Doug Keough

Day 16 - It seems that the slippery slope Doug was on has leveled out for now. Doctors today were cautiously optimistic. The 'numbers' for all the tests were better than yesterday and he had remained stable through the night and all day today. The ventilator was set so that he was doing all the work and he was able to breathe without tiring. Yeah!! This afternoon the nurse asked the respiratory therapist to come and give him a couple of lung function tests. He failed both, but the results were much improved over results from earlier in the week. That was encouraging. They will try again tomorrow. He was responsive during the tests and let the nurses know he did not like doing the tests by making a sad face. He opened his eyes and was trying to bite the tube. I think I would have too. All in all, today showed that Doug is slowly beginning to improve. He has a long road ahead of him. Continue to pray for healing. We know that there are so many of you who lift him up in prayer daily.  Side note: Tomorrow we will cheer on the Cardinals!! Can you believe that they finally go to the Super Bowl and Doug may end up missing the game? Go figure!!

Update on Doug

Days 14 and 15 - The last two days have been filled with mixed emotions as my precious Doug has developed a variety of complications. Thursday was tough on him as he became more ill through the day. We left last night praying that God would keep him safe and guard his organs. He struggled with high, then low blood pressure, fever, an irregular heart beat, and pneumonia. Doctors are still keeping watch over his kidney and liver function. Every time the nurse came in, there was something new which needed to be attended to. But, he made it through the night and was stable, although fragile, today. The decision was made to keep him sedated and on the ventilator through the weekend. This will allow the antibiotics to work. They especially want his lungs to improve so that he will be able to take the deep breaths needed to get off the ventilator. Everything right now is treatable, and that is good to know. He is in an unconscious state and we are told that he will not remember anything that is happening to him.  Good news: He is producing white blood cells.  The swelling of his body has gone down. The ventilator is doing 50% of the work, he does the rest. He is responding to the nurses commands. Pray for: healing of his organs and of the pneumonia in his lungs, stability of symptoms, healing of the cancer. We pray that he has reached the bottom of the valley and that he will now begin to go uphill. Pray also for Jessica, Tina, Erik, myself, and our close family members. Ask our Father God to keep us from discouragement, from fear of the future, and to rest in the assurance that He is in control of all that is happening. We need his comfort, peace, and confidence right now.  I do praise God for holding me up this past week. Right when I felt like I couldn't hold it together, He came to me in a song or His Word came to mind, or He sent someone to sit with me. This valley experience has reinforced that close walk with Him and I will continue to praise Him in the valley as well as on the mountaintop.

Update on Doug

Days 14 and 15 - The last two days have been filled with mixed emotions as my precious Doug has developed a variety of complications. Thursday was tough on him as he became more ill through the day. We left last night praying that God would keep him safe and guard his organs. He struggled with high, then low blood pressure, fever, an irregular heart beat, and pneumonia. Doctors are still keeping watch over his kidney and liver function. Every time the nurse came in, there was something new which needed to be attended to. But, he made it through the night and was stable, although fragile, today. The decision was made to keep him sedated and on the ventilator through the weekend. This will allow the antibiotics to work. They especially want his lungs to improve so that he will be able to take the deep breaths needed to get off the ventilator. Everything right now is treatable, and that is good to know. He is in an unconscious state and we are told that he will not remember anything that is happening to him.  Good news: He is producing white blood cells.  The swelling of his body has gone down. The ventilator is doing 50% of the work, he does the rest. He is responding to the nurses commands. Pray for: healing of his organs and of the pneumonia in his lungs, stability of symptoms, healing of the cancer. We pray that he has reached the bottom of the valley and that he will now begin to go uphill. Pray also for Jessica, Tina, Erik, myself, and our close family members. Ask our Father God to keep us from discouragement, from fear of the future, and to rest in the assurance that He is in control of all that is happening. We need his comfort, peace, and confidence right now.  I do praise God for holding me up this past week. Right when I felt like I couldn't hold it together, He came to me in a song or His Word came to mind, or He sent someone to sit with me. This valley experience has reinforced that close walk with Him and I will continue to praise Him in the valley as well as on the mountaintop.

