Saturday, June 14

Yesterday the kids and I arrived at the hospital around 3:00. Sarah had been at girls camp all week so she wanted to come and see her dad. It does their little hearts good to come and see him and the x-box. Jim's four walls were closing in on him a little bit yesterday. Also, blood counts are dropping so with that also drops energy and motivation. But, he is hanging in there. After the kids left, we had date night which consisted of an after dinner walk (around the unit) a movie and junior mints.

This morning Jim took his morning walk around the unit. Even though he doesn't really feel like it he is trying to keep active so that he can keep up his energy. On the agenda today; more chemo. After today, he will have one more day of chemo. Yea!

It is overwhelming to us to see that amount of people who are checking this blog on Jim's progress. As always, we are so grateful for your thoughts and prayers.

Friday, June 13

I just talked to Jim this morning. I went home last night and Bren came and stayed with his Dad. I will be going back to the hospital in a couple of hours and stay another couple of nights. Kids are doing well. Sarah is at girls camp (I miss her) and the boys spent the day with their Aunt and Uncle at the Airforce Museum and Nicklecade. I was surprised at how well the house was still intact. I am proud of them.

Jim has had violent hiccups since Wednesday, (chemo side affect) and decided to take some medicine last night. He said it snowed him so bad he was just taking his walk at 9:30 Vs. his regular walk at 7:00. He is still pretty tired. That could also be the cumulative effects of his chemo though. No nausea or vomiting. We are glad about that because it will make it easier for him when his blood counts drop. Yesterday, Jim spent most of the day studying Chinese. Boredom is kicking in. There is not much to do. You have to stay in your room with the door closed. The rooms are pretty tiny. Jim calls it his cave.

Today on the agenda, more chemo. He gets three different ones today. But, every day is one more step closer to getting this done and getting home. So far, so good.

Thursday, June 12

Jim had a great day yesterday. He had 3 different Chemo infusions and is still doing well. He has not experienced any side effects yet. His strength is still very much up.

This morning he woke again at the crack of dawn. He did his walk on the unit in his costume (as he calls it) and came back and did several exercises . His mood is still up and he is making us all laugh. He for sure keeps the nurses and CNA's on their toes. I heard one CNA last night tell a CNA in training to watch out for that guy he'll give you crap. She laughed and meant it in a funny way of course. Today there is more chemo therapy on the agenda.

Brendan (our oldest) is going to come and spend the night tonight so if Jim is still doing so well this afternoon I think I will go home and spend a night without cot springs in my back. Jim's sister Nedra is going to come up and spend the night with the kids on Friday and Saturday, so I will be back to the hospital then.

Thanks for your prayers.

Wednesday, June 11

Jim did great last night. He finished his chemo about midnight. He slept really well except for the fact that they pump him full of fluids so what goes in must come out. He did not have any side effects during the treatment, so we were happy.

This morning he was up around 5:00. He walked around the unit in full garb (isolation gown, filtration mask and gloves). He came back to the room and rode an exercise bike for about 15 minutes. Now it is 9:30 and he has had his shower and is ready to go (where I don't know) . Next on the schedule is kick boxing, spinning, and marathon training. (just kidding),

Anyway, we are glad that so far so good.

June 10th

Last night was a great night. We had family and friends stop by to wish Jim well. We also all had blessings last night which was very comforting. We went to bed about midnight. Nathan slept in bed with us last night cuddled up to his BaBa (Daddy in Chinese).

This morning Jim was up at 5:00 AM and we were out the door by 7:00 Am. It has been a hurry and wait day, but I guess that is OK since we really don't have anywhere to go. He finally got his central line in and just came back to the room at 4:40PM. He is finally getting to eat now. They are going to run fluids until 8:00 PM and then will start his first chemo tonight at 8:00. They say this first dose is pretty hefty because it is alcohol based and Jim has never been a drinker. Apparently you get to skip the fun part of being drunk and move right to the hangover part. I will be staying the night with Jim.

At least Jim still feels good. Right now he and Brendan (our oldest) are going to play a little X-box.

I will check back in tomorrow.

June, 9

We went to LDS Hospital today for more fun preadmission stuff. We had an hour with the doctor and discussed the process again and he answered questions. Jim was supposed to get his Central IV line today but blood work showed that his blood is too thin. (He could bleed when they put in the line.) So they gave him Vitamin K (helps clot blood) and they will put his line in when he is admitted in the morning. We have to be at the hospital no later than 8:00 AM. After they put in the line he will have his first dose of high dose chemo. Yippee!

Jim is feeling very well and psychologically doing well. We just got home from the hospital and he grabbed the kids to go on one last hike. He is ready to begin this process. As for me, I think I would put it off if I could. Not because I don't think it is right, but just because it won't be fun. It is just a little nerve wracking being on this end of the procedure (front). We saw alot of people today on the transplant ward that were post transplant and doing well. That was very inspiring. It is like one big brotherhood of bald people who all now have a new outlook on life. We look forward to being on that end of the transplant.

Yesterday in church we sang count your blessings. It occurred to me that we should be grateful that we even have the opportunity of having a transplant. This is not always an option for people. So, I am grateful and I will keep reminding myself that.

As always, we appreciate your warm wishes and prayers.