Chemo V

Our lab appoint was for 8:40.  We arrived in the pouring rain.  Steve dropped Grandma and me off at the front door since I couldn't really hustle in the rain.  He took the umbrella and made it inside only a little wet.  After labs, we had an appointment with Dr. Hoos about 9:40.  He came in and told us that all Steve's blood work looked good.  He also thought Steve looked good.  We found the results of his scan.  The chemo is doing its job.  His lymph nodes are getting smaller and the cancer is shrinking.  Steve will take 2 more treatments:  chemo 6 and chemo 7 using the same medicines.  We must have misunderstood that there was a limit on how many of these types of treatments you can take.  We thought the limit was 6 so we were surprised when he told us he would at least have 7.  He said that since the medicine was doing the job, we would be foolish to change.  He said there was another medicine that they use but it is not as effective and more toxic.  We agreed that saying on the course we are on would be best.  Dr. Hoos seemed very happy with Steve's progress.  This was great new!  You really can't imagine what has been going through our minds since the scan was taken.  After chemo 7, he will have another scan and we will evaluate his progress.  Steve had a great attitude about this.  I know he was disappointed that he would have to do at least two more treatments, but was very proud of the fact that he is getting better.  It sure was a relief for him to hear the good news.

Today's chemo seemed so long.  We didn't get into the Infusion Lab until 11.  We did not finish until 4.  Grandma and I went to the Whiteside Building for lunch in their cafeteria.  Grandma pushed me in a wheelchair.  It was all inside through a secret tunnel.  We had chicken strips and potatoes.   Steven was not hungry so he ate some grapes, and orange, and some pineapple.  He was disappointed that they did not have his favorite apples in a bag.  He really loves those little things.  This is two times in a row that they have been out.  Steven slept most of the day while Grandma and I read and looked up an artist that we saw in a magazine.

I did fine with the knee.  It is a little sore from not being propped up all day, but I will live.

Steve is now resting while dinner is cooking.  The treatment really wears him out, plus they give him some allergy medicine that makes him tired.  This keeps him from having a reaction to the chemo drugs.

We want to thank everyone for keeping us in their hearts and praying for us.  God worked a miracle with Steve's healing.  We are thankful for our friends and family.  We could not ask for better blessings!

Taverniers to the Rescue

We had an exhausting day.  We slept most of the morning then ate a brunch and then went back to bed.  You would not believe how tired we are.  At about 1:45, I went to the doctor to get an x-ray.  Luckily, there is no bone damage.  I am now in a beautiful knee brace.  It is a lovely black and is so attractive on my leg.  Actually, it is helping already. My knee does not have the constant pain, which is good.  I can start putting a little weight on my left leg when it gets to feeling better.  When the pain is gone, I will be able to get rid of the crutches.  That will be a blessing.   I am a total klutz on those things not to mention, it really wears me out to even go from one end of the house to the other.  This is where Tom and Lorene Tavernier step in to be my heros.  They brought me a little scooter to use at school.  I am so thankful for them and the scooter.  Hopefully, I will not crash and burn in the halls at the middle school.  Luckily, there are safety wheels on the back so I won't flip if I do wheelies  :)

Steve drove to Springfield to Bach Medical Supply.  That is very good for him.  He also drove home even though he was tired.  Sometimes he is pretty bullheaded.  I won't say it is the German in him because I don't want to insult some of my readers, but we know it is true.  He promised me that he would rest tomorrow since chemo is Thursday.  Grandma is going to go with us on Thursday.  I might have a difficult time with lunch and maneuvering around the hallways.  This made Steve feel better.  He worries about me.  We meet with Dr. Hoos at 9:40 to go over the CAT scan results.  Thank God the wondering will be over.

Amelia is making dinner tonight.  She is making lasagna, garlic bread, corn, salad and root beer floats for dessert.  We are thankful that Amelia is stepping up to help us in our time of need.

