Saturday in Elkhart

Pictures: Mike and Ty do a couple "unplugged"; The end of the night, Jessica talking to Mike; Maxon Struwin- Mike, Josh, Dave, Myles, Ty and Tom.

Another fun night with Maxon Struwin. It's been awhile since Dave's had a gig with them, but it was like riding a bike. I got to hang out with Jessica, Tom's girlfriend and had a great time. Oh and we got to eat pizza too! Can't say I enjoyed getting home at 4 am though. Ah what the heck, it was just fun.

I also need to mention that I think Dave is less tired lately, also less short of breath. It's a good thing. Here's to chemo #9.

Yes John, there is a keyboard in the bedroom

And I have to admit, no one has knocked it over....yet. Nikki seems to like it when Dave plays a couple notes. I guess we'll see what's next...... or not.

February is coming

I was out of town Thursday night for work and Dave went to dinner with Steve Cook. They had a great time. So did I with my friend Catherine. We had a nice quiet night at home last night. Dave plays with Maxon Struwin in Elkhart tonight. Tomorrow he does recordings for Monday Music Club. I'm sure I'll have pictures of tonight to post and it's been requested to take a picture of the keyboard in the bedroom.... I'll get one of that too.

Monday is fasting lab and chemo Tuesday.

Who doesn't like to go to the dentist?

Dave. He had a crown prep today and was a little "whiney" this afternoon when I called him. Nothing a couple of Vicodin couldn't fix. So he got this idea to make smelt. I haven't had smelt since I was in Jr High School. I couldn't help but give him a hard time. He told me he was making it and I said..."really, when my aunt made it we always had sauerkraut or German potato salad" (not really true). So he comes home with sauerkraut and I had to tell him how to make it..well how my mom made it. Some potatoes and a little apple sauce.....ummmmmmm. the smelt was...uh....okay. Does it need a special recipe? well, I'm not sure we'll do that again.

But Dave is still feeling stronger everyday. Clinic and chemo next Tuesday with CT scan results. I'll keep you posted.

Monday lab

Okay, before everyone thinks I'm the new Maki cook... it was just one night and Dave has taken back the honor. He made (my) left over chicken and a great mushroom risotto for dinner. He also had lab work done today. Wednesday is dentist appointment for a crown prep. Tomorrow we're going to the Thai restaurant (haven't been there for a long time). Feels like the week will fly by. Next Tuesday is chemo.

Pretty real fun Saturday night

Pictures: Winter Delight Dave playing away; Bryan, Joe and Tim; Dave and Chuck on break; interesting addition to Dave's "rig"...charger for his electric cigarette.

Saturday night was fun. Some interesting wines and food at Winter Delight. My fav was a Pinot Grigio from Traverse City. Dave was packed up by 9:30. After a quick stop at home, we went to Czar's. Dave wanted to see a friend from Chicago who was playing (LoraLee...spelling?...sorry about that). Great group and we saw quite a few friends.

Dave had practice this afternoon and I took over some cooking responsibilities by getting a chicken in the oven. Okay not the healthiest recipe, but we had everything. Chicken with bacon cooked with beef stock and carrots. We'll see how that works out. Plus I took yard duty since most of the snow has melted. You know....poop patrol.

CT scan # 5

I'm pretty sure I got that right. Anyway, Dave had another CT scan today. His next clinic appointment is the first week of February and he'll get results then. Unfortunately, I have to be in Grand Rapids all day (they changed from Thursday appointments to Tuesday), but his Chemo Buddy, Joni, will be there. Dave went to the grocery store this afternoon and he's making dinner. He's starting to do more and then gets tired.... it's a real improvement in his energy level.

Tomorrow he's playing at Winter Delight with Bryan Lubeck. Stop by if you can.

TGIF!

