Monday, August 1, 2016
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Climbing in the RED
WE had a great Sat night at The RED. Caleb calls and invited me to go with him and Jeff Buck to ky climbing.
This is a favorite area for us and we had a blast. Calebs
climbing is getting better and better over the years.
This was a particullary cool area not in the old book.
This is a favorite area for us and we had a blast. Calebs
climbing is getting better and better over the years.
This was a particullary cool area not in the old book.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Grandpa Sloan update
This is a photo of Grandpa Sloan in Breckenridge Co. last month.
Grandpa Sloan update:
Most of you are aware that grandpa has been having some breathing problems for quite some time.
Even back when he was in grand canyon with us a few years ago he was having more shortness of breath than we thought he should have. This has become more of a problem in the last month or so and a repeat Ct scan of chest and other test and consultants has resulted in more questions than answers. WE are mostly concerned that the treatments for his prostate cancer could cause respiratory problems.
Grandpa is scheduled for a video assisted Thoracoscopy with biopsy some time likely this week. He will be meeting with the surgeon Monday morning and will be scheduled for surgery likely later in the week. He will be in the hospital several days to be sure his lung does not leak after the biopsy. This procedure is being performed to get a good sample of his lung to see if the problem he is having can be treated and try to determine if the chemo therapy agents used for his prostate cancer is aggravation or causing the lung problems. The oncology Docs don't want to continue treatment for his prostate cancer until they can determine what is going on with his lungs.
So grandpa will be in the hospital next week for up to one week from what i hear. Hopefully less than that
Keep grandpa in your prayers. I'll do my best to keep everyone up to date.
Ron
Grandpa is scheduled for a video assisted Thoracoscopy with biopsy some time likely this week. He will be meeting with the surgeon Monday morning and will be scheduled for surgery likely later in the week. He will be in the hospital several days to be sure his lung does not leak after the biopsy. This procedure is being performed to get a good sample of his lung to see if the problem he is having can be treated and try to determine if the chemo therapy agents used for his prostate cancer is aggravation or causing the lung problems. The oncology Docs don't want to continue treatment for his prostate cancer until they can determine what is going on with his lungs.
So grandpa will be in the hospital next week for up to one week from what i hear. Hopefully less than that
Keep grandpa in your prayers. I'll do my best to keep everyone up to date.
Ron
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Ski Colorado 2010 the last run ...
The Breckenridge ski trip of 2010 is a special trip for a number of reasons. Sylvie, Kimberly's little girl, is now 4 yrs old and has had her chance first chance to ski this year. Now if you know Sylvie you know how much she loves the attention of those who love her. She was a great performer in a number of ways. She is always ready for a quick smile for a photo.
He said to me, " I am so happy to get to see this one more time" as he stood struggling for breath looking over the mountain scene.
The image of my dad loving the outdoors but struggling for air at 10000 feet elevation is one of mixed elation and grief. I loved that I could be there with him at that time. He was so appreciative of the efforts to help him get to these heights. Looking over the mountains with him and Patty was a very special moment in time. The grief issue obviously that this would be the last such trip we would make. Dad has always been there for his family and it is difficult to imagine being here in future years without him at our side. I am however very sure that I will never see these mountains without thinking of my Dad ,Patty and I struggling to make another 100 yards at Breckenridge.
While we ride up the lifts I am looking over trails and runs that we have done in years past. Thinking of all the times poor dad was stuck trying to get down those black diamond run because he wanted to stay with us. These runs are totally unreachable to him now, as he can hardly do more than 100 yards at a time without extra oxygen.
The oxygen tank was a big help and once i reached him with the tank of 02 he seemed much better. His skiing was more confident and I think he was actually enjoying the skiing part some. We went from Peak 9 restaurant to "Ten mile Station" where we took a break and waited for Kimberly and Dale who picked up Sylvie who is 4 yrs old. This is the photo opportunity we were looking for, four generations of skiers.
The nine of us: Dale, Kimberly, Sylvie, Chad and Kristy, Tom and Patty and myself (Ron) and Dad sat on the deck and talked. Dale worked on his new ski caddie wheels or what ever he is calling them. We struggled to hang on to every moment but finally had to get moving. The staff were putting up the tables and getting ready to go home. With the sun setting at our backs we start down the slopes for the last time. The snow was great and dad looked great skiing the greens slopes that finishes our day. It is often our tradition to be the last on the slope and this was no different.
