New Posts Have Moved

 Somehow, I ended up putting all the posts regarding the end of Sabine’s life on my spirituality blog. So please mozy on over to it by clicking HERE. I am sorry for the inconvenience.

Stop the World: I Want to Get Off!

"Stop the World, I Want to Get Off" was a popular 1966 musical. The plot was about a selfish and dissatisfied man, Littlechap, who kept on seeking and searching in life only to realize that all his happiness resided at home and the love of his wife. A modern morality story. Nevertheless, I thought of this saying and how much it applies to today's lives. If Littlechap wanted his 1960s world to stop so he could get off, what would he have thought about the pace of life today?

So, I have decided not to stop the world in which I live, but to try and slow it down. I have now gone about a week from signing off my Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts and to disengage from being the police reformer (isn't 50+ years enough?).

This week I have had the distinct feeling of a great weight being taken off my shoulders -- I feel that I even walk more lightly.

I have been thinking about how quickly the last 10 years of my life have gone by. It was 10 years ago that Sabine was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, an incurable blood cancer; this nasty cancer also wiped out her kidneys, do we elected to do home hemodialysis five days a week and have continued to do so since then. It turned out to be a blessing as it has given us flexibility and, I believe, extended her "expiration date."

So here I am at 80 years of age and thinking that if the next decade goes as fast as the last one I had better take stock of what I am doing NOW! Is the struggle to reform police how I want to spend my remaining days?

To be able to focus on things more spiritual is for me to wean away from the daily news cycle. Do I really need to know all this information right now? Will it help me become a better person?

Since January, I stopped watching Morning Joe on MSNBC because it caused me to get riled up for the remainder of the day. The same for network and internet news. I am now attempting to go "cold turkey” from the daily news. I have to admit that watching the unacceptable public behavior of our President is one of the primary reasons.

In the interim, I will pray for him and vote my conscience at every opportunity. I deeply fear he is not helping any of us to become a better people.

For seven years I wrote the blog, “Improving Police.” On it I have written over 1,200 posts on various aspects of policing and what I believe police must do. During this time, it has been viewed over 500,000 times and has 3,000 followers. 

I find myself in the position today of believing I have said all that I needed to say about policing in America. What more could I say? It’s been a long haul from my first days as a police officer almost 60 years ago! I have to accept that the reformation I hoped to see among our nation's police will most likely occur well after my departure.

With the time I have left in this world I choose no longer to be the police reformer. I have argued my case. It’s now time to begin another phase in my life. In it, social justice will continue to play a vital role.

I now intend to focus on a less-developed part of my life – poetry and add to what I have written in the past (The Sabine Poems: Story of a Courtship, Segments, and Restoration Point).

I will continue my duties as pastor to St. Peter’s Church in North Lake as long as I am physically able, they agree, and I have my bishop’s permission. Our relationships there over the past 12 years have also contributed to Sabine's spiritual and physical health. Of that I am sure.

The remaining portion of my life will continue to be served as a caregiver for my absolute best friend; a woman who has blessed and helped me to grow in so many ways.

We press on.

Out of Sight - Out of Mind!

Finally, after two years we are back on our snowshoes! Bring it on!

Last month we began our 10th year since diagnosis (most of that journey is posted within this blog!) There have been ups and downs, times of terror, times of joy — “the best of times and the worst of times” and yet she is still here sitting next to me yesterday during our three-week cycle of a day-log immunotherapy infusion at the Carbone Cancer Clinic at the University of Wisconsin Hospital.

This is progress! And these “extra years” something of which I will be eternally thankful.

Ten years ago we had the blood cancer diagnosis... two deer in the headlights! We not only had a blood cancer in which to struggle and manage (Multiple Myeloma) but also kidney failure as a result of the cancer. And that meant dialysis five days a week (thankfully we were able to do home hemodialysis after a number of surgeries to establish a fistula). This gave us some flexibility in our life as I shifted into being a medical provider along with being a caregiver, pastor, author, police blogger, and now part-time college professor!

These activities and duties kept me somewhat safe and sound over these years.

