Wart
Definition: projection on the skin usually of the extremities produced by proliferation of the skin papillae and caused by any of numerous human papillomaviruses —called also verruca vulgaris b: any of numerous similar skin lesions not caused by viruses
ChemoSabe has been doing extremely well, EXCEPT, for another round of sinus/cold like symptoms and a Wart, no less, on the end of his nose.
I have been very concerned about the congestion he has had since the weekend. I felt it might be pollen, but he began to react in the same way he did when he had the walking pneumonia. He visited clinic yesterday after labs and spoke with our transplant nurse about it. If he hasn't cleared up by the end of the week he will be placed by on Levaquin (antibiotic).
He also discussed the 'wart' on the end of his nose. She suggested he go to our family doctor or dermatologist and have it checked out and a biopsy run. She wants to make certain it isn't another form of MM. Gosh, I would hate for that to be another side affect the MM patients have to look for.
We headed out on the bikes to Eureka Springs on Saturday a.m. early. We went by ourselves and we had the best time. After we arrived we had lunch and then went back to the room. We thought since we didn't travel with anyone we would take a nap. Something we wish we could do when we do travel with others. Well, we did lie down, but after about 1-1/2 hours we got up. No nap in sight. Neither of us could sleep.
We did call the local catfish place and ordered take out. We weren't really hungry and didn't want to waste time in a restaurant and didn't really want to walk downtown. There was a CMA rally (Christian Motorcycle Assc) and the bikes in town were enormous. So we went back to the room and ate. Afterward we sat outside with two couples we met from Kansas.
We did do a little shopping on Sunday and actually talked ourselves out of a major purchase. Rain suits for the both of us. We have light weight pull ons now and we decided we didn't ride often enough in the rain to carry the extra weight of more expensive suits.
I did not take one photo. We came back down Hwy. 7 to Russellville and the views were awesome. The wind to and from was about 25 mph and it was tiring to hold on constantly. The mountains seemed to be the worse.
We just had a very good time with each other. Kicked back and relaxed. I wish we could have stayed a couple of more days. BUT, we have the rest of the summer.
Our next doctor's appt. is May 19. After another round of MRI, Pet Scan, bone marrow biopsy and CT scan. I guess this is a confirmation that he doesn't need another round of chemo right now.
My sister-in-law is back in the hospital after a chemo round last week. She just can't keep her counts up and blood pressure. She is low on oxygen, too. Something my mother dealt with constantly. Please keep Sharon in your prayers, along with my little (6 ft. 3 in.) brother. He is a very emotional person and is still dealing with the death of my mom. Mother's Day is next week, so I know that is weighing on him. It has begun a toll on me, as well.
ChemoSabe has an appt. with the family doc tomorrow for his nose. I will keep you posted.
I truly enjoy having his ole self back. He is still working his too-too off.
Good evening and Love -- Pepper
Chemo Sabe
- ChemoSabe
- Benton, AR, United States
- Diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma-- May 2008
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
REMISSION -- Word for the Day -- Wednesday, April 22, 2009
REMISSION -- That is where we are... We are thinking about what ChemoSabe and I were experiencing a year ago today as he was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. After five chemo treatments and a stem cell transplant, he is in remission. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. AND, we could not have done it without our son, Tommy, Nurse Chundy, Sister Teresa, friend Sandy, brother Gordon whom came in from out of town to baby sit the zoo so we could get away and many others that mowed our yard and cut down trees after the storms. The encouragement we received was like nothing we have experienced before.
His labs continue to climb after his visit to the ER on Wednesday, April 15. He had to be taken by ambulance. I thought he was having a stroke. He was incoherent and stumbling with his eyes looking masked over. The reason was because of dehydration from gaining 25 lb. the week before and losing 25 lb. the next week. Given fluids, we continue to monitor his blood pressure.
With that, we monitor mine also, and find it has been quite elevated the last few weeks.. Hmmmm... I wonder why? I think the relief of hearing the news about No Mo Chemo has overwhelmed me. I was geared up to continue with all the responsibilities of the home and the constant medication. I finally had, what I call, my nervous breakdown last week. I cried and 'convulsed' to no end. I was so embarrassed as ChemoSabe patted me, hugged me and told me to just let it go. Even though I have cried more times in the last year than I have in the last ten, this one was different. It was like a flood.
