Thursday, February 28, 2008
Feb. 28th
Good news! Robert had is MRI this morning and the doctors office has called to report that the MRI scan looks the same as the one in Jan. We have not spoken with the doctor, but the person on the phone stated that the doctor said that there was no change and that she was happy with that. We will accept this report as good news and be grateful for the report. Each and every night we should all focus on the things that we are grateful for. Tonight we are grateful for everyone who is reading this. You all touch our lives and we thank you.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Feb. 27th
I spend time trying to figure out what information to post and typically have no idea what we will write about, until I sit down in front of the computer. There are obviously so many emotions that we experience throughout this journey. Today - we will focus on the good news that we have to share. The good news is that Robert did feel stronger and more alert just as he entered his third week after the chemo treatment. It was a dramatic difference as he woke up over the weekend with much more 'spunk.' He was able to enjoy time with the boys and was much more energetic then he has been in a while. We all tried to take advantage of Robert's new burst of energy and get out of the house.
Robert will go for another MRI tomorrow and we look forward to getting a positive report from the doctor. We will not meet with her this month, but we will be in contact with her sometime soon regarding the result of the scan. We will post with an update as soon as we can. Thanks to all.
Robert will go for another MRI tomorrow and we look forward to getting a positive report from the doctor. We will not meet with her this month, but we will be in contact with her sometime soon regarding the result of the scan. We will post with an update as soon as we can. Thanks to all.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Feb.20th
It is snowing outside - Bryce is ready to play, Trey is napping, and I am ready to curl up with a blanket and watch the snow falling. While Bryce is ready to jump in and play in the snow, I am content to sit inside and enjoy the snow fall without ever touching it. It strikes me that everyone tends to appreciate things in their own unique way. We all can appreciate the same things for different reasons. We each look at the same things with different perspectives and therefore evoke different feelings. For Bryce the snow means fun sledding, snowball battles, and eating the snow. For me it means beauty- until I have to shovel the driveway, clean off the car, and drive on the roads. And yet- If I force myself to seek a different perspective, I recognize that I can enjoy the moment much more if I view the snow as the children will. I will enjoy watching them laugh& play and remember that some of my most fondest memories as a child were playing in the snow (sledding, building snowmen, snowmobiling, etc.) The point is --- there is always a different perspective and we must attempt to find the perspective that brings us joy in the moment. We know that if we never had the snow- we would miss it.
Robert had to drive home in the snow as he is still working a full 40 hour week. He is beginning to feel more energized heading into his third week behind treatment. We stayed up to watch most of American Idol. I'm not kidding. While we joke about his early bed time I find myself falling asleep while watching television- sometimes while sitting up in the chair. We continue to be thankful for the incredible amount of support that has been showered upon us. Thanks to all.
Robert had to drive home in the snow as he is still working a full 40 hour week. He is beginning to feel more energized heading into his third week behind treatment. We stayed up to watch most of American Idol. I'm not kidding. While we joke about his early bed time I find myself falling asleep while watching television- sometimes while sitting up in the chair. We continue to be thankful for the incredible amount of support that has been showered upon us. Thanks to all.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Feb. 15th
There is no new medical news to report - You know what they say, 'No news is good news." The only health related information is that Robert continues to be extremely tired during the week following his chemo treatment. There are some evenings that he goes to bed before or with the boys.
We are all learning to adjust to the changes in our routines and daily lives. I had a thought today- Robert's treatment schedule and the effects of the treatments are like the developmental stages that the boys encounter as they grow and the behaviors that change as they reach these different stages. Robert and I and the boys are still learning what the effects will be and how to handle them, as he progresses through his treatment schedule. This is a journey that we have never experienced before and we are trying to figure out how to manage them. This is not unlike the boys advancing through different developmental stages and exhibiting new behaviors that challenge us as parents. We are still trying to figure out how to manage them. We are blessed with wonderful children that teach us about- pushing the limits (testing people and objects until the understand how they operate), perseverance (never giving up until the mastered a new toy or game) , using their imaginations to create their own adventures, and resilience (the ability to bounce back from disappointment).
We as adults have a lot to learn from our children.
When we feel like we are being pushed to the limit- view it as a learning experience. When we feel drained emotionally and/or physically- know that you can persevere with the hope that it will get better. We can persevere with the belief that everything happens for a reason and that life will be good again. Being resilient means never taking our lives for granted. Even during the sad moments recognize that there are so many things to be grateful for.
We are all learning to adjust to the changes in our routines and daily lives. I had a thought today- Robert's treatment schedule and the effects of the treatments are like the developmental stages that the boys encounter as they grow and the behaviors that change as they reach these different stages. Robert and I and the boys are still learning what the effects will be and how to handle them, as he progresses through his treatment schedule. This is a journey that we have never experienced before and we are trying to figure out how to manage them. This is not unlike the boys advancing through different developmental stages and exhibiting new behaviors that challenge us as parents. We are still trying to figure out how to manage them. We are blessed with wonderful children that teach us about- pushing the limits (testing people and objects until the understand how they operate), perseverance (never giving up until the mastered a new toy or game) , using their imaginations to create their own adventures, and resilience (the ability to bounce back from disappointment).
We as adults have a lot to learn from our children.
