Thank You!

We continue to receive letters, cards, flowers, plants, and other goodies at our home away from home. It is no exaggeration when I say that each of these gestures have been the main highlights of Ran's time here at the Lodge. Please keep in mind that we will be leaving this wonderful establishment on Wednesday December 21st. We'll be back and forth to IA for check-ups but the remainder of our healing will take place at the Hobo House. Please feel free to continue sending your notes of encouragement, laughs, and love to our home address (included at the left). You have all done so much for us - we'll never quite be able to express it or thank you enough.

December 17th, 2011

Hello Ye Faithful Blog Followers! So sorry I have slacked on the updates. I'll blame it on Finals week - it's what we teachers blame everything on!

I'd be lying if I said the last two weeks have been easy ones. They haven't been. They could have been better but we also know that they could have been MUCH worse. Nothing has come as a very big surprise thanks to other blogs that we have read along the way. We seem to be right on schedule. The second Chemo really knocked Ran on his butt - well actually his back. Lots of sleeping! He has been exhausted and his steam runs out quickly. Little bouts of nausea that come and go - on a pretty steady does of medicine to help. This past Monday, as if ordered, his throat began to hurt. He has to keep his talking to a minimum. His biggest chore is to swallow, to keep his throat muscles in working order. Pretty much all he can do at this time is sip ice water or coke - and I do mean sip. There have been a handful of attempts to eat "real" food but the majority of them have been unsuccessful. Before, it was simply the taste of everything that made it unbearable - now that nasty sore throat is playing its part. The remarkable piece of this story is that in the last three weigh-ins he has not lost ANY weight. He holds at a solid 168. This means he has only lost about 12 pounds since we started. This is awesome! No matter how he feels he hooks up to Peggy Two and she takes care of him! A few Cans of Power 3-4 times a day, a half bag of H2O and we are doing better than the average bear!

Side Stories:

• There has been this one little ugly requirement hanging over Randy's head - keeping him from graduating from Nursing School. . . two Psychology credits. . . yes, two credits!  Now, if you look at Ran's transcript one would think he has enough Psychology classes to have minored in the subject (which he cares little for - everyone knows he's the scientist and this is much more my department)! We tried every way we could think of to get around this block but Excelsior just wouldn't budge. I finally got online and ordered him the CLEP book; Human Growth and Development. Since he arrived in IA he has been studying in small increments and taking the practice tests. He scheduled the test at the University for December 7th, crammed the last week, and PASSED! He is officially done. Just yesterday he received confirmation from New York that his transcript has been updated and a congratulations notice for having completed all the requirements for nursing school. One small step left. . . the NCLEX. With an entire Crowder Nursing Department and my mother behind him we know he'll clear that last hurdle with ease!
• Ran was in the community kitchen a couple weeks ago attempting a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerio goodness. Kim, one of the wonderful ladies who works at the HL full-time walked through with a package. She stopped and commented to Ran that no matter what she can always eat Cheerios, if she doesn't know what she wants that is her go-to food. Ran and Kim proceeded to have a 15 minute conversation about the magically fulfilling cereal. As Kim got up to leave she remembered that the package she had brought back had actually arrived for Ran. She handed it over to him to open and the unbelievable happened. He cut open the box and found an entire case of individual serving size Cheerios! They could hardly believe it - what timing!!! A big shout out to Dave, Corrine and the Boys for the tasty love.
• The HL hosted a wonderful speaker the other evening. Justin, a young man who is a former guest of HL and a survivor of brain cancer. He, 14 other survivors, their 15 caretakers, and Dr. Leming completed a three week trip to the Mt. Everest base camp (completely funded by and/or funds raised by Dr. Leming himself). Justin and Dr. Leming told of and shared pictures from their experience, their struggle, their emotions, and the highest ever American Cancer Society Relay for Life walk. After stringing 350 flags made by loved ones for loved ones each lap was successfully walked and celebrated. It was brutally honest, moving and motivating and exactly what Randy and I needed at this point in our Journey. The timing could not have been better. We needed a final push and a push is what we got! I would like to encourage each of you to check out the American Cancer Society homepage. Please consider making a donation in honor of or in remembrance of a loved one this Holiday. What an amazing gift. The research that has been done and is being done is beyond amazing. Unfortunately, there is much more to do.

I'd like to say there are more stories to share but I'd be making them up! We've entered the part of treatment that revolves around rest and nutrition and not much else. Although that may sound a bit boring in writing it quickly fills our days! Oh, and I chopped my hair off yesterday.

