Hair today, gone tomorrow

Well, it's happened. Matt's hair is falling out :( We were going to wait as long as possible before cutting it, but it was coming out pretty easily so I took some clippers to it Thursday night. It's now about 1/16" long, but you can see the patchy bald spots. It's a little wierd. His beard is starting to come out too. The plus side?

1) He has these long, crazy white eyebrow hairs that I've wanted to pluck since we've been married. I get to do that soon.

2) We're having some fun with it. We've been using masking tape to pull the hair out :)

That's it. Back to MMC on 10/2. Ta ta!

Week 3: 1st Round Complete

Matt had another round of Bleo today. He's feeling better than he did last week after having it. He learned to sit back and do nothing on the day of Bleo...and he feels great. Of course, he also picked up eight videos from the library and we got four from the FV (cost us a buck, heh, heh).

There's one minor down side and one major though:

Minor: he started losing hair today :( It's not falling out, but if you give a little pull to a little patch of hair, if slides out in your fingers. Matt's okay with this, though not thrilled. I, on the other hand, am having a hard time not busting into tears. I don't know why I'm so upset...but I suspect it has to do with my deep atraction to curly haired men (of whom my husband, in my opinion, is the most handsome). I dunno. I'm just trying not to cry.

Major: MAJOR PRAYER COVERAGE PLEASE - Matt's white blood cell count is still low, and it should be recovering by now. The will NOT do chemo next week if his counts don't return to normal. If they don't start next week it will prolong this ordeal...and I'm sure other complications too, but I don't know what they are yet. Not to mention it's just much healthier for the WBC count to go up. We are going to see the doc at 8:50 Tuesday morning to check his blood. He is supposed to be admitted at 9am.

That's all for now. We're heading to visit the VB 'rents this weekend. Sigh. The next time most of you see Matt he will most likely resemble my father more than his. :) My dad will be happy to have a fellow crome-domer around for a while!!

For those of you going - be blessed with safe travels to Indiana. May God bless you richly this weekend!!

Doctor's Visit - Details

Tues. Sept. 25th @ 9am Matt & I visited Dr. G so he could chat w/Matt and see how everything is going. It was a great visit.

I can't tell you enough how much we love our new doc. He is so personable and we really feel like he cares about us. Case in point: last week Matt's grandma passed away. Her obituary was in the Sunday Record-Eagle. Dr. G asked if she was related to Matt, how the family was doing, etc. He's been a patient less than a month, but he is invested enough in our lives and Matt treatment to ask. It was very touching.

And the good news - if not for this whole cancer inconvenience, Matt's healthy as a horse. STILL. His white blood cell count is low, but they expect that for about 10 days after he leaves the hospital. It should be climbing now and back to normal when Matt goes back to West 4 on Tuesday. And even thought the count is low, it's not dangerously low. He is still okay to keep doing what he's been doing (going to church, but not hugging, yard work, helping friends, sweeping the floor...yep, he did that). He even gave Matt the okay to go camping!!

Everything else is great. Matt put on two pounds last week (that is WAY good for someone in chemo...the do NOT want him losing weight), BP is good, pulse is strong. We told the doc about his minor reaction to the Bleo on Thursday, but he didn't seem phased. When we explained that two extra strength Tylenol and a good night's sleep later Matt felt fine, the doc pretty much waved it off.

And...the greatest blessing to me...Dr. G noted that he couldn't believe Matt hasn't lost more hair. I was prompt to inform him that (thank you God) Matt hasn't lost ANY hair. Trust me. Every morning I reach over and yank on it (if only I was kidding...ask Matt). No real explanation for that...hee, hee. For all intents and purposes, Matt should be balding (if not bald). Though I am quite pleased by the stubborn follicals, my dad was kinda hoping at least Matt's facial hair would fall out ;) (my dad did, after all, buy Matt an electrial shaver for Christmast last year).

But that's it! Things are great! I've been working as much as I can subbing and, when I'm not, I'm trucking through the first re-write of my book (still, technically, considered work). God is still providing, always providing, and all of needs have been met.

Thanks for your prayers!!!

My 2nd try ... Day 5

Okay, in all fairness I DID alreadytype this...but my computer connection failed and I lost it. So, here I am again. Okay, okay...in all honestly I didn't post the original Day 5 posting until Friday (six days after Matt had been home), but I did get it done.

