Monday, May 5, 2008

Who cares about....

So, I have been wondering, how many of you come around here day after day or at least on occasion and all you really want to know is how Brian is doing but all you hear about is my mindless drivel? WOW! All those hands. Okay, Okay. Here you go.

Brian received his second round of chemo last Monday. His very good friend since college and best man, John, husband to my good friend, Heather, came into town and took Brian to chemo, played cards with him and took him to lunch after. They enjoyed spending some time together in a place where you can't go anywhere anyway. Brian's white blood cell counts dropped out of the normal range, so we have to watch for sickness since he is immuno-compromised. Unfortunately, about a day after that discovery, I came down with a nice spring cold that has lasted for 6 days. I never get sick for that long. Regardless, Brian and I are currently not kissing. Make your own jokes about that.

Brian tolerates the chemo drugs OKAY. Not great, not terrible. He has a rather icky feeling in his stomach for the first two days after, but eats fine enough. He struggles with chronic fatigue. He is simply run down often. He starts to feel better about 6 days after the drugs are administered. He started to lose his hair this weekend and is considering shaving it off to save me from the mess. I told him it was up to him. The washing machine takes care of the sheets and the vacuum works in the rest of the house. The issue with the shaving of the head is the nice horseshoe shaped scar decorating the left side of his head. He is a bit self-conscious about it, but even more so than that, it is a matter of sparing people from looking at it. People gawk and they just can't help it. I don't blame them for it. I don't think Brian does either. So, once the hair is completely gone, he will have to wear hankies and hats on his head. At work sometimes that causes people to stare just as much, so it is not an easy decision either way.

We have a very busy next 5 weeks ahead of us. I will write more on that later. We could use prayers for Brian to have lots of strength and energy. While Brian never complains or pities himself, sometimes the disadvantages of his right side deficits are very taxing, especially this time of the year. He never says so, but I know he is frustrated he cannot play catch with his boys especially as they start tee-ball this week. He can't run with them or take them on bike rides. Bike rides were always something Daddy and the boys shared. I hope to keep the memory of those alive, but not being able to continue them is disheartening. Brian just chooses not to voice that. That is what makes him so amazing, dignified and heroic. He doesn't spend his time pining about his condition. He just makes the best of what he has right now.

Shouldn't we all?

KEEP BELIEVING

24 comments:

  1. I resemble dem remarks. :-) Just joking... I read all of your inputs to the blog world.

    I appreciate all updates on your family. It's the next best thing to living in good ole Peoria, IL with you guys.

    Let us know if you are making the trek down to the Carolinas this summer.

    HUD

    ReplyDelete
  2. In response to your last question...

    YES, Yes we should!

    And sadly sometimes it takes being knocked around a bit to realize that.

    We are praying.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Angie,
    Hope all is well over there in Peoria. I often do wonder about how Brian is feeling and I regularly run down your list of prayer requests and pray for you guys. Yes... I especially feel like I need to remind myself lately that I need to appreciate life more and stop with my complaining. Thanks for the reminder :-)

    ~Amanda

    ReplyDelete
  4. For you info- I read all of your posts! I just don't always comment- because I've learned that I stink at leaving them sometimes. haha.

    Thanks for the update on Brian, though. I will know how to better pray for him! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousMay 05, 2008

    I honestly get nervous when you go a couple of days without posting. So you better not!! :)

    And I can't agree more with you..it is so easy to forget about the little things and living in the now..

    It is wonderful that friends are helping you and Brian out.. It must help you out mentally too no?

    Still sending prayers your way!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousMay 05, 2008

    Angie,
    I am so excited that you and the boys are going on vacation with us! I can't wait to have some fun in the sun, sand, and ocean with you! I wish Brian could go too, but it I am sure that a little time in a quiet house will do him wonders also! See you guys later!

    Love you!
    Jenny

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousMay 05, 2008

    Angie, You've become part of my circle of blog friends that I read about regularly. I realize that your blog started as a result of Brian's condition, but it's really about you and life and family. So don't feel guilty when you don't write about Brian... we like to hear how you're doing too!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I keep coming back for ALL of you..your stories of Brian ground me and put me in a thoughtful prayerful mode.. and that other stuff makes me laugh and realize you are such a dork... one of these days when you come to stl we'll have to get chocolate martinis!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I like your updates on Brian and everything else you post. You are a great writer and I enjoy it all!

    Will continue to keep you all in my prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  10. You and your family will be in my prayers.

    And yes, we all should!

    Thanks for the update, and keep hanging in there!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for the update. By all the things you have told us about Brian adn how he has handled this he sounds like one amazing guy.

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousMay 05, 2008

    Angie,

    One would think since I live across the street from you and I sometimes see you several times a day that I wouldn't need to check your blog daily but I do.

    Thanks for some of those secerts.

    Angie on vacation??
    Brian home alone...
    Fat Tire...Brian call me!!

    And yes your tree STINKS.

    You are always in our prayers!!!

    Mike

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yes we should all remember to remember how blesed we are. Always.

    I come by here to check on Brian and to hear the drivel too.

    Keep believing and God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Angie,
    Thank you for the update on Brian.
    Please send up some prayers for a little girl in our area, named Emily. She is about 18 months old and has a brain tumor as well. They cannot remove it. They are not sure if she is strong enough to handle the chemotherapy. Our church group is praying for her and I thought you might be able to pass on the request.
    Thanks for reminding us that we need to remember how blessed we are.
    Your family is a blessing to many of us! I check in often and also sometimes worry if you haven't posted in a while.

    Hang in there. Pax, EJT

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousMay 05, 2008

    Yes, we should.
    ((((((((Brian)))))))))))
    ((((((((Angie))))))))))
    I am praying for you.
    Much love.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Yes we should. What a guy that man of yours.

    ReplyDelete
  17. *raises hand - I care*

    YES we should indeed. Just wanted to re-iterate that I care and I'm praying for you both.

    Hope the kissing resumes soon. :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousMay 06, 2008

    sniff! i was just moaning about all the yard work around here...

    your family is so special! i love reading about your 'everyday'... you have blessed many of my days w/ your writings. praying for you and yours!

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousMay 06, 2008

    I care about all of it and look forward to reading your blog every day - whether it's updates on Brian, tales of his everyday life and the grace he handles it with, stories about the goofy things the kids do, or stories that show just how alike all of us moms are... I love reading all of it.

    Take care and you're all in my prayers!!

    Marcie

    ReplyDelete
  20. We all should (and don't do nearly enough).

    I come visit for both...you are a funny girl and seem to be raising boys who could pass for mine on any given day.

    Hugs and prayers.
    hh

    ReplyDelete
  21. I think John had a really good time getting to hang out with Brian.

    ReplyDelete
  22. We love whatever you write.

    I'm glad Brian's tolerating the chemo okay. Has he thought about newsboy caps--they're "in" now so he could hide the scar and look tres chic.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Nothing like special friends to keep you going on a positive track. I'm sure that was hugely helpful for his friend John to come.

    ReplyDelete
  24. You all are amazing what you face and deal with. My good friend's husband is going through this with colon cancer. Every time they think he's gonna get a break from chemo, he finds out he's not. But it's to the point that he is able to work through the immense fatigue and the feel-like-crap-ism that is cancer. I'm sorry you all have to go through this. No one should have to.

    ReplyDelete

KEEP COMMENTING