HELLO EVERYONE!

I am so thankful for my family -- and especially Tara for setting this up for me. I had planned on updating sooner but decided to wait until we went to see my Dr. on Thurs. 3/12. Had a good visit with him, his name is Dr. Shakrabarti, pronounced (schockrabarti) He is from India, very congenial and up front. He told us that the pathology report came back just as he thought it would. I had a glioblastoma, (look this up on webmed, it is very interesting). and it was a stage 4 malignancy, which they feel they removed 98% of the tumor. This is the same kind of tumor my brother Paul had, the difference is that mine was in a spot they could easily operate on, his was not. This is a very aggressive tumor and can come back so radiation and chemo will be necessary to totally zap it. He told us many people go through the surgery and then decide they do not want to go through radiation and chemo and the tumor comes right back. I plan on taking the radiation and chemo. We have an appointment on the 24th with the oncologist who will then map out my treatment. They cannot start radiation until my scar heals really well, so that is what we are waiting on right now. The doctor said if they start radiation too soon before the incision heals, it can cause problems with the incision which we don't want, it is big enough now. It starts at the beginning of my hairline right in the middle of my forhead, goes back about 6" then curves down to my right ear. I cannot wear any wigs or hats until it heals well, don't want it to keep moisture in the scar. It looks pretty ominous right now but is healing well, (itches a lot)
The doctor took me off the seizure medicine, have not had any seizures. He said most people if they are going to have seizures, have them in the first week after surgery. He was very pleased with my progress and told me I could do anything I wanted, of course, still get lots of rest which I am trying to do. The first few days after coming home from the hospital, I could not seem to stay warm. Marty's sister was here and went home and brought me back an electric blanket, which I have used every day and night since.

I have been extremely blessed by my family. Our children have been so helpful. Today at our worship service we were talking about thankfulness and I tought of so many things I am thankful for. My children's persistance, the fact that I live in a country where they can do this kind of treatment even though many say our health care is lacking, I am thankful for what I do have,and I am thankful for Marty. He is doing a great job taking care of me and comes at my beck and call.

Sometimes you wonder, do I really have friends, going through this, I have realized how many wonderful friends I have. People have been bringing meals which have been fantastic, we have received lots of words of encouragement and cards and offers to do anything that needs to be done. One young man has come and worked outside for many hours, so Marty can be in the house with me. We truly feel blessed and loved.

I have decided to not answer the phone everytime it rings, but that is so hard especially when it is someone I have not heard from in a long time. I have a hard time letting the answer machine take it, but I am trying.

We will try to keep you posted as to how my progress is going. I really do feel quite great now. We are going to a service on the 29th at a church that Bob and Kay Owens work with, they have a healing service the 4th Sunday of the month. I am looking forward to this. Love to all of you, keep us in your prayers. I have heard mixed comments on radiation and chemo. It depends on the person, I guess. We will see how I respond and how I can handle it. Someone sent this scripture to me. Isaiah 46:3-4 God says he knew me before I was even conceived, isn't that awesome and that He has carried me since I was born,and will continue to do so til I am old and gray. WOW, WHAT A SAVIOR!!

Well......

Hello again-
Mom had her appointment on Thursday and spoke with Dr. "Shake your booty". Another great nick-name for the good doctor. So, he confirmed what we all pretty much knew. Mom's tumor is cancerous and is in what they call Stage 4. It is very aggressive and will grow back. Radiation will be about 6 maybe 8 weeks long. She should be starting this withing the next two weeks. She is scheduled to meet with the oncologist on Tuesday the 24th. This will give us a much better idea of what it to come with the radiation process. That is pretty much it for now. Mom is going to be getting on here herself in the next few days and give a longer, more detailed update. Look for her to get on and enjoy the fact that she will be writing and not me! First hand info!
Thanks everyone for your support. We love you all.
Tara

Tomorrow, Tomorrow!

Hey everyone-
Just wanted to let you all know that Mom has an appointment with her Neuro-Surgeon or affectionately referred to by some of us as Dr. "Shock your body" (pretty much because we can't pronounce his real name that sounds like the one above), tomorrow at noon. We are hoping that mom will get her results from the tumor whether or not it is cancerous. So please be in prayer around that time tomorrow. I believe in the power of prayer and that the Lord is faithful to answer!
So I will be posting the results from her appointment tomorrow sometime in the afternoon. Other than that, she is doing well. Things are somewhat "back to normal", if there is such a thing. Matthew, Sheela and Mark are back home. Mikala flew back home to North Carolina yesterday. Mary and Martha have been going over to the house to help out this week. Michael and I haven't been able to make it but plan on going over on the weekends when we can. Our family who lives over in the area have been great, stopping by and helping when they can. Thank God for large families!
Also, a huge, ginormous thank you to those of you who have been making meals and bringing them to the house. You all know who you are and I'm sorry I can't list all of you! So until tomorrow...............keep the Hooper family in your prayers and know that God listens and answers in His own way.
Blessings-
Tara

Hello Everyone!
So Sorry I haven't been able to write anything for a few days! But here we go!
Mom is doing well. We just spent the weekend with her and all the Hooper family! It was a little crazy(normal) but great! We all spent time working around the house and doing things we could to help out. A big thanks to Macy from our church (Grace Fellowship) for coming and doing yard work around the house. He was such a HUGE help! We all had a great time together and mom is making progress everyday. She is up walking when she needs to and doing some physical therapy at home with dad and whoever is there to help. Her left side is still a little weak but she seems to be getting stronger all the time. She's looking forward to going to the doctor on Thursday and hopefully getting the results from the biopsy the doctor's took of the tumor. We are all praying that it is benign. She should be meeting soon with the Oncologist and beginning some Chemo and Radiation if the results come back malignant. We ask that you all just continue to pray for the family. Mom remains in good spirits and is enjoying all the time spent with kids and grandkids.