We seem to be back to normal with our lives. The MM is still in our minds, but we don't have to plan around UAMS visits daily and on the weekends. In fact, we are heading out to Eureka Springs alone this week to, dare I say, honeymoon! (red faced am I)
My writings will be limited the next few weeks. My home computer crashed. The mother board went out. It must have heard our income tax had come in. I was lucky I had backed up all my files on an external drive over the holidays. I have about 3,000 photos on it along with my other folders.
You all have made the trip the last year easier for us. Your calls, emails, help and just plain listening.
Until I can write again.
Good day and Love -- Pepper
His labs continue to climb after his visit to the ER on Wednesday, April 15. He had to be taken by ambulance. I thought he was having a stroke. He was incoherent and stumbling with his eyes looking masked over. The reason was because of dehydration from gaining 25 lb. the week before and losing 25 lb. the next week. Given fluids, we continue to monitor his blood pressure.
With that, we monitor mine also, and find it has been quite elevated the last few weeks.. Hmmmm... I wonder why? I think the relief of hearing the news about No Mo Chemo has overwhelmed me. I was geared up to continue with all the responsibilities of the home and the constant medication. I finally had, what I call, my nervous breakdown last week. I cried and 'convulsed' to no end. I was so embarrassed as ChemoSabe patted me, hugged me and told me to just let it go. Even though I have cried more times in the last year than I have in the last ten, this one was different. It was like a flood.
We seem to be back to normal with our lives. The MM is still in our minds, but we don't have to plan around UAMS visits daily and on the weekends. In fact, we are heading out to Eureka Springs alone this week to, dare I say, honeymoon! (red faced am I)
My writings will be limited the next few weeks. My home computer crashed. The mother board went out. It must have heard our income tax had come in. I was lucky I had backed up all my files on an external drive over the holidays. I have about 3,000 photos on it along with my other folders.
You all have made the trip the last year easier for us. Your calls, emails, help and just plain listening.
Until I can write again.
Good day and Love -- Pepper
Monday, April 13, 2009
GOD -- Word for the Day -- Monday, April 13, 2009
GOD -- is good all the time and all the time GOD is good.
FRIDAY, APRIL 10 2008, marks one year that ChemoSabe (Jim) fell off the roof and broke his wrist. Same day we were told something was more serious than a metal plate and ten screws. We started our Multiple Myeloma journey on May 7, 2008… THAT DREADED VISIT
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2009 our anniversary of the new life we have lived and you have been there with us. You have made us strong when we were down. Took care of us when we called and we didn’t have to wait on you, either. You have traveled miles, and miles, and miles to take of our needs, especially during the time of the loss of my mother. BUT, GOD is the one that got us through this all.
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, another DREADED VISIT, because his counts came down and his immune system is very low. We have to stay in and away from people until about Tuesday. We were worried something else may have shown up in the tests from his fainting spell on Wednesday and the visit to the ER.
He received two more units of fluid on Friday. He got one in ER on Wed and two yesterday. Ho Hum…. Same ole stuff we hear every visit. THEN… we heard something we were TOTALLY unprepared for ---------------- She says, “Well, that’s it. You are done. You did very well in the Second Consolidation.” We looked at each other and then at her (that deer in the head light look)… We asked what she meant… “No more chemo”. I will see you next week when your treatment is done and then in three months. NO MO CHEMO!!!
I could not catch my breath and ChemoSabe had tears in his eyes. It was like last year, all over again. Listening to someone tell you that you have cancer and maybe six months or go to UAMS… We could not believe it --- NO MORE CHEMO TREATMENTS!!!!!!
Thank my Glorious God and the things he provided for us. What a week to give it to us. Thank you God…. Thank you ALL..
LOVE - Pepper
FRIDAY, APRIL 10 2008, marks one year that ChemoSabe (Jim) fell off the roof and broke his wrist. Same day we were told something was more serious than a metal plate and ten screws. We started our Multiple Myeloma journey on May 7, 2008… THAT DREADED VISIT
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2009 our anniversary of the new life we have lived and you have been there with us. You have made us strong when we were down. Took care of us when we called and we didn’t have to wait on you, either. You have traveled miles, and miles, and miles to take of our needs, especially during the time of the loss of my mother. BUT, GOD is the one that got us through this all.
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, another DREADED VISIT, because his counts came down and his immune system is very low. We have to stay in and away from people until about Tuesday. We were worried something else may have shown up in the tests from his fainting spell on Wednesday and the visit to the ER.
