Withdrawal
Definition: the act of taking back or away something that has been granted or possessed b : removal from a place of deposit or investment c (1) : the discontinuance of administration or use of a drug
BOOM!!!! Did you feel that? It is the bottom falling out of ChemoSabe.
I believe this has been the roughest withdrawal from steroids ChemoSabe has exhibited. He pushed and pushed himself last week and took advantage of the extra energy. He was out of town at least every day and he was up at 2:30 a.m. each day of the week. He topped it off with also going out of town on Saturday. He was to be home at noon, but called me at 2:30 p.m. and advised he would be home around 5:30 p.m. Momma (Pepper) wasn't happy.
Sunday wasn't much better. He may as well been out of town. He was either sleeping on the couch, bed or floor. His back was giving him fits. He claims he won't push as hard this week. Yeah, right!!! He doesn't have Dex this week nor for the next two weeks.
MRI is scheduled for much of the day Friday. We will have a follow up appointment with the doctor next Tuesday. Labs last week were outstanding. It won't do any good, but maybe there is some hope he won't have to be on meds in the near future. I wish that, but then I feel threatened by the possibility of the cancer returning if he isn't on some sort of maintenance.
We did get to ride on Thursday and Friday evening. Rainman bought a new bike and we met them both nights to eat. It is a bike like ChemoSabe's but three years newer (2008). It is a Kawasaki 2008 Vulcan 2000... One of the biggest bikes made. Purrs like a lion...
I hated to come to work today. I just didn't get enough rest. The Dex snoring has sent me to the spare bedroom the last three nights. The dogs have been restless, too. I was up at 2:00 a.m. letting them out. Parker was having a sugar attack and needed water. Maxie barks at Pete because he is rolled up in the sleeping bag and she can't find him. It is a zoo.
I will keep you posted on the rest of the week and what the withdrawals continue to bring to us. I have been doing a lot of spring cleaning.
Good afternoon and Love -- Pepper
Chemo Sabe
- ChemoSabe
- Benton, AR, United States
- Diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma-- May 2008
Monday, August 17, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
MORE STAMINA -- Word for the Day -- Thursday, August 13, 2009
I NEED A BREAK! I am so thankful ChemoSabe is coming off the steroids Friday. He has absolutely talked my ears off this week... I laughed so hard last night I had to get a Kleenex to dry the tears from my face.
Remember, he only had about two hours sleep before traveling yesterday morning. He was gone all day and got home around 6:30 p.m. He called me when he was ten miles from the house to ask me about some chicken we had in the freezer and wanted to know if we could have it for dinner. I couldn't get him off the phone. I hung up and boom... he was in the driveway. Keep in mind, especially if you know him, he is not much of a talker, especially on the phone.
He loves the oven fried Banquet chicken. He claims it is like KFC. I put it in the oven and convinced him to lie down until it was ready. That would give me an hour break. WRONG!!! He talked, talked, talked. I laughed, laughed, laughed. He talked so much he even told me about one of his employee's tennis shoes. The employees are to wear black shoes and this guy had on some unusual shoes. ChemoSabe was explaining to him the dress code when another employee came out and informed him that she had given the male employee the shoes he had one. They were once hers. Since they weren't black she had taken a magic marker and colored in the mesh part of the tennis shoes to make them black. Only the white lower rubber part showed. ChemoSabe is going to donate this young man a pair of black boots.
He told other stories about more site visits he made. This is all in one day. Talk, talk, talk, talk... He was talking so fast, like he was on a stop watch and then he summed it all up by saying, "Baby, it was like being in a human zoo and you had to talk to them". "Some would open their gate and you would have to go in." That was the steroids talking. I lost it!
We ate our chicken along with macaroni and okra with tomatoes and a fresh pitcher of my magnificent tea. He told me it was a meal fit for a king. He was obviously starving.
That was the end of the evening. I fixed a cup of latte for my bed time drink; gave Parker his shot; put the other kids up and told him I was headed to bed at 8:00. We could finish up America's Got Talent in bed. NO SUCH LUCK!!!
