March 5, 2014

Note from Erin: I'm going back and posting from Dad's original emails, so you can catch up. The actual first date of this blog was in January 2015.

The Guy Version

Felt crappy and sleepy the first week after chemo (Feb 21). Five of last six days felt pretty normal. Leg back to normal, no swelling or pain, does not hurt to stand on it. Drove car and went grocery shopping alone this a.m. 

This week I can eat ice cream again!! One more good day until chemo starts on Friday. We have such wonderful support in so many different ways. We are awed and humbled.

The Gal Version

Had first round of chemo starting Friday Feb 21. Chemo actually continues for 55 hrs or so as I come home and get a portable pump for 46 hrs after chemo at the clinic.

Was very sleepy and worthless for first several days. Started feeling better by Thursday, and have been feeling better and better. Sunday was a sleepy day for some reason, but this week has been great. I have felt very close to normal. Energy good, been at work, seeing some clients. Today, I made Joyce let me drive for the first time. (My swollen leg with blood clot is now normal sized, pain is really all gone). I dropped Joyce off at a store today, and I went grocery shopping at Aldi's. Felt good to do something. I have fixed supper this week. I am taking advantage of feeling good while I can, as chemo is this Friday. One more day of feeling good!

The main side effect other than sleepiness and dry mouth has been intense reaction to cold. That made it difficult to eat cold things, inside door handles were painful to touch, etc. This week, I can eat and drink cold things, and getting my ice cream fix. However fingers and hands are still very sensitive to cold and start feeling like someone is sticking pins into them.

Still trying to get the coumadin regulated. Had to go off of it for all the tests, now trying to figure out how to get the numbers right.

Nausea has not been a problem as the cancer clinic aggressively prevents it. I get an anti-nausea med as the first part of my chemo.

Joyce and I have had such wonderful support and encouragement. Food has been brought in, and others have helped in various ways. One of our friends has scheduled people to bring food on the evening after chemo...as well as other Fridays as well, for the next 8 weeks or so.

Thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers, cards and calls of support. You are welcome to call us. If we are busy or too tired, we will say so, and try to get back to you later. It is great to see the support that people are giving Joyce as she bears the brunt of “trying to do it all.”

The song Side by Side has been our unofficial family song. Erin even used it in her wedding.

The lyrics below from part of the song reflect how we try to deal with our current situation.

Don't know what's comin' tomorrow;
Maybe it's trouble and sorrow,
But we'll travel along, sharin' our load,
Side by side.

Through all kinds of weather,
What if the sky should fall?
Just as long as we're together,
It doesn't matter at all.

When they've all had their quarrels and parted,
We'll be just the same as we started,
Just traveling along, singin' a song,
Side by side.

John

As usual, feel free to share with others. We are trying to be open and upfront about what is happening.