Tuesday under the Houston Sun

Today was an exceptional day for planting, or in the very least, to pick the flowers that would be planted sometime before the next unlikely rainfall this week. It was 80 degrees, sunny, and while I was at work, I looked out the window and wished I was out there. Susan and Doug did just that. She felt less fatigued and couldn’t resist letting a day like this slip away. They went to Wal-Mart’s garden center and picked up flowers for planting. She pushed the cart while her and her dad decided which of their dazzling selection would go into the cart. I was pleased with their choices since they got me a cayenne pepper plant and a sweet banana pepper one.


Anyway, I digress as usual. After their excursion to the Palace of Save Money, Live Better, they stopped at Sonic and got snacks. This time, Susan treated herself to a giant slushie, which might I remind you kind readers that because she was taken off fluid restrictions she was able to drink the whole gosh darn thing without worries. She did…the lucky stiff.


In one hand she holds a planter. And in the other....look closely...closer...CLOSER, darnit! See it now? She's holding a giant slushie in her "tick hand." That's how much improvement she's experienced. She can actually hold items in that hand and hold up the cup high enough to take a sip when she wants to.



Tim arrived today to draw blood…or at least that’s what I’m assuming he was here to do. If not, then Tim and I need talk. Too much seems to carry on at home while I labor mercilessly away. At any rate, we’ll discuss that later, what I wanted to mention was his utter shock when he saw Susan’s Tick Hand. He was flabbergasted to see how much it’s shrunk since his last visit. I noticed since chemo #4 that there has been a consistent improvement to her hand – her arm as a whole. But it’s a good feeling to hear people who haven’t seen Susan for a week or even days apart since their last visits to take a sudden note of her improving condition upon their return.

For those of you who have seen the "tick hand" you can see how smaller it's become. It's almost in the same league as her left hand. For those of you haven't seen the hand, you might say that the swelling looks bad. But no, it was a lot worst before chemo #4; and it was even worst than that last month.

Doug got a little creative in the kitchen. He made jambalaya. It was very tasty (though I’ve learned to despise that word thanks to that spiky white-haired chubby putz, Guy Fieri, on the Food Network, who says everything he shoves in his gullet is “tasty”. Man, I am digressing tonight).

Here's a picture of Doug presenting his Jambalaya for all to see. I'm a little wary since he's standing much too close to my bowl that I have to hold it away from him.

Please keep your prayers coming for Susan’s continuous improvement. It really does show and it pleases me to no end to see her hand shrinking, the way she is able to lift herself out of chairs with the near same ease as before, and the way she can walk to the back patio and back with no assistance. Thanks to all and good night!

Ray

SURPRISE!!

Surprise!

We have a new look for the blog! Surprise to Sue and Ray!! I thought this was much more Sue's style and as she is getting better I thought it would be more fun to have a more "uplifting" fun look!!

I received an email from Ray, he is extremely busy at work, so between all of us, we will keep you updated as to Sue's progress!!

I hope you enjoy our new look! ALso, we have a few prayer requests for this week if you have the time and inclination we would be so VERY grateful!!

Please pray that Sue's sodium, potassium and blood levels would remain normal and that her red bloods specifiacally would be normal (they were just a little low of normal last week), please pray for Sue's heart test she will be having to make certain after her 4 chemo's there has been no damage (Sue doesn't feel there is as her blood pressure has been great), and that the lymphedema in her arm/hand will go AWAY and so will the cancer that has invaded her body!!

Happy Tuesday and thanks for your care and prayers!!

XOXO Kaylee

Susan's Warm Weekend

Well, here we are Sunday once again. We’ve had a good and restful weekend here in Houston. It rained a little and the weather afterwards was nice. Two accomplishments to report: One, I am able to work out on the back patio without assistance; for those of you who don’t know this, there is a big step there and my legs weren’t strong enough to maneuver well on it.