December 3rd, 2011

Is it really already December? How did that happen? Were we not just walking out of the Joplin airport (missing one bag) in a rainbows and stardust type glaze after an uninterrupted four weeks on an island. If we knew then what we know now. . .
This week lived up to all the hype. It was text book - very much like everything we had read in preparation for this road trip. In summary "things will start to get rough around week five - after the second round of Chemo." We were prepared - but are you ever really prepared?
We both know that things could have been worse. Peggy Two stepped up and single handedly saved the week! Ran simply had no appetite. Eating was way out of the question - I was band from even talking about food (which apparently is harder for me to do then one would think!). Ran continued to drink water and Gatorade as much as he could stand and today, at 4:26pm, he ate his first bite of solid food since Monday. Can anyone guess what it was? Very good Sarah . . .  Cheerios! Though not eating via his big loud mouth (Crowder folks know I speak the truth on that one!) he has been diligently feeding himself the high calorie, high nutrient, high everything shakes via Peggy Two. Much to our surprise, when we weighed in on Friday, he had not lost ANY weight for the week! We were thrilled. But, that didn't touch the best news we were given. During our visit with Dr. Sun she used her tiny flash light (with a camera this time) and stuck her tiny fingers down Ran's throat. She then stepped back and shared that the tumor is evidently smaller - she could both see and feel a difference! That is the kind of news that gets you through vomit, and exhaustion, and 24 hour nausea. So, they say we've got two and half more weeks of this? We say. . .Bring it!

November 30th, 2011

Today. . . today was a sleepy day.
Woke up and did a light workout. Randy on the treadmill so that he could read and walk - I on the bike (padded shorts and all!). Ran fell asleep as I got my shower. Hated to wake him but we had to go to SHR and our second Tens Unit meeting. We were back at the HL by 10:30, Ran had another Can of Power via Peggy Two and then laid down for a nap. I took my computer to the dinning room and started catching up on all of the work that came poring in from my students over the Holiday.
I decided to wake Ran again a little after 2:00. We left around 3:00 to do some antiquing. It's inside and warm, it allows us to be up and moving, and it saves us money (everything is too expensive or big to buy!). Exhaustion started to set back in so we headed back to HL around 5:30. He curled up in our warm little room, had the 4th Can of Power for the day and called it a night.
So overall, not sick - just a little queezy (which I rub his hand to fix) - and very very tired. I'm glad we're here. I'm glad he is away from all of the temptations that would keep him from resting when that is what his body tells him to do.

November 29th, 2011

Back at the Hope Lodge. Ran is doing great. Not nearly as "out of it" as he was after the first Chemo.  Brushing teeth and washing off a night in the hospital. Closing the blinds and hoping for sleep. Officially over halfway done. . . 2/3 Chemo and 19/35 Super Hero Radiation treatments OVER!

November 28th, 2011

We are back in Iowa after a wonderful four day hiatus in Neosho. We left as soon as we could last Wednesday. SHR #17 and a quick check-up by Nurse Peggy and Dr. Sun. Everything looks great - everyone is very complementary of both the inside and outside of Ran's neck. If they're not careful they might have the additional problem of figuring out how to cure cancer and deflate his head at the same time! Ran participated in the first of three Tens unit treatments which went very well. We all began to officially poke a little fun at Ran's new "Radiation Haircut." The radiation caused his hair to fall out about halfway down the back of his head. It's like a reverse receding hairline! Kinda looks like he's got "the mange!" Oh, stop it! I can hear all of you sweethearts out there. That's funny stuff! We've got to laugh. . .and do often!
We took a nice slow drive home - the trip being much more interesting with company. We sat in "our" living room in front of "our" fireplace and continued to visit for about thirty minutes or so before we decided to call it a night in "our" bed. There is truly no place like home.
As our Thanksgiving was planned for Saturday in AR we decided to take care of some chores on Thursday and get a little exercise in - something neither of us have done very much of as of late. We took my car to Wally World and had the oil changed and the tires rotated. You have to take extra special care of these old cars and our Pearl Girl (97 White Toyota Camery from Adrian & Billy) has had over 6000 additional miles added in the last month. We dropped off the car (saw Kirk Roelfsema for just a moment - quick update about IA - what a great smile he has to motivate the rest of our day!) then we walked to Crowder. Ran got caught up on work while I walked back to get the car and do a little grocery shopping. He pretty much lives on Honey Nut Cheerios (as it's one thing that doesn't taste horrible . . .yet) so we had to stock up! Matt, Nancy, Logan and Kels all came over to visit for a few hours that evening. So good to see familiar faces!
Friday friends came over to watch college and high school ball and hang out for the day. It was a wonderfully normal day - we both loved every minute of it! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Saturday we brought a little lunch out to Jim and Kate Rhoades and got to visit for a about 30 minutes (not nearly long enough) before heading to AR. Kate looks wonderful! Her recovery from knee replacement surgery is going very well. Apparently, she follows her Dr.'s instructions to a T because her range of motion shocked both of us. Dinner in AR at my Grandmother and Uncle John's house was such a treat. Everyone seemed to have brought something although our Carl went above and beyond the call of duty - as always! It was such a great gathering of wonderful people that we too rarely have in the same room. Unfortunately, Ran was not able to eat much. Nothing tasted "good" to him. Each day is different - sometimes food tastes great - or at least normal - and on others everything is awful. Things started out tasting like they had been soaked in salt - now they taste soapy. We had our fingers crossed but this just ended up being a not so great food day. The camaraderie more than made up for the disappointment and of course I'm always willing to do my part by eating for two. Keeping the world in balance - one yam (ok, geesh, three) at a time!
Because I was able to work my magic and move Ran's Monday appointments to later in the day we had the entire day Sunday to just do. . . whatever! So, we decided to sleep ridiculously late, sip coffee for an extra-long time, go to to the Y and walk on the treadmill (instead of run), then watched the Eagles game with Matt (uggg, really Jackson, COME ON!) When we returned home Ran was able to get all caught up with Hazim as they watched KC fight a good fight. To bed a little later than expected and neither of us could sleep. Alarm was set for a little before four a.m. but I don't think either of us needed it - already awake.
MONDAY:
DING, DING! Round Two (if only we had a hot ring girl to walk through the room - all would be right in Randy's world!)
As I type, Ran has already had SHR #18, met with Dr. Wehbe to review blood work, and is almost through the first bag of fluids. One more to go, then 192 minutes of Cisplatin, and more kidney flushing fluids. If we don't sleep tonight we'll tuck ourselves into our cave in the morning after radiation and sleep away the day.

