October 31, 2011

Yesterday was a good day remained home and everything was very quiet had one visitor could always use more. Saturday had several and it helps pass the time and I always feel better when someone comes by. Just finished all my antibiotics and I sure hope the infection is gone. That will resolve a number of issues I have had since I started chemo. I don’t know what my white blood cell count is like but I hope and pray that it is coming up and the infection is gone.

I am still amazed at everything Jan gets done even when she is taking care of me. I love her and appreciate the fact that she never complains about my situation. She is so uplifting and makes this process bearable.

October 28, 2011

This infection business is not something a cancer patient is very patient about. Just to think of a one week delay in treatment when treatment seems like an eternity can be frustrating. However I know this is for the best and as such I need to accept it Wednesday will be here before I know it and Jan can come home to a home untouched by husband hands. Jan is doing a superb job of taking care of me. I miss taking her shopping and picking out things for her. It is amazing how much the simple little things are missed. Each day Jan gets released for work released while I am confined to the home and each day I look forward to her work release being over so we can spend some good time together. I like having visitors at the jail here sure makes the time go faster.

October 27, 2011

Things don’t always turn out like you plan. I was rejected at the hospital yesterday after my labs were done. I still have an infection and the chemo and antibiotics don’t work well together so I was sent home. This will delay the process for another week. I have mixed emotions about it but I need to follow doctors’ orders. I am trying to have a good attitude about this sure am getting tired of being home bound.

The two best parts of being home are first when Jan walks through the door and I have my wife to talk to. Second when we get visitors this always lifts my spirit. I am so thankful for good friends or people who have the duty to come and see it and make us feel so much better.

October 25, 2011

Still fighting the infection with two IV drip lines daily and three tablets sure which I could get on top of this. Well I made it almost a week without any blood and tomorrow I will start my next eight days of chemo this will be over 800 hours completed with this eight days is over. I don’t look forward to it because of the way it makes me feel and I get weaker each time. Then on the hand I look forward to it because it will be get me closer to the end I will have 42% of my treatments done after this next eight days.

October 24, 2011

Well I have one more day home after today and then it is back to the hospital for eight days of chemo. Yesterday was a very pleasant day my youngest son Brian and his wife Amber came to see us and they brought the twins Austin and Brighton a boy and a girl they are so fun to watch and see how they grow and interact with each other and us also. I sure am feeling my age now and then with the chemo I sure don’t have any energy. I don’t know if is the medication I am taking also. Sure would be nice to be able to do a few things. Just writing this blog has taking me an hour.  I am so thankful for all the blessings I have in my life.

October 23, 2011

Another day free from the hospital and I am so thankful I hope I can make it until I start my next round of eight days of chemo. I have a new companion now constant nausea and the food I used to like has not appeal. Yesterday was another good day we had visitors and a good friend who came over and took care of our yard. I love having visitors they lift me and give me so much hope. Well I am exhausted and need to get some rest so I am signing off for today.

October 22, 2010

Yesterday was a better day I was weak but able to focus. Today I feel a little better and will send out a few e-mails and answer questions I have received. I am so thankful for the visitors who have come and spent time with both Jan and I the past few days. This has been great and I get so much from these visits everyone is welcome in our home. That will change in the next few months as cold weather comes upon us I have been told I will need to avoid children under the age of 14. This is very difficult I have enjoyed the babies that have been here along with the little toddlers. The Fall colors looks to beautiful and the community garden across the street is about history. I am looking forward to next Spring it is one of my most enjoyable times of year. Well it is time I should start on the e-mails.

October 20, 2011

At last after five days of being in the hospital with blood and infection issues I get to come home for five days. Then I go back and start eight days of chemo. Not something I look forward to but each one brings me closer to the day I can be well again. I was allowed to come home only if I would allow home health care to come in each day and administer antibiotics through an IV that is not big deal I jumped at the chance. It was a hard five days and yesterday they told me I could not come home today but we worked out a deal. Also I love being around Jan.

October 15, 2011

Yesterday was another lazy day for me not doing much but feeling okay. Had some great visits and one I truly enjoyed a relative came with their children who are so darling what a great lift that was. Their children just lifted my spirits along with Mom and Dad. There is nothing like young children in your life what joy they do bring. Jan came home and worked so hard doing yard work I am just amazed at her. I am so blessed to have her as my wife, what did I ever do to find such a wonderful woman. Again, I am so thankful for the visits and the lift I get from them. I keep thinking eight more treatments and I am done with chemo.

