"C" Day...

A little bit of a tough morning for all of us. Anna had to go to school early this morning, and Carol is really itching a lot. We find small red bumps on her upper torso, and it's really bothering her. Hair loss, red bumps, general fatigue and today is her assigned day for chemo treatment number three!

We hope her blood count is high enough for this third dose of drugs. We also hope the Oncologist will have some advice on the red bumps, and itching. Please pray for for this issues for her, and for a smooth departure on the "Chemo Roller Coaster."

Be well, and I'll post more this weekend once her ride is underway. - Eric

Under Cover...

Yep, its true... Carol's under cover now. Hats, scarfs, and on occasion a wig! Bless you Tammy for your visit the other day. You don't know how much that meant to Carol when you showed up with so many, and such a variety of head coverings! As predicted her hair came out in droves a few days after her second treatment. We never did shave her head but felt lead to just let if fall out as natural as possible. It was and is still tough... those first few days, but we're all getting use to it. She's still very beautiful to me in many ways and it just goes to show you that hair isn't everything.

Otherwise our past few days have been relatively uneventful... hence the lack of posts. We had a relatively quiet weekend with our usual drive to the lake (Morse resevoir) to watch the birds walk on the ice, and the sun set. Girls are getting along pretty good, and I'm just trying to do my best, and... be on my best behavior (the toughest part).

Carol's next treatment is this Friday (if her blood count is in order). We want to thank everyone for remembering it's the flu and cold season and being extra cautious around her... it's paid off so far. So... with that I close for the evening. Please pray she'll be able to take her next dose, the nausea will be under control, and I'll be the servant she and the girls need this weekend. Bell well, and good night to all! - Eric

Thin is... In!

Here we are... Tuesday night and all is relatively well. I worked at home most of the day Monday, and took the day off today since the girls were out of school. Carol had a tough Sunday, but we're told that is normal. Monday and today were better, but she does feel fatigued and is experiencing some nausea (though she battled the nausea without the powerful anti-nausea drugs both days ~ like WOW!)

Now that her second dose of chemo is well underway... her hair is 'thinning' pretty quickly. Matter of fact, I thought I lost mine in a hurry... I think she's got me beat, but who's counting (okay, it's a guy thing... we like to compete even when it comes to hair loss). It's tough on her, and on me as well... you'd think being a man with plenty of forehead exposed that I would have a special form of sympathy that some men cannot relate too. I have to admit I've tried, but it is very hard to see your wife with a beautiful head of hair struggling to keep it in. Wig is ready, but we're not... we even prayed about it several times today as I came close to cutting it all the way down to a military style butch. We both felt led that its just not time yet... until then we'll keep a sharp eye on the fallout.

Alvin and the Chipmunks was our theme for the day. Well... at least it was our entertainment for the girls and I. I never realized how special theatre popcorn and cold drinks can be. Twenty dollars later... and we're stuffed full of high-frutose corn syrup in water, and a lot of sodium laced Orville Redenbaucher's finest popping corn. Meanwhile Carol got some much needed (and quiet) rest while we were away.

Chester got his new Dog Watch collar today, so if you stop over and find flags flying in the yard... nope it ain't true we are not prematurely celebrating St. Patricks day. The green flags are Dog Watch's trade mark color. We're hoping that Chester we'll learn his new bounds like all good men, oops... I mean dogs and will help Carol in letting him go out to "do his thing."

That's my blog entry for tonight. Thanks again to all of you for each and every thing you are doing for us. Please keep praying and don't forget to look at our prayer requests on the right. Until my next entry, be well, be safe and may God bless each of you in a way that brings you closer to Him. Goodnight - Eric

Dosing, and Dozing...

Carol's white cell count was up enough for the next dose of her chemo. Jennifer took her, and she had Heidi and Deb F. stop by as well. I heard it was quite the party, and am sorry I missed it! Her PET Scan results were favorable. She has three lymph-nodes under her right arm near the breast that look suspicous and that is it! Whew... that's a load off of our minds knowing that the cancer hasn't developed a tumor somewhere's else. The surgery she'll have after chemo will take care of those pesky lymph-nodes.

Today Carol is dozing a lot! One of her medications for nausea just plain knocks her out. We are actually glad to see her rest so she can keep, and hopefully build her energy up. The girls are doing chores, and I was catching up on some much needed rest via a nap this late morning. Once chores are complete the girls and I are going to walk the dogs and enjoy the sunshine although its 40 degrees out... it'll be nice to soak up the rays.

We believe the combination of a surgery and her first chemo treatment...and her blood sugars being high from the surgery is what caused her to be so sick last time. Praise God for anti-nausea medication because she's far better off this time around (fingers crossed, prayers being said...)