ChemoSabe has two closets in my bathroom that houses his slacks, dress shirts and some novelty T-shirts. I heard rustling and then I saw shirts being piled on top of me. I started folding them and just wondered what was happening. He took out 30 shirts and 15 pairs of slacks. Some of these items I have not seen in years. He decided to give them away.
Was he exhausted after that, plus his travel all day? Lord, No... He said he felt exhilarated. He looked at me with his flushed cheeks and smiled and said, "Baby, we need to do that to your closets". I pulled the covers over my head.
I did convince him to come to bed. We talked more about the cancer food articles and he was talking 2% milk. I put my hand on his arm and told him that when God was ready for him, he would take him no matter what he was eating at the time. I said, "It's not like God is going to come down and see you with a carrot in your mouth and say, 'Nope, I'm not taking him this time, he's eating carrots.'"
We turned over, he told me to set the clock for 4:00 and he was up at 3:00 a.m.
ONE MORE DAY OF DEX!!!! HEEEELLLLLPPPPP! I am glad tomorrow is my day off and he is working!
Good afternoon and Love -- Pepper
p.s. Labs and Velcade today... Cross your fingers.
Remember, he only had about two hours sleep before traveling yesterday morning. He was gone all day and got home around 6:30 p.m. He called me when he was ten miles from the house to ask me about some chicken we had in the freezer and wanted to know if we could have it for dinner. I couldn't get him off the phone. I hung up and boom... he was in the driveway. Keep in mind, especially if you know him, he is not much of a talker, especially on the phone.
He loves the oven fried Banquet chicken. He claims it is like KFC. I put it in the oven and convinced him to lie down until it was ready. That would give me an hour break. WRONG!!! He talked, talked, talked. I laughed, laughed, laughed. He talked so much he even told me about one of his employee's tennis shoes. The employees are to wear black shoes and this guy had on some unusual shoes. ChemoSabe was explaining to him the dress code when another employee came out and informed him that she had given the male employee the shoes he had one. They were once hers. Since they weren't black she had taken a magic marker and colored in the mesh part of the tennis shoes to make them black. Only the white lower rubber part showed. ChemoSabe is going to donate this young man a pair of black boots.
He told other stories about more site visits he made. This is all in one day. Talk, talk, talk, talk... He was talking so fast, like he was on a stop watch and then he summed it all up by saying, "Baby, it was like being in a human zoo and you had to talk to them". "Some would open their gate and you would have to go in." That was the steroids talking. I lost it!
We ate our chicken along with macaroni and okra with tomatoes and a fresh pitcher of my magnificent tea. He told me it was a meal fit for a king. He was obviously starving.
That was the end of the evening. I fixed a cup of latte for my bed time drink; gave Parker his shot; put the other kids up and told him I was headed to bed at 8:00. We could finish up America's Got Talent in bed. NO SUCH LUCK!!!
ChemoSabe has two closets in my bathroom that houses his slacks, dress shirts and some novelty T-shirts. I heard rustling and then I saw shirts being piled on top of me. I started folding them and just wondered what was happening. He took out 30 shirts and 15 pairs of slacks. Some of these items I have not seen in years. He decided to give them away.
Was he exhausted after that, plus his travel all day? Lord, No... He said he felt exhilarated. He looked at me with his flushed cheeks and smiled and said, "Baby, we need to do that to your closets". I pulled the covers over my head.
I did convince him to come to bed. We talked more about the cancer food articles and he was talking 2% milk. I put my hand on his arm and told him that when God was ready for him, he would take him no matter what he was eating at the time. I said, "It's not like God is going to come down and see you with a carrot in your mouth and say, 'Nope, I'm not taking him this time, he's eating carrots.'"
We turned over, he told me to set the clock for 4:00 and he was up at 3:00 a.m.
ONE MORE DAY OF DEX!!!! HEEEELLLLLPPPPP! I am glad tomorrow is my day off and he is working!
Good afternoon and Love -- Pepper
p.s. Labs and Velcade today... Cross your fingers.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Stamina -- Word for the Day -- Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Stamina
Definition: staying power, endurance
I really don't know how ChemoSabe has kept up the last two weeks. It has to be the Dex that keeps him full of stamina. He was out of town yesterday and he didn't really get into bed until 11:00 p.m. He needed up at 3:30 a.m. He received a call around midnight and had to meet someone in his office... That is about 25 miles away from our house. He got back home at 2:30 a.m. Told me to get him up at 4:00 a.m. --- He was gone by 5:30 and is out of town all day today... Stamina... Last week was no different.
