Week of 12/16:
This was week three after chemo treatment number three and Nancy had a pretty good week. She was able to get out and meet with friends and also do some last minute Christmas shopping. She was also able to get out to the grocery....simple tasks that make a difference.
It was a week of great anticipation as the whole family was coming in for Christmas. Our son and his family from Napoleon, OH, her sister and husband coming in from Lincoln, NE; a nephew from Denver, CO and a nephew and his family from Bentenville, AR.
The downer was that chemo number four (of six) had to be administered on Friday 12/21 right before Christmas. The treatment went well and the great news is the tumor is continuing to shrink which means the chemo is still working. At this stage, knowing the chemo is working reinforces the courage to fight.
Week of 12/23:
Unfortunately Nancy had to have the chemo treatment right before Christmas but she accepted that as part of this process. The fact the whole family came in was very comforting.
We celebrated Christmas with her family on Christmas Eve at her mom's house and that was wonderful as usual. On Christmas Day she stayed at home to rest as most of our family went to my brother's house.
She just did not feel right the balance of the week; topped by a very bad day on Friday 12/28. Our daughter took her to get her routine blood work at the hospital which turned out okay. The nurse practitioner told her she had a reaction to the chemo. So she gave her some additional medicine to make her feel better. This seemed to help a little but she still wasn't feeling well.
Our son and his family from Napoleon stayed with us most of the week and that was fun. She continues to receive support from her employer and friends at Crossroads Hospice.
The four chemo treatments have taken its toll as fatigue has been a constant struggle. She is tired of just not having any energy. In addition the chemo has affected her eyesight and now her glasses don't help her. She will wait until the chemo treatments are over before addressing this issue again.
So, we hope she will start feeling better and look forward to only two more treatments.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to our family and friends. Thank you for your prayers, love and support.
Bob
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Week of 12/9/2012
Nancy has had three chemo treatments so far. This was week two of recovery and she gradually starts to feel better about10 days after the chemo treatment.
Even though she feels a little better there are still times when her back is really hurting. This week she also had some stomach pain etc caused by the chemo. The doctor gave her some medication for that.
She was able to get out and meet with friends on Monday and Wednesday and we went to a surprise party for some friends for a while on Friday 12/14. She only lasts an hour or two before fatigue sets in.
She also got out to do some Christmas shopping and to the grocery; so it feels good just to get out of the house. Her mornings are still rough and she has probably watched more TV over the last few months than in the last 10 years; but it helps pass the time.
Her mom and sister wrapped all of the Christmas presents (except for my Lexus), so that was a big help.
This Friday 12/21 is chem number four (of six).
We continue to have friends bring over food and desserts and we appreciate everyones' generosity very much.
Thanks to everyone for your prayers and support.
Bob
Even though she feels a little better there are still times when her back is really hurting. This week she also had some stomach pain etc caused by the chemo. The doctor gave her some medication for that.
She was able to get out and meet with friends on Monday and Wednesday and we went to a surprise party for some friends for a while on Friday 12/14. She only lasts an hour or two before fatigue sets in.
She also got out to do some Christmas shopping and to the grocery; so it feels good just to get out of the house. Her mornings are still rough and she has probably watched more TV over the last few months than in the last 10 years; but it helps pass the time.
Her mom and sister wrapped all of the Christmas presents (except for my Lexus), so that was a big help.
This Friday 12/21 is chem number four (of six).
We continue to have friends bring over food and desserts and we appreciate everyones' generosity very much.
Thanks to everyone for your prayers and support.
Bob
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Week of 12/2/2012
Nancy had her third chemo treatment on Friday, 11/30. After receiving the news the tumor was shrinking, and therefore the chemo is working, we were both relieved and elated.
Unfortunately the great feeling was short lived. As treatment number three kicked in, the week became somewhat difficult. Although the the doctor approved home IV fluids and she received them, she just did not feel well all week. That said, she still felt better this week than after the after the first two treatments.
On Wednesday she felt well enough to go to the Crossroads Hospice Christmas party for about an hour. It was good to visit with her coworkers. Speaking of work, she is now officially on short term disability.
Most of this week was spent on-line shopping and watching TV. She definitely gets "cabin fever" but just doesn't have the energy to go out the week after a chemo treatment.We were able to put our tree up and decorate the house.
She really wanted to go to the wedding of our friend's son on Saturday, but did not feel well enough to go. However, today we were able to get out and visit one our friends for a few hours.
We continue to receive great support from family and friends and that helps us deal with the situation.
Thanks to all who pray for her; we know the prayers are being answered.
Bob
Unfortunately the great feeling was short lived. As treatment number three kicked in, the week became somewhat difficult. Although the the doctor approved home IV fluids and she received them, she just did not feel well all week. That said, she still felt better this week than after the after the first two treatments.
On Wednesday she felt well enough to go to the Crossroads Hospice Christmas party for about an hour. It was good to visit with her coworkers. Speaking of work, she is now officially on short term disability.
Most of this week was spent on-line shopping and watching TV. She definitely gets "cabin fever" but just doesn't have the energy to go out the week after a chemo treatment.We were able to put our tree up and decorate the house.
She really wanted to go to the wedding of our friend's son on Saturday, but did not feel well enough to go. However, today we were able to get out and visit one our friends for a few hours.
We continue to receive great support from family and friends and that helps us deal with the situation.
Thanks to all who pray for her; we know the prayers are being answered.
Bob
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Week of 11/25/2012
Nancy had a very good week this week. She actually got to do do a little shopping at the mall beyond the on-line shopping she had to do for this Christmas.
On Wednesday she was able to go out to dinner with a group of friends who she had not seen her in a long time. There was lots to catch up on.
Week three after chemo is proving to be the best week in terms of energy and overall feeling well.
Friday 11/30 was the third chemo treatment; so she is half way home on the chemo treatments. She will have six treatments total with three weeks inbetween each treatment. We received great news from the oncologist after he examined her, saying the tumor in the breast was definitely shrinking and he could no longer feel it in the lymph nodes.
The doctor also gave his approval to have IV fluids given at home; administered by one of our three children who are nurses. Hands off for Tommy and me who are in sales.......imagine that.
This will save a lot of time and energy to have these at home versus going to the hospital every other day..
The fluids are critical to keep her hydrated. Without them she gets a fever and feels like she has the flu.
Nancy's mom and sister are here daily after chemo week providing a wealth of care and support.
We have recieved lots of food from friends and family and she has received many cards expressing love and prayers. This all has been so uplifting that words cannot express our appreciation.
Please keep the prayers coming as we know they are working.
Thanks,
Bob
On Wednesday she was able to go out to dinner with a group of friends who she had not seen her in a long time. There was lots to catch up on.
Week three after chemo is proving to be the best week in terms of energy and overall feeling well.
Friday 11/30 was the third chemo treatment; so she is half way home on the chemo treatments. She will have six treatments total with three weeks inbetween each treatment. We received great news from the oncologist after he examined her, saying the tumor in the breast was definitely shrinking and he could no longer feel it in the lymph nodes.
The doctor also gave his approval to have IV fluids given at home; administered by one of our three children who are nurses. Hands off for Tommy and me who are in sales.......imagine that.
This will save a lot of time and energy to have these at home versus going to the hospital every other day..
The fluids are critical to keep her hydrated. Without them she gets a fever and feels like she has the flu.
Nancy's mom and sister are here daily after chemo week providing a wealth of care and support.
We have recieved lots of food from friends and family and she has received many cards expressing love and prayers. This all has been so uplifting that words cannot express our appreciation.
Please keep the prayers coming as we know they are working.
Thanks,
Bob
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