Side Effects

Well folks, it’s Hannah here, reporting that chemo, otherwise known as Big Week #2, has officially begun.

The Good

Side effects can also be positive, right? We really enjoyed our extra week between chemo cycles. Getting to spend some quality non-sick time together, watching our favorite shows, playing lots of board games, reconnecting with a couple of people, and even taking a few walks was so refreshing! The highlight of it all was a real date night, sanitizing wipes, masks, and all!

Andrew enjoying his favorite thing: Endless Fries!

• 

We went to see Men in Black: International (with some precautions)

More Good

Honestly, we are just so relieved that Andrew’s blood and pulmonary tests all came back okay. We’re glad to be back on track and moving towards the final goal: the end of Big Week #3 and a clean CT Scan! Oh, and moving to our first home. We get to close next week and we will be moving in a month or two after.

The Bad

With chemo week being this week, Andrew may not make it to our closing date, which is next week. We’re planning ahead so he won’t legally need to be there if he’s unable, but we’re hoping against hope that he can make it.

And the Ugly

Today, when I got home from work, I couldn’t find Andrew. When I did find him, he was stuck in the bathroom, unable to stand, stretch his hands, or move his legs. He’d lost power of some of his muscles. He’d also lost his afternoon snack and he was covered in sweat. At this moment I was so thankful that we live with Andrew’s parents. We called in Dad (Randy) the chemo expert as backup.

I was eventually able to get Andrew from the toilet to the couch with some leaning, shuffling feet, and maybe a little dragging. As I write this, he’s taking a restful nap and has regained feeling in and control over his limbs again.

The doctor told Randy this is most likely a normal reaction to an anti-nausea med. I’m really going to have to re-learn what “normal” means in this new context where stroke-like symptoms are resolved by Benadryl!

The Part where You come in

As already mentioned, we’re so grateful that you care, and that you’re following our journey. We’re thankful that you’re walking with us. Here’s what’s at the forefront of our minds:

• We’re learning this new normal where weird and scary things can happen every day.
• We’re preparing to close on the house and hoping for Andrew to attend without nausea or discomfort.
• We’re grateful for no sicknesses so far and we’d love for us and our household to stay healthy.
• Let’s have some strong thoughts and prayers against nausea as well as drug side-effects. There are some good side effects (see above) but this week will likely be full of bad ones.