Happy Valentine's Day to All!We finally got to go to Mall of America! WOW is all I can say.It is overwhelming! Didn't do much shopping, just walked and around and looked!Robert took me to "Bubba Gumps" for lunch. It was fun, kinda like our lives at the moment! "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what your are going to get until you dive into it each day!" That's our life! Took some pictures so will show everyone when we get them developed.Yesterday morning, we woke up to crows fighting. It sounded like a war zone! Our car that was white looked like a Dalmation Dog. Crow do-do all over it. Reminded me of the Alfred Hickok movie "The Birds!" I've never seen so many crows in one place. All over the place!Please keep Renissa's babysitter and her family in your prayers. Renissa just called me to let me know that Penny's father in lawdied @ 4:14 today. He was diagnosed with cancer about a month ago. They did surgery in Topeka and then took him to MD Anderson in Houston. They didn't have a name for the cancer and had never seen anything like it before.It was the granddaughter's birthday today and I think Katie was 16. Our prayers go out to them.Our God is an awsome God and we are so thankful he has decided to give us one day at a time. We never know when he might call anyone of us.We love you. Love and prayers,Robert & Roxie
February 14, 2009 6:59 PM

Friday night 9:30 p.m.Another week down. Robert is still doing ok. Thank goodness.Today was a better day. I slept the best last night that I have slept since we got here, even with being in bed all day yesterday!Robert's appt was @ 12:45 and then I walked over and viewed the ice sculptures. They were fun to look at. Robert went back to nap.I went to Walmart again, $$$$$$$$ on groceries. I decided to treat myself for Valentine's day so I had a manicure. The first thing I have done for myself since we got here.If Robert feels up to it tomorrow, we might try again to go to Mall of America. I know it will be an exhausting day so we will see. Another couple from Michigan want to go with us if Janet is up to it. She has cervical cancer and they don't have a car here. Them and us went to the Canadian Honker tonight for a Valentine's supper.They had a live Jazz Band playing.My kids and I ate there last summer while we were here for Robert's surgery. Nice place and good food. Yes, kids, I had the same oh, same oh, vegetable beef soup and chicken salad sand. Dad celebrated and had Prime Rib. So glad he is still being able to have an appetite.Thanks to everyone for all the valentines and letters. We look forward to the mail everyday. Today was lots of bills!!!! Imagine that!!!My curfew is up so better get up to the room before the possee comes to get me or my phone rings.He doesn't realize how much time it takes to answer emails and update the blog. The computers are in the basement of this big house. Happy Valentine's Day to everyone.We love you All.............Robert & Roxie

02/12/09 @ 3:00 p.m.Just got back from seeing Ice scupltures. They are still working on them.I was sick this morning when I woke up and then took a 2 hr nap and then got up and walked with Robert over to the Plaza. I'm feeling a little better but haven't eaten anything since this morning. I thought Robert was suppose to be the sick one, but NO, it's me. He's getting a taste of what is like to be a caregiver.I'm ready to feel better.He's going to make his own supper. Euneice, an older lady that has pancreatic cancer made him stew for lunch while I was up in bed.Everyone looks out for everyone else.Todd Biel wants to take us to an bald eagle place sometime next week. He took his wife and girls today and said it was worth seeing.They are really an nice couple. She and the girls are going home to So. Dak tomorrow and she won't be back until Feb 28th. I told her I would cook for him while she is gone. He has good roasts that he needs to use up. What a deal!Thanks to everyone for the cards, valentines and letters. We appeciate it all. Love, Roxie

Had our first pot luck supper at the Hope Lodge tonight. Good food as always with all the different cooks. Meet lots of interesting people. A 90 year old lady makes quilts for the Lodge that she donates and one is given away every week at the pot luck supper.She was the guest of honor tonight. Tonight's quilt was red and white for Valentines Day. Needless to say we didn't win, but we have 5 more to go........Dr appt tomorrow with Radiology Dr to see how things are going. So far, so good, just tired.The Lodge has free tickets to several nice events that happen in town, so Feb 21, we have tickets to the "Big Band Bash" at the Civic Center. We can walk all the way there in the sky walks. Another couple will go with us if both Janet and Robert feel up to it.One day at a time.I've had a rough day today so will go up and try and relax but when I lay down, my shingles really give me fits. How long do these silly things last????????? Not FUN!Talk to ya later. Love, Roxie
February 10, 2009 7:57 PM

