October 20 Update: Recipe - Chicken and Noodles

I've been wanting to share some "comfort food" recipes that are easy for the caregiver to prepare, yet still delicious. Here's the first one: Chicken and Noodles!

Chicken and Noodles

Ingredients
Can chicken
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 stick butter
Nearly all of a carton of chicken broth
1 package frozen noodles

Prepare
Put all but the chicken and noodles in a pan or crockpot.
After warm, add chicken and noodles.
Simmer an hour or so, until noodles get soft.
Season with salt and pepper.
You can add cream or half and half.

Great over mashed potatoes.

Delish!

October 2 Update

What a memorable evening Gene and I had last Thursday evening!

We are so blessed to have such a wonderful daughter. Cindy is so concerned about her dad and of course me – she is so thoughtful, and it has transferred to her children. Taylor and Samuel, our grandchildren, are naturally the highlight of our lives ... and it showed in Taylor's special tribute to her grandpa on Thursday.

We drove to Broken Bow to watch Taylor play volleyball that evening. Broken Bow is such a special community, one that is very supportive of its youth. Every home volleyball game, most of the town comes to watch; the band performs as do the cheerleaders. It is so energized – you just feel the community is out there to support their local youth.

Right before the game, Taylor and all the volleyball team came over to Gene. They presented him with a "Team Gene" special sign, which all of the team signed.

And after the game (which Broken Bow lost but Taylor had seven kills), Taylor had arranged for the Broken Bow newspaper to interview Gene in recognition and awareness of pancreatic cancer. They took pictures, and we will watch for that in the Broken Bow newspaper.

Gene and I feel so fortunate to have such a wonderful family. Not only our daughter, Jim, Taylor and Samuel ... but all our family members have been so supportive of both of us. What can we say about our family and friends except this: They are priceless.

October 1 Update

Thank you God, thank you family and all our friends!

Your prayers have made a huge difference in Gene's cancer. Gene has been in remission for 8 weeks now, and Dr. Ramaekers said he can't explain it. I said, I can: It is all the prayers from everyone!!!

I will never underestimate the power of prayer again!!!

It almost feels like this has all been a bad dream, but I know it is real. Gene goes back on the 14th for another scan, labs and doctor appointment. Of course, this makes me worry even more as it has been such a wonderful 8 weeks.

Gene is feeling much better, of course – not taking chemo makes a big difference. He still gets very tired, but I know that goes along with all his treatments.

We have been so fortunate to have such wonderful family and friends, and our AQHA Family is always checking on us. This means so much to both of us. Speaking of AQHA ...

We just returned from a wonderful vacation!

We were so fortunate to be able to go to the Paws Up resort for the American Quarter Horse Association Foundation. This is the most fabulous resort we have ever been to. Paws Up is owned by a wonderful couple, Nadine and David Epson, who are wonderful supporter of the American Quarter Horse.

Their resort is located 45 miles from Missoula near Greenough. The moment you drive on to the ranch you know you are in a special place. We shared a beautiful home with Jim and Mavis Jennings and Chris Sitz. Actually, it was about 3,500 square feet with a huge fireplace, big bedroom suites ... and we had the most sophisticated shower ever! It was a 2-person shower with all the bells and whistles, but we had to read the instructions to operate it. We opened the windows in our huge master room, to view the beautiful Montana mountains.

It was even more special, as 34 AQHA supporters were there also, many we knew previously but made many new friends. Every day was special. Gene and I went on a trail ride Friday morning and then an amazing ATV ride through the beautiful countryside. Every evening was a special night with great gourmet food and entertainment. ... We could get used to this lifestyle.

Needless to say, all good things have to come to an end and coming home took an extra day as our flight out of Denver was cancelled, but we finally made it home.

Thank you again for all your support!

Barbara

August 17 Update (Great News!)

Dear Family and Friends---

Gene and I are so happy right now!

We went to the Cancer Center this morning at 8 AM for Gene's lab work and then had an appointment with Gene's Dr.

Gene's cancer numbers have again been reduced which is very good news but the best news is that Gene is now in Remission! Unbelievable but such welcome news.

Gene does not have to have Chemo at least for awhile. This will give all of us especially Gene a much needed break. It is like we have been given a vacation!!!

Thanks to all of you for your daily prayers and constant thoughts for us----please know we know that it was your prayers helping Gene. 

Many of you tell me to "Keep the Faith" – and I am trying to do that daily.

Love to you all, 

Barbara 

August 12 Update: Wake-Up Call

How many of you have signed a Power of Attorney for yourself, your spouse, your significant other?

I don't know where Gene and I have been, but we do not have Power of Attorney signed forms … so if I go into a coma, Gene needs to have Power of Attorney and I need to have Power of Attorney for him.

Tonight was a bad night. I had asked our son-in-law (who is one of the Good Attorneys!) to help me get ready when and if something happens to Gene, or me.

I approached the subject tonight with Gene and met with definite resistance. I had it all planned out: First, I had a nice beef roast in the oven with all kinds of vegetables and a very nice dinner planned. Then, I said to Gene: “We really need to get our Power of Attorney forms filled out, plus we need to work on our will.” Well, it did not go well.

Gene said, “I have to feel better first. Then I said, “I could have a heart attack tonight – then what?”

It does not seem to register with him. But with all the things he is going through and thinking, I am sure he thinks I am being pushy.

But … Wake up, everyone, and make sure you get an attorney. It is NEVER TOO SOON! I am going to put a plug in for our son-in-law, James V. Duncan of Broken Bow, Neb. He is an outstanding attorney and has such good advice along with Common Sense, which is lacking in many of our big-city attorneys.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE. Take heed and get your ducks in a row, which I have not done previously. I thought we had plenty of time – but who has plenty of time????

NO ONE.

On a good note, I have found the most remarkable handyman: Lowell Kohtz. He is 91 years old and looks 70. He talked to Gene and me one night and asked if we had anything thing he could help with at Diamond G Farms. Well, I called him the next day, and he has been invaluable. He is moving, fixing fence, using the weed-eater and all kinds of fixing things that need fixing. He is remarkable. I hope at 91 I will be as spry and able as he is. His grandchildren made a video of him for a movie they are interviewing for. The movie is called "Nebraska" and they want original Nebraska farmers to be in the movie.

Till next time,
Barbara 

Card From Cindy

I wanted to share this moving card and letter Gene received from our daughter Cindy.

August 10 Update

Gene had his 10th treatment a week ago, and it has really tired him out. But we know that with each chemo treatment, he will become more tired. We had planned on attending the AQHA Youth World Show this week, but feel Gene needs to regain his strength so that we can attend the AQHA Select World Show in Amarillo.

We were so honored that during the American Quarter Horse Youth World Show when each state or country had their Team Parade ... Nebraska honored Gene as being one of the state's famous people!

They listed Johnny Carson and some others – which I did not even hear because I was so proud that they had Gene's name.

We are so very proud of our Nebraska Youth and how well they have exhibited at this World Show. The show ends tomorrow. You can see video here: http://www.aqha.com/youthworld

On another note: I am always looking for good meatloaf recipes, as meatloaf seems to be Gene's favorite food right now. Please email me or leave a comment if you have a good one!

Again, thank you for your continued prayers and thoughts for both Gene and myself.

Till next time,
Barbara