So yesterday, we were in Dr. John Sheehan’s at the clinic awaiting our check-up and infusion. The infusion is a day-long event of labs, doctor’s visit, and IV immunotherapy (daratumumab).

Sabine’s mother is in a nearby nursing home and our youngest son and his “SO” and baby are residing in the “hill house” next to our farmhouse.

What kind of life is this? A full and rewarding one! We human persons are adaptable, flexible and with a positive, faith-based orientation can take just about anything and still thrive and be thankful. That’s the truth. We've lived it!

So, being “out of sight and out of mind” this past year has been a good sign from us. After all, when this started I was told that Sabine had about two years to live. That’s eight extra years! Such a wonderful gift!

Update for 2017

Oh, my gosh! Where did the year go? My last post here was last FEBRUARY! As I have always said, "No news is good news!" And so it was true for 2017 and now as we start our TENTH year since diagnosis.

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 10^th year of cancer – still crazy in love!

The Editor, her two kids, and
chicken friends.

Green, boating on the Mighty Mississippi, and hot tubbing under stars and falling snow.

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.]

Could Spring Be Just Ahead?

On Monday of this week we went into UW Hospital for what was to be 16 hour infusion of the new immunotherapy drug that is the mainstay of the new treatment regimen. The good news is that we got out of there in only 12 hours -- and no side effects to speak of. (The long infusion rate is to closely monitor Sabine's reaction to the new drug.

We go back tomorrow for a short sub-cutaneous injection of Velcade (plus a lot of oral dexamethasone).

We do this routine for three weeks and then check on the results.

In the meantime, home dialysis is going well and we are back in our special room as Sabine has become more mobile now. She is in her 5th week of OT and PT and healing.

This morning she put on her Yak-Tracks (crampons) and WALKED up the hill to Buddy's house! A great achievement -- no walker, no cane!

Josh, Rachel and Alex have moved into Buddy's place and provide peace of mind so Sabine and I don't worry quite as much about her. I guess it would be safe to say that Buddy is "winding down" as she approaches her 93rd year. The donkeys have gone to a neighbor's place and her memory is very short-term, sleeping a lot, but up once and a will to hold baby Alex and even to join them for dinner.

The weather of course has been insane. Rain, slush, freezing, re-freezing and swinging temperatures. I think of spring and boating but know it is some weeks away.

I have a great class of seniors at the University. We are engaging in building a class together on "Police Leadership in Changing Times," A most current and relevant topic.

Peace and thanks for your concerns, thoughts and prayers.

Changing the Drug Strategy

Snow today. OT and PT continue with good results. Sabine is able to actually walk with the aid of a walker and no longer has to shuffle her feet. While she continues to sleep at Buddy's house she is able to transverse the stairs each day down to our dialysis room.

Brother Rainer is sill with us and helping out with chores and cooking. He used his carpentry skills to install special railings so his lovely sister can get up and down the basement stairs.

Thanks to everyone who has furnished some great meals for us.

Spring semester started yesterday at UW-Platteville and all went well with my new class, "Police Leadership in Changing Times."

Today we went down to the clinic through some heavy wet snow (thanks to our FWD truck which performed heroically!). Transferring Sabine to the truck worked out -- it's a big step up.

At our meeting with SABINE's oncologist, Dr Sheehan, he proposed we take a new tack on the cancer by moving from CHEMOTHERAPY to IMMUNOTHERAPY by using a new drug called DARATUMUBAB. He is doing this because the present approach is losing its effectiveness and not repressing the cancer as well as we all hoped. Thankfully, we continue to have treatment options as we start our ninth year since diagnosis.

It will be a weekly infusion of the immunotherapy drug (the first one is scheduled for an all-day infusion) plus a sub-cutaneous injection of VELLCADE that same day plus a second shot of VELCADE clinic visit during the week. This regimen will also involve oral DEXAMETHASONE.


HOW DOES DARATUMUMAB (DARZALEX^® ) WORK?

