Finally Home

Well today was a great day. No nausea, and very little meds. It almost seems that he has made up his mind that he is home now, time to get back to normal. Four hours of fluids helped I am sure. He doesn't want to do the boost anymore. So we ate breakfast in the cafeteria this morning, lunch was Chick-fil-a (Yum) and we all sat at the dinner table tonight and ate pancakes and sausage. You can see and hear the relief all over him. He made his own phone calls today to the people who we usually try to keep informed. I know they all were proud to hear his voice strong. I know this is kind of jumbled but more will come later. I just wanted to give an update, especially since it is a positive one. Hope everyone has a Happy New Year! Lots of Love, Shannon

GOD IS GOOD!

Just got word that pop is finished with radiation treatments and on his way home!!!!! So ready to enjoy his break with him and in hopes that he feels better and gets his strength back!! Love you Pop ~ Sonya~

Days become hours, about 17 hours

Well the good news is...two treatments in one day. WooHoo! The countdown now becomes hours instead of days. We talked to the doctor today and got a few new meds to take home, discussed our next appointments, what to expect, and what to be aware of. I arrived just in time. Toni sent me a text message just as I was at the red light, very close to the Hope Lodge. She said they were seeing the doctor. So I whipped in to the parking lot and walked straight to the radiation department. I entered the waiting room through the exit door, walked straight past the check-in desk to the patient rooms in the back. The nurse opened all the doors for me until we found the right one. So I caught the end of the doctor visit. You know if you act like you know where you are going and what you are doing, people rarely stop you. It paid off. (It's the Reba in me!) Dad seems to be a little more settled tonight and said some goodbyes at dinner. We have a big day tomorrow. Besides the double appointments, tomorrow is or was my mom's birthday, so I know that is on his mind also because he already mentioned it. It is definately on mine. We have an early appointment and then to the infusion center for some fluids before the second appointment six hours later. I hope the two treatments in one day goes well. I believe being at home knowing he doesn't have to come back for a while will make a difference. Love to all, Shannon

Good News

Thanks for all the prayers! Pop received great news today! He can do his last 2 radiation treatments tomorrow! One in the morning and one 6 hours later! He is also going to get a bag of fluid in between since he is pretty dehydrated. Will write more later!

Still 3 more to go....

Hopefully by later today it will be 2 more to go, but we shall see. Some of the talk around the table was that some of the machines were down so far this morning.
Yesterday Sam had some visitors and seemed to be doing good so far. For supper he had a boost plus (4th one today)some fruit, and the liquid off of some collard greens. He also drank a grape juice. Everything managed to stay down! Yah! What a blessing in itself. I checked on Pop a few times during the evening and he was reading once again. The normal for Pop lately. I watched a movie with Kristin, Chad, another caregiver here and another one that finds himself sleeping in the tv room, I believe all the time. Well, I finally went up right before midnight and Pop was still reading. I picked up a book and figured it was a good time to start.
The night went well and he said he slept well. The morning always seems to bring the coughing and then the nausea and then you know the rest of the story! He did manage to get a boost plus down, but I don't believe it stayed down long enough to count. Chewing on ice has also been a highlight to what Pop likes to do.
Well, he is back to reading for now. A little later some more visitors should arrive, but hopefully Pop will feel better by then. We did get to see some of our LP people this morning and they are staying in the Hope Lodge also, but now 2 doors down or so. Please be praying that the machine is fixed and everything will go as planned at 3:10pm today!! This delay in treatment is driving Pop a little stir crazy if you know what I mean. Love, TW (the other TW)

The Lighter Side of Caregiving

Here is a picture of Shannon with her diet ice cream taken in the waiting room of the Chemo infusion area of Moffitt Cancer Center. We shared a great laugh ....I'm not sure why it was even funny but it was. Too bad Pop was in the back getting his chemo drugs and couldn't see the silliness he evidently passed on in his genes. Amidst the frustration it is good to remember the laughs we share. I'm not sure there is anything loving God and loving people can't heal.
TW

ONCE AGAIN 32 down - 3 to go

Well here we sit waiting on tomorrow! After a rough morning, dad was determined to make this a better day. He woke up sick but still wanted to go down to the dining room and have his boost (breakfast)! So determined...that he had two!!!
What a great start to the day! All until we received a phone call from next door saying his machine was broke again...no radiation today!Or doctor appt. And now he is frustrated! These two weeks have been LONG.........He mentioned to me that he feels like his nerves are getting bad and he is having a problem relaxing! I think some of this may be anxiety as well as the pain meds he is taking. I try to keep convincing him that it will be over before he knows it and he will be back to normal once again! He is up in the room reading another book, I think this helps pass the time and keep his mind occupied!
Anyway, things are a buzzing here again downstairs in the dining room...some that are not able to have radiation because of the machine, some that had radiation this morning early, and some that are just getting back from their chemo infusions! My greatest joy so far today was seeing Syd and his wife, they have been over at the hospital since Christmas day! Bless them, they are worn out after having a rough few days! Hopefully everything will be better for them as well going into this new year!
As for me, I will be headed back to Lp today, Toni will be here to relieve me in a few hours. The restaurant has been really busy and I think Shannon is ready for me to be back, we have a real big day tomorrow!!!!
Everyone keep praying, praying that the darn machine gets fixed and dads frustration subsides!!!!!LOL ~ Sonya~