Monday, February 4, 2013

Day 20!

Good evening!  The girls and I spent the weekend in Denver again.  It has become somewhat of a routine for us over the past few weeks.  It seems like every weekend goes faster and faster. 

Bri has been experiencing more nausea during the past week.  This is to be expected given the amount of chemotherapy she is going through.  The good news is that the nausea medication has been able to control it.  Also, during the past week, Bri has been experiencing some symptoms of "Chemo Brain."  This is something that happens during chemotherapy and can impact the ability to focus, memory, and it makes for some interesting conversation, at times!  Bri takes all of this in stride and is very positive about it, at times even making jokes about it.  The one instance that really impacted her was forgetting a conversation with her "bestie," Katie Jackson, about the gender of the Jackson's unborn child.  It really made her feel bad.  Her nurses told her she has the right to blame anything on the chemo.  These side effects have been rather mild, considering the possiblity of how severe they could be and we praise God for this!

Bri has also been able to maintain her appetite.  Her grandmother made some taco soup, beef barley soup and mac and cheese with hotdogs to take to her.  She loved it so much, she had two dinners on Saturday night!  The food had all the nurses asking where it came from because it looked and smelled so good.  She has also taken a liking to Chipotle burrito bowls, minus the veggies and salsa due to the possibilty of acquiring bacteria.  Rice, pinto beans, chicken, cheese and sour cream.  I believe she had this dish four times in a seven day span!

Bri continues to receive love packages and cards from her friends, family and friends of the family.  Thank you all for the encouraging words and display of love.  It really brightens Bri's mood.  Bri said that she has been a stay at home mother for so long that she didn't realize how many people care for her.  She thought she kind of slipped into anonymity.  She said, "it is nice to know that I matter to so many people, other than just you and the girls." I explained that she does matter and God will use this experience for an even bigger impact on people.  The stage is set for a powerful testimony!

On Saturday, Tammy, Gloria and Brooke planned a surprise birthday party for me so Bri could enjoy the celebration with the family.  Details are in Tammy's earlier blog.  Very thankful! :)

Bri and I watched a couple movies during the evening and she was cleared to go for a walk outside!  This was the first time Bri has been able to go outside since being admitted on January 5th!  She said that we take for granted the ability to wake up and go outdoors because it is so routine.  What a perspective. 

The more difficult part of last week was the doctor telling Bri that she would remain in the hospital through day 29 for her bone marrow biopsy, and then await the results, which can take two days.  One of the doctors thought she might be able to leave sooner, but there seemed to be some miscommunication around these dates.  Nonetheless, this would put her home around the 15th of February.  The disease has to be in remission for this to happen, otherwise more treatment will be needed.  Early on, the doctor explained to us that the initial tests indicate that she should be in remission and not require bone marrow transplants.  We are going to put this in God's hands and trust that He will send her home on the 15th!  Every step of the way, God has shown us His presence and we know He will continue to do so. 

Sunday morning, I decided to try and organize Bri's collection of items in her room.  She has limited space and no closet space, so we placed snacks in one spot, books in another, etc. to try and make it easier for her to find what she is looking for.  The 15th cannot come fast enough!  Anzley, our two-year old, keeps telling us she wants mommy to come home and "daddy go work."  It brings a smile to our faces and it reminds Bri that she is truly missed.  Everyone knows she works harder than I do anyway, so I am happy for her to resume her duties once she is ready! :)  I will say I have mastered the pony-tail!  I think Bri is impressed. 

I may have shared this before, but I will share it again because it is what I feel God has placed on my heart and it has been a source of comfort for Bri and I.  Mightier is He that takes it away, than he who put it there.  "It" being the leukemia.  Thanks for reading and God Bless you all. 

Psalms 34:1-7

1I WILL bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear ofit and be glad.
3Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
4I sought the Lord, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
5They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
6This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
7The angel of the Lordencamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
8Oh, taste and see that the Lordis good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!



3 comments:

  1. A beautiful post Ted. I'm praying for remission and for Bri to be home on the 15th! Much Love to all from Atlanta!

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  2. And may God bless all of you by bringing Bri home on the 15th!

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  3. That was a good read and an awesome update. We're in agreement that Bri will be healed and home on the 15th. We love the Psalm you picked, it brought the tears out. -Mike and Kimmy Guzman

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