Lori VII
These days the Pacific conveyer belt delivers sluggish clouds to the Wine Country and farmer’s rain to the vineyards and fields. A soggy gray world, perfect for snuggling in front of the fire and taking naps . . . both current favorites for Lori.
We have been at this for long enough now (Lori VII, for heaven’s sake!) to detect some patterns. Among the antidotes they drip into her along with the chemo is a steroid — for Lori the equivalent of a six-pack of Red Bull — so she comes home from Day One and Day Two of chemo to arrange flowers, re-arrange the closets, and resume her customary pace on Facebook. By Day Three the chemo begins to bite, and to send her energy spiraling. Days Three-Seven grind her down and tire her and make her blue . . . until the chemicals dissipate and for two weeks Lori feels something like her old self again.
Today is Day Eight of Round Three. At some point between Christmas and the New Year, the technicians will fire up the CT Scanner to see what kind of progress we are making. The waiting sucks but is made tolerable by the absence of nausea and pain. Lori can eat what she pleases when she pleases. And then she naps.
Imagine treading water in the dark. These weeks are like that. No alarming symptoms. No drastic new prognoses. But kind of a drag.
hutch adventure 2 
sending love and faith, enjoy the holidays.
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Love you both so much. Glad to hear the update during the waiting days of Advent. We are sending greetings from New York where we are visiting Parker. We just reviewed and I wrote down all the names from the Rumpp family gathering at Sea Isle, the one photo with Granmother Rumpp a year before she died, with the youngest grandchild at the time, Jimmy Rumpp. Big hugs to you both. Jody and Rich
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Bill and Lori,
Thank you Bill for your update and tender writing. Lori I think of you so often and I know that the sheer power of love, hope, prayer and concern that your large community of friends and family sends to you will make a difference in your healing. Sending much love over the mountain to you.
Karen
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Paul & I look forward to being with you tomorrow.Birds are coming in to hit our persimmon tree. We like the rain yesterday. Yes…here’s to the 8 Scrabble puzzles per hour. Ruth
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I am so sorry for the long and difficult waiting period! We are continuing to pray for healing and relief and send our love
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Bill and Lori, you are truly examples of what every life partnership should be. Lori, I love you, you have impacted my life more than words can ever say. The fact is, you are one of the most incredible human beings I know. Fight! Fight! Fight! The world needs you. Bill, un tremendo abrazo. Eres una joya de hombre. Dale mucho, mucho cariño a Lori. Cualquier cosa que ocupen, me dejan saber. Quieren visita? O no es prudente?
Los quiero mucho.
Gaby.
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Bill,
Thank you so much for these updates! I so appreciate knowing how Lori is doing. I will keep up the prayers and good energy being sent out on your entire family’s behalf! Much love to both of you!
Ann
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Thank you for the updates Bill! Lori you are so amazing, I know the universe is listening to the support and prayers we are all sending your way!
XO
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Like the song says, “Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snows
Lies the seed that with the sun’s love, in the spring becomes the rose.” We’ll keep looking for lots of flowers for you soon.
Love and prayers to you and all you love.
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Wonderful writing about a wonderful lady. Sadly, prayers are not my strong suit–raindances, asking for life-giving help and relief from the heavens, are more my speed. So I am glad to see they are apparently having an effect!! This convinced me that the prayers likely are too!! I think of you both every day, always sending love. K
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And the fight goes on. Hope you both win that one soon.
Merry Christmas and all the best for 2016.
Thinking of you.
Hugs,
Jean
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Love you both very much.
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Big questions abound. How to live deeply in the present? How to tell you both again that we love you? And yes, is the chemo doing its job? Bill, your updates are crucial to so many. We wait for our inbox to show you have posted, then everything stops and we talk with each other.
Blessings, hugs and much love coming your way. Mica
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Thank you for these updates Bill + Lori. Treading water in the dark, I’m with you in spirit and Lori is truly in my heart and my prayers every day. With huge love for the holidays!!!
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Bill, although your subject matter is difficult at best your writing is heartfelt, beautiful and inspiring. Not only is the pen mightier than the sword – I believe it is far mightier than cancer too. Your words inspire all of us to continue sending boundless love and positive energy to our beloved Lori. Your words are healing and magical. Love, Leslie
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There is nothing convenient about cancer. Praying for continued stamina as you tread each day…. I also look forward to your updates, at times finding myself daydreaming about Lori…
Hold on ….. Hold on…. Thinking about Pres. Jimmy Carter who is an inspiration ..
We send our love…. adding it to the vessel that is sustaining you at this time.
xxx Marty Meade
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Hi Bill & Lori! I have been thinking of you. I know the waiting must be difficult!
I’m so glad you aren’t feeling nauseous, Lori.
I’m remembering a play many years ago at Hanawalt. I was the butter ( how appropriate) and we were making a Christmas cake. One of the Spevak boys fainted while singing a Carol. Do you remember that?
I am hoping you have a wonderful Christmas. You are both so blessed with love.
