Three Year Anniversary

An anniversary (September 15, 2008) that I wish that we didn't have to think about...but then again I am so glad that Woody is here with us today on this third anniversary of his bicycle accident. Tonight's pictures were taken one week after his accident. I won't go into all the details of the accident as I told about it in my very first blog back in January of 2009. Here is a link to that blog: http://wdorrell.blogspot.com/2009/01/fork-in-road-which-way-should-we-turn.html

And, Woody has never had further surgery on his lower arm...a bad fall would not be good...then he might have to have that surgery to put in a plate. But, he feels, and I agree, that he doesn't need to have that surgery as he doesn't want his body to concentrate on healing his arm and forget about keeping his melanoma at bay!!!

There is pretty much a consensus that the trauma caused by the accident probably caused his body to stop fighting the melanoma cells that were in his body and let the melanoma return when it had to concentrate on healing his arm. Two months after this accident Woody noticed a lump behind his ear that turned out to be melanoma...meaning that his original melanoma had metastasized and that he had 4th stage melanoma. The thing to celebrate about today's anniversary is that Woody is sitting in the same recliner tonight that he was sitting in when tonight's picture was taken three years ago...doing well and here with us to celebrate that "not so great day!" Once he was diagnosed with 4th stage melanoma his prognosis was to only live from six months to a year. I'm glad that he is going against the "odds!" Thinking back on his accident and looking at these pictures makes my stomach sink...and brings back lots of not so great memories...at about this time three years ago, Woody was heading into surgery. I'm very glad that we are three years down what at times has been a very bumpy road...but God has seen us through thus far and he will continue to guide us along!

Today has been a bit different day. Kathy's parents made a stop in Tullahoma last night and spent the night with them so the children didn't come over for school this morning...that is except for Abigail...she did come over for sewing lessons shortly after they left. She also came back this afternoon to read to Woody and then play a board game or two. Woody took two walks today...a 4-mile walk this morning and then he walked to the drugstore after lunch to pick up some prescriptions for me. I have done a little bit of everything...so didn't accomplish a lot...a little cleaning, a little cooking, a little laundry, a little dish washing, a little reading, etc.