Steve and I are sorry we haven't kept his blog up to date lately. We have both been in survival mode and just been focusing on what needs to be done. The good news is that we are half way done with Steve's follow-up chemo. He starts his fourth round tomorrow. He has been able to keep working full time so far, but that takes every bit of energy he has. By the time he gets to the end of each day his body just needs to crash and sleep. The hardest part of the day for him is the morning. Getting his body up and going takes a lot more out of him than he is used to. Just getting up and out the door to work was exhausting him. Because of this and a few other reasons, I ended up giving notice to my work and just stayed long enough to train a replacement.
I just couldn't do it all any more. I have been burning my candle at both ends this entire school year. My work has been wonderfully supportive through all of this craziness, but I wasn't able to be as effective for them or at home as I wanted to be. It has been hard trying to stay on top of work, home, kids, paperwork, taking care of Steve, etc. As much as I loved working with the kids at the school, I couldn't afford to keep spreading myself so thin.
I have yet to feel like I am catching up on everything at home, like paperwork (ugh), but I have been more available for Steve and the kids. I'm hoping that once I'm not so tired, I will be able to get more done in a day. Sometimes I feel like I'm a zombie just going through the motions, but not getting much done. That has been a little frustrating. At the same time I realize that it is going to take a while for me to get caught up on me. I just have to be patient and give my body a chance to bounce back.
Steve is doing well. Chemo will never be fun, but he is hanging in there. His feet and hands are having the roughest time. The skin on the bottoms of his feet peels off in big sections about every three weeks. (I never knew that skin could replace itself so quickly in such large quantities.) His poor hands are just red, wrinkled and tender. Thankfully it is the top that is the worst, which means he is still able to type when he is working. Hopefully the neuropathy in his fingers will go away once he is no longer taking the zeloda.
Thanks for all your love and support. It is very much appreciated. Carla
I think about you all & pray for you every day. Lots of love from us!
ReplyDeleteMy love and prayers go out to you and your family as well. Sorry to hear that it has become so taxing on you, Carla. You are are local Guru, so I suspect you know what to do to restore your strength. You have taken such good care of your family and now that the children are so much older, they too can be, and I think are, helpful with things as well. Mom's favorite quote to me as always been "Do only that which YOU can do. Have someone else do all the rest." I hope you are utilizing the service and love of others during this time.
ReplyDeleteSteve, Four weeks in and still moving along. You are an inspiration to us all. When you wake up from all of this I think your sweetheart deserves a trip to the island of her choice. She is an amazing asset in your life which you already know. I just wanted to say it too! I am proud of you little brother!
Say "Hi!" to those cute nephews and nieces of mine. Maybe I need to have them for cousin camp this year. Just a thought. ???
Love, Lauri
Steve, would you mind if I shared a link to my challenge blog here on your blog. Perhaps it could open doors to some new possibilities for your cancer friends as far as life outside of cancer is concerned. Whether as a distraction or a change of direction for them. I think it might be helpful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a marathon for you both. I'm so lucky not to have been given the option of chemo.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed by your selflessness Carla. For us, life/work/school carried on as normal. I dont think anyone took any time off (apart from me of course, and then that was sanctioned by my doctor and employer). Of course people did chip in with extra time, friends/neighbours.
I dont know anything about the US healthcare system, but from what I've read on other blogs you do have to deal with a lot of paperwork. We take our free NHS treatment for granted, whether it be a 5p pill or a £500,000 operation.
Hugs to you both.
Carla, (sorry, I deleted the first - I forgot something!)
ReplyDeleteMy name is Angela Clarno. Steve has read my blog, Ang's Jouney, and been an amazing contributor. I, for reasons that you will understand, have not emailed until now. If you could please tell him that he has been in my thoughts and prayers every since his first post. Now, I would like provide a little bit of help for his hands and feet. Being on Chemo this long will dry you out and, I remember that he also did radiation which also dries you out (four inch heals - LOVED THAT POST). At that point in my treatment, I was putting cream on my hands and feet several times a day. My fingernails hurt like crazy, so may I suggest that you pick up some Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream for his body and Sally Hansen Salon Hand Care "Fast-Absorbing Hand and Cuticle Cream" for his hands and feet. It has a light scent of oranges so it is not too girlie. Use it in the morning and at night and keep one in the car to use. Especially rub it on the nails. This will keep his nails in better condition. Also, keep his nails SHORT - as short as you can. The pain will be reduced with short nails. Almond Oil - pure straight almond oil - will work on the nails too, but it can be messy for guys. Have him drink TONS of water - at this point he can't get enough. Okay, that is my advice. I hope you get this post. Please give him a hug for me and tell him to LIVE STRONG! Love, Ang
Thank you Steve and Carla for adding a link to my Eat, Pray, Love: The Challenge blog to your site. My hope is to bring support to your readers in a way that I know how: through my writing.
