Stress
The deformation caused in a body by such a force. A physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation. A state resulting from a stress; especially one of bodily or mental tension resulting from factors that tend to alter an existent equilibrium.
I use this word today because that is all I have seen on Facebook from family and friends the last few weeks. The individuals are not of an older generation, but from the college inductee category. With these stress related issues, they would tend to let you believe they are in dire need of someone from the older generation to listen. When one calls their hand, they then lash out with unhealthy language and an attitude of disrespect.
What has the 'college' and 'high school' generation come to that the adults that would like to follow along with family and friend's updates cannot do so in a manner of enjoyment? I find myself getting entwined in their game and as much as I resist the desire to participate, I found myself today doing just that... It sickened me of myself, but especially of the one that pulled me into the trap.
Now that I have that off my chest!
Memorial services for Sharon were very nice on Saturday. My little brother did very well. It is now time for him to begin the mending phase. Please pray for him as he goes through this process as he has been unable to eat and has turned to a 12 pack a day. Guess he forgot the phrase of "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."... Somehow down the line he got confused at the grocery store.
I am at my wit's end with him. If I am nice, he drinks more. If I am angry, he drinks more.
I found myself recruiting ChemoSabe last night after my last couple of nights with stress worrying about my brother. We jumped on the spa and emptied it, polished and began the filling process. I had emptied it about a month ago and propped the ends open so it would not mildew... I did a wonderful job at that, if I must say so myself. ha... It cleaned up nicely and we began filling it around 8:00 p.m. At 10:30 I turned the water off. It was only half fill.. Or, was it half empty?
This morning I sat an alarm and turned the water back on. Got it filled and turned the pump and heater on. I can't wait until tonight. All that twisting and turning pulled my back again. I slept on the heating pad and took muscle relaxers. If you know me at all, you know I HATE pills.
Have to tell you this... This will remind you of the "Stupider" post from a few weeks ago. The last time I emptied the spa and cleaned it, I thought I had the water hose on a timer. I use to have all the hoses on one. Well, someone in the household (there are only two of us and it were not I) (red neck talk), disconnected the timer. I turned the water on; we went to Wal-Mart (about two hours) and then went else where (about four hours) and when we came back in the night I went to check the spa... OH MY GOODNESS... Four flooded decks...
ChemoSabe is traveling today after having a tooth filled this morning. He called me to ask if he was speaking strangely. ha
Our friend, Roger from OKC got a very good report on Friday. He heard the word "REMISSION". BUT, he is doing another round of chemo that began on Saturday. He did a second stem cell transplant. You will remember when we started the stem cell collection we thought he would be the first one out of the gate. It took him almost a week to collect the 21,000.
We met Ruthie and him, along with my boss and wife for dinner last week. We had such a pleasant visit and good food. Can't wait till we meet again. It was a stress reliever.
We are looking to try a motorcycle trip in the next few weeks to St. Louis before ChemoSabe begins his Velcade injections. We are told he will be quite tired after those. I haven't seen it, yet, in all his treatments. Knowing him it will affect him like a dose of chemo! ha..
Well, Kids.. I really need to get back to work since it is a short week. Again, please continue to pray for my brother. He is such a loving and caring person to others. He would give a stranger his last dollar if they asked for it. He just can't take care of himself.
Good afternoon and Love -- Pepper
Chemo Sabe
- ChemoSabe
- Benton, AR, United States
- Diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma-- May 2008
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Faith -- Word for the Day -- Thursday, May 21, 2009
Faith --
Definition:
1 a: allegiance to duty or a person : loyalty b (1): fidelity to one's promises (2): sincerity of intentions
2 a (1): belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2): belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion b (1): firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2): complete trust
3: something that is believed especially with strong conviction
We had faith today as we entered into the doctor's office for ChemoSabe's visit. After the PET scan, MRI and bone marrow biopsy I had that 'dread' again. Dye was injected into his veins on this MRI and it was a full body. Results --- All the 25+ lesions still exist but are not growing. In fact, one that was 3.7 cm is now 1.5 cm. He is clean.
