Baby Steps...

Okay, say it now... we're a bunch of lazy bums! Yeah, we know... no updates in sometime. Sorry about that... just been busier than a one armed paper-hanger! I'm about to depart to a conference in Dallas, so I'm trying to do all that I can to help things be okay while I'm gone.

Carol is doing her best to build up energy, create some norm around the house and... GROW HAIR!

Chemo is done, yes just for clarification it is REALLY DONE! We're down to Herceptin once every three weeks (not chemo), but drug therapy to encourage the cells to not announce, "Hey, I'm here and I want to replicate in a big way good lookin'" (my layman and uneducated way of saying how it's suppose to work). The Herceptin is given to her via her port at the Oncologist office. She doesn't need a ride because it has no side effects and only takes about 1 1/2 hours. She'll stay on this therapy for the next 10 months.

Next step is surgery (Jaws theme playing on the background now)! She is scheduled for July 9th. Is required to stay overnight in the hospital (St. Vincent) and will come home Thursday morning July 10th. She will have a drain tube in her for a while (that yours truly has to empty), and will need to rest and recover.

What is to be removed you say? Well... they'll clean up the area where the tumor was (remove existing tissue), and then remove some lymph nodes under her right arm (hence the drain tube).

Next step... REST & ENCOURAGEMENT! Six weeks of rest is prescribed after surgery. She needs lots of ENCOURAGEMENT, and interaction with everyone. I'll be encouraging her to pace herself, but get out and enjoy life as well! A fine balance I must say...

What? Yes, another step is in order... Radiation Therapy will be our last big adventure. Six weeks of radioactive energy bombarding the tissue in and around the original site of the tumor, and where the lymph nodes were. It is a daily treatment, and we expect a cumulative affect on her energy. First three weeks she'll be doing pretty good, then she'll become pretty zapped (no pun intended) the last three weeks of the therapy. Though I've questioned it, and am told NO... I still wonder if she'll glow in the dark? Hmmm...

Yep, another step... Hormone therapy! She will be prescribed a drug to block any hormone production in her body (specifically the female types). This step lasts five years, but it's just pills every day ~ NO IV'S!!!!

Next step: God's will... in that we're praying it's His will the cancer is in full remission and never, ever returns! PLEASE PRAY BIG TIME FOR THAT ONE! We're both willing to accept what His will is, but we are selfish and will be quick to admit that. So... we just hope in His grace, she'll be here to preach to the world what Surviving is all about, and what God can do in your life!

With that, I close to go whittle down my Honey Do list, and prepare for 94 degree weather in my favorite State (sorry Hoosiers, but technically I'm a Texan). Be well, stay out of trouble, and remember God does have a plan for you, He does love you (no matter what you have done), and He is in control (but you have to let me...:-). Love, Eric &(Carol, Mary & Anna).

A Flight Risk!

Though the TSA (Transporation Security Administration), or any other government agency doesn't know this... but Carol is considerd a Flight Risk! That is what Karen her Oncology Nurse calls her.

We have been told that Dr. Harwood is going to limit her Taxol doses to just eight due to the high risk of nerve damage to her feet. Though originally planning on 12, he's okay with that because eight doses is normal for a patient with her cancer profile.

So... as you can guess Carol was ready to disconnect last Friday and get the heck out of Dodge! Funny thing is, Karen made her swear she would return (after hearing Carol mumble she was going to cancel her Friday May 23rd appointment). "I'm not un-hooking you from this IV line until you swear you'll return Carol." Of course, Carol relented and the line was removed.

Karen has been a terrific supporter for Carol through this journey and one heck of a nurse. We're very grateful for her being in our lives, and knowing how much she cares for Carol.

So... Carol is now sworn to return, or we're both invisioning Karen knocking at our front door with an IV in hand! To prevent this from happening we'll both be visiting Dr. Harwood this Friday to get the scoop on her heart scan, and other details. Though optimistic, I think we're both a little hesitant to say... chemo is over, until we walk out of there with no IV in tow!

If that is the case, I think a small celebration is in order. We will be going to a Indy 500 party that night, so that should get things going in the right direction. Maybe a little something else is in order...hmmm, we'll see!

Well, it's our hope and prayer we're cut free from the chemo and she'll only need to visit every 3 to 4 weeks for a Herceptin dose (it's not chemo but does some real magic on HER2 positive cancer cells). That'll be in her destiny until early 2009.

So until we walk out of his office on Friday, hold your breath, cross your fingers, and most importantly please say a prayer for the right decision to be made by all. Until then, stay tune... "Same Bat Time, Same Bat Channel" (I'll let you figure out what show that slogan came from...:-). Thanks everyone, be well, and may God truly bless each of you! - Eric

Numbness, What Does It Mean?

