The past 2 weeks has been quiet for appointments but we are about to make up for it this week. Between Monday and Friday this week Rob has 13 appointments. Some are bunched together but a few will require going back and forth twice in a day. We knew this week would come and there are mixed feeling about it. Part of us feel ready to get things going because the quicker it starts the quicker it will be done...the other part dreads the potential side effects and all the unknowns that come with chemo and radiation. Regardless of the effects of the treatment we are praying for complete healing and that the radiation and chemo would do what it is supposed to do and get rid of all of the cancer.
On October 10th we met with the medical oncologist (chemo doctor). This was a new doctor that we had never seen before. He didn't tell us any new news that we did know before but he just talked about the side effects and the reality of the disease very bluntly and it didn't sit well with me. Sometimes the doctors ease your worries and fears but in this case he almost added more. I think once we get started things will settle down but the last week has been filled with lots of tears, fears and prayers. Rob and I often have our bad days or moments at opposite times so we are able to support each other when we need to. The evidence of God surrounding us is incredible and we know there is an army praying for us as we walk this journey. We need to just take it day by day and not worry about the future.
As we head into radiation and chemo there are many possible side effects and we were told about even though he may not experience them all. The most common ones are nausea (which he has been given 4 different prescriptions for), vomiting, numbness and tingling of the ears and sores in the mouth. With Rob already having 2 surgeries done in his mouth we pray that he does not experience these. Radiation is 5 days a week for 6 1/2 weeks with regular blood work and follow ups. The good thing about radiation is that is only takes about 20 minutes. Chemo will be 3 times over the 6 1/2 weeks with the first one this Tuesday. It takes about 6 hours sitting with an IV on chemo day and then for the 2 days that follow he will have to go back and get 2 hours of IV fluids to ensure it doesn't sit in his kidneys.
Through all of this I have been trying my best to go to work. I work about half time and as long as I know Rob is fine at home and Isaac is cared for I am good to be at work. However when Rob is at appointments I find it hard to be at work and not there supporting him. My work has been very good and flexible and I am thankful for that. That being said I find all of the planning and arranging very overwhelming sometimes. I like things to be planned out but lately have found there are times when it feels too complicated and I have a hard time with it. Please pray that I am able to handle the scheduling part of all this and do not get overwhelmed.
We met with the woman that is arranging Rob's Long Term Disability the other week and she said that with Rob's case it is pretty straight forward. We will have a few weeks in between EI and LTD but God has been blessing us and we are so thankful for that. LTD has a certain way they determine how much money you receive and we are praying this amount is calculated in our favour.
Since surgery Rob has been working on his talking and ability to eat. He is slowly progressing with both things and is even able to eat some soft solid food now. One thing that he is having a hard time with is the actually movement of his tongue. The second surgery required the surgeons to take some of the muscle at the base of the tongue which could be why he is having a tougher time with it. We are praying that with time the movement comes back and that he continues to be encouraged by his improvement. Sometimes recovery feels like a very slow thing but yesterday I showed Rob a picture of himself right after his surgery a month ago to encourage him in how far he has come.
This week Rob and I were able to get away for a night just the 2 of us to relax. We had a great time in Hecla just being together. On Friday we went for a little walk at the tip of the island and there is a viewing tower there. As we got to the top right away Rob noticed a bald eagle flying close by. Rob loves bald eagles and its in little things like that that we are reminded that God is with us.
Thank you once again for caring for us and praying to our God who can do ALL things.
Love Karen
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