Monday, January 30, 2012

There Is No Place Like Home!

It’s official!   Dad scored an early release from the hospital and is now sitting on his back patio enjoying this beautiful sunny day!  Mom had their bags packed and loaded in the car, dad was changed into his street clothes, all while waiting for the final IV to finish so they could hit the road to home.  This concludes his fourth chemo treatment and fifth hospital stay in the past 13 weeks.  We become more educated on what to expect with each stay but that doesn’t mean things improve with each stay.  For example, we have the admission process down pat, know our way around the seventh floor, and know to have plenty of things to ‘entertain’ ourselves while there…books, phone, iPod, laptop and dad’s newest play pretty….an iPad!    Some of the things that don’t necessarily change or improve are shift changes, money-eating vending machines, and sleepless nights.  With this in mind I have come up with the following:
Top 10 Reasons to Avoid the Hospital
1.    Being in the hospital usually means you are hurt or sick and who wants to be either of those??

2.   Hospital gowns….seriously have you seen those things?  They leave a lot to be covered and they are certainly not fashionable at all.  That’s why dad bring his own coordinating pajamas! (Courtesy of his wife and daughters..he always looks good!)

3.   Hospital food…..Let’s just say that even though you may have a variety to choose from, the likelihood of you receiving your food hot probably depends on how close your room is to the kitchen.  And it may be due to the chemo…but dad says it has no flavor at all.  I’m not very daring when it comes to food tasting so l will have to take him at his word.

4.    Sleep….You aren’t staying at the Hilton and you can’t hang a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on your door, so don’t count on getting a good night’s sleep.  It’s sure to be interrupted so they can do all those important things like make sure you are still breathing, taking your temp, pulse and the occasional blood draw.

5.    IV Poles….Being hooked up to one of these things is almost the equivalent to putting a pet on a leash.  You only have so much freedom to move about.  They can also hamper your efforts when trying to make a mad dash to the bathroom....just sayin!

6.   Speaking of bathrooms….Urine collection definitely needs to be added to the list.
First of all, who really wants to have to ‘collect’ their own urine? This requires a little preparation…so when the urge hits you better get moving to the bathroom and hope that IV lines are long enough to let you get there (See #5) or that you are operating on batteries!    

7.    Room Temperature….Be advised, hospitals like to keep things nice and chilly.  So you might want to take that into consideration when you are selecting what PJ’s you want to wear.  Also a scarf,  gloves and electric blanket might be serviceable options to consider when packing for an extended stay as well.

8.    TV…  It’s great that most hospital rooms have TV’s.  It’s kind of hard to keep up with your favorite TV shows when you don’t have a program guide to know what channels you have.    I guess TV watching shouldn't really be priority in the hospital but you have to do someting to pass the time.  :)

9.   Hospital Beds….Otherwise known as a 4 inch thick piece of vinyl that occasionally has air blowing through it.  A stack of cardboard would likely be more comfortable than the hospital mattresses that we have experienced.  I can assure you that the hospital mattresses do not come from Sealy Posturepedic!

10.  Nurses/Techs….. I can assure you that a good hospital stay is largely dependent on the quality and personality of the nurses and techs that are assigned to you.  We are thankful because we have had some of the best nurses and techs during dad’s stay.  However, there is one nurse’s name that will not be soon forgotten (make that two).   I respect the hard work they do and know they deal with many different types of people and situations on a daily basis.  I’ll just say that a smile and pleasant attitude can go along way with a patient.
      Now my top 10 things were listed in fun as much as seriousness, so I do hope that patients and their families can appreciate the hard work that goes into caring for them.  I also hope that nurses and caregivers can appreciate that without patients there would be no need for them.  Our family has gone out of the way to be helpful without hindering them from getting their job done.  (In some cases doing their job--refer back to #6, but it's all good)
On that note, I imagine dad must have clicked the heels of his beige slippers saying ‘There is no place like home’ after getting the news of early release today!  And I for one have to agree…  There Is No Place Like Home!

Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.    Ephesians 5:20

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Part II - Milestones, Memories, Miracles & MOM!

It is with much happiness and thankfulness that our family finds itself marking yet another milestone.  Our appointment with the oncologist on Friday, January 20th revealed that dad's blood counts had rebounded and were allowing us the opportunity to resume chemo treatment.   It probably sounds odd to want a loved one to undergo chemotherapy but in this case we know that completing the prescribed chemo treatments provides the best chance for a successful outcome.  So therefore we are very thankful to be able to continue the fight and will continue praying for --and expecting--complete healing for dad, our miracle man!

As we experince the many twists and turns of this journey I find myself very thankful to also have a miracle mom who has been a rock for her famlily through it all.  How blessed I am to have grown up with such a thoughtful, generous, loving woman who is always giving of herself.  She is the ultimate caregiver! In addition to the normal daily tasks she carefully dispenses meds, keeps track of vitals, stays on top of doctor appointments and all the information that comes with those and is at my dad's side continually at the hospital.    Years of experience raising two daughters and caring for three grandsons no doubt proved easier than the journey she now faces...but she does it with both courage and grace!



So as we continue this journey.....
  • I will remember each day is a gift to be treasured...not just in the difficult times but the good times as well. 
  • I will cherish the memories from years past and look forward to the new ones yet to be made. 
  • I will give thanks for my family and all that they bring to my life.
  • I will be in prayer for my dad and for so many others that I know that are currently fighting cancer.
  • I will be thankful to my friends who have been there to offer their support, prayers and encouragement.
  • Most of all, I will be looking forward to the day that I can announce his remission!
You are the God who performs miracles;  you display your power among the peoples.    Psalm 77:14


Thursday, January 19, 2012

Milestones, Memories and Miracles!

