Thursday, November 29

Hello all! Today was the long chemo day and Honey Bear did great! The doctor did say that she was not pleased with the labs that Honey had drawn on Tuesday. She said they showed that her kidneys are not responding as well to the chemo as she had expected. In order to help her kidneys flush out the medications Honey Bear will be getting 2 bags of IV fluids on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Which pretty much means she will be grounded for a good part of those days. Not a big setback as this is the tough week and she will probably feel like lying in bed anyway! Yesterday was a great day for Honey Bear. She went shopping for food for breakfast with Santa at the church. In the evening she made it out for the weekly ritual - steak night at Rookies!

Tuesday, November 27

Hey everybody! I'm sorry a week has passed without an update. I am now working 12 hour shifts and I'm running out of time to finish my final projects/ presentations to wrap up the semester. I will do my best, but the updates may be delayed for the next few weeks. Here is this weeks update...

Honey had a descent Thanksgiving. The family gathered at Katie and Brent's house with all the fixins. Tim and I were in charge of the turkey, a task we had successfully mastered last year. However, this year... well... it wasn't exactly... um... done! Oops! So needless to say we had a whole lot of laughs. The good news is that it survived another round in the oven, and the sides everyone brought were delicious (especially the cranberries in the snow! Wink! Wink! -that was for Aunt Vicky). Honey spent much of the holiday lying on the couch, but she was just happy to be with the family. On Sunday Honey Bear made it up to church. On her way there she made a shocking discovery - if she gave her hair a gentle pull it would essentially just come out. So, we all know Honey Bear and much to Dad's dismay she began showing the members of the congregation like it was some fantastic magic trick. Fortunately they all know our Honey Bear quite well too and were very entertained by this "trick". She did receive multiple requests for a lock or two. The next day I received a call from Mom and when she mentioned hair I expected her to tell me it had fallen out in the night. Oh no, instead she informed me that her head was sore from pulling out the locks of hair! So, at this point it's still hanging on and the magic trick has been retired! Lucking there is plenty left so you can't really tell she lost any at all - no patches or anything like that! Also, the nausea is much better, but the fatigue and exhaustion are still rearing their ugly heads.

Tuesday, November 20

A very long day today. Aunt Sandy and Will took Honey Bear to Barnes St. Peters Hospital for her routine weekly lab draw and waited about 45min. There was one small problem though, they could not find a nurse to draw from her port. It was time for her physical therapy appointment so she had to run without getting the labs drawn. Off to PT to work out - got to keep that body healthy. She said her therapy session today was actually really helpful for her back pain and she felt great relief when finished. So, back to Barnes for the lab draw - success this time! Tonight, very very tired and worn out, but after all that activity today I don't blame her!

Monday, November 19

Hello all, today was Honey Bear's first real day alone with her solo member of Honey's Boys Club - Will. She started out the day with Drew and Will. She made the boys breakfast (one must know that breakfast at Honey's is not your typical bowl of cereal, we are talking eggs, bacon, and french toast). They then took a 2 block walk to catch the school bus. Honey and Will then packed up some things and headed to the park to enjoy our stangely warm and beautiful November day. There they met up with some neighborhood friends. One of which ended up keeping Will for a few hours in the afternoon so Honey Bear could get in a quick nap (Thanks!). Then it was up and atom - time to catch the school bus and collect Drew. A few hours back at the house and before she knew it her first real day back in action was complete. No Problem at all!

Sunday, November 18

Another great day today! Honey got up early and made it to 11am church. She then went to Culpepper's with the family for lunch. After all that excitement you know what it was time for... a nap. She slept while Dad cleaned. Then got up a few hours later for a snack and some quality time with Dad!

Saturday, November 17

Great day today! Honey Bear started out the day riding around New Town with the Boy Scouts as they picked canned goods up off porches. She had a great time! She said it was really nice to get out of the house for a while. They took a break at Marsala's Market and she sipped a hot chocolate while visiting with Mark and Debbie. Also a high point in her day! Honey Bear then went home and rested up a bit for her big night out. She wanted to go out, but not too far from home, so she and the Family went to Honey's old favorite - Rookies.

Friday, November 16

Honeybear remained in nap mode today. She did find the energy to hop up and eat and eat a steak-n-shake lunch with Will, Grandma Annie, and me. She also had the energy to do a load of laundry and straighten up a bit. She then took a nap, and then a couple hours later we decided to try out the press-n-seal. I worked fairly well, but I think it is something we'll get better at with a little practice. Honey was then able to take a nice long shower! She went in the shower with hair... and she came out with hair, too! That was pretty much all the excitement for the day.

