Today was another good day for Larry. The chemo seems to zap his energy, but so far no nausea or throwing up. His attitude and sense of humor have stayed the same throughout this whole ordeal.
He has noticed that on these hot, humid days, that he cannot stay outside for very long at all. It is just too difficult to breathe.
My mom is still staying with us and I expect her to stay until Saturday or Sunday. She is starting to realize that she had major surgery 2 days ago. She is very sore and has a good deal of pain and discomfort.
Good night to all!!!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Second Chemo Treatment
Today was Larry's second chemo treatment. And so far, so good. No nausea or any of the other side effects. Yeah!! He has lost some weight since last week, so they gave him some medication to help his appetite. Hopefully, it will help, or maybe he needs a new cook!!!
Update: My mom was discharged from the hospital today. She will stay with us until I feel she is strong enough to be alone. She is doing great, all things considered, and will continue to improve every day.
It was nice to be home tonight and not be split between home and the hospital. I actually cooked dinner and a very sweet friend brought us a couple dozen homemade cupcakes, chocolate and vanilla. They are as beautiful as they are delicious. Larry loves cupcakes because they are just the right size.
I am very hopeful that Larry will continue to do well after his treatments. As I have said before, if you didn't know that he was sick, you wouldn't be able to tell he was sick. I am still just amazed and happy about that.
Good night to all.
Update: My mom was discharged from the hospital today. She will stay with us until I feel she is strong enough to be alone. She is doing great, all things considered, and will continue to improve every day.
It was nice to be home tonight and not be split between home and the hospital. I actually cooked dinner and a very sweet friend brought us a couple dozen homemade cupcakes, chocolate and vanilla. They are as beautiful as they are delicious. Larry loves cupcakes because they are just the right size.
I am very hopeful that Larry will continue to do well after his treatments. As I have said before, if you didn't know that he was sick, you wouldn't be able to tell he was sick. I am still just amazed and happy about that.
Good night to all.
Monday, June 20, 2011
A long weekend
I must apologize for not blogging since last Thursday. I have been very busy.
Since Friday afternoon, my mom has been in the E.R., the stroke unit, surgery, ICU, and now the vascular surgery unit. She had a nearly completely blocked carotid artery. The surgery took care of it and I expect her to be released within a couple of days. Another pleasant experience at Huntsville Hospital. They have given my mom the best care and attention, and that is so important.
I have heard it said that God never gives us more than we can handle, but I think he has me confused with someone else!!!
And now about Larry, he has had a rough weekend, but I think it has a lot do with me being gone more than home all weekend. I made sure to be home at 8 p.m. every evening for his injection, but the rest of the weekend I was between the house and the hospital. Hopefully, things will get back to normal very soon. He has his second chemo treatment tomorrow morning. I have my fingers crossed that it will be as easy as the first one. He will only have one drug this time, so at least it will be a little quicker.
He has been in the house since Friday, so I will be happy to get him out and about. We really enjoy our time together and have a lot of laughs and fun.
Time for bed. I promise to update tomorrow night about the chemo. Please keep fingers crossed for him!!
Good night to all!
Since Friday afternoon, my mom has been in the E.R., the stroke unit, surgery, ICU, and now the vascular surgery unit. She had a nearly completely blocked carotid artery. The surgery took care of it and I expect her to be released within a couple of days. Another pleasant experience at Huntsville Hospital. They have given my mom the best care and attention, and that is so important.
I have heard it said that God never gives us more than we can handle, but I think he has me confused with someone else!!!
And now about Larry, he has had a rough weekend, but I think it has a lot do with me being gone more than home all weekend. I made sure to be home at 8 p.m. every evening for his injection, but the rest of the weekend I was between the house and the hospital. Hopefully, things will get back to normal very soon. He has his second chemo treatment tomorrow morning. I have my fingers crossed that it will be as easy as the first one. He will only have one drug this time, so at least it will be a little quicker.
He has been in the house since Friday, so I will be happy to get him out and about. We really enjoy our time together and have a lot of laughs and fun.
Time for bed. I promise to update tomorrow night about the chemo. Please keep fingers crossed for him!!
Good night to all!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Second Day After Chemo
I am very pleased to say that Larry has had another good day!!!
Larry, Courtney and I met some of my work friends for lunch today. We ate at Terranova's which is my personal favorite.
I went into work for the afternoon and Larry stayed home with Courtney. Larry and his brothers made it to their planned dinner at Po'Boy Factory.
