This Week

February 23, 2010
In a word... progress. That's what Tim is making, and this time it's forward! I think all of those years of training and conditioning his body for marathons and triathlons is paying off, because Tim Paine is still in the race!

This last week has brought some more good news. On Thursday, Tim officially "graduated" from home health care (see photo below). His Physical Therapist, Rob was happy (and a little sad) to send him back to outpatient rehab where he will continue to try and regain some strength and improve his function. It's definitely a slow process, but Tim is determined and ready. Especially after a surprise visit from Instructor Thomas (aka Boot Camp Jess) last weekend. He showed up and gave P.T. Paine some much needed inspiration and motivation. Thanks Jess! Now drop and give me 20!!

The other news we want to share is that Tim had his most recent MRI scans yesterday and the results were not terrible. The 4 tumors that had developed last October are still showing some progress in their "retreat", but there is an area of concern where a new tumor has begun. Our hope is that the Avastin, along with the many other treatments Tim is doing will quickly have the same positive effect on this one!

So for now, the fight goes on and he will continue working his way towards a healthy recovery. Please know how much we appreciate all of the love and support from everybody out there on "Team Paine". Not a day goes by that we don't feel that strength from each of you. We have been very blessed and would feel ungrateful if we didn't acknowledge and recognize God's hand in all of this.

LIVESTRONG!


February 8, 2010
Whoever said it's always darkest before the dawn was right. January was downright "black". But we are happy to report that February is turning out to be much brighter. Without going into all of the gory details, Tim's condition definitely got worse before it started getting better. Once home from the hospital, the real trouble started. His respiratory infection brought with it a number of problems including severe coughing, aching, congestion, wheezing and difficulty breathing... all of which made it impossible to sleep at night (or any other time for that matter). And if all of those things weren't bad enough, every time he would blow his nose it would start to bleed. And not just for a few minutes, we are talking for days and days! One of the side effects of the Avastin treatments are nosebleeds and then with his blood being thinned to treat the clot... let's just say our bedroom looked like a damn horror movie. It was not pretty and was not a good time and to be quite honest, was extremely scary for all of us. But in true Tim Paine fashion... he managed to pull through it and make it to the other side.

This last week has been filled with a lot of rest, whole-hearted physical therapy, trips to the barber shop and some wonderful and healing holistic treatments for both Tim AND Julie. Poor Julie took her own little trip to the hospital a few weeks ago. Come to find out, there is such a thing as sheer exhaustion. Either that or she was just sick and tired of her husband getting all of the attention. Whatever the case, we have been overwhelmed by the care from family, friends and neighbors and so appreciate all of the help and wonderful meals that have been brought in. Thanks especially to Julie's parents who have filled our refrigerator and cupboards and especially our hearts so many times now. We love you!

Our new favorite quote is by Willa Cather "Where there is great love, there are always miracles!" Tim is a true miracle and chooses every single day to defy the odds. He is simply amazing.

We are once again open to phone calls and visits... so please do not hesitate to call or come by. A phone call to make sure it's a good time would be best... but we would love to see you or hear from you. Thanks again for the love, support, prayers and strength!

LIVESTRONG!

Before his trip to see Bob the Barber...

After seeing Bob... sporting a nice goatee!