Vacation, Fathers Day, and Chemo

Carl's outpatient chemotherapy on May 24 and June 1, 2010 left him feeling the worst he felt post chemo. His leg was in such sad shape that the chemotherapy scheduled for June 14, 2010 and June 21, 2010 was canceled - his leg needs time to heal. He couldn't bend his knee or exercise. Fortunately, as June progressed, Carl leg improved, and he get lots of rest. Carl went to work the week of June 14, and on Thursday, June 17, he went to Church for the first time in a while. Miranda's VBS (Vacation Bible School) sang at the service.



Friday, June 18, 2010, Carl's hair was falling out so fast that he asked me to quickly shave it before work. It was about an inch long, and now it is gone again. However, because the chemotherapy was canceled, we were able to visit a friend up North at her house on a lake near Crivitz - a mini vacation.


Saturday and Sunday, June 19-20, 2010, We were up North! It was beautiful and very restive. Carl slept a lot. Carl had a nice Father's Day.

Sunday night we had a father's day party with friends. Here is the whole family on Father's day.


Wednesday, June 23, 2010, Carl was finally able to bend his leg enough to exercise on a stationary bike at the YMCA. (We recently got a membership).

Thursday, June 24, 2010, Carl met with the Dr.; his leg had healed enough and he got a dose of Chemotherapy. The main drugs Carl got were Gemzar (also known as Gemcitabine) - and Taxotere, (generic name - Docetaxel). He last got this drug combination on June 1, and felt very unwell after it. We are hoping this time his reaction will be more tolerable. The oncologist reduced the dosage of Taxotere.


Friday, June 25, 2010 Carl went to work and got his Neulasta shot around 6:00 PM. This is the shortest time we have had to wait for the Newlasta shot, I guess we should bring all four children more often.

(Carl is hamming it up for the photo below - I promise... The nurse was wonderful.

Saturday, June 26, 2010: This was the Day that Mequon has their 4th of July celebration - (The Fun before the Forth, they call it.) Carl felt OK for the parade and park visit, and went to sleep early while I went to the fireworks with two of the children.


Sunday, June 27, 2010: Carl got up after a lot of sleep and made it to church - It's very peaceful and easier to do when the four children are sleeping in. Then Carl came home and took a nice long nap, woke up for several hours around dinner time, and felt well enough to eat. His leg feels much better, (he can bend it!). The current chmoetherapy makes him feel light headed and tired, but so far he is doing better then last time, (knock on wood). Tomorrow should be the worst day, if past trends are any indication.