Thank you for checking in. We hope you had a wonderful Easter!

It has been a busy month full of friends and family visiting Keith. First visit was from Karen, a dear childhood friend of Jamie’s! It was such a joy for Keith to attempt to share all the memories with the girls from their childhood days and through the years. 

We have been blessed with dear friends and neighbors coming to visit and sharing some of Keith’s hobbies with him. He may not be able to articulate all the words but you give him one of his autograph books and he finds a way to share his collections. 

My daughter from Oklahoma made a SURPRISE visit to see us before Easter. Keith enjoyed hearing us talk about our Senior granddaughter and all she has been up to getting ready for Senior balls, 18th birthday and high school graduation! As we talked about all the happenings, Papa Keith laughed and kept making the “money sign”. He may not be able say it but he sure knew what we were talking about. 

Jamie, Chris and the kids came to visit and to share sweet memories of Derek with Keith over his ginormous Video collection! Grandpa had several special collectable baseballs he gave to Carter as Carter is starting his new baseball season! I am hoping and praying Keith will feel well enough to make a couple of Carters baseball games!

It is so difficult and bittersweet to watch Keith give things away because of what it represents but, with that being said, it is also a memory making experience. It amazes me how God has such plans in our lives that can hurt us so deeply and then give us wonderful joy as gifts of our past live on to the next generation from our story telling to our children and grandchildren.

Easter was a blessing as we celebrated the resurrection of Christ.

We are thankful that we were able to join Jamie and her family in Concord for church services at Parkwood Baptist on Sunday morning, followed by a lovely Easter brunch. Keith seemed happy to be at church, and to be celebrating the risen Savior in such a meaningful way together. 

We have noticed, and he has also expressed, being tired more often lately. His usually bubbly, social self has been more observant and reserved as of late. This could be symptomatic of the tumor itself, or the toll of extra expended energy for conversation or daily tasks. The cognitive decline continues to be evident, slowly but surely.

Keith started his round of chemotherapy therapy last Monday (April 1,2024). This round has really been hard on Keith! He has not had any nausea/vomiting etc but he is absolutely so exhausted. He is walking very short distances, he is holding on to furniture between point A and point B (yes, I have a walker for him but he doesn’t think he needs it despite almost falling and being unstable when he stands). Keith has been very short of breath this past week. He doesn’t seem to be hungry or have a desire for the things he usually enjoys and I am trying to keep him drinking fluids. Keith is sleeping and napping more often than he is awake. Hopefully this is the drug side effects and it will wear off soon. I am missing my sweet Keith but I am so grateful he is still here beside me! We have an appointment tomorrow so I will have an opportunity to report observations.

Medically, he has continued his chemo regimen and continues to receive bi-weekly infusions. This will continue until his next scheduled MRI on April 23. After this, we will review his progress and take appropriate next steps.

We appreciate your continued prayers for Keith's health and comfort.

Marlene