Chemotherapy finished!

Woo-hoo!! Finished chemo Monday evening! Great feeling knowing that nasty stuff is in the past (for now anyway).

Right now Jim is dealing with peeling feet, dry and cracked hands, food not tasting good. Looking forward to that all clearing up in the next week, hopefully.

We are still on track to leave for Tampa October 9 with a PET scan, labs and Dr appointments on the 11th and 13th.

Prayer request:
Continued healing
Good test results
God will take away any anxious/negative thoughts
Safe travels
That we can be a positive light to all we come in contact with
That God will be glorified in all we say and do

We are so thankful Jim has come through chemo as well as he did with his blood counts staying good, no infections, and  the side effects that he did have not lasting very long.
Thank you all for your faithfulness in praying, concern and support for us! We are truly humbled and blessed beyond words! May God richly bless each one!

The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.
Psalm 29:11

Another up and down week

Last Sunday we made plans to go to Dad and Mom H. For Dads birthday. Jim decided he felt good enough to go, after visiting with the family and eating he couldn't stay awake any longer.

On Monday he wasn't able to go to work ...was sick and slept most of the day. In the evening he started running a low grade fever but after taking alieve the fever left and he felt better.

The rest of the week went pretty good, was able to work, just felt weak. Jim ran a fever again on Wednesday evening, this time didn't take anything for it and it went away on its own.

Today (Friday) he was sick this morning then went to work at 9:30, came home at noon,  took a 2 1/2 hour nap, ate some soup then back to work. When he came home at 5:30 I told him he looked like he was sleep walking. I'm so thankful it's finally the weekend!

His appetite isn't very good right now. He eats but I think it's because he knows he needs to. The feet are pretty much back to normal, now it's the fingers.

We are hoping when he's done with the oral meds on Tuesday these side effects will disappear! It will be nice to have him feeling normal again.

Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

We are trusting God for the unknown, to hold us up and go before us paving the way. May God continue the healing process.

A rocky week

It's been kind of an up and down week. Jim's feet have hurt pretty much all week...so far no blisters or sores. He stayed home from work yesterday (Wednesday) with being sick on his stomach and then slept quite a bit in the morning. Until afternoon he felt better, just weak.
As he left for work this morning he said he didn't feel the best but ended up getting through the day OK, although he wasn't walking very good when he came in the door.
After supper tonight he sat down in the chair. I asked him if he'd like to put the footrest up as he was dozing off. No, he would be getting up soon...1 1/2 hours later he's still in the same position. I know by now how it goes once he falls asleep...he will be there awhile:)
I'm thankful he was able to go to work today and not be sick on his stomach.

Good report

Last Tuesday was Jim's 3rd (last) cycle of chemo infusion. He will be on the oral chemo for two more weeks.

As I said in the last post his feet had started to hurt... That's still the case.
Dr Khan said today it's a side effect of the oral meds.  Although Alieve has given some relief we are hoping it doesn't last another few weeks with needing to be taking the pills that are causing it. It makes me hurt to watch him walk!

His blood counts all looked good today and has gained 1 pound since August 23.

Lord willing we will be flying to Tampa on October 9 for appointments on the 11&13 for a PET scan. If doctors are satisfied with the results they will schedule surgery.

We are so thankful that the bloodwork has stayed good throughout treatments and the side effects have been minimal!

Please continue to pray for good health and healing, preparation to be away from home for an unknown amount of time, safe travels, that the chemo is doing it's job.

Love and blessings to all!

A remarkably good week

We can hardly believe how well this week went compared to after the first two infusions! The Dr told us in the beginning that till the third infusion came Jim probably wouldn't be able to work because of the chemo making him sick and weak. So we have been pleasantly surprised!

Jim felt a little tired/weak but was able to go to work everyday except Tuesday of the infusion. By the end of the week his feet have started to hurt. Hopefully that won't last long. His appetite has been normal, no nausea at all.

We have been blessed this week to have Jesse come for a few days (we miss you Lindsey, Madison, Macey and Melanie!!). He's helped with some outside work and just hanging out with mom and dad. This morning Jim and Jesse took off for an auction in nappanee. Hmm wonder if they've found any treasures they can't do without.:)

Tuesday Jim will have labs drawn and see the Dr.

Thank you all again for your faithfulness in praying! God is good and blessing us in many ways!

"Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me."  Psalm 50:15

Cycle 3

Arrived at the hospital at 8am walked out at 12:30. The counts were good enough to get the chemo...so thankful to stay on schedule!

Jim took an antinausea pill at noon as a preventative and was able to eat lunch and supper with no problems.  He took a nap but did not sleep at all like the first two infusions. I could hardly believe it!! He was off to bed for the night at 9.

This morning he went out for a walk, had breakfast and was off to work. Amazing!! We'll see how it goes...

I know so many if you are praying for minimal side effects. Thank you thank you!! God bless you!

Tuesday he will have labs drawn and will see the oncologist.

"With God All things are possible" Matt. 19:26. It doesn't matter how big or small (in our eyes) He's got this!!
Our lives are in His hands and we are trusting him.

A rather "normal" week

The couple weeks after cycle two Jim dealt with some side affects, feeling nauseous, food not tasting right and lack of appetite. This past week he finally felt pretty "normal" . Some blisters showed up on his toes but after applying some prescription lotion they are getting better. He has worked all but 2 days since the last cycle. We are thankful!

Shawn, Monica, Emeline and Sylvie made our hearts happy by coming to visit Sunday afternoon and Monday. We went to Silver Beach Monday beating the crowd and heat by going early, left by 1:30... It was getting hot and very crowded by that time. We all enjoyed the sand , cold water and the carousel. Well I should say the girls didn't mind the cold water, the rest of us pretty much went in to our ankles.:)

We are now waiting on labs to make sure he can get cycle 3 of chemo infusion today.