A little update & Chemo. Round 2. Day 1. (Jan 7, 2013)

    Eric got new glasses last week. He hadn't gotten a new glasses since he got back from his mission and his last exam was over two years  ago so it was time.

     First, as far as physical therapy goes, Eric's range of motion in his left arm and hand is great, so we're calling the radiation treatment a success! He just needs to build his strength back. Eric decided that he can do the work outs that he was doing at physical therapy on his own and that it would be cheaper to get a gym membership than to continue going to a physical therapy. So working out, swimming and running is at the Sports Mall.
     On Jan 3rd we had an appointment with Dr. Chandramouli. We will meet with him every Friday before each round. All of Eric's vitals were good and blood counts were normal. He is down about three pounds since his last appointment so he suggested that Eric eat more complex carbs, aka pasta! (I'm sure the fact that he has started to work out a little hasn't helped with the weight thing). Not much more goes on with these appointments other than physical exam and a little bit of discussion about how things are going. Dr. Chandramouli said he thinks we are over the hardest part of everything. We made lots of appointments for the next month. Seems like we will be busy but hopefully that means things will go by quickly and Eric can get better really soon.

She loves to play with this balloon. "Some people will do anything for attention, Get Well Soon" :)

     We went to church for the first time since Eric was diagnosed. With the start of the year our ward meeting time changed from 9 am to 1 pm which is nice. We can sleep in a little now. Being Fast Sunday it was nice to hear a lot of members get up and say how nice it was to see direct results of their fasting and prayers on Eric's behalf to get better and to see him at church.

Heading in for Round 2. Gonna kick some cancer butt.

     Today Tayvia played at the Holman's with cousins while I went with Eric for his first chemo treatment on this second round. Tayvia is such a good girl and had lots a fun. It was cute when we got home though she was a little clingy so I know she missed us. :) Chemotherapy treatment took a little bit longer then we expected today - 4 1/2 hours. I don't think that we took into account that he needs a few pre-meds to help with side effects and a bag of I.V. fluids with potassium and magnesium to help flush out the toxins and replace vitamins that get flushed as well. It didn't seem overly busy with other patients receiving treatment. Eric mainly messed around on his iPad and listened to music. I just messed around on my phone. By the time we were almost ready to go we were so hungry. I never thought to bring more than snacks or go get lunch. It is nice that clinic provides beverages and select snacks. Everyone is so nice at the Utah Cancer Specialists. The nurses are so friendly and the other patients receiving treatment are also nice. I over heard one nurse say today how much she likes her job there. She said, "For some reason when people get cancer and sit in these chairs for treatment it brings out the best in them."