Still Blogging

I intended to update the blog this past week, but my internet would not cooperate. Not much new to report. Mom has had a decent week. I am visiting with her as we speak. I usually try to come one day out of the weekend and spend about 8 hours. I get tickled because every weekend she has what I like to call a "Kelly-do" list(instead of a "honey-do" list). The items on the list varies from weekend to weekend but usually involves me cooking something at some point. She is determined to make a cook out of me yet. This weekend was homemade macaroni and cheese. I am actually enjoying learning how to make new dishes. I was also going to make her a breakfast casserole (my recipe) she requested but can you believe there were no english muffins in this town! Ron tried the two grocery stores and the dollar store. Anyways, Mom is doing pretty well. Blessings and hugs to you all.

Sunday Update

Well, I didn't update Saturday night like I stated I would. When Mom went to bed at 8:00 p.m., so did I. Mom stayed in bed most of Saturday. She was tired, and I think the nausea medicine makes her drowsy as well. She would wake up to eat something for lunch and dinner and would sit up in bed and chat for about an hour and a half each time. She woke up early Sunday morning.....maybe around 6:30 a.m. She said she was ready to get out of that bed. She has been in her recliner since then. She is trying to not take any nausea medicine today. We ordered her some items from a catalog Mrs. Betty Rigsby brought by the other day. Thanks Mrs. Betty! At Mom's request, I made some more banana pudding. Mom is taking a nap right now in her chair. I think by not taking the nausea medicine today she has not been as sleepy because she has been awake most of the day. Thank you all for your prayers and support. I heard someone with cancer say one time that at first everyone is there for you and then they all disappear. It has been a month since Mom's diagnosis. People are still there for us. I pray that continues. It gives us strength. I have been deeply touched and INSPIRED by others.

As Expected

Mom slept most of Friday evening. She went to bed around 2:00 p.m. She tried to stir around about 5:30 p.m., but had a headache. She wanted to "nip it in the bud" before it got worse so she took some medicine and went back to bed. The medicine makes her drowsy. She got back up around 8:30 p.m. with no headache! She felt good enough to take a shower and dry her hair. She didn't feel like eating. I think the treatment is really starting to affect her taste. She says she can't taste anything. She stayed up for a about an hour and a half, took her nighttime medicine and went back to bed. She got up around 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning with some slight nausea. She took something for nausea and was eventually able to eat most of a biscuit for breakfast. Around 11:00 a.m., she went back to bed. She is just really tired. Hopefully, that will pass after a few days. We expected her to be tired for a few days after the treatment. Overall, she is doing pretty well. I will update later on tonight.

So far so good

Yesterday went better than Mom expected. She felt okay, and they were done and headed home around 1:45. On the way home, Mom requested Ron stop and get her some icecream. He bought a pint, and she almost ate the entire pint! I say good for her! I expected that she would come home and crawl in the bed, but she felt pretty good the rest of the day. She ate a good supper and was still doing well at 7:30 p.m. I just arrived for the weekend. Mom is in the bed. She didn't sleep too well last night, but she has tried to rest some today. She finally decided to get in the bed instead of dozing on and off in the recliner. Mom will likely be tired the next couple of days so it may be best for anyone wanting to visit to come some time next week. If you want to bring something by but don't want to disturb anyone, feel free to leave it at the door with a note. I will check periodically to see if there is anything out there. Thank you for all your prayers. I will update either later on tonight or on Saturday. Have a good weekend!

Prayer Request

Mom and Ron left a few minutes ago heading to a friend's house in the Fairhope area to spend the night. She has a doctor's appointment and is scheduled for the next round of chemo in Mobile Thursday at 9:30 a.m. She thought it would be best to travel down tonight so tomorrow wouldn't be so tough on her. It is likely going to be a long day. Mom sounded really tired when she left. I hope she gets a good night's sleep. Please pray that the chemo is doing its job and that this next round is not too hard on her. I will try to update more often in the next few days to let everyone know how she is doing.