After Friday, he won't be on Dex again for two weeks. Maybe he can level out. He has labs tomorrow along with another Velcade shot. The shot should bring him down a little by Saturday. I am praying his labs will reveal good measures since he is working so many hours.
Oh.... since Monday, he is carrying two cell phones.. Double trouble! Thanks bunches to the one that made that possible. (Sarcasm)
The weekend has already been laid out for him. He will be out of town all day on Saturday... Hmmmmmmm, I wonder if some of my girlfriend's with bikes would like to go out for a while. I've never done that. ChemoSabe wanted to venture out on his bike Saturday to the job site, but it entails a lot of back highways and he would be leaving around 5:00 a.m. Too, too many deer out there for me. So, WE decided that wasn't a very good idea for him.
He has started to read some cancer articles the last couple of days. The one last night was based on the appropriate foods. After he went down the list I don't know how he would survive. He does all the wrong foods. Things he has done for years and things our doctor told us he could continue.
Milk -- He drinks a gallon of whole milk a week. Milk causes mucus to form in your esophagus and stomach lining. Cancer eats away at this mucus. Soy is suggested. Ugh...
Sugar -- His dentist had already advised him not to chew gum with sugar. He is a bubble gum freak on the bike. He eats a bowl of cereal every night, sugar in coffee, and the list goes on and on. I have been getting sugar free ice cream. It tastes like homemade...
Pork/Beef -- We had a pork loin Monday on the grill and then BBQ pork chops last night.
Those are only a few things.
ChemoSabe made two dozen oatmeal raisin cookies Monday night. They are just about all gone... I have had about five. When he is on Dex he likes to make those cookies.
You know... it doesn't really matter what we eat. When the Lord calls on us we could have a salad in our hand. Guess that why I have gained so much weight... You can tell I am living for the day! ha
Well, gotta run. I just wanted to give you a little update and hoping it won't be a "I told you so" if his labs come back bad and it is because he has so much stamina.
Good afternoon and Love -- Pepper
Definition: staying power, endurance
I really don't know how ChemoSabe has kept up the last two weeks. It has to be the Dex that keeps him full of stamina. He was out of town yesterday and he didn't really get into bed until 11:00 p.m. He needed up at 3:30 a.m. He received a call around midnight and had to meet someone in his office... That is about 25 miles away from our house. He got back home at 2:30 a.m. Told me to get him up at 4:00 a.m. --- He was gone by 5:30 and is out of town all day today... Stamina... Last week was no different.
After Friday, he won't be on Dex again for two weeks. Maybe he can level out. He has labs tomorrow along with another Velcade shot. The shot should bring him down a little by Saturday. I am praying his labs will reveal good measures since he is working so many hours.
Oh.... since Monday, he is carrying two cell phones.. Double trouble! Thanks bunches to the one that made that possible. (Sarcasm)
The weekend has already been laid out for him. He will be out of town all day on Saturday... Hmmmmmmm, I wonder if some of my girlfriend's with bikes would like to go out for a while. I've never done that. ChemoSabe wanted to venture out on his bike Saturday to the job site, but it entails a lot of back highways and he would be leaving around 5:00 a.m. Too, too many deer out there for me. So, WE decided that wasn't a very good idea for him.
He has started to read some cancer articles the last couple of days. The one last night was based on the appropriate foods. After he went down the list I don't know how he would survive. He does all the wrong foods. Things he has done for years and things our doctor told us he could continue.
Milk -- He drinks a gallon of whole milk a week. Milk causes mucus to form in your esophagus and stomach lining. Cancer eats away at this mucus. Soy is suggested. Ugh...
Sugar -- His dentist had already advised him not to chew gum with sugar. He is a bubble gum freak on the bike. He eats a bowl of cereal every night, sugar in coffee, and the list goes on and on. I have been getting sugar free ice cream. It tastes like homemade...
