Pretty stuff

Rotenburg, Germany

Alex and Bob went out at night shopping for views, and were not disappointed








The kids at Brandenburg Gate Berlin




Salzburg, Austria
Where Bob served 7 months of his 2-year mission in 1974

Don't even think about a Swiss bank account

Well, all the boys had big Jason Bourne dreams. So after visiting 5 banks - they won't take American money that was the result of labor -- hard or otherwise... Until it is 6 figures... Kids now saving up. Drew patiently waiting in Zurich

Get Outta Town

By popular demand, Bob got sent outta town to visit. He ventured off and spent several wonderful days visiting with his mom and dad in central Utah. The weather was in the 60-70's with snow still on the mountains. He resurrected the "look" that won my heart -- leather gloves and earmuffs. (Bob just read this and said that the last lines make him sound like he took the short bus to his job as a bagger at the local market. - I am to clarify that he only bundled up for his late night and early morning jaunts -- weather 40 degrees.)
His mom is all settled in her new place and loves the perfect view of the mountains out her window. She and Bob have the same sense of humor so they enjoyed a good laugh together.
Bob really enjoyed taking his dad out on a few adventures. He and his brother took dad out
hiking on the bike trail. They were joined by dozens of other mobile trekkers who were zipping along on bikes, skateboards, and roller blades.

Time Flies

It has been a while since I last updated. Bob continues to mend and it makes me smile to see him adding regular "Bob-tasks" to each day. I like to think that he is still a bit radical with his goatee but truth be known - he calls this picture George Q. Cannon.

GQC was a early apostle in our church - evidently quite dashing, if the resemblance is obvious.





However -- the truth is that he is has slipped/transitioned/returned to his clean
cut self. He is back helping with church business and doing some mentoring. He did a fine job supporting his wife at the DRAMA Night at her school. He was a wonderful greeter and photographer for the actors and their families.

Bob and Bluebonnets Blossom

It has been a good week for all involved. Slowly but surely progress is being made and this weeks highlights include - arranging and taking the car in for a scheduled (but now late)
tune-up, driving oneself to the market, and suggesting projects for wife to finish, start, or just get rid of from around the house. Special shout out to good buddy Scott for the major
Home Depot run and subsequent unload of yard bark. The patient is not yet up to manual labor but the heavens provide amazingly. The other evening while Bob was napping -- 2 fellows (about 13 - 14) from the neighborhood knocked on the door and asked me if I had any work they could do as they are trying to earn some cash. They are coming back Monday at 4:30 to be Bob's hands and lay all of the 20+ bags of mulch. Win-win for both parties.

In other elements of world news -- this teacher still has a job for 2011-12. YYYAAAAAAYYYY- for the Higbee household. Things are very tight and Tuesday was a day of sadness as several people were "RIF' -ed. More elements of change are coming for local schools but decisions are waiting for the state legislature. Super highlight was a girlie treat provided by Trish and Jan for a spa morning and lunch. It was heaven and this reporter is still glowing inside and out.

More soon from the "Luckiest People Alive"

Bobby Visits the Doctor

OK -- wasn't that the name of a Little Golden Book? There are several of you who say "Huh?" but they were great literature for forming young minds.

First visit this week with the kidney cancer specialist. He is the director in this process, where the surgeon himself was the actor. The surgeon did his part just fine, so we are checking in on the overall progress with the kidney oncologist. Dr. is pleased with how things turned out. As far as Bob is concerned, they are still turning out.

After reviewing what a fine job he is doing, (the doctor), Bob asked how this will show up in writing on the reports, Doc said, "Oh, the prognosis is the same--terminal cancer. Whether you are terminal in 2 months or 10 years, that hasn't changed. You have Stage IV cancer. Once you are Stage IV, that status doesn't change. How active the cancer is, that may vary."