• DARZALEX^® is not chemotherapy. DARZALEX^® is a monoclonal antibody that works with your immune system. Monoclonal antibodies work by attaching themselves to multiple myeloma cells in your body and directly killing them, and/or signaling your immune system to destroy them
• DARZALEX^® finds and attaches to a protein called CD38, which is present on the surface of cells, including high numbers on myeloma cells.

Okay. Here we go. New drugs. A healing pelvis

The Iceman Cometh

The Iceman Cometh

Rural living for most of the weeks of the year is a delight – but not all weeks – like the last two and the ice storm and one-inch coating of ice on the ground – and driveway. Thankfully, my Yak Traks (shoe spikes) came to the rescue.

First Sabine fell, broke her hip,  and was hospitalized for a week. Then we had to cancel chemo for a week. Then Rainer came (and fell but thankfully was not injured!). Then the delivery man of our dialysis fell and could not get up the driveway so we off-loaded the 50+ boxes near the barn. To the rescue came Rainer and neighbor Bob we carried them into the basement.

Yes, there’s more… I parked the Sonata up the driveway to make room for the dialysis truck who was unable to get up Buddy’s driveway. It was cold when I parked the car. Then the sun came out and melted some the the ice and the unoccupied car slid down the hill and hit a donkey pen post and just about totaled the front end.

Then we were supposed to get a prescription for her pain relief which is necessary because the treatment for a broken hip that is not separated is to put pressure on it through the leg. And one cannot do this unless something is done to mask the incredible pain this will cause. Well, thanks to widespread opiate addiction today most providers will not fill a weekend prescription. I took me most of the day and numerous phone calls to get through to a medical practitioner who would fill the prescription. Finally, a doc on call for  Dr Sheehan came to the rescue. What’s the learning? We are responsible for our own medical care and beware of the “silos” (medical disciplines) who have difficulty communicating with one another.

And it rained and rained and froze and froze. Finally, in desperation we called our township office and they came to the rescue with sand and salt and the ice began to melt.

Buddy continues to be up and down (sometimes in bed for 2-3 days) with a growing loss of her memory. This means no donkey lady to do the chores and so that task has been on our agenda as well. (We are in conversation with a family which is looking to  adopt the boys because it’s become simply too much!)

Neighbors and church family have come to the food rescue. Much appreciated!

We are looking forward to a more normality this coming week (chemo on Wed and Thurs, a meeting with Sabine’s oncologist, Dr. Sheehan, and sessions with her occupational and physical therapists.

Recovering Back Home

Sabine is all set now in her mom's house in the upstairs bedroom (the dialysis equipment has also been moved there.) She still is experiencing a lot of pain in movement. We did dialysis yesterday afternoon and all went well in the new location (after all, we've dialyzed on a boat, train, and mile-high lodge in Glacier!).

She is scheduled for OT and PT today and we are hoping we can get her moving with less pain given we have a chemo infusion on Wednesday and Thursday at the hospital in Madison.

Brother Rainer is here (I picked him up at the Rockford Airport after church) and helping out with Charlotte and his sister. Josh, Rachel and little Alex came out yesterday as well. Nearby friends Jeff and Bonnie brought food last night.

So... one step (literally) at a time.

And, yes, above all things -- it could have been worse!

Stay tuned.

Wedding Day -- December 29, 1981, outside Brookings, So. Dak.
on the way back to Northfields.

Semester Break!

I simply could not refrain from joking about Sabine falling and fracturing her hip during my "semester break!" Ho-ho, funny guy.

We were discharged from UW-Hospital after a 4-day stay yesterday afternoon. (While we were at the hospital we did dialysis two times in the hospital clinic where I was permitted to cannulate her needles and take her off the machine -- much thanks to the supportive professionals there.)

Sabine also received her weekly chemo infusion in her room after much discussion and delays.

Nevertheless, here is an update -- we are back home and I have positioned Sabine in her mom's house (where we dialyze) for mobility purposes. Our home has lots of steps from the driveway to our front door.

