Happy July, all. Just checking in with some of the latest news.
It’s been kind of a rough month or six weeks. All of a sudden my breathing became worse and we realized the Haloven was not doing what we needed it to do with the fluid. After being drained a couple of times (actually 3 times in a month), I saw Dr. Smith and we changed to a new chemo, Gemzar. I just started the second round of it last Friday. It’s a three on, one off drug. I do it three Fridays, and then have a break the next Friday. Usually that’s when I see Dr. Smith. This month he will be gone that day so I’ll see him next Friday, along with treatment. We’ll check tumor markers and see what’s going on then. Meanwhile, I still have trouble with breathing, as compared to where I was. I am not driving right now, and not going up and down stairs like I was. In fact, I didn’t go down at all today. Just didn’t feel up to it. So, to keep Mike from making all these trips up and down, we are preparing the bathroom in Mom’s apartment and working on a place to put the bed down there. It can go in what was Mom’s living room. Unfortunately her bedroom seems to be occupied with craft, uh, er, “stuff.” I have gotten rid of some of it, but not nearly enough. If I am down there all the time I should be able to do that. Plus, I can come over to the den and sit with Mike to watch TV, and eat in the kitchen. That way he won’t be carting food up and down the steps, all 22 of them. (darn those 14 foot ceilings downstairs.) I admit I don’t look forward to moving downstairs by myself, but when I feel like going up I can. If I don’t, I have options. We will make the best of it.
I have still made it to church the last couple of weeks. Once I’m up, dressed, and going I seem to manage OK. It’s just tiring to get dressed, unfortunately. Probably more so today because of starting back on the chemo last Friday. Though the side effects aren’t too bad–a bit of nausea–I am very tired. Put that together with the breathing tiredness, and well, you know. We are still in hopes that this drug or the next will get me back to where I was. I miss driving and getting out to see people. Say a prayer that we get that going again.
Please continue to pray for our brother-in-law, Bill. He has had a really rough couple of months. His pain grew so bad that they did tests and found that his bladder cancer had metastasized and was on his spine. They did surgery and are now doing radiation to reduce the pain. He is living at his parents’ condo, as it is on one floor, unlike his house. (both parents had passed away last year.) Also keep a good friend, Evelyn Norton, in your thoughts and prayers. She was a friend of my mom’s, and her daughter and I went to school together. I know Dawn and her brothers and sister are moving El to assisted living, along with her husband. And El has breast cancer. It’s been rough going for them for a while now.
We appreciate everyone’s love and support. Friends have been so good to us, bringing goodies, dropping by with lunch, or a frozen salad when I felt like eating only cold foods. Or some wonderful homemade ice cream. yum. And my fur babies are trying to take care of me, too. They still hover, especially the cat here lately. Boy, is that unusual. He just looks at me like “what is wrong with you, Mom? Can I help?” It’s kind of sweet. WHen he’s not chewing on my long hose to the air machine or hunting down flowers to eat on them. He loves his flowers.
We love you all, and thank you all for prayers. Take care and enjoy your summer.
Anne
VISITOR COMMENTS FOR THIS POST
By Connie Allen — Jul 30, 2014 10:37pm
Ann,
Love your spirit and positive attitude. Hang in there.
Big hug on its way to you.
Connie
By Brenda Lemons — Jul 16, 2014 11:04pm
Sending you lots of love, huge hugs and plenty of prayers.
By Margaret Weeks — Jul 15, 2014 7:37pm
Keep updating. Our thoughts and prayers are with you & Mike. You are the best. Love, Peg & Chuck
By Terry and Carla — Jul 15, 2014 5:58pm
prayers and love always…
By Barbara Mason — Jul 15, 2014 2:08pm
So sorry you are having such a rough go of it. I wish there was something I could do for you. Just know, if you ever get down this way, we would love for you to stay here. I will give you our bedroom downstairs. Love you, Barbara
By Chuck and Diana Neely — Jul 15, 2014 10:12am
You both are always in out thoughts and prayers.
Love you both,
By Debbie Robb — Jul 15, 2014 10:05am
Love you too Anne & Mike! Will make another frozen salad, bring a milkshake or another meal anytime you want. 🙂 Hang in there….praying this new med will kick the C’s behind. – Debbie Robb
By Miliska Knauft — Jul 15, 2014 9:30am
Anne and Mike … Thanks for the update! Please know that we continue to keep both of you in our thoughts and prayers! Apple butter is on the way!
Love,
Terry and Miliska
By Jennifer Hicklin — Jul 15, 2014 8:15am
Love you too!
By Mary Lou Kirby — Jul 15, 2014 7:57am
Both of you are in my prayers. Keep fighting the good fight! But rest in between, rounds, ok??? You are such an inspiration. Thoughts and positive energy sent your way.
Namaste!
By Amy DeCesare — Jul 15, 2014 7:31am
Keeping you both in our prayers! Hope this new drug works better. My mom keeps having to change drugs too. Next up for her is zeloda. I feel like your fur babies, wish I could help. Love you! Amy
By Rhonda Bartley — Jul 15, 2014 6:15am
Anne, I was so hoping the other meds would work, but perhaps that was just a stepping stone to a better one. My prayers for God’s grace and healing hands to be upon you, my dear friend. Know that I am thinking of you and Mike. Sending you love and hugs always!
By anne lewis — Jul 15, 2014 5:18am
Hoping that the new drug is the answer…hugs and prayers.
By judy whitson — Jul 14, 2014 10:40pm
You remain in my prayers. Love you!
By Janie Hurt — Jul 14, 2014 10:33pm
Anne, I continue to pray for you daily and these posts help so my prayers can be more specific. It might be help if I brought you and mike food as well! I love you girl. Continue to be strong.
By Floyda Sullivan — Jul 14, 2014 10:17pm
You and Mike are always in my prayers. I think about you so much and wish you felt like coming down for a visit in Florida. It is way to hot right now but come winter I hope you feel like coming down. You always have a place to stay!!!
By Marta Woosley — Jul 14, 2014 10:10pm
You and Mike are always in my prayers and will keep your friends in my prayers!! Love ya
By Betsy (Hirst) Sheppard — Jul 14, 2014 10:09pm
Thank you for letting us know how it is going. Moving downstairs may help a lot. I sure hope so. Please keep us posted about everything. I have been busy organizing and also getting rid of things here. It’s a slow job, but I am making progress. I send prayers and the best of wishes and hope that things will go better now and that you will feel much better very soon. XOXOXOXOXO
By patsy sloan — Jul 14, 2014 9:45pm
Anne I think of you & Mike so often. You mentioned ice cream – would you like some of my mother’s famous Texas vanilla ice cream? It rarely goes unappreciated
By Jean Secrest — Jul 14, 2014 9:44pm
God bless you, Anne! I am so sorry that things have been so rough for you. Praying that things will improve for you on this new med!
By Jerry wallace — Jul 14, 2014 9:40pm
Prayers are still coming for you and Mike. We’ll add your brother in law Bill.
Love, Jerry and Joanne
By Lynne Peters — Jul 14, 2014 9:28pm
Anne, I have never seen such a strong and positive person. We love you dearly and pray that this new drug helps and you feel better soon. Lynne and John
By B.Kaye Beckner — Jul 14, 2014 9:27pm
Anne, I continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers for healing and relief. Your positive spirit is amazing and makes all the difference! I hope you are getting to see pictures on facebook of Meredith’s sweet baby girl. She is sure growing up too fast for this grandmother!