Tuesday 10 May 2011

The Needle

Well, I am kinda embarrassed to say that we started our day with A&W again. I am usually morally opposed to fast food, however lately I am so happy to see Mike eating that he can get away with whatever he wants.  We had a blast with the family. The boys are well acquainted with the restaurant, they love the oldies and this time they had Nana and Papa to impress with their dance moves. It was a great start to the day. We headed home and Mike tried to rest as we had a busy afternoon ahead of us.

Mike is going to be started on G-CSF shots at home to boost up his neutrophils. G-CSF stimulates the bone marrow to produce more white blood cells which are your body's front line defense against infection.  If his neutrophils drop bellow 1.0 they will have to stop treatment. Therefore to avoid any delays they want to start him on G-CSF to keep those neutrophils up. These shots will also hopefully prevent complications with infection.  The only down side is that the G-CSF  can often cause pain in you back and hips.  Mike had quite a bit of discomfort when he received these shots in the hospital. We are praying that he will be more comfortable this time round.

Today was the day they wanted to prepare us for these home injections.  This is where being a nurse comes in handy. Mike doesn't have to face the prospect of giving himself shots as he has a private nurse.  I gave him the injection at the clinic and we were signed off as good to go.  I have to mention that as I gave him the shot he proceeded to try and get a reaction from me by making dramatic painful moans as though I was torturing him. He did get a smile which is usually what he's after. 

We went on our way to wait in the lab waiting room, the clinic waiting room, and the chemo waiting room. I got a Starbucks coffee and Mike got  a Kit Kat so we weren't complaining.  Waiting is easy as long as you don't have any children with you. We have been so thankful for Nana and Papa who have been helping us with the kids and the house.

Another of day of treatment done. Mike came home with enough energy to help out some good friends get their new camper up and running. He came home tired but rejuvenated. Tools and friends are always good for Mike's soul.  God is sustaining us through the highs and lows of this journey, and He is giving us lots of moments of joy in the midst of it all.

4 comments:

  1. M & J,
    Your blog is the first thing we look at every day. Thank you for keeping it up and more so for "keeping on keeping on." Mike, it was great to hear from you on Mother's Day. People ask about the two of you every week. Many many people are regularly lifting you up in prayer. Love you both.

    Dad and Mom Roth

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  2. You added pictures! Congrats :)

    So glad you can take this all one step at a time. Take a deep breath! You are all going to come out of this stronger, braver people. And you are impacting your world with every word you put out there. Keep it up.

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  3. good to hear the update Jana....your mom just broke a wine glass in the kitchen....oh,oh, so much for not having the lights on !!!! Holls came over for a quick visit with your parents....eye surgery for me tomorrow & Sandie is having a permanent catheter inserted into her lung.....so she can be drained at home.....quite the journey we're on as a family...thinking of you lots....love Auntie Kelly

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  4. Hey Roth Family, Nana and Papa made it to the Island ok. Would love to take the boys on the ferry some day! Great pictures Jana, keep up the good work, your'e amazing! Love to you all.

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