Oregon - We have Arrived - Mike and Janet: 2022

Saturday, December 31, 2022

We've Settled in the Sunshine - Mike & Janet - December 2022

So much better !!

December is always a magical month…… and this one especially for Mike & I
We are both feeling so much better.

We flew up to
Sunriver (in Central Oregon) to spend Christmas with
the kids and grandkids.

Everything was covered with snow…. It was truly
A Winter Wonderland.

Mike is doing so much better…… All of the side effects from his
Chemo and Radiation are gone. He lost his ability to taste food…
and even that is gone !! He can taste !! He lost 30 pounds in all of his treatments
and has already started to regain some of it.

Marc, Maria, Camryn (Just graduated from Oregon State) and
Colby ( a sophomore at
TCU – Texas Christian University )

And the newest Fox……. Duke Fox

Duke is the best mannered guy….. 💓

Brandon, Karen, Ben (just starting in the Real Estate business)
an Anna (a senior in Highschool – weighing her options for college next year.)
Missing in this picture are Lucky, Enzo and Luna 😊

Papa and his beautiful granddaughters….

Papa and his two handsome sons…..

Where is Grandma and her two handsome grandsons?

So glad 2023 is looking so hopeful.

Happy New Year 🎈

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

We've Settled in the Sunshine - Mike & Janet - November 2022

November is looking up !!

Mike had his last chemo treatment

And his last radiation treatment

And he rang the bell !!

Hooray !!!

Veterans Day – We had a big celebration
with a parade and all….

We were in the parade….the convertible group was asked
to participate.

What a fabulous Thanksgiving !!

First off – we are so thankful for our health.
We have survived a heart attack and cancer…..

Next, The boys and their families rented a house
in Phoenix for a week and Wow ! was it a beauty.

The weather was great ( a little cold – but great)
and we had a wonderful time !!

We came back to Yuma to find that our potted cactushas decided to bloom.

It sends up a stalk (when planted in the ground, the stalk can grow
to 20-40 feet tall) the stalk will bloom for 1 – 2 days then the cactus
will slowly start to die. Before it dies, it will send out multiple
little seeds that will start little plants.

I will hate to see it die as it is a healthy plant I have had for years.

Mike continues to get better each day…..

He is eating (although he can’t taste the food)
and he is getting stronger.

So glad to send out a positive blog !!

Monday, October 31, 2022

We've Settled in the Sunshine - Mike & Janet - October 2022

2022 will go down in our family records
as a difficult year……

But a fun time was when John & Sheri came to Yuma for a visit !!
They came from N.W. Oregon by train
They arrived in Yuma in the middle of the night.

Chuck and Eva came from Lake Havasu City to spend time with
John & Sheri……. With Pat & Rollie and Mike & I…
The whole gang was all together.

We drove down to San Luis to get an up-close view of
the Wall…. The other side is Mexico.

Another day, we drove up to Martinez Lake
for lunch at the marina.

Mike continues with his daily radiation and weekly chemo
for the cancer in the lymph nodes of his neck.
It’s been really rough on him. His mouth is extremely sore
and he has lost all sense of taste.
He is very weak…. Mostly because he can’t get the nutrition he needs.
The good news…….. as of 10/31…. He has only 3 radiations and 1 chemo left !!

We ended the month with my birthday !!
In this picture, I was about 4 years old..
standing next to my dear friend, Judy Paul Hickman

Looking forward to November !!
and 2023.

Saturday, October 1, 2022

We've Settled in the Sunshine - Mike & Janet - September 2022

Tests, treatments, chemo & radiation
Oh My !!

We have had a very busy month
with all that is involved with cancer.

Mike has daily radiation – 5 days a week
and weekly chemo – once a week.
He seems to be tolerating it pretty well.
He is more tired than usual, has a few rashes
Some upset stomach but that’s about it.

As August finished out, we went to the
Flagstaff observatory – It was really
interesting. A great day.

When Chemo started, We took three days

and went out in our trailer while Mike was feeling great.

We went to Rio Bend RV. A great little winter destination park
over by El Centro (about an hour from Yuma)

Our weather this fall is still hanging around 100 degrees…
This is fall in Yuma. Winter is on its way (should be in the 70-80’s)
Our trip was a nice break.

I am getting more strength and motivation to do more
since my heart attack.

We’re on our way back to normal…
if there is such a thing.

October promises to be a better month.

Tuesday, August 30, 2022

We've Settled in the Sunshine - Mike & Janet - August 2022

This summer is not the best…….

Mike found a lump in his neck !!

Many tests, referrals, scans and biopsies later, we
find that it is cancer in the lymph nodes of his neck.

Surgery August 11^th to remove the tumors

The doctor said it was a difficult surgery but Mike came thru just fine.
Now he will begin radiation and chemo
to polish it off.

The desert is so beautiful. We took a trip up to Flagstaff, Arizona
just to get out of the heat for a few days.

We rented a house with Pat and Rollie.
The temps are so cool here…. Our plan is just to
Cool it for a few days before Mike begins his
daily radiation and weekly chemo

One day we drove down to Sedona….the red rocks
are just beautiful

We stopped in at Slide Rock State Park
The weather was hot and the people
were already sliding down the natural rocks in the water

We went to the Frank Lloyd Wright Church of the
Holy Cross. (built into the rocks)
Stunning !!

Tomorrow we head to the Flagstaff Observatory

Then home the next day…
It’s been fun and very relaxing.

Tuesday, August 2, 2022

We've Settled in the Sunshine - Mike & Janet - July 2022

What a Fun month – Much better than last month

We went camping….. in Tiny (our trailer)

Up in the mountains to Julian, California

A cute little western town that is best known for
it’s APPLES…….. yes – Apple Pie YUM !!

We had such a great time….
and being in the mountains, it was nice and cool !!

Back home in Yuma, the humming birds are enjoying the heat….
They love it.

Next – later in the month – we (Pat & Rollie along with Mike & I) took
off for a Family Reunion in Sunriver, Oregon.

We met up with Mike’s brother (Chuck & Eva) in Barstow and drove together from there.
We made a stop in Reno along the way where Pat’s son came over from Sacramento
and we were all able to have dinner together.

Oregon put on a great show for us…… It was beautiful.
Green Trees !! Cooler weather !!

Three mustang convertibles….
Mike, Chuck and Rollie…..

We had so much fun.

Sunriver is just a short distance from Mount Batchelor

Reunion Day 1…… We rented a dock at Elk Lake.
The weather was great, the dock was perfect for our group.

Day 2….. We all played an 18 hole putting golf course, then back to
Marc & Maria’s for more fun & games.

Day 3…… we all rented floating craft and floated the
Deschutes River – Lot’s of fun!!!

The four Fox kids….. all together
Mike, Pat, Chuck, & Sheri

Mike & I and all of our clan….
With Marc and his clan and Brandon and his clan.

Me & our grandkids…..
Having fun !!

Three days driving home from Sunriver…..
But we made it!
Just got home today.

Thursday, June 30, 2022

We've Settled in the Sunshine - Mike & Janet - June 2022

June started off just terrible…….

I had a heart attack….(my gosh – I look old!)
One doctor told me I am the luckiest woman alive.
I had the heart attack while I was in the hospital
for “indigestion”
I thought I had really bad heartburn and I went to Urgent care
looking for a strong antacid….Urgent care sent me to the hospital….
My left anterior descending artery (the widowmaker) was
Blocked 100%
BUT
A stent later and I’m doing great !

Camryn graduated from college !!
4 years at Oregon State University in the school of business ! Cum Laude !!
We were lucky to be able to surprise her for her graduation
We are so very proud ! Way to go Camryn !