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!

Fall.... Finally. And the News Remains Great

Sorry I've been a bit remiss lately.  Many have asked how Patti is doing and because we are so close to it, we presumed they knew........ SHE'S DOING GREAT!

Really, not a symptom or a shadow on the most recent MRI.  We know that God has helped us to this point and the prayers offered by our friends and family keep the good vibe flowing.  Thanks so very much.

The Summer moved along as expected.  Kanuga was fabulous with a "Redneck Wedding" themed party on Thursday night at Cottage 26.  We've set the bar pretty high.  Most of our days since then have been in the country.  Hot, but not too buggy.  Bulldog football is upon so guests will be expected.  Mary Catherine is back at Ole Miss for her Senior Year; and Kiley was feted to a Labor Day Bachelorette Weekend in Atlanta and Lake Lanier.  Less than three months before she marries, Karl King.  Fabulous.

We travel to NYC in October for the wedding of Patti's niece Lizzy Robson.  It will be great to be back in the big city.  Thomas flies to London next month for a Falcon's football game with his girlfriend Ashley.  Don't ask.

So you can see, normal is good and we are NORMAL.  Thanks again so much for keeping Patti in your hearts.  Go Dogs!

T

Summer Travel Season is Upon Us....

I know it's been several weeks since you have heard from this blog.  Believe me, that's all good news.  Patti is amazingly comfortable and continues to show absolutely no symptoms of the 'Big C'.  We don't talk about it at all, or even think about it too much.  But we pray about it daily.

The summer has been routine so far.  Mary Catherine is back from Ole Miss for the summer and will be working at the jewelry store I've never seen for the third time while she is here.  Right now she's at the beach with friends.  Thomas and his wonderful girlfriend Ashley are rockin' along keeping up with their many friends and those friends changing family statuses.  All good.  Kiley and Karl are still on track for a November wedding and I get to attend a 'tasting' next month.  Still rootin' for a bacon tower, but I don't think I will get my way.  The affianced have found an apartment to call home and the furniture negotiations have already begun.

Patti leaves tomorrow morning for Boston and Newport where her great friend Liz Gett calls home.  Other old friends and family of Liz's will be popping in.  If y'all hear a cackling noise coming from the Northeast next week.... it's Patti and friends being themselves.  A week later the family is off to Kanuga our North Carolina annual respite for a week of no TV or phones.  Yes, that's true.  The younger Hodgson's will be there at some point, but Patti and I will be there all week.  Summer Camp for adults.  BYOB.

Currently Patti is taking no chemo or other serious drugs.  She has another MRI later this month so keep the prayers frequent.  We are living a miracle and feel inordinately blessed by all the kind words, cards and prayers sent our way.  Please keep them coming.

Back in the USA.... With a Lifetime of Memories...

As scheduled, Patti and I got to Lourdes, France with the fabulous Knights of Malta and returned to Atlanta on May 7th.  It was a busy, busy time and I kept a modest journal so that we can remember what church we were seated in on which day and with what type of weather.  I'll not tire you with the whole itinerary, but I'm glad to provide a flavor for the event....

It was wonderful.  But wonderful not only in the way I was expecting.  Yes the grotto and the cathedrals and and the village were very moving.  The atmosphere of hope and prayer was impossible to avoid.  Sick pilgrims (malades) from around the world were in attendance.  And they were smiling, all of them.  There was not a sad face in the entire place.  Lourdes is a place where the Virgin Mother made an appearance to a uneducated shepherd girl in 1858 and has a history of providing miracles and answering prayers.  There are as many hotel rooms (small, no... tiny) in Lourdes as there are in Paris.  Malades, companions, friends and fellow pilgrims come and come all year long.  But within the Domain that is the Holy area of Lourdes there are numerous holy places to reflect and to pray so it does not feel uncontrollable; unless you choose to take the Holy Waters in the baths.  Not a quick process, but at least it's very cold.  Patti went in on day one.

