GOD IS IN HIS HOLY TEMPLE, AND ALL IS RIGHT WITH THE WORLD...

I genuinely apologize to those of you who I don't get to see or email often.  It's been since February that I have taken the time to write on this blog.  Let's get to the point.... Patti has, just today, received another 'all clear' report from her most recent MRI.  The oncologist has cut back the test to every 90 days as a sign of her well being.

Yes the MRI machine is plugged in and yes the doctor is lucid when reviewing the scans.  These miracle results come as such welcome news that we have a hard time putting our feelings into words.  I'll repeat our list of likely candidates for this miracle, in no particular order:

*  Brilliant surgeons and oncologists
*  A very positive attitude by our patient
*  God's Grace
*  The love and prayers of our friends and family

On to the non-medical portion of this report.....

Patti and I are now one solid year living at Erymwold and enjoy it more every day.  The interior (Patti's domain) is mostly settled and the exterior including the grounds (mine) are a constant joy and a forever struggle.  It's nearing 'leaf season' and I will be sully for a few months.  Grrrr.....

Last month we celebrated our 35th anniversary and took a cruise from NY to Bermuda with our friends Johnny and Patsy Power who are our favorite travel companions.  They keep us on the go.  In October we have a 'Cabinet Meeting' planned at a lake retreat in Georgia and there will be a handful of new babies (not my family yet) to enjoy.  Anyone coming through Athens for a UGA home game. please check in... bloody Mary's available after 9:00 AM every game day.

Thomas and Kiley and Mary Catherine are all well employed and doing great!  I'll let them tell you the particulars if you are curious.  It's their business, but we could not be more proud.

To wrap up..... thank you all.  We know that you have Patti and our family in your hearts.  We can feel it.  Today we feel it really big.  God is Great!

Tom

Ole Mr. C. Swings and Misses Again...

I'm very sorry that I've been a bit remiss in these updates

.  But I know Patti is never far from your mind.  Just today, we received another 'All Clear' report of the brain scan taken yesterday.  Words cannot accurately expressive the relief we feel on these days.  Truly, our family is blessed beyond measure and our joy knows no bounds!

March 8, 2016 will be the third anniversary of this disease being diagnosed.  That's three long (short?) years.  I'll let you do your own research but the odds of Patti reaching this milestone are considerably less than one in ten.  We feel we know why.  And it is not of our making.  Patti said today that she feels God has a plan for her and I say 'why not'.   The prayers from people we see infrequently and the messages from friends we see more often are paving this road for us.  To feel that caring from places known and unknown is like a warm blanket on a chilly night.  We have never felt alone because we have not been.

I usually include some other family news in these blogs and will do so again...

blah, blah.... Thomas married the beautiful Ashley Murphy in December...... Kiley was honored with a big award at work..... blah, blah..... Karl was accepted into the Emory grad school......blah..... Mary Catherine graduated from Ole Miss in December....blah, blah..... we rescued a three year old dachshund / Lab mix named Bentley......  and I'm on top of the world!

Details upon request.


Photo below is from Kiley and Karl's wedding 11/14.

MORE FABULOUS NEWS....

MORE FABULOUS NEWS….     

I have not posted here for a while and I’m sorry.  The monotony of clear MRI’s is not monotony at all, of course.  Maybe I’m too busy dancing and clicking heels to remember this forum.  We had another brain scan yesterday 8/4/15.  The results once again came back clear.  You can look this up… miracle baby.  It will be another six weeks or so before the next scan, and while we always get anxious, our optimism continues full speed.

On the personal side, I think there are a few things to report.  I hope you heard that Thomas is marrying the beautiful Ashley Murphy at Christmastime and the buzz is gaining momentum.  There’s an engagement party planned at Erymwold in October hosted by some of our dearest friends.

MC basically has one more internship semester at Ole Miss and she will leave that great state.  Anyone claiming to be proud of Mary Catherine must get in line behind her parents.

PT and I are going on a Mediterranean cruise in October with our champion travel mates Johnny and Patsy Power.  We’ll see the parts of Southern Spain I’ve never visited.  That’s every part.  Any place that calls tapas dinner deserves a visit from us.

Club 22 is under contract.  Super Agent Kiley H. King found some discerning locals who knew a good deal when they saw it.  A few more hurdles as always, but if plans go as expected we will have only one address (ERYMWOLD, 6050 Old Jefferson Rd, Athens, GA 30607) into the future.  We both absolutely love it there and all recipients of this post are invited at any time.  We’ll get the heating and cooling figured out right after you leave…..