Cafe Rio Comida

Cafe Rio Pork or Beef

2 pork tenderloin, or 1 large pork roast OR 1 3 lb. chuck beef roast
1 16 oz. bottle of Pace Salsa
1c. of brown sugar

Put in crock pot and cook 8 hours. Shred meat and cook an additional hour.
Serve on Tortillas or in Salad.


Cafe Rio Chicken
1 small bottle Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing
1 T chili powder
1 T cumin
3 cloves garlic—minced (I omitted this)
5 lbs chicken breast

Cook all together in a crock pot for 4 hours, shred meat and cook 1 additional hour.


Cafe Rio Rice
3 c water
4 t chicken bouillon
4 t garlic –minced
½ bunch cilantro
1 can green chiles—or equivalent fresh
¾ t salt
1 T butter
½ onion
3 c rice (see note)

Blend cilantro, green chiles and onion together in food processor. Bring water to a boil and add all ingredients, simmer covered 30 minutes.


Pico de Gallo
4 fresh tomatoes, chopped
1 white onion, chopped
1/4 bunch cilantro, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 t lime juice
1 t salt1/2 t pepper
Mix all together.


Tomatillo Dressing
3 Tomatillos, cut in chunks
1/2 c. buttermilk
1 pkg. Ranch Dressing
1c. chopped cilantro
1 c. mayo
1 clove garlic (minced or pressed)

Blend in a blender until smooth.


Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette Dressing
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
3 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 c. fresh chopped cilantro
2 Tbsp lime juice
2 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp sugar
1 Tbsp vinegar
1 small jalepeno, seeded & diced

Combine in blender or food processor.

Doug Keough

Day 12 - What encouragement we received today from all who are caring for Doug. Everyone says that he is improving. He also looked so much better. He looked more like the Doug Keough that I know and love. Doctors adjusted some of his medications during the night. They replaced drugs that are known to cause stress on kidneys and liver with those that are less harsh. He is on steriods as well. All combined have led to an overall improvement.

Late this afternoon the decision was made to begin weaning him off the ventilator. The first step was to set the ventilator to 50% to allow Doug to do the rest of the work. It was set so that he initiated each breath. If he was unable to keep a regular rhythm or he couldn't keep the oxygen level up then an alarm would sound and the nurse would know he needed help. Well, when I left at 6:00 pm, he was doing fine!! So tomorrow, they will try to get him off the ventilator!! They will go slowly and if he can breathe on his own, the tube will be taken out. Please pray Wednesday morning that he will be able to breathe and that all will go well. Also, my fear is that he will suffer distress and anxiety during the process. Pray for a calm spirit (for both of us) and that God will keep him comfortable.

I still don't know the cause of his initial breathing problem or what is in his lung. But the doctors are still investigating and hope to have an answer and a game plan soon.

Good news: His bone marrow has begun to produce a few white blood cells!! This means things are beginning to work as planned. Mouth sores should begin to heal now too.

The nurses that he had been in contact with since we first began this journey on Jan. 6 have been checking in on him. They ask, 'How's our Doug?' They genuinely like him and want the best for him. He has had an impact on them with his warmth and easy laughter. They tell me that they are praying for him and leave with hugs and well wishes. It is a reminder that we are always reflecting God's love, no matter the circumstances. 

Thank you all for your prayers. I have definitely felt them. I have felt strengthened, calm, and confident. Continue on, because I for one, cannot do this on my own. I don't want to. 

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen

An Update on Doug Keoughs

Here is an update about Doug from my cousin Sarah.  They are one amazing couple. 

Love Remains the same

Day 9 - No real change in Doug. He has finally given up trying to eat. The nurses told him that he didn't have to since he was getting his nutrition in liquid form. He tries to drink water and Gatorade to help soothe his throat, but it is hard for him to swallow. He says it is worth the effort so he usually has a cup with something cold in it on his table.

The nurses assure him that all he is going through is normal for a bone marrow transplant patient. They keep a good eye on him and are always so kind. This week he had Jeremy, Michelle, Christine, and Judy. I am so thankful for their care and encouragement. 