Thursday, November 15

Round 2 of chemo complete! Honey Bear tolerated the chemo like a champ! I was wrong about today's treatment, she actually received IV (in the IV) and IP (in the belly) chemo today. However, it is supposed to be easier on her than last week (I guess it's a different cocktail). The doctor told Honey she does not have to stay in bed and rest, but if she wants to she can. Which was a bit of a relief for Mom. I think she has been afraid of doing too much. During treatments Honey has had the opportunity to meet other women going through situations much similar to hers, survivors. They have been very inspirational. They also taught Honey how to take a real shower without interfering with her tube and IV lines (ziplock press n seal - who knew?!) She is really excited about that tidbit. Overall a good bill of health and an order to keep doing what she is doing!

Wednesday, November 14

Honey's day was better than yesterday. She did spend much of the day in bed, but she had a bit more energy this evening than she has had the last few days. She ate a small dinner, and it was finally something other than Campbell's chicken noodle soup. The new nausea medication is helping greatly! Tomorrow is Week 2 of chemo treatments. Honey's appointment with her oncologist is at 8am, and then chemo immediately follows. They told Honey it should only take 2-3 hours, as she is just getting IV chemo this week. We have been told this weeks treatment should be easier on Honey than last week. Time will tell. I will update you all on what the doctor says tomorrow.

Tuesday, November 13

All things considered Honey is in pretty good spirits, but she spent another day in bed. She did make it to have her labs drawn this afternoon (thanks Mikey), but that was more than enough activity for the day. Honey was able to keep down Campbell's chicken noodle soup again today, and her doctor called in a new nausea medication that should help too. Some good news... her hair is still hanging on!!! Thanks for all the comments - she needed them!

Monday, November 12

Well, it wasn't such a great day today... Honey had difficulty sleeping last night and spent most of the day in bed today trying to catch up on much needed rest. The fatigue has set in as well as the nausea. Honey was a very good patient today and she called her nurse to let her know how she was feeling. After a few encouraging words she told her to skip the "real" food and stick with an old classic - Campbell's chicken noodle soup. Sure enough she was able to keep it down.

It is in times like this that Honey Bear needs to hear encouraging words. She needs to know that people are praying, and that people are quietly reading this daily to check and see how she is doing. Anyone with this web address is close enough to our family to post a comment for Honey - please don't be shy. We love your comments, and Honey needs to hear them. Any words of encouragement are appreciated! (P.S. you must create a user name and password - just follow the instructions)

Sunday, November 11

One word for you all today - AMAZING!!! Honey is still doing absolutely wonderful. She woke-up early this morning and took a bath, then Dad washed her hair. She got ready for church, and headed up early so she would have time to visit with some of the congregation. She made it through church just fine. After church we headed over to Katie and Brent's house for Will's 4th Birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILLY-J). Mom lasted a few hours at the party, then she went home to lay down for a bit and to get her IV leash hooked up. All in all, she is just AMAZING!

Saturday, November 10

Honey Bear stayed home today. She worked around the house and visited with friends and family. We just kind of waited for some horrible thing to happen, but... it never did!!! Mom is tired now (5:15pm) and decided to take a nap or maybe she really just went to bed for the night. We will just have to see. Honey gets a liter of IV saline for 3 days following chemo to beat dehydration before it begins (she is hooked up to her IV leash as we speak)! So far, so good! We just really don't know what to expect. The Lord is definatly in control!

Friday, November 9

Overall a good day today. Mom woke up extra early (530am) to beat Dad to the bathtub. She had herself dressed and ready before Drew and Will arrived for breakfast. The usual trip to the bus stop, and home in time for the physical therapist. As soon as she was through we headed for the kitchen counter for a hair washing in the sink (hopefully not for the last time). Then off to have photographs taken with Honey and little Will. Then, she and Will headed over to my house to make homemade smiley face pizza. Before we knew it it was time for Honey's afternoon nap, so we all snuggled up on the couch and watched ratatouille. Only one problem - Mom was so tickled with the film she did not sleep a wink. Drew headed over after school... then Dad after work... then Mikey - so much for the nap. We all visited for a while and then Honey headed home to go to bed for the night. I know we are bad, but the rest of the family abandoned her and went out for Riley Family Dinner. Once we got home I hooked her up to some IV fluids the doctor ordered and she returned to her sweet dreams. No symptoms/ side effects of chemo seen so far other than rosy cheeks. We'll take it! Keep praying we have been told the next few days will be rough.