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Keep hanging in there, Lori and Bill, and may your positive spirits never wane! All the very best as the holidays approach! Much love from across the seas xxx
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Wishing you both hope and happiness for the holiday season. Love and hugs, Jeremy
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What a roller-coaster. Looks like 4 terrible days out of each set of three reasonable weeks. Sounds a lot better than it was. Crossing much more than fingers and toes that the CT scan shows progress!! Much love and thinking of you, Ems
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So glad to hear that you and Lori are able to enjoy and look forward to at least a handful of ‘normal’ days per round through her treatment. I know that you know how all of us out here have broken hearts hearing of your struggles… and would take away your pain and fear, even for just a day, if we could. Truly. But somehow, each day, you get up, move forward, endure what must be endured and get through it. Glad for the moments when you can forget and be carefree again. Hopeful that there are more and more of those moments. From my heart to yours… xoxoxo
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The brilliant sun is out right now in Sonoma, elbowing the dark and rain out of the way. May you be surrounded by warmth, sunshine and love in these challenging times.
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Keep up the good work, it seems like whatever you and the doctors are doing is working. Sending you all my love. Philippe
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My dears, this is tough. I think that angels will watch over you as your are such wonderful people. I have hung an angel on my tree just for you. God bless. Barbara
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How many ways can we celebrate the eternal? Too numerous to count but so close as breath that is love, joy, strength, giving, receiving, faith, belief, remaining steadfast no matter what. Inherently in any semblance of a storm, there is light and deep thanksgiving for all things as we learn, grown and know we are not alone. The energy of the entire universe as pure enfolding supports us all. The most powerful and cleansing dust is within you both. Life is good, no matter how it manifests. May it be so.
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Lori….So happy you were at church today…..you look fantastic for all the crud you have been going through…..your fighting spirit really comes from your total being filled with love…..Blessings on you and Bill…….Florence P.
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Dear Lori and Bill – As I follow you through this journey that you did not want to take I can only think how lucky you are to have each other. I often think of you and hope that you will be able to enjoy the holidays and look forward to better days.
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Hello Bill & Lori,
Sounds familiar – please let me know how things are sorted out after the scan.
The steroids are quite the trip. I felt younger on them- but as you describe one really hits the bottom after they wear off. God bless you both. This is so tough for both of you. Mary Tabbachi
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Sending love and prayers and sunlight to see your way through the darkness. Amy MacDonald
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Bill, thank you so much for the blogs!!! I hang on your every word. I have always loved your writing and have enjoyed following you and Lori across the country and the world in your travels. Your writings always intrigue and inspire me. And of course now, for this particular journey, hearing your voice through your words is so meaningful. Thank you so much. I look forward to in-person hugs very soon. With love, Mary Kay
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I think of both of you daily… and when I see your smiling faces in that blog my heart aches for what you are going through… thanks for keeping us posted…
sending love
NIZ
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You two are very much in our thoughts. Pat and Ted
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Keep taking the steroids Lori. You can get a place on the Russian Olympic team, no problem.
See you soon for huge hugs.
Love,
Geof & Lida.
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Thank you dear Bill for the update. We can truly imagine how this limbo time sucks. But so glad that the nausea has passed, Lori, and you can eat the holiday good stuff that I know is arriving at your door daily! We’re holding you in our hearts always…and hoping for a really good CT Scan report in the next few weeks. Will call soon…
much love, Kathryn and Pete
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Dear Bill, thank you for keeping us posted on your cancer kick butt journey. I’m keeping the faith that you’ll get a good report on Lori’s next CT scan. It must be so hard waiting and hoping for good news, but somehow you and Lori live with grace, humor and love – lots of love! I think of you daily and continue to hold you in the light. Much love, Margie
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Thank you Bill for your nice words, we can imagine you.
I just return from France to visit my Mom. I was in Chartres and you were in my mind.
When I was front of the shop where I was you you Lori I remember your sexy clothe !
Good time with you both! You are doing well to Keep the cancer on the side.
We wish you good moments on this Avent time. Love Colette & Andi
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Keep the spirit of “Fighting Irish” in you Lori (even if you don’t have an ounce of Irish in you, it’s a positive and healthy SPIRIT that will stay with you on this ‘temporary bump in your journey in life.” )
I so commend your quiet courage as you keep on smiling.
Bill the every present ‘master of schedules’ is beyond angelic too !!
Looking forward to seeing you next summer sometime for sure. Schedule a yoga class for us 🙂
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Hi Lori,
I think of you and Bill often, and have been trying to find a spare moment to drop by for a little chat. the holidays are so crazy, especially when you have a business, and the holiday is your busy season 🙂 know that I am thinking of you and keeping you in thought and prayer. Wishing you all good things and a wonderful holiday with you new grandson.
Sharon
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Lori and Bill,
I was so happy to see the Hutchinson Christmas card in our mailbox as we ALWAYS look forward to seeing your beautiful faces and hearing about your adventures.How devastated we were to learn about your illness, Lori. Words can’t express how sad and helpless we feel, not to mention how angry we are with ourselves for not staying in touch better. Especially stupid, because if you only knew how often we think about you.We will be in touch soon. I just wanted you to know that we have found this blog and are following your journey, that we love you dearly and will be praying like crazy. Love and hugs,Cindy and Kevin
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Bill and Lori,
John and I have been thinking about you over the holidays and sending warm, positive thoughts your way. Although I have only met you once, it was such a wonderful evening at your home, sitting around the table and sharing stories about Penn Charter and our “early lives.” Thank you for that experience!! Please let us know if we can do anything for you. We will keep you in our hearts. If, on your trips over Mt. Tam, a day at the beach with your toes in the sand sounds good, please drop in on us at Stinson. Salt air and ocean does wonders for the soul!
Warmly,
Maureen
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