So, here's the update. We came home Saturday and Matt was pretty whipped. Excited to lay down and not have to worry about an I.V. drip, we climbed right into bed...at 3pm. We slept until 6pm, got up, read in bed and then eventually went back to sleep. It was nice :)

Sunday was a lazy day. Matt was still a little tired, but we got out of the house for a bit. By Monday, Matt was taking it easy, trying not to push himself, but when it was time for bed, he couldn't sleep. Too many days of inactivity. We finally fell asleep at 5am, after staying up and reading a book (sniff, sniff...I am so proud!)

So, the rest of the week the motto has been to just do everything normally and take many breaks. So far he's cleaned the brush from the yard, worked on the lawn mower, is fixing his truck, sorting out books/magazines to donate, going through his closet...he's been pretty darned handy. Only other new rule - he has to wear work gloves ALL of the time.

Thursday he went to the doc's office for a shot of chemo. It was really quick. A small 15 min. i.v. drip with a shot of chemo injected and that was it! Matt experienced a teeny little fever and muscle aches, which were easily handled by two lil' Tylenol. Other than that, no side effects!

At this point the only thing the doc warned us about it Matt's white blood cell count (those lil' guys who fight infection). It's currently low, but not dangerous. However, they want Matt to excercise extreme hygeine right now (hence, the work gloves). Also, we ask you from the bottoms of our hearts:

Do Not Hug Matt!! Under all circumstances - please keep your hands to yourself!!!

Just trying to keep him clean :)

The doc did say that in the next couple of days the counts may dip a bit more, but they will start going up again. We're also thinking he may have more energy, right up until he goes back into the hospital (which is on the 2nd...yes, I know...my earlier schedule is completely off. I'm truly sorry).

Anyway, that's it for now. I'll have another post Tues or Wed, after we meet with the doc again. And, in the meantime, Matt still has all of his hair!! Whee!!!

Day 4

Friday. I spent the day with Matt. I got here at 8:30 am and he was already up and at 'em. He got a quick shower (apparently the nurses were pretty disappointed that he didn't need any help...he's quite the stud in West 4). We just spent the day hanging out. The doctor gave him a daily goal of getting in three short walks - mission accomplished!

Beth stopped by around 3pm. At 3:30pm Fasulo's Coffee & Deli made an in-room delivery of yummy coffee-type beverages. This was a slight mix up, and Mr. Matt ended up with a caffeinated beverage. Needless to say, he was awake for a little bit longer than normal.

After church I stopped by to tuck Matt in...and brought three friends to visit. Matt treated them warm blankets (a specialty in West 4) and we chatted for a little while. But, at 11pm he was spent. We said our good-byes and headed out.

Tomorrow is the last day- whee!!! Home sweet home :) More later!

Day 3

Well, it's pretty much the same here :) Matt grows increasingly tired, but he's okay with that. I've been here everyday so far...mostly because my allergies are so bad that I can't work anyway! But back to Matt...

He's on a good schedule now, so we know what to expect in the weeks to come. I like to be here in the mornings with him...he enjoys having someone here after spending the night alone. I left for a few hours in the afternoon and Matt had all kinds of visitors! His mom and sister came, then dad, then I returned with a few other friends. But, by six o'clock Matt is pretty much done for the day.

That's about it for now...not too much new to report!

Matt just wants everyone to know that he's hanging in there and doing good!

Have a good day!

Day 2

I'm actually posting this on the morning of Day 3...but it didn't make sense to post a pre-report, did it?

Matt's doing well. He's got a cute new baby-blue knit hat...because he's cold. He's also back into his hoody. We had to turn the heat down in his room (they had the heat set at 76...during the winter we have our house set at 55. We've adjusted that).

Matt had a little bit of queaziness at the end of Day 1...just for the last 20 minutes or so of his last drug drip. We've already chronicled his responses to each of the PEB drugs. The E drops his blood pressure (common) so he has to sit on the bed before moving. The P gives him the silly stomach, but they're able to help him with that. The nice thing is they give him the smallest doses possible and they only give him more if he needs it.

So far his mornings and mid-afternoons are his best times. He is getting pretty tired, but he has a comfy bed to sleep in for as long as he wants. The doctor said he would like to admit Matt to the hospital for all three weeks of his five day treatments. We weren't sure about that at the beginning. Now, we can't imagine wanting to do it any other way!

Anyway, this is harder on Matt than he could have imagined, but they are taking such wonderful care of him. I'll let you know how the rest of the week goes!!

My dad - thank you!!

My dad came home from the hospital today :) The cardiologist decided to give my dad four stints instead of going through bypass surgery again. That means he is home today and can resume regular activities in two weeks. THANK YOU for your prayers!!! Please keep Tom & Lorraine in your hearts when you pray...my dad is ready to make some changes and they will need support in that.

Again...thank you so much!!!

