Chemo week coming to an end

Today is Dad's last day of taking his chemo pill, but it starts up again in two weeks. This week was rough, but hopefully things will start to get better this coming week. Yesterday Kaden and I spent our morning with Dad. I put chicken in his crock pot, and made the pudding and jello that he had requested. (I also brought him some of our leftovers from home.) We were able to talk a little bit about family history, which I always find enjoyable. I left Dad's house around noon. At 2 pm Dad was calling me at home. He was feeling worse... extreme fatigue, feeling like he just wanted to drop over, couldn't keep his eyes open, no desire to do anything. He just received fluids the day before, and also earlier in the week as well, but he thought perhaps he needed more. I called the cancer center and spoke with his doctor. His only advice was to take him to the ER if he didn't feel any better. He also asked if Dad seemed confused or stumbled when he walked. I saw none of that. (The doctor ordered a PET scan of Dad's brain for next week, trying to figure out why he's been feeling so bad.) I really think his systems are due to depression and anxiety. He has an appointment with his psychiatrist on Monday. I called Dad back after speaking to the cancer doctor. Dad decided he would ride it out at home. I then called my brother Mike, who called our brother Dave. They both live in Gettysburg and made a plan to check in on him when they got off of work. I spoke with Dad shortly after 8:30 that night. He sounded much better. He said the fruit salad I had brought and the pudding I made while at his house were both very good and "really hit the spot!" That gave me great pleasure to hear that. When you're feeling down, there's nothing like some tasty food to help pick yourself up!! Here's to a better week ahead!

Volleyball scrimmage

This afternoon Ashton had a volleyball scrimmage against Gettysburg. Avery also had his follow up appointment with the surgeon who did his appendectomy. (BTW: all is well, he can resume normal activities.) I wasn't expecting to see Ashton's game. I thought I would get there just in time to pick her up after it was over. As it turned out, I got there before it even started! Had I known, I would have brought my camera. All I had was the camera on Dale's cell phone... better than nothing! Ashton is serving.
Ashton in blue and white, closest to the net. White blur overhead is the ball.

Ashton, number 20.

Ashton, running for the ball.

It was obvious from the game that Ashton's team still needs lots of practice, but I thought Ashton did well! Can't wait for the next game!

Another long day at the cancer center

Yesterday when Dad went to the cancer center for his anti-nausea shot, they also gave him two bags of fluid in hopes that would help him feel better. That has worked in the past, but this time... not so much. He was there all afternoon. He also found out while there that Doctor #1 did order Dad to have modified chemo this week. He was to have smaller doses of chemo once a week for three weeks instead of the larger dose once for a three week period. Doctor #1 had it written down, but Doctor #2 didn't see it. Oooops! We'll make sure that mistake doesn't happen next time! So, Dad suffers another week of chemo's harsh effects. Here's hoping prayers, good eating and a positive attitude help him through it!

Visiting Dad

This past Sunday evening all nine of us went to visit Dad. It had been a very long time since our entire family had gone to visit him, and I knew it would mean a lot to him. Dad has been having extreme fatigue lately and the days and nights are very long. His stereo wasn't working and his favorite television station was no longer coming in clearly. I knew Dale would likely be able to fix both, and he did. Now Dad can listen to his favorite Burl Ives albums and cassette tapes, plus listen to the radio. Channel 21 is now coming in strong and clear on the TV. The antennae must have gotten blown around during last Friday's wind storm. Also while we were there the children cleaned out Pappy's candy dish for him! I plan on replenishing that later this week!

Monday morning Kaden and I met Dad over at the cancer center for Chemo treatment number five. He first had an exam by the doctor. Doctor #1 is who we prefer, but on that day it was doctor #2. Doc #1 had told Dad he would be getting a modified chemo treatment because the others made him so sick. This time it was to be intravenous chemo once a week for three weeks instead of one time every three weeks. He was to get it in smaller doses instead of one big one. Somehow that information didn't get passed to Doc #2 and Dad ended up receiving the same treatment as before. Doc #2 kept saying, "Your blood work looks good! You need the regular treatment." It wasn't his blood work that was determining the modified treatment, it was how sick it was making him. We were all a bit confused. We'll need to clear this up before next time, especially if Dad ends up really sick again. I had to leave at 2 pm. Later Dad told me he was there until 4:30 pm! (We had gotten there at 10:30 am!) I left, went home, ate lunch then headed back to Gettysburg for Brady's orthodontic appointment. On the way we stopped at Wal-Mart to drop off a prescription for Dad. After Brady's appointment, I stopped back at Wal-Mart to pick it up, then went over to Dad's. My brother Tim and his family were there. They brought supper for Dad and were all going to eat together at Dad's house. We chatted awhile before heading back home.

We are still trying to figure out why Dad is so tired ALL the time. The doctor ordered a brain PET scan. I think it could be depression and Doc. #2 agreed. Dad is hoping to make an appointment with the doctor he was seeing for his anxiety and panic attacks last year during Mom's illness. Perhaps he needs medication. I just want him to feel better, to be able to do something besides eat and sleep.