Bad blood...

Misty didn't go into chemo as planned. First, she went in on Tuesday, as scheduled, but was turned away because there were no beds available. I guess that's how it works in a county hospital. Then, when she returned on Wednesday, after admitting her and processing the regular blood work, they determined that her neutrophils were low--whatever that means--and that they couldn't proceed at this time with chemotherapy without Misty becoming very ill. So, once again, she was turned away. On one hand, Misty wished that she could just go on with it and get it overwith. But, on the other hand, she was relieved to come home and not go crazy while lying in a hospital bed--and we're glad to keep her here with us, too. Misty has another appointment to start chemotherapy next Wednesday--if her blood is ok.

And she was doing so good all week. Until last night. She woke up a number of times, dry heaving and gagging, and in pain. When morning came, she wasn't much better. But by tonight, she was eating fairly normally again and doing ok.

In other good news, I got word from my job that I'll be working locally (not traveling) all the way into March. Of course, all scheduling information I get about my work is subject to change until after it's already happened, but at this point I'm relieved that I won't have to worry about how things are going while I'm a thousand miles away.

I feel like I'm beginning to sound like a broken record (do the kids these days even know what that means?), but I have so much gratitude for the help we're getting. I honestly can't imagine how people go through this sort of thing without the kind of help we have recieved from our family and friends, from church members and neighbors. I feel I have to express my thanks to all of you and let you know that we appreciate all your efforts toward sustaining us in this rough time.

Round Three

Misty's goes back in for the third round of chemo on Tuesday. At this point we now know what to expect. This only makes it slightly easier. It's still rough on Misty to stay in a hospital bed all day. She's hoping again that she gets a room by herself. It's bad enough when she's being bothered by her own machines beeping, but when there's someone else's, too, it's almost enough to make someone insane. Not to mention privacy...

In the mean time, she's actually been doing pretty well. She's been on some pain meds and nausea meds, which help quite a bit with her cramping and pain which are typical to chemotherapy. She doesn't quite have the energy or stamina she used to, but she is doing more than she has been doing lately. She stayed for all three hours of church today, and last week she even made the ninety-minute drive to her mother's house in Brownsboro.

Can't say it often or loudly enough: THANKS! For everything!

Past due for another update...

Sorry, folks, for making you all wait so long for any news.

Misty has now gone through her second chemotherapy treatment and is back out of the hospital. A few days prior to entering the hospital, Misty started eating and swallowing again. She's been able to go about her day without carrying around a spit-cup in which to dispose of her unswallowable saliva. She can drink water and eat solid food! These are things that she hadn't been able to do for nearly six weeks--and was the reason for checking into a hospital in the first place. She still can't eat much, and her diet is supplemented with stuff that goes into her feeding tube, but this is a very good sign. It means that the tumor has shrunk and is no longer causing as much blockage as it used to.

While Misty was in the hospital, my brother Doug came and stayed with us. Between Misty's mother and my brother the kids were taken care of, and it allowed me to spend the evenings after work with Misty, trying to keep her from going stir-crazy. While he was here, he also put his talents to work making some improvements (some functional, some cosmetic) to our house. As a result of his efforts our house looks and feels a lot more comfortable. I owe more thanks than I can express for his time and efforts here.

Misty also seems to be handling the after-effects of chemo better this time. We think it's because of the vitamins and herbs she pumped into herself before she entered the hospital and since she's been out. She's had some nausea, but not nearly as bad as it was last time. She's much more able to be up and around--and even helpful. She hasn't taken a nap in several days, and rarely needs to lie down to rest (she still gets very tired and needs to sit down for awhile, but not lie down). In fact for several hours today, we were out at the soccer field for team pictures for Paris (which seemed to take forever) and then for a soccer game. But by the end of it, she was pretty wiped out.

Thanks again, to all of you for your prayers. Thanks also for the meals and groceries!! They've been extremely helpful. Again, this takes some of the pressure and stress out of this situation. We also apreciate those of you who have been giving rides to the kids to their various activites. We have infinite thanks for Terri, Misty's mom. She spends countless hours here cleaning, organizing, and taking care of Misty and the kids (and me, too, sometimes). Thanks to you all for your love and support.



Wes' Condition:

Many of you have asked me, "So how are you holding up?" There's never quite the right situation for me to dump about how this is affecting me during a friendly conversation. So, here's the answer to that question:

I can feel all this taking it's toll on me. I know, I'm not the one with a potentially lethal illness, but it's definitely wearing me down. I try to keep myself busy all the time--which is fairly easy during the day while I'm at work. But once I come home, it's hard to let myself relax. And when I don't stay occupied, all the worries and difficulties come flooding back to my mind in a great overwhelming wave. I've been listening to audiobooks to keep my mind distracted when the tasks which busy my hands might otherwise leave my mind to worry. (I just finished Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy which was very good, and I'm now listening to Stephanie Meyer's Twilight.) I can feel the difference when I remember to take my burden to my Father in Heaven--and then suddenly it all becomes bearable again. I know you're all praying for Misty, and I'd like to ask for your prayers for me, too (as some of you already are).

