Happy Halloween...

We had so much fun this afternoon dressing Brant up like Michael Jackson.  He looked GREAT!  Barry and I had dressed up in our costumes yesterday afternoon and evening, so we weren't really in the mood to do it again.  Instead, after Brant left to Trick-or-Treat with friends, we decided to turn off our porch light and just sit back and enjoy each others company.  It was really nice.  It was just the two of us for a while.  Rachel, Brad, Lexi and Joey all met up and enjoyed watching the game together. 

Homecoming...

Our prayers were answered today as we learned from the Neurologist interpretation of Barry's EEG, that any abnormal firing within the brain is taking place in the area where the tumor was removed.  Although it sounds rather scary, that was actually good news.  All other factors have been ruled out for prompting Barry's seizures on Tuesday of this week.  With this news, came the words we both have been waiting to hear.... "Would you like to go home?"  Barry was thrilled at the idea of going home.  The discharge from the hospital could not have happened fast enough.  Barry was ready to go.

It was a nice, quite evening. We watched the World Series, rooting for our Texas Rangers with Lexi and Joey.  It was a really nice evening.  Welcome home, sweetheart!

Moving out of CCU...

Barry has improved so much over the last day and a half.  His Neurosugeon, Dr. Tompkins, was very pleased with the MRI.  He said that there was no evidence of new tumor growth, bleeding or swelling.  He thought it looked great.  There is also no sign that the seizures were caused by a blood clot.  His team of doctors feel confident that his seizures can be controlled with a combination of medications.  The are moving him out of CCU at some point today.  We are hopeful that he will get out of the hospital tomorrow. 

Thank you so much to everyone for your prayers. 

Please pray for Barry

We know that our prayers and the prayers of so many people are being answered on a daily basis in our lives. Tonight, I ask that you pray for comfort for Barry. He struggled through three seizures earlier today. He is resting in the hospital. He is extremely tired which all of his doctors have said is normal after what he has been through today. Tomorrow, we will learn the results of an MRI that was ordered earlier this evening. A c-scan that was completed shortly after our arrival in the emergency room did not show any brain abnormality, which was so exciting and uplifting to hear. Barry is an amazing man with such a positive outlook on life. He never complains, never waivers from his faith and never has stopped believing.

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Family, Food and lots of Fun...

Barry and I ventured over to Addison today to meet Christy, Ron, Jill and Dennis at Manny's TexMex for lunch.  What an excellent selection... Thanks Ron!  It was great to see everyone.  The past few weekends have been so busy for all, it was nice that our schedules were finally coordinated.  Barry was so happy to see everyone (so was I).  The food was great and the conversation was even better.  Christy was able to manage an audible word every now and then... poor thing has lost her voice.  (Hope you feel better, Sis). 

Barry felt good for most of the day.  He had a slight headache before bed, but other than that it was a great day.  I know that he is dreading the Chemo that begins tomorrow.  I have been reading so much online about suggested foods during Chemo, hopefully this time it will be much easier on him.  Please pray that he tolerates this weeks treatment well.

Halloween Shopping...

As it poured down rain on Saturday, Barry, Brant and I set out to find the last few components of our Halloween costumes.  I would like to say that it was fun, OK, part of it was fun.  Although, as I mentioned before, it was raining buckets, there were so many people out shopping on Saturday!  We started at the Goodwill Store and only lasted about 10 minutes as the store was packed and the lines had 10 to 15 people deep.  As the tornado sirens beckoned from the sky, we were on our way to Hancock Fabrics.  Again, wall to wall people.  I failed to mention, we haven't purchased a thing at this point... scared off by the crowds and the blank stares of the people waiting in long lines.  We were then off to the wig store.  We found exactly what we were looking for there, with no wait!  Yeah!  Running low on energy and enthusiasm at this point, we stopped at Chic Fil A for lunch.  We really enjoyed that part of the day.  Barry at his entire meal!  His appetite has been GREAT this week.  Feeling refreshed, we decided to venture over to Party City.  It was crazy busy, but the line moved pretty quickly.  Brant's costume is complete!  I don't want to spoil the surprise, so you will have to check back soon for pictures.  You don't want to miss it!

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS ALERT....

Please note that our email address has changed to barrywilliamson@clear.net. 

Don't forget to delete time2run@verizon.net.

Thanks to all for the continued prayers, telephone calls and cards.  We appreciate you all so much!  Love... The Williamson Family

Fall Family vacation...

