Please Pray for Tim

Tim was selected to do the tradtional chemo treatment in the study, so this afternoon he has outpatient surgery scheduled to have the port put in place. He'll go in on Monday's to have a pump with chemo in it attached to the port, where he'll have the chemo going into his system at home from Monday-Friday, then Friday's he has the pump taken out for the weekend. He'll do this for 6 weeks. This morning he is at a chemo class to learn about all that is involved with chemo and what to expect.

This morning he is also having what they call a trial run of radiation, to be sure everything is set up just the right way, and tomorrow he starts radiation. This will go from Monday's - Friday's for 5 1/2 - 6 weeks.

He has been in great spirits so far. I know he will have a lot of ups and downs as he goes through the treatment process, but we are going to do our best to help ensure he stays positive through this.

Staying positive is the key here.......Keep Tim and the rest of the family upbeat and positive. Make sure he eats well, if he can, if not, try Ensure nutriant drinks. Keep stress to a minimal and most of all, love and support him!

Thanks for the update Pam. I'll be praying for all of you during this challenging time. Let me know if I can do anything. I remember how difficult it can be to watch someone you love deal with this, so please, really, lean on us if you need to.

Rhonda wrote:

Staying positive is the key here.......Keep Tim and the rest of the family upbeat and positive. Make sure he eats well, if he can, if not, try Ensure nutriant drinks. Keep stress to a minimal and most of all, love and support him!

:yeahthat: Michael J. Fox wrote a book about optimism and staying positive.
We are here with you Pam as Tim goes through treatment.
:rainbowfaces:

I appreciate all of you so much! You've become like my support group. He is actually going to start chemo tomorrow as well. Just tomorrow and Friday, then Monday will start his first 5 day week of chemo. I have to admit, I am kind of afraid of the unknown, as far as how this is all going to affect him, but I am going to make sure he sees me in good spirits no matter what.

Thanks for the idea of the Ensure, Rhonda. I had not thought about that. The hospital also gave us some recipes for smoothies that we can try to supplement his meals. I know it's especially important that he receives his nutrients during this time.

Ugh! I feel like we are about to get on a ride that I want to get off of! I can't imagine what he is going through right now. But, I know we have to go through this to get to a better place.

Pam That is Just how i felt that we were gonna go for a RollerCoaster Ride When my Brother Got Diganose with Blood Cancer Just Hang in there and Keep thinking Postive I'll Be Praying

Pam,
Tim will be in my prayers. Let us know how he is doing today following his first chemo treatment.

Oh Pam When is your Husband getting the line put in for the Chemo? They were't sure where the were gonna put my brothers till the day it happen. I'l Keep you whole Family in Prayers

Thank you, Teresa, he is there now and I'm hoping it's going okay. I wasn't able to go with him because I had my student teaching today, but I'll update as soon as I can.

He got the line put in yesterday afternoon, Jacob. It's a port that's in place under the skin of the left side of his chest. Is that something like your brother has?

Yes Pam i think my brother has the same thing

Tim said everything went fine today. He was in and out of radiation, and setting up the chemo pump went well.

Bless his heart, I was all stressed out today because I got a letter in the mail from the college saying that I would not be elibile to graduate because I was short one elective credit. Tim still wasn't home yet when I got the letter and I called the college wondering what the problem was because I had an audit of my credits done earlier in the semester and everything was fine. So, I called the college rather frantic, and the woman I spoke to said she would look into it and call me back. In the meantime, I had to pick up Kelsey from school and I just left the letter out on the table to deal with when I came back. When I came back from picking up Kelsey, Tim was standing at the sink washing dishes. Later, he said he had seen the letter and knew I must be stressed out so he wanted to take what stress he could from me and he decided to do the dishes. Here he is worrying about me when he is going through chemo and radiation treatment! I think I married a keeper. Anyway, the college called back and all is worked out, much to my relief. Now I can resume taking care of my husband again!!

Oh wow, Pam! What a sweet, thoughtful thing for him to do! *sniff*

And I'm SO glad that everything is straightened out for you to go ahead and graduate!

You definitely married a keeper, Pam! It sounds like both you and Tim are handling this with a great attitude, which can't be easy when you are fearing the unknown. I am sorry to hear about the one short elective too...that just stinks. So great that Tim was really in-tuned to your feelings there, when he has his own plate-load right now. What a guy!

I'm sure next week will be tough...just know we're all praying for both of you and we'll be here if you need to vent. I know you need to 'be strong' and in good spirits around Tim, but hopefully you can come here and feel like you can let that 'guard' down, you know? We don't need to see 'tough Pam' at all times...if you need to cry on our shoulder, or 'scream' or whatever, you can. We'll understand.

((((HUGS))))

Thank you, Amy and Savannah.

Thankfully, the college worked everything out so I can graduate on time. That was the straw that broke the camel's back. I was a basketcase yesterday, so I was extremely relieved when it was all worked out.

Tim is doing fine so far today, he says he just feels a little tired. He'll have the weekend off from treatment, and then he starts back on Monday. Tomorrow we'll celebrate my dad's birthday, so that will be a nice change of pace. Something good for a change. My dad told us we don't have to worry about celebrating this year with everything that's been going on, but I told him, no way, we need something good for a change.

That's wonderful that the college has worked things out for you...that would have been terrible to hold you back because of one credit. Good for you Pam!

This has to be hard for your dad, his first birthday celebrated without your mom. I am glad you're all being adamant about celebrating it---he needs to know that 'traditions' aren't going to change and that he still has a whole family that loves him and cares about him. Happy Birthday to your dad!

I'm glad to hear that Tim is doing fine and that the college worked out the credit problem.

Pam, how has Tim been doing?

For the most part, he is doing really well, Teresa. He has some nausea, but nothing substantial. The medicine seems to help when he does feel nauseous. Of course, some days are better than others, but most days he does very well. It's been 2 1/2 weeks so far. He has been in such great spirits too. Yesterday we had a little get-together at our house to celebrate a combination of things (Kelsey first communion -which she made on Mother's Day- Kelsey's dance recital -which was yesterday- and my graduation). Tim's parents came in town, and we had some of his siblings, and my dad and brother over. Tim really enjoyed having everyone over.

Thanks for asking. Just 3 1/2 more weeks to go on this part of the treatment, before surgery. He'll have a month or so off to recover before surgery.

Absolutely.

Still thinking of you and praying for a full recovery.

Thanks for continuing to keep Tim in your prayers. They decided that this is going to be his last week of chemo for now. It may be determined that he'll need more chemo at a later date, depending on what happens after surgery. This is also is last regular week of radiation. He is going to go for 3 additional radiation treatments next week that will target a more specific area, and then he will be completely done with radiation. He has his ups and downs. Some days he feels pretty good, and other days, not so much. He's lost quite a bit of weight, but hopefully he'll be able to put some more back on once he starts recovering. He needs to wear a belt these days or his pants end up around his ankles!! Thankfully, the first time that happened, he was at home.

I'll Keep Praying for Tim.