When we get our order of Revlimid then we will begin the one year maintenance schedule which consists of twice a week Velcade (chemo) injection for two weeks, every 28 days. We start on Dex then, too, every 28 days along with other meds.
I looked at his labs on Tuesday and noticed cholesterol was 245... HIGH... So, he called the transplant nurse himself and they called in a script for his Crestor that he took after his triple bypass.
So, we are on the road again, or should I say 'schedule' of regular meds along with added drugs. He is warned to watch his weight. Why did he look at me when she said that? We don't eat fried foods or junk. We usually do our two veggies and one meat. He is a big lover of bread and ice cream. I don't indulge myself in that. Guess those will be coming off the grocery list.
I lost that eight pounds last week and I can see a big different in my gut. Maybe I got a good start on weight loss. Just didn't want to lose it that way.
My little brother is doing well this week. He has been laughing about things that have happened and has accepted this as God's will. I believe he is uplifted with the waiting of the memorial services for this weekend. Maybe this week gave him time to heal a little bit before saying his final goodbye.
We were heading out to St. Louis today, but we have postponed. We thought about a short trip on Saturday evening and coming back on Monday, but I think we would be pushing it. We definitely will have to make it before the Velcade starts as that will make him quite tired.
Oh... we have to keep him out of the sun, too. The doctor thought he was serious when he said he could put an umbrella on his bike... ha She is such a doll!
I forgot to tell you guys that son and I gave a surprise one year cancer survivor party for ChemoSabe on May 9. He was quite surprised. We had about 30 people. They all had on white handkerchiefs when we walked in. With the swine flu going around I couldn't find masks... If you didn't get to come, thank you for being with us the last year. What a trip! We will do it again next year (party, that is).
We are losing our transplant nurse. She is transferring within UAMS. She loves us so much she gave us her email address. She lives about six miles from us so maybe we will run into her, too. She got our invitation on Monday after the party on Saturday. She was disappointed.
We will be heading into Little Rock this evening to have dinner with Rog and Ruthie from OKC. He finished up his second stem cell and will be going back on the chemo bag tomorrow. Please put him in your prayers.
Well, kids... Going to call it a day. I think of all of you often.
Good afternoon and love -- Pepper
The following link is to the song "Long Black Train"... It will be played at Sharon's services.... It is an awesome video and would be a good tool for anyone on drugs or alcohol... Just copy and paste it into your browser
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9wOtytISn4
Definition:
1 a: allegiance to duty or a person : loyalty b (1): fidelity to one's promises (2): sincerity of intentions
2 a (1): belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2): belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion b (1): firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2): complete trust
3: something that is believed especially with strong conviction
We had faith today as we entered into the doctor's office for ChemoSabe's visit. After the PET scan, MRI and bone marrow biopsy I had that 'dread' again. Dye was injected into his veins on this MRI and it was a full body. Results --- All the 25+ lesions still exist but are not growing. In fact, one that was 3.7 cm is now 1.5 cm. He is clean.
When we get our order of Revlimid then we will begin the one year maintenance schedule which consists of twice a week Velcade (chemo) injection for two weeks, every 28 days. We start on Dex then, too, every 28 days along with other meds.
I looked at his labs on Tuesday and noticed cholesterol was 245... HIGH... So, he called the transplant nurse himself and they called in a script for his Crestor that he took after his triple bypass.
So, we are on the road again, or should I say 'schedule' of regular meds along with added drugs. He is warned to watch his weight. Why did he look at me when she said that? We don't eat fried foods or junk. We usually do our two veggies and one meat. He is a big lover of bread and ice cream. I don't indulge myself in that. Guess those will be coming off the grocery list.
I lost that eight pounds last week and I can see a big different in my gut. Maybe I got a good start on weight loss. Just didn't want to lose it that way.