Pork/Beef -- We had a pork loin Monday on the grill and then BBQ pork chops last night.
Those are only a few things.
ChemoSabe made two dozen oatmeal raisin cookies Monday night. They are just about all gone... I have had about five. When he is on Dex he likes to make those cookies.
You know... it doesn't really matter what we eat. When the Lord calls on us we could have a salad in our hand. Guess that why I have gained so much weight... You can tell I am living for the day! ha
Well, gotta run. I just wanted to give you a little update and hoping it won't be a "I told you so" if his labs come back bad and it is because he has so much stamina.
Good afternoon and Love -- Pepper
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Deflated -- Word for the Day -- Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Deflated
Definition: to release air or gas from :to reduce in size, importance, or effectiveness :to reduce (a price level) or cause (a volume of credit) to contract intransitive verb :to lose firmness through or as if through the escape of contained gas
Well, well, Children -- How are you all doing? Such a short time and so much has been happening. Please continue to pray for Kenny Gray's family.
ChemoSabe made it through last week with the steroids beginning on Monday and ending on Thursday. Friday was a busy day for both of us. I will start with me first. After all, it is ALL ABOUT ME, isn't it?
Friday, my day off, I was on the computer by 7:00 a.m. seeing how important I was and if I received any emails and/or Facebook notifications. If I haven't told you lately, Facebook is the face of Satan. I really don't write on it, but a blurb now and then... I always tend to get into trouble. Some people just can't take a joke! OR, they just don't understand my personality.. Hey, you either love me or hate me.. ha.
Anyway, I most definitely HAD to mow, but by the time I got out into the yard it was already hot. I didn't pull the rider out, I just decided to rough it with my John Deere. I love that thing. It will climb a tree (self propelled rear wheels).
Every time I got into the groove I was interrupted. My neighbor came over and asked about ChemoSabe. They are our new neighbors (moved into the dog haters house). This couple is tremendous. Of course, she had to hug me. You know me -- I ain't a hugger. Especially with sweat running down my face and odor steaming away from my arm pits. But, she wouldn't take no for an answer. She is also helping me out with my mole holes. She claims she had the tool.
I finished up around 10:30, but that didn't include the weedeating and the dog yard. I would do that later. Called my little brother and got him out of bed. "I'm coming to mow!"... He grumbled and I hung up. He was waiting for me.
He has a Craftsman rider. Good little machine. I mowed from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. with two little breaks. AND, I couldn't end the day without getting stuck. He climbed out of his hovaround and tried to push me out... Here we go -- The disabled pushing the dumb blond out of the mud joke. Can you picture that? The funnier sight was getting the 7 yr old granddaughter to drive while we pushed. Okay, enough of that.
On my way home I kept smelling something... I had sweated so much all day that my clothes soured. It sure ain't nothin like my Ralph Lauren or Obsession.
ChemoSabe was going to try to come home early and we were going after our trailer. So, I didn't change when I got home. Waited for two hours..... In the meantime, I washed the Tahoe. Neighbor came over again with the mole tool. Showed me how to use it. In fact, she did almost all the tunnels herself.
Have I mentioned, ChemoSabe gets crabby when he comes off Dex? (read between the lines). I can't take 'late' people. We didn't go after the trailer.
Okaaaaayyy... on to Saturday. We were going to meet Rainman and Stretch and take a good long, hot ride. Yes, we were up at 7:00 a.m. BUT, ChemoSabe had to fix his hair (yes, his hair is a lot longer), shine his boots, spit shine his sunglasses, etc. I am counting to 10.... You really have to understand that we don't argue about this. He would just get slower! ha
Finally, 8:45 and I am closing the garage door, getting on my bike. OMG... "Poppy, stop! Back up and get off your bike!" A 1/4 in. gap all the way around his back tire all the way down to the cord... Lucky it wasn't deflated... I was glad I wasn't getting there. Well, CRP! And I don't mean the lab CRP.
To make a long story short, we headed to Kawasaski and they just happen to have his tire in stock. We headed out again at 11:00 to meet our friends. The day was good, but not without more mishaps. We got home around 7:30 p.m.
