Carl starts inpatient chemotherapy tomorrow, Monday, Jan 18th, 2010 for five days. (That means he stays overnight at the hospital.) Pray for him. I'm praying for eradication of the bad cells and decades of living...
To catch up (quickly) since the last blog update, Carl has completed 5 chemotherapy sessions which ended Jan 1, 2010. Carl has had 10 radiation treatments to the neck, which ended Jan 7th, 2010. Carl even went to work on Monday through Friday on Jan 4 to Jan 8th, in between Doctor appointments. He likes his job, and focusing on work keeps his mind off worrying about bad cells. He was tired, of course, but who isn't?
The week of January 11, 2009 to January 15, 2009 was surreal. Carl looked and felt healthy (full head of hair!), and we didn't have any Doctor appointments or treatments. He went to work basically full time. He was probably better rested then he has been in years, and he was exercising on a stationary bike which made him feel very good. (Can you get a runners high on a bicycle? Do you get runner's high faster when you have had chemotherapy recently?) Carl and I both thought that it seemed hard to believe he 'had cancer'.
A variety of individuals helped drive Carl to and from work, because although he could drive, we felt it would be better for his energy level and neck (and lane changes in the car) if he didn't drive when he didn't have to. The snowstorm on one of the first days that Carl was planning on driving in by himself was probably God's way of saying - Hey, don't overdo it! We ate great due to a variety of wonderful meals friends delivered. On Thursday, I finally got a family photo that had been a goal of mine.
Saturday came, and Monday is looming. Carl's hair started falling out slowly on Tuesday, and significantly by Friday. On Saturday I helped Carl cut it off and then shave the rest. We had a great evening with some of our oldest friends. The children and I are getting used to Carl's new look. I have not seen Carl with short hair in 25+ years. (Pictures will follow...)
But the impact of Carl with no hair reminds us frequently of cancer and treatments starting on Monday. Sunday involved church and some preparation for tomorrow, and now it is time to get a good nights sleep.
Keep us in your prayers. We pray for our friends and relatives when we pray for Carl, which is often.