My little brother is doing well this week. He has been laughing about things that have happened and has accepted this as God's will. I believe he is uplifted with the waiting of the memorial services for this weekend. Maybe this week gave him time to heal a little bit before saying his final goodbye.
We were heading out to St. Louis today, but we have postponed. We thought about a short trip on Saturday evening and coming back on Monday, but I think we would be pushing it. We definitely will have to make it before the Velcade starts as that will make him quite tired.
Oh... we have to keep him out of the sun, too. The doctor thought he was serious when he said he could put an umbrella on his bike... ha She is such a doll!
I forgot to tell you guys that son and I gave a surprise one year cancer survivor party for ChemoSabe on May 9. He was quite surprised. We had about 30 people. They all had on white handkerchiefs when we walked in. With the swine flu going around I couldn't find masks... If you didn't get to come, thank you for being with us the last year. What a trip! We will do it again next year (party, that is).
We are losing our transplant nurse. She is transferring within UAMS. She loves us so much she gave us her email address. She lives about six miles from us so maybe we will run into her, too. She got our invitation on Monday after the party on Saturday. She was disappointed.
We will be heading into Little Rock this evening to have dinner with Rog and Ruthie from OKC. He finished up his second stem cell and will be going back on the chemo bag tomorrow. Please put him in your prayers.
Well, kids... Going to call it a day. I think of all of you often.
Good afternoon and love -- Pepper
The following link is to the song "Long Black Train"... It will be played at Sharon's services.... It is an awesome video and would be a good tool for anyone on drugs or alcohol... Just copy and paste it into your browser
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9wOtytISn4
Monday, May 18, 2009
Ill -- Word for the Day -- Monday, May 18, 2009
Ill
1 achiefly Scottish : immoral, vicious b: resulting from, accompanied by, or indicative of an evil or malevolent intention c: attributing evil or an objectionable quality
2 a: causing suffering or distress bcomparative also ill·er superlative also illest (1): not normal or sound (2): not in good health
I think the 'vicious, evil, suffering' are great adjectives for the following.
God never gives us more than we can handle.... He handles it... He diverts us when we get overwhelmed and takes our mind off of it by giving us something else.
ChemoSabe starts his tests again on Tuesday... PET scan at 7:00 with bone marrow biopsy around 1:30..
What a helleva week. My sister-in-law that was diagnosed with brain and lung cancer in October was in ICU the last two weeks. Wednesday, May 13 was her 52nd birthday. She passed away..
I had a scratchy throat all week and couldn't swallow without severe pain on Thurs. Went to the doctor and he put me to bed with Levaquin. Said it may be a bacterial infection. It was worse on Friday so I went back. My infection level was still high so they did more blood tests and looked for mono. Had an ultra sound on my throat.. Found a couple of swollen lymphoids. Sent me to a ENT doc and he found infected cysts. Explained it as tonsillitis, but I had mine out when I was five. He lanced one and it was packed. Took me to his little surgery room and cut on it again. Sent me home with penicillin.... Ate and still had painful swallowing. Took the pill at 7:30 and from 8:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. I was dry heaving and diarrhea..
ChemoSabe called sister and she brought fenegrin. No help. Around 10:30 I was straight blood from then to 3:30 a.m.. Called the doctor and he instructed them to take me to ER in LR. Was there for six hours. Admitted me at 5:30 a.m. on Friday and released me on Saturday after two units of fluid and three bags of antibiotics. They thought I was septic. All this, my family doctor thinks is because I ran myself down as a caregiver.
I feel wonderful today. No flu like aches (like the last 3-4 weeks). I am resting well and have some energy. Lost eight pounds in seven hours. Now,that's a diet plan. I really don't know how I worked the last two weeks. I just convinced myself that was life and 'get over it'.
My little brother came up to the hospital and laughed... He said, "Now how does it look from that side?" He is doing very well after Sharon's death. He has gone through all their paperwork and is sorting out things and taking care of them immediately. I am so proud of him.
