Friday, November 21, 2008
I spoke too soon ...
Well, it was "fun" while it lasted. Cathy survived the first 24 hours after her Neulasta shot pretty well, but came crashing down late Thursday afternoon. She's a pretty sick puppy now so we're looking forward to another quiet weekend. But there's no place I'd rather be than caring for my bride and my daughter as a result. Your thoughts and prayers on her behalf are appreciated!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
What a trooper!
Well, for those who saw my wife between 11/10 and 11/17, you may have been hard pressed to know she was battling cancer and the effects of chemo. OK, so her energy didn't last as long as normal, but she sure had good bursts of it!
We did enjoy Hope's 19th birthday on 11/10 and with Wesley and his sweetie, Danielle, in tow, we enjoyed High School Musical 3 and Culver's afterward almost as much as watching Hope's response to the movie - what a blast she is!
But back to the business at hand: I admit to feel due some kudos for recognizing the quality of bride I coerced into marriage 27+ years ago, but she's even amazing me after all this time. Allow me to explain:
- Monday 11/17 saw Cathy get her labs [good news that her white blood count was well above the minimum], visit the cancer support center, get her first "fill" at the plastic surgeon's office with no complaints at all and end the night at the cosmetologist's office where her hair was buzzed and wig styled. While it was shocking to see her minus her beautiful hair, her glowing facial features more than compensated for her loss ... and not a tear was shed!
- Tuesday was round two of chemo with Cytoxin and Adriamycin with little more than some fatigue and chills in the evening.
- Today "featured" her second shot of Neulasta [the brutal stuff] and as I write this, she is sitting by my side and going relatively strong! Taking a cue from previous warriors, she has "overhydrated" herself to mitigate some of the nauseau and fatigue.
I don't think we'll adequately thank y'all for your prayers, support, assistance and concern, but we feel and appreciate it profoundly. Thank you Lord for your loving arms and comfort to our family, especially Cathy.
We did enjoy Hope's 19th birthday on 11/10 and with Wesley and his sweetie, Danielle, in tow, we enjoyed High School Musical 3 and Culver's afterward almost as much as watching Hope's response to the movie - what a blast she is!
But back to the business at hand: I admit to feel due some kudos for recognizing the quality of bride I coerced into marriage 27+ years ago, but she's even amazing me after all this time. Allow me to explain:
- Monday 11/17 saw Cathy get her labs [good news that her white blood count was well above the minimum], visit the cancer support center, get her first "fill" at the plastic surgeon's office with no complaints at all and end the night at the cosmetologist's office where her hair was buzzed and wig styled. While it was shocking to see her minus her beautiful hair, her glowing facial features more than compensated for her loss ... and not a tear was shed!
- Tuesday was round two of chemo with Cytoxin and Adriamycin with little more than some fatigue and chills in the evening.
- Today "featured" her second shot of Neulasta [the brutal stuff] and as I write this, she is sitting by my side and going relatively strong! Taking a cue from previous warriors, she has "overhydrated" herself to mitigate some of the nauseau and fatigue.
I don't think we'll adequately thank y'all for your prayers, support, assistance and concern, but we feel and appreciate it profoundly. Thank you Lord for your loving arms and comfort to our family, especially Cathy.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Rough!
Well, this was one week we'd rather forget! It seemed Cathy survived the chemo pretty well. With the exception of the symptoms I referred to in my previous post, she seemed to rebound, even admitting to feeling well Wednesday AM. That is until a few hours after the administration of the Neulasta shot. Starting Wednesday evening and lasting up until around noon today [Sunday], Cathy was just whooped. Indeed she felt bone pain, extreme fatigue, dizziness, nausea and loss of appetite.
We're hoping for a good week this week since Tuesday, 11/18 we will start this "fun" all over again. It appears very likely that every other week from now until early February, we'll have "a week we'd rather forget". Thanks for keeping Cathy in your prayers!
We're hoping for a good week this week since Tuesday, 11/18 we will start this "fun" all over again. It appears very likely that every other week from now until early February, we'll have "a week we'd rather forget". Thanks for keeping Cathy in your prayers!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Well, round one of 8 has been administered. Cathy did well with the delivery of the meds today but started feeling the effects around dinner time ... fatigue, flu-like feelings, weird sensations, dry mouth, etc. The good news is Cathy was in awe by the delivery system [medi-port] as well as the technology of all of the other tests she's undergone - I think it's neat that while going through this, she can still see the wonder of God's provision via our advancements in medicine. As has been the case in the past when I've been unable to accompany Cathy to one of her numerous medical appointments, today she was graced by the companionship of a dear sister in Christ.
Tomorrow she gets an immune system booster that promises aching down to the bones for 2-3 days - FUN!
The army of saints continue to amaze us and cause us to praise God for His mercies thru them. We are also astonished at God's providence to move me from a 23 year career as a manufacturer's representative [the last 13 years as owner of the small firm] to my current employment which bestows unparalleled health insurance. One less [very big] thing to worry about. Thank you Lord, thank you First Trust and thank you all for your interest in, concern for and prayers on behalf of my dear bride.
Tomorrow she gets an immune system booster that promises aching down to the bones for 2-3 days - FUN!
The army of saints continue to amaze us and cause us to praise God for His mercies thru them. We are also astonished at God's providence to move me from a 23 year career as a manufacturer's representative [the last 13 years as owner of the small firm] to my current employment which bestows unparalleled health insurance. One less [very big] thing to worry about. Thank you Lord, thank you First Trust and thank you all for your interest in, concern for and prayers on behalf of my dear bride.
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