Round 3

Chemo day! Round 3!Complete. 

Well The start of round 1 and 2 was much easier.

 Where do we begin.... well Kent started his chemo roughly at 12:00 pm on Thursday. "Our nurse," came and started administering the drugs and I could tell Kent was not ready for this.  He was very "depressed."  As the nurse started the drug she asked we had any questions... the only thing I asked was if the new bio agent had any side affects and her answer was, "no, it was a lot like the other one",   he had received.  So then we preceded, I could tell half way into the treatment he was uncomfortable and not quite the way he normally felt.  He was feeling very uneasy, restless, and had some things that just didn't add up to being "fine."  When we were almost done Kent looked a little more whipped than what he normally does.  Like always I secretly worried, but trudged him home.  When we were home for the evening, we were sitting watching evening TV and off Kent went with a little more urgency than normal to the restroom.  This continued the evening and somehow he skipped the sleeping hrs and then again in the morning started up again.  I then called the Chemo nurse in the morning and she told me, "If he continues we will get him in that afternoon and pump him with fluids and anti nausea meds."   He kept losing more, so we journeyed to the Cancer Pavillion.  I was wondering what we did different, I questioned what I did wrong as the caregiver, I prayed that he would get better soon.  I was so wanting the old Kent to return. The one that laughs and jokes, the one that usually can out run me and now can barely walk to the bedroom because all the energy was zapped out from under him.  On Friday evening we came home from the cancer Pavillion and he slept from 5 pm until 10 30 pm and then I woke him up to go to bed.  He continued to sleep until about 930 am.  The fluids seemed to help. What I haven't told you yet is this... I asked them, "What was different beside the bio agent that you gave him."  She went back and reviewed his chart and said," He didn't get one of the Anti nausea meds."   I said, "ohhhhhhh.  She told both Kent and I and Kent's Mom who was with us "don't worry, I hit the doctor already for you" and I said " Please don't we need him."  :)

All weekend Kent has struggled, he has been very restless and uncomfortable.  He has been hot then cold, has had no appetite and his comfort food of choice has been dry Honey Nut Cheerios. He has slept off and on and had very little to no sense of humor.  For those who know Kent that is just not him.  As a caregiver this just has not been easy to watch.  I am not complaining but I just wish that I could take the illness from the most important men in my life away with the snap of a finger. Many of you know about my dad and his cancer journey but Kent's Dad has some struggles with advanced Alzheimer's.  I Love these 3 and it is so hard to watch them all suffer and leads me to say, "Why GOD?!" 

So tomorrow starts a new week and I think when Kent usually starts his week after chemo back at work he will take one more day at home.  He will try to log in a few hours.  I think it will be good for him as he needs to get back to "normal." 

So I ask one thing.  Please Keep praying.  This has put a toll on our whole family.  Lydia is doing pretty well with it all but is scared when Dad is so sick.  Then she also has Papa she prays for every night and her Grandpa. This little Girl is so confused and is being forced to grow up before our eyes.

We are blessed.  We have so many who have taken Lydia so she can have "normal."  Those who have brought meals, those who have helped on our lawn, who have transported and many more , to all of you I say Thank You from the bottom of our hearts. 

--Leah

P.S.  A little note from Kent.  I thank you all for your prayers and concerns.  I am finally starting to feel a little better from the rest of this weekend.  I hope my appetite and energy level returns on Tuesday as it has in the past.

-- Kent