Quicker than quick post!

This post will be so quick, you have to look fast or you might miss it. This has been Joe's off week for chemo so not much to report. His sleeping schedule got messed up early in the week so it has resulted in some tired days but he has rested in the afternoons and heading into the weekend feels pretty good. I've had a crappy work week myself so I am incredibly glad to have the weekend here. Nothing makes you appreciate Saturday and Sunday more than a rough work week. One really wonderful thing did happen this week though. On Tuesday Joe stopped by the Subway near PGUMC for lunch and got a great surprise. Mary and Bob Anderson were there. I have missed them so much at church on Sundays since Mary's surgery. Joe was kind enough to take a photo of Mary for me and she looks great!

I hope she doesn't mind the mention, but I know that she was "tipped off" to the possibility. Joe and I are praying for both of them daily and we are thrilled to see her out and about.

Joe has his CT scan at Duke this Tuesday and then we will get the results on Thursday.

Thank you to everyone for their prayers, good wishes and concerns. Please also say a prayer for the Anderson's while your are at it.

Round 3 is Done! No Chemo for 2 Weeks!

Joe had his last Chemo infusion of January yesterday and it's a good thing it was the last for two weeks. He was there for 4 hours, much longer than usual and he didn't even have to see the doctor. He arrived at a little after 8am, had his blood drawn for labs by 8:30am and had enough time before his 9:15am infusion appointment to go to the food court and have sausage biscuits for breakfast. Things were going smoothly so we should have known it wouldn't last. He had a very long wait in the waiting room until almost 11:00am and when he did get back in the infusion center he finds out the blood work for the labs that was drawn earlier wasn't enough for a good reading. Therefore they had to draw more blood right there in the infusion center. Then finally they started his steroids and then the chemo. Long story short: Joe didn't get out of Duke until after 12:00pm. That makes for a very long morning.

But on a positive note, he doesn't have another treatment until February 2nd. However, he does have his CT scan on the 31st of this month.

So what are we doing this weekend you ask. (you were wondering weren't you?) Tomorrow we pick up 2 cakes at Costco and head down to Hope Mills for our neice Sara's surprise sweet sixteen birthday party. She doesn't read the blog so no fear here of spoiling anything. Joe and I just had a sweet moment remembering back in 1999 when Joe met Sara at age 3. On their 2nd meeting, Sara came up to Joe and asked in that little 3 year old voice, "can I call you Uncle Joe?". It was a moment that both of us remember very well along with so many other times we have had with Sara. She would visit for a week at a time from the time she was 5 years old. So many loving, funny, incredibly wonderful memories. Our goal was to make each visit to see us special and to make her feel just how special she is to us. Yes we spoiled her and delighted in each and every minute. Whether it was taking her shopping, riding the carousel with her (Joe did that, I was too embarrassed), taking her to the movies or just letting her snuggle up between us, our goal was just to make her happy and feel great about herself. She has grown into such a beautiful young lady and we are so proud of her and love her beyond what words can express. Happy early birthday to our little girl, Sara.

So hopefully we will have a wonderful weekend and we can enjoy some time with Sara and then next week Joe can have a nice relaxing week.

Thank you for all your prayers and support. Joe and I are truly blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people.

Chemo: Round 2 (Ding, Ding)

This week was the 2nd of this 3-week cycle at Duke. Although we made good time, this week was no new record. Joe didn't get out of chemo until 11:00 am. We did get to see both Dr. Zafar and Leigh Howard, which is always a good thing. Joe seems to be doing well enough that for now, he'll only see the doctor one time per chemo cycle. The other two appointments will just be for labs and then his chemo infusion. No co-pays for those visits...YAY!

It hardly seems possible but it's almost time for Joe's next CT Scan. Two months fly by when you're having fun, right? The next scan is scheduled for January 31st. We won't know the results until his February 2nd appointment. We just love waiting for the results (if you don't hear the sarcasm in that, read it again and listen carefully).

All in all, a good week except for my cold which is now entering its 5th week. Maybe by next Christmas I'll be well! We also set a record this year by getting the Christmas decorations down the earliest ever. Joe didn't get to have them still up on his birthday once again.

Thank you for the continued prayers and good wishes. We appreciate each and every one.

First Chemo Treatment of 2012

Joe had his first chemo treatment of 2012 Thursday morning. And WOW what a morning! Ok, ok, WOW might be overdoing it with fake enthusiasm just a bit. But there was one good thing....Joe got out of chemo in record time - before 10:00 a.m.. That might not seem like much but in our world it's a big deal. Especially since we get there so early, 7a.m.  We weren't the only ones who were tired and sleepy while in the waiting room.  This lady just gave up and took a nap.

For the month of January his chemo appointments will be on Thursdays since last Monday was a holiday for the Duke Clinic employees.  It also means that when the February treatments start, he'll get an extra 3 days off before the cycle begins. Don't worry if you don't understand, I've managed to confuse myself as well.

Of course, as usual, Joe had trouble sleeping last night as he normally does on chemo nights.  The steroids they give him work against him sleeping.  Even with ambien, benadryl, tylenol and sleepy time tea, it was after 2a.m. before he was able to get to sleep.  One culprit however, and this is just my opinion, is his addiction to "Words with Friends" on his iPad2.  I have no idea how many games he has going at the moment, but last night, even in the wee hours he was on the sofa with iPad in his lap playing.

At least he was dressed in appropriate DUKE attire.  Not that he cares, but I like it!

Thanks to everyone for all the warm holiday wishes and prayers.  We appreciate all the support and outpouring of love.