Dear Family and Friends,

We wanted to give you all space to enjoy the Holiday season focused on family and those who gather around your table and hearth. (This news flash is brand new to some of you. I attached links to past updates so all the Newbies can be “brought up to speed.”)

Since we last communicated, Dr. Ngo assured Frank that progress back to feeling energetic may be slow after the hospitalization detour over the Thanksgiving holiday. Since Frank’s hospital stay we have celebrated many milestones, like eating a meal of solid instead of liquid food, yay! Staying awake most of the day, yay! Walking the entire perimeter of our local park (with a cane) before collapsing into a 2-hour nap, yay!

Pain management is so much better. Frank removed even the low-dose Fentanyl patch on Dec. 8 and refuses to ever take Fentanyl again—given the horrible overdose experience. He finds it difficult to even describe the Dante’s Inferno nightmare he experienced. He is doing great managing pain at a level 5/6, most of the time with occasional spikes to a 9/10. Today (Jan 3) he even experienced a level-12 for a few minutes. I thought that pain level was reserved for women when giving birth. ) Anyway... now that he is off Fentanyl, Frank is a bit more steady on his feet. Hallelujah!

On Dec 16, for the first time, post-treatment, Frank went an entire day without a meal from the feeding tube. 3-meals-by-mouth!! Wahoo! Because of the pain of mucositis, we are still alternating the days of solid food and the days of liquid food through the FT to give Frank’s mouth and throat a rest.

On Dec 22, the appointment with the radiation doctor was great. She examine Frank’s throat and said he looks “fantastic.” She told us, again, that the radiation will continue to work for another eight weeks, doing what it does to eradicate any cancerous cells. She said it is normal to still experience all the challenges with mucositis. Perhaps that is why he had level-10/12 pain today. Frank is handling it all really well. We believe prayer & creative thoughts are making all the difference. Thank you prayer companions. 

Expressions of Gratitude                                                                                                                                                                            Frank and I have spent hours and hours writing out "Thank You" cards for each person who sent us a donation via PayPal, Venmo and Zelle. It has been so tough getting mailing addresses from you, to send the cards to each donor. Please, please text your street address to me so we can send a thank you card to you.       (909) 240-7884

There is a need to rebuild muscle and regain stamina. Frank is immunocompromised and must avoid going to a gym. All of your generous donations have made  it possible for us to purchase a treadmill, weights and a weight bench. Thank you.

Wow!! LloydD thank you so much for your phenomenal $$$$donation. Thanks also for the books of prayers, the fantastic medallion and the sea moss. Because of the very generous $donations from you and others, I AM able to remain off the road, pay the mortgage, the bills, all expenses not covered by medical insurance and be right here to assist Frank in his slow, steady and sure recovery.

OMGoodness!! FJM, are you serious?!! What a phenomenal $urprise on January 2nd! You gave us so much already!! May God heap abundant blessings on your magnanimous heart & spirit.

Anonymous East Coast Friend, you asked me not to place your name in a list, so I will refrain from doing so. Please know your $gift helps us to pay off the debt for the adjustable bed. Frank said the adjustable bed has been critical for his ability to sleep during this most trying time.

Terry & Kirsti thank you for your monthly $donations AND the special Thanksgiving Day money and Christmas money. Your $gifts were so very helpful since Frank was admitted to the hospital during the holiday season.

TinaLH, thank you so much for coming over (Pre-COVID-19 surge) to help and for staying with Frank all afternoon so I could go see my Gbabies.

MariaB, wow! Thank you for your (Pre-COVID-19 surge) visit, the blessed oil, your powerful prayer over Frank, and asking your pastor to pray that transformative prayer. What a blessing! Love the grapefruit, too!

ShaeH we still feel the power of your (Pre-COVID-19 surge) visit. The “laying on of hands,” heartfelt prayer and firm belief helps our unshakeable faith!

Thanks Steve & Ruth. Frank's a puzzle-man now. I know it's great for neuro-plasticity. I think I may join him.

AnnLB what a wonderful Christmas $urprise! Frank still goes through cases and cases of smart water and costco is our ‘go-to’ place for that & so much more. Thanks!