But like I said, the physical Lourdes is not the only impressive part.  For Patti and me, the most impressive part was the magnificent gift of time and love shown to us by our fellow Pilgrims including the Knights and Dames of Malta.  Every one of the people on our charter flight was an accomplished individual who wore the uniforms of the Order proudly and spent their time in France completely absorbed in giving comfort to the sick.  "Do you want a wake up call?"  "Can I get you a bottle of water?"  "How was your nap?"  It was so warm.  Patti's feet rarely touched the street outside the hotel as she was transported by Knights and Dames from hotel to cathedral to water taps, the grotto and places of solitude in the ubiquitous buggy that is unique to Lourdes.  We also had a lovely bus excursion into the Piedmont of the Pyrenees mountains.  Everything we saw was gorgeous.

But we are so glad to be home.  Last night was an engagement party for Kiley and Karl at the home of Jack and Nanky Tribble in Atlanta.  It was a special evening and as close to a home grown group hug that a family can enjoy.  We are very fortunate, all of us.

The link here takes you to a photo album I put together of Lourdes.  I hope it works for you.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AcOWLdu1cN2bCyg&cid=SFLYOCWIDGET


Tom

"Sorry Evil Mr. C.... I'm Much Too Busy to be Sick" - My Sweet PT

Busy, busy, busy…..  I’m typing this on the most beautiful day of the year (so far) in our renovated kitchen at Erymwold.  Itchin’ to go mow something.  Patti and I return to Atlanta today and we will have dinner with the other Pilgrims to Lourdes at the Holy Spirit Church's Monsignor’s residence Thursday night.  We leave in less than a week flying charter out of Baltimore straight to the Pyrenees and the village of Lourdes.  We’ll be there for over a week praying for miracles and thanking God and the Blessed Mother for the miracles we have already received.  Diane and Ed Festa, our sponsors with the Knights of Malta took us to dinner last week.  I think this is their eighth pilgrimage and their excitement was contagious.  Patti and I will stay with her brother Bob and his wife Alison in Annapolis on both sides of our trip.

Last year, many of you forwarded personal prayers (petitions) to the Blessed Mother at this time of year.  The Knights took those petitions to Lourdes personally and the miracles began to happen.  Now, if you can, take a moment a pray to Mary asking for her continued blessings for Patti.  And for others who are sick.  We all know someone these days.

http://www.orderofmalta-federal.org/lourdes-pilgrimage

Easter Sunday was also glorious in Athens and we were able to put together a better than expected egg hunt for over 50 folks.  Thanks Oby for all the suggestions and help!  When we get back from France there will be a fabulous Engagement Party for Kiley and Karl hosted by Nanky and Jack Tribble, the Cabinet and several other generous couples.  Good weather is assured, but the bride and groom claim not to care.  So there.

Again, as always, thank you all so much for the wonderful cards, prayers and emails.  Patti feels wonderful (she’s out for a walk) and the medical numbers continue to be great.  Miracles happen…. Just watch.

Spring is Almost Here.... Can't Ya Feel It?

The First of Many More Years…… Check!     

       

This week is the anniversary of the discovery of Patti’s tumor, her surgery and the diagnosis of Glioblastoma Multiform.  It’s been months since I typed that term.  How cool is that?

I was telling a friend that this not-very-dramatic anniversary is an unexpected treat for the family.  Patti, of course, sets the tone for the whole story, but she is absolutely wonderful.  She shows no symptoms and loves showing off her normalcy.  Patti’s adorable short hair has been shaped into a real pixie cut and we both wish she had tried this earlier.  Today, she and MC landed back in Atlanta after a short break to NYC where they spent time with Patti’s sisters Betty and Joan.  They also did lots of just regular girl stuff and a few things I expect I’ll never know.  Memories are made of this.

