club to leave the girls the hotel to dress. We put on our tuxs and were at the church at 4. At 5 the wedding took place. About 350 guests and was it beautiful. My future grand son in law started crying as soon as the door opened, and so did I. Wedding went perfect and, per the bride request, I prayed the family blessing after they said "I do". (If you want to see the pictures got to my facebook page and click on Angie's Photos-Wedding).
After the wedding all the guests were tranported back to the country club for the celebartion party and was it great. Erin, my granddaughter that was just married, sang two songs with the band and did a great job. Lynda and I punched out about 12, two happy campers.
Sunday morning, the "going away brunch" and then back to the hotel to rest, rest and rest. Monday morning to the airplane and slept all the way home, and finished up our rest on Tuesday. What a wonderful time.
Then chemo on Wednesday. Back to killing the cancer, hooray!
This round is not as bad, so far, as the last time. I know I was scared of the unknown the first time but this time I have an idea of what's coming. So far, less energy and a bit of nausea. But Ms Lynda is right there by my side at all times. Prayer is all around me so I'm in the best of hands. Love you all.

What a wedding! What a wonderful time. Lynda and I left to go to DC last Wednesday. We got off the plane and the weather was just under 90 degrees. Until Monday, when we stepped back on the plane, the temp never got higher than that. And that was only the beginning. Thursday night we had a barbeque at my daughter and son in laws home. That morning we got about and inch of rain and then it cleared off. That evening she had six round tables and sixty chairs delivered for the yard and the patio. (Their home will handle thirtyish inside) and there were about ninety invited. Party was to start at 7. Well, at 6:30 the sky opened up again. For the next hour it rained. Two inches. At 7:30 it stopped. We gave the guests that had arrived towels and they dried the tables and chairs, put the table cloths on the table and at 11 that night you would have never known it had rained. 60 people in the yard and all the rest on the patio and in the house. So, you could tell it was going to be a blessed weekend.
I will share more on the "rest of the story" in my next blog.
Lynda and I prepared for the trip trying to learn how to keep me going as long as I needed to each day, and she did a great job. Everything I needed to participate in I was able to do so, with gusto I might add. Now, let me tell you, we had Sunday afternoon off and we watched the last round of the PGA, sometimes thru our eyelids and then slept on the way home, and then did much of the same when we got home Monday. So, I was ready to start the second round of the second phase of chemo yesterday. Since I've done that protocole once I kinda know what to expect so I'm not just "getting sick" because they say it could happen. This time I'm letting it "come and get me" if it so desires and right now it hasn't, thank the Lord.
Next time, Friday at the wedding. Love you all and God is good. Plus, how does one make it down the journeys without a wonder caregiver? I don't know and am not gonna try. Lynda is the delight of my life.

Things that come to you: As I've always heard, "Life is like a roller coaster. You've got your ups and downs and twists and you don't know when they will come." Well, I've determined that when you get "older" your life is like tire on a car. "Sometimes you are at the top, freewheeling it, and sometimes you're at the bottom with the weight of the world on you, but there are two other times (because you know where you're going) that you are contemplating on how to deal with the phase you are fastly approaching." Hey, growing "older" ain't bad! The Lord has been working with me, hasn't He? Lord I love Lynda

Julia had a wonderful service. No way I could even begin to describe it. Just let me tell you, she will be remembered.
Preparation for the wedding trip "plunges" on! I started my second round of chemo on Aug. 4. (One chemo out of three. Will start the other two after I get back from the wedding.) Aug. 5 was a drag but everyday since then has been good. Mixing and matching extra feeding tube food and 5 hour energy drink, to find the perfect formula for next weekend. What a blast it will be. I may have told you that Erin and Lynn asked me to say the "blessing prayer" at the end of the service. I now have it written and will share it with you after "the deed is done."
Still looks like I will have to have a "by-pass" done in my gut. Occasionally I try to eat something but the "twist" is still there. But, that's to faced after this week after next. Thanks for your prayers and love.
One of these days I will share with my thoughts on "when you roll yourself right off the table." But, that's another day. The Lord continues to be good to Lynda and I. Sometimes He has to give her some extra blessing because I sometimes don't "think before I speak." Please continue to remember Jimmy D. Challenging times.

My great friend, Julia "Red" Terry Wakeley, had a massive stroke last week. Our lives have been intertwined since high school. Her family have decided to lift life support systems this afternoon. She has always beat expectations so I'm waiting for a coupla days before telling you about our lives.
The dilation I had last week. Seems the doc was able to expand one area but he also found a "twist" in my gut, further on down! Now there are five docs, including my brother, trying to figure out the next step. Out of all that has been suggested the one that sounds the best (to me) is to do a "by pass" around the twist. Please continue to pray for their guidance from the Lord. Also, continue to pray for all the other soldiers that are marching me in this journey. And, Ms. Lynda!