Dear Friends and Family, Well, my doctor heard about my neuropathy side effects and decided to reduce the number of chemo treatments. In fact, Friday may be my last official chemo treatment! He said, "I don't want to push the neuropathy with your diabetes." He didn't feel he would be compromising anything and was concerned about the severity of my neuropathy.

Tomorrow I go for another heart scan to make sure these chemo drugs have not caused any damage to my heart function. I will continue to take one of these current drugs for another year (at the chemo center) however, the side effects are supposed to be less (except for damaging the heart...so keep praying for that).

My next step will be to have more tests and then set up my surgery date followed by radiation treatments. So, although I am not finished...I am thankful that part of my journey may be completed!

Thank you for all your prayers and support, you can't know how much they mean to me.

For those of you who don't know, my wonderful husband has been keeping a blog on my life at http://ericandcarol.blogspot.com Since I am such an amateur at the computer...this email was easier for me...and I wanted to give you all a quick update. Much love and thanks. - Carol

One Foot At A Time...

Is what we ask your prayers for... Carol's message is below - Eric

Dear Friends and Family, Yesterday I struggled quite a bit with some new side effects of this round of chemo. I am experiencing neuropathy from the Taxol and would like you to add this to your prayers. Specifically, my feet are numb, swollen, painful and feel like they have "pins and needles". Yesterday my legs were extremely weak and often felt like jello. I have some shooting pains going up and down my legs, across my hips and lower back. Today I am still experiencing these symptoms but not as dramatic as yesterday. In talking with the nurses, they said these symptoms will likely continue until chemo is over and might even continue on for up to a year after chemo.

In some people, this condition can become permanent and sometimes more likely in diabetics (which I am). I am not as concerned about pain (although I found it hard to be a functional mom yesterday) as about permanent damage. Please pray that these side effects will not be permanent or increase the risk of neuropathy in the future (a problem with diabetics). Thank you again to each and every one of you for all you have done for me and my family. We are strong because you have prayed for and loved us. With much appreciation and love, Carol

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

Surprise... Surprise... Sargeant!

As Gomer would say in a time long ago when TV was still innocent. For Carol she experienced a BIG Surprise as well...

I had a desire at work to go see Carol... grabbed my packed lunch and left in time to arrive at 12:05 PM... and as you guessed to her surprise! I sat with her, chatted and had my lunch. Watched her drift off to sleep a few times... listen to her apologies because she did, and just be there for her. I thought it was fun, and the highlight of my day. Work was calling me though... so I left at 1:00 PM to head back to the "Salt Mines."

As I walked out of the building I see my brother-in-law Tom walking up with a book in his hand. I said, "wow... what a surprise... here to see Carol?" of course he was and he walked on up as I shuttled myself back to work. Carol called her ride home (Lori) and said hey, I've got a ride... my brother just showed up! Our normal dinner time chat was completely occupied with pages of her memory spilling out fond discussions she had throughout the day.

I'm sure you are asking... "so what makes it special?" Carol's normal ride had to cancel due to a sick kid. For those who know Carol... she is NOT one to ask for help! She cried and cried and finally mustered up the energy to send out an email and make some phones calls to arrange rides for today (and bless each of you for volunteering... the calls and replies were amazing!). Approved Plan: Her Mom was to dropped her off, and then go to an appointment. Lori was to pick her up... and during the treatment she was to sit by herself and relax.

Her day began... Her mother's meeting attendees all cancelled on her for various reasons unknown to her. That allowed her to stay till Noon. At work I felt this overwhelming desire to go see her which is totally against her will since she's a BOOMER who believes in you work, then you work some more, then work a bit more just in case. Lastly, her big brother shows up out of his exceptionally busy schedule to sit with her after I left!

Well I'm sure you are thinking... they obviously coordinated their times so she was with someone during her entire treatment right? I'd like to say that, but "no" is truly the answer. Mom did not expect everyone to cancel on her... I was held up later than I expected due to a customer issue, and darted out of the office so I would arrive in hopes of eating lunch together. Tom, without being told decided to come over and visit with her for a while.

So what eh? Well... you see I prayed last night that she would be okay on her own; not sad, not sick, not feeling sorry for herself. I even wrapped my arms around her and prayed for her this morning in that she would have courage, strength, protection, and a uplifted spirit even though she would be by herself.

I guess God decided to answer my prayer. She spent her day surrounded by family and only spending 12 minutes by herself! Even more amazing... not one moment of it was pre-planned!

Thanks Beth for taking Chester to Doggie Day-Care (and for the gift of providing it). Thanks Drew for supper... sure hit the spot. Thanks to each and every one of you for your willingness to change plans and re-arrange your life to help Carol while in need. Thanks Tom for being there, she so... appreciated it. Thanks goes to Mom's six friends who decided to cancel today unbenounced to you! Thanks God... for answering prayers... no matter how big, or small... you are listening and we appreciate it. Good night - Eric