Treatment number three has came and went. Life has become somewhat of a whirlwind since the last post. Days fly by and I find myself losing track of what day it actually is. It seems we have in some ways returned to the "grind" of life. Regardless of the cancer, work must be done, the house must be cleaned, children bathed and fed. The chemotherapy continues to take its toll on Beth. She repeatedly apologizes for being a "lazy" wife. I of course completely disagree, as she attempts to maintain her normal workload. She is chronically tired every day of the week. In contrast to the start of treatment when the week following chemo she would almost be "normal." She goes to work when she feels up to it. Though most days she's at work I don't believe she's truly "up to it."
She has weird food cravings and aversions, similar to when when she was pregnant. After she eats a meal, the leftovers are pretty much off the menu. Alternatively, Beth will out of the blue announce that she wants to eat Taco Bell for lunch, as I wretch into the air. Afterward, I happily eat it and immediately wretch for real. Beth however, with constant nausea, has yet to actually vomit. Luckily the drugs have only made her feel sick and haven't actually caused her to be sick. Her wine consumption has also dropped to 1-2 glasses per week from 1-2 bottles per week. It does make for a humorous date.
We have both shaved our heads. Only mine keeps growing back. At the start we looked the same. Even Lilly and Evie, when asked, would say that Daddy looks like Mommy, and vice versa. We had to refrain from touching our heads together or risk a velcro effect. In less than a week patches of bald began to appear on Beth's scalp, eventually turning into a "male pattern" baldness, before completely disappearing. Only a small patch of stubble is left. The household has adjusted to it effortlessly, as though any wife/mommy should have no hair on their head. I must admit I was never shocked by her appearance without hair. Perhaps my subconscious is mentally projecting her with hair. Her eyebrows are hanging in there so far. That may have a disconcerting affect when they are gone.
The Pedal the Cause ride I did was great success. It was a beautiful day. I only rode 15 miles, with absolutely NO training. So, next year I will be registering for the 25 or 37.5 mile courses. Beth was so inspired that she is planning on participating in the spinning portion of Pedal the Cause. It did seem as though the spinners were enjoying themselves. I was extremely moved during one section of the course; when passing Barnes Jewish Hospital, multiple staff, nurses, and patients who were clearly in their own fight against cancer, lined the sidewalk cheering the riders on. It was a motivational feeling to see some of the people this event could potentially be helping. Again, I want to thank all who donated. At this time I do not know how much was raised this year, but last year it was $2.4 million.
The following picture is of a wall in the Pedal village where riders could place a sticker showing who they were riding for. Beth's is the yellow one in the center of the arrows:
Yes, that's a wig.
We are now using the word, "counts." Each week following chemotherapy, Beth must have blood drawn to check levels of certain blood components: White blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin, platelets and many more that I can't remember. Good counts = treatment continues on schedule. Bad counts = treatment is postponed till levels return. So far Beth's "counts" have been within the acceptable range to continue.
When I began writing this post we were almost to treatment number four. Since I have returned to finish this, it has been completed. I apologize for the extended delay. I am not complaining, but I have been spread a little thin lately. More to come.
She has weird food cravings and aversions, similar to when when she was pregnant. After she eats a meal, the leftovers are pretty much off the menu. Alternatively, Beth will out of the blue announce that she wants to eat Taco Bell for lunch, as I wretch into the air. Afterward, I happily eat it and immediately wretch for real. Beth however, with constant nausea, has yet to actually vomit. Luckily the drugs have only made her feel sick and haven't actually caused her to be sick. Her wine consumption has also dropped to 1-2 glasses per week from 1-2 bottles per week. It does make for a humorous date.
We have both shaved our heads. Only mine keeps growing back. At the start we looked the same. Even Lilly and Evie, when asked, would say that Daddy looks like Mommy, and vice versa. We had to refrain from touching our heads together or risk a velcro effect. In less than a week patches of bald began to appear on Beth's scalp, eventually turning into a "male pattern" baldness, before completely disappearing. Only a small patch of stubble is left. The household has adjusted to it effortlessly, as though any wife/mommy should have no hair on their head. I must admit I was never shocked by her appearance without hair. Perhaps my subconscious is mentally projecting her with hair. Her eyebrows are hanging in there so far. That may have a disconcerting affect when they are gone.
The Pedal the Cause ride I did was great success. It was a beautiful day. I only rode 15 miles, with absolutely NO training. So, next year I will be registering for the 25 or 37.5 mile courses. Beth was so inspired that she is planning on participating in the spinning portion of Pedal the Cause. It did seem as though the spinners were enjoying themselves. I was extremely moved during one section of the course; when passing Barnes Jewish Hospital, multiple staff, nurses, and patients who were clearly in their own fight against cancer, lined the sidewalk cheering the riders on. It was a motivational feeling to see some of the people this event could potentially be helping. Again, I want to thank all who donated. At this time I do not know how much was raised this year, but last year it was $2.4 million.
The following picture is of a wall in the Pedal village where riders could place a sticker showing who they were riding for. Beth's is the yellow one in the center of the arrows:
Yes, that's a wig.When I began writing this post we were almost to treatment number four. Since I have returned to finish this, it has been completed. I apologize for the extended delay. I am not complaining, but I have been spread a little thin lately. More to come.
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