It really was a wonderful day. We had an awesome dinner at Chili's and indulged in the white chocolate molten cake. We were overjoyed to see our friends after such a long haul.
Last Thursday, ChemoSabe took me to Butcher Shop for our 22nd anniversary... What an awesome meal with an awesome man. He just keeps on ticking. He brought me a huge bouquet of flowers by work Thursday morning. I don't know what looked the best -- the flowers or that big grin on his face. Wellllll... I guess the grin. ha
Dex started again today. The 'coming down' over the weekend just about got him. I believe that is why we rode so long. He thought he could beat it. Even though we got up late on Sunday (yes, we skipped church) and we were both aching in our major body parts, it didn't deflate us. We got a lot done, including picking up the trailer and changing out the tires on it. Even had time to go see the son...and sit under his new awning.
Dex really helped him today as he was up at 2:00 a.m. and outta here by 4:30. He has another long day tomorrow. He couldn't make it without Tonto in the office. Tonto is his admin girl.
Well, you have probably heard enough out of me today. You would think I am on Dex. Please continue to be in prayer with Kenny's wife and family. I will keep you posted and GET READY FOR YOUR TEST. The labs have been looking good the last two weeks.
Good evening and Love -- Pepper
Definition: to release air or gas from
Well, well, Children -- How are you all doing? Such a short time and so much has been happening. Please continue to pray for Kenny Gray's family.
ChemoSabe made it through last week with the steroids beginning on Monday and ending on Thursday. Friday was a busy day for both of us. I will start with me first. After all, it is ALL ABOUT ME, isn't it?
Friday, my day off, I was on the computer by 7:00 a.m. seeing how important I was and if I received any emails and/or Facebook notifications. If I haven't told you lately, Facebook is the face of Satan. I really don't write on it, but a blurb now and then... I always tend to get into trouble. Some people just can't take a joke! OR, they just don't understand my personality.. Hey, you either love me or hate me.. ha.
Anyway, I most definitely HAD to mow, but by the time I got out into the yard it was already hot. I didn't pull the rider out, I just decided to rough it with my John Deere. I love that thing. It will climb a tree (self propelled rear wheels).
Every time I got into the groove I was interrupted. My neighbor came over and asked about ChemoSabe. They are our new neighbors (moved into the dog haters house). This couple is tremendous. Of course, she had to hug me. You know me -- I ain't a hugger. Especially with sweat running down my face and odor steaming away from my arm pits. But, she wouldn't take no for an answer. She is also helping me out with my mole holes. She claims she had the tool.
I finished up around 10:30, but that didn't include the weedeating and the dog yard. I would do that later. Called my little brother and got him out of bed. "I'm coming to mow!"... He grumbled and I hung up. He was waiting for me.
He has a Craftsman rider. Good little machine. I mowed from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. with two little breaks. AND, I couldn't end the day without getting stuck. He climbed out of his hovaround and tried to push me out... Here we go -- The disabled pushing the dumb blond out of the mud joke. Can you picture that? The funnier sight was getting the 7 yr old granddaughter to drive while we pushed. Okay, enough of that.
On my way home I kept smelling something... I had sweated so much all day that my clothes soured. It sure ain't nothin like my Ralph Lauren or Obsession.
ChemoSabe was going to try to come home early and we were going after our trailer. So, I didn't change when I got home. Waited for two hours..... In the meantime, I washed the Tahoe. Neighbor came over again with the mole tool. Showed me how to use it. In fact, she did almost all the tunnels herself.
Have I mentioned, ChemoSabe gets crabby when he comes off Dex? (read between the lines). I can't take 'late' people. We didn't go after the trailer.
Okaaaaayyy... on to Saturday. We were going to meet Rainman and Stretch and take a good long, hot ride. Yes, we were up at 7:00 a.m. BUT, ChemoSabe had to fix his hair (yes, his hair is a lot longer), shine his boots, spit shine his sunglasses, etc. I am counting to 10.... You really have to understand that we don't argue about this. He would just get slower! ha
Finally, 8:45 and I am closing the garage door, getting on my bike. OMG... "Poppy, stop! Back up and get off your bike!" A 1/4 in. gap all the way around his back tire all the way down to the cord... Lucky it wasn't deflated... I was glad I wasn't getting there. Well, CRP! And I don't mean the lab CRP.
