Cancer Sucks!

Shannon here... Once again, I hate that word "sucks" and do not allow my children to say it. But I do allow them to wear the bracelet that says "Cancer Sucks"!! It has been a while since I have been on here. First let me say that Relay for life was awesome, very emotional, but awesome. Our team raised $7200. The town as a whole I believe raised close to $50,000. As some of you know, Terry posted that dad was to have the stent placed in his esophagus the Friday before Relay. To be quite honest, it has pretty much been hell for him every since. He has had alot of pain with it. Even a week and a half later he is still in pain. The pain medicine makes him very nauseous. After pitching myself a little fit on the phone with the dr., we finally got a rx for Phenergan called in. This knocks him out. So to make a long story short, the only way we can keep him comfortable right now is to keep him pretty much sedated. Sonya and I decided right now things have slowed down at work enough that it would be better if I stayed here with him more, to help feed him and give him his meds. I have to say it is a pretty frustrating position. We went to Moffitt last Thursday and they decided that we need to do chemo again, so that will start next Monday, on the 26th. His coughing and breathing also seem to be getting worse but I think this is probably from lack of movement. The problem with that is when he has to move he starts coughing, hurting and then getting sick. (Which makes the pain worse) I really wish I knew that chemo would help him rather than knock him down even more but I am not so sure.
Meanwhile, Sonya is holding it together at work. Terry is having to travel more with his job, in addition to a few stops giving presentations on the Hope Lodge. (I will let him blog about that)
As for me, I am trying to hold it together here not understanding why he is still in so much pain. I am about ready to make the appointment to tell the dr. to yank that stent right back out but there were difficulties without it too. Sigh! I pray that as the next days go on his pain will subside. He sure doesn't deserve to suffer!!!! Thats all for now. I will try to keep everyone posted more often now. Shannon

Short Update

Sam will have a stent placed in his esophagus on Friday, April 9th at noon. Please keep him and the family in your prayers. This week will also be a big week with preparing for Relay for Life. Just a reminder that the opening ceremonies start at noon on Sat., April 10th and continues to April 11th at 5am. The event takes place on the high school football field in Lake Placid, FL. We are a big part of the Survivor Reception so we still need some more help. If you can help please give us a call. Sam is the honorary chairperson if you were not aware of that.