Betty, Mildred and Ersel Rodgers

Betty is comfortable with her new port and her abdomen is now decorated with interesting black Xs. It could be viewed as a treasure map, but we prefer to call it a battle zone. Kill the Cancer is our motto.

Yesterday she bathed and dressed in street clothes for a normal day at home. I don't know if she was determined to feel like attending Ersel Rodger's funeral or if she is just feeling better because the surgery was about 5 weeks ago, but she said she felt better.

Raymond slipped away to get a haircut this morning. She commented that he hardly ever left the house these days unless someone was there with her. He used to enjoy the woods and be gone for hours. Now he’s glued to her side. She said she’s learning to just say, Thank you! It can’t be easy to have us all telling her what to do. Take for instance today.

She looked lovely today in an olive green wool suit and surgery mask to keep the germs away. No kidding, she looked great! I called to ask her to wear a mask to the funeral. The mask she owns is an old fashioned molded one and she didn't want to wear it so I stopped at the drug store on the way to the funeral and they were sold out. Sharon found some on her way there and Betty was perfectly attired. I wonder if there are designer masks? I'm just glad she wore one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She said, Thank you.


Ersel's funeral was well attended by friends and relatives. When I arrived the parking lot was filled with fire trucks. I couldn't figure out what would happen back home if a fire occurred for it seemed all their equipment was in attendance. As it turned out, Ersel had helped his community volunteer fire department restore vintage equipment. The trucks the 18 fire department members brought to carry their beloved brother to his grave were the ones he restored. What an honor to ride in such an honored manner! The neighboring community department stood ready to cover any emergencies at home. The Pleasant Grove church members prepared a lovely dinner for those that lingered to visit. The food at Pleasant Grove has always been wonderful. Today was no exception.

Betty and Raymond attended the funeral and then headed home before the graveside service. Devona rode along today and Raymond asked if he could take the long way home. They reminded him that they had already had a pretty long day so he adjusted his routine by driving more than 20 miles an hour on the back roads. That was a victory for the girls. He just loves to drive slowly to savor the scenery. I followed him when we brought Betty home from the hospital and he actually drove over 65 miles an hour on the Interstate. I was amazed.

I took leftovers from the dinner for Betty and Raymond’s dinner. Betty had changed to bed clothes and was fading quickly. She was trying to decide if street clothes are the key to a good day. We’ll let you know. I told her how good Ricki’s asparagus casserole was and she savored a few bites. Thank you, Ricki. She said the lemon pie was delicious also dear quilting friend.

Wednesday is Betty’s first day of chemo and radiation. Wednesday is Raymond’s CT scan. We’re on to the next step in our journey.

Please keep Mildred in your thought and prayers.

The Boley Family

Betty Boley and Mildred & Ersel Rodgers

Betty had the port inserted today and a CAT scan in preparation for radiation and chemo that will start next Wednesday, Jan 5th. She enjoyed a fish sandwich after. Family elves were busy with a cooking day. The basic idea for Betty's diet is to add as much protein to all dishes as we can slip in. Extra eggs, dried milk, nuts, dried fruit, chopped meat and cheese should be added to everything. She is not very interested in sweets right now.

Ersel Rodgers died yesterday. Visitation is tomorrow, Thursday, from 4-8 in Westport and Friday in Clark County at Pleasant Grove Church from 11-1. The funeral is at 1. It is located between Sellersburg and Charlestown on Highway 403. Mildred and Betty are first cousins. Their mothers were twins. Mildred's maiden name is Ganote.

The Boley Family

Monday Dec 27th

First things first,
Betty had a good Christmas experience and was in good condition the next day also.

We saw the oncologist this morning. She will have a port inserted this Wednesday and a CT scan this Wednesday afternoon to gauge the size of the tumor now. They were able to get us in to see the radiologist this afternoon and supplied a bed for Betty to rest between appointments. The radiologist feels it will take about 5 weeks of radiation. She will be receiving chemo for the same 5 weeks. She will wear a fanny pack with an automatic pump to supply the chemo. It will be removed on Saturday and Sunday and reattached each Monday. The chemo and radiation go together. We will be taking turns with transportation. I hope Raymond will let himself rest occasionally.

We are thrilled with the care and consideration she was given today at the Brown Cancer Center.

Betty wants to feel better. We are hoping her appetite will begin to improve, but we have all heard tales of the ups and downs of treatment. I'm sure we are destine for just that, but for now she is determined to feel better.

Raymond shook the rugs again yesterday and insisted on cleaning the bathroom. Betty wanted fried okra on Christmas Eve. Raymond made that happen! He's a good guy folks!

By the way, Devona had sweatshirts made for all the grandchildren and great grandchildren that labeled them blessings. We took a family picture.

We are blessed,
The Boley Family

Christmas Day

Betty had a day of flu followed by a lazy day yesterday. When she woke this morning she wasn't interested in eating and didn't have very much energy. She got a shower and took a nice long nap. We were trying to decide the least tiresome way to share Christmas. Our gathering was set for 5 and at 4:30 Betty decided she felt like getting in the car and going from one garage to another. We were afraid if we went to their house she would feel compelled to participate rather than go to bed. We are planning for her to stay about an hour. She even says she wants to eat our Christmas breakfast menu with us. So it's watching the children opening their presents, eating yummies, and trying to figure out what Devona has been working on as her Christmas surprise. There are so many boxes!

