Sorry, Larry, Not This Week

Our birthday celebration for my sister-in-law was wonderful over the weekend. It was a good day for dad and he was able to join us for dinner. We were blessed to have Nat, Adam, and Casey all there. Sometimes I look at how grown up they are and it almost takes my breath away. The time has passed so quickly. They have become three beautiful adults, inside and out. I enjoy every second I spend with them! Dad wasn't up to joining us to bowl but had a nice time at dinner and was able to spend some time with the whole family. We were all so thankful to have him with us.

I didn't realize just how blessed we were that dad was able to join us on Saturday. He is having a really tough time right now and it's really amazing he felt up to going on Saturday at all. God is good! I went along for his chemo appointment today and we had a host of things to discuss with his oncologist. Dad is having problems with his memory and balance which could be caused by swelling in the brain from the tumors. His sugar levels have skyrocketed even with insulin. We have no idea what is causing that right now. He is in a great deal of pain which the doctor believes is being caused by the tumor. He is having a hard time with swelling in his legs and feet because of all the steroids he's taking for the swelling in the brain. He was carrying a low grade fever today and was up all night last night with a cough. So you can guess what the answer was regarding chemo today - sorry, Larry, not this week. The oncologist made some medication changes to help with the pain. Our family doctor made some additional medication changes later today to help with the diabetes. The oncologist is scheduling another MRI of his brain and catscan of his chest. He said we need to figure out what's going on and try to get some things under control before we move forward with his chemo. Dad is very weak and very unsteady right now. And overall just not feeling well. John describes him as fragile and that is a good description right now. Tomorrow we see his pulmonary doctor and he will do an x-ray to check to see if there is still pneumonia or possibly a new infection in his lungs. We see his oncologist again next Tuesday. We hope to have the test results then and a plan for how to proceed. Please keep dad in your prayers.

The Irish in me couldn't resist an Irish Prayer for you on this the eve of St. Patrick's Day.

An Irish Prayer
May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.


Happy St. Patrick's Day!
May you be blessed each and every day.