I visited the chapel at St. Philips Episcopal Cathedral this afternoon.  Above the alter is an unusual stained glass window; an image of David slaying Goliath.  It spoke to me today.  Goliath is this horrible GMB brain cancer and David is Patti.  The sling is the fabulous medical team that has guided us for so long.  But the stone, the stone that smite that damned monster is the combination of prayers from family and friends.  Not just Patti’s prayers but everyone’s prayers.  And if that bastard rises again she shall collect her sling and load your prayers and she will smite him once again.  I can feel it.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

AN ANNIVERSARY TO CELEBRATE

This week marks two years since Patti was diagnosed with brain cancer.  TWO YEARS!  I won’t bore you with the stats on this occurring but I will say that we are nearing ‘miracle’ stage.  If you were to ask Patti how she has pulled this off she would first credit God and his mercy and immediately after credit her friends and family who keep her in their prayers.  For me, I credit the patient herself.  Never, ever is there a sad day.  Just the opposite.  Patti keeps a great attitude and will not mention the dark clouds ever.  But it’s not a humble, righteous persona of someone who does not want to tempt fate by living and laughing.  This is a gal on permanent Spring Break.

Today, at this moment there remain no symptoms whatsoever.  I am reminded of this journey only when a friend asks me how Patti is doing.  It may sound cliché, but I honestly don’t think about it.  Our life is so darn near perfect we ask how it could possibly be better.  The children are happy and close.  The farm is showing signs of spring.  Patti is scheduled to spend a week in Scottsdale with super-friend Liz this month.  An Easter Egg Hunt and a Derby Party and Thomas’s wedding are all in our near future, so the fun is starting to fill the calendar. 

Our Cup Runneth Over.

Short and Sweet

 Originally sent 2/3/15

Another clear MRI means that the next test will be in Mid-March which will be two years past the diagnosis date.  Miracles are happening folks.  On a personal note, it is impossible to overstate how normal life is for me, thanks to Patti.  Her mood is always upbeat and the issue of her health is NEVER front and center.  We live like we hoped we would be living at this age.

Most of our time now is at Erymwold which just suits us so well.  It was here we hosted David and Jane Murphy for brunch last weekend.  These are the parents of Thomas's fiance Ashley.  Brother Andy came along too.  Ashley found a wedding dress in Athens and the families began the process of learning about each other.  I know we are so happy that Thomas is joining a great family.  Nuptials next December in Atlanta.  A picture of beautiful Ashley Murphy is provided here.

  

  

Thanks so much for the prayers.  They are working!

Thanksgiving (check), Wedding (check) Another Great MRI Read (DOUBLE CHECK)!!!

I'm not real sure where to start so I'll get to the important stuff first.  We had another MRI just yesterday and the readings are as boring as previous versions.  The is the broken record you hope will never stop spinning.  Patti feels great, looks great and smiles all day.  Who wouldn't?

Quickly about the wedding weekend.  Four of Patti's siblings were in town plus all of mine including sweet Pooh to watch Kiley marry her King.  Karl.  Cousins from all over and family and friends on both sides from Oregon, Chicago, Boston, NYC and London.  How did this not make the NYTimes?  The Thompson-Hodgson family was treated to Thanksgiving feast at Patti's cousin Betsy Franks' home.  Betsy's mother Kitty is the last remaining of her generation and was Patti's mother's sister.  She had the seat of honor all weekend and it is well deserved.

Friday was a lovely bridesmaid luncheon hosted by friends and family.  There was the rehearsal at Christ the King Cathedral and a dinner following.  Fabulous hospitality by Karl's family.  Saturday was the wedding at night and if I may say so myself, it was darn special.  Great crowd, great food and wonderful entertainment.  Kiley had scheduled most of the wedding party down to 15 minute increments on a spreadsheet which may sound crazy.  But.... the relaxed and joyful face on Kiley all day and night was proof to this FOB that the effort gave her peace.  And peace on your wedding day is a fabulous gift for all.

I wasn't allowed to take my camera to the wedding, but here are some cell phone snaps....

Enough About Patti, We Have a Wedding!

Well, of course we will not forget about Patti.  Her most recent MRI was again all clear (Nearing miracle stage, folks. Keep those prayers coming) and no more doctor visits until after Kiley and Karl's wedding on 11/29.  Those plans are in place and the bride herself can take much of the credit for putting together a gorgeous wedding.  This has been a great experience for us.  Patti and Kiley working together place to odds of a glitch pretty remote.  I'll be there to save the day should something arise.....

We did get to niece Lizzy and her new husband AJ's wedding in October and spent a good weekend in Manhattan and Brooklyn taking in the old stomping grounds... So glad that almost all of Patti's family from around America and elsewhere will be joining us in Atlanta for the wedding.  And my family is coming too.  Pooh will spend a week and all other nieces and nephews have committed their dancing shoes to the last Saturday in November.  There will be fun.

OK, cannot go without announcing one more engagement.  Our favorite son Thomas has become engaged to the beautiful Ashley Murphy and will be married we assume next year.  They were touring Amsterdam together with friends last month and Thomas surprised Ashley with a proposal on an arched bridge.  Kids.  Some families get lucky and then some get really, really lucky.  Karl and Ashley will brighten our lives for years to come.  We hope we can welcome them as much as they deserve.

For the record, Mary Catherine has not missed a home game all season at Ole Miss.

Speaking of home games, football season in Athens has not been dull one bit.  Several more teams visit starting this weekend and we plan on keeping the doors open for all comers.  Go Dogs!