Figuring Things Out...Again
Well it's been a few weeks, so I suppose we owe y'all an update! As I noted in my last post, life has had lots of ups & downs lately, and that hasn't changed.
Since Bryan's first chemo treatment, we have had a nice break – a 3-week span of time, rather than the prescribed 2 weeks between treatments. We did this for a few reasons... First, we waited an extra day to remove his pump so I could go and get "certified" to do the pump removal at home in the future. I did it under a nurse's supervision at Mayo on Monday, March 9. Second, the girls & I were traveling to Atlanta for a friend's wedding, so we were out of town from March 12-16. (We were supposed to return on the 15th, but got stuck in the ATL airport for 28+ hours... a very long & harrowing story for another day.) Third, we were trying to get the alternating-week schedule to a place where Hayden's college graduation will fall on a non-treatment week.
Bryan's 53rd birthday was on March 26, and we celebrated by going on a dinner date the night before (photo above), to one of our favorite BBQ restaurants that just opened up a new location on our side of town. The brisket was delicious, and the time we spent together and conversation we had was precious. I just love him more & more every year!
Early Friday morning (March 27), Bryan & I got up and made the drive to Mayo Clinic for his second FOLFIRI chemotherapy treatment. Fortunately, they were able to include the immunotherapy (Avastin) this time because his blood pressure was just below the threshold.
He had been fasting again for about 34 hours before this treatment – he had only had water all day Thursday and through his treatment on Friday morning. He intended to continue fasting as long as possible on Friday, but apparently this new chemo cocktail does not play nicely with empty stomachs.
We came home in the early afternoon (1pm or so), and both laid down for a nap, since we had gotten up so early that morning. I woke up around 3pm and made a phone call while he still slept; I was talking on the phone when I heard him vomiting in our bathroom (...only he had no food in his system). So I rushed in with some Zofran and some crackers, which seemed to help. Once he came out to the living room, I made him some food to eat for dinner, and then I had to get ready to go to work for the evening. Thankfully, we do have a few family & friends nearby that he could call if there was something he needed.
Of course I was nervous to leave him for a few hours, but I had to be at a women's event at church, so he just rested on the couch while I was away. On the way to church, I was praying for Bryan and reminding myself that I can trust the Lord to take care of him. I wasn't completely on my "A-game" at the women's event, but it was a blessing to many, despite my preoccupied mind; and I did enjoy getting to be there and have some social time with my sisters in Christ.
Bryan's stomach has continued to feel upset when he first awakens in the morning, but once he eats something (english muffin, crackers, etc.), he usually feels better. So we are finding ways to prepare for those mornings – stocking his nightstand with crackers, protein shake, banana, ginger drops, etc. to help with this empty-stomach nausea. On his last cycle, this only lasted about 4 days, so we're hoping it only lasts another day or so.
I let him sleep in today (Sunday 3/29), and before we turned on our church's livestream service, we took care of his pump removal. I watched the instructional video a couple more times to be sure I understood the process, made a detailed checklist of all the steps in order, and said a prayer. Then we got out all the supplies & syringes, disinfected the kitchen table, set everything out, got suited up with my sterile gown, mask, and double gloves, and did the procedure.
Bryan was a bit teary-eyed, saying it was a very intimate feeling for him to trust me enough to care for him in this way. Even though I love him very much and would never intentionally hurt him or endanger his health, there are real risks of infection and mistakes could be made, so we definitely don't take it lightly. I know they wouldn't let me do it at home if they thought I could do a lot of damage, but it still feels like a really big deal to both of us.
After we cleaned up all the medical supplies, we sat down to watch our church's Palm Sunday Baptism service video online, rejoicing with those who were proclaiming Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is HE who comes in the name of the Lord! Our Sunday afternoon has been another sleepy day for Bryan, so I'm letting him rest between meals, since the house is quiet with nobody home except us & Toby (our corgi).
Please PRAY for these chemo side effects to vanish quickly, and for us to be able to figure out the patterns necessary to manage them effectively after each treatment. Also please PRAY for the treatments to have their intended effect over the next several weeks – eradicating the spots on his lungs, as well as preventing any cancer from growing or spreading anywhere else in his body.
May you all have a blessed Holy Week as you continue to meditate on the week leading up to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. We are looking toward the future with HOPE, for Jesus alone has the words of eternal LIFE! Please enjoy this prayer & devotional guide that our church produced for Holy Week: ALIVE.