(Ray’s note: To better understand this, the back patio was where Susan needed constant assistance getting outside and going back in. I noticed as of late, when she required assistance, she only needed somebody to precede outdoors and hold out their hand out to her; she rarely gripped it hard or necessitated that much assistance. So I suggested that she tried it without my help. She was hesitant at first, but she gave it a whirl. She gave it a whirl twice for me and once for her dad. That’s in and out, folks. She’s on the road to recovery faster than you know it).



And, number two, I surprised my mom by taking a shower and getting dressed all on my own. Of course, I had Ray standing by that if he heard a big klunk to come running by.



(Ray’s note: No klunk today.)




The tick hand seems to be smaller than when I went into the hospital. I have more movement with my hand and forearm. I am thankful that it keeps shrinking. I look forward to the day when I can use it more normally.





Last night my dad made a delicious barbeque for us all. And tonight my mom brought over runzas, and Koo-Koo brought delicious brownies. I enjoy the family dinners on the weekends. It’s great to eat with everyone.





To my friends and family in Minnesota: sorry about the snow. Let me know when you want to come for a visit. Hee-hee….





Much gratitude and love to you all. As always thanks for your love, prayers, care, and concern. Have an excellent week.




Susan

Dad's Update!

Here is my dad's Saturday update:

We started our day out with a brief thunder storm this morning, but then it turned out to be such a pretty day. The bbq was so good, I made a new burger that was so good it is called the basil burger and it is so delicious.I also cooked Sue's and Mom's favorite sausage, we had baked beans and corn on the cob, so all and all it was very tasty. Sue's doing so much better today, she has eaten better and is looking so much better. We had a real nice Saturday for her, lots of positive vibes going on here for her. we are looking forward to an even better day tomorrow, Mom is making Runza's, so anyway we are looking forward to eating them. We miss you all and wish you were here to spend time with us, take care and we wish Gods blessings to you all.

Another Dose of Good News

Well…she’s been waiting a long time for this. But the call came. She got word from the Doc - Doctor Shree that is, and Susan is now officially off the potassium. She doesn’t have to choke down that vile solution anymore. And more! He’s taken her off her fluid restrictions. She can drink what and as much as she wants going forward. That is great news indeed. So before I forget, Susan says a big thank you for all of your continued prayers. The one wish among the many has been granted.


For much of the day Susan spent recuperating. She wasn’t herself. She’s been feeling fatigued and somewhat yucky. It’s a common thing for her to feel that way a few days after chemo. It’s harsh. But in a couple of days she should feel stronger and have a stronger appetite. That’s the odd thing about chemo. It brings her down and soon enough it makes her feel stronger.


She was strong enough yet to try sitting in different chairs around our home and then lift herself from them. She did very well, she said. She was able to perform her self-appointed trials with ease. It’s good that she’s giving herself things to do to become stronger.


Before I forget, Susan’s mom Kay wanted me to write down her thoughts for the blog. I’m more than happy to oblige her:

“How Great Thou Art! Yes, God still performs miracles! I’m so very thankful and praise Him. My thanks to Dr. Nguyen and Dr. Shree for their wisdom, skills, and super care! And all of you “prayer warriors”: May God bless and give you grace. Sue, your “Sisu” is amazing. I love you and with you continue to say “I trust in you, Jesus.”


That’s about all folks. You all have a good night and thank you for your prayers. And when you get a chance give a shout out to Dr. Shree and Dr. Nguyen. They make a fine team.



Ray

A Very Brief Update

Not much new to report today. The first few days after chemo Susan’s pretty wiped.


She did, however, receive a bouquet of flower from her coworkers. It was very touching that they did that for her. It brightened up her day, and made her feel connected to her workplace and those she worked with.


Velma noted that Susan’s “tick arm” was smaller. Her fingers were more apparent and thinner than before. But they were more so when I got out of the shower later than evening to sit down to jot down the blog; her fingers seemed more pronounced. She can even move her arm better. I’m looking forward to see what it’ll look like tomorrow.


