Easter at the Lake! Family fun before Week 8!

Monday, April 25th marked week #8 of Leslie's first 12 weeks of chemo.  A visit to the oncologist today confirmed definite progress.  Four more weeks of this weekly chemo, then we'll begin what the nurse referred to as "the nasty stuff."  Our Leslie knows the harder treatments are just around the corner, but she says "bring it on and let's get this finished, get on with the surgey and get back to our normal lives!" 

Prior to the week #8 treatment, we all gathered at what Riley calls "The Far Away House".....a semi-secluded, quiet, nature-filled getaway lake house........one of Leslie's most favorite places!  She was so excited to have all her "peeps" coming for Easter. 

Family and friends began gathering on Friday, bringing food, laughter, smiles AND Easter eggs to The Far Away House in Swannerland! 

Part of the festivities included planting a beautiful red oak tree. 
We insisted on a pose for a 2011 photo to mark the planting on
Easter Sunday.....fairly close to Earth Day.

Avery had her own special jar of organic sweet potatoes with turkey.

Avery loves her big sister, Stacey

Jim insisted the little people pose on the stairs for a picture before hunting eggs. 
Riley made it clear that somebody had to take Avery before Jim said "go"!!!

And rightfully so.....the big people also had to pose prior to the adult egg hunt. 
Hey, prize eggs included $10, $5 and golden dollar coins!  What a fabulous Easter Bunny!!

Later, a quilt was spread on the grass for Avery and "Buddy" to enjoy. 
Avery didn't crawl too far from her Mama.........she loves her Mama!

After all the festivities........back home in Mineola, Sassy Miss Riley Girl helped
Jim plant beautiful pink petunias in pretty pots while
Mom, MoMo and Avery lounged on the patio. 
What a wonderful end to a perfect weekend!

Golf Picture

This isn't the latest picture, but one of my favorites...........

Week #7 -- One day at a time.....

Mark a big X on Monday, April 18th...........one more treatment behind us! 

After a weekend of sunshine and golf, Les & Jim traveled back to Tyler for treatment #7.  I visited with Leslie on Sunday and it was obvious by the sparkle in her eyes that she thoroughly enjoyed the weekend. Actually, this was Leslie's first "real" time out in public since this journey began and her first time to wear a scarf with her golf cap.

As with most chemo treatments, Les' hair slowly began to come out.  One morning she decided to take control of the situation and NOT let the cancer slowly take her hair from her little by little.........she texted Spencer and me a picture of her new "do" after she took that control.... as Leslie said, "I GI Jane-d" it!  What a powerful and positive thing to do!  She took control of the situation instead of letting the cancer take it little by little.  What an amazing young lady!

So, as you can now understand, it was a BIG weekend for our girl to be out at the Mineola Country Club, playing golf without her pony tail.  AND....from what I hear, she played a mean game of golf!!

In fact, she was so focused on golf and fun that she didn't bring me even one picture......

Way to go, Leslie Girl!

I must also add that Kristen Herlocker (Jim's daughter #2) was here on Monday to spend time with Miss Avery while Jim & Leslie were in Tyler for treatment.  Kristen was later joined by Stacy (Jim's daughter #1) and they took Avery to lunch at Kitchen's.......shopped at Wal-Mart and Beall's.........and had a blast double-teaming Miss Avery and playing dress up!  They later visited the folks at Mineola Community Bank and returned home with more of Aime & Robin's good cookin'.......yum!  You ladies are the best!

Leslie, we are so proud of you and admire your strength and courage.  Thank you for being so patient with us as we hover around, sometimes so helpless to know what to do. 

Day by day.........week by week...........we're finished with week #7 and this Thursday we celebrate Leslie's 33rd birthday!  See you Sunday at the Far Away House for a big Easter celebration too!......Surely we can get some pictures then.............

Week 6 - Halfway through the Big 12! (Sports fans will 'get' this)

We're excited to say Leslie just completed Week #6 of the first 12 weeks of chemo!  As Spencer would say, "Halleluuusha!"


Leslie is hangin' in there, taking it day-by-day.....and anxiously looking forward!


Treatments are still every Monday morning.  The nurses have been giving her Benedryl to prevent any kind of allergic reaction.........which makes her drowsy and enables her to doze through much of the hour and a half process.  In fact, most of the afternoon she has to let her body rest.  Tuesdays and Wednesdays are getting tougher.  With each week, it gets a little more difficult to bounce back.  We are so fortunate to have Liz and Sue on hand to provide such caring assistance to Les and her precious family on those two days.  Sweet Liz sent me a FaceBook message of reassurance and she added, "I've been lookin' after Jim and his family for a while now.  Leslie is strong and she will beat this!"  She is an absolute doll!!

By Thursday of each week, Leslie is on the up-swing......Friday is better.....and by the weekend she is pretty close to being her ole self.  Saturdays are good, Sundays are good.........only to start the process all over again on Monday........but always with her positive attitude!  So proud of her!


As Leslie moves forward in her treatments, Riley's first grade year is winding down.  the month of May will include a dance recital and an awards ceremony.  I'm sure she will receive several academic awards........that girl has such an extensive vocabulary and as my Mother says, "She has a bushel of sense!"


A couple of weekends ago when Riley was here in Dallas for a visit, we were driving to Spencer's house and she was reading street signs.  When we turned on Cesar Chavez she said, "Oh!  I know about Cesar Chavez."  I was intrigued and asked her to tell me about him.  She said, "Weeeellll, he wanted to help all the workers in the field and he had everybody stop buying grapes until the workers got what they needed.  Then, everybody started buying grapes again." 