Today marks 4 weeks since the diagnosis, which is hard to believe. I think it is all sinking in for us. Life has changed, the focus is on keeping Larry as healthy as possible. And most of the time, he is quite cooperative, most of the time!! I am just thankful everyday that Larry is still as healthy as he can be. If you didn't know that he was sick, then you wouldn't know that he was sick. I am very hopeful that it keeps up. He looks that healthy, which is a blessing.
Good night to all.
Larry, Courtney and I met some of my work friends for lunch today. We ate at Terranova's which is my personal favorite.
I went into work for the afternoon and Larry stayed home with Courtney. Larry and his brothers made it to their planned dinner at Po'Boy Factory.
Today marks 4 weeks since the diagnosis, which is hard to believe. I think it is all sinking in for us. Life has changed, the focus is on keeping Larry as healthy as possible. And most of the time, he is quite cooperative, most of the time!! I am just thankful everyday that Larry is still as healthy as he can be. If you didn't know that he was sick, then you wouldn't know that he was sick. I am very hopeful that it keeps up. He looks that healthy, which is a blessing.
Good night to all.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Chemo-the day after
Good news again. Larry is still doing great. No evidence of the chemo at all. He had a some trouble getting to sleep last night, so he took a Lunesta, then he slept fine. The steroids were the cause of the sleeplessness. It is my guess that he will need another Lunesta tonight. He took his last steroid tonight, so that should all settle down by tomorrow night.
Larry and Courtney went to buy him a wide-brimmed hat, he has to be completely covered if he spends anytime in the sun. We are planning on going to a t-ball game Saturday, and we know it will be sunny and hot.
Hopefully, tomorrow will be as good as today because Larry has plans to go out to supper with his brothers tomorrow night. They are going to Po'Boy Factory and Larry is very excited!!
Thank you again for all of the love and support.
Good night.
Larry and Courtney went to buy him a wide-brimmed hat, he has to be completely covered if he spends anytime in the sun. We are planning on going to a t-ball game Saturday, and we know it will be sunny and hot.
Hopefully, tomorrow will be as good as today because Larry has plans to go out to supper with his brothers tomorrow night. They are going to Po'Boy Factory and Larry is very excited!!
Thank you again for all of the love and support.
Good night.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Chemo
Good news.
Larry had his first chemo treatment today and I am very happy to report that he is doing great!!! He said that he doesn't feel like he has had any kind of medicine. He was pre-dosed with anti-nausea medicine and a dose of steroids. He is also taking oral steroids until tomorrow night. He may not sleep too well tonight, but that will work itself out.
The chemo appt took most of the afternoon, we arrived at noon and left sometime after 4:30. There are many steps; labwork, doctor visit, and then the chemo treatment itself. He was on two different drugs today that have to be administered one at a time. The nurse educated us while she worked on his i.v. There is a lot of important information that we have to know. Luckily, they gave us lots to read, because I guess we had that "deer in the headlights" look. We will learn it and get thru it.
We go back next Tuesday for the next treatment. Keeping my fingers crossed that the rest of the week is as good as today!!
Larry came home and had shrimp stir-fried rice for supper, which he devoured. He ate better than he has in a while, again the magic of steroids. He didn't lose any weight since his last weight check on Friday, which is a good thing.
He is a trouper and spends most of his time teasing the nurses. He did tell me that I do officialy have the "home nurse" position. Boy, that was close!
Good night to all.
Larry had his first chemo treatment today and I am very happy to report that he is doing great!!! He said that he doesn't feel like he has had any kind of medicine. He was pre-dosed with anti-nausea medicine and a dose of steroids. He is also taking oral steroids until tomorrow night. He may not sleep too well tonight, but that will work itself out.
The chemo appt took most of the afternoon, we arrived at noon and left sometime after 4:30. There are many steps; labwork, doctor visit, and then the chemo treatment itself. He was on two different drugs today that have to be administered one at a time. The nurse educated us while she worked on his i.v. There is a lot of important information that we have to know. Luckily, they gave us lots to read, because I guess we had that "deer in the headlights" look. We will learn it and get thru it.
We go back next Tuesday for the next treatment. Keeping my fingers crossed that the rest of the week is as good as today!!
Larry came home and had shrimp stir-fried rice for supper, which he devoured. He ate better than he has in a while, again the magic of steroids. He didn't lose any weight since his last weight check on Friday, which is a good thing.
He is a trouper and spends most of his time teasing the nurses. He did tell me that I do officialy have the "home nurse" position. Boy, that was close!
Good night to all.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Tomorrow is the big day. We go in for chemo at 12:00, should be done by about 3:00. I have been thinking that we need a book like "Cancer for Dummies", because we are so in the dark as to what to really expect. I have heard all kinds of experiences from mild to rather severe. I guess we will know soon enough.
