So much has happened where to start....
Cody's football team ended their regulation games and then made it to the 2nd round of the playoffs for the District champions. It was a great football season and these boys will look back one day and be proud of their accomplishments. On the last game the two schools had a fund raiser for 4 organizations. Tom was chosen as one of the people honored. The school made a banner (Touchdowns for Tom) and there was a moment of silence and a balloon launch. It was a very touching moment. Cody is now onto Wrestling and Katie will have her first swim competition tomorrow... let the sports fun continue!
About a month ago Tom was taken off the chemo drug for two weeks because of his weight loss & nausea. The first weekend he fainted in the middle of the night. I woke to the sound of him hitting our bedroom floor. I ran over to him and got him to the end of the bed. It took about 15 minutes for him to remember what happened. I tried to get him to go to the ER or for me to call an ambulance, but he kept refusing. It was very scary & I wondered for a while if I was doing the right thing by listening to him. We have always made the medical decisions together, so for now I still trusted his decisions. On Monday Tom talked with the U of M nurse who told him to stop taking the drug for another week. Tom has since gained 5 pounds and is now eating 2 meals a day. His meals are not a normal healthy portion, but it's definitely an improvement. Tom will remain off the chemo until Thanksgiving.
Today Tom went to the U of M to have his scans. He drove and his mother accompanied him. These scans have always made him sick. Today he was stating that he had stabbing pains and that it was hard to drive. His mother is a cancer survivor and can relate a lot to Tom's pains and symptoms. She was very worried about him & told me how helpless she felt on the ride home. Tom and I will go back next Wednesday to get the results.
During this month of Thanksgiving and through all of the of our complicated trials I try to keep my mind on all the things that I am thankful for. We both so appreciate the cards & gifts of generosity that have been give to us. I don't know what I would do without so many shoulders to lean on. Our church & Mr. E have so cleverly and kindly supported us. So many people took Tom for his radiation treatments last month that it blew me away. Thank you Dad VD, Mom A, Dale, Chris, & Tod for taking the day and driving across the state. Last week I went to a cancer support group with Tom's sister. As I told my story it was impressed upon my heart that I already have so much support. Although I also appreciated talking with other Caregivers. Through these years I am realizing how lucky our family really is. We have the opportunity to grasp how precious life is & how wonderful people are. What I am trying to say is that I am Thankful for you!
