Obtrusive - Word for the Day -- Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Obtrusive

DEFINITION: (adjective) overly prominent.

Okay, Okay... I know... You haven't heard from us in a while. Work for both of us has been obtrusive the last few weeks. I do have some good news for you.

Last Tuesday, 01/27, the port was pulled and we had a doctor's appt. Everything looks great. ChemoSabe did not go neutrapenic once. A surprise for us and the doctors. Our next round of chemo is in six weeks. We go through the same process.

Labs for now will be twice a week for two weeks, once a week for two weeks, then once every two weeks. That will bring us up to the six week deadline. Meds were cut down to four a day. No more Thalidomide (formaldehyde) or steroids.

A MRI is being scheduled and also a bone biopsy. The doctor wants to make certain there is nothing going on with the lesions. She is happy they are not growing, BUT, she is concerned that they are not decreasing in size or disappearing.

ChemoSabe has not missed a lick. He did have a blistered face from what we thought was the Velcade shots (chemo), but we were advised by the transplant nurse it was from the antibiotic drip he had. That makes two antibiotics we know of now that he is highly allergic to. Also, it can cause a condition called "Red Man". Blisters the whole body because it is usually infused too quickly.

So, we are happy with this report. It was worth it.

Mom is doing better, too. She is like talking to a four year old, but I can understand what she wants and/or needs 90% of the time. We are getting along better and she seems to be settling in. I let her call me now on my cell and she goes to the desk and can remember my number most of the time. I believe that gives her more freedom. I took her out on Friday (my day off) and away we went to Wal-Mart. We got her two pairs of casual shoes, lipstick and a compact. She was delighted, but informed me she needed to get a job so she could repay me... I almost cried. The next day she didn't remember one pair of the shoes.

Wednesday is her 80th birthday and I am planning a little cake and ice cream eating at the house. I am hoping we have a good turn out, because I feel it will show her she still has people in her life besides me. Although I have tried to limit my visits to every day or every other day instead of the two to three times a day, she is still dependent on me.

I have a parent/teacher meeting, per se, with the nursing home today for a three month evaluation. Doesn't seem possible.

You will remember I do believe God has a sense of humor. Well, I certainly feel he had a plan for my mother's condition. He knew she would not go anywhere else to live or to a nursing home if anything should ever happen. He is in control and he knew this deal with my sister-in-law would take a massive toll on my brother and he would not be able to spend special time with mom. Remember, he is wheelchair confined. Sooooooo, here came mom's stroke. Then here came my sister-in-law's illness a few days later. My mother has exceptional care and my brother is able to take care of his wife without the major responsibility of my mom.

God is good.

We rode with Rainman and Stretch on Saturday. We were only gone for about five hours. Up through the Ozark Mountains we went. It was a beautiful day. We were already talking about our next trip before we even got off the bikes.

One of the volunteers here for me left me a note a few weeks back that she put a treat in the frig for me. I rushed back expecting pie or cake. It was a six pack of Slim Fast. (WHAT THA?) She could not use it anymore, per her doctor. I tried it and I have been using it religiously. One for breakfast, one for lunch and then a good dinner. Now instead of waking up early and THINKING about putting on sweats and tennis shoes to go out into the hood, I am exercising every morning on the ab lounger I have had in the bed room for a year. I believe I am gonna be ready for those tight jeans and tank tops before our summer rides!

I can't tell you how thankful I am that ChemoSabe has done so well. I can't believe a year is almost gone and we have been through so much. AND, you have been right there with us. Haven't YOU learned so much? (test time... be looking for it)

His skin is so thin, but soft and perfect. We sat down to eat last night and blood started pouring out of the top of his hand. He had a gash. We have no idea how it happened or what happened. We rushed to the bathroom and soaked it with peroxide and put a band aid on it. We have four boxes handy. Different colors for whatever he wears! HA

Oh... we were watching television Sunday, 01/25, and he was bragging about not shaving for the last three to four days... I asked him if he had pulled his hair lately.. He had gotten a haircut on Saturday.. Well, he pulled a cotton ball size and it all came out... Tuesday we went bald again and laughed.. I did a mohawk first. It was certainly not as obtrusive as the first time. HA

Good afternoon and Love, Pepper.