Replete -- Word for the Day -- Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Replete
DEFINITION: (adjective) filled abundantly.

Although the last few weeks have been pure hell, they have been repleted in that our life together, in some sense of the word, has been back to normal.

My oldest brother came in for the weekend again and that gave ChemoSabe and me time to clean a little on the house and to blow and burn leaves. Our yard was completely clear, UNTIL..... The rain came in on Monday night along with the wind and now we are covered again. I try to blow at least once a week during the fall and that gives me a leg up on being drowned by the cleansing of nature.

The weekend was also one that reminds me of old times with Poppy. The brisk air and the exercise was more medication that he needed to feel revived and repleted. No aches and pains were in our vocabulary after the workout. Just enjoyment and satisifaction.

My mom has been progressing well physically. Her memory has a lot to be desired. She still has problems with her speech in completing sentences and forming words. At times, she is as sharp as a whip. She doesn't miss a beat in telling you a story and then..... She seems to know ChemoSabe very well, but she calls him "Johnny". That was my grandpa's name. He lets her rub his head each night before we leave and she laughs and tells him she is proud his hair is growing back. The other night she said, "Him and his damn head!"

His hair is growing back in very thickly and is quite longer than peach fuzz. His eyebrows are more black that white now and I see that in his hair, but we won't know until it gets longer. We are told the next round of chemo will not have an effect on his hair and he won't lose it.

We are getting ready to begin the bridging therapy again. That is the four days of steroids and chemo by mouth. We do that for 21 days along with four other meds and then start over again, until we reach the time for the consolidation. We believe some time in January we will be beginning this process. Until then, he will be doing the daily labs which will start in about a week. He has been bruising very easily and that is from the daily 150 mg of Levonox (blood thinner).

ChemoSabe's dad had minor surgery yesterday and will be in the hospital for about four days. My SIL began chemo/radiation this week and is in a wheelchair. Our friend, Shooter's mom had surgery last week and they have discovered more cancer and she also will begin chemo/radiation when she is strong enough.

When it rains, it pours. But, we are still thankful for our blessings and good fortune.

Please continue to pray for us and we will pray for you.

Good day and Love -- Pepper