He received two more units of fluid on Friday. He got one in ER on Wed and two yesterday. Ho Hum…. Same ole stuff we hear every visit. THEN… we heard something we were TOTALLY unprepared for ---------------- She says, “Well, that’s it. You are done. You did very well in the Second Consolidation.” We looked at each other and then at her (that deer in the head light look)… We asked what she meant… “No more chemo”. I will see you next week when your treatment is done and then in three months. NO MO CHEMO!!!
I could not catch my breath and ChemoSabe had tears in his eyes. It was like last year, all over again. Listening to someone tell you that you have cancer and maybe six months or go to UAMS… We could not believe it --- NO MORE CHEMO TREATMENTS!!!!!!
Thank my Glorious God and the things he provided for us. What a week to give it to us. Thank you God…. Thank you ALL..
LOVE - Pepper
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Fatigue -- Word for the Day -- Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Fatigue
Definition: Exhausted, worn out, drained.. stretched, frazzled -- and the list goes on. These are only a few of my own definitions of the word.
What a beautiful day we had. So beautiful, ChemoSabe and I talked a couple of times today about riding when we got home. He was feeling better. We have gotten into a habit of sitting on our bed when we get home and just going over the day. It is the quietest room in the house. The dogs are outside and we don't turn on the television.
Today was no different. We decided we really, really didn't want to ride. We were just fatigued. He has been running all week and to labs each day and I have gotten totally behind at work from a few little special projects the preacher has me doing. I haven't even begun the bulletin.
We headed downstairs and he went to the recliner while I went to the freezer. We discussed dinner for tonight and tomorrow night. I ran back upstairs for just a minute to put on my pajamas. It was 5:20. When I came down, ChemoSabe was lying in the den floor. My first thought was he just decided to stretch out and relax, until I heard him murmur.
Then I thought about Billy in Alabama. If you remember, his blood pressure dropped to low and that resulted in a stroke. I began to pray and think out loud.
To make a long story short, he has fainted. Two blood pressure checks at 5:35 were at 77/55 and then 77/54. Then the machine kept giving me errors. I called Infusion and they advised me to call 911. I did, along with his sister.
ER showed he was basically low on fluids. His WBC has dropped to 4.5 and his platelets are at 24... With him gaining 25 lb. in two days last week and he has lost 25 lb. since Monday of this week, his body just lost a lot of fluids even though he drinks a lot of water and such. I know he will be neutrapenic by Friday. They gave us a mask for him to wear as we were leaving. We were home by 8:30.. FASTEST hospital visit I have EVER made.
Oh, when they took his shirts off to put on a hospital gown, he asked the nurse not to mess up his hair!!! ha
Hey... what a relief, I took my spreadsheet with his meds on it and we took his folder he carries all his doctor's orders and daily labs in. What a swift turn around. They knew just what he was taking, when his last treatment was, his lab counts and also that he had the Cook port in his juggler.
We put our supper back in the oven and he helped finish our dinner. He ate very good along with a piece of key lime pie. We went straight up to bed and he took a bowl of Cheerios with him.
Thank the Lord. I was for certain he had a stroke. His eyes had glazed over like my mom's when she had her stroke. They checked him over real good. His oxygen was low.
God worked on us this afternoon. He kept us off those bikes. AND, you can be certain when his counts start dropping in the future, we won't have any thoughts of getting on the bikes.
I lectured him good tonight about this happening again. It really concerned him. I asked him to please pull over if this happens when he is driving and to push his red alert On-Star button. He agreed it was a good idea.
Soooooooo, how was your day?
He is already sleeping like a little puppy. I am just about there myself. More from pure relief mixed in with fatigue.
Please keep those prayers coming in.... They ARE working.
Good night and Love -- Pepper
Definition: Exhausted, worn out, drained.. stretched, frazzled -- and the list goes on. These are only a few of my own definitions of the word.
What a beautiful day we had. So beautiful, ChemoSabe and I talked a couple of times today about riding when we got home. He was feeling better. We have gotten into a habit of sitting on our bed when we get home and just going over the day. It is the quietest room in the house. The dogs are outside and we don't turn on the television.
Today was no different. We decided we really, really didn't want to ride. We were just fatigued. He has been running all week and to labs each day and I have gotten totally behind at work from a few little special projects the preacher has me doing. I haven't even begun the bulletin.
