Chemo day #3 over

With a new drug, chemo took from 11:00 to 4:40. It's mostly relaxing and a little boring. I felt good enough afterwards to go to one of my book clubs--good discussion and very glad I was able to go.

Referring back to my wild chemo dreams: I told my oncologist, and he said many people experience those, but it's from steriods with the chemo. So I had dreams on STERIODS! Not always a good experience--too real. I haven't had any for a while, but maybe they will start again with the latest chemo treatment today. Wish me pleasant dreams!

Getting ready for Chemo #3

I'm writing for Marilyn today as she had a busy Easter day with family coming up from Denver for dinner. She was very happy to have her brother's family here. Having visitors always makes her feel good even though she gets tired. When she got too tired she just took a nap. This week will be Chemo #3 and they will add a new drug to the mix. They have waited to give her this one so her surgery would heal as this drug can cause bleeding if the surgery has not healed properly.

The good news from my point of view is she is eating more and we have been getting her hydration 4 days a week. The hydration has improved her kidney function which is to say the least is great. She also is slowly drinking more on her own. I hope that continues after this week's chemo. We are hoping to see some postive results for the chemo soon.

Our oldest daughter Megan has come for a short visit and Marilyn has of course loved having her here. It has also allowed me to run some errands. Kathleen and the kids are coming at the end of next week to visit while Jon is on Army business for a month. I'm flying to Texas to help her come here with the kids and I'm arranging to have people stay with Marilyn during the day while Erin is subbing.

Thank you for keeping her in your prayers and thoughts.  John

Round #2 of Chemo

On the  more physical side of chemo, I am getting almost 4 days worth of hydration per week to make my kidneys and those other body parts with not a whole lot to do a lot happier.

Why I don't need to read books when I'm on Chemo

At first, reading books seemed like a good idea with all this "extra time" on my hands.Then after reading a title of some book I hadn't read, my dreams became the dramatic, detailed plot to match the book title (of course, not the book since I hadn't read the book) or a plot inspires itself because of some event I've read or heard about. The dream books are sometime so intense that they repeat and embellish seeming all night long.Don't suggest that I try to write them down (or think of publishing them )

I Would Love Having Visitors!

Some of my posts might not sound so hospitable for short visits with friends,  but quite the opposite is true. I would dearly love for visits. It is important that you call or email ahead, since I do have doctor's appointments and appointments for hydration and for chemotheraphy. So come on over and we'll share a cup of tea!

Slow and Sleepy

I wait hoping for a humorous and newsy feel to take over, but I  am dealing with nausea, vomiting, pain, sleeplessness, and sleepiness. Since chemotherapy last week, I am weaker with less energy, something I can expect will carry over for at least another month. Showering and dressing takes like lots more time, energy, bath towels, John's help. I hope that soon I will be able to take little walks, see our sprouting tulips, and dress myself! 

I expect that after the third chemo treatment (about April 26), I should be feeling stronger but about that time I will start an additional chemo, one which is focused on  the colon cancer. It will be some different, for sure!

We saw Dr. Moore, our oncologist, today. He wants me to start having a 1000 ml hydration IV twice a week to alleviate dehydration and--gasp--to start more nutritional and caloric supplements to prevent further weight loss.