Now the program is about mobility and accessibility. She will mainly be in her mom's house except for two major transfers next week to the chemo clinic on Wednesday and Thursday. That will be a major undertaking as Sabine continues to experience "level 8" pain whenever she moves. Mr. Oxycotine is available and she has been advised to keep him in her system to mask the pain that will be part of her healing journey -- she is to MOVE as much as possible with weight on her pelvis. Hmmm - but that's what the professionals have prescribed.

While this is a set-back, I continue to reframe it as a blessing. She did not have to have surgery, she did not hit her head when she fell and could have gotten a brain bleed, and she did not fracture her "golden arm" (the one with the fistula for her dialysis).

Home health in nearby Dodgeville has already scheduled her for occupational and physical therapy on Monday and I am going to pick up her brother, Rainer, from the airport on Sunday. Rainer offered to come and help out as a member of the dual-care team: Sabine and her mother, Charlotte.

As many of you know, Charlotte, age 92, is experiencing a growing memory loss due to dementia. She doesn't know what happened, cannot remember the ambulance coming to the farm on Tuesday, nor any other events that have happened over 5 minutes ago.

However, her health is good and she maintains a positive attitude and is always ready to help when asked. But she can no longer live independently and depends on us for daily care.

I want to thank all of you who have offered to help out and brought meals for us. Your love and care is greatly appreciated. I promise that if we need help, we will ask. For example, friend Jeff, who lives nearby, helped out the other night when I stayed with Sabine at the hospital with feeding the donkeys (who greatly miss their daily interaction with Charlotte.

Peace. Healing. And a blessed New Year for all of us!

Oh No! Not Again!

Bad weather. Rain and ice. Dangerous walking. We were at the UW Hospital earlier to today for a fistulagram and headed home around 3:00 p.m. We parked under the shelter and Sabine took some groceries into the house.

I said I was going to chore the donkeys and she was to drive the car down to the farmhouse because of the icy driveway conditions.

For some reason (the drugs she received for the fistulagram?) she decided to walk down the driveway when I heard her scream...

SABINE FELL!

9-1-1 time and I think the 3rd time the Barneveld ambulance team made a visit to New Journey Farm.

Sabine was conveyed to the ER at UW Hospital and that's where we are right now.

Preliminary diagnosis was a hip fracture, but now they want to take more X-rays and possible a CT scan to see what's going on. She is now on a dilaudid drip and more exams coming.

Looks like she will be admitted and we will have to coordinate dialysis at the hospital in the morning and her chemo regimen in the afternoon.

Buddy and Helene are at the farm but it looks like we will have to have some help with her when Helene leaves for Stevens Point.

This is a big setback.

I know you are all concerned and I will keep you updated on this blogsite.

Keep us all in prayer.

Christmas Newsletter -- 2016

Ed. Note: Hard to believe, yet wonderful to experience, we are entering our ninth year of managing/controlling/wrestling with CANCER. A good way to let those who are following this blog know what's been going on with Sabine and her gang is for me to post our annual Christmas newsletter.

________________________________________________________________________________

 Christmas News - 2016! 

From New Journey Farm in Beautiful Blue Mounds 

By David Couper & Sabine Lobitz 

Sabine relaxing with her morning
coffee on the Mississippi with
trusty companions Mocha
and David.

A Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to come to all our friends and family. This was one of those years which brought with it both hard and amazing times. The hard times began with the establishment of a “new normal” as Sabine’s cancer showed some progression. Having been literally spoiled for years of stability and oral chemotherapies, Sabine found it difficult to participate in many of her usual activities like cycling, kayaking and disc golf to name a few.

Veteran's For Police Memorial
 Day Reflection 

Alexander, parents, godparents
and priest.

Through this adjustment back to IV infusion chemo two times a week at the hospital, David was still able to teach for the second year at UW-Platteville, preach at St. Peter’s, helped organize a regional policing conference, and, through his popular blog, to help coach and lead police improvement with regard to recent officer-involved shootings, and the resultant diminishing support and trust for police among people of color.

Cap'n Dave and his crew: Sabine,
Heather H., Gracie, and Heather R.
at the Dubuque Boat Parade.

