Scratchy Itchy

Tom met with the Dr. Buth today and looking at the photos they took of him last week, Dr. has determined that Tom is having a reaction to the injections that he is receiving. This was one of the concerns with using this drug, it doesn't like to play nice. They feel if Tom would continue getting this shot, he would eventually end up in ICU. So, no more shots. They have put Tom on a steroid regiment to try an head off the reaction he is currently having. Tom is glad that they have stopped the shots. The nurses even noted that his mood is upbeat since he has been off of the shots. As far as the radiation treatment, Tom is doing well. His sore throat continues and at times he is barely able to speak. He is loosing hair on the back side of the head where he is receiving radiation. The guys are giving him a hard time about it. They say it looks like he got a really bad haircut. Tom says they are jealous because they are follicle impaired! Tom only has 5 more treatments and then they will change the angle of the radiation beam to finish out the remaining month of treatments. This will take it away from his salivary glands so we are not as worried about them being damaged. Tom had more blood taken today. We are hopeful this will show a lower level of Calcitoin, meaning no more cancer. For my prayer warriors: Thank God that he is doing so well so far into the treatments, that the Dr.'s have come to a conclusion for his shots, and that he has better movement in his upper body. Thanks for encouraging me while I share my thoughts during this hard time. Mary, you had a great idea when you suggested I start this blog!

Holiday Preparation

I am not sure how many of you were out on Black Friday, but we were home and sleeping this year. There were a few possible deals that we thought about going out for, but for the first time in about 12 years, we decided not the fight the crowds (we'll probably still fight them before the Christmas season is done). However, as has been our tradition for 18 years, the Christmas tree is up and the house is being decorated as well. I think this has lifted both our spirits.

Tom had another eventful week with his treatments. Monday he talked with Dr. Buth and it was decided that he needed another prescription because he was definitely having an allergic reaction to the shots at the site of injection. I stopped at the pharmacy to pick up his prescription and was told that the insurance company was rejecting this prescription and they sent me on my way with a rejection slip. Tom brought it to Radiation Oncology and the fight between Dr/Insurance began. On Wednesday he did not get his shots because of his reaction. We then bought the prescription out of pocket because even with the two institutions talking, the prescription issue was not resolved. On Friday, the shots were not given again due to the sites being red, raised, and itchy. Also on Friday Radiation was running about 40 minutes behind due to a power outage, so we were still there for a good share of time.

So here is another bump in the treatment process. I should not be surprised as this has been the case all throughout Tom's progress. Tom states that he feels better and is not feeling as sick in the evening, and I think he's glad that he does not have to get the shots for that fact. I however keep stressing that he will want to get these shots if at all possible so that he can swallow years from now. Please continue to pray that we can get over this hump and that whatever is best for Tom will be the outcome. Pray that Tom will be able to keep up his energy, positive attitude, and accept whatever treatment is given to him. Thanks again for your words of encouragement and generosity. As I am preparing for the Holiday season I am so thankful for all of your support and am grateful that you are in our lives. Life is hard, but God is great.

Thankful

The staff at the hospital believe Tom may have caught a bug last week and told him that it can really effect a person in Tom's state of well being. Tom continues to have his sore throat and our frig is now stacked with many different flavors of liquids on the days he decides to make that his meal. His weight fluctuates daily, and he is hoping for it to be on the down side of the scale! His treatment is sometimes less than two hours, and he has to remain patient when it exceeds even the two hour expectation. We have truly learned what a small world we live in. At the hospital we have run into many people from "our neck of the woods", somebody we know, or in conversation with a stranger a connection of someone we both know. I think the conversations in the Radiation Oncology waiting room really is a neat experience in itself. While I was waiting for Tom to finish his treatments I thought of the things I am thankful for...My husband, my children, my family and their support, friends and acquaintances that have been so helpful and generous, and above all God's peace in this hard time. I know life isn't always what we wish or think it should be, but who would I be if I did get everything in life I expected? Would I even like that person or enjoy the good things in life if I never knew of the rough roads? I know what I'm thankful for and who to thank. Happy Thanksgiving!