Day 1

This is Karin. Matt & I are at MMC. It's 7:30 pm. We got here at 9am. He's almost done with his first round of chemo (it didn't start until 3pm). Everyone here has been wonderful! There's even a pet-therapy puppy named Toby who has his own MMC photo ID tag! And...the greatest of all luxuries...12 hours of unlimited, all expenses included room service. That's right. Matt can get whatever he wants, whenever he wants it from 7am-7pm each day. He has a list of everything he wants to get over the next four days.

We're actually really glad with how this has worked out. We're so much more comfortable with him being in the care of doctors. Plus, if I want to they will bring a cot into the room so I can stay the night with Matt :) He managed to get a private room, so that has been a great blessing.

Matt won't really feel any different for a couple of days, and even then he should only feel tired. All of his blood work has declared his immune system in EXCELLENT condition, so they've been able to give him lower doses of some of the chemo drugs. With his health as is the medical specialists are anticipating hair loss and tiredness...they don't think he will experience any other side effects. Yeah!!! They said he will notice the hair loss in 7-10 days...my knitting diva sister is already at work on a new hat for the man :)

At this point our prayer is for Matt's blood cell counts. The chemo will lower them, but they need to keep an eye on them. If they drop below 50 he will have to come back to the hospital to avoid the risk of catching any bugs. That doesn't happen with everyone; some people only have minor dips. That is our desire.

I think that's it for now...I will give daily reports over the next four days. After that I'll post as needed. Love you tons!!!

More prayer needed...

Hey folks, it's Karin. Thank you so much for your prayers. Could I ask for just a few more? Early this morning my dad had a heart attack...his second. He is very worried (though he wouldn't tell me). He had his first attack in 1997 and had sextuple bypass surgery. It was very hard on him and my mom. It's not an easy surgery...and its a horrible recovery. Back then Michelle was still in high school and Cammie and I were in college. Now they are in Las Vegas and I'm in TC.

My dad is on his way to Muskegon, where he received treatment last time. They will check to see what needs to be done. Please, please, please pray for his health and healing, for a revelation of God and for strength, support and wisdom for my mom.

I'm not sure exactly where I'll be next week, though it looks like I will spend Tues/Wed with Matt, then go see my mom for a day or two and then come back up for when Matt is discharged. Please pray for safe travels.

Thank you so much. IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN DO FOR YOU, PRAY FOR OR ENCOURAGE YOU IN...PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!! Life is busy, but I love you all. Thanks.

Chemo Set

Yesterday Matt & I met with a new oncologist in TC. We both have SOOO much peace about this doctor, his office and his techniques. He made us feel very comfortable. We are excited to get things going!

Matt is going to start chemo on Tuesday, September 11th. He will be admitted to the hospital for the first five days (he will receive chemo for five hours each day during that period). This is an old-school technique, but he will only need to do this for the first week. With a long list of potential complications (most of which are 1% or less) our doctor is more comfortable having nurses and doctors monitor Matt's reactions. So am I! It's been a huge relief to not worry about if I might miss something or react too quickly and start taking Matt to the hospital for no reason. The other nice thing about Matt being admitted is that they can watch for any side effects and, if he has any, they can prescribe medications to help him. The other alternative is to prescribe everything ahead of time, just in case he has reactions. This way Matt won't be taking any extra medication unless he really needs it. With the hospital pumping so much into him with them chemo we are very happy not to give him any more medications than necessary.

Matt starts chemo on Tuesday because the doctor is not in the office Monday. This way, for this first round of treatment, our doctor can supervise everything. After this week Matt will know the rest of the staff at the office and the other doctor or nurse can assist when our doc is gone. It's been very encouraging to know that our doctor cares enough to make sure he is there for the first treatment.

The schedule is as follows:
9/11-15: 5 hr. drips each day
9/17: 2-3 hr. drip
9/24: 2-3 hr. drip
10/1-5: 5 hr. drips each day
10/8: 2-3 hr. drip
10/15: 2-3 hr. drip
10/22-26: 5 hr. drips each day
10/29: 2-3 hr. drip
11/5: 2-3 hr. drip

He should only be hospitalized the first week. After that it should be okay for him to receive treatments as an outpatient. We already called the hospital and he can bring his laptop :) They have free wi-fi in the building ;) I don't know about visitation yet. I also don't know how he'll be feeling, but I'll let you guys know.

And that's it!! Nine weeks. We are currently looking for natural ways to help boost Matt's immune system during this process, especially after the 5th. We want to flush the toxins out and get him built up as quickly as possible. We are investigating juicing right now...if you know of any great, natural immune boosters please let us know!

Be blessed with love and love and love!!!