"I just have to say, we had the most awesome time at our church family retreat this weekend! It was truly a life-changing event and I really believe that God has talked to us through our hearts and is telling us what he is using us for and what he has in store for our family in the very near future. We had fun as a family, with friends, making new friends, and of course all of the FOOD!"
It is nice to see comments like this because when someone asks me how the retreat went, I tend to look at the technical side of things, "Yes, everyone got there safely" and, "No, I didn't loose any kids in the Laurel Mountains." It's all good! It is fun to see how the hard work pays off and how God takes over the weekend and works in people's lives and speaks to their hearts.
I went back home to Indiana yesterday to see mom and learn some of what it take to make "Warren Road life" happen on a day to day basis. Honestly, I was kind of nervous to go after I had heard some of the side effects she was having and wondering if I could jump right in.
They were not home when I got there.
Things looked ok there, but you could definite tell there was a "system" in place. Mom has her little station by the couch with lots of pillows, blankets, Kleenex, cards, drinking glasses and heating pad. I walked out to the kitchen and her meds were all ready to go in the containers and ready for the week. I walked back the hall and thought I could do some laundry. Laundry hampers were labeled, "mom" and "dad." Mom's had notes attached - "Wear rubber gloves and wash all laundry 2 times." On the washing machine there was a card, "Wash #1" and on the other side, "Wash #2." Oh! Well, I guess I can start here...I put the gloves on, and put a load in the washer. For 2 wks after she has her chemo, her clothes need to be laundered separately and the bathroom needs to be wiped down after each time it is used. Lots of instructions, but I understood this one.
My Uncle Jim Lukehart stopped by as I was there. He is my mom's step-brother and he gives the BEST hugs! It was really good to see him and so cool that when times are hard, the family gets tighter. I love that. We were able to chat for just a bit then mom, dad and Jeannie returned home. Mom said that a grilled cheese sounded good, so I got her lunch ready while she and Uncle Jim talked. She has been eating, but only very small amounts. I think she ate a bit more than she usually does because she was enjoying the company and wasn't paying attention to the food quite as much.
She looked pretty good. Her color isn't too good, to say she is pale is an understatement. She did have blood work done that morning and her blood count was down a bit, so today, she was scheduled to receive some blood after her radiation. She has radiation Mon - Friday at 9:15. She had chemo all last week through her pic line. She will not get chemo again until the last week of her scheduled radiation (at the end of 7 wks). We have one week down.
She does get pretty confused. If you choose to call or talk to her directly, please know that the info that she gives may not be accurate.
I was able to go to the family doctor appointment too that day. So, yes, there were 4 of us in the room, Mom, Dad, Jeannie and me. Luckily, there was lots of room, so it worked out. He was a very nice doctor and we all liked him. Dr. Nettleton (part of Dr. Heasley's group.) He was kind, direct, and a little chatty so he was easy to feel comfortable with. He does get all the reports sent to his office, but it was good for everyone to be on the same page and for him to be "caught-up" with everything.
We are still waiting for blood cultures to come back. She had gone to the ER last week and the blood came back positive (for an infection) but it could have been a false positive too. The second blood was taken Saturday night.
Jeannie's family came over for dinner and we enjoyed some vegetable soup that a dear friend had brought. Thanks Debbie - it was very yummy! She ate her soup, some bread and by the time the meal was over, she was barely able to get down the 2nd bowl of ice cream! :-) Mint chocolate chip - she had requested it. Ice cream has always been a favorite of hers.
I noticed a bowl of something green, dark and frilly on the counter. It was covered with a baggie. I asked what it was, and Jeannie informed me it was Roasted Kale. Hmmm...???? I had seen a large bag of Kale in the fridge, but I didn't ask what it was for. I have never bought it, maybe eaten a bit in a salad that was served, but never was intentional. So, Jeannie read that the kale, along with broccoli, cauliflower and brussel sprouts are foods that cancer cells don't like. So, eating more of these types of food would be very beneficial! She said to try the roasted kale. It was cooked with olive oil, salt & pepper. It was crunchy and quite tasty! It tasted kind of broccoi-ish. So, maybe I'll pick up a bag too. I will get the recipe for it and share it. Jeannie said she sprinkled it on her salad. Yummy! (It does look a little weird, kinda like parsley, but try it anyway!)
I was able to help mom with her bath and got her dressed and into bed. I thought I would be sad having to do some of these basic things with her, but I guess my "mommy skills" kicked in and it was a pleasure to be able to do it. It was good to be able to be strong and to lift her out of the tub. She tends to be kind of weak. Jeannie showed me how to wrap her arm in "Cinch Wrap" so that the pic line doesn't get any water on it.
Jeannie has been there during the day and it is good that Dad also understands her medication schedule so he is also able to be on the ball with instructions and administering. I am planning on going this Friday and staying over through Saturday. It is hard being away, so I am happy to be able to do it.
Mom opened her box from her friend and classmate, Nancy yesterday. Nancy had made little blue flower pins with the letter "G" on it. Mom has a group of 6 friends that they all went to school together. Over the past few years, they have been intentional about getting together and even going away for a weekend. They love being together and it is cute how they have little sayings and nick-names for their gang. They all went to Hawaii this past September to celebrate their 65th bdays. What a crew and a sweet group of gals!
Thank you again for all the love, support, prayers and food! This certainly is a tough road to walk down, but doing it together is a bit easier. We are certain that God is working though this situation and have not wavered from that fact.
Glad you can help, Molly.
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