This week we have been enjoying the time off from chemo. Kathy's strength is nearly 100% as evidenced by the fact that she wanted to get out on our tandem bicycle and ride. We rode around the neighborhood but Kathy complained she wanted to "get out and go somewhere". So we hoped out onto the open rode and went down to where my old office was in Serrano and back. We rode a total of 6.87 miles (yes, we are that precise). The next day she felt fine and now we are going to be increasing the time and speed to get her legs back.
When Kathy first came home from the hospital she could barely make it up and down the stairs more than a couple times a day. Now she tots the laundery and everything else up and down and is as active as ever. What a change and what a blessing (not just the laundry part).
Kathy had her chemo infusion today. This is the first of round two of the post hospital era ("PHE"). Her blood numbers look good and I probably won't be nervous again until the third infusion of round two PHE in two weeks.
Thanks for your prayers and concern.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Great News and Bad News
Life if full of ups and downs and that is especially true when you have cancer and even more true when you are on chemo. We live for results of blood tests, CT scans and other sophisticated indicators.
Last week Kathy had a CT scan and on Friday her doctor called and told her that much to her surprise the results indicate that the tumors have shrunk even further!! This, after being off chemo for six weeks while she was in the hospital and recovering. It is nothing short of amazing. I was telling a friend of mine at work about it. He and his family have been praying for Kathy for some time. When I told him the results and how amazing it was he said matter of factly, "Do you suppose God had anything to do with it?" That about sums it up. How else can it be explained.
We went to Monterey last weekend to see David and Kathryn. Kathryn had been having some problems with the pregnancy and we wanted to see them and help if possible. As we were driving there they called and said they had received confirmation from the doctors that there had been a miscarriage. I feel so sorry for them. I think this is especially tough when it is your first pregnancy. They seem to be handling it well and we hope there are no further complications.
Life is full of ups and downs.
Last week Kathy had a CT scan and on Friday her doctor called and told her that much to her surprise the results indicate that the tumors have shrunk even further!! This, after being off chemo for six weeks while she was in the hospital and recovering. It is nothing short of amazing. I was telling a friend of mine at work about it. He and his family have been praying for Kathy for some time. When I told him the results and how amazing it was he said matter of factly, "Do you suppose God had anything to do with it?" That about sums it up. How else can it be explained.
We went to Monterey last weekend to see David and Kathryn. Kathryn had been having some problems with the pregnancy and we wanted to see them and help if possible. As we were driving there they called and said they had received confirmation from the doctors that there had been a miscarriage. I feel so sorry for them. I think this is especially tough when it is your first pregnancy. They seem to be handling it well and we hope there are no further complications.
Life is full of ups and downs.
Monday, March 9, 2009
CT Scan today and chemo tomorrow
Kathy is at the doctor right now to get her CT scan. She will get these every three months or so to compare the progress of the cancer tumors. Last time we got the good news that the tumors had shrunk an average of 54%. We are anxious to see what the result is after the delay in chemo from her recent stay in the hospital. Hopefully we'll have the results by the end of the week.
The third infusion since the hospital stay is tomorrow. So far the first two have been painless. She has not really had sick days but just a couple "more tired" days. Really, really good.
We are remodling our downstairs bathroom to add a walk in (or roll in) shower. This is just in case Kathy or either of my parents need to be at our home and can't climb the stairs to the two showers upstairs. It is moving along and fortunately Kathy is well enough to follow up on things like deciding the tile and other things. Otherwise I'd have full reign and it would not come out the same. I wanted a black and white bathroom but it will be a blue/green decor. I really don't care but she does so it is a good thing she is well enough to take care of the process.
So far the additional shower space has been framed and the demising of the current wall will come down today. Kinda fun to come home and see the change to the front of our house.
The third infusion since the hospital stay is tomorrow. So far the first two have been painless. She has not really had sick days but just a couple "more tired" days. Really, really good.
We are remodling our downstairs bathroom to add a walk in (or roll in) shower. This is just in case Kathy or either of my parents need to be at our home and can't climb the stairs to the two showers upstairs. It is moving along and fortunately Kathy is well enough to follow up on things like deciding the tile and other things. Otherwise I'd have full reign and it would not come out the same. I wanted a black and white bathroom but it will be a blue/green decor. I really don't care but she does so it is a good thing she is well enough to take care of the process.
So far the additional shower space has been framed and the demising of the current wall will come down today. Kinda fun to come home and see the change to the front of our house.
Grandparent
It may come as a shock to everyone but we are going to be grandparents for the first time. We received a package in the mail from David and Kathryn and they had written on the outside, "open together". We couldn't figure out what it was. It wasn't close to either birthday so why would they send us some thing when we were probably getting together in a few weeks.
As we unwrapped the gift it was clear that it was a picture frame. We figured it must be some funny picture they took of us in Monterey but still didn't know why it couldn't wait. When we got thru all the foo foo stuff (colored wrapping paper) the picture said "Photo of Baby Ricks coming Fall 2009".
Kathy started crying and I averted my eyes so nobody suspected me of doing anything unmanly.
We are going to be grandparents for the first time sometime around Halloween. The significance of this can only be felt by those whose life's are limited. One more requested event to be checked off this year. Now, if Matthew will please get his Eagle this summer that could be two things.........
As we unwrapped the gift it was clear that it was a picture frame. We figured it must be some funny picture they took of us in Monterey but still didn't know why it couldn't wait. When we got thru all the foo foo stuff (colored wrapping paper) the picture said "Photo of Baby Ricks coming Fall 2009".
Kathy started crying and I averted my eyes so nobody suspected me of doing anything unmanly.
We are going to be grandparents for the first time sometime around Halloween. The significance of this can only be felt by those whose life's are limited. One more requested event to be checked off this year. Now, if Matthew will please get his Eagle this summer that could be two things.........
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Second round today
I was hesitant to have Kathy start chemo last week because she just wasn't doing that well and I was concerned she wouldn't be strong enough. I was wrong. Kathy continued to improve after the infusion last Tuesday and really had no noticeable effects from the chemo. Probably because she didn't have any other buildup of the chemo in her system but whatever the reason she is stronger today than last week and is going in for round two today.
She is about 90% back to normal. Last Saturday we even ventured a drive to Stockton to watch BYU volleyball. It was our first night out in over six weeks. It was nice, just the two of us on the long drive. Good times.
She is about 90% back to normal. Last Saturday we even ventured a drive to Stockton to watch BYU volleyball. It was our first night out in over six weeks. It was nice, just the two of us on the long drive. Good times.
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