Dad Passed His Test!!!

My dad finally passed his swallow test. He can now drink clear liquids and have ice cream. He had coffee and tea yesterday, and today he was planning to go for either a root beer float or a Frosty. Small stuff to us, but not to someone who hasn't had a drink since the end of August. I am thrilled that he can eat and drink normally again. I told my mom she needs to watch it in public when she gets really excited and says, "Dad is drinking again!" The man spent eight hours yesterday using his chainsaw to cut down trees. I think he is doing alright!

I'm still compressing, massaging, swimming, etc. I am trying a new pain med called Neurontin, which is used for patients with chronic nerve pain, which is what I seem to have. I have to build the dose up gradually, but it seemed to me that today it took the edge off my pain. I don't know if it really did, or if I just wanted it to so much that I believed it did. I had less pain, whatever the reason! If this works, I can get off narcotics, which I am still taking, unwillingly but not having a choice until now. Please pray that Neurontin will work, and that I will be able to wean off the other pain med - it is not supposed to be an easy thing to do and will take some time and patience. My fatique would also be helped if I was not continually fighting against pain.

Sarah and Paul are going away for the weekend to celebrate Paul's birthday on the 22nd. The destination is a surprise, so I will not give anything way! We are babysitting Oni, Sarah's and Paul's whippet.

My new great-niece, Kennedie Grace, is adorable. She was at my mom's today, and I got to give her a bottle. I love babies!!!

Katie is working hard at Anderson and trying to get home for a weekend soon. It is hard to believe that she is so close to finishing her freshman year.

Emily visited Hunter in Southern California a couple weekends ago and they had a great time in spite of the rain. She may get to see him when he comes to Indianapolis for the NFL Combine. Katie's school is close by, and Emily may stay with her. Emily is preparing to graduate from UL May 9th. Time flies!

Bryan ran in a breast cancer research marathon in Jacksonville last weekend. He ran for me and for Delphine Brand, Emily's mentor's mom, who has recently been diagnosed with BC. Prayers for her and her upcoming surgery.

Prayers, too, for a good friend, Katie, who has been told that her chemo is no longer shrinking her tumors, just maintaining them. She plans to continue chemo as long as she can, but the news is difficult. She has been an incredible role model to me.

It is funny; I knew of people with cancer before my dx and tx, but I have come to know many people in different stages of fighting the disease. As difficult as it is to meet and come to know a cancer patient or survivor, these people have enriched my life in many ways.

Two women I had prayed for passed away this past week from bc: June Hicks and Julie Bengart. Please remember their families in prayer. Thanks so much for remembering me and checking out this blog!
Jan

New Treatments - New Hope

I am learning alot about treating my lymphedema, and it is keeping me busy! The new therapist gives me hope about learning to live with the condition. She is very knowledgeable, and has a very comforting personality. I don't think she is much older than I am, but she almost feels "motherly" to me. I enjoy going for therapy. Right now I see her twice a week for 45 minutes and she works on my trunk and back primarily, teaching me massage techniques for my home program. Bryan has gone with me and has learned how to do the massage treatment on my back, which feels wonderful. He does this every night for me. I do massage on all the other areas everyday at home. In addition, my whole trunk is in compression down to the tops of my legs, as well as the arm that was originally compressed. I also have a left sleeve to wear when I clean, travel, garden, or do anything strenuous. I am limited to 15 lbs. lifting. The therapist is also using kinesio tape to relieve some pressure and pain (you've seen it on the women's volleyball team at the Olympics - they wore kinesio tape and not much else!). I am also doing skin care - specific lotions daily to soften the damaged skin - and drinking 6 - 8 glasses of water daily to dilute the lymph fluid.
Three days a week I go to the water therapy class for 45 minutes. I usually go right after the therapist's, because they are located close to each other. On the days I do therapy and water exercise, I am zonked! I plan to begin attending monthly support group meetings with other lymphedema people.
Right now I am trying to fit this all into a manageable schedule that still allows me to have a life. I have re-applied to graduate school for the fall of 2009, so I hope to have my routine down pat well before then. I am still fatigued from treatments and still have chest pain, so those are ongoing prayer requests. I have really good days, and then I have days where I don't know how I can live like this long-term, but I keep telling myself "one day at a time". I know it is in God's hands and He has a timetable for all of this.
Jan

Mom and Dad

Mom and Dad both had good results from her colonoscopy and his PET scan. What a huge relief! Prayers for Emily as she flies to Southern California today to visit with Hunter, where he is training. She returns Sunday night.
Thanks for prayers for my parents.
Jan