Thank you Ted & Ross! What a wonderful and unexpected $gift. I so look forward to being with you in 2022.

HarvestaG! You are so kind to send us such a $gift. We know you have been going through so much and yet you sent such a donation to us. We are praying for your complete recovery from your accident.

Fr. Willie from Maryland! What?!! My heart filled up and tears shot from my eyes when I opened your letter. Thank you for that $urprise! You are one of the most amazing Priests I have ever had the pleasure to meet. God bless you. God bless you.

OMGoodness! My dear friends from the Pacific Northwest! Your amazing donation was a shocker for Frank & me a Christmas miracle. We ended up with a emergency plumbing issue at the very time we received your generous $$$$donation! Thank you so much!

The “Get Well” cards and cards of encouragement continue to come, now mixed with Christmas cards & greetings for the New Year. All cards, emails & texts are welcomed and greatly appreciated. We are in another COVID-19 surge so Frank & I are on serious lockdown again. We re-read our Cards & Letters Binder all the time—not out of boredom, but to make us smile, to cry joyful tears and to have hope that things are changing for the better because of so much light and love all around us.

NoniL, Kathy & DavidL, Elli & BillH, Sr. JMS, LK of KC, PatriciaW, CynthiaB, LouisC & Gary, Steve&Ruth, and Anonymous Friend from the East, you have helped me so much with being a caregiver. Your frequent check-ins with me, and your spiritual counsel are divine, priceless treasures. I send you profound gratitude and appreciation.

Thank You, Benefactors and Prayer Companions:                                                                                                                                          Noni & TaRaach; Robert & Sarah; Patrick & Kyla; StevenL,Sr; Feargal & LaShawnK; Richard (Dick) & MaryB; Betsey & CharlieB; BobH & PiaM; Falanda, Brian & TaliaT; David, Debra & DarceeH; Mike & LisaM; Ken & PamM; Mark & LauraLeeD; Susan & PaulM; Carey & Carol JeanL; IsabellaA; KellyW & WINE; Patrick & ToyaH; Anonymous; Anna & MikeB; JohnW & ConsueloZW; FlaviaZWR & DanielR; TrudyV; Janie & HumbertoH; Mike & AnnG; Ms. PatW; Michael & CharleneH; CynthiaB; MaryS; Tom & Mary CarolK; BrendaS; Sean& SheilaG; Peggy& Mike; LynnéG; Violet & StanC; MarshaT; SalS; BethM; PatriciaS; LaVerneG; St. Catherine of Alexandria 10:15 Choir; Don & DellaB; CarolB; Anonymous; Marcus & ReneéJ; ClaireC; Monica & RolandP; St. Christopher African American Ministry; EstellaR, MonetteK & Gospel Choir; Paul & CorineR; DarleneMc; MaribelG; Bethany, Spencer, Suzanne, Victor, Virginia & Candace; LauraG; BarbaraB; JimMcV; Dcn. Bob & KathyS; JenniferKB; GaileK; Anonymous; EmilyCP & TedP; Anonymous; Tom & KimiT; Anonymous; Teresa & GeneY; RemiB; BertaS;  MeredithMc; Peter & BarbaraL; KateB; JenniferB & RuthieB; LoraR; AnaD; Jaime & KariC; Tom & TammyB; SantiagoF; IvánD; PJ; Steve & GinniA; SarahH; BenW; Lorraine & RobH; Anonymous SoCal Friends; Sr. JuliaW; Fr. BobJ; Fr. RickyM; Msgr. RayE; Fr. JoeW; Fr. SoneyS; Fr. Biju; Fr. MichaelS; Fr. June; ElvaA; Elton, Adrienne, Joel, Joy, MyaD; TeresaS; MaryD; KenH; JanV; Kim, Signe & VaryaO; MariaB; Charlene; YvonneH; JulieW; BridgetW; SusanO; Ernie & DonnaO; Diane & Gary; Aunt Ce; Karen & MikeR; ThereseJ; JohnD; GayC; Terry & Kirsti, JeffC; Grits & Bourbon: JamesE; BurleighD & PatriciaM