October 14, 2011

Yesterday was quite the day I knew I was not feeling good and did not know what was wrong I was very weak had to go to Huntsman Cancer Hospital for labs. Well they found it my blood was low in a number of areas and I needed two units of blood. As the day ended I got home at 5:30 P.M. now I am up at 2:30 feeling weak and wondering what today will bring. With all this treatment you just never truly know how you are doing? I know I will need to get some fluids in my system. At least the hours that started being days have now translated into weeks and months so we are seeing some very slow progress. I have constant companions, nausea, diarrhea, pain, sleepless nights, fear, anxiety and weakness. Yet this will all but be a moment in time and the effort I am putting in along with my dear wife and friends will pay off. My goal is to be cancer free like Herman Cain.  

October 13, 2011

Yesterday was a difficult day did not have an appetite and felt sick to my stomach. Sometimes this takes such a different course than I think I am going the recovery has been harder this time. Not only can I tell I am weaker but when I stand I get so dizzy. One thing I am starting to know is that this is going to be the longest year of my life just getting through this and I am determined I need to make it.

I am so thankful for having such a good wife Jan provides me all the support and love anyone could ever ask for. Jan has an outstanding attitude and I could not ask for more she shows strength I never knew she had. How she does all that she does is beyond me. She says she is on auto pilot; however I know her too well and know this is taking a toll on her also. How blessed I am to have the great wife I do.  

October 12, 2011

Yesterday was a great day had visitors and I gee that helps out so much when you are a home bound person. I love having visitors they lift you and the energy that comes is amazing. I truly don’t believe I would have made it this far. After my second treatment I was very ill and did not have the energy to take care of myself, ended up in the emergency room and truly believe that would have been the end if it had not been for all the prayers and caregivers I had that week.

I cannot say enough about all the good people who check on me either by phone or just stopping by to say hello. I have learned so much about visitors both family and friends and just stopping by means so much to me. I love you all and the great support you are to both Jan and I. Our burdens are so much lighter and our life has so much value at this time we are truly blessed. When I am better I have a testimony of service that I don’t think I can match but will do my best to fill.

October 11, 2011

I came home yesterday sick and not doing too well but Jan took care of me and I am doing better today able to keep food down. I feel better but very tired and I am thankful to be home.  The good news story is that I won’t need to go through 18 treatments as initially thought. I have a total of 12 treatments and I am so thankful for this the treatments have been destroying the cancer and this is the good news. This was an early Christmas gift to say the least. I thank you all for your prayers and kindness.

October 5, 2011

Here I am again sleepless night thinking about the next chemo treatment. So tired yet my mind cannot get away from this next treatment. They are so hard and I would like to run away. But running away would only make things worse and would not solve the problem, something I know and fully understand. I am so thankful that this will only be six days the two days does make a difference. Also I love being home with Jan and the love and support she gives me. The hospital time is a lonely time and it plays with your mind. The staff does the best to make you comfortable and I am so thankful to nurses who have a sense of humor and know how to tease and take it back. The laughs that come from this truly help.

I don’t want to forget to mention how tired I was yesterday and then how blessed I was at the same time. I used to be the one to clean the home and how blessed we were to have two great couples leading the charge in coming to our home to clean it. I was amazed at how dirty it was before and how nice and fresh the house was after they had cleaned it and brought dinner over. Jan had Parent and Teachers Conference last night and again tonight so she does not get home until late. The first thing she mention as she walked into the house was how nice it smells in the house and how everything was so shinning. Duh I guess Dale sure knows how to make a mess while she is gone.

Again, I want to thank everyone for their love and support and the visitors I had yesterday. They give me the support and strength to move forward and hope when this becomes such an overwhelming task I admire all who have gone through it and can support and understand those who chose not to do it. My many thanks to all you good people who support both Jan and I and my two children Lisa and Brian.  

October 3, 2011

I am having a hard time sleeping but felt I should take this opportunity to blog. Yesterday was another great day I felt better and had some energy. One of the best parts of the day was having visitors. Both Jan my wife and I noticed how much this lifts the spirits of the home. The best part of the visits was the laughs and the kind and loving feeling it brings into our home. We get so much strength from our good friends, family members, work family members and neighbors. I cannot say how much strength this gives us in so many different ways. Emotionally, physically, mentally, socially and the spiritual lift also. I want to thank you for the energy and hope that comes each time we see one of you. We love you and could not do this without out all of you. This is a harder journey than I ever thought it would be. I love you all and appreciate you so much. I have learned so much about forgiveness with this disease and please forgive me if I have offended any of you. Thank you so much for being my friend.

October 1, 2011

Just got home from the hospital enter through emergency and I am home. Seem to be getting weaker again sure don’t want to go back to the hospital again. Needed two pints of blood and was very ill when I get there Thursday night. This sure is getting old just wish I could gain some strength and be able to do a few things on my own. I am so thankful to Jan and all she does for me. Not much to say other than I am doing my best to just stay out of the hospital and not be too much of a burden. Being a burden that is a laugh but without all the support I don’t think I would have made it this far. Something I sure cannot do on my own.