This was the second week following treatment number two. The IV fluids last week made a difference and each day she feels just a little better. While mornings are still tough, she gets somewhat better as the day goes on.
Thanksgiving was fun as almost all of the family was in town. Our son and his family came in from Napoleon, Ohio; her sister and husband came in from Nebraska and our nephew and his family came in from Arkansas. Spending time with family is always good therapy.
Speaking of Thanksgiving, most foods still don't taste "normal" on chemo, but the turkey and fixings tasted very good to her.
Nancy was able to go to the grocery and to the mall this week but just briefly. The risk of catching something while in a crowd is serious while she is on the chemo; so she has to be careful. Most of the Christmas shopping is being done on line and so we're keeping UPS busy...:)
This coming Friday, 11/30, is treatment number three; which is half way home on the chemo....six treatments in all with three weeks off between them; followed by surgery and then six weeks of radiation.
We continue to be very thankful for all of the thoughts and prayers from our friends, family and co-workers.
Bob
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Week of 11/11/2012
Friday 11/9/2012 was the second of six chemotherapy treatments for Nancy. So this time she received IV fluids almost all week long to prevent dehydration.
The fluids made a difference as she felt better after this treatment than the first. It is all relative because the chemo itself is very hard on her both mentally (makes her feel strange) and physically (makes her feel fatigued).
Mornings are particularly tough as she has trouble getting a good night's rest. Same can be said for her appetite.
Today was the first day Nancy felt like going out of the house as we went up to the mall for a short shopping trip.
Hopefully next week she'll feel better and enjoy Thanksgiving. Several of our family are coming in for the Holidays and we are all looking forward to that.
We are grateful for all of the cards, meals, flowers, thoughts and prayers that continue to be very uplifting.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Love,
Bob and Nancy
The fluids made a difference as she felt better after this treatment than the first. It is all relative because the chemo itself is very hard on her both mentally (makes her feel strange) and physically (makes her feel fatigued).
Mornings are particularly tough as she has trouble getting a good night's rest. Same can be said for her appetite.
Today was the first day Nancy felt like going out of the house as we went up to the mall for a short shopping trip.
Hopefully next week she'll feel better and enjoy Thanksgiving. Several of our family are coming in for the Holidays and we are all looking forward to that.
We are grateful for all of the cards, meals, flowers, thoughts and prayers that continue to be very uplifting.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Love,
Bob and Nancy
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Week of 11/4/2012
This was week three after the initial chemotherapy treatment and Nancy has been feeling better each day.
Her appetite has still been somewhat weak; but she has been good about eating so she can take her medications.
On Wednesday of this week we went to the eye doctor as her vision was blurry. When she started her chemo treatment the oncologist told her she had to stop taking a certain medication she was on to prevent Sarcoidosis. This led to a return of the inflammation of the eyes and she had to have a steroid shot in her her eye and a second one in two weeks for the other eye.
She was able to go to work several times this week if only for a few hours. Crossroads Hospice has been very good to her. She met with the owners this week and they are wearing the "Team Nancy" bracelet. Their support has been wonderful.
Friday 11/9 was round two of chemotherapy. One big change was IV fluids Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. This has been an effective change in the treatments. So far the plan is working as Nancy is up and moving around versus week one when she felt so bad she was nearly confined to bed.
After the burr haircut a few weeks ago, the balance of her hair is gone. She still looks good in baseball hats and scarves. With the cold evenings she wears cotton hats to keep warm.
Nancy's spirits are good most of the time and she knows she is a third of the way to finishing chemo. She is fortunate to be good friends with a nurse at Christ Hospital who administers the chemo. We are blessed three of our children are nurses and our sister-in-law is a doctor.
This week our son and his family came down from Napoleon, Ohio for a surprise visit and that was great to see them and the grandchildren.
Many friends have brought food and desserts and that is much appreciated.
Thanks again for your continued prayers and support.
Bob
Her appetite has still been somewhat weak; but she has been good about eating so she can take her medications.
On Wednesday of this week we went to the eye doctor as her vision was blurry. When she started her chemo treatment the oncologist told her she had to stop taking a certain medication she was on to prevent Sarcoidosis. This led to a return of the inflammation of the eyes and she had to have a steroid shot in her her eye and a second one in two weeks for the other eye.
