With a birthday comes certain frailities, namely a good memory. I should have mentioned that we are technically through with chemo for this round.
We will return to Nashville February 16 and have a CT scan. This will be a rather big day. This is the day that we will know if this treatment has worked.
There will be a slim chance of having 1 or 2 more chemos if the tumor has shrunk. However, there is not a lot of evidence/research that supports the theory that 6 are better than 4 treatments.
James is tired of chemo and his veins show it. Hopefully, we will have good news and find that no more chemo is needed.
Prayer warriors unite! God needs to hear our prayers for this gentle, bear of a man.
Love to all,
Cathy
Saturday, January 30, 2010
LET IT SNOW LET IT SNOW LET IT SNOW
At least 6 inches of snow later, and it is still snowing (lightly, but still snow). It has been a really long time since I have seen this much snow in Milan. Unfortunately, it is a very wet, cold day and playing in it will be limited to short intervals. That means lots and lots of tracking in the house, lots and lots of wet clothes, lots and lots of hot cocoa, and lots and lots of dryer time.
Tuesday the Mister had one of the best days that he has had in a very long time. (We are two months short of a full year of knowing about chemo firsthand.) As he said, "I can tell it is time for another treatment. I feel way too good!"
It is now Saturday and he is back to his "chemo self"-no energy, low appetite, and no interest in doing anything.
It is a shame that chemo takes you to the brink and you have to really struggle to come back on top. Hopefully the chemo is affecting the cancer cells as much as it does the good cells.
Today, is a monumental birthday for me. In honor of that we had this big snow, and all of my children and grandchildren are cooking for us today. Yesterday, Kate, Beth, James, Andy, Kendall, and I just hung out, cooked chicken noodle soup, made a birthday cake, played games, drew/colored pictures, and worked on a Thomas Kinkade jigsaw puzzle. Clayton was at the police academy; Josh worked; Trent hunted ducks/geese; and Amy spent the night at the hospital. She had a 12 hour day scheduled and this was her "call" weekend. It was too risky to drive home and possible have to drive back to the hospital for emergencies. So she stayed at West TN Healthcare suites ( aka outpatient rooms)
Life is good in West Tennessee.
Bundle up and stay warm.
God has provided a beautiful winter backdrop.
Love,
Cathy
Tuesday the Mister had one of the best days that he has had in a very long time. (We are two months short of a full year of knowing about chemo firsthand.) As he said, "I can tell it is time for another treatment. I feel way too good!"
It is now Saturday and he is back to his "chemo self"-no energy, low appetite, and no interest in doing anything.
It is a shame that chemo takes you to the brink and you have to really struggle to come back on top. Hopefully the chemo is affecting the cancer cells as much as it does the good cells.
Today, is a monumental birthday for me. In honor of that we had this big snow, and all of my children and grandchildren are cooking for us today. Yesterday, Kate, Beth, James, Andy, Kendall, and I just hung out, cooked chicken noodle soup, made a birthday cake, played games, drew/colored pictures, and worked on a Thomas Kinkade jigsaw puzzle. Clayton was at the police academy; Josh worked; Trent hunted ducks/geese; and Amy spent the night at the hospital. She had a 12 hour day scheduled and this was her "call" weekend. It was too risky to drive home and possible have to drive back to the hospital for emergencies. So she stayed at West TN Healthcare suites ( aka outpatient rooms)
Life is good in West Tennessee.
Bundle up and stay warm.
God has provided a beautiful winter backdrop.
Love,
Cathy
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Whew! Restful Sunday
This has been a very stressful week. He should have gotten blood last Thursday when we were at Vanderbilt. However, we had been there since 8:00 and it was then 2:30. Each unit takes about 4 hours (minumum) and a waiting period of at least 1 hour after the last unit. He needed 2 units. (I will let you do the math.)
Monday he was unable to stand or raise his head without feeling weak or dizzyheaded. His heart was raising. He was generally a "hot mess".
He needed a blood transfusion, but was unable physically to make it back to Vanderbilt. Thanks to Carolyn (RN sister), we were able to get his orders transferred here. He was able to get his 2 units at Milan General. Thank the Lord.
However it was a long drawn out process. The longer it took- the "bitchier" he got. By the time that he got blood, he was extremely "bitched out" and having hot flashes too. I told him that it served him right for being such a pain. He got a menopausal woman's blood.
He is much improved as of now. He still is rather hoarse and coughing quite a bit, but no fever and lots more energy.
Thanks be to God and to prayer, another hurdle was overcome.
Enjoy this beautiful Sunday!
Cathy
Monday he was unable to stand or raise his head without feeling weak or dizzyheaded. His heart was raising. He was generally a "hot mess".
He needed a blood transfusion, but was unable physically to make it back to Vanderbilt. Thanks to Carolyn (RN sister), we were able to get his orders transferred here. He was able to get his 2 units at Milan General. Thank the Lord.