I could not have made the last week without my older brother. He mowed my yard, folded laundry, was at the hospital constantly with Mike while he was here and then checked on him after Mike went home. He also kept ChemoSabe company while I was ill by taking him out to eat.
Sister is always there for us, too. Pick up the phone and she is there is 15 minutes..... Thank you.
Most of all, ChemoSabe was my strength. He is not use to me being the patient... He has been a good caretaker.
Well, I guess that is it for now. I am back at work today. My boss did the church bulletins and he did great. Instead of putting the menu in for Wednesday night, he just put "Something Good".
Thank you for your prayers..... See you soon...God is good, all the time!
Good Day and Love -- Pepper
1 achiefly Scottish : immoral, vicious b: resulting from, accompanied by, or indicative of an evil or malevolent intention
2 a: causing suffering or distress
I think the 'vicious, evil, suffering' are great adjectives for the following.
God never gives us more than we can handle.... He handles it... He diverts us when we get overwhelmed and takes our mind off of it by giving us something else.
ChemoSabe starts his tests again on Tuesday... PET scan at 7:00 with bone marrow biopsy around 1:30..
What a helleva week. My sister-in-law that was diagnosed with brain and lung cancer in October was in ICU the last two weeks. Wednesday, May 13 was her 52nd birthday. She passed away..
I had a scratchy throat all week and couldn't swallow without severe pain on Thurs. Went to the doctor and he put me to bed with Levaquin. Said it may be a bacterial infection. It was worse on Friday so I went back. My infection level was still high so they did more blood tests and looked for mono. Had an ultra sound on my throat.. Found a couple of swollen lymphoids. Sent me to a ENT doc and he found infected cysts. Explained it as tonsillitis, but I had mine out when I was five. He lanced one and it was packed. Took me to his little surgery room and cut on it again. Sent me home with penicillin.... Ate and still had painful swallowing. Took the pill at 7:30 and from 8:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. I was dry heaving and diarrhea..
ChemoSabe called sister and she brought fenegrin. No help. Around 10:30 I was straight blood from then to 3:30 a.m.. Called the doctor and he instructed them to take me to ER in LR. Was there for six hours. Admitted me at 5:30 a.m. on Friday and released me on Saturday after two units of fluid and three bags of antibiotics. They thought I was septic. All this, my family doctor thinks is because I ran myself down as a caregiver.
I feel wonderful today. No flu like aches (like the last 3-4 weeks). I am resting well and have some energy. Lost eight pounds in seven hours. Now,that's a diet plan. I really don't know how I worked the last two weeks. I just convinced myself that was life and 'get over it'.
My little brother came up to the hospital and laughed... He said, "Now how does it look from that side?" He is doing very well after Sharon's death. He has gone through all their paperwork and is sorting out things and taking care of them immediately. I am so proud of him.
I could not have made the last week without my older brother. He mowed my yard, folded laundry, was at the hospital constantly with Mike while he was here and then checked on him after Mike went home. He also kept ChemoSabe company while I was ill by taking him out to eat.
Sister is always there for us, too. Pick up the phone and she is there is 15 minutes..... Thank you.
Most of all, ChemoSabe was my strength. He is not use to me being the patient... He has been a good caretaker.
Well, I guess that is it for now. I am back at work today. My boss did the church bulletins and he did great. Instead of putting the menu in for Wednesday night, he just put "Something Good".
Thank you for your prayers..... See you soon...God is good, all the time!
Good Day and Love -- Pepper
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Stupider -- Word for the Day -- Thursday, May 7, 2009
Stupider is how I felt when I went to the doctor this morning. Well, to be accurate, that's how HE made me feel. Yes, I know I shouldn't have been pulling and pushing. Yes, I know I should ask for help instead of trying to do it myself. Yes, I won't do anything like that again. If I didn't like him so much I would have gotten a little perturbed.
Had three x-rays after he felt a spot that made me almost jump off the table. X-rays couldn't reveal anything so they are requesting a back scan. IF our insurance approves it. He gave me a muscle relaxer/pain (Soma) prescript and steroids with instructions to go home directly, go to bed and lie on a heating pad. I guess he didn't understand the part about my need to work. I don't think he remembers that if I take steroids I am prone to move furniture, clean windows and mow the yard.