We headed downstairs and he went to the recliner while I went to the freezer. We discussed dinner for tonight and tomorrow night. I ran back upstairs for just a minute to put on my pajamas. It was 5:20. When I came down, ChemoSabe was lying in the den floor. My first thought was he just decided to stretch out and relax, until I heard him murmur.
Then I thought about Billy in Alabama. If you remember, his blood pressure dropped to low and that resulted in a stroke. I began to pray and think out loud.
To make a long story short, he has fainted. Two blood pressure checks at 5:35 were at 77/55 and then 77/54. Then the machine kept giving me errors. I called Infusion and they advised me to call 911. I did, along with his sister.
ER showed he was basically low on fluids. His WBC has dropped to 4.5 and his platelets are at 24... With him gaining 25 lb. in two days last week and he has lost 25 lb. since Monday of this week, his body just lost a lot of fluids even though he drinks a lot of water and such. I know he will be neutrapenic by Friday. They gave us a mask for him to wear as we were leaving. We were home by 8:30.. FASTEST hospital visit I have EVER made.
Oh, when they took his shirts off to put on a hospital gown, he asked the nurse not to mess up his hair!!! ha
Hey... what a relief, I took my spreadsheet with his meds on it and we took his folder he carries all his doctor's orders and daily labs in. What a swift turn around. They knew just what he was taking, when his last treatment was, his lab counts and also that he had the Cook port in his juggler.
We put our supper back in the oven and he helped finish our dinner. He ate very good along with a piece of key lime pie. We went straight up to bed and he took a bowl of Cheerios with him.
Thank the Lord. I was for certain he had a stroke. His eyes had glazed over like my mom's when she had her stroke. They checked him over real good. His oxygen was low.
God worked on us this afternoon. He kept us off those bikes. AND, you can be certain when his counts start dropping in the future, we won't have any thoughts of getting on the bikes.
I lectured him good tonight about this happening again. It really concerned him. I asked him to please pull over if this happens when he is driving and to push his red alert On-Star button. He agreed it was a good idea.
Soooooooo, how was your day?
He is already sleeping like a little puppy. I am just about there myself. More from pure relief mixed in with fatigue.
Please keep those prayers coming in.... They ARE working.
Good night and Love -- Pepper
Friday, April 3, 2009
Deplete -- Word for the Day -- Friday, April 3, 2009
Deplete
Definition: drain , exhaust , impoverish , bankrupt mean to deprive of something essential to existence or potency. deplete implies a reduction in number or quantity so as to endanger the ability to function.
I honestly will not pretend to know how ChemoSabe made it through the week. He has finally collapsed as he gave in to the depletion.
Yesterday, he was up at 3:30 a.m. and out the door by 5:00 a.m. to head out of town then back to L.R. by noon for his Infusion visit. He left Infusion around 2:30 p.m. and went into the office. By 4:00 p.m. he was back at Infusion because they forgot to give him his Velcade injection. When he finally got home at 6:00 p.m. we both hit the bed.
After relaxing and talking for about an hour I got up and fixed us some oatmeal and biscuits for dinner. Gosh, it seemed to be the most magnificent meal we have had in a while. It really hit the spot. Then, back to bed.
I have continued to nest down on the floor of the spare bedroom. With him taking the hiccup pills twice a day, it opens up his throat area and relaxes the throat muscles so I just can't take it. No way I would ask him to move with lugging the chemo bag around and with the hours he has been getting up.
This morning he was up at 4:30 and into the office he went. I did get to sleep a little longer as it is my day off. But, what chores I have that have lain by the wayside. With the rain this week our yard is beginning to look like I need to have hay cut. I do not know when I will get to it since we have a busy schedule until Wednesday or Thursday.
He again came home around 6:30 p.m. today and went straight up to bed and not the recliner. Now I know he is depleted. That gave me the opportunity to finish paying bills. What a headache. I counted 14 accounts with UAMS now. So, I pay less on each account. Every little bit helps. I just don't let it worry me like in the beginning. At least we got the big mamma jamma chemo by mouth at no charge this round. I picked it up in the Infusion pharmacy and then two days later we got two more packs via FedEx. Now the Transplant nurse is thinking about taking him off it altogether. That's okay, though.... We didn't lose anything.
The last chemo rounds I would try to fix all the foods he liked and especially the healthy ones. Only to discover he was a little hungry, but didn't have a taste for what I fixed. So, this time I wait until he gets home and give him a choice. Tonight it was salmon with rice and green beans OR bacon and eggs. He said he had been having a craving for my fried egg sandwiches. GOSH, why didn't I think of that? So, I took a break from the bill paying and fixed them with cheese dip and chips, with a fresh pitcher of my lip smacking tea. Ate --- and back to bed.
