DAVE'S FUND RAISER EVENT

It's hard to believe that it is upon us. I have heard many folks saying that this party is going to be the biggest Chelmsford High School Class Reunion ever!-spanning the years of 1965-1975 and then some. 'Incredulous' as Dave would say. Bring your dancing shoes, your appetite and a card for Dave or a message/photo (of yourself or something that you and Dave share)/poem, etc. to put into his 'Happy Thoughts' book, for those days when he needs a 'Happy Thought'.
Raffle tickets are 10 for $20.00 or 50 for $50.00-tons of very cool stuff. And you'll need a competitive edge to bid on the Auction items. Very, very cool stuff!!
There will be disposable cameras around, don't be shy about taking pictures for Dave. He is going to want to see how wonderful you all are.
See you all Saturday night!!
Bring those happy thoughts,
Marilyn

A Nice Visit

I had a very nice visit with Dave yesterday. He was in good spirits, despite his pain. The Chemo treatments are not making him sick or lose his hair and it seems to be knocking the Myeloma numbers down a bit. Hopefully, when the Docs get his cancer to a point, they will be able to address his bone fractures and pain a little more. It is amazing what he has been through in 2 short months.
Your prayers, happy thoughts, and support have helped him with his fight more than you know. He was afraid that he would not be able to properly thank everyone for all the comfort that he has gotten from friends and family. So, we decided that he should have some special cards that he could use.
Dave and Moe did the finish work for a very nice family, Mark & Marcia Thomas and their very talented daughter, Jenn. She has a unique artistic talent that we were sure would be the perfect solution to Dave and Kathy's dilemma. Thank you Mark, Marcia and Jenn for creating these special cards for Dave and Kathy. They are fantastic.
See you all soon,
Keep those happy thoughts,
Marilyn

We Have Our Easels, Just Need Flowers

Thanks everyone, we got the two easels we were looking for. Everything seems to be falling into place. We are still looking for Florists who would like to donate one, two, or three table decorations. We thought that it might be a great opportunity to advertise their artistic ability and supply us with some very different, very lovely table decos. Not to mention the fact that it is a healthy competition for local florists. Tax-deductible, because it is marketing/advertising. Let me know if you know anyone willing to donate.
Thanks again for all of your participation. It's going to be a great night.
Keep a happy thought!
Marilyn

One Day At A Time

I just received the medical updates that we have all been waiting for. Dave and Kathy had an appointment with Dr. Anamur today and he said that Dave's numbers, (in relation to the Multiple Myeloma), look better than they did, but they also discussed the facts. The facts are that Multiple Myeloma is a cancer that is unpredictable. He will have good days and he will have bad days, and the quality of his life, day to day, is what is important. He is doing well with the Chemo treatments and Dr. Anamur explained that Chemo could be one of his options for quite a while. They also discussed a bone marrow transplant (or Stem Cell Transplant.) They have an appointment with a doctor at Dana Farber upcoming in a few weeks to discuss this option. The procedure, as described to Dave and Kathy, has left them with some concerns. He is still in pain from the bone damage as a result of the Myeloma. It's optimistic to hope for total bone repair, although it is possible to have some strengthening in certain areas. Time and medicine will be the predictor of that. Doctors orders are no strenuous physical activity. Short walks is about all.
Dave has come to realize that this journey he is on will be the ultimate test of his endurance. At the same time, it will be a journey of change, hope, faith and human connection. His focus in life has to be a little different now.
Part of his 'good health' right now is the fact that we have all been so good about not exposing him to germs. (Pat on the back for us.) And if he is going to have to continue Chemo, that won't be changing for a while.
Keep your happy, healthy thought,
You are all a special part of his connection,
Marilyn

Another Fund Raiser Update!!

We want to take this time to thank everyone for their generous support with the many monetary and gift donations that we have received to date. These items donated by dozens of generous businesses and individuals will be used for an auction and raffles the night of the event. Here are some of the wonderful gifts that have been donated:

• Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics and Bruins Tickets
• Weekend getaway at Camden Yards in Baltimore
• A 7 day vacation on Nantucket Island in Massachusetts
• A 7 day vacation in Ocean City, Maryland
• Top of the line golf equipment along with t time at several outstanding golf courses
• Numerous gift certificates for local restaurants, hair salons and spas
• Theatre tickets

We are continuing to accept as many gifts as we can to use in our raffles and auction.

All of the evening’s entertainment will be live, headlined by one of New England’s top entertaining groups, Jack Knox and the Continentals.

