Detour! (But not a dead end!)

So anyone who knows my family know that we are pretty experienced in long road trips!   Summer vacations and holidays to Arkansas, camping trips to Oklahoma, seeing family in Kansas,  and trips for weddings, funerals and reunions…you name it….we drive it!   As seasoned travelers we know how to prepare for trips.  We have packing down to a science…even if we do try to squeeze the kitchen sink in!  Loading the car and hitting the road is easy breezy…luggage, pillows, blankies, cd’s and snacks are all accounted for.   We travel the same routes and hit the same rest areas, gas stations and fast food joints.  Preparing for the trip is an important part of the journey but just as important is how we deal with the speed traps, road construction and detours.

We started on this journey with dad 5 months ago (to the date tomorrow).  This was not a trip we expected or even wanted to take….certainly not prepared for!  How do you prepare for a cancer diagnosis anyway?  You can’t…you don’t.  So just like those last minute or unexpected trips we have made in the past, we dropped everything to put our focus on this ‘trip’ and began preparing the best we knew how.  We gathered information, listened to the doctors and made sure to pack our faith!  This trip has not been without pot holes, speed bumps and as we are now experiencing a slight detour.

The doctor has confirmed today that he is 100% sure that the infection is shingles.  Great, poor dad cannot catch a break!  This means that chemotherapy will be delayed…again!  Once to procure the methotrexate and now to treat the shingles.  With a weakened immune system it is just not practical, or safe even, to move forward with the chemotherapy right now.  Thankfully he is in the hospital where the IV treatment can be administered and the situation can be monitored, but that doesn’t make him feel much better.     It doesn’t make me feel much better for that matter!  I want him to finish chemo, I want to be finished with radiation and I want the cancer to be gone!  I want dad to have a life not dreading trips to the hospital, not worried about labs, and certainly not worried about cancer.   I would prefer he worry about what he is going to wear to his oldest grandson’s graduation, what kind of girlfriend his middle grandson has and if his youngest grandson is ever going to get a haircut!  So as we continue on this trip we will try to embrace the smooth spots in the road and do our best to deal with the unexpected.

Speaking of unexpected… I never expected to write a blog…and certainly not for the reasons this one started.  I started this blog for personal reasons, one of which was the opportunity to share updates on dad's cancer treatment with friends and family.  Technology can be a gift that way!  Now that I have been introduced to the blogging world, I must admit to

being something of a blog 'stalker'.... in a good way of course!   One of my favorite blogs includes a separate place for Prayer Requests.   As I read some of the requests I was surprised to find so many stories similar to our own.  Of course we are not the first to face the challenges of cancer but it was somewhat comforting to know that we are not alone in our feelings and experiences.   On this journey there are ups and downs, good days and bad days, times when you prefer to be alonge and other times when someone's presence is welcomed.   There are times when you prefer to be quiet and other days when you can't talk enough.  That being said it makes it a little easier to understand why some people are not sure how to act around those that they know are struggling or going through a difficult time.  One blogger listed numerous things for people to say and/or do in these situations.   I won't replicate her list here but suffice it to say she was urging people to reach out to those in need.  I definitely plan to put her words into action when given the opportunity.  

Below is my personal list of Do's and Don'ts... I'll start with the Don'ts so I can wrap it up on a positive note!  :)

Dont's-  

• Please don't offer medical advice unless you have an MD, DO or other professional medical license following your name.   It may be hard to resist sharing from your own experiences but every situation is different.  Dad's treatment is unique to his illness. We are relying on the doctor(s) assigned to his case to provide us the best possible information regarding the treatment prescribed to him.  We make note of every detail and ask many, many questions.  Information that is not specific to his cancer type, location and treatment protocol can be dangerous and worrisome.  
• Don't wait to hear from us if you would like an update.  We welcome any calls, emails, facebook messaging, etc.
• Don't be discouraged if you haven't heard from us.  We try to keep family and friends updated using various means but between the four of us (James, Pat, Julie & Amy) we can't always keep straight who has talked to who!

Do's:

• Pray....we are very appreciative of all the prayers received...please keep them going.
• Feel free to call or visit!  Dad loves the company!

Pretty simple lists!  Basically put, don't be afraid to reach out...we will reach right back!

Our family is open to your prayers, support, and words of encouragement!

We are moving forward with positive attitude, encouraging thoughts and prayer!

Please excuse me now as I must EXIT...(Pun intended!)

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen and help you;  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  ~  Isaiah 41:10