Pics of Relay

Cancer Survivors with Gus in Center Thumbs Up

Kathleen, Gus, Lindsey, Scott

Gus After 19 Hours of Relay

Gus' Relay Walk

TOTAL EXHAUSTION, BUT A HUGE SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT best describes Gus' feelings and emotions today. Last night and this morning was the Relay for Life. Gus spent 19 hours at the Ennis track field participating in his first fundraising walk for cancer. He was overwhelmed when his goal to walk became reality.

JDL Construction, the team Gus, Lindsey, Scott and I walked with came in second for funds raised in this county relay. There were 23 teams involved. Gus appreciated so much everyone that donated money towards his dream of walking. We feel so blessed.

The Madison County Relay's goal was to raise $50,000.00 this year. Instead, they raised over $64,000.00! We loved being a part of that success.

One Year Later

One year ago today, we received the phone call that changed our lives. It was a call from the doctor with the results of the CT scan done earlier in the day. There were no illusions anymore that Gus was just sick and would be o.k.

To say it has been a year of struggles is an understatement. To say it has been easy would be a lie. What is no understatement though is how everyone has blessed us. I cannot imagine how we would have survived without our friends and loved ones helping us and praying for us.

Sitting here thinking back on the year, disbelief is utmost. A year ago, Gus could hardly eat, he was in pain and the prognosis was poor. He spent last summer either in a car, in the cancer center or sleeping in his bed. He could barely eat and was so thin.

Today, he is outside working and just enjoying being in his meadow. This is the longest stretch he has had and will have had without seeing a doctor or having treatment. God has really blessed us.

Doctor's Visit

We went to Bozeman yesterday for a routine check-up with the medical oncologist. Dr. Hensold was impressed with how good Gus looked and felt. Normally Dr. Hensold just visits with us, but yesterday he did a very thorough examination on Gus.

Gus had the CA 19-9 blood test redone yesterday in Bozeman. We should have those results by Friday. It is impossible to compare blood work done in Sheridan’s lab as opposed to blood work done in the Bozeman lab. It depends where those labs send their sample for testing as to what the standard “normal” range is. A normal level for Sheridan’s lab is 37 or lower for the CA 19-9. The normal level for Bozeman is 55 or lower. So when Gus’ last test was done a week ago in Sheridan and it was 50, we really did not know what to compare it with. Now with a test done in both locations, we will have a more accurate idea of the results each time.

The oncologist agreed with Gus that they will do no more chemo until there is a valid reason to start again. The next appointment is a CT scan on July 14, followed by meeting with the doctor on July 21 to get the results of the CT scan. They will continue to track Gus’ CA 19-9 every three weeks.

Gus’ latest endeavor or project is to paint the inside of our house. Our home is 17 years old and has never been repainted inside since we built it. We have spent all our energy through the years on the outside. I am going to get paint samples today and then this evening meet with a man that I have dealt with professionally for 15 years. His business is the one that painted the majority of beautiful homes JDL Construction has built through the years. JDL is the company Scott and I work for and the one Gus worked for in the past. Gus and I want and value this man's color scheme ideas.

I love it when Gus comes up with an idea where he does the work and I just enjoy the benefit.