Because Bob's not on any anti-cancer meds right now, they will monitor him with CT scans at 2-month intervals rather than 3 or 6 months for a while. Interesting sidelight, they had to use a different injectable substance with his CT scan last week, as he has only one kidney left to process the iodine out of his system. The Dr. said to be very careful and not get dehydrated, as the risk increases with just one kidney. So I let him have water whenever he wants....

A Man of Leisure

Well here Bob is -- in his supervisory pose in our backyard. Today is a gloriously beautiful day with 75 degrees and a slight breeze. I have been able to clean and clip things out and planted several batches of flowers which are not visible in this shot. There were some other pictures but Bob was all upset because he has gray hair and a beard. Actually he said, "I look terrible with all this c--p on my face." I disagree and think he has a Sean Connery vibe -- not the 007 one but the
one where he was in that really cool movie with Catherine Zeta Jones.

He and Jet are now going on little neighborhood jaunts together down to visit the turtle and to survey the area for squirrels. Jet does most of the work and Bob adds commentary...

Spring Break Adventures

Sorry about the last 2 posts which went awry. I was trying to do it from the new Sammons Cancer Center where I took Bob on Monday to get blood work and pictures done. The building is amazing and very beautiful -- first rate everything so we had lots to look at. The construction people are doing finishing touches and we saw them installing art work. However - their wireless is still a little iffy.

So far we have been resting a lot, eating healthy food, visiting, and taking small walks. Bob is definitely getting better a little at a time. His color is better and he is starting to boss me around and so that is supposedly a good sign. He does not want to go out and about much because the car rides are painful with the uneven roads and bumps. So all of our "enchanted evenings" are here at home.

Spring Break.

Spring break - Party Time

A Walk in the Park

Well not yet -- but the big news is that Bob, Jet and I went for a walk down the street to the
bridge where a big turtle lives to see how the old fellow is doing. It was a leisurely stroll for Bob and I -- Jet was full of vigor and even terrorized a few birds who were snacking along the way.
When we got to the bridge, we did not catch sight of the turtle but it was so nice to be in the sun with the wind stirring around. Bob did a good job and we got back home with dignity.

It's Another Manic Monday

I can see already that the pressure for snappy titles and interesting tidbits is going to be a bit
stressful. Bob slept really well and even stayed in bed when I left at 6:45 for school. When I got home he was resting again so I think that he is getting the hang of resting up. Thanks to B.T. for coming and visiting with him this morning so he had a walkabout and a good visit. Both Bob and Jet were delighted with the company.

Really? A Blog

OK - first of all I just want you all to know that we are really clear that we are not that fascinating that anyone would want to hear all of our opinions -- and more than clear that our daily life lacks drama and intrigue. Well at least it did until Bob decided to rid himself of some domineering evil cells that insisted on congregating as a group. If you are reading this you know that the surgery was on Feb. 10th and his right kidney was relocated to another undisclosed location which will involve close scrutiny and study for quite a while. He also got a through innerds check on the right side and the surgeon just took what looks interesting. The initial reports say that the cells were "bad -- very bad" so we say good riddance.

The "Caring Bridge" site has been valuable in getting some updates out to our friends and family and we are grateful for the service. We thought that the only thing we would have liked better would have been a way to respond back individually to some of you when you asked questions - so that lead us to think that we needed to find a way. First I had Alex help me get a Facebook page for Bob. Very helpful guy Alex but I have to say the whole thing has us freaked out because we got it made and then we started getting this huge listing of people we probably might know but actually were tons of people that we do know that our friends of A, R, & D because they are our only "friended friends". Too many choices I think... so here we are. Thanks for joining us and know we love and value your friendship!

OK -- Today's News

Thank you for visiting this new blog. It is a little over three weeks since the big Bob surgery and recovery adventure began -- we are so grateful for all of your faith, prayers, and support. By
starting this blog we feel we can communicate with friends and family and even better respond to your comments. I am doing this all by myself so please be impressed that even vintage women can expand their horizons and learn something new!

Bob is quietly watching a movie right this minute and he is just napping a little during the slow points. We see that he is getting a little stronger every day -- patience will be the name of the game.