Rest Time

I can't tell you how happy we are to have a week free from the oncologist and the hospital!  

With the exception of still having difficulties trying to get the doctor to get the orders for the second round of chemo to the scheduling area of the hospital, things are going pretty well!  It would be nice to know what time we have to go next week.  Do I sound frustrated?  Yes.  (...deep breath...deep breath...let it go...)  

Next Thursday will be our long day, 7-8 hours with both chemo drugs again.  That's a tough one on Rob, but he handled the first round (3 weeks of chemo, 1 week of rest) like a true champion, and we are expecting the same for the remaining three rounds.  We are filled with faith and hope, surrounded in love.  What more can we ask for?

Rob has been doing pretty well!  He still has a rash covering a portion of his body, which sometimes itches, sometimes doesn't... but it seems to be much better today.  It's listed in the side effects for the Gemzar (one of the chemo drugs).  He's also had a few days with a fever, but today was a good day.  :)  He's been having some bleeding problems while shaving, and the drug paperwork suggested he not use regular razors anymore.  On Saturday our Pastor blessed him with a new electric trimmer that wasn't in our budget.  It was another worry quenched.  (Thank you!)

The treatments, although only one round so far, have taken their toll, albeit temporary, we pray.  Last Thursday on our way to his treatment at the hospital, we veered through the cafeteria/food areas looking for some lunch to take with us for our "short stay" with the chemo.  (His appetite  -  thank goodness  -  is still going strong!)  Just that little bit of walking from the car inside, and in a small loop on the same floor, wore him out and sent his BP soaring.  Seeing what it did to him really scared me.  Him, too.  So we won't do that again.  I'll plan those days so he just has to go in and out on the shortest route possible.  Just until he's over all this.  Until he's got his strength back.  And we are believing it will be back in full force when it's time.

Last chemo treatment of round one, last Thursday.

Yesterday Rob said he was going to cut back on some of his meds for the nausea, as he hadn't been experiencing much of that and didn't want to continue on the meds if he didn't need to.  Today he found out that idea was not the best one, and he's back on them all.  Oh well, it was worth a try.  I can understand him not wanting to be so full... full of drugs that hurt and help, damage and heal.  Just full.  

Rob's sister, Holly, has blessed us with a subscription to Netflix and we are LOVING it!  I have 70 movies in our queue.  :)  We're taking turns with movies... we have a good one, then one Rob picks, then another good one, etc.  LOL!  Just kidding!  They're all good.  Mine are the romantic-good-ending-happy ones, and Rob's are the old sci-fi's, thrillers, and classics.  And we have some documentaries mixed in for good measure.  It's been a great distraction, a time we can share smiles and laughter, good tears and moments in time together.  And it's wonderful!  Really wonderful!

Life really is good.  Even with all we're going through, we know there are others going through so much more, so much worse.  We are thankful for each day, for each victory no matter how large or small.  We're thankful to have the medical care Rob needs, and especially so close to home.  So each day we praise God for all the blessings, and for all that will come our way.  And we pray that we handle it all with the grace we've been given.

I was a half mile from home the other night, stopped at a traffic light, and I fell asleep.  Just for a moment or two... 8-10 car lengths between me and the car that used to be in front of me.  *sigh*  I don't seem to be able to find much rest, even when I have the time for it, which seems rare.  Rob will be talking to me and he watches as I just fade in and out as I sit in front of him.  It's okay to do in my chair.  Not in the car.  I like to believe I'm handling everything like Atlas, but in reality, I guess I'm not.  Sometimes I feel like I'm on the outside of my life looking in.  And I wonder how that woman keeps on running...  

But it's not on my own that I'm able to keep going; not my doing.  I pray every morning for strength, just for this day.  And I feel your prayers lifting both Rob and I, and I am so thankful for them... for you.  I would be nothing but a puddle on my own.

On a side note, we're not comfortable with Rob being around people right now.  There are so many sicknesses going around, and I'm doing my best to keep him well.  So although there are those wishing to visit and spend time with us, we ask that you wait until Rob's body is able to fight off infections and germs and all that is out there once again.  Thank you, and we love you all the more for understanding our plea.

I pray you greet the new day with peace in your soul and love in your heart.  That you see the world around you with the eyes of a child... full of beauty and wonder and opportunity.  It's a tall order some days, but so worth it in the long run.

In Love and In Peace,

Cheri ♥