New Update

I apologize for the loooong absence.
Russ is doing well. Last week his 2 brothers came in town to visit. They also took him to Johns Hopkins for his chemo treatment. It was nice to have them in town and Russ enjoyed their visit greatly.
This weekend he will go to Johns Hopkins again for another round of chemo on Monday, then he will have one more treatment the following Monday.
Tuesday my sister and her family will arrive in town for a short visit and we are very excited. She will not only have her oldest daughter and son in-law and baby with her but she is also bringing her oldest son who just arrived home lastnight from a 2 year mission in Ghana, West Africa. I will post some pictures next week.
Thanks for the support and for checking in....I promise not to be gone so long next time:-)

Home Again, Home Again

 

They left about 9 am this morning and are headed home for a nice week. Russ was able to have his LAST radiation treatment done very early so that they could come home today.

His two brothers are driving up this weekend from Arizona to spend time with Russ and will even be driving him back to Johns Hopkins next weekend for his chemo treatment. That is fantastic!

Russ will need to get three chemo treatments each Monday for 3 three Mondays in a row starting on the 15th.

He feels pretty good and I am sure he will feel better after a week of home and family.....and warm weather! It is supposed to be very nice Monday!

The Ugly Truth

 

When you have radiation treatments on your pancreas, it also affects your stomach.

Ouch.

Russ has a peptic ulcer in his stomach and it has been very painful.

It hurts all of the time.

Eating is a chore.

It's an ugly truth about cancer treatments.

They have side effects.

The good news is that his doctor prescribed him a new medicine and he is starting to feel human today.

The week long break is helping him as well. 

He is still weak and low energy, but everyday gets better.

Tomorrow is another day to heal and rest.

Thanks for checking in!

Home for a Break

 

Russ was supposed to get his last round of chemo today along with 5 days of radiation before getting a week break.

Plans change.

His bloodwork this morning showed his white blood cell count too low for treatment so they are headed home for a week off. I expect them to be in late tonight and they will drive back Sunday.

Monday of next week he will begin his final week of treatment. I know they are ready to be home, even if only for 5 days.

And Dolly? Well, she's been having so much fun outside in the mud that she will getting a quick bath and groom tomorrow so she can relax at home with mom and Russ.

Thanks for checking in, and I will update again.

Feeling Good

 

I am happy to report that Russ is feeling pretty good! He has even been eating a little better the last couple of days, which is great because he needs to pack on a few pounds.

He received his second chemo treatment yesterday and this morning was having more radiation therapy.

There is still a ton of snow on the ground there, but I am confident it will melt...someday.

Where is spring?

Thanks for checking in!

One week down, two more to go

 

Well one week of chemo and radiation is through, and with very few side effects. Russ has felt a little tired some last week, but otherwise he has been doing well.

The snow is still everywhere, though mom was able to grocery shop a little Friday. 

Tomorrow Russ will get his second chemo treatment and another 5 days of radiation. I will update! Thanks for stopping by. 

The picture above? That is Dolly playing with my bulldog. Though she is very tiny compared to him, her attitude is twice his!

Blizzard

from the National Weather Service in Baltimore:

Blizzard Warning in effect until 7 PM EST this evening... The combination of snow...strong gusty winds...and blowing snow will cause near-white out conditions during the morning hours. People are urged to remain at home...do not drive. Allow Road crews the ability to do the best they can to keep roads clear for emergency vehicles. 2 to 5 additional inches of snow are possible this morning.

Fortunately, they are in an apartment right across the street from the clinic. This is Russ' 3rd day of treatment. He is feeling good, although he has broken out in hives again. We will see what today brings.