When Reality sinks in

So it seems like when we are home , even though I am very much reminded of the fact that Chris has cancer from cleaning his PIC line to taking him to labs, things still seem to start feeling almost "normal" again. It's easy to pretend that everything is fine for a little while but then he is admitted to the hospital and  BAM! the real reality of the situation literally slaps me in the face and it hurts. I am scared for my husband and I just feel so literally helpless in the process.  I hate this feeling so much.

 Well Chris is resting right now. He did not have a very good day and he threw up some of his medicine last night. He only takes one of his chemo medicines orally so hopefully it wasn't one that came up. He hasn't eaten since we have been here no matter how much I urge him to. Maybe later I can talk him into eating some Italian Ice or something else light. This time around we finally ended up in a small room. For some reason or other our last 3 visits we ended up landing huge corner rooms but I like the small room it feels cozy in here. The doctors have not come in yet  this morning so I don't know anything yet about his chest xray that was taken yesterday but hopefully we will soon. Yesterday Dr. Patel told us after his chemo she would like him to get an MRI  just to make sure nothing else is going on surrounding his dizziness upon standing, but I have a sneaking suspicion she just wants to see  the progress of his shrinking sinus Tumor as much as we do and can't wait until round 5.

Well that's whats going on just another fun filled adventure to MD Anderson Cancer Center!

Pray Pray Pray!

xo

k

H-town Bound

Houston Bound today Folks, Chris admits in the morning for his fourth round of BioChemotherapy. He will take a chest xray before hand so we will be able to find out the progress of his tumor in his chest. We will have to wait until next time to find out any information about his sinus tumor.  I am not looking forward to the trip but am happy that we are getting it out of the way and that he is will now be more than 1/2 way through. We are driving with my Aunt Lorna this time around so that will make the drive fun and we are spending the night with my cousin today and then Aunt Lorna will drop us off at the hospital in the morning. The nice thing about this whole arrangement is I will get off paying less in gas this go around since we will be in her car and not our big truck and I won't have to worry about parking plus Aunt Lorna gets to see her kids so its a win/win situation. I am so lucky I have mother watching over my home and animals, I wouldn't know what I would do if she wasn't here! So that's whats going on. I love you all and please say a BIG prayer that everything goes smoothly at the hospital and we have a safe trip.

xo

k

Picnic and Aching Bones

Dang has it really been 5 days since I last blogged? Time sure does seem to fly by! Well MD Anderson finally called me a couple days ago and told me all of Chris's blood work looks fine! I am so relieved. He has been up and around just fine and his appetite is still awesome.  The only thing that hurts him right now is his bones especially his thighs and knees. I think its a side effect of the Interferon.  I am starting to dread for him to go back to Houston next week. I hate it so much for him. :(

Well we had a nice week and even went on a picnic Wednesday. It was nice to get out of the house together and do something. We went to this place not too far away called Clouds Crossing its a cute little bayou.

The dogs came along and enjoyed riding in the back of the truck

We had sandwiches and chips and enjoyed every bit of it, then again picnic sandwiches always taste better then "sittin on the sofa watching TV sandwiches"  :)

I even spotted a lizard that I don't think I have ever seen before, could some identify this little guy for me? Sorry not the best picture!

All in all it was very nice day and I hope we have many many mannny more nice days to come.

Well that's whats been going on. I love you all thank you so much for your prayers and support.

xoxo
k

Drawing Blood

Well oh well lets see.. Today Chris went and gave more blood. I am surprised he has any left to be honest with you as much he gets drained of it!  They  did actually have a hard time getting some this time around she said that his creatine levels might be low I failed to ask what that actually meant so I suppose that I should google that real fast.. OK back.  ha and  I apparently STILL don't know why creatine levels would effect the ability to draw blood.. I read that creatine when low only tells us that his kidneys are efficiently working...  Hopefully MD Anderson can find it out of the kindness of their hearts to actually give me a call this go around so I know whats going on!  Anyways I am happy that we still have over a week to relax at home and Guess what? Its raining! Glorious Glorious Wonderful Rain. I stood out in it for a full 30 minutes until it started thundering. I feel as renewed as my plants, trees, and grass do. :D  Thank God for it, I didn't think I could take one more day of this dry sweltering heat. Anyways that's the news!