However it was a long drawn out process. The longer it took- the "bitchier" he got. By the time that he got blood, he was extremely "bitched out" and having hot flashes too. I told him that it served him right for being such a pain. He got a menopausal woman's blood.
He is much improved as of now. He still is rather hoarse and coughing quite a bit, but no fever and lots more energy.
Thanks be to God and to prayer, another hurdle was overcome.
Enjoy this beautiful Sunday!
Cathy
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Sabbath Eve
Brrrr!!!!! Mother Nature is still zapping us with bitter cold temps. Tomorrow is supposed to be in the 50"s. That is like 90's at this point in the winter. We in Northwest Tennessee aren't used to this extreme temperature.
It has really taken its toll on Mr. G. The extremely cold air has caused him to struggle to get his breath and his heart is beating rather hard as well. The low red blood cell counts contribute to this as well.
His aunt from Minnesota also warned him that he needed to get this problem solved quickly. Red blood cells carry oxygen. With low counts the heart has to work harder and so does the brain. She is afraid that he needs all the oxygen to the brain that he can get. As she said, "after all, he is a Gravenmier".
The good side to this cold weather is that it has made him decide to take time off from work. Now his main focus can be on getting stronger and healthier. Thank heavens!
God's blessings for an awesome week,
Cathy
It has really taken its toll on Mr. G. The extremely cold air has caused him to struggle to get his breath and his heart is beating rather hard as well. The low red blood cell counts contribute to this as well.
His aunt from Minnesota also warned him that he needed to get this problem solved quickly. Red blood cells carry oxygen. With low counts the heart has to work harder and so does the brain. She is afraid that he needs all the oxygen to the brain that he can get. As she said, "after all, he is a Gravenmier".
The good side to this cold weather is that it has made him decide to take time off from work. Now his main focus can be on getting stronger and healthier. Thank heavens!
God's blessings for an awesome week,
Cathy
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Another Vandy Visit
Who would have thought that we would be grateful to have a chemo treatment? Yet, we are! We went to Vandy today for a full day of testing, doctors' visits, scans, xrays, etc. The important test was the CT. It told us whether the chemo appears to be working. IT IS! There was a change in the tumor on the adrenal, so we were able to continue with the current chemo treatments. He had one today, will wait three weeks, take another treatment, and then scan/evaluate. The down side to this is that he is still very anemic--so B12 injections and a red blood cell booster were administered. OUCH!
They wanted him to have a blood transfusion, but he was not in favor of that today. He insisted on returning to Milan, resting for a couple of hours, and going "to play UPS feeder driver" tonight. Tonight should prove to be challenge for him since it is supposed to be -5 degrees. BRRRR! (It is a good thing that he took off last night and we went on to Nashville ahead of the bad weather. He is much more rested than he would have been.)
Bundle up. Thank goodness we are out of school on such an extremly cold day as it will be tomorrow.
God's blessings on those that have to be out in the elements tonight and tomorrow.
Cathy
They wanted him to have a blood transfusion, but he was not in favor of that today. He insisted on returning to Milan, resting for a couple of hours, and going "to play UPS feeder driver" tonight. Tonight should prove to be challenge for him since it is supposed to be -5 degrees. BRRRR! (It is a good thing that he took off last night and we went on to Nashville ahead of the bad weather. He is much more rested than he would have been.)
Bundle up. Thank goodness we are out of school on such an extremly cold day as it will be tomorrow.
God's blessings on those that have to be out in the elements tonight and tomorrow.
Cathy
Friday, January 1, 2010
2010!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
It was rather quiet here last night. All of the children and grandchildren had simple plans with spouses or friends. I successfully saw 2010 in with Dick Clark at 11:00 our time. (Although, it hurt me to see the shape that his stroke has left him.) I shudder to think how many years I have watched him bring in the New Year.
James G. saw the "ball on Times Square" drop, he said. I didn't think that you could see well with your eyes closed and snoring coming from your mouth. He did arrise from the couch at 11:58, give me a kiss at midnight, and head to the bed.
The year 2009 is now in the history books. The paper yesterday stated that 2009 was one of the worst years financially, emotionally, and physically for so many Americans.
May 2010 be better for all. I pray health, happiness, and God's love/blessings/guidance to all.
Cathy
It was rather quiet here last night. All of the children and grandchildren had simple plans with spouses or friends. I successfully saw 2010 in with Dick Clark at 11:00 our time. (Although, it hurt me to see the shape that his stroke has left him.) I shudder to think how many years I have watched him bring in the New Year.
James G. saw the "ball on Times Square" drop, he said. I didn't think that you could see well with your eyes closed and snoring coming from your mouth. He did arrise from the couch at 11:58, give me a kiss at midnight, and head to the bed.
The year 2009 is now in the history books. The paper yesterday stated that 2009 was one of the worst years financially, emotionally, and physically for so many Americans.
May 2010 be better for all. I pray health, happiness, and God's love/blessings/guidance to all.
Cathy
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