Two Down

Well, we had an interesting Labor Day.  Steve is feeling good.  He helped spread more mulch and trim a couple of bushes.  Grandma and Grandpa came to help too.  Grandma brought a chicken and rice soup for lunch.  She also make a strawberry cheesecake dessert and chocolate chip cookies.  Yummy, yummy.  They sure do take good care of us.  After they left, we took a nap.  I took some pain medicine and had a great nap.  Steve and Amelia went to the store this eve. to pick up some stuff, but they came home with more junk than anything else.  I shouldn't say that because they picked up goldfish and pretzels for me!!!! Tonight at supper, Steve's side really started shooting sharp pains.  This lasted about 15 minutes.  Now he is just uncomfortable. He is getting ready for bed.  I think all the action this weekend has made him a little tired.

I went to the doctor today about my knee.  I have to stay off it tomorrow and I will have a sub at school.  I have to go to Springfield to get a brace tomorrow.  The doctor was not exactly sure what was wrong.  He had several ideas...sprain, ligament, torn meniscus or a combination.  It is still swelled.   He moved it this way and that to test my range of movement.  I did not get an x-ray, but must go back on Wed for him to check the swelling and see if I need an MRI.  I am very lucky that Steve, Amelia and Aubree are taking care of me.  I am a little clumsy on the crutches, but I am sure I will develop a talent as time goes on.  Doctor told Steve that he was worried that I would fall...that is how bad I am on these.

Tomorrow will be a restful day here.  I will lounge around and Steve will be right in there with me.  We are sure a pitiful site.  He is worried what will happen to him after his chemo if I am having a difficult time.  I told him not to worry that I will be back in control by then.  He keeps telling me to rest or go sit down.  I say I can help and he says, "Welcome to my world.  Now you know how I feel."  I told him it was not a contest, but I think he is trying to teach me a lesson about how hard it is to not help or be a part of things.  It is really hard for me because I know there are others capable, but they may not do it my way, and we all know how important that is to a "Red".  Maybe God is reminding me that I am not in control and that I shouldn't take things for granted.  I really hate when people try to teach me lessons.  I am a very poor student!

Sunday Night

This morning, we worked out in the yard.  We needed to spread 40 bags of mulch around our trees. Working out side is very hard on him, but he insists on helping.  He was the truck driver, which meant that he drove the loaded truck from tree to tree so I could throw down the bags and dump them around the tree.  Of course, this was not enough for him and he had to be bag cutter and mulch stomper.  After about 3 tree he was worn out and his side was hurting, but being the trooper that he is, he finished, but only as the driver.  After we finished the chores, he did go inside and get sick.  I think it is just the physical exertion that is to much for him.  After his nap, he felt better.  He did take about a 4 hour nap this afternoon.

I fell today and hurt my knee.  I am not sure how bad, but I do know that I can't walk on it right now.  I was in the back of the truck and slid over the side and when I landed, my knee bent a very strange way, and I hit the ground.  I stayed there a little while trying to decide what was the matter.  I got up and it hurt a little but not enough to stop spreading mulch.  We spread 40 bags this morning.  After the mulch was spread, I came inside and iced the knee.  It felt a little better, so I took a nap.  During my nap, it got stiff, and it was a little difficult to walk when I got up.  We had to run into Monett to get some more mulch-35 bags.  While getting in the truck, my knee gave out, and I hit the ground again.  Now, it really hurts to walk.  Kaleb is running me some crutches on his way back to Springfield this eve.  Needless to say, I scared the pudding out of Steve each time I fell.  He is really worried that I hurt my knee and will be off it for a while.  I think it is just a minor thing and a few days off my feet, right..... and I should be ok.

Aubree has been a good helper this evening.  She helped me with the ice bag and the pillow under my leg.  Now she is watching Sponge Bob with Opa and me while Amelia is doing homework.  We do love Sponge Bob.  We still watch it every morning before school.  It is a little ritual that we have developed.  I fix coffee and she watches Sponge Bob, then I fix her coffee:  sweet milk, sugar, coffee and one ice cube. We snuggle if there is time.  They leave every morning about 7:00 and she gets up anywhere from 5:45 to 6:00.  

Sorry, late post

"I love my Opa!"