Still they were able to make it out to the American Players Theater in nearby Spring Green for a great summer season as well as attend performances in Platteville and Dubuque. Most of their “off-time” (read: home dialysis, support groups, chemotherapies, lab and doctor visits) was spent on the good ship Kokomo at the Port of Dubuque. 

Their church gave them some great volunteer opportunities and many blessings. They had visits from granddaughter Gracie and her mom who live in San Diego, and also a summer visit from granddaughter Heather from Michigan. They joined together for the annual Dubuque boat parade. They also had a visit from daughter Yumi and her longtime friend Jessica which was followed by Sabine’s cousin, Helmut, from Montana who had recently lost his wife. Cousin Helene has been down from Stevens Point nearly every month to visit Sabine’s mom, Charlotte, and to help out. (We hear it’s been a big treat!). 

Old Dogs at University High School's
60th Reunion.

Other visitors we’ve seen come and go are Sabine’s brother, Rainer, her sister, Barbara, and cousin Teak and her gang along with daughter Sumi, Scott and Taylor. 

We also overheard (our ears are super-sensitive) that David was able to attend his high school’s 60th reunion in the Twin Cities. He stayed in a wonderful refurbished inn on Nicollet Island, in a building he once took homeless people to when he was a cop in Minneapolis. 

Alexander Wolf Ransom-Couper
August 12, 2016

But there is bigger news ahead: another grandchild, Alexander Wolf Ransom-Couper, came into the world by way of son Joshua and Rachel. (Just in the nick of time as they needed to have a Holy Family for Christmas Eve at St. Peter’s.) He is an amazing youngster! Then (as if all this news was not enough for our little ears), daughter Yumi (still an officer in the Army) and Matt are expecting! More yet: and granddaughter Hannah is getting married just before Christmas in Minnesota. Just when you think things are dull and routine, this family kicks in with new adventures and new members! 

At the Dubuque Art Museum
Benefit

From our earthy prospective, no matter how difficult some aspects of life may seem, the wonder of it all is enough to take your breath away. Open up and breathe! And on behalf of those who live above us and their friends and family, follow the Star, do good, be alert, press on, and work for justice. 

A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from those of us under and above ground! 

The New Journey Farm Moles 

A note: “Although your ravaged lawn makes it look as though a whole family of moles has moved in, it only takes a single mole to create tunnels and mounds over a wide area; Moles are demolition masters. Surface tunnels are what you see when you are fighting moles, but in reality they are a small slice of the architecture of a mole’s home. Often, the tunnels are dotted with huge mounds of dirt in order to make a nice tunnel.” 

Still Struggling to Normalize

Yesterday, Sabine went in for her second chemo infusion this week (carfilzomib) and with platelets and some other blood chemistry tests being low, she had to receive 2 units of whole blood. After the chemo infusion, we left the clinic at around 7:30 p.m. Whew!

But a stop at our favorite local Chinese restaurant (Imperial Gardens) perked her up. Juggling 5 hemodialysis sessions a week with two runs to the clinic at UW Hospital for IV infusions sort of fills the week up along with the normal fall chores of getting ready for winter on the farm, and her mother's failing memory -- it's challenge.

Although she is pretty tired (8.0 hemoglobin), she continues to have a positive attitude with daily exercise and coveted naps in the afternoon.

We still have our boat in the water (we try to be the last one out in early November)

and we are looking forward to enjoying some overnights on the Mississippi.

In January, we begin our 9th year managing this thing called "cancer."

________

A Poem on a Walk

for 8 years now

we've pursued

normal

while blood-washing

and

chemicals become

your/our life

mutations and permutations have

been partners

in our life

together 

but they do not

dominate

yet

as we continue

our morning walks 

(after coffee,

of course)

up the hill 

i see a

some kind of 

shadow

hovering

an illusion?

private and primitive 

it hangs around

wispy

fog-like

shoo

my arm passes

through

go somewhere

else

get out of

here

us

find another

another what?

another victim?

yes, i say

anything

anyone

but

us.