Novice -- Word for the Day -- Sunday, June 15, 2008

Novice
DEFINITION: (noun) a person who is new to a field or activity.

What an eventful day! Pleasant, but eventful. We started our morning early by arriving at UAMS at 8:30 a.m. We were out of there by 10:30 a.m. Chemo Sabe had his lab and shot.

We spoke with Billy and Sherry (Alabama) this morning and his is still in pain from the growth factor shots. He really is struggling with swollen knees and ankles. Please continue to pray for added strength.

I knew when we got up this morning and saw the sunlight that Chemo Sabe would want to ride. And, we did. We left here around 1:00 p.m. and headed toward Lake Catherine to see the kids. We got as far as Malvern (25 miles from here) and stopped to get gas. It was just too hot to continue on so we got back on the interstate and headed back to the house. We thought about doing our last trip of the day to UAMS on the bikes, but then he noticed a little swelling in his wrist so we took the truck.

Lab from this morning --- WBC 9.09..... WOWEE GAZAWEEE... Crap is 16... Even better!

We are heading to the Ward Tower by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow. I believe there will be about 4-5 of us. First will be a blood test to see if the counts are enough to collect. Then back to Infusion to get the port switched out. Remember, the one now looks like a piece of spaghetti running through the juggler with three IV tubes hanging on the chest. It is called the "Cook" port. The replacement is the "Quinten" when is about the size of a straw and as flexible as a piece of pvc. The first port is really not interrupted. A wire guide is inserted into the Cook to hold open the vein. The Cook is eased out and and then the Quinten slides down the wire into place. Something definitely a novice could not do.

He is still scheduled to get the two growth factor shots twice a day until Wednesday. So, after the port exchange he will get his shot. From what we gather the collection will start on Tuesday. Cross your fingers!

I sincerely hope you all are taking notes on all this medical jargon, because I will be giving tests in the future. And, if you are a novice, you will have no chance of passing the test.

I am making these notes short as I am watching the NBA playoffs, so I will close with the excitement for the day. I wanted to save it for last.

1. Chemo Sabe is BALD!!!!! Yes, you heard me correctly. BALD!!!!! We noticed yesterday a few chunks were coming out. I tugged on his hair last night and when I pulled it came out. So, this morning with clippers in hand, in the garage, I took it ALL OFF.. He is trying to convince me it won't take him so long to get ready for work, doctor's visits, or play since there is nothing there... Yeah, right. I can already see him with tweezers or the razor fine tuning it each morning. He has already been clipping over his ears. Says I missed a spot.

2. Big E came over this afternoon (4 yr old grandson). I asked him if he wanted his hair like Poppy's... No, way! Well, about an hour after they left Chemo Sabe got a cell phone photo of daddy and Big E (known as Earl to some). They had both shaved their heads when they got home. The caption "He wanted to look like Poppy". I felt a lump in my throat and I think I saw an ever bigger one in Chemo Sabe's. I believe that was the best Father's Day gift anyone could get.

The dogs haven't had a hard time getting use to it because he talks to them so much. Woody is a different story. I let him out of the cage when we come home so he can drink water. We don't leave it in the cage because he likes to take too many baths. Well, when Chemo Sabe took some trash to the sun room Woody attack the back of his head and poked a hole in it. He then bit Chemo Sabe's hand when he was trying to get him off of him. When Woody heard his voice he stopped. He is the best damn watch dog we've ever had. He is Chemo Sabe's baby, but he just didn't recognize him.

Well, thanks for all you do. Keep those prayers rolling. We had some sad news this morning from an elderly gentleman that starting the same time as us. He couldn't get his WBC high enough so they took him off the chemo and meds and are starting him all over with different stuff. They were so disappointed. Pray for their encouragement.

I believe after the collection Chemo Sabe will have a week of rest. I am certain he will be attempting work days during that time. Whatever he feels like, Pepper gonna let him do.

Have a great week....... Love Pepper