Don't be frightened

So Dave asked the technician at the sleep study to take his picture after he "hooked" him up. He's trying to look like a monster. Not sure he succeeded. I got back from Traverse City late afternoon, it was cold up there and I'm pretty tired. Ice fishing in Cadillac and pretty snow on the bays. Dave has moved a keyboard into the bedroom while I was gone.....oh no I think that's worse than the living room, don't you? Nikki went to the vet today with Dave and was great (she can foul you if she really wants too- oh not really she's 1/2 angel). Ruthie and Nancy-Boy go tomorrow. Dave has his CT scan Friday. All is well from here. Stay warm everyone.

Wow- it's already January 19th

Post chemo hasn't been too bad with just the study drug. Dave has had some nausea and one emesis. He has a busy week though. Dentist today, dogs and cat appointments Wednesday and Thursday (just shots). I think I figured out why Nancy-Boy was pulling his fur out (or do cat's have hair?). He's been reacting to stress and the fact that we didn't go spend enough time with him. He's starting to come upstairs more and we're reorganizing the basement and going down there more too. No more hair clumps lying around. Poor guy- I think he knew something was wrong.

I'm heading up to Traverse City this morning. I'll be back tomorrow. Dave has practice for a Bryan Lubeck gig on Saturday tonight. See, he's a little busy this week. And as he likes to say "stronger every day".

First Camp David fire of 2010

Pictures: The first fire of 2010, who cares about the snow; Dave getting wood for the fire: Dogs enjoying the back yard and keeping dry; Dave happy to be in the back yard; starting the Chicken on the fire....um.

So Dave thought 40 degrees was good enough to start a fire. Well, not bad after we shoveled snow out of the fire pit and then cleared more snow around the fire. And not too cold after the fire started. The dogs loved being in the back yard again. The neighbors, Kris and Kevin, came by too to enjoy the fire. Great dinner and lots of fun. Just starting the new year (and decade) out right ya'll.

Avatar Again!

We just had to go see Avatar in 3D again with the Kings. Even Dave Maki wanted to go. Then Mexican food for dinner. Dave did some "stuff" today which included practicing bass guitar. Really a pretty good week. Tomorrow= finishing up organizing the Christmas things............. YEAH!

A Little Celebration and A Sleep Study

So Tuesday night we decided to light a roman candle to celebrate. Great place in the front yard on top of a snow pile so they flew in the air. Kris and Kevin, the neighbors, came over to watch. Just 4 or 5 little fireworks, but they went pretty high up. No real pictures again, oh well. Tonight Dave goes for a sleep study. I'm happy he finally said okay. Only thing is I don't think he sores as bad as he use to. We'll see what happens.
Picture: Lee puts the roman candle in the snow.

Another good day

Appointment at 9:30 this am. Dave's hemoglobin is up to 10.4, platelets are up to 128,000. No more shots.....YEAH! They feel as he continues to recover from the 6 cycles of Taxol and Carboplatin these will continue to return to normal. Great News! So another dose of CP-751,871 today, but up to the full dose (the last 2 were a decreased dose because of his low platelets). They got his dose started about 11:50 and it was just 2 hours today. No pre medications, no more steroids. It is good.

The plan is CP-751,871 every 3 weeks until......whenever. CT scan January 22. MD said David is in remission. Now we hear that a lot and what does it really mean? Well, my understanding is the cancer is not growing. No increase in size or decrease in size are both good. Of course, Dave's have decreased a lot. We'll see what the next CT scan results show. We did talk about how long Dave would get CP-751,871 and the answer is... unknown. Similar drugs for breast cancer can keep patients in remission for years and they keep getting it since side effects can be small. That could be the case for CP-751,871 too. The original paperwork stated Dave could get a maximum of 17 doses, today was number 8. Now the study is closed. I think that means anyone that was going to start and was put on hold will not get the study drug, they are done. Patients who received the drug can continue if their MD feels it is still a good treatment for them. There are several other studies with CP-751,871 that continue and our MD feels it will come to the market for cancer eventually. So Dave continues. He is not as tired. Taste is starting to come back. Things just feel a little lighter. I'm planning on a nice spring.

Want to say again, we appreciate everyone's support (prayers, vibes, love, food, friendship, etc). Love to you all!