Larry is doing really well today, probably because he started pre-chemo steroids today. We had a busy day, trying to get things done before tomorrow. He was able to keep up better than usual, again the steroids working their magic. The swelling in his arm and leg are somewhat better, and his cough seems to come and go at will. I think one of the hardest things is finding food that tastes good to him. It is so important for him to eat well, but his taste buds are kind of out of whack.
He really enjoys all of the emails and phone calls. He says he never knew how many people liked him until now. And we are constantly amazed at all of the people who read our blog. Please take the time to sign up for being a follower, as he would love to know who all is reading.
Thanks again for all of the love and support, it means so much to our family. I promise to write tomorrow night and let everyone know how chemo went for him.
Good night to all.
Larry is doing really well today, probably because he started pre-chemo steroids today. We had a busy day, trying to get things done before tomorrow. He was able to keep up better than usual, again the steroids working their magic. The swelling in his arm and leg are somewhat better, and his cough seems to come and go at will. I think one of the hardest things is finding food that tastes good to him. It is so important for him to eat well, but his taste buds are kind of out of whack.
He really enjoys all of the emails and phone calls. He says he never knew how many people liked him until now. And we are constantly amazed at all of the people who read our blog. Please take the time to sign up for being a follower, as he would love to know who all is reading.
Thanks again for all of the love and support, it means so much to our family. I promise to write tomorrow night and let everyone know how chemo went for him.
Good night to all.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Finally, A treatment plan.
Today was the day to meet with the doctor and get a plan of action. We start chemo on Tuesday, and that will be his day every week.
Larry had a rough day yesterday and an even rougher evening and early night. The swelling and pain in his arm is still there, and now his left leg is swelling. He had a low grade fever last night, but woke up around midnight and the fever had was gone and he was covered in sweat. He told me that he felt much better after that and today. He is a trouper and makes it all look so easy.
I keep hoping that someone will shake me and wake me up from this bad dream, but no luck so far. I have such anger that it took so long to diagnose him, even though we have had many trips to the doctor since this began last fall. Somehow, Larry isn't angry at all.
Larry really enjoys calls and messages, I think he gets tired of the old ball and chain. If you would like to give him a call or email, his cell number is 256-682-9075, his email is lpw3@live.com.
And on that same note, if you call, text or email me and I don't respond, please be patient with me. Some days I just don't have the strength to respond to anyone except Larry.
Once again, I want to tell everyone how much we appreciate the outpouring of love for Larry and our family.
Good night to all.
Larry had a rough day yesterday and an even rougher evening and early night. The swelling and pain in his arm is still there, and now his left leg is swelling. He had a low grade fever last night, but woke up around midnight and the fever had was gone and he was covered in sweat. He told me that he felt much better after that and today. He is a trouper and makes it all look so easy.
I keep hoping that someone will shake me and wake me up from this bad dream, but no luck so far. I have such anger that it took so long to diagnose him, even though we have had many trips to the doctor since this began last fall. Somehow, Larry isn't angry at all.
Larry really enjoys calls and messages, I think he gets tired of the old ball and chain. If you would like to give him a call or email, his cell number is 256-682-9075, his email is lpw3@live.com.
And on that same note, if you call, text or email me and I don't respond, please be patient with me. Some days I just don't have the strength to respond to anyone except Larry.
Once again, I want to tell everyone how much we appreciate the outpouring of love for Larry and our family.
Good night to all.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Wednesday Evening
Today turned out to be a pretty good day for Larry. He got thru the MRI without any trouble. His cellulitis keeps improving, ever so slowly. But he did feel a lot better today, which is the important thing.
Tomorrow is the PET scan and it requires an altered diet tonight and nothing to eat or drink after 7 in the morning.
I am both anxious and scared about the dr appt on Friday. It will be good to finally, after almost 9 months, to have very definitive diagnosis, but on the other hand, that diagnosis will not be a good thing.
I have spent some time at Clearview Cancer Institute(aka CCI), and have been very pleased with the entire place. All of the staff seemed to be very cheerful and helpful. We will be spending a lot of time there and it is nice to know it is a great place.
Good night to all.
Tomorrow is the PET scan and it requires an altered diet tonight and nothing to eat or drink after 7 in the morning.
I am both anxious and scared about the dr appt on Friday. It will be good to finally, after almost 9 months, to have very definitive diagnosis, but on the other hand, that diagnosis will not be a good thing.
I have spent some time at Clearview Cancer Institute(aka CCI), and have been very pleased with the entire place. All of the staff seemed to be very cheerful and helpful. We will be spending a lot of time there and it is nice to know it is a great place.
