And the Sickness Begins

The nurses told my dad the steroids would wear off and he'd start feeling pretty sick on Saturday.  We'll see what tomorrow brings, but my dad tells me he started feeling crummy today.   He said he didn't have much of an appetite, but he's eating. 

First Day of Chemo Down!

Dad showed up for chemo bright & early (8:30) and was prepared for a long day, but they were finished by 1:00 p.m. The nurses did a fabulous job of keeping dad calm, cool, and collected (a little Lorazapam always helps too!).    I talked with him for a while as he was resting in his easy chair at the clinic, overlooking the beautiful Chesapeake Bay and a beautifully landscaped garden.   Later this evening, we talked again and he mentioned already starting to feel outta sorts, but he also hasn't slept for two days, stressing about today, so that might have a little something to do with it, too.   The nurse said he can expect to feel the effects by Saturday.    He goes back Thursday to get more meds, and he's "off" next week.

My prayers for today were answered:  no allergic reactions and a non-complicated start to chemo!

Chemo Starts Tomorrow!

Dad's visiting nurse said today would be her last visit; she left him with lots of cautionary advise (she is a cancer survivor), which has him feeling as if he'll be a hermit for the next six months.  Please keep your prayers and cards of support for him--it's a comfort to know others are pulling for ya. 

On the positive side, my dad came out to the boat yesterday and went for a ride, which totally made my Mother's Day :)

Skinny as a Rail

  Visited with my folks today to deliver Mother's Day gifts to my Mom--she already declared she wanted to spend Mother's Day planting flowers in their yard (her therapy).  Dad is being cautious to go out in public for fear of getting sick before he starts his first round of chemo on Tuesday.   And he's declared he's planning on being house bound for the next six months.  He said he's had diarrhea for 30 hours straight since Friday  and almost went to the hospital last night (it was the absence of a fever that kept him at home).   Mom thinks his diarrhea struck after he started reading the 15-page cancer booklet the doctor gave him earlier in the week, chocked full of precautionary statements, side effects, and what to expect during chemo.   Understandably, that would scare the stuffing out of me too.  My poor dad is down to 150 lbs.   I'm feeling helpless.   I spend as much time a I can talking with him and trying to accompany him to doctor's appointments.  Talking about the boat, the garden, the kids, and politics, gets his mind off his problems, but that only works for a little while.   Tried to take my mom out to lunch for Mother's Day, but she wanted to stay home with my dad.    Lots of friends and family ask, "What can I do?"  Cards and prayers lift him up.  This is a big week:  the start of chemo.  He'll have to stay at the hospital for 4-6 hours after they start injecting the drugs in him to see if he's allergic to anything.   He already has a list of medicine allergies as long as his arm.  Praying for the best. 

Here We Go - Chemo Starts Tuesday

Doctors did not want to delay in starting the chemo, so they moved it up to Tuesday. 

Dear God,

Please send your healing Spirit and allow these chemo drugs to work!

Port-a-cath Thursday.... Chemo Begins May 14

Dad's getting ready for chemo:  visiting his dentist, heart, and eye doctors to get some of his maintenance appointments out of the way.   The day after tomorrow, the port-a-cath gets surgically implanted in his chest.  He'll start chemo May 14.     

Today was a good day.   My parents tackled several doctors appointments and did some shopping!  

Optimistic News from the Doctor!

Dad had his first appointment with his oncologist today.   The doctor said he was very optimistic about dad's situation, and he encouraged him to do whatever he wants to do. 

Next steps:  1.  meet with the oncology nutritionist, Monday
                    2.  get the port-a-cath surgically implanted in the chest next week
                    3.  start the chemo, mid-May
                    4.  have another mini-surgery to replace the kidney tube; from what I understand,
                         they only last for about three months.  That will take place in a few weeks.

My dad has a good outlook, he's getting his appetite back, and he seems strong!   The kidney tube is a hassle, but he's seems to be getting used to it.   Thanks to everyone for prayers, cards, treats, and support, it all means so very much to him.