Just checkin' in

Dave slept until 12 or so today. I continue to work on getting organized for 2010 and putting away X-mas decorations. Dave had band practice this afternoon. I went to dinner at the neighbors- thanks Kris and Kevin. Monday is lab work, then Tuesday is clinic appointment. It's not bad to have just a couple things everyday, kinda feels like a little vacation. Will let you know what we find out Tuesday asap. :)

Went to the movies

Dave had a good day. He's working on a couple projects- one is tuning an electronic keyboard ...oh I'm sorry... his miniMoog. We went to dinner and a movie with the Kings tonight. Saw "Sherlock Holmes" and thought it was pretty darn good. BUT it's not the Sherlock Holmes I remember...haha.

Tomorrow it's time to start putting X-mas stuff away. Like every year, I hope to get it organized when I put it away. Dave is happy to "supervise". I just don't want to spend much time outside in the cold, it's just good to stay inside.

What's new

Well, not much..new that is. We did go to a new Greek restaurant in Stevensville last night with the Kings....it was okay and a couple things were great. Today, Dave started working on a couple projects. Pretty promising sign that he's getting "stronger every day" (his new song/saying of 2010). No lab until next Monday. Probable chemo with the study drug next Tuesday.....or we may find out if we can have it anymore. Our special Texas friend, Phyllis, sent me this link on CP-751,871. I would hope we could get the promised follow up doses since we completed the first 6, or would be included in what they are planning for the patients that did well. I guess we'll find out next week. Today Dave said to me "I'm almost in remission" and you know what... he's right.

As for the new year, feeling like many females, I have the bug to get organized while there's snow and cold temperatures. Reorganizing my laundry area is number one. Just in case you take Internet searches too serious, I found something great at the Target in Holland MI today and it wasn't on the Target website at all. So good old fashion shopping in the store still has a place. Shoppers unite!

First Monday of the new year

Okay- who forgot to write 2010? Pretty much another quite day. No complaints from me. I drove to South Haven and that's as far as I could get. Dave made beef barley soup. Haven't heard any complaints from him today. All is good.

A real snowstorm

Pictures: Dave's car; the fence; the back yard- it keeps coming down.

We've had a bit of snow around here. Thought it would be fun to show those of you who don't have the honor of living in the Snowbelt. I'm so thankful for 4 wheel drive.

Dave felt a little less tired today and we spent a nice quite day at home. I got caught up on a lot of work too. He has a clinic appointment on January 12th, they moved it up and we're not sure why.... I think they moved it up, oh maybe it's the normal appointment. Anywho- Dave just has lab on Wednesday this week. Happy New Year! Now to remember to write 2010.

January 2, 2010- YaYa celebration with the boyfriends.

Pictures: Mark and Lee, he's wearing my crown; eating dinner- Tim, Lindsey, Dan and Liz; Dave watching Julie and Sue; opening gifts; Phil Lester serenading us.

Saturday night was the annual YaYa Christmas party at Julie's house. We had a blast. Great food and friends and gifts (always a plus).

2009 retrospective- part 2

This one took a long time to get on....sorry.

2009- the second half includes: learning to use a blog, great chemo results, more gigs with MaxonStruwin plus Friends, Mister Edd and Bryan Lubeck, more camp fires, high school friends, more hats, moving my mom back from Florida, the Camp David Event, blood and platelet transfusions, Ruthie burns her tail, Thanksgiving at the other Maki's house, Julie Lester's birthday party, the Annual Cookie Party, Book Club christmas party, Tim's birthday, Dave's birthday/results celebration. Whew! Here's to a great 2010!

2009 retrospective- part 1

Took awhile to figure this out, had to make 2 sections.

2009- Memories include the March "murder party", a colo-rectal cancer walk, enjoying the yard, our niece Courtney's wedding celebration in Ann Arbor, a square foot garden, Dave playing with Maxon Stuwin, A Routsinoja family get together, Showboat with the O'Hares, "All in Love" fund raisers for animals, starting chemo, Dave playing with "Friends", hats, fishing, and lots of camp fires.