A little update on the account that has been set up for donations for Mom and Dad. If you would like to send donations, you can send them to:
El Dorado Savings Bank
P.O. Box 1091
Georgetown, Ca. 95634
Please write on the envelope or in quotation somewhere on your check:
Marty & Maxine Hooper Donation Fund.
The Hooper family would like to express there sincerest regard to everyone one of you who have been holding them up in prayer. We all love everyone of you and rejoice that we have so many close friends who we can rely on in times of need!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Tara

How can I help?

Some of you might be wondering how can I help or what can I do? Well it's your lucky day! We have come up with some ways for you to contribute. A big thanks to Debbie Hamilton for setting this up for us. Debbie and her family have been a huge help to us. This is from Debbie:

We know all of you love Marty and Maxine as we do. They have touched all our lives in such special ways through the years that we want to give you an opportunity to help them now in their hour of need. We are assessing what those needs are on a daily basis and the immediate need at this time is to bring meals into Maxine and the family. Most likely she will be released from the hospital today. We will start providing meals for the family this evening. If you would like be on the list for bringing meals to them please contact;

Mary Hershey @
jmhershey@juno.com or
Phone 530-389-2628

Another area of concern we have identified for the days and weeks ahead is the extra financial burden that comes from this kind of situation. We are in the process of setting up the best way for people to give money for the pertinent financial needs as they arise. The information will be available on this blog site as soon as we have worked out the details.

Now the body is not made up of one part but of many....
If one part suffers every part suffers with it,
if one is honored every part rejoices with it.
1 Cor 12:14,2

If you have any further questions you can always email me at tarahooper@sbcglobal.net
and I will find the answer!
Maxine should be coming home today and we praise God for that! She is making strides to recovery every hour of every day. She is looking forward to bringing you all up to date on this blog when she is able. We ask that you continue your prayers now as she comes home and starts this new "venture" with Marty. Pray that Marty has the strength to help her in every way possible and that the help from others would be overflowing!
Thank you all again for your support.
Tara

Latest news about Mom!

Hi everyone... Michael here. Today was another eventful day. Martha, Mikala, and I left early this morning to go to the hospital to be with Mom and Dad. We found Mom doing well and making more positive strides as she recovers from her surgery. Praise the Lord for how well Mom is responding from the removal of the tumor. The surgeon who performed the operation visited us and confirmed that Mom is doing very well. They were able to remove 98% of the mass and from the post-op MRI there is nothing they can see as far as significant swelling or bleeding. The doctors are pretty certain though that the tumor is malignant and Mom will start cancer treatment in two weeks. We will find out the results of the tests hopefully by the end of this week. I asked the doctor today if there was a chance that the tumor might not be cancer which would then make it unnecessary for Mom to need chemo/radiation... His response was that there is always a chance. But again they are all insisting that that chance is very slim. Monty and Mary joined us later, as well as our Aunt Veda(Dad's sister) and Uncle Dick. They live in Garden Valley near Mom and Dad. We are so blessed by how available both sides of the family have been. Thanks to all of you who have been by our sides. And to those of you who can't be here physically we know you are here in spirit. The physical therapists also came and spent some time with Mom and Mary trying to walk and see how Mom could handle more movement. She did pretty well but is lacking strength and coordination on her left side. Her peripheral vision on the left side is also weak. WE BELIEVE... that as we plan for the worst potential outcome that our great God could do otherwise according to His perfect will. We know that He is able and Mom is is in His hands. We are praying and trusting that God will be glorified in the midst of all of this. We all have something to learn about our faith and daily walk with Jesus experiencing this with Mom. She is a great blessing with her attitude and her consistent desire to lift up the name of the Lord as her strength. Already we have had numerous opportunities to be an encouragement to those serving Mom at the hospital. Everyone can see that there is a peace in Mom's spirit... We are at peace as a family too. Yes we have many things that we are uncertain about, and yes we are grieving. But we serve the God of all creation. HE IS KING! We met as a family tonight to discuss the road ahead. Our time together was sweet and there was great unity. Mom should be going home either tomorrow or Wednesday... She is excited to be the one keeping you all updated with this blog so keep checking in. We love you all and appreciate the prayerful support. More News Tomorrow!

Sunday night

Hi everyone-
Just returned home from visiting with Mom tonight. She is doing so much better. She was so glad to see everyone and the kids! Mom didn't get moved yet to a different room but she will tomorrow. When we were leaving tonight, I asked Mom what she would like me to put on here tonight. She wanted to express how in awe she is of everyone's support and prayers. We are hoping for her to go home in about two-three days! Can you believe it? That was such great news to hear that she could actually be out of the hospital so soon! When she is feeling up to it, I will have her take over the blog and she will be communicating to everyone herself.
She showed all of us her incision tonight. I have to say, it is gnarly! It lookes like a backwards question mark or a kidney bean. I wish I would have had a camera when she showed some of the grandkids. Their faces were priceless. All of them had a look of disgust but totally intrigued! She was so happy to see the grandkids.
That's it for now. We hope to have good news from the doctor tomorrow morning and I will be blogging again tomorrow night! Until then................