ReplyDeleteMay God Bless You All as you battle various cancers and illnesses.
And God, please send Steve some extra angels from his Big Sister.
Love you guys! It was so good to finally be able to chat again the other day, Carla-- and then I saw you doing yardwork and all seemed a little more right in the world... Hang in there!!!!! We're sure grateful to be your neighbors...
ReplyDeleteHope you both are hanging in there too.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to let you know that I just ordered you a book, "Variable Clouds, Occasional Rain with a Promise of Sunshine" by Paul H. Dunn. Cliff Watson just recommended it to me for Kayli and I thought you'd enjoy reading it too.
Always in our prayers, Lauri (The Big Sister)
Hi Carla and Steve,
ReplyDeleteHope you're both managing to get a little 'down time' together.
Steve, hope your hands/feet are a little less sore. You're amazing to be able to work through Chemo. Don't overdo it though eh?...
Carla, you can only do as much as you can do...the rest can wait.
Take time for *you* as well as the family....(I somehow know that Steve is nodding in agreement at the moment)...
Giving up work, although you're probably sad about it, is right for now.
You can't carry on just existing from day to day, you need time to just simply relax and recharge sometimes.
Big hugs and much luv to you both xxxx
Have I gotten behind or what? Good thing Carla put up a post. Thanks, Carla.
ReplyDeleteTo my family, thank you for your continued love and support. (OK, for everybody else too. :-))
Mary, you guys are the best. Awful quiet over there, though. Come out side more often so we can visit.
Hi, Fiona. As I've said before, I married a real gem of a girl. She's improving each day in health and strength. She feels like she's getting her life back under control, but she has also learned to just let things go when they're not as important as originally thought. Hugs back and forth, I missed a few these last days.
Angela, sweet Angela. Nice to have you stop by the blog. I have never expected a comment from you as you have so much constantly on your plate. And now you leave one the day before your surgery. Don't I feel special. Actually I was quite touched. I appreciate that you would take a moment to share with us what you've learned. We are looking into the various creams. I am already drinking more fluids than I already was. We're praying for you and a speedy recovery. Oh, and thanks for my big hug. I thought Carla delivered it quite well. :-)
Hey, Carole. Great having you back haunting the blogs. I'm so glad you and Sarah had fun together. I love how you pulled off the surprise at the door. You two look fab in the photos, And my goodness there are beautiful places in Rhodes. Hi, Sarah! Thanks for giving Carole a much needed break from the city. Well done taking care of your sister. Hugs to all. My trip is coming in August. That's my carrot out in front of me getting me though the rougher parts of chemo. I'll leave you guessing for now.
Thanks again to all who stop by now and again. It does make a difference in my day. I'll have to do an update blog soon. Hugs and much love to all...
Glad to feel your spirit through your writing. That's what I miss.
ReplyDeleteI'll Love You Forever, I'll Love For Always, Forever and Ever Your Big Sister I'll Be. (smiles)
Carla, I know its hard to quit a job you love, but I agree with all that it is the right thing right now. Your family needs you more. Take care of yourself, please let Kris and I know if you need anything, we are always there and conveniently across the street.
ReplyDeleteSteve WOOHOO and HURRAY for being half way there, the carrot is getting closer. You are right when you say you married a gem, Carla is awesome and does so much for you. I wish I could somehow take some of your tiredness and exhaustion away and give you more of a day with energy, it would be nice if we could do that. But you can always lean on me when ever you need to. Just call me or come over. You and Carla are always in my prayers. I love you both.. Take care ...
Hey, Mark. Thanks for the comments. I can always count on you. So when are you taking me to lunch? Oh, skip lunch. Come on over and check out The Heavens of Olympus. Carla got the call from the game store and picked up the game when she was in Salt Lake with Abby. Mike even signed the box. Pretty cool. Still looking forward to the release party on April 1st. Some of the kids want to come too. Thanks again for checking in on the blog. I need an update on how you're doing. Remember to Stay in the Brine!
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