To make a long story short, we headed to Kawasaski and they just happen to have his tire in stock. We headed out again at 11:00 to meet our friends. The day was good, but not without more mishaps. We got home around 7:30 p.m.
It really was a wonderful day. We had an awesome dinner at Chili's and indulged in the white chocolate molten cake. We were overjoyed to see our friends after such a long haul.
Last Thursday, ChemoSabe took me to Butcher Shop for our 22nd anniversary... What an awesome meal with an awesome man. He just keeps on ticking. He brought me a huge bouquet of flowers by work Thursday morning. I don't know what looked the best -- the flowers or that big grin on his face. Wellllll... I guess the grin. ha
Dex started again today. The 'coming down' over the weekend just about got him. I believe that is why we rode so long. He thought he could beat it. Even though we got up late on Sunday (yes, we skipped church) and we were both aching in our major body parts, it didn't deflate us. We got a lot done, including picking up the trailer and changing out the tires on it. Even had time to go see the son...and sit under his new awning.
Dex really helped him today as he was up at 2:00 a.m. and outta here by 4:30. He has another long day tomorrow. He couldn't make it without Tonto in the office. Tonto is his admin girl.
Well, you have probably heard enough out of me today. You would think I am on Dex. Please continue to be in prayer with Kenny's wife and family. I will keep you posted and GET READY FOR YOUR TEST. The labs have been looking good the last two weeks.
Good evening and Love -- Pepper
Friday, August 7, 2009
MM LOSS -- KENNY GRAY
Kanny and Mary Lynn were the very first people we met at a cancer party in Little Rock. We kept running into them at clinic, infusion and just around UAMS that last year. Kenny was always upbeat and had such a nice smile.
Mary Lynn was full of information for us about MM. Please read the below from our friend from OKC -- Ruthie and Rog. And please pray for these families
=======================================
Greetings:
I do not know if all of you had to opportunity to meet Kenny and Mary Lynn Gray.
Kenny had been a MM patient for several years and had enjoyed 1-2 years of remission.
His MM came back with a vengeance and was predominately in his head this last time. During his last visit the doctors put him on some kind of experimental drug and unfortunately nothing seemed to be working.
He was sent home in late June.
Mary Lynn called this morning to inform us that Kenny passed away at home (under hospice care). His funeral is scheduled for Saturday some time at Mountain Home, Arkansas.
If any of you should call you can let Mary know that we gave you the information.
While I am at it, there is some more bad news. The doctors sent Tommy Wells (wife, Brenda) home late last month after advising them that there was nothing more that could be done for him. The MM had also spread to Tommy’s brain. As posted by Roger in OKC
Mary Lynn was full of information for us about MM. Please read the below from our friend from OKC -- Ruthie and Rog. And please pray for these families
=======================================
Greetings:
I do not know if all of you had to opportunity to meet Kenny and Mary Lynn Gray.
Kenny had been a MM patient for several years and had enjoyed 1-2 years of remission.
His MM came back with a vengeance and was predominately in his head this last time. During his last visit the doctors put him on some kind of experimental drug and unfortunately nothing seemed to be working.
He was sent home in late June.
Mary Lynn called this morning to inform us that Kenny passed away at home (under hospice care). His funeral is scheduled for Saturday some time at Mountain Home, Arkansas.
If any of you should call you can let Mary know that we gave you the information.
While I am at it, there is some more bad news. The doctors sent Tommy Wells (wife, Brenda) home late last month after advising them that there was nothing more that could be done for him. The MM had also spread to Tommy’s brain. As posted by Roger in OKC
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Brio -- Word for the Day -- Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Brio
Definition: Enthusiastic vigor; vivacity; liveliness; spirit.
It has been so long since I have written that I was ashamed to go back to see what the actual date was. I haven't emailed my closest friends or called on the ones I usually call. Where has time gone?
Monday started the two week on, two week off cycle for ChemoSabe. Steroids this week and next week for four days.. He has been going to bed at 10:30-11:00 p.m. and getting up at 2:30 a.m. full of _____ and vinegar. Or, should I say he is full of brio.
