Great News!

Great news! The recent CT scan shows shrinking lymph nodes and everything else is stable. We are extremely excited! Also, since every holiday weekend has been a chemo weekend, it was decided that treatment will be on Monday and Paul can enjoy the weekend. A holiday weekend without being chemo sick. Praise God!

Paul really needs the break, both physically and emotionally. So there you have it - great news all around! Paul is going to enjoy his July 4th weekend with snowcones and ice cream!

Everyone home!

We have everyone home for a few days - Peyton is back from church camp and Trevor and Kesleigh back from Oklahoma.

With it being a holiday week, Paul's appointment is on Tuesday instead of Wednesday. He went in last week for a CT scan, and we hope to get the results tomorrow. I have a really good feeling about this one!

Of course, he isn't looking forward to treatment tomorrow. Each time it seems the side effects get a little worse and last a little longer. In turn, I think that makes the anticipations worse.

He never complains...I can just sense it. Just pray he gets a good report tomorrow, good news would definitely be encouraging! I admit it would put a huge smile on my face!

Whew! Much better!

I am not sure if it was the fluids or the new medication, but Paul is feeling much better. He is able to eat and believe me, he is eating! Thank you God!

Many of you have heard the saying (or even the song)...Every Rose has a Thorn. One of my friends said to me recently, "I am glad the two of you can see the rose through the thorns!" And, it's true, we do. We know He has a plan. We don't know the plan (I keep hoping He will put it on a local billboard so I can drive by and read it!), but we trust in Him that there is one...and I know it is grand.

My grandma had a rose garden. I am not sure how many, maybe one of my relatives will post a comment if they know. I do know, it was more rose bushes than many would ever have in their yard. She knew every kind and variation, many times even the greenhouse. She never let the thorns keep her from this beautiful flower. In fact, Grandma shared her love by giving her roses away to everyone. She would bring you fresh cut roses from her garden on your birthday, anniversary, or any other special occasion.

What do you see in a rose? Can you get past the pesky thorns and enjoy the beauty of the flower? Can you just smell the sweet aroma of fresh roses?

Please, look past the thorns, and please, take time to smell the roses!

A couple of tough days

Well I wish I had better news, but the last couple of days may just be the worst days since chemo started. The nausea and vomiting hit Paul and didn't seem to let up. Yesterday he was prescribed a couple of new medications, anti-emetics, or medications for nausea. This, of course, was in an attempt to get the nausea under control so the vomiting would stop. Luckily the nausea is much better, although not completely gone, and the vomiting has stopped. Today, with concerns of dehydration, Paul went to the doctors office to get some fluids. They pumped him full of fluids through his chemo port and he went home. Praise God, tonight Paul was able to eat and he even seems to have a little energy. I am so glad he feels better, I hate it that he went through that, but he remains in good spirits

I thank you for all your prayers, as he gets further into chemotherapy the days definitely get more difficult.

Happy Father's Day!!

Happy Fathers Day to all dads out there! I know it isn't a easy job being a parent.

I am so proud of Paul, he is an excellent father. As a young girl this was always something that I dreamed of...a man who loves God and his children more than himself. A man who teaches his children how to love others. A man who teaches his children how to be respectful of others. I could go on and on, but I found this man when I found Paul. I have considered myself a lucky girl since then!

Paul has spent a great portion of this Father's Day Weekend catching up on some chemo napping. (chemo napping...what I call the extreme fatigue that overcomes Paul the weekend after chemo) Peyton headed to Hidden Falls Ranch to church camp today and Trevor and Kesleigh will be heading out to spend some time with my family in Oklahoma. Paul and I will have another few days in a silent home. The kids love all the time away, and I love it when they come back home!

I hope all fathers had a great day! Happy Fathers Day!

My Wish for You!

Chemo #8 Over!

Today was chemo #8! This one snuck up on me, but I'm sure it didn't Paul. The day was the typical chemo day. Check the blood counts, see the doctor, get the chemo. Now I believe Paul will start counting down the chemo treatments.

As I sit here and reflect on the previous 7 chemotherapy treatments, they are difficult...I wouldn't ever say it is an easy road, but it is definitely hasn't been awful. I know our faith and trust in God has guided us thus far and will continue to guide through the remainder of this journey. I am so thankful to have you with us along this journey. It sounds odd, but this journey has made me feel blessed, blessed to have so many people caring and praying for us!

I thank my God every time I remember you. Phil 1:3

Relay for Life Completed!

If you haven’t ever attended a Relay for Life – you need to do it someday! It was one of the most wonderful experiences. Amarillo was home to the first Relay in Texas and relays have been going on nationwide for 25 years. It is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society filled with people whose personal lives have been affected by cancer, in hopes that someday they will find a cure for this terrible disease.

We arrived early to make sure we weren’t going to miss anything! After a few introductions and inspirational speeches, the walk began with the survivors. Paul wore his purple survivor shirt as did many others. He walked around the baseball field, I joined him midway as his caregiver. Along the sides of the walking track were people cheering us on! What great encouragement for those that are currently battling this disease.

You might say what was so much fun watching many people walk the track for cancer. The infield was filled will all kinds of things to do and different things to raise money for their teams, delicious food, raffles, temporary tattoos, a big jumper for the kids, silent auction. Paul & Trevor even got involved in a good ole game of tag football.

The kids had a wonderful time, as did we! Peyton chose to run laps instead of walking (this spring she found that she loves running long distances!)

There was live music throughout the might and lots of good visiting with the teams. We spent most of our time with the teams from the oncology office that Paul frequents.