Dad got his chemo pump refilled this afternoon and also his blood work done. The blood work was good. Had radiation @ 9:45 this morn and that is the schedule for tomorrow again.
Have meet a lot of interesting people and they are all very nice.
The girls that made cookies with me last night went Prom dress shopping today and Morgan brought her dress in to show me. She is a beautiful girl. Her dress was royal blue and beautiful. She is very talkative and a sweetie. Her sister is Reilly and queit. Their Dad is here at the Lodge and their last name is Biel but they pronounce it BEAL. The wife is a teacher. Nice family. They live on a farm and raise cattle. He is only 55 and has prostrate cancer.
It was a little rainy today but the temps weren't bad. Lots of walking for Dad and it tires him out. We did do a tour of Mayo Clinic today. It was about an hour long and learned some things that we didn't know so that was interesting.
We have a little lady in our kitchen that is kinda bossy but I like her. she just wants to make sure everyone knows the ropes. She drives Dad nuts but she & I get along ok. You know how he doesn't like rules........ Imagine that!!!!!
Terry Smothers and her husband came back today. Her husband was the one that had surgery when Dad had to fly back and we meet her. They are almost done with treatments and will be leaving Thurs.
Lots of new people moved in over the weekend and today. Lots moved out Friday.
One girl is about 35 and has been here since Sept. Has 3 little boys at home. Ages 2,5 &7. She is hoping to get to go home this coming weekend to see them. Depends on her test results. She has luekemia. Makes 6 weeks look short.
The time really has gone by faster than I thought it would. My shingles are better in the day time when I'm up and walking but last night I was up every two hours with pain.
Dr Al called me in some more pain meds. He had them once himself so he said he knows what I'm going through.
Pam Weinmann had knee surgery last Fri and hopfully get to go home tomorrow from Great Bend. Had some problems today so had to spend an extra day in the hospital.
Better get up to the room, I'm sure my curfew is up........Love, Mom

Robert got sick this morning for about 1 1/2 hr and then he was OK.Sure glad it didn't last very long.Went to Mass at the Assissi Heights. It is a convent and a beautiful church. We would like to tour it sometime but it takes 1 1/2 to do it, so will have to see when Robert feels good enough to do it.Walked to the Civic Center to a flea market this afternoon. Left all the fleas there.Came back to the Lodge and two young girls helped me make heart sugar cookies. I felt like at home when Laura and Shae come out to bake. Helped my homesickness!Have meet some very nice people. I think this will make our long stay much more enjoyable.Still have the shingles, but maybe everyday they will get a little better. Thanks to everyone for keeping in touch. We love to hear from home. Love ya, Roxie

We got moved into the Hope Lodge and are in room # 320.
Our address is:
Robert Berning
% Hope Lodge
411 2nd St NW
Rochester, MN 55901
Robert made it through the first week, 5 to go.
Hopefully we can rest and relax tomorrow, nothing that we have to do. I'll keep you updated as we navigate ourselves around this place and let you know all about it. I'm tired tonight. Shingles still giving me fits. Roxie

February 6, 2009 8:22 PM

We got the call and we are moving over to the Lodge at 4:00. We will let you know what room we will be in. We are excited as we know there will be people to visit with that have the same problems as we do. They also have lots of activities. I'll update you after we have been there for awhile.Roxie

We should be moving to the Lodge sometime this weekend. We were # 4 on the list last night.The address is Hope Lodge411 2nd St NWRochester, MN 55901Jill, will you please send our mail. We probably have bills that need to be paid. Bummer!!!!!Robert's appt this morning is @ 10:15.We might take a shuttle tomorrow to Mall of American. We will see if we are moving or how we feel.This game is one day at a time.Love, Robert & Roxie

Sun is shinning here today and it is warmer. How warm? I don't know because I haven't been outside.Still hurting with the pain from the shingles. Robert's treatment was @ 8 this morn. Will be at 10:30 tomorrow. Never know the schedule.They have Mass @ 12:10 everyday at St John's church so we have been going. The music is always beautiful. Can't believe on weekdays they have so much participation.Hope all is going well at home.5 weeks to go. Love, Roxie