Kendall's Graduation & Patty Tx Update

Kendall graduated from Kindergarten last night. It was a great event. A funny story was they wrote down what they wanted to be when they grow up and held it up at the end of a song they sang. Pics below.

Patty is doing ok. She starts the Tamoxifen today or tomorrow. Hello hot flash. Hopefully she'll be able to cope with it over the next five years. It is a daily pill that helps prevent a breast cancer recurrence. Symptoms are similar to menopause. When you look at all of the possible side effects it sounds kind of scary. Her axilla continues to heal. Hair continues to grow. And we continue to attempt to get back to some point of normalcy. Is that possible? I don't think so. We're going on a camping trip this Friday. Our last camping trip is when Patty discovered the lump. I hope it doesn't bring back in flashbacks.

Patty Update

Patty's hair continues to grow back quickly. The problem she is not used to trying to style what appears to be an extremely short haircut. However she does it she manages to make it look good! I believe the recipe includes a lot of gel and hairspray.

Her skin under her arm is still a bit raw but it has improved greatly. She says there is a little tender spot which is interesting because she can't feel anything under her arm. Her main complaint is muscle tightness in raising her arm. I've told her she needs to exercise this to stretch those muscles.

We've got a camping trip planned for June 1st. Kendall graduates from kindergarten on March 29th. Brett is starting to talk up a storm. He has the biggest grin of any of our kids. He has become my mood elevator. Whenever I'm stressed, looking at that smile that encompasses his whole face rather than just his mouth, I can't help but feel a sense of joy.

Patty's Radiation Treatment Complete

I apologize for the lack of posts over the last couple of weeks. I've been out of town for work (mostly) or play 8 out of the last 9 days.

Patty finished her radiation treatments on Monday. She has done well except for one area under her arm that the skin has broke down. It doesn't look good but she is being a trooper. Luckily, she still can't fill under her arm so it is not as painful as it looks.

We celebrated her finishing by her and the kids coming up to Cincinnati with me on a business trip this week. We went up a day early and went to the Cincinnati Zoo which was really nice. It took us six hours to "do the zoo". Brett was amazing as he walked the whole zoo all day without riding in the stroller. This boy is going to have some stamina. I wish I could say the same for Grant and Kendall. We had a great time though as a family. It almost got canceled but we persevered.

The next day the Patty and the kids hung out at the indoor pool of the hotel we stayed while I was gone to do a presentation on Cancer Services strategy. Sounds like fun doesn't it!

It looks like reconstruction is the next hurdle. So we'll be making some decisions towards that soon. Also, the big Relay for Life fundraiser is coming up of which I'm going to post a link here soon to help me in fundraising to support cancer research.

Treatment Update

Patty is down to her last five treatments. She finishes her radiation treatments next Monday. After that she will continue the weekly Herceptin infusions through December. She will also soon start on a medication called Tamoxifen that she will take for five years. In simple terms, Tamoxifen is a drug that helps prevent the cancer from recurring.

The radiation treatments have gone well. One area under her arm has become real red and sore but nothing extraordinary. Her issues with the breathing and the dizziness seemed to have faded. Part of it might have been we discovered was the fact that she had starting taking my Prilosec thinking it was one of her medicines. Good grief!

Her hair continues to grow back fast and furious. She's got a ponytail already, ....just kidding. Actually its long enough where she has for the most part ditched the wig and is sporting a spiked number that looks good. She's got her some new "celebrity" sunglasses that match it well.

There are still some big decisions out there to be made. Patty seems to be pretty adamant about having reconstruction done. Truthfully, I was a little surprised at this. It is a big surgery and one that may have to be done out of state which brings up all kinds of logistical issues.

The 91st Psalm

Patty says the dizziness and breathing issues seemed to be better. We haven't heard any of the results from the scans which is usually a good thing. She will return for her Herceptin infusion on Thursday of which they will probably communicate the results then.

Yesterday in my quiet time I just wanted to read a Psalm. Not any one in particular, but the number 91 just jumped into my head. After reading it I realized it wasn't just a coincidence. It was the Holy Spirit guiding me to be in the Lord's shadow. Read for yourself.

Psalm 91

(Contemporary English Version)

The LORD Is My Fortress

1 Live under the protection of God Most High and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful.

2 Then you will say to the LORD, "You are my fortress, my place of safety, you are my God, and I trust you."

3 The Lord will keep you safe from secret traps and deadly diseases.

4 He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure. His faithfulness is like a shield or a city wall. ^[a]

5 You won't need to worry about dangers at night or arrows during the day.

6 And you won't fear diseases that strike in the dark or sudden disaster at noon.

7 You will not be harmed, though thousands fall all around you.

8 And with your own eyes you will see the punishment of the wicked.

9 The LORD Most High is your fortress. Run to him for safety,

10 and no terrible disasters will strike you or your home.

11 God will command his angels to protect you wherever you go.

12 They will carry you in their arms, and you won't hurt your feet on the stones.

13 You will overpower the strongest lions and the most deadly snakes.

14 The Lord says, "If you love me and truly know who I am, I will rescue you and keep you safe.

15 When you are in trouble, call out to me. I will answer and be there to protect and honor you.

16 You will live a long life and see my saving power."

Isn't that calming prose?

The part about the lions was very interesting to me. I don't recall if I've discussed this before but I had a very vivid dream soon after Patty's diagnosis that relates to this. I've not discussed it much because I'm very cautious about proclaiming that the Lord spoke to me in some form or fashion. If anyone is interested I can relate it in another post.