Mid-week

I Valerie, promise not to get up at 3:00 am and write in the blog anymore. It's hard when thoughts go around in your head for hours at night. Somehow when I read the blog the next day, it sounded pretty depressing. His mom and sister came rushing to his aide with malts. He is afraid that he will be as big as Santa come Christmas time, but he says it sure feels good on the throat. It is Wednesday night and Tom is feeling better, not worse. Today was his shots in the stomach and he said that the nurse did an excellent job and that it was one of his better shots. This must be a first! Tom's attitude has been awesome during this whole ordeal. I think it helps that he sees some of the same people during his treatments. It's almost like they have their own support system, which must also help. The kids are doing well, although they are a little bummed that we are not making the annual trip down to Ohio for the Michigan/Ohio State party at our friends. This is the only time of the year that we make it down there and the kids were looking forward to it. Thanks for all the uplifting notes, they are helping both of us.

Week 3

When the doctors are right, they are right. Tom is having a hard time trying to do what he wants. His strength and will power are not agreeing with his will. Sunday Tom tried to make it to church, but in the end decided to stay home. Monday was the start of week 3 treatments and Tom had a rough night. Tom was having a difficult time chewing his food small enough to swallow it. Later that evening he was chilled, achy, and feeling down right cruddy. He was seriously talking about starting the liquid diet. So we are onto another path in Tom's treatment process, ready or not. It's hard to helplessly watch your loved one get weaker and sicker each day, knowing that things will get worse before they will get better and that he will not turn that corner in a day, week, or even month from now. The kids are quickly learning that dad is still not feeling all that well. Kyle is quick to give him lots of hugs! Please continue to pray for Tom's health, strength, positive attitude, and that these treatments will kill all carcinoma cells.

Treatments

Tom has a new job! Not really, I just keep telling him that this is his job for right now. It is going to Spectrum and having his radiation treatment . This has become about a two hour process. He is feeling down because the shots make him feel like he has the flu, minus the nausea (because of the prescription). He talked with Dr. Buth on Monday about his symptoms after the radiation and how in the evenings, everything seems to tighten up. These symptoms mostly likely will continue until the treatments are complete. I understand that by week three he may be on a liquid diet. He received a nutrien diet booklet from the Radiation Oncology dietitian and she will be talking with him about his condition every Thursday. I am glad that he has so many people monitoring him. Tom and I are so grateful that we have so many people supporting us. I don't know how we would be doing this without others lending a helping hand. Some days things just seem "tense" around the house and I'm sure the kids can feel it. Thank you all for your generous ways as they help us to focus on the necessary things. Please continue to pray for Tom's strength, health, and energy.

Trick or Treat

A belated Happy Halloween to everyone. I was going to write for the last two nights, but life is still hectic here around the Andrews household. It's amazing to me that since Tom has returned from the hospital, I've had to hit the ground running. In fact, with Tom being out of commission, I find myself running like I did when he worked 2nd shift. I realize how much I take things for granted.

Tom had his first true radiation treatment on Halloween. He was given the choice for the shots and he decided he truly wanted to swallow easily with saliva for the rest of his life. So, this means that he was at the Dr's office to get his two shots (each day) 30 minutes before his treatment began. His first shots were given one in each arm. Today he will get two shots in the stomach (brings back the days at U of M, not pleasant memories), and then the next day one in each leg. Then the shots start back in his arms again. It also means that he needs to take another prescription to fight the nausea that these shots create. Tom is radiated from both the front and the back.

This is a difficult step for Tom to take and he is not looking forward to the next 6-7 weeks. I have asked Tom how many total treatments he will receive because the Dr. was undecided between 30 to 35. Tom still is not sure how many he will need in total. At this point Tom needs to be at the hospital at 12:00 and treatments start at 1:00. This schedule may change as they have a child case coming soon that they will need to work around. I know that this is a necessary step in Tom's treatment but it must be hard when you feel your body is going backward. For my prayer warriors: continue to pray for Tom's energy levels, positive attitude, and healing of his sore throat. I have been reading Job thanks to a sermon by our pastor and what has been sticking with me these days is the first chapter where everything was taken from him. In verse 21 Job says, "I came naked from my mother's womb, and I shall have nothing when I die. The Lord gave me everything I had, and they were his to take away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." Amen