In December Ray seemed to be fighting a cold or virus, and a few trips to the doctor and some medications did not seem to solve the problem. We started to get that sinking feeling that maybe it was
more serious than the flu. Of course we wanted to be healthy before Charles, Kari, Travis and Wren arrived for the Holidays. Our local doctor scheduled complete blood tests as Ray's oncologist suggested. The doctor warned us the lab might call us at home if there was a serious problem. We picked up Charles, Kari, Travis and Wren later in the day and enjoyed having them at our house but Ray was feeling pretty tired.
We did not expect the 10 PM call suggesting we go immediately to the emergency room but followed the advice, informing the family where we were headed. We were surprised when Kari and Brett met us at the emergency room but were happy for their support. More tests and Ray was on his way to the Oregon Health and Science University Hospital while the others went home to rest. The emergency room said OHSU was the best place for him. More tests confirmed that darn Leukemia had returned and he was started on Chemotherapy on
Dec. 24 to try and bring it into remission. Ray remained in the hospital for over a month. The beginning of the stay is mostly a blur as Ray was taking a very strong chemotherapy treatment. Family visited regularly but the grandchildren could not come to his room so had to use a cell phone and views from common areas into his room. Ray had a wonderful view of Portland’s skyline, with Mount Hood in the background, to entertain guests who came to visit. We called it the million $ view and hoped the bill would not be similar! After a couple of weeks Ray recovered enough to appreciate the view and Brett supplied binoculars and spotting scope. Christmas and New Years was spent in the hospital and
Nancy did double duty visiting the hospital as well as keeping up with the family Holiday activities. During this time Ray's mother was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer which at first they thought could be slowed by mild chemotherapy to give her more time than the “weeks” originally estimated. Unfortunately the chemotherapy seemed to bring on complications which put her in the hospital where she rapidly declined and we knew the end was near. The new goal was to get out of the hospital so Ray could travel to Eugene to see his Mom.
more serious than the flu. Of course we wanted to be healthy before Charles, Kari, Travis and Wren arrived for the Holidays. Our local doctor scheduled complete blood tests as Ray's oncologist suggested. The doctor warned us the lab might call us at home if there was a serious problem. We picked up Charles, Kari, Travis and Wren later in the day and enjoyed having them at our house but Ray was feeling pretty tired. 
We did not expect the 10 PM call suggesting we go immediately to the emergency room but followed the advice, informing the family where we were headed. We were surprised when Kari and Brett met us at the emergency room but were happy for their support. More tests and Ray was on his way to the Oregon Health and Science University Hospital while the others went home to rest. The emergency room said OHSU was the best place for him. More tests confirmed that darn Leukemia had returned and he was started on Chemotherapy on
Dec. 24 to try and bring it into remission. Ray remained in the hospital for over a month. The beginning of the stay is mostly a blur as Ray was taking a very strong chemotherapy treatment. Family visited regularly but the grandchildren could not come to his room so had to use a cell phone and views from common areas into his room. Ray had a wonderful view of Portland’s skyline, with Mount Hood in the background, to entertain guests who came to visit. We called it the million $ view and hoped the bill would not be similar! After a couple of weeks Ray recovered enough to appreciate the view and Brett supplied binoculars and spotting scope. Christmas and New Years was spent in the hospital and 
Nancy did double duty visiting the hospital as well as keeping up with the family Holiday activities. During this time Ray's mother was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer which at first they thought could be slowed by mild chemotherapy to give her more time than the “weeks” originally estimated. Unfortunately the chemotherapy seemed to bring on complications which put her in the hospital where she rapidly declined and we knew the end was near. The new goal was to get out of the hospital so Ray could travel to Eugene to see his Mom.
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