Tomorrow Susan’s expecting a call from Dr. Shree tomorrow about her sodium and potassium levels. Hopefully her fluid restrictions will be a thing of the past and she can chug down a whole glass of water if she wanted to. Pray that her levels are good.


Thank you everyone for all of your prayers and good thoughts. Please keep them up. They’re working.


Until tomorrow….

Ray

Chemo #4 and Some Really Great News

Susan about to board Doug's car, pumped and ready for her chemo. Go and get some, Susan!




It’s been March since I attended one of Susan’s chemos. The last time I went I was pushing Susan in a wheelchair trying to maneuver her in the elevators, around people and corners. This morning she strolled from the car to the doctor’s office using a walker. But once she was signed in, she got up with ease from her chair to the receptionist desk and back, into the examination room, and finally to the party room without it. I was amazed to see such a change in her in this setting.

The nurses took her blood for testing. I had no doubts whatsoever that today would be chemo day. Susan always has her doubts each time she goes, or at least, carries with her the possibility that it could be delayed. I didn’t have any doubts today. I could tell by the color of her face and her eyes that her numbers were right.

Sure enough, the nurse’s assistant read the numbers to us:

Her hemoglobin was 9.2. The last reading was 8.7.
Her platelets were at 198. The last reading was 139.
Her white blood cells were at 7.4. The last time she was tested she was 1.3.

Dr. Nguyen came into the room saying “Wow, did you see these numbers?”

Did you read that right? We got ourselves a “wow” from this very reserved oncologist. Not only a “wow” but a laugh of astonishment and a big smile from him that surprised even me. I’ve heard that he can smile. I’ve seen him grin when Susan cracked a joke. But a smile from him was like a blue ribbon for the finest tasting pecan pie – it was a reward duly earned after so much went into making it happen. I was amazed to see it myself. To say he was pleased with her results wouldn’t do the moment justice.

He patted me on the shoulder said laughingly and said, “she’s doing great.”

He proceeded to examine Susan and announced that that she wouldn’t need a blood transfusion tomorrow; which it was routine for Susan to go for chemos on Wednesdays and blood transfusions on Thursdays. Not this time. She’ll still need her mother to give her shots to keep her red and white blood cells, but extra pints of blood won’t be necessary.

He’s also changing her chemo to two different types. She’ll endure less of the negative side-effects and the medicines will focus on the cancer cells themselves, and not healthy ones. This is so promising. This is the chemo he’s been waiting to use, but was waiting for her white blood cells to be at the level they are now in order to that. In a couple of months he’ll consider giving her a pet scan. Now it wasn’t necessary since it was evident that Susan’s responding well to the treatment.

Upon leaving, he said in passing to us “she’s getting better and better every day.” Which surprised me; his comments paralleled Susan’s anthem of “I’m getting stronger and stronger every day.” I have no doubts in Susan’s commitment to beat this thing.


We proceeded to the party room and Susan received her chemo. She was in good spirits. She drank pomegranate and Fritos.

I stand beside Susan as she receives her chemo. If someone had offered me a donut my smile would have been wider. But no, nobody did. So this is all you get.

The nurses give Susan a thumbs up. They are great people. I hope the doctors give them raises soon. They deserve them.

After we returned, I went to work and Susan and her parents went to Le Madelaine for lunch. This was her first sit down meal at a restaurant. And in spite of the awkward stares and the encouraging smiles, Susan didn’t feel self-conscious about her appearance – and no reason that she should have. She’s beautiful and quite powerful.

Susan and Kay eating Le Madelaine's foo-foo grub.

I do have to admit, the restaurant's pastries do look good from here. I doubt anybody will bring me anything.

Here's Susan and Doug completely replete from a good meal. And look, Susan's bringing me a big bag of nothing.

All of this good news and Susan's apparent recovery goes to show you that your prayers and wishful thinking has the power to subdue the monster who is obviously failing to bring down Susan, and they have the power to make a reserved oncologist smile, too. Please keep it up.

Thank you all.

Ray