Update day #13 - Drive whos gonna tell you when its too late whos gonna tell you things arent so great you cant go on thinking nothings wrong whos gonna drive you home tonight I hate driving. I always have. I enjoy being a passenger. For 17 years Bob has been the designated driver when we go places. I use my passenger time to catch up on e-mail, reading, and sleeping. He always delivers me safely to our destination. Its not been a good cancer day. Its also Pauls birthday and it ended up being pretty heartbreakingly lame, not our usual fanfare. Bob woke up with excruciating low back pain 10 out of 10 rating. He described it as pulsating and each time his heart beat, the pain would shoot up his spine into his head. Initially we were alarmed and did call the Cancer Center. The Neulasta shot he received last week is the culprit. The medication goes right to the bone marrow to stimulate the stem cells into becoming neutrophils, the infection fighting white blood cells. As it is working to support his bodys natural defense system, a full on war is underway. He had to rely on high doses of pain medication throughout the day to be comfortable. Because of the pain medications, I have been chauffeuring him to his appointments. Since we are engaging a full court press with his cancer treatment, he has lots of appointments. We had one today. When I got to the car I went to the passenger side and hopped into my familiar place. Before Bob got to the car I quickly moved over to my new spot, the Drivers Seat. I am the driver, literally and figuratively. These days I wear a new uniform. The uniform of battle, of driving, of advocating, and every ing in between. I dont like the new uniform. Its a heavy load. It doesnt fit right. Its scratchy and the mask is hot. But I solider on. Today Paul and I had an errand to run in Tri Cities. We talked Bob in to going with us. He was medicated and I thought he would enjoy getting out and I didnt want to leave him alone in pain. As I drove and watched his resting eyes, I could tell battling Leroy is taking all his efforts and energy. It was a weird thing - knowing Im in the drivers seat, navigating these waters to get him safely home. Letting him rest and take a load off in the passenger seat as he has done for me oodles of times throughout the years. Its my turn. Thanks to Nancy Butler who delivered a special birthday dinner for Paul Betts Nancy was Pauls first sitter and started watching him at age 7 months. Full circle time when I watched her hug this 18 year old. Thanks to J.R Van Slyke for The Rogue Lobster CD! Thanks for the visit Greg Blanc and Kandy. Thanks for remembering Pauls birthday. Your thoughtful gift was the highlight of his day. Thanks Sandra Henton Betts who facilitated a visit from Mike, their pastor. Thanks Sheila Hagar for the clean laundry - topped off with paper towels and toilet paper. Youre a genius. How did you know we were running out and things were about to get interesting? Thanks Meagan Kimball for continuing to coordinate with Sue Clark and Morgan Clark the colossal job of T-shirt distribution and with Mari Prieto on Pauls special day. Your efforts continue to be so appreciated. Thanks Annelise Spencer for the kind and generous photo shoot for Paul. I cant wait to see the result of your mad skills! Thanks Beth Thiel Roger & Broetje for apple delivery. Thanks Amy McCorkell Mayer and Chris for taking off this morning to bring Spencer Betts home. Its a very long drive and you all know how much I hate driving, so this is such a gift. Bring our boy home! Man, we have really missed him this week! Another long post. Lots to process. Tonight I have two wishes. I wish Bob would sleep well, pain free and wake up tomorrow knowing he is winning. Second, I hope everyone on #teambetts would pop over to T Gobber Longmires FB page. I have never met Tracy, but we have many mutual friends. She recently started chemo for breast cancer. Im happy she asked for help today and I know that wasnt easy to do. A care calendar has been created to help her family out. Please share the love. The blessings we receive daily - the hot meals, encouraging words, hugs make ALL the DIFFERENCE. Nobody can do this alone. Thanks,
Posted on: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 06:01:00 +0000
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