That girl can sure make me smile!  As we discussed Cesar Chavez in amazing detail, I was once again profoundly proud of this little person.  Of course, later I had to google Cesar Chavez for myself........only to learn that he was an activist in California who worked for better conditions for the workers picking grapes in the fields.  He organized a Latino civil rights group and then traveled throughout the state making speeches in support of workers' rights.  He later led a strike of California grape pickers...........just like Riley said.

Pictures..........I have no pictures to share this week.  However, next Saturday is the "Three Bucks and a Doe" golf tournament.  The 'sure to be favorite' team consists of Leslie Herlocker, Jim Herlocker, David Carroll (Leslie's Dad) and Brent Cain......hence, the doe and the three bucks.  Clever!

Leslie promised she would get some golfing pictures for me.......afterall, we did set this up as a golf-themed blog.........we need golf pics!

Once again...........thanks for all the love, support, food and prayers!

~Penny~

Week 5 -- "A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12

Riley took this picture!  I think she's a natural!

This particular scripture seemed to present itself several times this week (imagine that) before I finally recognized it.  What a perfect verse to describe the outpouring of friendship and support over these first five weeks of Leslie's treatments.  I realize that many couples use this scripture in their wedding ceremony, but I believe it fits this situation just as well.   This passage clearly illustrates the importance of Christian companionship. Two Christians that are bound together in Christ are stronger than the individuals themselves.  Just picture the cord created by all the family and friends who have joined together for Leslie............amazing.........

Week 5 and the weekend prior to the 5th treatment were very nice!  Avery & Riley joined us in Big D Friday evening for a slumber party and a trip to the Dallas Arboretum.  These little girls are the sweetest, happiest little people anywhere! 



Sisterly Love - Riley can make Avery laugh and smile like nobody else can....



Avery watched out the window as hundreds of bicyclers sped
past our house on Canton Street early Saturday morning.



Riley at the Arboretum....right before she went rolling down the hill of soft green grass.



Princess Riley watches Saturday morning toons.



Spencer fixed blueberry pancakes for Riley.........he probably watched toons too..........



Princess Riley & MoMo


















Avery Jane....glad to see her mom........



While we were enjoying the girls in Dallas, Leslie & Jim had a chance for some much needed golf!  Les was so ready to get out of the house and soak up some sunshine.  I asked for some golf pictures, but she brought me NONE..........I think Saturday's game was with Eddie & Kim Akins.  From the stories they share, there is never a dull moment when Eddie's around...........Send me some stories, Eddie!  Some pictures too!




Our girls....

  To summarize.........we all had a nice weekend and managed to push all the cares and worries aside for some relaxing times with friends and family.  Les & Jim returned to Tyler bright & early Friday morning for treatment #5.  We're almost half way through the first course......Les gets tired easily and takes Tuesday & Wednesday to build her strength back up......I'm so proud of her and her attitude!  I told her I wouldn't mention hair or hats or scarves........so I won't (smiles), but she has a super duper attitude about that too! 

By the way.......thanks for the food that was sent last week..........I know it helped the family tremendously!

Josh & Jamie Gibbons - Les said Josh cooked up some awesome spaghetti!
Sweet Vickie Forgy sent a chicken enchilada casserole with rice & beans.......yum!....and easy to reheat for later!
Ammie Burch & Robin Avert made delicious brisket AND chicken & rice casserole........(I didn't know they could cook!!).....kidding girls......
.
................Leslie said, "Lots of nice people.....makes me smile."



And a few move photos to share..........

I wish you could hear all the dialogue this girl spews when modeling for us. 
She even has a french statue pose. 
What an imagination, not to mention her vocabulary. 
She is totally entertaining!

Riley at the Dallas Arboretum

Spencer & Riley at the Dallas Arboretum

Week 4 Update......

Week 4 would not be complete without mentioning Jamie, Josh and Stacy!!

By the way, Stacy Herlocker Morgan (Jim's Daughter #1) comes to Mineola every Monday morning and has been such a blessing to our family!  Her presence, her love, her friendship.....we can't say enough, Stacy.  She even cooks!!  Daughter #1 is also Avery's #1 Spoiler!

Avery & Stacy

This past Monday, Jamie & Josh were here for a visit from Houston.  Jamie (Jim's Daughter #3) was so excited about their day AND since Jamie is a fabulous blogger in her own rite, I bootlegged these sweet pictures to share.  Thanks Jamie!!  Check out Jamie's blog too.....
http://joshandjamiegibbon.blogspot.com/2011/04/avery-jane.html

I'm not sure about all the details of their day, but I think they were even brave enough to take Avery to downtown Mineola for lunch

...........I know their day was filled with giggles, smiles and sunshine....


Jamie, Avery & Stacy

Jamie also got a great shot of Riley with "Patches".......



Riley Girl & "Patches"

Update........I just found out that Avery made her first trip to the World Famous East Texas Burger Company!!  Personally, I'd have picked LaWaffalatta.......love their southwest turkey on jalapeno bread........with chips and salsa and sweet tea...oh my.....however, a burger & curley fries is the ultimate too!

Avery proudly demonstrates "patty cake" for Josh & Jamie at ET Burger Company

As you can see........Avery enjoyed every minute!