 Barry, Brant and I traveled to Lubbock to see our parents over the weekend.  It was nice to get away and Barry was so excited to get out of the house for a while.  Barry's appetite has returned a little and seems to have gained some strength back.  It is a huge relief to see him enjoy a meal. 

We arrived in Lubbock on Thursday afternoon and spent the evening with his Mom and Dad.  Chris is doing much better than he has been over the last couple of weeks.  Barry has been so worried about Chris and was relieved to see him getting around and feeling better. 

On Friday morning, Chris and Vada took us out to the Windmill Museum.  We didn't stay long because Barry was getting tired and couldn't stay out in the sun for long.  We went out to see my Dad and his wife on Friday afternoon.  Chelsea came out and joined us all for dinner.  Dad grilled hamburgers and then we all took turns driving his new Vette.  Dad took Barry out to show him "what it could do".  They were gone for a while, so I know they were having fun!

Saturday was a lazy day.  The afternoon was spent relaxing and watching college football. 

Vada made an amazing dinner for us.  She made all of Barry's favorites.  It was a great vacation. 

 

That Fall Feeling...

Chelsea arrived on Friday evening.  It was so great to see her.  We decided on Saturday that it was just too beautiful outside not to take advantage of the great outdoors.  It all began with Barry and Brant tossing the football in the front yard, then we were off to eat breakfast at our favorite diner, Chubby's.  As we ate, we discussed our options for some free fun.  Chels suggested a pumpkin patch and we were all game.  The first one to pop up was the one in Celina, TX so away we went.  Sadly, Rachel could not join us because she was taking her LSAT test on Saturday morning.  We drove down many country roads and finally arrived at Bill Bates Ranch.  There were so many cars, we were beginning to thing that we had made a mistake. 

After driving 18 miles, we decided to stay and check it out.  It wasn't much of a pumpkin patch.  There were scattered pumpkins around bales of hay set up for photo ops.  Lexi, Chelsea and I were all armed with our camers and ready to go.  There were also longhorn cattle, sheep and goats to feed... fun farm activities.  We ventured off and actually got some great pictures.  Barry felt pretty good today, but we didn't want to push it, so we left after about 30-45 minutes.  As I drove away, I decided to surprise Brant.  I searched for a long stretch of deserted farm road and then asked Brant if he would like to drive.  He was SO excited.  He drove for approx four miles and loved every minute of it.  He actually did really well.  After that it was off to Sonic for something to drink then back home for some R&R.  Barry had a really good day.  We were back home by 12:30pm so he had the entire afternoon to rest.  We enjoyed a family meal together and then each of us went our seperate ways.  It was a perfect Fall Day.

Fall Football...

Barry, Rachel and I enjoyed watching Brant play football this afternoon/evening.  It was great to get out of the house for a while.  Barry felt pretty good all day today.  He is a little tired, but has more of an appetite and no headaches!  Brant played really well.

Lexi was at work, so she missed the game, but she caught up with us afterward for a bite to eat.  

Feeling better...

Barry and I spent the weekend in our room recovering from last week.  Barry's week on Chemo was his most difficult so far.  Toward the end of the week, I believe we finally found the right combination of medicines to combat the nausea.  Thank goodness he has three weeks to regain his strength.  It really takes a lot out of him.  I, too, haven't felt well.  Our doctor diagnosed me with bronchial pneumonia last week.  I am beginning to feel much better than I did last week.

Yesterday, Barry mentioned several times how much better he felt.  It was music to my ears!  His appetite still hasn't quite returned, but he has been able to sleep through the night for the past two nights.  It is truly amazing what a good nights will do for our bodies.  Now, I just need to help him regain his strength.  Keep the prayers coming.  They work!  Love to all.

Chemo, day 5 complete...

The second round of the 5-day per month chemo is complete.  Thank you God for blessing Barry (and I) with a full nights rest last night.  It was the first full nights sleep in weeks.  The combination of Zofran and Compazine (medications) have finally proved successful in combating Barry's nausea.  It has been a very difficult week for Barry.  No matter what type of food idea I come up with, NOTHING sounds good to him.  When he does eat, it is only a bite or two.  I have tried everything.  Even the Carnation Instant Breakfast sounds unappealing to him.  He is feeling very weak right now.  Yesterday he was able to eat some egg whites and a banana.  We also had some tomato soup at dinner, but I think he only ate about 1/4 cup and a couple of crackers.  Hopefully now that the chemo is behind him for the next three weeks, he will be able to regain his strength. Through all of this, Barry has been very positive and holds strong to his faith.  Keep Barry in all of your prayers!  Please... Don't stop Believing!