Happy Anniversary!

This past week, Ralph received 4 of the 5 radiation treatments for his rib. Typically, it takes 15 days after the last treatment (Monday) to feel the full effect, which would be no pain, hopefully. The goal is to no longer need the pain medication. His chemo makes him very anxious, so Xanax was prescribed, this week, to help him relax enough to get a complete night’s rest. His stomach is very swollen from the steroids which can make him uncomfortable, but his appetite is still good. According to the doctors, Ralph is tolerating very high dosages of chemo and steroids, and they do not want to decrease the dosage.

Our 29th anniversary is today. My parents visited and Michael, Erin, Megan, and Nathan came which went much better than last night when we attempted to eat at Angelo’s. Ralph was unable to take off his coat; not because it was physically difficult. It was obvious that he was not comfortable. He ate very little of the appetizer, but could finish his salad. Once our meal arrived, he needed to leave, so it was packed to-go, and he was able to enjoy it at home. He was touched by a dessert surprise left on our porch by Monika, one of Mallory’s friends. How sweet! Mallory called from Italy!

Admirably, Ralph has maintained poise and dignity throughout his ordeal. If this has been a judge of character, Ralph’s is exemplary. He rarely complains, and when he does, it is justifiable. He asks for very little, and tries to be self-sufficient. He has put his faith in God and his trust in his doctors, family, and friends. Ralph makes sure he gets dressed and goes out of the house every day. He has been able to help Megan shop for a new car and has made me take him to Dick’s just to look at golf gear! Ralph has read and reread his cards and appreciates visitors.

After Round 3, which starts tomorrow, Ralph will be seen at Hillman to discuss the stem-cell transplant and harvesting cells.

The weekend...

On Friday, Ralph's pain made it impossible for him to lay flat for the radiologist to mark him for radiation to his rib. He went to bed at 6pm, that night. Saturday morning, he found more energy and came to breakfast with me, the Cataldo's, and Jan. Afterwards, we met Megan at my parents', and went to Dick's. The outing must have really worn him out because he went to bed at 4PM and didn't come downstairs until 7AM. He was told to start taking his break-through pain medication on Sunday, and he did. Perhaps that was the reason he was so antsy all day. He found it difficult to sit still or stop talking when Megan and Nathan came for dinner and when Jim and Sue stopped by. PITT probably heard him coaching! Hopefully, tomorrow brings him relief with radiation.

A Glitch...

All considered, Ralph had a pretty good week with two chemo treatments. His stomach swells, but he was given more pills to remedy that. The glitch is that last week’s CT scan revealed nothing new in his lower back, and Ralph said, today, that his back did not hurt much this morning. Meanwhile, his rib began to hurt this week (he had 2 broken ribs when he was diagnosed), and the oncology radiologist says that there is myeloma there. Ralph will begin radiation on Monday, for 5 days. He had not had a CT scan since January 12, 2009, when he was diagnosed. Five and one half weeks passed before his first chemo treatment. The time without treatment was a concern. What was the cancer doing? We are not clear as to whether the cancer is eating bones even with chemo, because we have not had the nerve to ask. Please pray that it is not. His next chemo treatment is scheduled for March 30th.

Archangel Raphael

Last summer, we started a tranquility garden in our back yard. Only a few months later, we need to also add a healing and more obvious religious aspect. For the religious aspect, a statue is needed. I Googled "Saint of Healing". Ironically, he is the Archangel Raphael which also means "God has healed". Everyone in our family needs to heal and find peace, and we believe that this garden will be one way to begin that process.


http://www.angelfire.com/biz3/danielkudra/healing_with_archangel_raphael.html

http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-05132002-115528/unrestricted/Healing_Gardens_Thesis_Vapaa.PDF

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

At today's chemo treatment, Ralph was bandaged with festive green gauze. No one mentioned the results of his CT scan from last Wednesday. When he made an inquiry, Ralph was told that the doctor had not read it, yet. We are hoping that is a good sign that there is no urgency. At last week's visit, the doctor thought that Ralph was looking better. The only pattern seen is that Ralph has lots of energy the day of and the day after chemo on Mondays. He then seems to sleep a lot from Wednesdays through Sundays. His taste buds prefer spicy foods with tomatoes or tomato sauce. He seems to have more flexibility when he is not swollen from the steroids. He gets sore spots that seem to move from one area to another then go away. When the kids come, he makes more of an effort to be alert. Megan sees her dad at least 3 times each week. Michael is busy with tax season. Megan, Nathan, Michael, and Erin spent all day, yesterday, at our house. He is weak, but Ralph will venture out with his brother or me for a few hours each day. His emotions are unpredictable, but he realizes that it is going to get a lot worse before he gets better. We have a couple outdoor Spring projects to begin. Hopefully, Ralph will enjoy supervising.

8 Weeks gone by...

For whatever reason, Ralph’s stomach and legs became very swollen last Sunday through Tuesday. It appeared to be water retention. The heart doctor gave him a water pill and changed his heart medication. An EKG revealed nothing was wrong with his heart, thankfully, but his heart was beating too fast. The only change he had made, other than chemo, was that he had started taking Flexoral, again, for back pain, so he stopped taking that. It appears that his stomach has gone down, but his ankles are still a little swollen. On Thursday, he enjoyed Megan and Nathan coming for dinner and celebrating Nathan’s birthday. He was able to sit at the table without discomfort, and his appetite was good. Friday evening, after friends left, he wanted take-out from Angelo's and enjoyed the ride across town. He went out each day but admitted that being away from home for too long makes him anxious and sick. He slept a lot on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, but he appears to be walking better, and it does not seem as difficult, for him, to stand up from sitting on the couch. He complains of being stiff more than pain. He sat on the garage steps to watch Albeno, his friend and plumber, fix a leak. He could not have done that a week ago. Megan visited on Sunday and they ventured to the store. He is able to talk to Mallory, face-to-face on Skype which always brings him joy. It has been 8 weeks since the original diagnosis. Ralph had never been sick or missed work for illness. This is taking a toll on his emotions. Visitors seem to distract him and make him feel more normal. Hopefully, spring weather will be here soon, and he will enjoy sitting outdoors. He is very cold and needs layers of clothing or a blanket. Round # 2 starts tomorrow! Please pray that it goes as well as Round #1!

It's March 1st!

There doesn't seem to be a pattern for the ill effects. Ralph received his last chemo treatment on Monday and did not feel terrible until Thursday evening, when Megan came for dinner. From Thursday to Saturday, he was either very cold or sweating with pain, mainly, in his hips and down his legs. He dosed off but still managed to get dressed, every day, and left the house for a few hours, with an escort. He is not driving, It is obvious that he struggles to walk or move, and he tires easily. He rides an emotional roller coaster, and, as predicted, he has lost feeling in his finger tips making some tasks difficult and frustrating. He was better, today, but believed that was because he didn't go anywhere and just watched sports with Michael. His appetite is good, and he still welcomes visitors, calls, and cards. Hopefully, he will feel better with each day until Round #2 starts.