Glen update - July 23

The second week was defintely harder on his body than the first week after chemo.  When the home health nurse weighed him last Wed he had lost about 12 pounds since the previous Wed.  He was extremely tired and his body just ached.  Thankfully his fever broke later in the week.  His appt on Friday reflected a significant increase in his white blood count.  YEAH!  His next round of chemo is next Tuesday [July 31st].

He had an appt in Nashville this morning.  They have scheduled to remove his temporary stent in his esophagus/stomach and remove his feeding tube on Aug. 8 at the Sarah Cannon facility in Nashville.

On a side note,  Jennifer just received a picture of a handsome bald man on her phone!  After realizing his hair is now starting to fall out, Glen walked into a shop and sped up the balding process a bit.  Peggy texted her that his new look is actually 'kinda cute'. Jennifer agrees and says 'Bald is the new Black'.

As always, thanks for the prayers, well wishes and acts of kindness.

Glen update - July 17

Well, it's been just over one week from his first chemo treatment.  So far, he has not had any serious issues with nausea.  Yeah!!  And, he still has hair [probaby not for long though :) ].  But, as expected, it is certainly knocking his body for a loop.  He is exhausted, some food has a nasty taste, not much desire to eat or drink, sore mouth,  his body aches all over and he started running a low fever yesterday.    This morning he and Peggy went to the oncologist [he already had a one week checkup appt for blood work scheduled].  The result was Glen's white blood cell count is significantly lower than it should be so they put him on a strong antibiotic.  He is to return this Friday [the 20th] for re-evaluation.

Our prayers are that Glen's immune system rebounds quickly before catching any serious infections, that his body maintains enought strength that the chemo focuses on attacking the lymphoma and not the rest of his body, that he has as few side effects as possible, and that his mental strength continues to point Upward.

As always, thanks for your prayers and support.

Glen update - July 9th 9:30 pm

Jennifer just got back from McMinnville.  Glen started his chemo treatments today, so Jennifer went down early this morning to go with them and spend the day with Peggy while Glen received the treatments. His appt was at 9:30 this morning.  The first part was just talking with the onocologist, who emphasized that Glen needs to keep his body active, stay hydrated, and wash his hand frequently [germs are a big deal since he will be immune compromised] during the next couple of months.  At 10:15 am, Peggy and Jennifer walked with Glen to the room with the "special chair" and left by 10:25 [as there is no guest waiting with the patients].  The nurses accessed Glen's port, completed preparations, and slowly began administering the 5 different medications [one at a time].  Glen texted Peggy at 12:50 pm to inform her that he was doing fine and that they had just started the last medication and estimated to be finished at 5:00 pm [over 6 hours to receive all 5 meds!!].  All morning there were only females receiving treatments... no other males.  In the afternoon, it was just him.  They gave him some nausea medicine during the treatment and he slept a lot of the afternoon in the "special chair".  Sure enough...he finished right at 5:00 pm.

Back at Peggy and Glen's, Jennifer said Glen ate a good supper [for the stage he is at right now].  He has to go back late tomorrow morning to get a shot that should help him maintain a good white blood cell count.  The doc said all patients are different, but that Glen would probably start feeling the worst of any side effects after 48 hours rather than immediately and that he may not start losing his hair until the second week.  Glen and Christy [although Christy doesn't know this yet] are going to search for a straw hat after tomorrow's shot to protect his future baldness from the sun!!  BTW, Jennifer's sister Christy will arrive tonight at Peggy and Glen's and stay with them for the next couple of days. 

We are grateful and thankful that Glen was able to finally start treating the lymphoma.  We thank you for your prayers and acts of kindness.  We ask for your continued prayers for both Glen and Peggy's physical and mental strength as we are back to hoping for more good hours than bad hours.

Glen Update - July 3

Last week's surgery at Sarah Cannon:  The doctor said Glen's opening was severely restricted AGAIN.  The doc stretched it ... again... and placed a temporary stent [which is only allowed to be in there for a max of 6 weeks] with strict orders of 'DO NOT THROW UP' or the new stent may come out.  The first couple of days he still threw up some - but less frequently - and significantly less frequently now. He still has a lot of acid and some other issues, but he is eating regular food with more frequent smaller meals and has even gone a couple of nights without having to supplement the nutrition with nightly tube feedings.

Yesterday's surgery:  The docs successfully put a in a port in his left shoulder/chest area.  They said he would be in a lot of pain for a day or two.  Glen is scheduled to start his chemo next Monday, July 9th.

Thank you for your current  and continued support and prayers!! 

We hope you all have a great 4th of July as we are all blessed to live in this country!