So As Not To Worry

Friday's entry, showing the picture of my husband in better times, was not to scare any of you into thinking our lives are really, pretty awful. Sometimes it does feel that way and I feel challenged and so tired. So tired of it all. Tired of my life. Tired of cancer. So weary for Tim. So helpless at times for him. My reasons for my words the other day were cast out in anger, frustration and simply sadness. Tim went nearly three weeks without any chemotherapy drugs dragging him down. His every two week schedule was bumped to three due to him having an IV med port surgically implanted into his chest. This is to end nurses trying to poke his arm for veins that are becoming smaller, thicker. Many chemo patients have these put in and it really does lessen the pain and bruises he would otherwise have in his arms. With chemo being administered every two weeks and having bloodwork done every week it was the right thing to do.
This past week he had his round of chemo. He had been feeling so great before and now his body was blasted with drugs to kill off cancer cells and block anymore from forming. But with these drugs come other downfalls. They make a person feel like crap; plain and simple. Tired, nauseous, so fatigued. Tim went from feeling so much better than he had in a long time to back to being under the spell of chemotherapy. It is a catch 22 situation. It affects not only him, but me as well. I become angry inside and trapped. These weak moments make me long for our lives before cancer. I sense his pain and want so much to take on the nausea and fatigue and free him from such misery. He's tough though. One tough Irishmen I will tell you that. He handles this so well. He is my hero.
Some things have changed with his chemotherapy protocol recently and that has really bothered him. He has to go in again this Wednesday for a round of one chemo drug instead of two. Then the following week we are back to two chemotherapy drugs. Why things have changed we are still confused however we go by what our doctor here in our town and down at Duke schedule. With all of Tim's medical knowledge, very little gets by him. He knows what his bloodwork means. He knows what is normal and what isn't. I think this sort of puts his doctor in a different perspective at times. They have to realize they are working with a patient who perhaps know just as much as they do. Somewhat conflicting at times it seems. But I feel like I know so much more and have learned so much about human medicine these past months. While I find it interesting, at the same time I find human medicine so increasingly frustrating to be involved in. Tim feels the same way. It is so very different than veterinarian medicine on so many levels.
We are going through some changes in our lives right now and trying to keep afloat and not drift away from one another. We try to keep going as a team and not run into any "foul trouble". We are in this together and I will keep fighting for him the best I can. I have to keep reminding myself not to lose hope and keep praying and be stronger. I think there has been times lately I've lost sight of those things. And I don't want it to be like that.
Your comments to my entry the other day just blew me away. I do know what a wonderful, supportive bunch of readers I have who visit my blog daily. I'm in awe and constantly humbled by your kind words. Do you know how much they bring me back up and make me stand taller? I wish there was a way to thank each and every one of you! You are my and Tim's cheering support network and you make us strong!






You're walking a tough road - staying out a "foul trouble" is going to be hard.
Nearly eight years my husband was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, he was 39. We walked through a couple of rough years as husband and wife.
I will be praying for several things here - recovery, strength, peace and harmony for both of you. Because I know first hand that you are going to need it.
Take care
I never thought for a moment your post was anything other than a moment of frustration and also a bit of sadness. Who would NOT feel that way? I am sure there are plenty of good days, good moments, and laughs. I am sure there are moments of utter sweetness and light. But if we do not have the dark times, how can we appreciate the light ones?
I would hope that sometimes Tim feels the same way, good/bad/happy/sad. Maybe a bit of regret for how this has changed you, him, your family, his family.
I would bet that there have been other changes as well. Good ones. I bet the light times are lighter, the moments you catch your kids getting along sweeter, the phone calls or emails from your sister(s?) more loving. These are all good things. But you can't be up .all. the time, now can you?
I find it a privilege to read about your life, it's been a blessing to see how strong you and Tim are, how close you are. It has been a benefit to me.
Even when you know you're taking one day at a time, all the feelings you're having is very normal for a family going through this. Hang in there. There's a lot of us out here praying for you both. God's holding you in his hands.
We all know that anyone can read anyone's blog and post comments, but to those of us who follow you faithfully, I think we feel honored that you are open and honest with us about how you feel and what is going on...and it is "good medicine" for you to have this as an outlet. Don't ever feel you are putting upon your readers; we are here for you and your family...as best we can be.
I think what we respect most is your honesty. There is no sugar coating an awful disease. The most we can do is offer words of support and encouragement. And at times, that just doesn't seem enough.
I just want to add my voice in agreement to all those above. I am very captivated by your blog. I think it's because I've been there myself. I wish blogging had been invented when we went through it, too. Thankyou for being so honest and genuine with us. You are in my daily prayers.
Amy, we are here.... Your's and Tim's road is so tough right now. Hopefully, all of our prayers are doing their job to ease a bit of the burden.
If I can give you a few more words of hope, though, I wanted to tell you that I watched my friend's son go through all of this beginning when he was in third grade with my daughter. His was a grade 2-3 malignancy (I know not the same as Tim's - an astrocytoma) and he was given 18-24 months tops. This guy is now preparing to graduate from high school with my daughter..... All because the docs kept trying different combinations of drugs and radiotherapy. He made it to hell and back, and is now on stage crew at high school and enjoying a great quality of life. He had so many times when he wanted to call it a day, but then decided to push on through and his parents always allowed him a voice in the decision making. Because of him, I know that Tim always has someone by his side. My friend's son saw an angel standing by him when his mom had to leave the hospital room for a while. They are there to hold both of your hands through all of this. We're just here for you to bend our ears a bit. :)
Hopefully when Tim is feeling stronger you remember to have "date" night. It helps to keep things out of "foul" trouble.
