Cancer -- Word for the Day -- Thursday, July 23, 2009

Cancer

Definition:

a: malignant tumor of potentially unlimited growth that expands locally by invasion and systemically by metastasis b: an abnormal bodily state marked by such tumors
c: something evil or malignant that spreads destructively.

ChemoSabe has been living life to the fullest the last couple of weeks. He doesn't have labs or Velcade for two more weeks. Remember, the last time he had a break (four weeks ago) he got pneumonia. Cross your fingers.

He had a good 62nd birthday last week. He thought he was 61 until he spoke with his dad and thanked him for all the 61 years. His dad quickly corrected him. ChemoSabe told him his chemo thinking must have wanted him to forget about the last year and just erase it.

My boss (the pastor) fixed us a nice steak dinner last week on his birthday. This week the boss has a viral infection. I was very afraid ChemoSabe would get sick this week. But, he hasn't. We went to the lake with son and family last Saturday, ate fish buffet on Sunday and he has traveled all week. I really haven't seen or talked to him since night before last. He was up and out by 5:00 a.m. yesterday and didn't get home from Mississippi until 11:30 p.m. Then up and out again this morning by 6:30 a.m. He has a new job site beginning at 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. and then another appt. in the morning. AND, he ain't even on Dex (steroids) this week.

I am keeping up with him, though. I have been taking some new stuff that reduces fat in your system and cleanses the crud out of your colon. It is suppose to give you more energy. I have been on it a month and I keep telling my body to slow down and it just keeps on ticking. ChemoSabe asked me Tuesday night when I was in the floor cleaning out the kitchen cabinets if I had been sneaking into his Dex.

Last week I shampooed carpets in our bedroom, den, living room, back dining room and bathrooms (3). Friday I took the machine over to the son's and shampooed his living room and hallway. I may not lose any weight or inches, but I am getting a lot of house work done, so it is worth it. ha

Had Pete neutered last week and I think the doc injected him with some steroids, too. We think he is jumping higher and farther... He is a min-pin.

I met a MM cancer patient yesterday that is staying in one of the church's hospitality houses this week. He was diagnosed in 2003 and is in remission. He doesn't take any medications now. I just couldn't believe it. We talked for about 30 min. He is from Indiana. His name is Christian. He got into a fight with a deer and thought he had a pulled muscle. I believe that is the strangest story of diagnosis I have heard on the MM.

I have really missed my mother this week. I have cried on the way home just about every day, especially when I pass the nursing home. I really let it wail when I hear the song by Carrie Underwood, "I Told You So".... I think about all the times I was too big for my britches and thought I didn't need her. When I got a divorce and had to move back home. The times I thought I didn't have a few extra minutes to call to just say, "Hello". The times I did call and she told me how much those calls meant to her. She never once said, "I told you so."

ChemoSabe and I were going to catch a quick trip to Eureka, but I just don't believe we need to push his good health right now. The weather is going to be beautiful, but........ Cancer may be lurking. Don't want to push our luck. We are blessed.

Get ready for some tests coming up in the next couple of weeks. Study....look back.... you never know what I am going to ask you. Hey, an essay from you would be good. Let me think about the topic AND a prize.

Gotta go

Good Day and Love -- Pepper