Still hanging in there!

I know what you all are thinking......finally another update.  Sorry it has been so long since the last update but we have been having serious computer problems. Well...here you go!

Rick finished his last hard week of chemo on Friday.  We are elated that this type of regiment is over.  He will have two more doses of chemo over the next two weeks but these treatments have little or no effect on his body.   Rick is really relieved knowing he will not have to endure another week of intense chemo.  The wonderful news that we received last week from the doctor was that Rick’s tumor markers are “ 3 “.  If you remember Rick’s markers were 24 before the removal of the tumor, 38 after the surgery but before chemo started, 7 after three weeks of chemo, and they are now 3.  To put these numbers in perspective..... anything 6 and under is normal.  We are truly praising God for Rick’s healing.  We know that God is the ultimate physician and we are so thankful for this latest example of his power and healing.

I am still struggling through this pregnancy.  I have few days that I feel “normal”.  Most mornings I struggle with feeling weak, having low blood pressure and energy, and feeling faint.    By mid morning I usually feel good enough to make it through the day.  I will be 25 weeks this Monday so needless to say I still have many more weeks ahead of me.  I still can not  drive because of the fainting episodes so I am thankful for my family and friends who chauffeur me around town.  

Rick and I continue to be encouraged by all of our friends and family.  Thank you for all the acts of kindness that many of you have shown our family. From the emails, cards,  great meals, to cutting our grass, to cleaning our house, to watching our kids,  to being chauffeurs for Rick and I.   I really don't know what we would do without all the help!  

Kelli

  

What Else????

Just when you think life is back to semi - normal....sometimes God gives you another bump in the road to cross....why????  I don’t always know but we have to trust him in all circumstances even when everything seems CRAZY!

Well.....our kids returned from Grammie and Grandpa’s house after visiting with them for almost two weeks.  Rick and I were elated to see the kids on Friday.  Rick really put his best foot forward after a long week of intense chemo.  He was able to eat with us, play with the kids and he even read the kids a story that night.  He was feeling okay but not great.  On Saturday, we spent the day relaxing around the house.  Rick again tried to hang in there but truly did not feel great.  I guarantee the kids had no idea because Rick was really trying to have a great day with them.  Then Saturday afternoon Rick started complaining about his shoulder.  It was a little discolored (black/blue) and swollen.  We called the Oncologist to explain the pain, the appearance of the shoulder and he explained to Rick that he may have a blood clot.  He instructed Rick to take aspirin and call him in the morning.   He had a terrible night and barely got any sleep due to the pain that he was in.  Sunday morning his shoulder was worse so we called the Dr. and was instructed to go the ER.  After several hours in the ER it was determined  he indeed had a blood clot.  He was admitted to the hospital and spent the remainder of Sunday and all day Monday at the hospital.  The bottom line is he has a blood clot in his shoulder near the port site, but the port is working well.  He will continue chemo using the port but has been placed on blood thinners.  The regiment is as follows...for the next four days Rick will have to give himself shots and take an oral blood thinner.  Rick was proud of himself today after giving himself the first shot.  I could barely watch so you know I was no help and if you know Rick well, this was also a  huge accomplishment for him because he hates needles.    

Rick was a little discouraged by this set back but he is of course hanging in there! I am really proud of Rick and the way he is handling this cancer!  He still has a great outlook on the situation and is trusting God to heal his body.  Thank you all for your calls and emails.  Rick and I both really feel blessed by the supportive family and friends that we have.  

Kelli