Yesterday we visited Dr. Lee in Murfreesboro to set up radiation plans. Dr. Lee is so nice, very soft spoken and seems to care. Radiation will start Thursday and we'll go through Saturday this week, then will be Mon - Fri. for 30 treatments. It will be hard going back and forth to Murfreesboro every day, and hour there and an hour back, but it's an easy drive on the interstate which will help.

Micah has changed his work schedule and is working LONG days so he can come home from Knoxville more and help out (as well as spend time with his Dad). Phil can't express himself in words, but still uses those left hand signals to be a "passenger" seat driver. It's great to have Micah drive so he gets the "help" instead of me.

Phil continues to be more alert and more mobile since the steroids were increased. Ever the dare devil, he made a jump from the recliner to his wheel chair last night that gave Micah and me quite a scare. He made it, but we really fussed at him, he and just smiled. Some things never change.....

We're rejoicing today! After only 2 days of taking the chemo, Phil is much better. His speech has improved, (still not great, but better), he's more alert, and moving better. He used his right hand this morning to turn the right wheel of his wheel chair about an inch. Sounds like little, but it's great strides for us. I asked him if he was ready to go shopping with me and he actually agreed he was ready. Of course that will change if I actually start getting ready to go, but we may try a little trip to Lowe's later which is one place he enjoys. My song today is - (and the words are probably not all right, but I sing it the way I want to):

Ah, Lord God, Thou has made the heavens and the earth by thy great power,
Ah, Lord God, Thou has made the heavens and the earth by thy mighty power.
Nothing is too difficult for Thee!
Nothing is too difficult for Thee!
Great and Mighty God, great in battle and mighty in peace,
Nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing,
Nothing is too difficult for Thee!

Now, if we could just sing it all together, what a noise that would make! Thank you for loving us.

Today has been a good day. Monday the radiation doctor increased Phil's steroids, and today has shown an improvement in his mood and speech. Still can't say much, but seems to comprehend better and speaking more. We've had a peaceful "almost" normal day which is truly a gift, and we're thankful. Haven't started radiation or chemo yet, but coming up soon. I'm thankful for each good day.

We've had a good weekend, lots of family visiting which is always nice. Melissa and Ella are home from Italy, Phillip will be transferred to Washington DC in October. As they are expecting another little girl, Melissa needed to travel now, so Phillip is left in Italy making all the moving arrangements. We're sorry for him, but happy to have Melissa and Ella here. Ella is a sweetheart, just watching her play is entertainment enough for us.

Micah has been here all weekend and Saturday Phil's brothers, Roy and Stephen visited along with their wives Sherry and Jada. Two cousins, Miles and Linda, were here also, and we had a great afternoon.

Today we start radiation. We'll be traveling to Murfreesboro 5 days a week for 6-8 weeks, as well as starting the chemo pills. We were told this is not a cure, but should shrink the tumor some. I'm praying for relief of headaches and speech! Even a few days of speaking would be wonderful. Phil still says a few simple phrases, the main one is "I love you", and he's told that to all of us over and over. Pray for our strength and endurance over the next few weeks.

We're home! Phil said it well when he laid down on our bed for the first time and said, "um, um,
um, um, um! So nice to be back. And we're about settled into a routine. Phil sleeps quite a bit and spends the rest of the time in his wheelchair. I finally convinced him to sit in his recliner for a little while tonight, but he didn't stay long, he wanted back in the wheel chair. We rolled out to get the mail and sat outside for a while until he was ready to come in. Communicating is very hard as he now gets "yes" and "no" confused. I have all the time in the world though, if I don't get it the first time, I will the second!

Tomorrow Phillip's wife Melissa and Ella are coming along with Micah and Phil's two brothers Roy and Stephen and their wives. We'll have a good time being together. Phillip will be returning to the states in October! We thank God that worked out.

We're going home tomorrow! I'm very excited and hope that Phil will perk up a little at home. We can continue working on balance and strength at home, and maybe he will walk, but for now we have a cool little burgandy wheel chair with a cup holder on the side. A great place for his coffee when we sit on the porch in the mornings. And the weather has cooperated wonderfully by cooling off. Phil has pretty severe headaches at times, so please call before visiting. It will be an adventure going home after being away so long!

Today was a routine day in rehab. Phil works hard, the right side of his body still doesn't realize fully that it's connected to his brain (or something like that). We're going home Friday, we've been away long enough, and we can continue to work at home. Oh, HOME sounds so good!

We got out over the weekend and went to the barbeque supper at Goshen Church Saturday night. Got to see many friends and had a delicious meal. Phil swooned a little over the warm peach cobbler. Thank you for your prayers. We have a long way to go.