Sunday, February 25, 2007

Yes, I'm still here...

Yes, I'm still here. Just taking a rest from bloggin'. Since my last writing, Tim has got his learner's permit. Growing up too fast. We also bought him a car that used to be my mom's car. Everything is going nicely into place. Barry took him out for his first driving lesson. So far so good. I think he's driven about 4 times. A whole new experience for all of us. In fact, Tim was asked to write an article for our Church youth newsletter. I would like to share it with you as it truly touched my heart. It's called "Driving."

Learning new things can be a scary thing, no matter what it is. After all, we all fear what we don’t know. Personally, I received my driver’s permit the other day and the car has been my major adversary. I’ve wanted to drive all of my life, but when I got behind that steering wheel for the first time, I choked up. But then I started to think. I tried to think of something to calm me down, and then I thought of God. It made me realize that He would help me do this, as He has done throughout my life. In the end, hasn’t He always been there when we were scared and needed direction? I then found that if I let Him do the driving, it made it all easy. Life can be the same way if you put your trust in God to lead you the right way, even if you stumble to follow. Either way, I can drive well enough, but only thanks to my great teacher.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I told him it was similar to Carrie Underwood's song "Jesus take the wheel."


This morning we woke up to our first black ice storm. I went out to get the paper and came upon our vehicles in a sheet of ice. The walkway and driveway was the same. I proceded to back out of the driveway, only to slowly slide crossway down it. I had no control over it. As I came to a stop, I called Barry inside the house. He came out and told me to put it in 4 wheel drive. I eventually drove it back into the garage. Getting the paper was not that important! Of course, he did call me a couple of names like "retard" and "whuss" (not sure of spelling). But that's Barry! I did tell Tim my story only to make him aware of this type of element. A scary thing.

Barry has returned to work. He's doing pretty good. Has his aches but never complains. Trouble sleeping at night, so therefore may take a nap during the day. Takes each day as it comes.

I would like to wish good health to a few of my friends, a couple who are going through the "C" crap. Not a fun thing to do, but something you just have to do.

Monday, February 12, 2007

Happy 16th Birthday, Tim

And also a Happy 79th Birthday to MOM today. Two special people on my life!

Saturday, February 10, 2007

#7 Chemoembolization under the belt

I got to the hospital at 7:30 a.m. Dr. G. checked in on Barry before 9 a.m. Barry did not get discharged until 11:45 a.m. due to a delay in getting one of his nausea pills. It took about 1 1/2 hrs. for that one pill to be delivered. You should not have to go through such stress while already dealing with cancer. If only there was some kind of self-discharge process in place!

After we picked Tim up from his friend's house, we went out for late lunch. I came home and took a small nap as I served as eucharistic minister at the 5 p.m. mass. Tim went to help out at our church Valentine's dinner dance that was being held after the mass. The auditorium did not look like an auditorium with all the decorations that the youth had put up on Thursday. The youth ministry is benefiting from the dance with a portion going to their mission trip this summer. They did a great job with the dance. The kids were all dressed in black and white, including bow ties and cumabuns (not sure of spelling). It's a big fundraiser with a nice sit down meal. I knew it was Barry's chemo day so we didn't attend. Next year though we will!

Barry's doing fine. Required no pain meds this treatment. Each treatment can vary so greatly.
As we were talking to the nurse and discussing the delay in being discharged, she mentioned another patient that has the same chemo treatment. A 16 year old boy. Now that puts your life into prospective. He always wishes to get out by 7 a.m.! A real kidder. Same age as Tim. Life is so crazy, isn't it. We are so lucky.

Friday, February 09, 2007

Update on Barry

I've just left Barry at the hospital and have arrived safe and sound at the Family House where I'll be staying.

There was a bit of discrepancy on what number chemo treatment this was. According to my blog, which I don't believe is wrong, it is number 7. But the hospital records today showed it be #6. I tend to believe my records as he has MUGA scans on the odd number treatments. And that was done last week.

The CT scans from last week showed the tumor that had been treated last time had a small change in size. It went from 3.9 c.m. to 4.1 c.m. The dr. has assured me that this is not a significant change to be worried about. He came to see us as Barry was sleeping in the afternoon. He did not want to wake him up, so he talked with me. Was very comforting to me. Even drew me a picture of the area in question. Therefore, today's chemo was aimed directly at the area that had growth. He will have CT scans in 8 weeks. If there is growth, chemo will be done then. If none, he will have chemo 2 weeks later. Not sure of Dr. G's exact words, but basically said we proceed as we have been doing: onward. I did feel good after talking with him.

Barry got to his room at about 12:30 p.m. I ate in cafeteria and once I knew he was in the room, I checked in at the house. Watched a soap opera and took a small nap. Felt like heaven. Got back to hospital by 3 p.m. The whole afternoon Barry slept. Did not require any pain meds! No soreness in usual belly area. He continues to be a real trouper. After his 6 hrs. of laying flat on his back, he ate a good dinner which I had saved for him. Watched some TV and went back to sleep. I left him at about 8:30 a.m.

I'll be going back in morning by 8 a.m. to see Dr. G again for discharge papers.
Just wanted to give everyone an update on him as I know people would like to know.
Again, thanks for everything. And thanks also for taking good care of Tim while we are away. Means a lot to me.

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Barry's 7th treatment

Barry heads to Pittsburgh in the a.m. for his 7th chemoembolization. It's been 10 weeks since his last treatment. Once again we have to be there by 6 a.m.

Will keep you up to date once I'm back online. Thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers.

Friday, February 02, 2007

Medical appts. today

Barry was out of the house by 6 a.m. today for his appt. in the city. Got there about an hr. early, better early than late. They were able to co-ordinate the 2 types of tests therefore taking less time. Results next Friday at his chemo treatment.

I had my 6 months appt. with my radiation/oncologist this morning. He gives the best exam. Very thorough. Closes his eyes and moves his hands slowly around the breasts. I told him that I had looked forward to this appt. as in the back of my head, the worry is there. Especially since there has been an ache near the incision. He reassured me that surgery can effect the nerves in the area for a couple of years or more. Did not feel anything out of the ordinary except scar tissue. Told him of my recent on and off aches in my right arm. This has been happening since October. He's been the first doctor that has taken the initiative and has scheduled me to see neurologist on Monday. Possibly could be related to ulnar nerve. Whatever it is, it's caused discomfort first of January and just last night.

He confirmed that my mammogram is next month. And my next appt. with him is in 6 months. This will represent 2 years out of treatment. And according to him the recurrence rate drops drastically at this time period. So a reason to celebrate.

Thursday, February 01, 2007

CT Scans tomorrow

See, I'm still here. Just have been taking a break since nothing new to report.
Tomorrow Barry will be heading to Pittsburgh for CT scans and MUGA heart scan in the morning. It has been 9 weeks since his last chemoembolization treatment. And it sure does feel like a long time. His next treatment is in one week. In the past they were 8 weeks in between treatments. I continue to pray positive thoughts. This month it will have been one year of treatments to Pittsburgh. A long year. I've actually changed the way I'm praying. I know that no change in size is good news, but I want great news now. Call me selfish. Just a small reduction. Barry has noticed some hair loss these past few months, and this treatment did cause more discomfort/pain than the others. (different side of liver was treated)

Since there is one week in between having the CT scans and treatment, his doctor should have lots of time to plan the next attack.

Will keep you posted..