xo

k

Saturday Blues

Sorry I haven't written in a few days, it seems I have had a case of the blues recently. Even though Chris is doing better than I have ever seen him after treatment I have still been feeling down in the dumps. Blahhh I just hate this disease so much and wish it would go away! I haven't been as productive with my time as I probably should be this week I have been doing a lot of sleeping and stressing and I just need to get out of this funk. AND I am not thrilled with MD Anderson at the moment, Chris took his blood tests a couple of days ago and no one has bothered to call us with the results. I have called several times and left messages, they promise to get back with you within 24 hours.. but nothing.. So I hope that means everything is OK!?  Normally they call and let me know either way. He has to take labs again Monday so maybe they will let me know something after this test. I am just nervous that he will have to get a transfusion while we are here and I would like to know where his hemoglobin count stands. 

In happier news Chris has had a really nice appetite the last couple of days. It seemed like last time he came back from treatment everything savory tasted really bad to him so he ended up with alot sweet stuff like fruit, sherbert, Popsicle's.. but this time he can't stomach sweets and has been eating what I would call real food.. meat, hearty soups, bread... you get the picture. I am assuming his body was craving protein and some complex carbs. I am so happy that we don't have to back until the 31st of this month. Last time we got cheated out of 3 days because of numerous  tests but this time around he will only have a blood test and a chest xray and its scheduled the same day he will be admitted.

Well my lovelies that's the news, we love you all and thank you so much for all the prayers, they are working! (Not that I ever thought they wouldn't!!)

xo

k

Enjoying being at the house!

Well we are now home!  Chris is still feeling well and has been eating a little so that's good!   I went grocery shopping today and tried to buy everything I could with high levels of iron as there is a good chance that while we are home Chris is going to have to get a blood transfusion his hemoglobin count was 8.8 and normally at 8 they do a transfusion. The doctors said it was normal at the stage of the game to start receiving transfusions. I found Wheaties and dark organic chocolate have tons! The chocolate had 40% and the cereal was 90% daily recommended allowance. I also bought stuff like Broccoli, Spinach,  Greens, soy nuts, hummus, dried apricots.. just wanna try and keep it up as much as possible. Anyways he is still really tired but not as bad as the last 2 treatments. Oh and I know this is kinda gross but he has been blowing his nose and black stuff is coming out.. Its Tumor!!! Gross but wonderful! :)

Oh and I decided No to Florida I just can't leave my love.

Well that's whats going on!

Love you all

xo

k

What to do, what to do?

I am so happy this is our last night in the hospital for the next couple of weeks. This is the best I have ever seen Chris at the end of a treatment. Besides being tired which is just a side effect of the chemo and nurses and staff coming in at all times of the day and the night the only other ill side effects he is suffering from his pain in his femur bones and a non existent appetite. The dietitian said a good way to whip his taste buds into shape when we get home is to have him eat pickle slices 30 minutes before trying to get him to eat. So I thought that was interesting and I think we will try it and see what happens. Well I found out  today my mom hadn't cancelled the Florida trip just yet just in case I changed my mind the last minute. I am very conflicted to be quite honest with you. If I go it will be the last couple of days before he goes to treatment, when he is at his strongest and up and around and his sister has generously told me she would bring him to his next round on the 31st .. I would be back on the 3rd so I could join him at the hospital for the last 3 days of his treatment.... BUT I feel guilty and I don't know if I should do it or not. I really would love a little break but in the back of my mind I am scared I am being selfish. I dunno. I would love a little input from you guys. I think I will see how it goes the next few days and how well I think Chris is recovering. Anyways love you all and please continue to pray. Chris is now halfway thru with him Biochemotherapy! May the last 3 rounds continue to diminish his tumors and be enough to heal him completely!!

xo

k