The other special thing about this year is Grandpa Sloan. He has wanted for many years to ski when he was 80. He actually wanted to ski free when he was 80 but the ski resort was not cooperating with that. The best he could do was the standard senior discount which is not much, about 10 dollars off.
The main thing for him was to physically be able to ski when he was 80. He was able to accomplish the skiing with some effort however.
The main thing for him was to physically be able to ski when he was 80. He was able to accomplish the skiing with some effort however.
Most anyone interested in reading this blogg knows that Grandpa Sloan has prostate cancer and the combination of illness, medications age and who know what else, has caused his lung capacity to decrease.
It became apparent pretty quickly that he was going to need some help getting out of the mountains. Patty and I were able to get him to the top of peak 9 with no small amount of effort. We would ski for about 100 yards and then he would have to stop and rest for a while. Patty and I finally got him to the Peak 9 Restaurant where he could sit. Everyone else then joined him for lunch. During Lunch time I took off and found a way to get a tank of oxygen for him. He was able to enjoy his trip down with much less stress with his little green tank
He said to me, " I am so happy to get to see this one more time" as he stood struggling for breath looking over the mountain scene.
The image of my dad loving the outdoors but struggling for air at 10000 feet elevation is one of mixed elation and grief. I loved that I could be there with him at that time. He was so appreciative of the efforts to help him get to these heights. Looking over the mountains with him and Patty was a very special moment in time. The grief issue obviously that this would be the last such trip we would make. Dad has always been there for his family and it is difficult to imagine being here in future years without him at our side. I am however very sure that I will never see these mountains without thinking of my Dad ,Patty and I struggling to make another 100 yards at Breckenridge.
While we ride up the lifts I am looking over trails and runs that we have done in years past. Thinking of all the times poor dad was stuck trying to get down those black diamond run because he wanted to stay with us. These runs are totally unreachable to him now, as he can hardly do more than 100 yards at a time without extra oxygen.
The oxygen tank was a big help and once i reached him with the tank of 02 he seemed much better. His skiing was more confident and I think he was actually enjoying the skiing part some. We went from Peak 9 restaurant to "Ten mile Station" where we took a break and waited for Kimberly and Dale who picked up Sylvie who is 4 yrs old. This is the photo opportunity we were looking for, four generations of skiers.
They arrived and we sat around at the end of the day enjoying the moment. The sun was warm on the face and the cool mountain air felt refreshing.
Sylvie was enjoying the attention and was excited to see her family and share her new skills of skiing. What used to be called a pie is now a pizza but otherwise pretty much the same.
The nine of us: Dale, Kimberly, Sylvie, Chad and Kristy, Tom and Patty and myself (Ron) and Dad sat on the deck and talked. Dale worked on his new ski caddie wheels or what ever he is calling them. We struggled to hang on to every moment but finally had to get moving. The staff were putting up the tables and getting ready to go home. With the sun setting at our backs we start down the slopes for the last time. The snow was great and dad looked great skiing the greens slopes that finishes our day. It is often our tradition to be the last on the slope and this was no different.
The ski patrol was at our backs encouraging our progress down the slopes. They e
ven took some group photos for us as we came closer to the completion of the day. I have several cherished photos of Tom Dale Patty and I with Dad on this, the last run of the day.
ven took some group photos for us as we came closer to the completion of the day. I have several cherished photos of Tom Dale Patty and I with Dad on this, the last run of the day. 
I took lots of photos to try to hang on to this time. Kristy was kind enough to get a photo of my Dad and I as we finished our last run together. It has been a great run ......
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Date: Jan 21stHaiti journal the trip down:
Ok here we go we are sitting in a corporate jet with mahogany wood and beautiful leather seats. Thinking about how at this same moment Haitians are dieing at a rate reported at about 20,000 per day. This according to a trauma orthopedic surgeon with our group.
I am just now finding out we are going to be working with Chris Thede. I would love to be working with Chris and Kath.
Staying at Wesleyan guest house mission in Port- au - Prince. The transportation was arranged by Steve Edmondson and Amway who flew supplies and teams to Haiti for weeks back and forth. What a ministry for Amway.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Sunday, November 22, 2009
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