I'll let you know what was inside.

We are together!
The Boley Family

House Husband

I finally dug my car out and headed to Scottsburg to check in with Betty and Raymond. When I arrived Rayanne and Betty were in deep conversation about Rayanne’s ride home from college. Betty and Raymond had made chicken soup so we enjoyed the soup. Betty insisted they send some of the soup to shut ins in their neighborhood. Betty seems to enjoy mild flavored foods now. She planned the soup also for a cooking lesson for Raymond. When she awoke she wanted to get into her morning before they started, but Raymond was eager and started making the soup without her.
I needed to check in because on the phone I heard that Raymond was again shaking the rugs and I didn’t know what would happen if he didn’t remember to sweep the floor this time! Luckily he improved. Betty mentioned that Raymond was making a “nice house husband.” She was considering teaching him about doing laundry. Oh my! If you see them with pink everything you’ll know the lessons have started.
Betty has started quilting a little. She tried to sit with her quilting and did pretty well. At least she is able to attend to the task of quilting.
They are practicing getting out a little. They drove into town to view the lights and thought they might drive to a neighboring community for a view of their decorations. These are very, very short trips. Betty doesn’t want to experience the level of fatigue she encountered with the doctor’s visit. I never thought I’d hear Betty Boley talk about practicing going places. She has been super active her entire life.
I had an opportunity to talk with Dr. Martin’s assistant. She assured me that Dr. Martin is very frank with individuals who he can’t help. She is sure that he considers Betty a candidate who he may be able to help. We still are shaking our heads at the extreme highs and lows this story has taken. It feels good to be coasting for a little while.
As I left I asked them if I could post that visitors were welcome. Raymond replied, “We just can’t handle very much.” Call, send cards, and pray, pray, pray. I chuckled when Betty opened her cards and commented, “I’m beginning to feel bad about all the cards I am getting. Sometimes I can’t even get one sent and some people have sent one every week!” We talked about talents. Some people have the talent of keeping in touch. Some have the talent of nursing and care giving. Some are creative. Each talent adds to the richness of life. She shouldn’t feel badly when someone shares their talent with her. She has shared her talent with so many; she needs to just appreciate others sharing theirs.
I expect our Christmas celebration to be a very short celebration. We don’t want to tire her out before her doctor’s visit on Monday. We just want to watch the little ones open their presents so we have something to smile about for a few days. Raymond says, “That Abbagail is something!” I wonder if our grandparents though the same about us?
Merry Christmas Dear Friends,
The Boley Family

Never a Dull Moment

Betty will be seeing the Oncologist the Monday after Christmas, Dec 27th at the Brown Treatment Center in Louisville. I assume this will be an initial visit with discussion about a treatment plan devised by the Surgeon and the Oncologist. You may remember that the Surgeon, Dr. Robert Martin, hopes to shrink the cancer surrounding Betty's main artery to her liver. He hopes this will allow him to remove that problem and allow him to complete the Whipple procedure he tried on November 27th.

Raymond saw the Vascular Surgeon today. He has planned a scan at Jewish Hospital after the first of the year. If the scan shows more than 70% blockage he will consider surgery. Raymond would be awake during the procedure and would spend one night in the hospital. An incision would be made to clean the affected artery in his neck. Due to Raymond's age of 83 he is not a candidate for stints. Calcium build up is a problem in older individuals so stints are not appropriate. If the blockage is less than 70% the Surgeon will not do surgery at this time.

Raymond and Sharon went grocery shopping after the doctor's appointment and Betty is destined to savor the chicken vegetable soup she has been longing for. They bought everything on her list.

Betty picked us a small quilting project recently. She hasn't tackled the Mariner's Compass that needs to be assembled. The project is at that crucial point where all of the points converge. One must have a steady hand. To any non quilters out there, the Mariner's Compass pattern is not one for the faint of heart.

I've heard that the Boley Christmas this year will be a Pajama Party with breakfast foods. I must go shopping for flannel pajamas. I've also heard that love will be the gift of the season. One only needs those we love to make Christmas complete and that is a lesson we are painfully learning this Christmas Season.

Thank you for your prayers,
Christmas blessings,
The Boley Family

Betty's Week

Betty is sounding stronger and stronger. She starting a grocery shopping list because she was getting tired of the same food every day. It's a good thing Devona was available to get new things together.

Dr. Martin's office called to say Betty can't see an Oncologist until after Christmas. Her appointment is Monday, December 27th. We are very disappointed, but we know Betty will be stronger and stronger by that time.

We hope she will be strong enough to enjoy a small Christmas gathering without too much fatigue.

I probably won't blog over Christmas.

I wonder if Betty has started quilting yet? It would be a good sign! She reported today that she had picked up a project. Yeah! She also cleaned out the refrigerator today and had to take a nap. I wonder where Raymond was?