Well, Guys,  I am sorry that it has been a few days since I've posted.  I'll try and catch you up on what has been happening here.  To start, Steve's side has really been bothering him.  Remember, I told you about the running in the rain?  It seems that he "pulled" something on his side.  He says the normal pain is more intense than it has been.  It's been getting him down.  He did not go to Kyle's game last night because his side was bothering him.  Today we ran errands in Monett.  We had to pick up a truck load of mulch for around the trees, a new weed eater, and cleaning supplies from Lowe's and Walmart.  We got home a little after noon.  We, or really I should say I, watched the Tigers defeat Illinois.  He slept through most of it.  I had to keep it quiet because he was so tired.  That was really hard, but I only woke him twice.  After the game, I took a long long nap.  I was exhausted.  We drove around a little after we woke up because it was such a beautiful day.  After about 20 minutes, his side was bothering him again.  I think it was because the car bounces and such.  I don't notice it but he sure does.  We came home, ate, and he went to bed.  It was probably 6:30.  He has been sleeping since and it is now after 9.  I have been clanging around in the kitchen and it has not phased him.  I think he will sleep all night.  Besides his side hurting, I think he is worried about what Dr. Hoos will say on Thursday when we have our appointment before treatment five.  We will find out the results of his CAT scan then.  I think it is nerve wracking to wait over a week for the results, but I guess they must study and compare it to his past scans.  Then they must decide what course of action to take.  Please keep Steve in your prayers.

Kyle is number 56.  The picture to the right, he is the one on the right side drinking.  You can kind of see his six.  I took it so you could check out his mohawk.  Last night was another Monett game.  Grandma and I went to cheer Kyle on.  He had a good game and Steve heard his name 5 times on the radio.  I'm sorry to report that the Cubs were beaten  18-26 by Logan-Rogersville.  The LoRos are ranked 2nd in the state.  Monett made a good showing, but a fumble recovered by Logan-Rogersville and ran for a touchdown, locked the other team's victory.  Kyle make some really good tackles.  One was right in front of us and it was so thrilling to see.  I did not get a picture of it because I am not really an action photographer.  I am more of a they stand still, and I have time to find Kyle and then snap the photo.

Over doing it

Today was another day where Steve over did ituolkm0oj.  Aubree is helping me type this post.  Steve over did it.  He ran some errands again and then we had dinner at McDonalds and Aubree's Open House.  The Webb City girl's tennis team was at McDonalds ahead of us.  While we were at McD's we saw Carlie and Debbie.  Carlie plays tennis for Webb and won her double match today.  Keep up the good work!!!  During our meal, a terrible storm went through and it was pouring when we had to leave for the open house.  Steve ran to the truck and nearly tripped and fell.  This is the first time he has had to "hustle" in months. He did enjoy seeing Aubree's classroom and seeing her teacher.  Aubree had fun showing us all the things in her room.  We came home and he went straight to bed.  He said that he hurt his side running to the truck.  I think he is just plain tired and won't admit it. Hopefully he will rest tonight and be better tomorrow.

We are planning to going to see Kyle's game tomorrow night.  I'm not sure we will make it the whole game, but we want to go for as long as we can.  Steve sure felt bad that he missed Kyle's first game and really wants to see Kyle play tomorrow night.  We are very excited at being at the first home game of the year.  It is always nice to sit in the home bleachers and hear the home band.  Good luck, Kyle.

We have no plans for the weekend.  It is Labor Day and I may be laboring by cleaning the house and working a little in the yard.  I am looking forward to having a long weekend.  I would like to sneak in some crocheting and maybe a book or two.

Wainy Wednesday

We finally have our prayers answered, RAIN.  It has been pouring here since about 3o'clock this am.  WEEEEEEEE!

Last night went well.  We went to St. John's for his scan.  We thought it was an MRI since that is all they talked about at the Dr.'s office, but it turned out to be a CAT scan.  He had to drink really nasty stuff and then they injected him with idione.   We were there amost 2 hours.  Not bad.  We will not know anything about the scan until the 9th.

He is not feeling very well today.  I think it is a combination of things.  He really did over eat the other night at the Japanese steak house and has not been hungry since.  He also wore himself out yesterday running around town.  If you give them the rope, they will hang themselves.  He ran to see a friend at a nursing home, up to Miller to visit a gun store and then to Springfield.  He always does so much when he feel well, that he eventually wears out.  Today he is planning on going to Monett for a funeral of a friend's father.  With the rain, walk, and fatigue I am guessing I will get a call from the Sheriff's department that he is sleeping in the parking lot or on the side of the road.  I think he will be exhausted by the end of today.  We shall see.