How does one spell relief?
A-D-E-L-E.

She came and all I can think of are 'C' words- not THE 'C' word-
But others....

Cooking, Cleaning, Caring, even -Chiropracting!

Oh my she has great hands, I got a massage!

So, a big hug and thank you to my beautiful sister in law Adele, who filled a few pot holes in the bumpy road we're travelling....

ONE OF THOSE DAYS.... Well, it's just difficult some days.  You wake up (if you ever slept at all) and just feel like you've been run over by a freight train.

We had chemo Thursday, Neulasta shot and radiation oncology check up Friday- then company Friday night through Sunday.  About 5 minutes after everyone left- things just went down hill.

Nick's pain went from 4 to 14 and nausea set in, along with the achy bones.  He's usually a good patient, until the pain gets bad and then he just wants what he can't have.  It's a delicate balancing act and we usually do that dance pretty well- not today for some reason.

In the roller coaster ride that fighting cancer is- we are on the the long, winding trip down hill, backwards and upside down.

To top it off Lucas woke up ill with a fever, and this is payroll day- so somehow I have got to get to work.

I guess there are days when the caregiver needs a hand up.  Or a big fat valium that brings sleep and rest.

As much as we love our friends and enjoy their company- it takes a huge energry drain on all of us- the patient and his family.

Today our prayer is for rest and relief.

Thanks for reading, thanks for caring-
Kimberley

Lucas is Fifteen! Yikes! I am in agreement with Nick the years have flown by- just a blur of fragmented memories.  Our three boys are the joy of our lives.  Friends comment to us how lucky we are to have raised such wonderful young men and again, I agree!  (Christian and his friend Seth Grover are now outside constructing the new basketball hoop that is Luc's gift this year.  We didn't even have to ask, although a reward of some sort of dessert may be in order.) 

Our boys each have their unique talents but the things they have in common are even more impressive to us. Compassion, empathy, huge hearts, intelligence and a genuine love for God.

Now about the birthday tradition of decorating the door- I started that when Matthew was two. In high school, my girlfriends and I would decorate each others lockers on our birthdays. I enjoyed it so much I carried the tradition over when I had children, decorating their bedroom instead.  Waiting until they were fast asleep, usually meaning when I was fast asleep, and groggily, painstakingly adding the candy- taping one piece at a time.  It takes about an hour...
WHAT WAS I THINKING?
I figured out this morning that I have spent over $1200 in candy. Probably about 27 rolls of tape and 60 hours of lost sleep...and still my belief that family traditions are important and the memories they create are priceless-won't allow me to stop.
On Matthew's 18th birthday, he was house sitting for a couple- I drove over there in the middle of the night to decorate his door. He wasn't even home, but I couldn't disappoint him- or was it me that didn't want to be disappointed? ??
I have now declared birthday 17 the cut off date.

Happy Birthday to my darling adorable perfect son!

Attached is a photo of Luc's door this morning.

Good morning- It's Saturday- (I think?).
We are still at OHSU- our goal being: get Nick's pain under control and get him some nutrients in the form of food.
He is weak, but hopefully will be stronger after this weekend here.

He is in and out of sleep with the pain meds and anti nausea- but sends his love.

So far the word is that he will be home on Monday.

One final word- our nurses are angels on Earth- hug one today!

Love,
Kimberley