Pump (Up the Jam)
Status update everyone - I am officially a licensed Doc. Spent last Saturday removing Dads chemo pump like a freakin' champ. Nurse may or may not have helped yank the needle out at the last minute but hey - name a Doc who doesn't have a few minions. Am I right? Mom, Spen, Kitten, and I are now officially all Pump Removal Certified. For those of you questioning our abilities (you should be) we do have our good friend Brent Orn on retainer (the only one actually qualified and capable of completing the removal). Brent tagged along and has volunteered to do any/or all removals for Dad. Becky Orn and Dad recently went on a pedicure and lunch date. So between the two, they basically have all the necessities covered. It pays to know great people.
Dads second round of chemo was this past Wednesday. Teresa (TJ) Johnson was first up on Chemo Pal duties. Chatting with Dad later, it sounds like TJ rolled in with a goody bag that would put Mary Poppins to shame. Out came - Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head, an Etch A Sketch, Cards, Crayons/Coloring Book and of course, one must never leave home without a magic 8 ball. Word is they had a lovely time constructing Potato Heads, with the sweet sweet sound of Wheel of Fortune in the background.
In my professional opinion (doctor and all), it seems that Dad has had more of an appetite as of late. Which is great. He's not inhaling any double bacon cheeseburgers or anything, but - there's progress. He is experiencing a bit of peripheral neuropathy this go around. Peripheral neuropathy is a side effect from the chemo and causes a numbness or tingly in the fingers and toes. Last update from Mom was that the numbness was starting to fade. And because we all know that karma is a b*t$h - chemo also causes a sensitivity to the cold. Let me briefly bring you back to my childhood, where you couldn't get into a car with my father (no matter the time of year) without it being at bone chilling negative 25' degrees. Let me tell you, it's hard to be a cute 15 year old in short shorts and a tank top when you are getting frostbite on the way to school. But trust me... I made it work.
All and all we are plugging away. Clearly we couldn't do any of this without our fabulous friends and family behind us. Thank you is an understatement.
Lots of love,
Mad & Spen
Dads second round of chemo was this past Wednesday. Teresa (TJ) Johnson was first up on Chemo Pal duties. Chatting with Dad later, it sounds like TJ rolled in with a goody bag that would put Mary Poppins to shame. Out came - Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head, an Etch A Sketch, Cards, Crayons/Coloring Book and of course, one must never leave home without a magic 8 ball. Word is they had a lovely time constructing Potato Heads, with the sweet sweet sound of Wheel of Fortune in the background.
In my professional opinion (doctor and all), it seems that Dad has had more of an appetite as of late. Which is great. He's not inhaling any double bacon cheeseburgers or anything, but - there's progress. He is experiencing a bit of peripheral neuropathy this go around. Peripheral neuropathy is a side effect from the chemo and causes a numbness or tingly in the fingers and toes. Last update from Mom was that the numbness was starting to fade. And because we all know that karma is a b*t$h - chemo also causes a sensitivity to the cold. Let me briefly bring you back to my childhood, where you couldn't get into a car with my father (no matter the time of year) without it being at bone chilling negative 25' degrees. Let me tell you, it's hard to be a cute 15 year old in short shorts and a tank top when you are getting frostbite on the way to school. But trust me... I made it work.
All and all we are plugging away. Clearly we couldn't do any of this without our fabulous friends and family behind us. Thank you is an understatement.
Lots of love,
Mad & Spen
We're glad you're hanging in there and have a better appetite. Love you guys!
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