Even though he feels weak and tired, he still walks at least 2 or 3 times a day. He has been told that it helps his lungs stay healthy and that gives him the needed motivation to stay out of bed. He watches basketball games and other sporting events. He can fall asleep, wake up later, and still know who is winning or losing. He tries reading his Bible and other books, but finds that he can't concentrate and either falls asleep or loses his place. That is common due to the amount of medication he receives daily. He loves music and his favorite CD's are the Katinas and Andre Crouch.

Today while we were walking, we noticed a painting on a wall in the outpatient center. It had a rainbow which spanned across the sky. It was pushing away some clouds. Next to it was this hymn which really encouraged us:

Great is thy faithfulness O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not thy compassions they fail not
As thou hast been Thou forever wilt be

Great is thy faithfulness
Great is thy faithfulness 
morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy Hand hath provided
Great is thy faithfulness Lord unto me.

Note Board Project

I signed up to make this darling note board project last month and forgot all about it.  Luckily, Andrea was with me and reminded me of the project.  So I picked up the kit they had waiting and wondering. Here is the finished project.  It was easy and fun to make and it really works well.  Now I have no excuse not to leave Jamie a note when I'm going to be gone!

Have a great weekend!

Arizona Cardinal Red Velvet Cake

Ingredients

For the yum yum cake batter:

• 2 sticks butter, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 ounces red food coloring
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
• Pinch salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• Butter, for pan

For the Cardinal is going to crush Frosting:

• 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 sticks butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
• Special Equipment: 12 by 17-inch jelly roll pan, parchment paper

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar, until light and fluffy. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, make a paste out of the red food coloring, cocoa and salt. Remove bowl from stand mixer and mix in paste by hand to the creamed butter. In a measuring cup, stir eggs with buttermilk and add to batter. Mix in vinegar and vanilla, and then add flour and baking soda. Mix until combined but do not over mix.

Butter a sheet pan. Lay parchment on top. Butter the parchment. Pour batter into pan and smooth the top to even the batter out, using an offset spatula. Bake cake until a toothpick comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Remove from oven and cool in pan.

Meanwhile, make the frosting: Heat all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Whisk until sauce thickens, about 15 minutes. Let cool slightly before using.

Invert cake onto a cutting board and slice into quarters from the longer side. To assemble cake, spread 1 of the quarters with some of the frosting to cover. Sprinkle with a quarter of the pecans. Add another layer of cake and repeat. Continue until last layer is added. Frost the top of that and sprinkle with remaining pecans.

Go Arizona Cardinals!  Let's continue making history!

Obama retakes oath of office

Obama retakes the oath of office after flub.  President stumbles after Chief Justice John Roberts  BLUNDERED!

Obamas twirl through 10 inagurural balls.

For Obama the work begins!

Hope Over Fear

         OBAMA SWORN IN AS 44TH PRESIDENT

Bowtie Pasta

This recipe was passed on to me and I haven't tried it yet!  Sounds yummy though!

Garlic Bowtie Pasta with Mushrooms and Spinach

Cook and set aside one pound of bowtie pasta.

In a large pan, pour in a good amount of olive oil... at least a full cup.
Crush and gently sautee about 10 cloves of garlic, until tender, but not brown.
Add one full bag of baby spinach leaves (at first these will be a huge mound in
the pan, but keep turning them. They quickly wilt down to nothing).

Once the spinach has wilted, add one (drained) can of mushrooms. (I have used
fresh, but they produce too much water for this recipe).

Add salt and pepper, and a few dashes of garlic powder.

Pour your spinach mixture over the pasta and toss well, adding a liberal amount
of parmesan cheese. You're done, so enjoy!

Sweetness!!!

These are so great! Very easy to make!

Here's the recipe:

BROWNIES:

4 ounces good quality bittersweet chocolate, chopped

2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1 1/4 cups sugar

3 large eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

3/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup flour

CHEESECAKE TOPPING:

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

2/3 cup sugar

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons flour

1 1/2 cups raspberries

1 tablespoon sugar

Preheat oven to 350ºF, and butter and flour a 13 by 9-inch baking pan. Make brownie batter: In a metal bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water melt chocolate with butter stirring, and cool. Whisk in sugar and eggs, 1 at a time, and whisk in vanilla and salt. Whisk in flour until just combined and spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Make cheesecake topping: In a bowl with an electric mixer cream together cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy and beat in lemon juice, egg, vanilla, and salt. Beat in flour and spread mixture in an even layer over batter. Scatter raspberries over topping and sprinkle with sugar. Bake brownies in middle of oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until top is puffed and pale golden and a tester comes out with crumbs adhering to it. Cool brownies completely in pan on a rack and chill, covered, at least 6 hours or overnight. Cut brownies into bars and sprinkle with confectioners' sugar. Serve brownies cold or at room temperature. 24 brownies