Out and About

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I kept thinking "I'll post something tomorrow" and before I knew it, a week had passed. Mom is doing good. She had alot of visitors this past week, which she enjoyed. Some ladies from work brought lunch to her house on Thursday, and they spent a couple of hours together.

Figuring that she is as strong as she will be for a while being that her next round of chemo is the 18th, Mom wanted to get out of the house this weekend. After Ron got off work Thursday, Mom and Ron headed up to the lake. She was worried the trip might be hard on her, but it was better than she anticipated. She needed a change of scenery. They, like everyone else, enjoyed the snow; however, they enjoyed it through the window. Saturday, they went to Wal-Mart. Mom wanted to look at some hats. There wasn't much to pick from as Wal-Mart had the summer stuff out. She hasn't lost her hair yet, but she wants to be prepared if that should happen. I drove up Saturday afternoon and spent the night. We are about to leave and head home. Mom wants to stop at another store on the way back and look for hats. She has really enjoyed her time out of the house.

To all my friends and family, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you. Whether you have left a comment, called to check on me (even if you just left a voicemail), given me a hug, or whatever, your thoughts and support have touched me in a way you will never know. I know that at times we think our small actions won't mean anything so we don't even bother to do anything, but they do matter -- at least to me. I know Mom and Ron feel the same way. I hope each and everyone of you have a Happy Valentine's Day. I'll try not to wait so long til the next update.

Super (Bowl) Sunday

Mother has been doing pretty well the past few days. Her energy/strength has improved, but I hope that it continues to improve. It doesn't take much for her to lose the little bit of energy she has. When I got to her house on Saturday to visit, she had makeup on -- the first time she has applied makeup since before going into the hospital in Mobile. She looked so pretty. Soon after my arrival, Mother informed me that she wanted me to make her some banana pudding while I was there. We found the recipe, sent Ron to the store, and prayed. I prayed that God would help me make it good so that she would enjoy it. I know banana pudding is not difficult to fix, but for those of you who may not know, I am no cook. I am so thankful that she didn't give me something challenging to fix. With the good Lord's help, I not only made it edible; it was actually good! If the banana pudding is any clue, Mom's appetite is still good. The cards, food, and prayers continue to come, and I am so grateful to have been raised in a place amongst wonderful people. I never knew how much someone's thoughtful gesture could mean. I always wondered why Mom would bake a pie or make a casserole for someone in a similar situation. Just shows how little I knew. Mom certainly has no energy to go to the grocery store. She occasionally will have the energy to cook something small or prepare something easy. I know that as a wife, she would feel badly if Ron wasn't able to eat decent meals. Thankfully, she doesn't have that concern right now. Through the kindness of others, the Lord has provided! I hope you all are doing well. God Bless!

Wonderful Wednesday

The past 3 days have been pretty good for Mom, except for a brief period on Tuesday evening when she got a headache. Fortunately, she was able to keep it at bay with some medicine. No hospital visits required! She has not been as sleepy, and her energy is a little better. She and Ron went for a drive for about 30 minutes on Wednesday. They made a big loop on the big town of Evergreen. She hadn't been out of the house for a week. I know it is is getting old being in the house all the time. I pray that her energy will improve and that she can go and do a little more.
Several people have asked for a list of Mom's favorite foods. I asked Mom what she felt like eating, and she said that she has no clue. I know that people don't want to fix something that she may not like, but Mom is not a picky eater. I am sure she would like most anything someone brings to her. If she doesn't like it, hopefully Ron will! We have to make sure he stays nourished, too. Ha! With all the food they have received, I don't think that is a problem. I was talking with my Aunt Doris today. She has received numerous inquiries about food. It is hard to really say what is needed and when because people have been bringing food by on their own. We never know when someone will show up with something. So, we really can't say when, but I promise I will let you know if they could use some. Aunt Doris said that an idea someone had given her was for a person to not always bring tons of food (an entire meal) at one time. Maybe cook supper and bring Mom and Ron a plate instead of an entire meal. I think that is a great idea. Whatever anyone does is fine and much appreciated. Just thought I would toss it out there. Please continue to pray. Thanks for everything. You really have no idea how much it means to us.