Freedom -- Word for the Day -- Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Freedom

1: the quality or state of being free: as a: the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action b: liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another

Could we all not give a dozen definitions of Freedom? Mine would be "freedom" of cancer. Remission is a wonderful thing, but you still have the fear and the maintenance. The doubt is what gets to me.

ChemoSabe is progressing well. Not at a fast pace, but not at a slow one either. Sunday gave him another day of IV antibiotics and saline. His CRP was not really any better.

Monday was another lab day, but no IV. He goes back for a follow-up on Friday. His CRP is still at 60.5. I am surprised they don't seem at all concerned.

I believe I told you a few weeks back that he was accidentally taking his day meds at night and vice versa. Even when I put them on a paper towel and marked "AM" and "PM". It really messed him up when he was on the Dex. Wired at night and sleepy in the day. He made that mistake about three times.

Well, Monday, for some reason, he was sorting his A.M. pills. I had done them the night before. I now put them in the kitchen window in two separate dessert bowls which I have marked "Night" and "Day". Easy enough, right?

Okay, back to the story... For some reason he sorted his a.m. pills. He yelled up the stairs and asked if he was still supposed to be taking Acycolvir. I was thinking, "Wellllllll, yesssss." To make a long story short.... We discovered he hasn't taken it since June 16. This is a medication he is to take for the rest of his days, in the a.m. and p.m. I got faint.

Acyclovir is an anti-viral drug. A light bulb went off in my head. Maybe this is why his CRP hasn't come down. After all, pneumonia is a viral infection. The more I thought about it the sicker I got. The more guilty I felt. One of us had just placed it aside on the kitchen shelf away from his other drugs.

We are back on track. I have my hopes up about his CRP being next to nothing on Friday. Cross your fingers.....

I helped my little (6 ft 3 in.) brother do his bills last night. He is doing so well since Sharon has been gone. We shed a few tears yesterday, but they were more of a cleansing. Older brother and I will be going out on Saturday and mowing his lot for him. I am taking my rider. Things are about knee deep out there.

It is just too hot for us to ride the bikes. ChemoSabe still has a cough and I really don't want him to take chances. Although, we did ride to the drug store on Monday to get another round of meds. It was a bit nippy at 7:30 p.m. I can't wait to use my highway pegs he put on for me a few weeks back. Prop my legs up like I'm in a recliner and cruise on down the highway. (Aunt Betty -- pretend you didn't read that part).

Son has been very sick this week with a sinus infection. I can't believe he actually went to the doctor and then went home to bed. Only one day, though... So, no bragging on him there.

Just wanted to update you on ChemoSabe's health. Can't worry about someone that won't fall down. He drove to Shreveport yesterday and Lake Village today.. What can I say?

Have a wonderful and safe 4th -- Celebrate your Freedom...

Good Day and Love -- Pepper