She was able to go to work several times this week if only for a few hours. Crossroads Hospice has been very good to her. She met with the owners this week and they are wearing the "Team Nancy" bracelet. Their support has been wonderful.
Friday 11/9 was round two of chemotherapy. One big change was IV fluids Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. This has been an effective change in the treatments. So far the plan is working as Nancy is up and moving around versus week one when she felt so bad she was nearly confined to bed.
After the burr haircut a few weeks ago, the balance of her hair is gone. She still looks good in baseball hats and scarves. With the cold evenings she wears cotton hats to keep warm.
Nancy's spirits are good most of the time and she knows she is a third of the way to finishing chemo. She is fortunate to be good friends with a nurse at Christ Hospital who administers the chemo. We are blessed three of our children are nurses and our sister-in-law is a doctor.
This week our son and his family came down from Napoleon, Ohio for a surprise visit and that was great to see them and the grandchildren.
Many friends have brought food and desserts and that is much appreciated.
Thanks again for your continued prayers and support.
Bob
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Week of 10/28/2012
This was week two after the initial round of chemotherapy and Nancy has gradually been gaining some strength. She did not have to get IV fluids this week and that is good news. The doctor will plan on IV fluids in round two now that he knows that she gets dehydrated.
She was able to leave the house this week a few times which was a nice change after feeling so bad last week. Her appetite has been very slow to come back but is eating a little bit at a time. She did a little shopping and also met with some friends. She also got to spend a little time with the twins on Halloween.
The week was not without some pain/complications etc. as she experienced some reaction to the antibiotics she is taking. It seems seems one medication leads to another issue but that is apparently common with chemo.
She is anxious to get back to work and may try to go for a little while tomorrow. In the meantime her employer, Crossroads Hospice, has been very generous and understanding. This week Crossroads set up a "home office" with a laptop and printer/scanner and access to her work. When she is strong enough she can go the office or work from home.
While everyone would agree it takes a special person to work at Hospice, we experienced this week how special people can be. Her co-workers at Crossroads have donated numerous hours of their vacation and sick time (called a time bank) to Nancy's time bank so she can maintain her full time status during this period when she cannot work......unbelievable generosity.
One of our friends loaded us up with some firewood which came in handy during the recent snow and cold weather. She has received many cards along with gifts such as scarves and lotions....all of this is very uplifting.
Round two of six chemo treatments is this Friday, 11/9, so she hopes to make the most of this week since she is feeling a little better.
We continue to appreciate your prayers and support.
Thanks,
Bob
She was able to leave the house this week a few times which was a nice change after feeling so bad last week. Her appetite has been very slow to come back but is eating a little bit at a time. She did a little shopping and also met with some friends. She also got to spend a little time with the twins on Halloween.
The week was not without some pain/complications etc. as she experienced some reaction to the antibiotics she is taking. It seems seems one medication leads to another issue but that is apparently common with chemo.
She is anxious to get back to work and may try to go for a little while tomorrow. In the meantime her employer, Crossroads Hospice, has been very generous and understanding. This week Crossroads set up a "home office" with a laptop and printer/scanner and access to her work. When she is strong enough she can go the office or work from home.
While everyone would agree it takes a special person to work at Hospice, we experienced this week how special people can be. Her co-workers at Crossroads have donated numerous hours of their vacation and sick time (called a time bank) to Nancy's time bank so she can maintain her full time status during this period when she cannot work......unbelievable generosity.
One of our friends loaded us up with some firewood which came in handy during the recent snow and cold weather. She has received many cards along with gifts such as scarves and lotions....all of this is very uplifting.
Round two of six chemo treatments is this Friday, 11/9, so she hopes to make the most of this week since she is feeling a little better.
We continue to appreciate your prayers and support.
Thanks,
Bob
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Leaving Comments
Hi Everyone. I've heard some people are having trouble posting comments, so here's what you do:
At the bottom right of each post there is a comments section that will say "no comments", "2 comments", etc. Click on that and there is a space to write. Then there is a "select profile" drop-down box where you can either put in your google account or select "anonymous" if you prefer. Then select "publish" to post your comment. Hope this helps. Thanks,
Anna
At the bottom right of each post there is a comments section that will say "no comments", "2 comments", etc. Click on that and there is a space to write. Then there is a "select profile" drop-down box where you can either put in your google account or select "anonymous" if you prefer. Then select "publish" to post your comment. Hope this helps. Thanks,
Anna
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)