Again, thanks for everything.

I hate to even ask...

I sent this around to a few people at work. Then I thought maybe I ought to post this here, too. Someone asked for a link for online donations, so I created one and posted it here:

Neither Misty nor I have medical insurance, but we're applying for several different funding programs, including Medicaid and Parkland Hospital's own program, as well as others. We're expecting that by the time all of the medical costs are added up, it will equal something between a small house and a large hosue. Her employer, a local chiropractor, has created a bank account for her and will be soliciting donations from his patients.

We have received lots of help from family, friends, and members of our church toward taking care of many of our immediate needs dealing with childcare and meals--especially in these recent weeks when I've been traveling. I have received more offers of help than I know what to do with. I am nearly overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support being offered to us, and am deeply appreciative of it. I know many of you genuinely want to help in some way--in addition to your prayers on our behalf--but I haven't been able to put most of your offers to any use. So... if you feel so inclined, and have the means, any monetary donations would be helpful--at least to help cover some of Misty's medications. If you are unable to contribute monetarily, I understand, and your prayers will be sufficient.

Thanks again, for anything you can do.

Doctor's Appointment

We had an appointment with Misty's oncologist earlier this week--on Thursday. He seemed to think things were ok--neither worse nor better than expected. We were told that the worst nausea is in the first few days after a chemotherapy treatment, and then subsides somewhat after that. That seems to be how it happened for Misty. Those first few days after chemo, she seemed to be getting worse, which had me a little worried. But then she seemed to be getting a whole lot better. In fact, Misty felt good enough on Friday to go out and about for a little while, running errands (with her mother--not all by herself), and then out to a dollar-movie after I got home from work. Yesterday, Saturday, she was still feeling well enough and went to LeAndra's soccer game (LeAndra's team won, and LeAndra even scored one of the goals!).

At the doctor's office, we were also informed that rather than being home for three weeks, and then back in the hospital for five days of chemo, that it's a three-week cycle. Or, in other words, home for sixteen days and then chemotherapy for five days. So, it looks like she's going back early next week.

Again, thanks for all the support. Thanks for the meals this week. The meals you prepare for us gives me a little more time with Misty and the kids, and a little less to stress about. Thanks especially for the prayers.

Misty's Haircut

Misty wanted me to post a picture of her new hairdo.

She actually had it cut a couple weeks ago, while I was in Louisana. When she told me she chopped all her hair off in preparation for chemotherapy, and for easier management while in and out of the hospital, I was a little worried. When I finally saw it a few days later, I was much relieved to see that it was a really cute haircut. This picture was taken a few days after her haircut.

I figured I might also post a "before" picture, too. This bottom picture was taken November '07--eight months before her cancer diagnosis. By this time, she had already lost a good amount of weight by her own efforts--which is why she's smiling and allowing someone to take her picture! The dramatic weight loss since that time is obvious.

Home Again

Misty is home again. She doesn't seem any worse for wear after her first session of chemotherapy. Yes, she's nauseous and weak, but not much more so than she was before chemo. She's happy to be back at home, in her own bed.

That sure seemed like the longest six days ever--for all of us. Misty wasn't as doped up for this trip, so she was antsy to get up and move around. Keep in mind this is the woman who can't sit through a two-hour movie without getting distracted and putting her finger in my ear. I can only imagine how tough it was for her to stay in a hospital bed for nearly a week! And then, when she did get up and walk the halls, she was too weak to get very far--not to mention, the scenery in the hospital halls is pretty bleak. I, at least, have to go to work and keep focused on something else for a few hours every day. Misty, on the other hand, can just lay there, immersed in her situation with scarcely anything to keep her mind on something else. Watching TV and playing cards only work so well as diversions.

All of us are happy and relieved to see her home. The kids especially are happy to see her, and I think when they saw that she was home this morning, they're stress levels automatically dropped. Just knowing she's around is a comfort--even though she's not functioning to the level that she used to.

So, in three weeks, she's supposed to return to the hospital for another five-day chemo session. In the mean time, we're going to enjoy having her home. For those of you who would like to come and visit Misty while she's home, please call first. She is still very tired much of the time, and has her moments when she's feeling fine, and many more moments when she feels lousy. She does like having visitors, but only when she's feeling well enough to actually visit.

Again, thank you all for the prayers and the offers of help and support. Thanks for the services like mowing the lawns and watching and transporting the kids. These are enormous services that have alleviated a lot of the pressure, and made it possible for me and for Misty's mother to spend more time with her at the hospital.