ChemoSabe's wart fell off yesterday. It was frozen last week. It looks very good and seems to be healing appropriately.
We had another run in with his insurance. If you remember, his limit a year is $125,000. It started back up in January. After phone calls about the agencies we have been turned over to we were alerted that insurance has paid NOTHING this year. I just had to make ChemoSabe make that call. I have been getting so frustrated with that part of it after handling it for a year. He was on the phone for over 1-1/2 hours (how does it feel?). At first the young lady told him he had reached his 'lifetime' limit of $1 million. WHAT THA??? After the initial shock and doing some mental calculating, we figured there was no way.
He asked to speak with the supervisor and after another 30 min. was told the first young lady had no clue. They will be writing UAMS a letter that they made a mistake and he is covered, thus far, for this year. What a bunch of crap and I don't mean his blood test!
My sister-in-law improved massively yesterday. She is having a weak conversation with us and is coherent. She is raising her arms some. The report this morning was she still has pneumonia and a lung infection, but she has improved. She has not eaten in three days so my little 6 ft. 3 in. brother told them yesterday he was going to feed her soft foods. They proclaimed -- liquid. He refused. She got applesauce.
He got into a major argument with one doctor and they asked Mike to leave. I was so proud of him...... He is so meek and humble. This morning he apologized to the same doctor and the doctor told him not to worry. He bragged that Mike was taking extremely good care of Sharon and they didn't have to worry about her. The nurses were even relieved he took such an interest.
Your prayers have worked, but we still have a long way to go.
Son and I are hosting a 'surprise' one year survivor party on Saturday. We have about 30 people attending. People that have helped us to survive this last year. These are in town folks. If we invited the out-of-town folks we would probably have over 100. We have been so blessed.
He has no clue about the surprise. I am planning on finding some masks and have everyone put them on before we enter the facility. Since the swine flu I cannot find any so I will probably buy a bunch of white handkerchiefs. He needs some new ones anyway. I am so excited.
Good afternoon and Love -- Pepper
Had three x-rays after he felt a spot that made me almost jump off the table. X-rays couldn't reveal anything so they are requesting a back scan. IF our insurance approves it. He gave me a muscle relaxer/pain (Soma) prescript and steroids with instructions to go home directly, go to bed and lie on a heating pad. I guess he didn't understand the part about my need to work. I don't think he remembers that if I take steroids I am prone to move furniture, clean windows and mow the yard.
ChemoSabe's wart fell off yesterday. It was frozen last week. It looks very good and seems to be healing appropriately.
We had another run in with his insurance. If you remember, his limit a year is $125,000. It started back up in January. After phone calls about the agencies we have been turned over to we were alerted that insurance has paid NOTHING this year. I just had to make ChemoSabe make that call. I have been getting so frustrated with that part of it after handling it for a year. He was on the phone for over 1-1/2 hours (how does it feel?). At first the young lady told him he had reached his 'lifetime' limit of $1 million. WHAT THA??? After the initial shock and doing some mental calculating, we figured there was no way.
He asked to speak with the supervisor and after another 30 min. was told the first young lady had no clue. They will be writing UAMS a letter that they made a mistake and he is covered, thus far, for this year. What a bunch of crap and I don't mean his blood test!
My sister-in-law improved massively yesterday. She is having a weak conversation with us and is coherent. She is raising her arms some. The report this morning was she still has pneumonia and a lung infection, but she has improved. She has not eaten in three days so my little 6 ft. 3 in. brother told them yesterday he was going to feed her soft foods. They proclaimed -- liquid. He refused. She got applesauce.
He got into a major argument with one doctor and they asked Mike to leave. I was so proud of him...... He is so meek and humble. This morning he apologized to the same doctor and the doctor told him not to worry. He bragged that Mike was taking extremely good care of Sharon and they didn't have to worry about her. The nurses were even relieved he took such an interest.
