These past two days have had their ups and downs. Jeannette is spending most of the day in the treatment room receiving intravenous drips through her recently surgically installed port in her chest. The chemotherapy she received on Monday, November 16 was very strong and it is having its intended results of killing the cancer cells in her lungs and lymph nodes. However, this has resulted in toxicity in Jeannette's body which has made her sick and very tired. To address this, she has been receiving drips of high nutritional supplements to support her overall health. She also gets drips to enhance her immune system. Because the liver takes the brunt of dealing with all the dead cancer cells, she gets drips to boost her liver function. Jeannette also developed an infection. This has caused her to have fever and night sweats. So an additional drip is intravenous antibiotics. As you can imagine, this is a lot for one person to take. On Sunday, Dr. Jacob did another ultrasound test to see if the water in her lungs had returned. She had drained 1.2 liters of fluid on Tuesday. We were very happy to see that while some of the fluid has returned, it is not that much and Dr. Jacob said that she would not drain any more fluid at this time. This is a good sign. She will test again on Tuesday. Dr. Jacobs did a blood test today which confirmed the infection, but all of the rest of Jeannette's blood work looked fine. We are still awaiting the results of the chemo sensitivity testing to see what chemo is best for Jeannette to receive.
With Jeannette spending long hours in the treatment room and often sleeping, I continue to take long walks in the Black Forest. I found to my amazement that when I went to Maps on my iphone, I was able to zero in on Hallwangen, our little village here, and also the Forest. The trails show up so now I have less fear of getting lost. I continue to do my yoga and exercise routine so I can stay in shape to take care of Jeannette. I also talked to my three wonderful children using skype. If you don't have it you definitely should get it. The Skype program can be downloaded for free and all you need is a camera. My Levono laptop came with a camera built in but you can get an external camera at any computer store. In essence you are making a free internet phone call with full video. What could be better? And the reception and clarity was excellent.
Jeannette asks me to send her personal regards to everyone. She has not been feeling well enough to write back to everyone who has sent her e-mails and to all those who have commented on the blog. Know that she loves you all.
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Lots of love and light to you through day and night, Jeannette! And thank you so much, Alan, for taking such great care of yourself and of our beloved Jeannette!
ReplyDeleteRooting at home for both of you,
Pei
Dear Jeannette
ReplyDeleteI am following your blog regularly and I am sending you love and light.
Jocelyne
Hi Jeannette,
ReplyDeleteKeep going, I am sure you can do it with Alan by your side and love, support and prayers of your chidren and friends.
Best wishes,
Rosa
Jeannette,
ReplyDeleteI'm praying for you & cheering you on. Here is today's cheer:
J - Just remember that bad days will pass
E - Everyone is praying for you
A - Always know that you are loved
N - Never give up!
N - Never forget to count your blessings
E - Everyone wants to see you get well!
T - Think positive thoughts
T - Think about all you have to live for
E - Everyone is inspired by your strength,
courage & determination!
Love,
Barbara
Would it be more convenient to stay at the clinic a bit longer than to be an outpatient since the clinic is not full at this time?
ReplyDeleteAlan, it sounds like real long walk you have been taking. Does that mean your backache is totally well? Take care and best wishes, Frances
Jeannette and Alan, you've made it through one week-wow, seven days-you can do it, keep fighting. I'm still trying to look for the most appropriate funny thing to send you, but have not yet found it. You know I'm most funny when I try not to be funny. But with Thanksgiving approaching, I decided in the serene setting you are in to send you something reflective, written by Andy Rooney. (It's at the end of this comment). I hope you enjoy it. Happy Thanksgiving early. Jeannette and Alan, you have much to be grateful for-the love you have for each other, your children and all your family and friends. Thank you for being my friends. Your struggle is a constant reminder to me of courage,fortitude, and conviction. Lots and lots of love, Liz
ReplyDeleteFrom Andy Rooney:
I've learned... That the best classroom in the world
> is at the feet of an elderly person.
>
> I've learned..... That when you're in love, it shows.
>
> I've learned... That just one person saying to me,
> 'You've made my day!' makes my day.
>
> I've learned.... That having a child or a dog fall
> asleep in your arms is one of
> the most peaceful feelings in the world.
>
> I've learned... That being kind is more important than being right.
>
> I've learned ..... That I can always pray for someone
> when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.
>
> I've learned... That no matter how serious your life
> requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.
>
> I've learned... That sometimes all
> a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.
>
> I've learned... That simple walks with my father
> around the block on summer nights when I was a child did
> wonders for me as an adult.
>
> I've learned... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end,
> the faster it goes.
>
> I've learned... That we
> should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.
>
> I've learned.... That money doesn't buy class.
>
> I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell
> is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
>
> I've learned..... That to ignore the facts does not
> change the facts.
>
> I've learned.... That
> when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting
> that person continue to hurt you.
>
> I've learned.... That love, not time, heals all wounds.
>
> I've learned.... That the easiest way for me to grow
> as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.
>
> I've learned... That everyone you meet deserves to be
> greeted with a smile.
>
> I've learned... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.
>
> I've learned ... That when you harbor
> bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.
>
> I've learned.... That one should keep his words both
> soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.
>
> I've learned... That a smile is an inexpensive way to
> improve your looks
>
> I've learned..... That when your newly born
> grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that
> you're hooked for life.
>
> I've learned ... That everyone wants to live on top of the
> mountain, but all the happiness, and growth occurs while you're climbing it.
>
> I've learned... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.
>
>
Dear Jeannette,
ReplyDeleteWe are all reading your blog and send you
our love, our support and our prayers. Looking
forward to seeing your smiling face again
in the near future !
Josie and family