Yummy Potatoes

Besides Sugar being one of my favorite ingredients there's

 Potatoes

2 lb. bag frozen cubed potatoes

9 slices American cheese

1 can Cream of Chicken soup

1/2 stick butter

1 cup sour cream

Combine all ingredients except potatoes in a saucepan. Heat on medium and stir occasionally until everything is melted. Mix in potatoes and put in greased casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. You can also crush up cornflakes and put on top of potatoes before baking for a yummy topping.

Update on our cousin Doug

These are words from my cousin Sarah(Dougs wife).  Please continue to pray for healing. Day zero - The day Doug received his sister's stem cells passed uneventfully. Marylin was able to donate 4.3 million cells over about 6 hours yesterday. That was more than we could hope for in one sitting!! They harvested so many that she did not have to return to donate more and had her port removed late in the evening. We thank God for her willingness and desire to help Doug in fighting this cancer. Doug received those cells this morning. It took only 20 minutes to pass from the bag into his body. It was amazing at how simple a beginning this complex procedure has. He slept through it all and slept most of the day. He received a dose of benadryl to protect him from any allergic reactions and atavan to calm him and those really knocked him out. He became funny Doug for a short time before he finally went to sleep. He woke up about 3:30 and we filled him in on all the events of the day. Jessica, Tina, Erik, brother Steve, Marylin, and I spent most of the day in his room. We watched him sleep and each of us silently lifted our prayers throughout the day. Now we wait for these new cells to find their way to his bone marrow and to begin working. His own white blood counts will continue to go down and he will be very vulnerable to infections. Within two weeks counts should go up. That will be a signal that the transplant worked and those cells are setting up shop and doing what they are supposed to do. The doctors say he will get very sick before he gets better so we ask for prayer for protection for him as he goes through each day.  The whole procedure is just amazing to me. How do those stem cells know where they are supposed to go to do what they are supposed to do? Only God our Creator could have made something so complex work exactly like it should. It made me think of Psalms 139, verses 13 - 14. 'For you created my innermost being, you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well.'

Play Dough Cookies

The play dough cookies were so yummy and so fun to make.  If you have young ones or grandkids {which I have neither} they are a must to make.  My neighbors know my sickness for play dough so I had to take them a plate full to enjoy.  Here are some  photos of our 24/cookie night.  The kiddos in the pictures are my nephew Johnny and Judi's kids.  Thanks Alicia and Jimmy for having fun with me making play dough cookies.

What an Incredible Man!

"The time to be kind is now, the place to be kind is here. We needn't be told the way to be kind, for the way to be kind is clear. But it's good to pause and remember in the heat of our stress and drive, The very best time to live is while we are still alive. The time to be happy is now. The place to be happy is here. The way to be happy is to make others happy simple enough, I fear. But the simple things we are apt to miss as we struggle and fret and strive, forgetting the very best time to live is while we are still alive." 

In memory of T. Dennis Barney, may we strive to live more as he did

 and as our Savior would have us live..

Doug Keough

{Doug is the guy in the burgundy jacket}.




The other night,  my cousin Doug, Erik, Matt and Josh, his nephews, and Steve, his brother, all got together for a time of head shaving. Doug will lose his hair again, so as a sign of bonding and support, these 4 men decided to shave their heads too. For those of you who are familiar with electric razors, Doug's hair was cut at a 0 setting, Erik was at a 1, Matt and Steve chose 2, and Josh went for 4. It was a great time of laughing and picture taking. 

 Doug is now in the hospital receiving his bone marrow transplant.  

These are words my cousin Sarah wrote about her husband Doug.