Your prayers have worked, but we still have a long way to go.
Son and I are hosting a 'surprise' one year survivor party on Saturday. We have about 30 people attending. People that have helped us to survive this last year. These are in town folks. If we invited the out-of-town folks we would probably have over 100. We have been so blessed.
He has no clue about the surprise. I am planning on finding some masks and have everyone put them on before we enter the facility. Since the swine flu I cannot find any so I will probably buy a bunch of white handkerchiefs. He needs some new ones anyway. I am so excited.
Good afternoon and Love -- Pepper
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Stupid -- Word for the Day -- Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Stupid
1 a: slow of mind : obtuse b: given to unintelligent decisions or acts : acting in an unintelligent or careless manner c: lacking intelligence or reason : brutish
2: dulled in feeling or sensation
3: marked by or resulting from unreasoned thinking or acting : senseless 4 a: lacking interest or point
Wanted to give you an update about my sister-in-law that was placed in ICU on Thursday at UAMS. She has a very serious lung infection and has low oxygen levels. This has caused her to lose her motor skills (use of hands, lifting of head and even her eye lids). She does, however, continue to eat well, with assistance.
She still has the oxygen mask on that resembles a ventilator. Her only responses are yes and no. This morning she was able to tell my brother that she loved him. He has done remarkably well. He has stepped up to the plate in relation to her care, speaking with the doctors and suggesting tests, food, oxygen, etc. He has not once been emotional, as in the past. He has stayed the night with her, too.
For those of you not knowing, Sharon had brain surgery in October when my mom had her stroke. The surgery revealed a malignant brain tumor and after further tests, showed she had lung cancer and cancer in other areas of her body. With massive radiation and chemo treatments, she has had great difficulty. Each chemo treatment resulted in her kidneys trying to shut down which had her admitted to the hospital several times. This time seemed to be even worse.
We do not have great hopes for this visit, but with each day we do see some improvement for some things and a setback on other areas. If she is released, I really see a possibility of her having to be placed in a nursing facility.
Her family was called in this weekend and travelled from Louisiana, Atlanta and Mississippi. She was able to see her six week old granddaughter for the first time. They will all be gone today.
My brother also has to deal with the care of their adopted 7 yr old granddaughter that was ill last week and discovered to have infatigo. His daughter took up her care at the end of the week.
Mike has been a wheelchair victim since 1997 and he seems to be famous for running the halls of UAMS in his hovaround. I am amazed at the strength he has displayed this last week. He continues to grieve for my mother and this could be the breaking point for him if Sharon doesn’t make it. She is 52 years old.
Please pray for him that he might be given some relief, encouragement and peace. Please pray for Sharon and her improvement, if that will be God’s will. She has suffered so much without muttering any complaints of pain, self pity, discouragement or anger.
They have been married for 36 years.
On another Stupid note. I asked the son on Sunday to help me move some plants in huge pots out of the sun to under the front porch stoop. He forgot... Sooooooo, Ms Perfect (that would be Pepper) thought she would just do it herself. Why not? I have done heavier things. But, these were flooded from the rain. I instantly knew I couldn't lift them so I scooted the pot about 1 in. Immediately, I felt my lower back tear. I got nauseated and my knees became weak. I saw my life flash before my eyes. My life, as in -- motorcycle, mowing the yard, weedeating, moving furniture, playing WII... You get the picture.
So, the son and ChemoSabe begin to tell me within the first hour of how stupid I was. I have to tell you, ChemoSabe has never told me or ANYONE else I am stupid. Well, I am no better today. I have a doctor's appt. on Thursday. I have never hurt in my back so badly. I really want to go to Branson next week for that motorcycle rally..
ChemoSabe is finally getting results from his NyQuil. His coughing at night is better and he is resting better. Still getting up early, early. We have done better about our resting. We continue to sit on our bed after work and talk over the day. That is much better than turning on the TV downstairs and trying to talk around it and the four kids, the parrot and our two new little zebra finches.