He has gained about 25 lb. since Monday. I won't tell you how much he weighs. He would shoot me. He has lost five pounds since yesterday. Yesterday was also the last day of the dex (steroid) so the weight will be coming off faster in the next couple of days. He also got his bag off today so the fluids have decreased, also.
Chemo really stinks....... I mean stinks.... Not only having to take it, but to have it in your system.... It stinks (smells)... I have washed clothes all day and the order is like he has been working in a field in 110 deg. temperature. He told me last night he could smell himself, but I told him I couldn't smell anything. (LIE!!! Well, just a little one). That, too, will be depleting in the next couple of days. Oh... not the lies --- the smell. Sometimes a caregiver has to do what they have to do to keep confidence up. If you remember, when he had the stem cell transplant we even had to buy different deordoant... That was a massive odor.
We are blessed. Roger in OKC is still sick. Has been since he returned home about three weeks ago. They are due back around the middle of May. ChemoSabe is being told we won't be back for six months after this round. Cross your fingers. That will give us until around November for our freedom.
We are lucky, too, that ChemoSabe feels good enough to work and do things he has done in the past. He really wants to ride tomorrow because the weather will be so nice, but I have prepared him he might be dragging the floor after coming off the dex.
Well, kids... It is 10:45 p.m. and I have to get him up early. Don't know if I will even go to the bedroom. May just stay here in my little hole and throw the comforter on the floor. That spare bed has just been killing me so that's why I chose the floor. Gotta get him up in time to make his 7:30 lab.
Good night and Love -- Pepper
Definition: drain , exhaust , impoverish , bankrupt mean to deprive of something essential to existence or potency. deplete implies a reduction in number or quantity so as to endanger the ability to function.
I honestly will not pretend to know how ChemoSabe made it through the week. He has finally collapsed as he gave in to the depletion.
Yesterday, he was up at 3:30 a.m. and out the door by 5:00 a.m. to head out of town then back to L.R. by noon for his Infusion visit. He left Infusion around 2:30 p.m. and went into the office. By 4:00 p.m. he was back at Infusion because they forgot to give him his Velcade injection. When he finally got home at 6:00 p.m. we both hit the bed.
After relaxing and talking for about an hour I got up and fixed us some oatmeal and biscuits for dinner. Gosh, it seemed to be the most magnificent meal we have had in a while. It really hit the spot. Then, back to bed.
I have continued to nest down on the floor of the spare bedroom. With him taking the hiccup pills twice a day, it opens up his throat area and relaxes the throat muscles so I just can't take it. No way I would ask him to move with lugging the chemo bag around and with the hours he has been getting up.
This morning he was up at 4:30 and into the office he went. I did get to sleep a little longer as it is my day off. But, what chores I have that have lain by the wayside. With the rain this week our yard is beginning to look like I need to have hay cut. I do not know when I will get to it since we have a busy schedule until Wednesday or Thursday.
He again came home around 6:30 p.m. today and went straight up to bed and not the recliner. Now I know he is depleted. That gave me the opportunity to finish paying bills. What a headache. I counted 14 accounts with UAMS now. So, I pay less on each account. Every little bit helps. I just don't let it worry me like in the beginning. At least we got the big mamma jamma chemo by mouth at no charge this round. I picked it up in the Infusion pharmacy and then two days later we got two more packs via FedEx. Now the Transplant nurse is thinking about taking him off it altogether. That's okay, though.... We didn't lose anything.
The last chemo rounds I would try to fix all the foods he liked and especially the healthy ones. Only to discover he was a little hungry, but didn't have a taste for what I fixed. So, this time I wait until he gets home and give him a choice. Tonight it was salmon with rice and green beans OR bacon and eggs. He said he had been having a craving for my fried egg sandwiches. GOSH, why didn't I think of that? So, I took a break from the bill paying and fixed them with cheese dip and chips, with a fresh pitcher of my lip smacking tea. Ate --- and back to bed.
He has gained about 25 lb. since Monday. I won't tell you how much he weighs. He would shoot me. He has lost five pounds since yesterday. Yesterday was also the last day of the dex (steroid) so the weight will be coming off faster in the next couple of days. He also got his bag off today so the fluids have decreased, also.