He has had some worry about swelling and red varicose vein symptoms in his legs the last two weeks. A Doppler was Monday done to make certain he has no blood clots. I know I looked at him cross-eyed yesterday when he discussed it again. He was telling me that his legs had not swollen yesterday... WAKE UP CALL... I explained to him he had been working his hinny off the last two weeks. Instructing classes, traveling and standing on his feet, non-stop. When he got up this morning (2:30 a.m, remember) he woke me up and said his legs still weren't swollen or red... Hellllllloooo, you have been lying down.. Poor guy. The Dex is really doing a job on his poor brain!
To top off his steroids, Pete (our min-pin) was ailing pretty good from Saturday to Monday. Didn't eat, couldn't hold his ears up, limped, couldn't yawn or shake his head like dogs do. Took him to the vet on Monday... Strained leg muscles in small dogs (12 lb.) can cause problems with the whole body. So, what do you give a small HYPER dog with a strained muscle? Steroids... DEX... 5 mg daily. That is what ChemoSabe is taking, but four a day. So now I have a 12 lb. dog and a 212 lb. man in the house on steroids. Please pray for me!!!!
Tomorrow is our 22nd anniversary. It just doesn't seem possible. Money and material things have nothing in common with a healthy marriage. We were doing well last year and didn't need or want for anything. With our bikes, we were in heaven... Well, heck, we still are. But, the last year has proven love is true foundation of a relationship... I am lucky to have such a true friend in my husband.
I have struggled the last few weeks with the loss of my mother. There is a lady in the church where I work that has been diagnosed with cancer. Her daughter is about my age. I speak with the lady on a weekly basis. I hope I can be of some strength for her daughter. Today she was admitted to the hospital for a three day treatment of chemo. She will be doing this every three weeks until something changes.
It is pouring rain here right now. Has rained very day this week. ChemoSabe and I thought Sunday was a perfect time to ride as the sun was out and not a cloud in the sky. We headed out around 11:30 a.m. for a destination about 15 miles from the house to have lunch... We got about four miles away and the bottom fell out. We rode about another five miles and found a drive through at a church. We were drenched. I pulled out some dry denim shirts to put on over our wet t-shirts. It warmed us up a bit. We were there under shelter for about an hour.
The rain never really let up so we decided we needed to go from whence we came. Sprinkle...downpour...rain...sheets of rain...car wash rain... We drove like this for about five miles and found a service station with a small overhang, just so we could wipe our glasses off and regroup. No shelter.
I am a lotion freak. I lotion up every time I get out of the shower. Head-to-toe. Even if I shower three times a day from working in the yard and such... I was so wet that when I got off my bike seat there was lotion on the seat. It had soaked through my jeans... By golly, that is soaked!!!!
ChemoSabe looked me over, asked me if I was ready and away we went. I took in so much water through my lips I compared it to the bottle water we drink... Undoubtedly, when you are riding in the rain it is like drinking water from a bottle. Sweet, fresh and plentiful.
Trudging forward I could see the sun breaking through the clouds. We were about three miles from home.. Guess what? Streets were dry as the dessert. Came up the driveway and I looked over to my partner and said, "We beat the rain."... chuckle.
All is well in our life. We accept what the Lord has in store for us. We know he will take care of us. We are brio.
Ruthie and Rog have been in/out of town. They are driving to and from home in Okla. He is beginning the maintenance process.
We hope to be taking vacation soon. We haven't had a real one in over three years. Gosh, maybe longer. We want to get a lot done around the house and make a short trip. We are getting a new roof... I ordered green. Truly wanted the new metal roof, but thought about sliding down it if I ever have to get on it. I will keep you posted.
I will try to keep you up-to-date more often. Have you been studying?
Good night and Love -- Pepper
p.s. -- Almost forgot -- ChemoSabe has HAIR... A lot of black streaks and his eyebrows are black... HE NEEDS A HAIR CUT!!!
Definition: Enthusiastic vigor; vivacity; liveliness; spirit.
It has been so long since I have written that I was ashamed to go back to see what the actual date was. I haven't emailed my closest friends or called on the ones I usually call. Where has time gone?
