New chemo-Round 1

Rob began the new chemo on Tuesday October 20th and it was a very tough one.  Usually the day you get chemo you feel pretty good because they give you steroids and anti nausea drugs and this was the case for Rob.  He actually felt pretty good for 2 days after and even disc golfed 18 holes one day.  Then Friday hit and so did the wall.  Rob got up about 9am that day and by 10am he was back in bed for a 3 hour nap.  Nausea is not a major side effect of this drug and can be managed by some anti nausea drugs.  The short term side effect that Rob experienced is flu like symptoms.  Rob felt so achy and sore all over that he couldn't even voice what hurt or what was wrong.  For a few days Rob basically slept and ate and was pretty miserable.  This is also tough on Isaac and I.  We tried to stay home to look after him but found there were times we just needed to get out of the house for a short bit to do something fun.  Thankfully by the Monday Rob was feeling a lot better and although he was still very tired he napped and could manage the day.  The thing with chemo is they give you a list 4 pages long of possible side effects but they have no idea how your body will respond.  There are some long term side effects that we do know if Rob will experience but we are trying to not dwell on those.  One thing that is suggested by some doctors is to ice your hands and feet while you get treatment to reduce the blood flow and there fore reduce the chemo drug going to your extremities.  This was not super fun for Rob during the treatment but if it saves his nails then it is worth it.  Overall this was the toughest chemo that Rob has faced.  I can definitely see how some people say it is too much and stop receiving treatment.  Next week Rob will begin round 2 and for now we will just take it one round at a time.


At the doctors request Rob did not have natural treatment during his first round of chemo.  This was to separate the drugs to know where side effects were coming from.  We are hoping that next round when he is receiving the natural treatment as well that the side effects might not be as bad. He took a week and a half off of the natural treatments but has started back on them again. 


One thing in particular you can pray about is last week Rob noticed a swollen spot under his chin.  It looks like a little lump and is in between all the scar tissue from the surgeries.  The lump is soft so we are thinking it is not a cancerous lump however we are not doctors (although sometimes I ask so many questions that I think I could diagnose some things!!).  Please pray this clears up on its own and is nothing that is concerning.  I would say we are at the point where we don't want to call the doctor because we are scared at what we might be told.  Pray that it is just fluid pooling and that this week it disappears.


Rob is still experiencing pain in his neck which is discouraging.  Sometimes it is all the little effects of all the treatment he has had that add up and make him not feel great.  Dealing with cancer and the side effects of the disease and the treatment can be very overwhelming.  Rob tries his best to enjoy the times when he feels as good as he can but sometimes a day or 2 of doing a few activities catch up on him.  Sleep is also something that is hard for Rob.  He can't seem to find a position that doesn't hurt his neck.  Pray for relief from pain and for restful sleep at night.  We could all use a good nights sleep!


Although this time is very difficult we have still had some good times together as a family, with our extended family and with friends.  We are also very excited to see some other friends and family out east!  One of the most memorable times recently was a prayer time with a bunch of our friends in Winnipeg the night before chemo started.  It was a powerful time together with many tears.  We know people are praying for us everyday but it is different to hear a close friend pleading with God on our behalf.  Thank you to all who were a part of that.


We also had 14 of our friends surprise us with a night out.  Rob and I thought we were just hanging out with one other couple but they took the longest route to get downtown ever to make sure we didn't arrive before everyone else.  When we arrived we still didn't know what we were doing but were greeted by 12 of our friends who we didn't even know we would see.  The event for the night was chosen to help Rob and I forget about everything we were dealing with and it worked!  We went to a place called Epic Escape and had to solve a complicated puzzle to find the key to get out of the room we were locked in.  I am happy to say Rob and I were on the same team and we won!!  After that we all went back to one of our friends houses to eat some delicious food and hang out.  It was such a good time and I haven't seen Rob laugh that much in a long time.  Thanks friends!


One thing I think that is often taken for granted is being thankful in all circumstances.  Life is hard and certainly has not gone the way I planned it.  However there is still good everyday and we have so much to be thankful for. 


One of my current favourite artists is Lauren Daigle who wrote a song called Trust in You.  The other day Rob was out and Isaac was at school so I may have turned my music up a little loud.  There I was singing Trust in You at the top of my lungs (I know you are all picturing this!) and the words I was singing really hit home.
"Trust In You"

Letting go of every single dream
I lay each one down at Your feet
Every moment of my wandering
Never changes what You see

I’ve tried to win this war I confess
My hands are weary I need Your rest
Mighty Warrior, King of the fight
No matter what I face, You’re by my side

When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!

Truth is, You know what tomorrow brings
There’s not a day ahead You have not seen
So, in all things be my life and breath
I want what You want Lord and nothing less

When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!

You are my strength and comfort
You are my steady hand
You are my firm foundation; the rock on which I stand

Your ways are always higher
Your plans are always good
There’s not a place where I’ll go, You’ve not already stood

When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!

By Lauren Daigle

Powerful words for sure!  This is something that I have been struggling through with God.  We have faith and know that God can heal and we ask Him everyday to heal Rob.  We have to trust in Him that He will do what is best for us but this is not always the way we want it to.  As I sang the song and tears ran down my cheeks I realized I will continue to trust God because without Him I could not imagine walking this road.


Thank you once again for all the prayers and support. 
Love Karen