After sundown the luminary started. Luminaries surrounded the entire track each honoring someone that has battled cancer. Some who had lost their fight, some who have survived, and some who are still battling. So imagine, a dark track, with only the light of the luminaries surrounding it, and a bagpipe playing Amazing Grace. This is when Paul really was touched by the experience. As we walked the track reading the names on the luminaries we came across one with Paul’s name…what a surprise!

Unfortunately the kids missed the luminary service; they gave out a little early and left to spend the night with their Nannie and Papaw. But we are definitely going back next year – hopefully we can even have our own team! Better yet, I hope you can join us for the walk!

Relay for Life!

Paul began feeling better around 10 PM last night. YIPPEE, praise the Lord! I know this is may sound odd, but I hope it was a bug instead of a lingering side effect. I definitely don't want him to experience it next time!

Tonight we take on another new adventure. Tonight we are going to attend our first Relay for Life. It will be held at the "Dilla Villa" (for those of you that don't know the Dilla Villa...it is the spot that Amarillo's pro baseball team calls their home!)

I will be able to tell you more about this event later, but what I know is that it is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Here is the link

Week activities, Trevor's Birthday!

Tuesday evening Paul and I attended the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life Survivor Dinner. It was a very nice event, but Paul doesn't quite see himself there just yet. The evening had beautiful music, a wonderful dinner and a celebration of survivorship.

Yesterday was the day Trevor had been anxiously awaiting. He is now 6! When I think about it, I just can't believe that 6 years have passed. Paul got us all up early to head out and eat breakfast for Trevor's birthday. We hit the Waffle House and everyone enjoyed a waffle for breakfast. That evening Trevor was able to open up his gifts...a basketball and a basketball goal! He loves sports, so it doesn't get much better than this for him.

Yesterday evening, Paul and I attended our second "I Can Cope" meeting. It was another great topic..fatigue. I found that the things they discussed were not only great for Paul, but for myself also. I am not sure if it was the Waffle House from earlier in the morning or everlasting chemo side effects, but Paul didn't feel well at all. It was day 8 and he is typically feeling much better by this time, but last night he felt awful. These are things I know you really don't want to hear about, so I will spare you all that. Hopefully it will pass and he will feel better soon!

Today

Today is typically the day that Paul begins feeling better after the chemo. Although the side effects seem to last longer and longer after each treatment. There is a slight pattern to all of it, but not enough of a pattern to count on it!

This week is filled with cancer support activities...we are so excited about that. Tonight Paul and I are going the the American Cancer Society's Survivor Dinner for the Relay for Life. We don't know anyone going but I am sure we will connect with many others there. Tomorrow night is the "I Can Cope" support group and the discussion for the evening will be fatigue. We have been excited about this since we heard about it. Then on Friday is the Relay for Life at the Dilla Villa. I hear it is a grand event, so for anyone that wants to come out and join us please do!

In addition to all that....Trevor is 6 tomorrow! He has been counting down the days until his birthday for about a month. There is one thing he knows he wants for his birthday...a present. The great thing about it is he said I could pick the present!

We have a great week planned, can't wait to share more with you!

Doing well!

Paul has been refusing to let the fatigue slow him down. He is tired, that is obvious, but he continues to refuse to slow down. I assume that is okay, I just support him in whatever he wants to do. Whether it is to sleep all day or be active all day.

Finally when he sat down to watch game 5 of the Stanley Cup, he falls asleep!

Hope all is going well with everyone. It is hard to believe the kids have already been out of school for a week!

46 Hours of Pumping

Paul completed chemo #7 yesterday. Everything went well, praise God! We know he will have 12 treatments with this chemo medicine combination, but unsure if he will have more with a different combination. Only time will tell (and the results of a CT scan and his CEA counts!) Keep praying

When he leaves chemo he has a chemo pump for the next 46 hours. We he started it was a battery operated pump, but the last few treatments Paul has tried several disposable pumps.

The disposables are great for the fact that you don’t hear the pump every few minutes and they may showering easier than with the battery powered pumps.

My heart goes out to everyone that has to have these pumps for even longer than 46 hours. Paul doesn’t seem to sleep well the days he has the pump, at least he knows it is only 46 hours to disconnect and he will be “free” until the next treatment!

Anticipated Rollercoaster

You know that feeling you get before you get on a rollercoaster? Nervousness and anticipation? You don't know exactly what the ride will be like. That is somewhat the same as Paul feels the day before chemo.

He is about to go on yet another rollercoaster ride, unsure of what side effects he might experience this time. It makes for a nerve racking day. Not only does he feel this nervousness, but also he seems to get this feeling of urgency. He tries to get so much done the day before chemo because he doesn't know when he will feel like doing things again.

It is a hurried-up day filled with all types of emotions.

Tomorrow is chemo #7, is that right? or am I losing count? Nope, it's 7. It is hard to believe it is already #7!! I'm sure Paul will do well tomorrow, I just pray that he won't experience side effects this time.

The start of summer

The kids left Saturday evening to spend 5-7 days with my family in Hooker. They were extremely excited, rushing me to get packed up so they could go. With our busy week, I was a little behind on laundry, so I had a couple loads of laundry to do before I could even get them packed. But I got it done, and they left grinning from ear to ear.

Boy, after they left, the house was extremely quiet. A couple of times I asked Paul, "do you hear that?" He said, "what??" I said, "Nothing...IT'S SILENT!"

It is always great for kids to get a break from their parents, and also for parents to get a break from their kids! As for our pets, Charlie and Princess, they definitely miss their little friends. The are extremely lost when it comes to bedtime, with the kids gone - they don't know where to sleep!

Paul was tired this weekend. Although that isn't common for days 11 & 12, I chalk it up to having something every night last week. I am so proud of him, he refuses to let this disease keep him from going to all these activities! He is such a trooper, always giving his all!