Monday started the two week on, two week off cycle for ChemoSabe. Steroids this week and next week for four days.. He has been going to bed at 10:30-11:00 p.m. and getting up at 2:30 a.m. full of _____ and vinegar. Or, should I say he is full of brio.
He has had some worry about swelling and red varicose vein symptoms in his legs the last two weeks. A Doppler was Monday done to make certain he has no blood clots. I know I looked at him cross-eyed yesterday when he discussed it again. He was telling me that his legs had not swollen yesterday... WAKE UP CALL... I explained to him he had been working his hinny off the last two weeks. Instructing classes, traveling and standing on his feet, non-stop. When he got up this morning (2:30 a.m, remember) he woke me up and said his legs still weren't swollen or red... Hellllllloooo, you have been lying down.. Poor guy. The Dex is really doing a job on his poor brain!
To top off his steroids, Pete (our min-pin) was ailing pretty good from Saturday to Monday. Didn't eat, couldn't hold his ears up, limped, couldn't yawn or shake his head like dogs do. Took him to the vet on Monday... Strained leg muscles in small dogs (12 lb.) can cause problems with the whole body. So, what do you give a small HYPER dog with a strained muscle? Steroids... DEX... 5 mg daily. That is what ChemoSabe is taking, but four a day. So now I have a 12 lb. dog and a 212 lb. man in the house on steroids. Please pray for me!!!!
Tomorrow is our 22nd anniversary. It just doesn't seem possible. Money and material things have nothing in common with a healthy marriage. We were doing well last year and didn't need or want for anything. With our bikes, we were in heaven... Well, heck, we still are. But, the last year has proven love is true foundation of a relationship... I am lucky to have such a true friend in my husband.
I have struggled the last few weeks with the loss of my mother. There is a lady in the church where I work that has been diagnosed with cancer. Her daughter is about my age. I speak with the lady on a weekly basis. I hope I can be of some strength for her daughter. Today she was admitted to the hospital for a three day treatment of chemo. She will be doing this every three weeks until something changes.
It is pouring rain here right now. Has rained very day this week. ChemoSabe and I thought Sunday was a perfect time to ride as the sun was out and not a cloud in the sky. We headed out around 11:30 a.m. for a destination about 15 miles from the house to have lunch... We got about four miles away and the bottom fell out. We rode about another five miles and found a drive through at a church. We were drenched. I pulled out some dry denim shirts to put on over our wet t-shirts. It warmed us up a bit. We were there under shelter for about an hour.
The rain never really let up so we decided we needed to go from whence we came. Sprinkle...downpour...rain...sheets of rain...car wash rain... We drove like this for about five miles and found a service station with a small overhang, just so we could wipe our glasses off and regroup. No shelter.
I am a lotion freak. I lotion up every time I get out of the shower. Head-to-toe. Even if I shower three times a day from working in the yard and such... I was so wet that when I got off my bike seat there was lotion on the seat. It had soaked through my jeans... By golly, that is soaked!!!!
ChemoSabe looked me over, asked me if I was ready and away we went. I took in so much water through my lips I compared it to the bottle water we drink... Undoubtedly, when you are riding in the rain it is like drinking water from a bottle. Sweet, fresh and plentiful.
Trudging forward I could see the sun breaking through the clouds. We were about three miles from home.. Guess what? Streets were dry as the dessert. Came up the driveway and I looked over to my partner and said, "We beat the rain."... chuckle.
All is well in our life. We accept what the Lord has in store for us. We know he will take care of us. We are brio.
Ruthie and Rog have been in/out of town. They are driving to and from home in Okla. He is beginning the maintenance process.
We hope to be taking vacation soon. We haven't had a real one in over three years. Gosh, maybe longer. We want to get a lot done around the house and make a short trip. We are getting a new roof... I ordered green. Truly wanted the new metal roof, but thought about sliding down it if I ever have to get on it. I will keep you posted.
I will try to keep you up-to-date more often. Have you been studying?
Good night and Love -- Pepper
p.s. -- Almost forgot -- ChemoSabe has HAIR... A lot of black streaks and his eyebrows are black... HE NEEDS A HAIR CUT!!!
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