Infection Prevention - Chemo #2

John, Becky, and Eleanor Williams practice wearing their masks before coming from Boston to spend a week with Grandma.

Becky and Eleanor flew in to visit and helped in so many ways. From cooking to cleaning windows, to sorting to sharing lots of fun time together.

Chemo #2 is almost completed. My pump should be disconnect about 4 pm this afternoon. There has been less nausea this time, but more sensitivity to cold and parathesia. Just taking some wet clothes from the washer to the dryer initiates tingling in my hands. All liquids need to be warm as even room temperature makes the swallowing feel like it is stuck in my throat.
My white blood count dropped as expected. Infection prevention is so important. Hand-washing is so important. Presently I have a pesky head cold that will be watch carefully.

Annika and Toby each placed 12 Skittles into a jar as a way of keeping track of my chemo treatments. When a treatment in completed, they get to eat one. Should be 10 left now.

March - Colon Cancer Awareness Month

Six years ago I had a colonoscopy. I was due for another colonoscopy in a little under four years. But I did have a colonoscopy in the past.

To all my friends over 50 years of age, have you had yours?

Get the Facts- Colorectal cancer screening saves lives!

Colorectal cancer—cancer of the colon or rectum—is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with advancing age. Colorectal cancer also is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the United States.

If everyone aged 50 years old or older were screened regularly, as many as 60% of deaths from this cancer could be avoided.

Make your appointment this week.

Sense of Normal ???

Chemo # 1 is now seven days in the past.
Awoke this morning to see the sunshine (always a good omen in Chicago), blue sky, and a red robin looking for worms.

After seven days of starving, trying to eat two mouthfuls, thinking of puking, oh, I am hungry, I need to lay down, things have improved. It is recommended to eat 5-6 meals each day. I tried for every two hours, sometimes even at night. Oatmeal at 2 am tastes quite good. I craved a glass of milk, yet that sent me into horrible cramps. So, NO DAIRY products for a while.

Our daughter Rebecca and Eleanor, 22 months, flew in from Boston for the week. It is wonderful to see them again. Becky is my organizer and sorter. The garbage pickup items and items for World Relief will be plentiful. And I also have clean windows, curtains, and many corners looked into thanks to her helpful skills.

Amazingly, their are times, like watching for Tom Skilling to let us know the weather for tomorrow, that Don and I experience brief moments without thought of pain, cancer cells, or the future. We thank the Lord for each and every day we have had and look forward to another one tomorrow.

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Chemotherapy - Part 1

Yesterday, March 10th, I began my first Chemotherapy session. Yes, there was apprehension and anxieties as to what it would be like. I knew the how, but this was in real-time happening to me.

My port on my anterior chest was accessed with little to no discomfort. A Huber needle is used, specially designed for this. It is a needle bent at 45 degrees with a special non-coring end to penetrate through the skin and into the diaphragm of the port. That is then covered with plastic dressing protecting the entry point and surrounding skin.

There were two pre-medications to ward off reactions. A huge syringe of ...even I did not want to look. Then two bags infused via the pumps over the next two hours. Finally, a bolus of about 60 cc was push and another pump attached. The last drug is 5-FU. It is infused for 48 hours after the bolus. I have a bag holding the pump and tubing around my neck. That will be removed on Friday at 3 pm. I then return in 14 days to repeat the cycle.

During the chemo infusion, I felt just weird. Something was happening but nothing I could specifically comment on. Nausea has been controlled with medication. I have been able to eat small amounts.

We pray for minimal side effect

Kill Cancer Cells - Kill

Port Placement

Yesterday, March 8th, I had a 'port' surgically implanted in my anterior chest. This will allow access for the chemotherapy infusions.

That surgery was yesterday at Hinsdale Hospital....a good experience with minimal discomfort last night. I value the use of drugs when needed.

We (Don so very much is part of this in every way), have received assurances of the plan of chemotherapy. We have had chemo teaching by the nurse and will readily read and re-read all the information. The chemo will begin tomorrow.

Psalms 119:77 "Let your compassion come to me that I may live."

The Wood Journey

On February 5th, our life journey took a distinctive turn. Following a few days of mild abdominal discomfort and numerous tests, an obstructing tumor was found in my large bowel.

In the morning the diagnosis was made. By afternoon, extensive surgery was performed. The tumor was malignant. It had grown from my hepatic flexure outside the wall of the bowel. The surgical margins were negative, as where over 46 lymph nodes. Abdominal fluid, however, did show the presence of malignant cells.

Following five days in the ICU, where I have worked for many years, I was moved to the general surgical floor. Then home in two more days.

During the next several weeks, healing and recovery has taken place.

We have been overwhelmed by multiple kindness' of many people. Most of all we are thankful for the prayer support of so many around the world.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my rieghteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

That verse keeps being placed before us. We know we are God's children by faith in Jesus Christ.

We have started this blog as a way of communicating with so many friends who have inquired about our lives.