November 19th, 2011

Wednesday November 17th, 2011

• SHR and a great visit with the morning crew! One lady, who just started treatment, said "I expected to come down those stairs and see a bunch of quite people, lost in their own thoughts, sort of feeling sorry for ourselves but instead every morning everyone is smiling. Everyone is so happy to see each other! I actually look forward to coming!" She and her very sweet husband drive a little over an hour each way - five days a week. Her cancer is located in her nose. It still wrinkles up when she smiles.
• We ate breakfast (Ran’s stuck on Cheerio’s at the moment) and then bundled up for a walk before heading back to IUHMC. We walked the same path Ran had taken on Monday. He couldn't wait to show me the houses. So, down to the river and then up the hill we went – passing very unique homes on the right that overlook the water. Most, very Frank Lloyd Wright in their architectural style. Our favorite was the same. "The leaves on the trees are falling to the sounds of the breezes that blow". . . today that breeze is a rock band and I have a feeling the trees will be bare by the end of the week.
• We packed our bags for the evening. We were off to meet the new lady in Ran’s life, Peggy 2 Peg Tube. We checked in and met with Dr. Cullem, who would be inserting Peggy 2. Very calm, approachable, and positive. I was given a pager and shown where to wait. The procedure only took about 30 minutes. We were joking earlier in the day - making guesses about how they know where to insert the tube. I said they probably stick a light down your throat and wherever it glows is where they cut. I swear. . .that is what they actually do!! 
•  The Peg Tube, otherwise known as a feeding tube, was placed for precautionary reasons only. This is not a mandatory part of treatment but everything that we've read explained the positive aspects! Ran likes to think of Peggy 2 as his back-up parachute - she's there when he needs her! The hard part about losing your appetite is just looking at food. The site of food is almost worse then the actual eating. Using Peggy 2 will allow Ran to be in complete control of his diet instead of it controlling him. He is still able to eat (whatever he wants - whenever he wants) and is actually encouraged to continue to drink and use his throat muscles for as long as possible.
• Once I was beeped I was able to go back and be with Ran as he "woke up". One of the Docs that was with him told me he was the most polite patient she has ever had. From the beginning he was very agreeable and every time they would explain what they were going to do next he would say "Ok, yes ma'am, thank you." "Thank you." Thank you." He kept saying it throughout the entire surgery!
• There is nothing like being seen through the eyes of the love of your life as they come out of a drug induced state! Ran's eyes always look the same. He makes contact with mine and then his mind makes contact and his eyes smile before his mouth does and he holds his hand up for me to touch and says "Hey Margie, how are you?" Always thinking about how someone else feels first.
• Favorite after surgery quote: "I love drugs. They just cut a hole in my stomach and I can't even feel it!"
• An up and down evening - loud rude roommate - a little fever - a little nausea - came out of it though with the help of a wonderful night crew (Nicole and Sara), a glass of sprite and three Popsicles. Thursday morning now, went straight to SHR after being discharged and then back to the HL to spend the day catching up on sleep and work. Miso soup sounded god for dinner so we found a place, shared some edamame, fried rice for Ran and Sushi for me. He didn't have a great appetite but didn't feel bad. Ate what he could and that's the new way of our world.

Friday November 18th, 2011

• We were determined to be outside today. Ran woke up feeling great! We headed out the door to go watch Regis on his last day of the show with the morning crew at SHR. Checked in with Peggy (told her about her new namesake, no weight loss or gain this week (for either of us!) :), saw Dr. Sun and her famous flashlight, and were free for the next few days!
• We spent the entire day going from one thrift store to the next antique shop is search of the perfect chair for Randy's dream reading nook. No luck finding a chair but it was a wonderful day. Our last stops were in Mount Vernon (every state's got one) which is about 20 miles from Iowa City. Beautiful farm land with rolling hills the entire way. Home of a very old and ornate Cornell College. 

  Saturday November 19th, 2011

• We did very little today. Spent the morning working online and then Ran took a nap while cozied up in front of the fire watching college ball. When it hits him it hits and he has to rest. We only left to go to a movie - we chose the funny one- and then hung out in the bookstore for a bit afterwards. You've gotta love a book store - stimulates conversation from one extreme to another! The weather has changed considerably throughout the day, the wind picked up and the temp has dropped. It's going to be another cold night in IA.