Oh, Yes... Ms Stupid got two more pets. The are about 2 in. long. They came from the nursing home where mom was. They quack like two little ducklings or chipmunks... They are full grown.
Well, Kids... better get to work. Please continue to pray for Sharon and Mike.
Good afternoon and Love -- Pepper
1 a: slow of mind : obtuse b: given to unintelligent decisions or acts : acting in an unintelligent or careless manner c: lacking intelligence or reason : brutish
2: dulled in feeling or sensation
3: marked by or resulting from unreasoned thinking or acting : senseless 4 a: lacking interest or point
Wanted to give you an update about my sister-in-law that was placed in ICU on Thursday at UAMS. She has a very serious lung infection and has low oxygen levels. This has caused her to lose her motor skills (use of hands, lifting of head and even her eye lids). She does, however, continue to eat well, with assistance.
She still has the oxygen mask on that resembles a ventilator. Her only responses are yes and no. This morning she was able to tell my brother that she loved him. He has done remarkably well. He has stepped up to the plate in relation to her care, speaking with the doctors and suggesting tests, food, oxygen, etc. He has not once been emotional, as in the past. He has stayed the night with her, too.
For those of you not knowing, Sharon had brain surgery in October when my mom had her stroke. The surgery revealed a malignant brain tumor and after further tests, showed she had lung cancer and cancer in other areas of her body. With massive radiation and chemo treatments, she has had great difficulty. Each chemo treatment resulted in her kidneys trying to shut down which had her admitted to the hospital several times. This time seemed to be even worse.
We do not have great hopes for this visit, but with each day we do see some improvement for some things and a setback on other areas. If she is released, I really see a possibility of her having to be placed in a nursing facility.
Her family was called in this weekend and travelled from Louisiana, Atlanta and Mississippi. She was able to see her six week old granddaughter for the first time. They will all be gone today.
My brother also has to deal with the care of their adopted 7 yr old granddaughter that was ill last week and discovered to have infatigo. His daughter took up her care at the end of the week.
Mike has been a wheelchair victim since 1997 and he seems to be famous for running the halls of UAMS in his hovaround. I am amazed at the strength he has displayed this last week. He continues to grieve for my mother and this could be the breaking point for him if Sharon doesn’t make it. She is 52 years old.
Please pray for him that he might be given some relief, encouragement and peace. Please pray for Sharon and her improvement, if that will be God’s will. She has suffered so much without muttering any complaints of pain, self pity, discouragement or anger.
They have been married for 36 years.
On another Stupid note. I asked the son on Sunday to help me move some plants in huge pots out of the sun to under the front porch stoop. He forgot... Sooooooo, Ms Perfect (that would be Pepper) thought she would just do it herself. Why not? I have done heavier things. But, these were flooded from the rain. I instantly knew I couldn't lift them so I scooted the pot about 1 in. Immediately, I felt my lower back tear. I got nauseated and my knees became weak. I saw my life flash before my eyes. My life, as in -- motorcycle, mowing the yard, weedeating, moving furniture, playing WII... You get the picture.
So, the son and ChemoSabe begin to tell me within the first hour of how stupid I was. I have to tell you, ChemoSabe has never told me or ANYONE else I am stupid. Well, I am no better today. I have a doctor's appt. on Thursday. I have never hurt in my back so badly. I really want to go to Branson next week for that motorcycle rally..
ChemoSabe is finally getting results from his NyQuil. His coughing at night is better and he is resting better. Still getting up early, early. We have done better about our resting. We continue to sit on our bed after work and talk over the day. That is much better than turning on the TV downstairs and trying to talk around it and the four kids, the parrot and our two new little zebra finches.
Oh, Yes... Ms Stupid got two more pets. The are about 2 in. long. They came from the nursing home where mom was. They quack like two little ducklings or chipmunks... They are full grown.
Well, Kids... better get to work. Please continue to pray for Sharon and Mike.
Good afternoon and Love -- Pepper
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