For most of last year, and thanks to the miracle immunotherapy drug, Daratumumab, Sabine has maintained low cancer numbers with an all-day infusion in the clinic and a shot of Velcade plus the ever-present therapeutical dexamethasone.
For a quick update, here's our family Christmas newsletter:
A New
Journey Farm Letter: Christmas 2017
From the
beautiful, unglaciated region of Blue Mounds and Southwestern Wisconsin
 |
| David, Sabine, and their new Labradoodle, Mocha, Too (2)hiking at Blue Mounds State Park. |
A
Slippery Beginning
2017, a year of changes, yet great fun! The year started out
a bit rocky with Sabine slipping on an icy driveway and breaking her hip in two
places. But every cloud does have a silver lining, and it was Brother Rainer
coming to the rescue and helping out for three whole weeks. Between cooking and
building disability equipment, so Sabine could negotiate the stairs and get to
the dialysis machine, she made a wonderful recovery. Unfortunately, their two
donkeys were too much for them to handle, but they found a new home for “the
boys” in a farm just west of them.
New
Residents
Once Rainer left, son Josh, Rachel, and newborn Alex, moved
into Charlotte’s home to help out. Charlotte had been diagnosed as having dementia
last year and their presence made life a lot easier for everyone.
 |
| The Cousins at Malani's baptism: [clockwise] Malani, Malea, Seger, Alex, and Taylor. |
Preaching
and Teaching Justice
David and Sabine have continued to serve at St. Peter’s in
North Lake (for 12 years now!) and enjoyed a moving church season of Lent which
included trips to a Hindu temple, a Jewish synagogue, and an Islamic center. It
was an enlightening experience and reminded them how connected we all are to
one another. Yes, diversity is both a strength and blessing. David has
continued to teach both freshmen and seniors at UW-Platteville (a 40-minute
drive west of Blue Mounds) by introducing them to our nation’s system of
criminal justice, how it might be improved, and a seminar in police transformational
leadership. The proximity to Dubuque also permitted them to spend even more
time on Kokomo. They wish each one of you a blessed Holy-day!
 |
| Charlotte ("Buddy") at Malani's baptism, David presiding, at Barneveld Lutheran Church. |
Buddy’s
Journey
In the summer, Charlotte fell and broke her leg and had to
move to Ingleside in nearby Mt. Horeb for rehab. The fall and rehab also advanced
her dementia and she now resides there fulltime. Josh, Rachel and little Alex continued
to stay at her house to keep things maintained and farm-like. As a result, 37
free-range chickens (my girls!) and three goats have taken up residence.
An
Unwelcome Loss, and a Welcomed Addition
Fall brought us heartache with the death of David and
Sabine’s 14-year old dog, Mocha Latte. It was a time of much grief for both of
them. So, seeking recovery, they were moved to adopt a new puppy; a Labradoodle
named “Mocha, Too!” While all three of them attend puppy school in nearby
Dodgeville, they found that raising a puppy is not as easy as they thought it
would be.
Family
Visits (Here and There)
New Journey Farm was blessed to have visits this year from
sister Barb and husband Ken, daughter Sumi, Scott and Taylor, other granddaughters
Heather, Gracie, and her mother, Heather, and niece Teak, kids Seger and Malea.
Daughter Sarah and Joseph live fairly close and are always welcome guests. These
are always great adventures for everyone. (Did I hear “bowling?”)
 |
| Daughter Yumi, Malani, and husband, Matt. |
Another
Addition
Other than short trips on the mighty Kokomo, David and
Sabine managed two others by airplane and automobile: by air to meet their
newest granddaughter, Malani, in San Antonio (and parents Yumi and Matt), and
by road to Teak and Kelly’s home in Kirksville, Missouri, for what they called
“a redneck Thanksgiving!” Such a gathering involved trap shooting, disc golf, a
hayride, delicious meals, and a trip to their neighbor’s winery. More than
enough family fun to spread around.
An
Epitaph
I am usually up by 3:30 a.m. most mornings exercising my
fine voice. So, I hear David and Sabine often chatting as they walk up for
dialysis (oh, did I wake you?). They say it is so wonderful to live here on
this farm which gives them trails, woods, sun and sky along with enjoying
world-class thespians from the American Players Theater in Spring Every morning, I hear them say,
“it’s a wonderful life, isn’t it?” And they wouldn’t give up any of their
family members, friends or church community. They say they have been blessed by
prayers and good thoughts from many of you and are pleased to report that, so
far, excellent medical care has enable Sabine and David to enter the 10th
year of cancer – still crazy in love!
 |
| The Editor, her two kids, and chicken friends. |
Ed. Note: This year’s
editor was New Journey Farm’s late, great, “Roaster Rooster.” He who penned
this letter last night just before he entered their new “Chicken-Plucker,” the
Grand Poultry Palace -- and then, deep freezer! -- R.I.P.]