Am I the only one that relies on certain milestones in life to be able to recall certain events or memories?   I bet not!   Especially those big milestones like High School Graduations, Weddings, and Births, etc.   It’s funny how many things I can only recall the time or year it happened because of a particular event….such as after I got married, before Zak was born, or after we moved into our new house. I can also determine the year because of the hairstyle in the picture or what car was being driven! 
That’s kind of how it is when it comes to dad’s cancer diagnosis.  I very clearly remember the date that we began his first bout with cancer… 2/14/2006 - Valentine’s Day.   Not being one to frequent the doctor’s office, we knew Dad was not feeling well when he finally agreed to see the doctor.  I remember receiving the call from my mom telling me that they were sending him to ER, thinking that maybe it was his gallbladder.  Instead, we soon learned that he was facing a fight with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.  To complicate matters he had to have an emergency hernia surgery after his first chemo-treatment which was to say the least, an inopportune time for surgery.  The ER physician that saw him before surgery was so callous and cold with his choice of words that I often suggested waltzing Dad back down through the ER after his recovery so this doctor could witness what a real miracle looked like!   That’s right….my dad is a miracle man!  He finished his chemo and we were informed very near Father’s Day that he was in remission…what a gift!   Another milestone!  As time moves on and we share stories or recall certain events, I often remember them happening before Dad’s cancer or after his remission.   Of course there are many other milestones that have occurred in our family since that time that I also use to mark time...such as my 40th birthday, Zak getting his driver’s license, Cameron getting glasses, etc.  
Five years later and we are marking another milestone.  Dad began facing his second battle with cancer on November 4, 2011.  Since that time he has bravely endured the many scans, MRI’s, a bone marrow biopsy, a brain biopsy, chest port, ommaya reservoir placement, in-patient chemotherapy treatments, multiple blood draws, urine collection, not to mention the less than stellar hospital food and the nights of interrupted sleep.   He is my hero…facing it like a champ!  One day at a time, one appointment at a time and now what seems like one set-back at a time.  The chemo drug used for this type of cancer is not for the faint of heart. It means business and is now wreaking some havoc with his blood counts.  As we sit at this crossroad waiting to see what the next treatments steps will be, I can’t help but wonder what day this next miracle will take place.   You see, I am not just hoping, but praying for his healing.        I have faith it will come.  I am EXPECTING A MIRACLE!    This miracle will mark another milestone and wouldn’t it be nice if we could bookend his beginning and ending of cancer with the same date?  Sounds good to me – February 14th sounds like a great remission date!  
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope!  Psalm 130:5


Thursday, January 12, 2012

New Year, New Hopes!

I must admit that New Year’s is not among my favorite of holidays.  I’m not sure why…it’s supposed to be a chance to make resolutions, set new goals and reflect on the previous year.    I do love the chance for a do-over so you would think the New Year would serve as the perfect opportunity for a do-over. But alas, I have never been a big fan of resolutions…probably because I am not great at keeping them. I do take the time to reflect on the previous year and things that I would like to improve upon for the coming year.  My aversion to the beginning of the New Year may have to do with the fact that it quickly brings an end to my favorite holiday season.  I LOVE Christmas and all that it stands for!  The time with friends and family, the decorations, the food, the general merriment of the season, but most importantly that it represents the birth of Jesus Christ our savior.   I’ve joked for years that I suffer from the holiday blues… Of course my co-worker diagnosed, I mean informed me, that I probably have SAD—Seasonal Affective Disorder.  Phooey!   I’m not depressed; I just wish that the general good feelings of the holidays could last longer!  It does make me sad to see Christmas trees out on the curb the day after Christmas…does that count as depression?
Anyway, if you read my blog then you know that my family faced big challenges at the end of the past year.  This has caused me to do more reflection than usual and I am so thankful to be part of such a close family and to have so many special family friends that have been so supportive of us during this time through prayer, words of kindness, hospital & home visits and just being there with a hug when needed. 
So after reflecting on the past year and considering what areas I would like a do-over in, I have decided to just list my hopes for the New Year…
  • I hope to strengthen my relationship with my savior.
  • I hope to see healing for my dad!  Our family loves and needs him...enough said!
  • I hope to be a better wife—not that I am not a pretty good wife already!  Though I do have e room for improvements…especially letting him know how much he is appreciated for all that he is and all that he does. 
  • I hope to continue to grow as a mother.  My kids are at the age where they don’t feel like they need their parents so much anymore but I hope that they know how much they are loved and that I will always be there for them…in good times, in bad times, in happy and sad.  My mom is my rock and I want to be that for my boys.
  • I hope to spend more time with my friends and to be a better friend.   Life can be busy and often times we get so caught up in our own families that we miss out on special friendships and the gifts that they bring to your life. 
  •   I hope that I can be more aware of what is going on around me.  I can be guilty of dwelling on  ‘me’ and not realize what others may be going through.  I want to be an encourager!
  • I hope that in whatever I do or say this year, I can always focus on the positive and let go of the negative.  There is so much more to be gained by positive energy... So long to the negative!
  • All in all, my hope is for a good year…a better year…for myself and for you!  Bless you all!
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Psalm 31:24