Thanks Dave, Susan and kids for the excellent supper last night... man it hit the spot! Since I slowed down my posts my memory has failed me in recalling everyone else by name who's blessed us this week with a gift, visit, call of concern, but you know who you are and THANK YOU! Please keep praying... and be well, - Eric

You'll get a kick out of this...

I've slowed down on posting since we're focusing on getting Carol up to snuff for her next ride (remember? the Chemo Roller Coaster). Our weekend was full of action... Mary got such a 'kick' out of her mom feeling better she slammed her foot into the banister and a visit to the Immediate Care was in order and a borrowed set of crutches. Anna caught a cold (a zero white cell count and a nine year old with the sniffles ~ yikes) and I asked she be strep tested since Mary was being seen for her foot. Test was negative, and Mary just did some soft tissue damage.

It's Tuesday night and I arrived home after sliding half-way to Lafayette and back with a cold. Anna tried hard, but by providing my body as a human shield between her and Carol someone had to catch it... :-(! I'm OD'ing on Zinc laced candy and trying hard to suppress any cold symptoms in preparation for my nursing duties this weekend.

I'll post again on Friday night after Carol get's her next ticket for the ride (if her white cell count is high enough). Until then, be well, keep praying and please note to see our prayer requests on the right URGENT ONE FIRST. I've added another one... an employee under my leadership who is a friend fighting lung cancer. He is in our daily prayers, and we ask you include him too. - Eric

P.S., She cooked supper for us Monday night...YEAH! She really felt good doing that, and so did WE!!!!

An Awakening

Below is an email Carol sent to some friends and family. I'm so glad she's up and moving and almost back to normal. Here it is...

I can't tell you how much your cards, inspiring emails, gifts, meals, flowers, prayers, dog walking, errand running, taking me to appts, etc are doing for my spirits. I won't lie, last week was tough (and I thought child birth was the toughest thing I would endure!). But, I am regaining my strength and appreciating all my wonderful friends, neighbors and family immensely. It pains me that I have not written you all thank you notes...but that seems to be the one task I must let go of. I have to save some energy for Eric and the girls and I hope you can forgive me for not sending you each the fabulous card you each deserve. Just know that I do appreciate each and every one of you and how you are keeping me and my family afloat. God could not have given me a better set of friends and family.

I have always struggled with asking for help, but now see how the body of Christ functions (and has gotten us through this week). I am also thankful that my wonderful husband was able to set up and maintain an incredible blog for those who want the blow-by-blow news. Thank you for all your comments on the blog as well.

Continue to pray for God to be glorified through this adventure, for my children and husband and for my healing as well. People keep asking me what else they can do, you have all done so much but here are a few ideas:

1. If you know my children well...invite them over (as long as your family is not sick) to play. Or if you are planning a childrens activity we would be happy to pay for our children to attend the event with you. Even a trip to the mall or Target would be a welcome escape for them. I feel bad that I cannot take them places.

2. If you have Fridays free, I will be having 15 more doses of chemo and would love to have someone to sit and chat with me. You can bring a book/laptop/mag also since I might sleep for a bit. They usually last 2-3 hours.

3. If you live close and want a bit of exercise...drop by anytime and take my crazy puppy for a walk around the block!

4. If you see those coupons for free groceries/gift card with a new or transferred prescription in the paper/flyer/mailer and will not need it....send it to me! CVS takes any competitor coupon and we are filling prescriptions weekly!

Once again I am sincerely thankful for all your prayers, comfort and concern and love you all very much. With my eyes fixed on Jesus, I am going to run with perseverance the race marked out for me (taken from Hebrews 12:1-2) and make it with the support and help from friends and family like you! With much love, Carol

Ground Zero

Yep, the title is correct… we’re at ground zero. Carol had her blood work done today and she has a ZERO white blood cell count. So… it’s time to stay out of the public and away from everyone and just work on healing.

I created a little reminder titled “Germ-a-phobic” as a side-bar (look to the right below prayer requests). Something to refer too before considering a visit with us... We may seem a little stubborn or over-reactive but this is our first and we are praying only journey through Chemo…. So please forgive us.

Outside of her blood work today, she’s still fatigued and has a little nausea. Otherwise she looks great, and we are all really proud of her. She’s lost 10 pounds after last weekends ride (on the Chemo Roller Coaster). So I’m emphasizing nutrition this weekend in hopes of helping her get that white cell count up.

Yes, it’s a relatively short post tonight, but hey it’s Friday and we want to kick back and relax. So… keep praying (specifically for her white blood cell count to come up, and to be protected from infection) and take a look at our other prayer requests in the side bar.

Thanks Kira for taking Carol to her appointment. Thanks Jere for a wonderful supper... mighty good indeed! Lastly, thanks Tammy for the surprise visit arms open baring gifts and all. We are SO... BLESSED!

Good night, and God Bless… - Eric