Amy, your blog is your outlet, your place to vent and maybe even say out loud what you fear. Friday was from the heart, it was simple, stark, painful, and a jolt to everyone around you...but a good jolt. We all need to remember how lucky we are, how our lives can blow up before us with no warning, and to take each day as a gift. Do not ever apologize for being honest and opening your heart.
I am so glad that Tim got his port and it will make chemo so much easier! I was glad not to have to worry about my arms at all during my chemo. The blood draws will be easier too. Hang in there honey you all are doing such a great job. Somedays are better then others!
Your words are touching and I miss seeing my vet and you in the office. No one knows why we go through these struggles of life but I know these struggles let us know what is important to us. be thinking of you all.
Amy, Atta girl..that is the strong gal I have come to know! You are one strong chick!! You have lots of blog readers in your corner..we can't be there on the front lines..but we are great back up!
Glad to hear the Yooper got a port..it will make access easier, and way less painful for him:)
The road you're on is brutal - we were on a road like this when our daughter had open heart surgery at 7 months. Rage, terror, and deep sadness were constant companions, with only hope being our life line.
And a tenuous one at that.
Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers and sending you as much strength as the internet and prayer will hold...
I just spent the entire week at Hope Lodge, at Mayo Clinic, taking care of a friend who is undergoing radiation and chemotherapy. I met several of the patients staying at Hope Lodge....what a bunch of brave, wonderful folks...who look at the future with positivity and courage...I so admired them and their families. The human spirit never fails to inspire me....
I keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers....
I have a friend who has been on Dialysis for 28 years. She's been through 3 Kidney transplant operations.
She's a walking miracle. Her doctor is retired now and she is his only patient. His miracle patient.
Jodi says this "Hissy fits are important for mental well being"
Don't be afraid to take off your big girl pants every now and then Amy. Hissy fits are allowed!
P.S. Love the photo....the colors are dreamy!
I am a new reader here. I think sometimes we are led to a person or situation for one reason only. To pray for that person. So I started yesterday praying. As far as what you post here. Post what you want. I would use this blog as an escape. One day escape with a picture of a better day. Next day what your heart wants you to share. Take care of yourself.Brenda
Amy---My heart just aches for you--you are constantly on my mind.I am so proud of you. I wish I could take all your troubles and make your life 'normal' again. As your mom, I should be able to comfort you, make your pain go away but I don;t know how to do that. All I can do is to be here for you and have you realize that you, my daughter, are my hero---did I tell you how proud I am of you??
I have witnessed cancer from the sidelines too many times. My mother, my father and my mother-in-law were all diagnosed with it in it's various forms. Because I am a nurse, I became the caretaker and guardian at the medical door. It is a tough place to be, and that's where you find yourself as "the wife". You deserve to have some bad days and feel frustrated, tired and angry. Cancer patients go through a list of emotions and we all expect and accept it. Why not do the same for the ones on the sidelines? You worry as much as he does. You are doing the hard work (emotional and physical) that he does. You are as filled with fear as he is, so why should you have to be above showing it? Give yourself a break (virtual and reality :) and take care of yourself occassionaly. Let someone else carry some of the load for awhile. YOU need to get away even if it's only long enough to go get a message and a facial :) Ride a horse. Take a hike. Whatever takes the pressure off, if only for a short time. It's the only way you will stay strong and sane. Yes, you love your husband and want more than anything, for him to be BC (before Cancer), but love yourself too. Don't feel that you are cheating him if you take care of yourself. AND DON'T LET ANYONE ELSE LAY GUILT ON YOU! It takes a lot of strength for the family to get through this, so take care of yourself.
Sorry this is so long, but I've seen what happens to the support person who doesn't allow themselves to "unload" the burden and take respite breaks. You deserve better.
Reb
You guys are just awesome - strong and courageous. Don't lose hope!
I feel the same as Brenda does, I just found this site a week ago. I am praying too. I am also a survivor of bone cancer. I believe in intercessory prayer and you have many people praying. Your job is to take care of yourself and your family and take it one day at a time.
I've been following your blog since way before Tim got sick. I appreciate your honesty in expressing when things are tough and also your stories about your family and those crazy canines. Amy, you may not realize what an inspiration you and your family are to others. I pray for you often. Like an earlier commenter said-if we didn't have the dark times; how would we appreciate the light times? May you see light times very soon.
I can't even begin to grasp what it's like for you....you personally, your family dynamic, your relationship with Tim. Marriage isn't for the weak hearted during the best of times. It must be incredibly difficult, and yet you seem to endure it all. All the changes, all the difficulty. You are a hero too. You are still and always in my prayers. Don't forget to breathe. :)
You and your husband are both heroes.You're an amazing woman to share this difficult part of your life with all of us. And the way you handle it is so admirable. Your family is in my prayers.
Amy, your honesty is what draws us all to your blog in the first place...never censor what you are really feeling...I am a new reader compared to some of the other commenters today but just know that you and Tim and your family are in my prayers. Hang in there. Some days we just have to concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other, one foot at a time.
Your photos and blog are such a source of enjoyment to me. I wish there was a way I could ease your family's pain and give something back to you. Take heart that there are well wishers across the country hoping that better days are around the corner for you and yours.
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