Chemo Two behind us now!

We are home from the hospital. Don is full of energy, and I don't know where it is coming from, unless it is the steroid they gave him..LOL. I keep telling him this might all change in a couple days, the energizer bunny might come take it away. He THINKS he is going fishing tomorrow....we will see about that. All in all he has done remarkably well this time. I think we have made friends with all the nurses on the sixth floor, and will know all their names when we return. Two down, and two more to go.
Glad we are home,
Don and Kathi

Chemo Number Two

Don has been doing very well with Chemo Number Two. So far he has only experienced some slight nausea. Today he ate very well, and has been walking laps around the hospital floor. I heard he even had a nurse walk some of those laps with him..LOL. Now he has everyone exercising!! .
A friend of ours Trudy Daniel is at MDA right now. She had a stem cell transplant about a week ago...but she is in need of prayers. She has developed Pneumonia and has some Liver problems. I pray the good Lord will put his loving healing arms around her right now and see her though this. Our thoughts are not far from her, and our prayers go out to her and her family.
Don had his pneumonia shot today, hope it helps to prevent him from developing any problems with his stem cell transplant. The doctor told us today it will probably be around June when we go to Houston, and our stay will be longer than we had originally thought. We will be having all four chemo treatments here first before we leave. If the rest of his treatments here go as well as this one has, he will be fine. We also had some wonderful visits from friends and family today. He really enjoyed seeing everyone. Thanks for coming!
Love to all,
Don and Kathi

No Room in the Inn

Today Don was scheduled for chemo number two. Upon arrive at Rapides Hospital we were told there was not one room available in the entire hospital!! How sad, knowing there are that many sick people here. We were sent home until they had a bed available. About 1:30 we recieved the call to return. We are now all settled in room 606. They have had some problems accessing his port. But they will return soon to try again. Come on by and see us if you can, but please remember to make sure you have no sniffles of any kind. We will keep you posted as much as possible.
Blessings,
Don and Kathi

Hair Today......Gone Tomorrow.

Don took his cap off yesterday to find it full of hair. OOOPS....time to shave it off. It is so strange how in one day it just fell out in clumps. He could just touch it and it fell out, now his mustache is coming out. Last time he lost all his hair the teenagers at our church thought he was pretty cool. The young people shave their's on purpose!! You guy's can get by with looking cool when you are bald, but us women, we need a pretty wig to make us feel better. Don says at least he doesn't have to wash his hair now, and last time he didn't need to shave for months! They say when it grows back, you never know what color or texture it will be. Maybe he will have black or red curly hair...you never know...LOL.
This week was his good week. He had enough energy to do some golfing one day, and then today he actually went fishing. However the fish weren't biting, so we ate mexican instead...hehe. Perhaps he should try some sunscreen on his bald head next time. Next Tuesday we go back to the hospital, it's time for chemo number two. Seems like we were just there!
Post more next week, when chemo two begins.
Blessings,
Kathi

Things are going smoothly for now.

Don has slowly been regaining his strength since coming home. He has been weak and sleeping some during the daytime, which is not like him. He has had some digestive problems. He says it feels like the lining of his stomach is irritated. He eats small meals during the daytime, when he can. Its a funny thing but most chemo patients prefer one certain type of food. Last time seven years ago, Don prefered breakfast foods, and ice cream. This time he prefer's cold foods, and ice cream...LOL. But as they told us ...let him eat whatever he want's when he want's.
The Dr. told us that in seven days from his chemo his blood counts would go down, and they did exactly seven days later. His white blood cell count, red blood cell count and his platlets all were very low, thus his resistance is too.
Don hopes to have enough strength to go golfing some next week, and maybe a little fishing. It is sad, but the second week out from chemo he feels alot better, just in time to go and do it all again! His next chemo is scheduled for April 13th.
Today we got to spend some time with family. Our daughter and grandchildren came over for a Easter Egg Hunt. Then Don's Dad and Step Mom, and Step Brother all came over for a visit. It was so good to see them all. Today felt almost normal. And days of normality are good. Don and I always said, after going though things like this, boring is good!!
God is so good, and we thank Him for all our days, good and bad. We miss our friends, but love your phone calls. Soon maybe we can see you all.
Everyone have a Blessed and Happy Easter...He is RISEN!
Blessings,
Don and Kathi