To update you on Tom - he is scheduled to start yet another round of Chemo beginning January 10, 2011.  One week on, one off, back on.

Currently we have the schedule for January only.  I'll keep you posted.

Thanks Jeanne and Carla for your comments on the last Blog.  Isn't technology great that we can stay in touch by e-mail, by the Blog,  and other computer programs?

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.  The best part of the holidays is being able to spend time with family.  We did and we hope you all got to as well.

Guess we didn't have a white Christmas but sure made up for it.

Thanks to those of you who are staying out all night and keeping our roads clean.

This is a short post I just wanted to keep you updated on Tom's progress.  Hopefully the next post will be a little longer.

Thanks so much for reading the Blog. We are very grateful for all of you.






 

Tom didn't have any treatments this week.  He still gets tired easily and isn't sleeping well but at least he is eating well, for the most part.   I keep praying, as I'm sure many of you are, that he will continue to get stronger.

Christmas is next Saturday and this is definitely the time of year for giving.  It's also the time for spending time with friends and family.  For me, spending time with friends and family is the best part of the holiday's.

Two of Tom's sisters stop by at least once a week to check on him.  We are so appreciative of the time you both take out of your busy schedules to spend time with Tom.  Thank you.

We've received some nice Christmas cards from some of the State folks.  Thank you too.

When you go through something like Tom and I are dealing with that's when you really appreciate having friends and family.  Especially because they stand by you, support you, and are there for you when you need them the most.  You all know who you are.  Thank you!!

In one of the past Blogs I mentioned how, at the church I attend, some folks bring in their coffee, people don't generally dress up, it's a pretty relaxed environment.  Today we sang "Happy Birthday" to two of the church members.  Times sure have changed. 

Thanks so much to all of you for staying "connected" with us.  We are very grateful!!

Tom had his "lighter" treatment on Thursday.  He wasn't feeling great Thursday afternoon or Friday morning but started feeling better over the weekend.   We are very grateful that modern medicine has found a way to reduce the nausea that comes with Chemo treatments.  That said, there are still some nausea side effects along with numbness in the fingers and ringing in the ears.

If any of you notice the time on the Blog post, here I am at 1:30 AM updating the Blog.  Another of many sleepless nights that I suppose comes as a result of dealing with this disease.  The upside is that I'm updating the Blog, like I said I would.  The downside is obvious.

I was thinking about what to write on this weeks Blogs and a few things came to mind.  What I thought about a lot this week is "how do you protect the ones you love?"  I remember trying so hard to do this when our kids were young.  I would like to have been able to protect Tom from this disease.  What I've come to learn is that, as far as children go, the best protection is to teach them independence (by the way, I didn't excel at this with our children because I was overprotective as anyone who knows me knows).  I also know there are many things beyond our control.  What I do know is that we learn from our mistakes and do the best we can.   Sometimes that doesn't feel like enough but I do believe that if we do things with sincerity and the best intentions then we've done our best.

One of the other things I thought about this week is how brave Tom is and how much I admire his handling of the treatments he's endured for so many months.   He has been a real trooper and I would guess if I were in his place I would not handle things as well as he has been handling them.

On the last Blog I mentioned we bought a real Christmas tree.  We haven't had a real tree in some years so it's nice to see the real one.  However, it appears you have to cut the bottom of the tree before you put it in the stand.  The tree isn't "drinking" water and there is no fresh tree smell.  It actually surprises me that Tom didn't think of this because I think he knows everything.  So, for those of you looking forward to the fresh tree smell - the only way that is going to happen is if, on the particular day that you are here, I have "splashed" it with Balsam essential oils!!

Thank you for your comments on the last Blog.  As it turns out Jozie is feeling better from surgery.  She still gets tired and has a little pain now and then but is otherwise doing well.

Thank you all again for reading the Blog, sending your well wishes and continuing to check it.  Your support means everything to us and we are, and will always be, very appreciative.

Tom had treatment on Thursday.  Jeanne took him as I was working in Mass.  Thank you so much Jeanne for filling in.  I am very appreciative.

Things were a little better for Tom this round.  The doctor changed the treatment and he received a lot of anti-nausea medicine prior to treatment.  He's not feeling great but significantly better than the last time.

He has another treatment this coming Thursday so we'll see how that one goes.

Our granddaughter was taken to the emergency room this past week with severe abdominal pain.  As it turned out she had appendicitis and had her appendix removed.  While I'm sure we all appreciate the emergency room, our daughter and Jozie arrived at the hospital around 10 am.  By the time I got there after work around 6 pm Jozie had not even had a CT scan.  I have yet to understand why everything takes so long there.  In any case, the surgery went well, she had to stay an extra night but is at home now and doing well.

I wasn't going to set up a Christmas tree this year with everything going on.  I changed my mind and decided to decorate with at least a tree.  We bought a real tree this year.  We haven't had a real tree in years but I thought it might be nice for a change and it is.  

I started going back to church about a month ago and no, this is not a lesson on whether or not you should attend church services.    Our town church is a small community church.    After I arrived at church today I looked around at the people in attendance noting their blue jeans, sneakers, parkas, and even their Dunkin Donuts coffee.  Yes, in church.   I realized what a sense of community the weekly service is and how times have changed.  Guess it goes to show, it doesn't matter who you are, what you wear, or even if you bring your coffee to church.

Thanks Kel and Carla for your comments on the last Blog.  I appreciate all the comments you folks reading put on the Blog.  Carla, I'm glad that Kelly keeps in touch with the boys too.  It's unfortunate that we didn't spend more time together when the kids were growing up.

I think we get so busy in our lives that time slips away before we realize it's gone.  We are aware of that now more than ever.  I've said this in other Blogs but I'll say it again.  Appreciate your family and friends.  Tell them so.  Spend time with them.

Thank you all for reading the Blog and keeping in touch.  Your time and effort is very much appreciated.