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

3 treatments down, 25 to go.We both took a nap this afternoon.The treatments are starting to tire Robert. I took pain meds for my shingles and it made me sleepy.They are very painful.It was -10 here today. BurrrrrrWe are #9 on the Lodge list. Maybe this weekend we will get in. We have come from #26. Love to all,Roxie

Robert got his chemo pump on yesterday and will be on 24/7.Had his second radiation treatment today.We have Dr appts on Wed with radiation Doc and on Mon with oncology Doc. They fill up his chemo bag with new drip every Mon.Radiation is very day. We never know our schedule. They make the appt every day after he is finished with treatment.I've been having back pain and thought I had pulled a muscle but started to itch last night and pulled up my shirt and I have shingles. Ouch! I call Dr Alpers and he got some meds called up to me. What a blessing to be from small town USA and the Doctors know your name and case and are truly concerned to take care of you. I was so thankful as it is awful to be so far away from home and be sick along with a hubby to take care of. I'll tell Robert about the idea of the heart tatoo. We'll let you know when we get home and maybe you can view it! ha!Thanks to everyone for keeping in touch. I look forward everyday to hearing from home. Love to you all, Love, Rox & Roberto
February 3, 2009 4:54 PM

We are going to Harmony, MN today and do a Amish tour before Robert starts treatments and doesn't feel like doing anything. It is a 2 1/2 hour tour with a guide driving our car. He will tell us about the history and stop and show us things.Sounds interesting. At the Lodge, they have crockpots and all kinds of cooking equipment and then several nights a week, different organizations bring in supper. They also have activities during the week. Anxious to get over there. Will let you know once we get there. Interesting people over there. One gal about age 30 has been there since Sept.She has three little kids at home, so makes 6 weeks look pretty short.Always something to count your blessings for.Have a good weekend and I'll stay in touch. Love ya all, Roxie
January 31, 2009 9:20 AM

I toured the Hope Lodge. We are # 26 on the waiting list. Hopefully it won't be to long before we get in.It is really nice and will make the time here more pleasant.Went to Walmart and got groceries so we don't have to eat every meal out. We have a refrig and microwave in the room so we will get by.Robert took a nap while I did the running around. The sun did come out and the temps improved a little. Love to all, Roxie