Good night to all.
Wednesday, June 8
Sorry that I am slacking on the blog. Sometimes I am just too tired to get to it.
We had our appt with the oncologist yesterday afternoon. We both really liked him and his attitude.
Larry has a brain MRI and blood work today, a PET scan tomorrow and Friday we go back to see the dr to go over results. If all is favorable, he should start chemo Monday or Tuesday.
His cellulitis is rough for him, as it is painful. We almost ended up in the ER last night because he started running a fever, only 100 degrees, but any higher and we were on our way! I gave him some Tylenol and the fever went away. I am hopeful that the Keflex will kick in today and the cellulitis will get better.
Have a great day!!!
We had our appt with the oncologist yesterday afternoon. We both really liked him and his attitude.
Larry has a brain MRI and blood work today, a PET scan tomorrow and Friday we go back to see the dr to go over results. If all is favorable, he should start chemo Monday or Tuesday.
His cellulitis is rough for him, as it is painful. We almost ended up in the ER last night because he started running a fever, only 100 degrees, but any higher and we were on our way! I gave him some Tylenol and the fever went away. I am hopeful that the Keflex will kick in today and the cellulitis will get better.
Have a great day!!!
Monday, June 6, 2011
Monday, June 6
Larry seems to be feeling a little more tired. And a new wrinkle, he has cellulitis in his right arm. He started Keflex tonight and should be okay fairly quick.
Tomorrow is the day we have been waiting for what seems like months, but is has only been a couple of weeks. We are anxious to see what the oncologist has to say. The good thing is that no matter who we talk to about the new doctor, he always gets rave reviews. There is great comfort in that.
Good night.
Tomorrow is the day we have been waiting for what seems like months, but is has only been a couple of weeks. We are anxious to see what the oncologist has to say. The good thing is that no matter who we talk to about the new doctor, he always gets rave reviews. There is great comfort in that.
Good night.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Saturday, June 4
Larry is still having pretty good days, although the cough is trying to come back and he seems to get winded much easier.
We went to see "Bridesmaids" today. It was a cute movie and I enjoyed it, but Larry didn't. We grilled hamburgers for supper tonight.
The appointment with the oncologist was moved from Tuesday morning to Tuesday afternoon. I am anxious to get in there and see what kind of plan he has for Larry.
Enjoy the weekend.
Good night.
We went to see "Bridesmaids" today. It was a cute movie and I enjoyed it, but Larry didn't. We grilled hamburgers for supper tonight.
The appointment with the oncologist was moved from Tuesday morning to Tuesday afternoon. I am anxious to get in there and see what kind of plan he has for Larry.
Enjoy the weekend.
Good night.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Thursday, June 2
Today has been a pretty good day. Although it seems that Larry has been coughing a lot more today. Not as bad as before, but still aggravating for him.
We went to Publix this afternoon and the girls in the pharmacy were so thrilled to see Larry. They hugged on him and told him to be strong and that he was in their prayers. I think he was surprised at how happy there were to see him.
I am hoping that we both sleep better tonight. I spend most of the night checking on him to see if he is resting okay and he sleeps pretty light so I probably disturb him. It is kind of like when you are in the hospital and the nurse comes in to wake you up to see if you are sleeping!
Hoping tomorrow is another good day and that the coughing today was just a fluke.
Good Night to all!!!
We went to Publix this afternoon and the girls in the pharmacy were so thrilled to see Larry. They hugged on him and told him to be strong and that he was in their prayers. I think he was surprised at how happy there were to see him.
I am hoping that we both sleep better tonight. I spend most of the night checking on him to see if he is resting okay and he sleeps pretty light so I probably disturb him. It is kind of like when you are in the hospital and the nurse comes in to wake you up to see if you are sleeping!
Hoping tomorrow is another good day and that the coughing today was just a fluke.
Good Night to all!!!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Wednesday
It is hard to believe how much life has changed in 2 weeks. Two weeks ago, we knew that Larry had a mass and were dealing with the possibility that he would need a lung removed. Not at all prepared for what was to come the next day.
I guess it is sinking in, but still hard to comprehend.
Larry is still doing quite well. Still eating and sleeping well, and the cough is still minimal.
We had to go in to the lab and get his blood checked to make sure the blood thinners are working. We won't find out until we go to the oncologist on Tuesday.
Good night to all.
I guess it is sinking in, but still hard to comprehend.
Larry is still doing quite well. Still eating and sleeping well, and the cough is still minimal.
We had to go in to the lab and get his blood checked to make sure the blood thinners are working. We won't find out until we go to the oncologist on Tuesday.
Good night to all.
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