Author: Greek Fighting Orange

We had an “Ornery Day” or should I say a “Christos Day”!! 😄 Chris was just feisty today! Cindy didn’t notice his ice water needed to be refilled in a timely manner. We told him he needed more protein, he said he needed options! He is grumbling that he wakes up and we make him pee, he wakes up and we make him eat, he wakes up and we make him exercise, etc. Then he is cold and needs his feet wrapped or hot and needs it colder in the room! All of which we are thrilled about and we just laugh at him! We are SO happy that he is back to a somewhat normal Christos!

All joking aside, my honey is a trooper! He is getting a little better everyday! All the doctors have waved off, for now, except the oncologist and the infectious disease docs. His white blood cell count is still at .2! This is the third day at that number and we are watching it, praying it starts to go up, making good white blood cells. The ID Doc has prescribed antibiotics at this phase! Large doses! This is where it is so critical that we all wear masks and sanitize our hands. An infection could set him back even more. Another cancer patient on our floor was found to have a flu bug and they had to move them to another floor. Serious stuff!

We love and appreciate our family and friends! PRAY!

Hello family and friends! Chris’ Oncologist told us we would be thrilled with boring days and he is right! Chris’ platelets were low so he got a shot of them. Now we want his body to start making white blood cells again and pray that they are the good healthy kind. Today his white blood count is at .2, we will watching them grow and cheer his progress. His overall health is improving. He is moving around and walking more today. Eating better too! However, chemo messes up your taste buds, so it’s a challenge to find something he likes. Everything is too salty or sweet or not salty or sweet enough. He looks very skinny so we are pushing protein and any food we think he might like. Jaime tried to make him jello without sugar in it, just using orange juice to sweeten it and he made the funniest pucker face ever! Jan has brought him yogurt and smoothies with no luck. My mother in law and Pete have brought him the broth from boiling greens (trying to help the BM) he liked one but not the other. This is a challenge.

We would like to give a shout out to everyone at Maumee Valley Htg.& A/C. They all have been going above and beyond and we love them all like family!

Thank you all for the cards you have sent Chris. We put them on the wall to decorate his room.

Hugs to all!

We were told today that the chemo will stop until Chris’ body has a chance to recover! 2 – 3 weeks! Each day after blood testing the next step will be decided. He is weak and tired today but he is getting a blood transfusion and platelets. Last Saturday they gave him the same thing and within hours he was a new man. We finally had to break down and take medicine for his hiccups. Two days of hiccups was long enough! Side effect of this medicine is that it make you sleepy. He hasn’t been awake much today. Chris’ body is slowly getting to “normal”. His liver and heart are good. Kidneys are getting better. Bowels are still bloated but moving better.

Special thank you to the folks that are watching out for me. Some of you know about my Starbucks addiction, right? Well my sister Cindy has hooked me up a lot, with some help from Jannah. I think there is a calendar somewhere that you can sign up to feed me because I haven’t missed a meal! Elaine and Aleca have stocked a candy drawer for us and our visitors. Cousin Chris walks me to my car every night! Multiple nurses and a few doctors in our family and family of friends help me understand some of this craziness we are going through. This is only mentioning a few people too! We have the most amazing family and friends! Special prayers of thanks to all.

Hello family and friends!

Today was pretty good for Chris except for his hiccups. White blood count is down to .4! Platelets and hemoglobin are low but not low enough for transfusions. He still has problems with his kidneys and bowels. Last week Chris’ Oncologist said we hope for boring days and I think today is what he was talking about. We are thankful!

We all tend to take our spouses and/or our loved ones for granted. I am guilty of that. Often Chris and I would remind each how blessed we are. The silly arguments seem even more so now. Thank your spouse today for something! I really mean this! Every day would be even better. Do a special thing for each other. Even something as simple as taking them a cup of coffee, get the newspaper for them, or start their car on a cold day! Find something!!

Love, hugs, and kisses to all!

Thank you everyone for your prayers! Through them Chris had a MUCH better health day! From  the moment I walked into his room he was awake (fist time since our journey started) and waiting for me!  The whole room was bright, even with the lights off.  We had a great day with family and friends! NG tube was removed and He was able to have clear liquids. He hasn’t eaten anything for 2 days.

Another side effect of chemo is sometimes a person can get hiccups!  Guess what Chris has?  Yes HICCUPS!!  At first it was funny but when he can’t even rest due to hiccups, it became another problem! Argh!

Thank you all for comments, thoughts and prayers! I have read them all and when Chris feels up to it I read them to him!