Chemo really stinks....... I mean stinks.... Not only having to take it, but to have it in your system.... It stinks (smells)... I have washed clothes all day and the order is like he has been working in a field in 110 deg. temperature. He told me last night he could smell himself, but I told him I couldn't smell anything. (LIE!!! Well, just a little one). That, too, will be depleting in the next couple of days. Oh... not the lies --- the smell. Sometimes a caregiver has to do what they have to do to keep confidence up. If you remember, when he had the stem cell transplant we even had to buy different deordoant... That was a massive odor.
We are blessed. Roger in OKC is still sick. Has been since he returned home about three weeks ago. They are due back around the middle of May. ChemoSabe is being told we won't be back for six months after this round. Cross your fingers. That will give us until around November for our freedom.
We are lucky, too, that ChemoSabe feels good enough to work and do things he has done in the past. He really wants to ride tomorrow because the weather will be so nice, but I have prepared him he might be dragging the floor after coming off the dex.
Well, kids... It is 10:45 p.m. and I have to get him up early. Don't know if I will even go to the bedroom. May just stay here in my little hole and throw the comforter on the floor. That spare bed has just been killing me so that's why I chose the floor. Gotta get him up in time to make his 7:30 lab.
Good night and Love -- Pepper
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Diligence -- Word for the Day -- Wednesday, April 1, 2009
2Diligence (noun)
Definition: persevering application : assiduity obsolete : speed , haste: the attention and care legally expected or required of a person (as a party to a contract)
Are we diligent? YES, WE ARE!!! God gives us that trait. We are diligent through His strength and grace. He has helped me to survive this week through my weaknesses... He has made me diligent! Thank you, Aunt Betty and Sissy!!!
I want to tell you how proud I am of ChemoSabe this week. His meds and chemo have been doubled (it seems) and he still keeps ticking. We spoke of his lab reports last night and the doctor's orders. He has learned so much at the same time I was beating myself up for not being with him in Infusion and his chemo hook up. He is STRONG!
We learned he is on a 'waiting list' for an APN. That is really a glorified nursing assistant that keeps up with the patients and makes reports. I suppose the doctors read these reports, but from our last experiences, it leaves a lot to the imagination.
ChemoSabe needed to see his APN yesterday so the head Infusion nurse checked on it. He was told he was on a waiting list for an APN since they were 'short handed'. (You see a lot of references to the ["s] I am inserting). We looked at his doctor's orders (the second page) and our doctor indicates he is to see an APN daily. He was fascinated that there was a second page to the doctor's orders. BUT..... he made a good point when he stated we pay $175.00 for an APN to just come in to say "Hi"....so, he doesn't feel he needs that expense since all his counts are up and moving right along... I have to say I agree.
He has done fairly well this week, BUT...(you know there is always a 'BUT'), he has gained 18 lb. in the last two days..............!!!!!!!!! (Come on Dex [steroids]). He is puffy in the face and around the spare tire! ha He is looking more like me every day.
We went out to our favorite place tonight with our favorite waitress, Tara, and had Italian food with a wine basket.... It was what we needed. I was able to relax and share with him my anxieties of not being able to be with him every moment of his treatment and missing my mom. Hellllllooooooo.... and why could I not do this with him before! Because I am stupid! Oh, but you already knew that.
This place makes the BEST Caesar salads... I believe I could do without the main entree and just go the salad and wine. This place is right across the interstate from my mom's nursing home, so it is like having dinner with her without her presence.
The chemo bags are disconnected on Friday morning. He has already planned a trip tomorrow with the bags on. He is already planning on getting on the bikes Saturday before the late evening rains come in and riding. I really see his counts coming down by Tuesday or Wednesday.... I thing his immune system will be at its lowest. If you remember, he didn't ever come down last chemo session. We waited for two weekends and he keeps going up and not down... Pray for the same.
He is now ironing his shirt for tomorrow.... I have fixed the coffee and am ready for bed.
Oh,,,, A funny before I forget. I get a call before I leave for work this morning. when I get a call from ChemoSabe I know he wants something.... I hear this.... HICCUP...."Hey, Baby.... Can you HICCUP do me a favor? HICCUP... I have these HICCUPS......" I laugh.... "If you take my pills HICCUP to work with you I will HICCUP drop by and pick them HICCUP up...." These hiccups are so uncontrollable and forceful, it is absolutely funny. He has not had them that vicious since the very first round of chemo... Another indication the chemo is stronger.
