A positive spin

For all intents and purposes, mom has been doing great with chemo. She hasn't missed a day of work an has been feeling pretty decent. But after talking with dad yesterday, he said that she struggled a bit this weekend. She had worked 3 shifts and by Friday was feeling pretty fatigued and nauseous. Her legs also hurt her this weekend. She missed church on Sunday so she could stay home and rest. She was back at work Monday and is supposed to work 4 in a row. We leave Friday for Nashville to visit Kara. I'm guessing she'll sleep in the car a bit! Keep praying for stamina. And that she recognizes when she needs to rest and takes it easy.

Update

I wish there was more to say, but...well, I'm pleased there's not more to say! Mom continues to do awesome! She worked 4 in a row after chemo, three the next week, four this week, and will have her third round Monday. Continued prayers for stamina. She hasn't missed a day of work yet, so it looks like the prayers are being answered!!

Valerie

I'll make it quick

Today is 3 in a row for mom working. She also works tomorrow. I'll tell you, after working in a unit for years, 4 in a row is brutal for any nurse - let alone a nurse on chemo. But, she seems to be doing well. She said she was pretty tired last night, but after talking with her briefly this morning she seemed chipper as ever. Praise the Lord!

Valerie

Round 2

Mom had round two of chemo today. Her friend, Mary Magathan, took her. That was so nice of her! The infusion went well. She said she slept through most of the infusion. I talked to her this evening and she still sounded sleepy. She wasn't sure if it was the benadryl or if they put some more ativan in her infusion (sleepy medicine).

Her hair looks good too! Mom and dad were up this weekend to watch Allison's soccer game. They had a great time and her wig withstood the fierce April winds. Of course, she looks different, but I would say for a wig it looks pretty darn good! Might have to get me one for those bad hair days :)

Thanks for all your prayers. Remember her this week as she's planning on working the next 3 days. Not sure how that will go as she is awfully tired. Pray for stamina and that she'll know when to call it quits if she needs to rest.

Valerie

Wigged out

Mom got fitted for her wig this morning. She said she will have dad cut her hair tonight. Yikes!

She won't get her wig until Tuesday, so I guess she'll just have to tough it out until then. So glad her friend Marsha could go with her. The wig is a "nice one." Mom laughed that it was a bit expensive, but when you add up what she's going to save on hair cut and color for the next year...it more than makes up for it!

Continued prayer for emotional stability. Mom has always been a rock...but this can't be easy for anyone.

I have been talking a lot about Kara and I, but I thought I should mention that Ben has been awful sweet lately as well. He's been calling mom to see how she is doing, and I know this is just as upsetting to him. Kara and I have always been the emotional outlet though :) Dad seems to be handling it fine. He says he'll just be a whole lot happier when it's all over. Amen to that!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Valerie

Hair

Mom went back to work Monday and everything has gone great. She seems to have enough energy. Today is her 4th in a row and she sounds great!

However, her hair started falling out on Tuesday :(

We had heard that once it started, there was no going back. This is so true. It is just falling out in handfuls. She said she barely has enough hair today to spray in place and look remotely normal. She has a good friend at work who is going with her in the morning to visit the "wig lady." There is a charity in Wichita that work with cancer patients to fit them for wigs and offer other support. I'm so glad she has a friend to go with her. It can't be easy. She said that she will have dad help her this weekend to cut the remainder of her hair off.

This has been hard on Kara and I. Yes, we know she is having chemo and the diagnosis, but this outward reflection of the inward problem is just sad. So, if any of you reading this see her next week, give her a hug and tell her she looks beautiful :)

Praise the Lord for the energy to get through this week. So grateful that she is feeling well. We pray that this continues so that she can work. Pray for the hair situation. That she would know that she is loved no matter how she looks, and that this too shall pass. Pray for dad, as I know this is hard on him too. And if he is indeed the one that has to shave her head, that he would be brave!!

Thank you for your prayers. They are very important to us.

Valerie

Who knew?

There are things happening with mom we just didn't expect. She did really well the first 3 days after chemo, then the fun started. General feelings of fatigue (expected), a little achy (expected), numbness in the fingers (what?), and a rash that broke out Thursday morning from the top of her head down to her waist (weird). The first day the rash was not itchy, but starting Friday morning she started to scratch. Her skin was bright red and her arms and legs were a little swollen. The doc called out a steroid and atarax (for the itch). This morning she's finally feeling a little better. The nurse told mom there's no good explanation for the rash. Some people just break out, and it's not every time. She may not do it next time, we'll just have to see.

Mom has continued to smile and say she's doing great, even though at times we know it's not true. But we are blessed she is doing as well as she is. A close family friend was injured pretty bad this week in an electrical farm accident. We are surrounded by God's goodness and mercy to protect and sustain.

Pray for energy for mom as she is headed back to work Monday morning. And for our friend Charles and his family as he continues to heal.

Valerie