So the spring is shaping up nicely.  Patti and I will spend this weekend in Savannah with dear friends Johnny and Patsy Power.  This trip will include a morning at the coolest St. Patrick’s Day parade in Dixie.  Kiley’s wedding plans are shaping up nicely… Groom (check), dress (check), venue (check), bridesmaids (check), list….. not yet.  But we met Karl’s dad and his wife a few weeks ago for dinner and it was really fun.  This is getting exciting.

OK, back to our spring…. Lourdes at the end of April, engagement party in early May, Easter egg hunt at Erymwold just like the old days.  I think we are gonna have a ball.

Everyone reading this, please know that your prayers and your support are like a rain shower in the desert.  Keep it coming.  Thanks so very, very much.

Today's Word is Happy. Oh, and Optimism. Today's Words are Happy and Optimism

What a month so far.  Thanks everyone for the tremendous support of this blog and this gorgeous wife of mine.  We have now had over 12,000 page views of Keeping Up With Patti.  While that's probably not a record, I'm glad we don't have to write Thank You notes....

The Good News From the Top:

1)  As most of you know, Patti's 1/23 MRI returned another boring and activity free scan.  You can probably imagine the angst leading up to these things.  And the reciprocal relief lifts hearts and spirits.  Patti keeps us all grounded and says her prayers each morning and night.  We don't ever worry about her bringing us down.

2)  Kiley is getting married!   Handsome Karl King has proposed and we are delighted that Kiley said yes.  No wedding date yet but it will likely be during the chilly months of '14 or early '15.  Mary Catherine will be the Maid of Honor.

2 -a)  Speaking of Mary Catherine, she has been offered a summer internship with a PR firm in NYC this summer.  This has long been a dream of MC's and she will show Broadway what bright lights really look like!

3)  Patti has been invited to visit Lourdes in France as a guest of the Knights of Malta.  Buckets of thanks to our friends Ed and Diane Festa who nominated Patti and will escort her (and me) to this Holy place in early May of this year.  Catholics especially recognize Lourdes as a place where magical healing happens.  The Knights of Malta interview the sick and choose a planeload to go over every Spring.  Patti will be a "Malade" and will receive the waters and the prayers of this Sacred site.  We are truly blessed.

I think that's all for now.  'Cept friend Liz Gett came to visit again.  Not good for the liver.  Thanks Liz!

                                                                 
                                                                     Kiley and Karl

The Grotto at Lourdes 

2014 is the Year of the Patti!

Happy New Year All!         

Are the Holiday’s really over?  I've got an old friend who claims the Holidays don’t end until the Super Bowl….. I hope he’s right…. And wrong.

Since we last communicated very little has changed.  What wonderful words to type.  Patti is on her chemo meds this week which tends to make her tired.  But not cranky.  Nephew Christopher Thompson, a senior at the Naval Academy, is visiting Atlanta for New Year’s and Mary Catherine saw to it he was well entertained.  He’ll be an Aviator soon and makes us all very proud.

 Yes, we hosted exactly 30 for Thanksgiving at Erymwold with guests from Birmingham, Dahlonega, Augusta and Atlanta.  No one went hungry and the cheer was genuine.  Hopefully we can do it again next year.

We have learned that medical residents tend to get married at Christmas when their schedule allows.  Patti and I plus the kids were invited to a great affair in Athens on December 21^st and then Kiley and Patti went to a beauty in Nashville the next weekend. Can’t remember a ‘do nothing’ weekend in quite a while…. Soon we hope.

Christmas traditions are in Atlanta so the whole crowd was at Club 22 for the celebration of Jesus’s birthday;  New Year’s Eve too.  Patti has held up great through it all and in fact tends to lead the mischief making.  Her Aunt Kitty convinced her to blonde her hair a bit and the pixie cut combined with her beautiful face make Patti prettiest woman in every room.

(Lucy Shuler, Patti and Jane Leonard planning Thanksgiving)

(Mary Catherine and Patti at the wedding of Gini and Rett Reeve)

Your continued prayers are solicited for 2014.  It is rare for a family to go into another year with so much uncertainty.  But so be it.  This is the year cancer loses, and Patti wins.