We are certain the meds and chemo are more fierce because the time frame will be wider spread before the next therapy (maybe six months).... Keep praying for the right path... Stronger chemo, further apart..... Less chemo, more frequent..
We love you.... Especially me! I cherish each of you for your prayers, your wisdom (Aunt Betty, Gord and Sissy).
I am listening to a news cast about massage therapist and the places they are not allowed to touch for therapy. To tell you the truth, I have never had a massage, but right now.... I would let them touch anywhere to relieve the stress!!! OH MY GOODNESS..... (shut my mouth)
Be prepared for your next test... Never know when I will be in the mood.
Good night and Love --- Pepper.
Definition: persevering application : assiduity obsolete : speed , haste: the attention and care legally expected or required of a person (as a party to a contract)
Are we diligent? YES, WE ARE!!! God gives us that trait. We are diligent through His strength and grace. He has helped me to survive this week through my weaknesses... He has made me diligent! Thank you, Aunt Betty and Sissy!!!
I want to tell you how proud I am of ChemoSabe this week. His meds and chemo have been doubled (it seems) and he still keeps ticking. We spoke of his lab reports last night and the doctor's orders. He has learned so much at the same time I was beating myself up for not being with him in Infusion and his chemo hook up. He is STRONG!
We learned he is on a 'waiting list' for an APN. That is really a glorified nursing assistant that keeps up with the patients and makes reports. I suppose the doctors read these reports, but from our last experiences, it leaves a lot to the imagination.
ChemoSabe needed to see his APN yesterday so the head Infusion nurse checked on it. He was told he was on a waiting list for an APN since they were 'short handed'. (You see a lot of references to the ["s] I am inserting). We looked at his doctor's orders (the second page) and our doctor indicates he is to see an APN daily. He was fascinated that there was a second page to the doctor's orders. BUT..... he made a good point when he stated we pay $175.00 for an APN to just come in to say "Hi"....so, he doesn't feel he needs that expense since all his counts are up and moving right along... I have to say I agree.
He has done fairly well this week, BUT...(you know there is always a 'BUT'), he has gained 18 lb. in the last two days..............!!!!!!!!! (Come on Dex [steroids]). He is puffy in the face and around the spare tire! ha He is looking more like me every day.
We went out to our favorite place tonight with our favorite waitress, Tara, and had Italian food with a wine basket.... It was what we needed. I was able to relax and share with him my anxieties of not being able to be with him every moment of his treatment and missing my mom. Hellllllooooooo.... and why could I not do this with him before! Because I am stupid! Oh, but you already knew that.
This place makes the BEST Caesar salads... I believe I could do without the main entree and just go the salad and wine. This place is right across the interstate from my mom's nursing home, so it is like having dinner with her without her presence.
The chemo bags are disconnected on Friday morning. He has already planned a trip tomorrow with the bags on. He is already planning on getting on the bikes Saturday before the late evening rains come in and riding. I really see his counts coming down by Tuesday or Wednesday.... I thing his immune system will be at its lowest. If you remember, he didn't ever come down last chemo session. We waited for two weekends and he keeps going up and not down... Pray for the same.
He is now ironing his shirt for tomorrow.... I have fixed the coffee and am ready for bed.
Oh,,,, A funny before I forget. I get a call before I leave for work this morning. when I get a call from ChemoSabe I know he wants something.... I hear this.... HICCUP...."Hey, Baby.... Can you HICCUP do me a favor? HICCUP... I have these HICCUPS......" I laugh.... "If you take my pills HICCUP to work with you I will HICCUP drop by and pick them HICCUP up...." These hiccups are so uncontrollable and forceful, it is absolutely funny. He has not had them that vicious since the very first round of chemo... Another indication the chemo is stronger.
We are certain the meds and chemo are more fierce because the time frame will be wider spread before the next therapy (maybe six months).... Keep praying for the right path... Stronger chemo, further apart..... Less chemo, more frequent..
We love you.... Especially me! I cherish each of you for your prayers, your wisdom (Aunt Betty, Gord and Sissy).
I am listening to a news cast about massage therapist and the places they are not allowed to touch for therapy. To tell you the truth, I have never had a massage, but right now.... I would let them touch anywhere to relieve the stress!!! OH MY GOODNESS..... (shut my mouth)
Be prepared for your next test... Never know when I will be in the mood.
Good night and Love --- Pepper.
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