Things are stable

We are doing okay. Doug's hip pain is about the same. Aug 21 we drove to Colorado Springs for a follow up appt. (after the stent) with the cardiologist. Doug's heart is doing good; keep on the Plavix for a year. He wants Doug to have a lipid panel done in another two months to make sure Doug's liver is tolerating the Lipitor.

Aug 22 was the appt. with the oncologist in Salida. The myeloma blood test shows Doug is still in remission. Since Doug is still having considerable hip pain with weight bearing, the oncologist is referring Doug to a orthopedist, to see if some kind of orthopedic intervention might be wise. The orthopedic appt. is Sept 4.

Doug decided to go ahead and have eye surgery done - cataract and probably for the glaucoma too. That is scheduled for later in Sept. Since he has to sit so much, having good vision for reading is important.

Love to all.

Getting over caregiver slump

Doug is really trying to rest more. He does get pain relief while sitting or laying down, so at least the pain is not constant. But he still hurts a lot when up doing things. We have an appointment in Sept to see the Myeloma specialist in Denver; maybe he will have something to suggest.

I had a root canal done yesterday; had a fractured molar that was really giving me pain. Last night
I slept through the night for the first time in weeks. We had to go to an endodontist in Colorado Springs; Doug drove and did well - he got to sit while driving two hours each way and in the dentist waiting room for 2.5 hours.

We continue to unpack boxes and hang pictures at a snail's pace. That's okay - we keep busy between rest periods.

I am slowly getting over my caregiver slump. Being out of pain helps a lot. Tues at Bible study I got all weepy and had to leave. Today four girlfriends called to see how I am doing, plus a friend from Nebraska emailed. I know I have said it before, but we are blessed to have wonderful friends.

Love to all.

Return of hip pain

Doug told me yesterday that he is still (or again?) having left hip pain - he describes it as level 6 or 7. He's frustrated. I am too, but I reminded him that his activity level has been off the charts, for him, as he is working so hard. We are still cleaning out the old house - our great friends moved the furniture for us, but everything else we are still moving. The biggest hurdle is getting the garage totally cleaned out at the old house. It got to be a messy, unorganized packrat of a garage. We have made huge progress, tossed or donated lots, found spots to store things in the new house. We are trying to do this at a slow pace, but Doug is having trouble slowing down.

I think I finally got him to understand that 'resting' does not mean sitting for five minutes and popping up again.  Yesterday and today he has done much less and is spending more time in the recliner. The hip is still trying to heal; hopefully it will.

We love our new neighborhood, and the two sets of neighbors we have met so far are great. It makes me sad to go over to the old house, not because I am still attached to the house, but because the yard/flowers are starting to show neglect. I still do weeding, mowing, and cutting spent flowers back, but can't spend the time I used to on the yard as when we were living there. It can't be helped. We now have a rock/gravel yard, as do many in our new neighborhood. We do have three evergreen trees, so at least have some green.

I am beginning to feel more rested. Even though he hurts and is frustrated, Doug's attitude is good.

Love to all.

“Acceptance doesn’t mean resignation; it means understanding that something is what it is and that there’s got to be a way through it. “           Michael J. Fox  

Hip Pain Gone - Home tomorrow!

Today was Doug's third radiation treatment (this time around) and already his hip pain is almost totally gone. He stopped taking the Morphine after the first treatment on Monday. Today he saw Dr H, the radiation oncologist. Doug told her how good he is feeling and asked her "Do I really need the five treatments, or can we skip the last one?" She thought about it for a minute and said it would be okay to stop after tomorrow. Since she is giving the radiation strictly for symptom control, it makes sense. She also said if the pain ever comes back in that area, this leaves her a little leeway to treat it yet again if necessary. Yippee!

Doug's weight today was down to 157, but that was with him wearing sweatpants instead of jeans with heavy belt/ flashlight, knife, phone. He has an appetite and is eating, so I'm not going to be concerned about weight right now.

I have been in a bit of caregiver slump lately. Lack of energy, poor sleeping, close to tears a lot. Considering our moving into the new house (I hate moving), the old house buyers backing out at the last minute, needing to keep up the yard at the old house, Doug's pain - all that builds up. I was able to take a nap today and yesterday, so that helps a lot.

I know it says in the Bible "do not worry" over and over again. Now I see why the Bible keeps repeating it: we need to hear it a lot! I am trying to hand everything over to the Lord, but I have to admit it is hard to let go of the worry. I, being human, keep grasping at things I mistakenly think I can control. I/we can do nothing by ourselves. I remember in one sermon this year, the pastor said "When you get to the end of your rope, don't tie a knot and hang on -- let go, and trust God to catch you." I love that visual. I just didn't think it would be this hard to let go.  My life verse is Proverbs 3:5-6:
"Trust the Lord with your whole heart. Do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your steps." 

Love to all.