Chemo - Day 2

Hello dear ones...

This will be a short update, as other than today's chemo treatment, there are no doctor appointments for Rob this week.  We had one scheduled this morning with his surgeon, but he had me cancel it because he just isn't up to much else on chemo days.

January 2013 - Sister Bear at Beaumont!

We were blessed to have Rob's sister, Holly, with us during the treatment today.  Holly, or "Sister Bear" as I call her, was by my side in the hospital during Rob's surgery and has been my pillar of strength since.  I love this lady.  :)  She calls me "Mama Bear," because she has seen me kick into action to get certain medical people to do their jobs when it comes to Rob's expected care.  People should do what they're supposed to do.  If not, I'm not afraid to roar.

Rob had blood work done prior to today's infusion, and although his WBC's, RBC's, and platelets, among others, were just under the low end of normal, he was able to go ahead with his treatment.  With his WBC count being so low, he is very susceptible to infection, so we are doing our best to keep him free from it.

Today...

He slept through the main chemo drug again, thanks to the IV of Benadryl that proceeds it.  When it was done, even though he was pre-dosed with stomach-helping and anti-nausea drugs, he told us he was very nauseous.  He was moving slowly on the way back to the car, and once home, slept a good portion of the afternoon and evening.  He was up a bit on facebook, of course, and is up now for a bit of the ol' television.  He has told me several times that his lungs feel like they are full of charcoal.  Hmmm.  He's still not himself, but better than earlier with a few spurts of non-stop talking energy.  Wonder if that's a side effect, too.  It's not normal for him except for in type.

We were told the effects of this main drug are going to be cumulative, and most don't make it through 3 treatments without having to get RBC/bone marrow injections, so we are forewarned and won't be surprised if that happens.  *sigh*

I feel helpless as I watch him suffer...  big or little, there's not much I can do but watch him sleep and hope we wake up from this, though we know that's not likely.  It still hurts to not be able to make it better.  That's what Mom's do best, and the best thing I've ever done is be a Mom.  I should be able to make it better...

This morning I took our little Riley, now 17 weeks old, back to the vet, as we try to figure out what's happening to him.  We are trying a few changes and monitoring him for a month to see if he improves.  Possibility of renal issues, but we are praying for many better days.  Regardless, he is a little happy guy, sometimes TOO happy, but when I watch him sleeping, and hug him as he snuggles with me, it's all okay. :)

Today... Protecting, loving

Gypsy misses Rob when he goes for doc appointments and chemo treatments.  Especially the chemo because he's gone for a long time, and that's not normal anymore... for her.  As with the first treatments, when he would come home and lay down to sleep, she was right there curled up on top of him.  She's protecting and comforting and loving on him.

Okay, enough for tonight.  If things change much during the week, I'll be back.  Otherwise, treatment #3 is next Monday, and the oncologist is Tuesday... so I will update then.


Love you all, appreciate you all, and want you to know that we feel your prayers wrapping around us each and every day.  God is using all of this to make us all stronger.  Believe that.  

You are the world to us.



In Love and In Peace,

Cheri ♥