Thursday, November 8

First day of chemo... complete! Honey did great! No complaints at all, no nausea, no pain, nothing! She met the nurse that will be administering her chemo and following-up on any adverse effects, and she was absolutely wonderful. We knew she would be great when the feature on her lab jacket was not her name or her title, but a bright button with two simple words - CANCER SUCKS! Perfect! I really believe we could not have landed in better hands if we had tried. She did a great job explaining what to expect and when to expect it. She also helped to ease some of the anxiety we were having. She made us all feel like... "ok, we can do this!"
As you all know we are an extremely open family and we don't keep secrets well. Our intentions are to keep everyone updated with everything! So, here is what to expect...
Honey had a great day today and should feel the same tomorrow. Sometime Saturday it will begin to hit. They explained the way she would feel as "satan getting a hold of you" (We say go ahead satan bring it on - God always prevails). She will continue feeling absolutely dreadful until probably sometime on Monday. She will feel better on Tuesday, but will still not feel like herself, and she may not really feel "good" when she goes for chemo next week. However, she should feel greatly improved after her second treatment. They described week 2 as a walk in the park. The good news is that the week of Thanksgiving is an off week, so it should be a good one! Also, expect hair loss within 7 - 14 days.
F.Y.I. Honey wanted to make sure everyone knew the thing hanging from her nose for the last two weeks was not a giant bugger, but was a scab from her NG tube (a.k.a. the snufalufakus tube) in the hospital.

Wednesday, November 7

The day began with Honey Bear fixing Drew and Will breakfast at 0745. A jaunt to the bus stop at 0815. A couple of hours alone with Will to play. A gathering with a few neighborhood ladies. Hours of supervising drapery installation. A few friendly visitors. NAPTIME!!! A few more visitors (always welcome). Last but not least, Honey's all time favorite... steak night at Rookies! Overall, a great pre-chemo day.
Honey is beginning to get a bit nervous about her big day of chemo, and I can't say that I blame her (hair loss, nausea, fatigue, etc.) - not much to look forward to. She has been continuously motivated by all of your support and prayers. We must all understand that she has put her fate in the hands of God, and she believes this is all part of a greater plan. So, tomorrow let the chemo begin and we will FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!

Tuesday, November 6

Honey has decided to make the most of her time pre-chemo, so we jam packed the day. A french toast breakfast... physical therapy... blood draw at Barnes St.Peter's... Petsmart... Walgreens... Popeye's... and "A Bee Movie". Mom was beginning to feel a bit tired after lunch (not a surprise - I was too!), but she decided to push through it and head for a movie with little Will. After the movie we headed for home... Nap Time! We have found that Honey Bear is really needing a daily afternoon nap, so she can recoup to enjoy her evening with Dad.

Monday, November 5

Today was a perfect day for Honey Bear to catch up on some much needed rest (every bear needs a long winter's nap). Honey Bear's highlight of the day was spending a few hours this afternoon alone with Will. Honey said it was nice to have a member of "Honey's Boys Club" back in the house. They even took an afternoon boy's club nap together. Honey also made it up to church for an evangelism meeting this evening. We made her promise she would only stay 1 hour, but she stayed for 1 hour and 9 minutes (not bad).

P.S. We love all your comments! I took them over for Mom tonight and she was really tickled to hear them all. Keep them coming! You are all wonderful support!!!

Sunday, November 4

Mom started out the day feeling great and headed to St. Charles Christian Church for the 11am creative service. She visited with friends for a bit following church. Then, Dad, Rosie, Mikey, and Mom headed out to get their flu shots. After a long tiring wait in line the mission was complete. Honey returned home and had a few more visitors pop in and a few more phone calls from friends. Then it was time for a cat nap. Thirty short minutes later she walked down the street to Aunt Rosie and Uncle Mikey's for a complete Thanksgiving dinner (cause when Turkey day rolls around Honey's taste buds will be a bit off and we had a lot to be thankful for today!)

Dr. Rader (Honey's oncologist) said it is mandatory for all who will be in close contact with Honey to get a flu shot ASAP! Since we are such a close nit group she suggested this for our family, friends, and neighbors.

Also, today was a very long and tiring day for Honey Bear she would greatly benefit from a day of rest tomorrow. Let the visits and phone calls resume on Tuesday!

Thank You all for your continued support and prayers - Keep them coming!

Saturday, November 3

Honeybear had a great day today! She got to take her first real shower! Tim made her a pulled pork sandwich for lunch... we all know how much Honey loves pork. Dad took her wig shopping and she picked out a couple new looks. Other than that just lots of visitors and a rather uneventfull day. Uneventful is a good thing though!

Friday, November 2

Honey had her follow-up visit with Dr. Rader today! Dr. Rader said her incision looks great. They removed all 100+ staples. As usual, Mom complained of no pain during the process. Dr. Rader asked her when she wanted to start chemo and you know HoneyBear she replied with, "I'm ready now!" The plan is to start chemo next Thursday. The doctor warned us all that her hair will be gone within 7 - 14 days of beginning chemo. Though HoneyBear would prefer letting the kids tattoo her bald little head, the rest of the family says, "Let the wig/hat shopping begin!!!"