Please invite your friends and family to come and enjoy a very special night.

Sincerely,
The Fund Raising Committee

Just a Quickie

Well I spoke with David this morning and he was feeling really great. It's nice when his pain is tolerable. And today was one of those days. Hallelujah!! Tomorrow, he and Kathy meet with Dr. Anamur, so we should have some news tomorrow night. Stay tuned.
A little something else that came to mind today, if you were kind enough to donate to the account over these past few weeks, you might want to check with your employer. Some companies have 'Gift Matching Programs'. I will give you whatever you need in the way of proof of your donation. Just let me know. That would be terrific.
Stay warm, (yeah!-not so hard to do today)
Keep a healthy thought,
Marilyn

A Tidbit of News

Gee, I do believe that this is the longest amount of time that I have not communicated any news about our friend. And it's mainly because there isn't too much to tell. Tuesday he went to the Cancer Center and had his catheter taken out and a Chemo port put in. Which does mean that Chemo isn't over yet. He also had some x-rays and some blood tests done. I have been waiting on the results of some of those tests to update you on his progress and as of today, he hasn't heard too much. His Mom took him in to have a Procrit injection today, and one of the nurses told them that 'his numbers' look pretty good. So, there must be some results to share that he will get from Dr. Anamur next Tuesday when he and Kathy go in. He is still in some pain and is starting to ask more questions regarding that. Hopefully, the Docs can come up with some answers. If you know Dave, you know that he doesn't want to take the 'pain meds'. But when he does, he is 'wicked' funny all drugged up. What a hoot!!
He is, for the most part, trying to stay positive. Some days are harder than others. I believe that he is still exercising a little bit though. I know that he misses his social interactions with everyone, but it is hard to know if it's okay to call. He does take 'naps'. Moe called him the other day to chat about work and he really did enjoy it.
I hope we can all get together on March 31st and create the 'human connection' that has helped him through this healing process and that he misses so much. Bobbie and friends are getting a 'live video feed' together so that Dave can join us via technology. It's destined to be a great night.
Keep a happy thought,
Marilyn

Fund Raiser Update!!

Hi everyone. Bobby and committee has asked me to let you all know that we are still in need of some raffle items. Preferably gift certificates to restaurants, salons, specialty shops, etc. If you or anyone you know, can help us out with these types of items for the event, we would be very grateful. You can contact Bobbie Kinney at 978.251.7804 and let him know what you have. We are, also, looking for Corporate Sponsors for the event. If this is a way that you would like to help out, please contact me at 978.433.9262 or Bobbie. Thanks again for all of your support for Dave and his family. It's overwhelming what nice friends and family Dave has had 'the pleasure to have known' (It's in a Beatles song, I think). (Penny Lane??)

I have not much to update on his medical status at the moment. Moe went over there today, and he said that Dave was having a 'not so good' day. He was not feeling well, which is to be expected with the Chemo. He will have a week or so to recup before they go at it again. Let's hope that he can build himself up a little. I will hopefully be able to fill you in a bit more next week after he has his tests and x-rays. I'm still rooting for our team!!

One other little tidbit of interest, I found out today that if you are looking at the blog, you will see 2 ads on the left hand side, clicking on them does generate some money for our cause. So if there is anything of interest to you, click away. But what I learned just today is that if you click on a particular 'blog post', you will get a whole new set of ads. Didn't know this until I had to edit a post. So, there are other interesting ads hidden in each post. Happy hunting, and clicking! (I was a little surprised at how much they do pay.) And again, please let me know if you see anything objectionable, I will take care of that right away.

Let's keep a healthy thought along with our happy one, shall we.
Gracias
Marilyn

We Have Weight Gain

Dave just seems to be speeding through this recovery process. He has already gained 3 pounds. That is fantastic since he is still doing the Chemo. Which today was the last for a week or so. Next week they will be removing the catheter and inserting a Chemo port, which indicates that the Chemo isn't done yet. They will be in the hospital for the entire day on Tuesday, between the surgery for the port, blood tests and x-rays. Lets all 'huddle' for good results there. Dave is fighting so hard to get better, I hope that he gets some good news medically. Kathy said that his appetite has improved alot and he is really getting around well. So far, it's all good!!!
Thanks to all of you who have supported our efforts with the Fund Raiser, so far. Things are looking good there as well. If someone doesn't get in touch with you, and you would like to buy tickets, contact one of us on the letter in this blog. (Scroll down).
Can't wait to see you all.
Keep a happy thought!
Marilyn