Today, Tuesday, was an uneventful day. I am glad for those. Doug continues to feel well and makes a daily effort to exercise and to stay out of his bed. He walks around the pod area pushing his IV cart and wearing his mask. He said that he did the electric slide today for about 15 minutes in his room, but none of the nurses came in to join him.  He has received 3 bags of type 0 blood in preparation for Thursday. No problems with that. His only complaint is that he has no appetite. The dietitian met with him and they have decided he should only order what sounds good, not what is being offered on the menu. She also stocked his shelf with snacks like crackers, chips, pretzels, and fruit cocktail so that he can have those if he feels he can eat. I am just so amazed when I spend the days with Doug. He refuses to let himself get down. He stays out of bed. He visits with others and talks to people he has met. I praise God for the faith and confidence of my wonderful husband. Tomorrow, Wednesday, Marylin goes in bright and early in the morning to have a central line put in. Then she will go upstairs to begin donating her cells. Pray for her protection and that they will be able to harvest as many cells as they can.  My favorite Psalm came to mind on the way home as I was listening to the radio. A song by Caedman's Call about how our trust lies in the Lord. Psalm 121 'I lift up my eyes to the hill - where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip. He who watches over you will not slumber; Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you.  The LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm. He will watch over your life; The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.'

Craft Night

Andrea and her friends have been getting together for a craft night.  They enjoy each others company and these are gals just livin and loving a great time together.  Here is the craft for this month. Thanks Melinda, Shelly and Stephanie for making mine.

Childhood Memories

Many of you know I love play dough!  When I found mini play dough for Halloween treats I was thrilled.  I sniffed it all night long.  (Good thing you can't get sick or high with play dough)! So here is a recipe that I am making tonight.  I'll let you know how they turn out!  They are as mysterious as watching the show 24 which is on again for 2 hours tonight!  Whoo hoo another great night!

Enjoy and jot me a note if you make them.

Play Dough Cookies

3/4 C butter
3 ounces cream cheese
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 t vanilla extract
2 and 3/4 C flour
1 t baking powder
1/4 t salt
assorted food coloring (gel or paste works best)
...

1. In a bowl cream butter, cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla. Beat until smooth.

2. In a bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture. Stir until soft dough forms. Divide dough into Fourths. Tint each with a different food coloring. Wrap in plastic and chill for two hours. (I stuck it in the freezer for 15 minutes because I hate to wait!)

3. Preheat oven to 350. Shape colors into 3/4 inch balls. For each cookie place one pink, one orange, one green, and one blue ball together and roll to make one giant ball. Roll into a 12 inch long snake, and then starting at one end coil roll to make a cookie. Place cookies 2 to 3 inches apart on greased cookie sheet to allow for spreading.

4. Bake for 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool and store in an airtight container.Enjoy!

A loving heart... Doug Keough

My cousins husband Doug Keough was first diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's mantle cell lymphoma in 2005.  After a bone marrow transplant, he went into remission for 29 months.  He has now relapsed with the same cancer and is preparing for his second bone marrow transplant.  We ask that you join his family, Sarah, Jessica, Tina and Erik, in prayer for healing. 

Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified: do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

We love you Keough family.

A New recipe for a New Year!

Pan Sauteed Chicken with Vegetables and Herbs

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon paprika

2 Tablespoons all -purpose flour

4 bone-in chicken breast halves

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 small red onions, cut into quarters

5 or 6 new red potatoes, cut into quarters

1 bunch of  fresh whole baby carrots, cut into 1 inch size

1 1/2 cup Swanson Chicken stock

3 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano

1 tablespoon chopped fresh Thyme leaves

Heat the oven to 350.  Combine black pepper, paprika, and flour.  Coat the chicken with flour mixture.  

Heat the oil in a 12-inch oven-safe skillet over medium heat.  Add chicken and cook until it’s well browned on all sides.  Remove the chicken from the skillet.

 Add the onion and potatoes to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes.  Add the carrots, stock, lemon juice and oregano and heat to a boil.  Return the chicken to the skillet.  Cover the skillet.

 

Bake covered at 350 for 20 minutes.  Uncover the skillet and bake or 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.  Sprinkle with the thyme. 

Enjoy, I made this for dinner last night. It was a huge hit with my family.  I also doubled the ingredients and used 4 boneless chicken breast.

The Alder Wedding