When we feel like we are being pushed to the limit- view it as a learning experience. When we feel drained emotionally and/or physically- know that you can persevere with the hope that it will get better. We can persevere with the belief that everything happens for a reason and that life will be good again. Being resilient means never taking our lives for granted. Even during the sad moments recognize that there are so many things to be grateful for.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Feb. 10th
Yesterday- Robert and I took Bryce to Johns Hopkins for the Children's Orientation. This was a day for children/grandchildren of patients to tour the hospital and to learn more about the hospital/treatments. We are recognizing that the 'unknown' is fearful and that knowledge is power. We all struggle with the fear of the unknown and the inability to control our world. This gave Bryce an opportunity to learn more about cancer/treatments/and the hospital in a safe and nurturing environment.
This program was created to demonstrate, to the children, where their family members are going and to show them what & how medicine/treatments are being provided. They had an oncologist speak in general terms about good cells-bad cells and then toured the hospital. Of course the initial talk was a bit difficult for Bryce to comprehend and he verbally noted that he was bored. However, after we left the hospital and later in the day he asked very relevant and articulate questions about those 'cells.' We will continue to try and talk with the boys in an honest and appropriate manner. After the group meeting, Bryce got to go on a tour of the hospital with the other children. Each child was chaperoned by a staff member and we were given a pager to inform us if Bryce was upset or scared. He got to make 'fake' chemotherapy and a radiation pillow with his hand print in it. Apparently he got to work the pharmacy 'train' and did such a good job that he got an 'honorary pharmacist' sticker. After lunch, he made a pillow and shared it with the entire group of families and staff. He stood on the chair, held up his pillow, and was embarrassed to speak. Our social worker helped him through it and Robert and I couldn't have been prouder. He made a new friends that he is still talking about including; social worker, doctors, nurses, and peers.
In our meetings yesterday, the topic of cancer forcing 'lives' to become more public was addressed and the challenges that surround this new reality. For me being 'public' about our situation and emotions has been the easy part. We want as many people to know in the hopes that- the more people who know- the more people who will project positive thoughts and prayers. Our theory also extends in the opposite direction- we like to say- "don't tell anyone who doesn't like us, we don't want the negative energy." The challenging part has been finding ways to thank everyone for the amazing amounts of support that we have received and asking others to help in ways that we never needed before. We hope that through this blog we can continue to keep everyone informed and continue to articulate to you the gratitude that we have in our hearts.
This program was created to demonstrate, to the children, where their family members are going and to show them what & how medicine/treatments are being provided. They had an oncologist speak in general terms about good cells-bad cells and then toured the hospital. Of course the initial talk was a bit difficult for Bryce to comprehend and he verbally noted that he was bored. However, after we left the hospital and later in the day he asked very relevant and articulate questions about those 'cells.' We will continue to try and talk with the boys in an honest and appropriate manner. After the group meeting, Bryce got to go on a tour of the hospital with the other children. Each child was chaperoned by a staff member and we were given a pager to inform us if Bryce was upset or scared. He got to make 'fake' chemotherapy and a radiation pillow with his hand print in it. Apparently he got to work the pharmacy 'train' and did such a good job that he got an 'honorary pharmacist' sticker. After lunch, he made a pillow and shared it with the entire group of families and staff. He stood on the chair, held up his pillow, and was embarrassed to speak. Our social worker helped him through it and Robert and I couldn't have been prouder. He made a new friends that he is still talking about including; social worker, doctors, nurses, and peers.
In our meetings yesterday, the topic of cancer forcing 'lives' to become more public was addressed and the challenges that surround this new reality. For me being 'public' about our situation and emotions has been the easy part. We want as many people to know in the hopes that- the more people who know- the more people who will project positive thoughts and prayers. Our theory also extends in the opposite direction- we like to say- "don't tell anyone who doesn't like us, we don't want the negative energy." The challenging part has been finding ways to thank everyone for the amazing amounts of support that we have received and asking others to help in ways that we never needed before. We hope that through this blog we can continue to keep everyone informed and continue to articulate to you the gratitude that we have in our hearts.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Feb. 7th
Robert takes his last dose of chemo tonight and looks forward to 23 days off. He did well and worked through the week. We did hear back from the oncologist and the doctors have decided to conduct monthly MRI's for the next 3-6 months a least- to monitor the white spot that was seen on the MRI in Jan. They all believe that this spot is most likely irritation and not tumor, but want to be proactive and cautious. We appreciate their attention to detail and will do what is necessary.
Someone shared this and I wanted to pass it along. I thought that this was so inspirational and relevant:
We are always talking about HOPE! Wikipedia defines: "Hope is a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. Hope implies a certain amount of perseverance — i.e., believing that a positive outcome is possible even when there is some evidence to the contrary." It goes on to say that Hope is spiritual gift from God - divinely inspired from faith rather than just positive thinking and optimism.
We continue to hold on to hope. We thank everyone for the support that you have provided that allows us to maintain hope.
Someone shared this and I wanted to pass it along. I thought that this was so inspirational and relevant:
We are always talking about HOPE! Wikipedia defines: "Hope is a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. Hope implies a certain amount of perseverance — i.e., believing that a positive outcome is possible even when there is some evidence to the contrary." It goes on to say that Hope is spiritual gift from God - divinely inspired from faith rather than just positive thinking and optimism.
We continue to hold on to hope. We thank everyone for the support that you have provided that allows us to maintain hope.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Feb. 4th
Robert woke up feeling well and made it to work on time today. We were hopeful that he would tolerate the increased amounts of chemo well and so far so good. He was very tired this evening and has already gone to bed. The boys used to fuss that we got to stay up later then they did and now they can no longer argue this with us, as Robert is usually going to bed right behind them. We will post again soon. Thanks for checking in.
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