2 Down 10 To Go

A week ago, on March 10th, Laurie completed her second round of chemotherapy. Her first treatment went smoothly but the following week or so did not. The side effects of the chemo made Laurie sicker than I thought possible. The first couple days when she wasn't sleeping, she said she felt like she had the flu. She had muscle aches, chills, hot flashes, headaches, nausea, etc. After the first three days these symptoms seemed to stop a little bit but then she started to have other problems like, mouth and nose sores, stomach cramping and pain, and migraine headaches. These problems lasted several days but then we worked out some medications that helped with most of these side effects. The hardest part of the treatment for me was seeing how tired Laurie would be after only doing minor things. Often her fatigue came in waves. One second she would be telling me how she felt better, only to get up and get so sick that she would have to lay down on the floor several steps away.

If you are wondering if this is blood in the syringe its not.

This is one of Laurie's chemo drugs.

Luckily for us, Laurie's mom and sister, Susie and Michelle, were here in Michigan for Laurie's first treatment and the following week. It was great to have the extra help. They gave Laurie emotional support, Kinsley structure, and kept me from getting overwhelmed.

More Chemo

This 2nd treatment was much of the same. We had thought that with the proper medications, and some preventive strategies, we would be able to keep the side effects from being so terrible and lasting so long. We made strides in some areas but were unable to solve other problems. As you can see in the pictures. Laurie still has a full head of hair (I wish I could say the same for myself) but that is likely going to change here in the next day or two. We started finding some hair around the house and today it is coming out in handfuls. Laurie wants to just shave it because it is becoming really hard to keep the house clean.


This is Laurie's medication cocktail that she takes before the start of each treatment.

Laurie's sister's, Lynsey and Haylie, have been here to help during this treatment. They have been so helpful and have really made this terrible situation more tolerable. We have family that have been VERY supportive. They have created a schedule so that we can have somebody here to help our family for each of Laurie's treatments. BEST. FAMILY. EVER!

The nurse setting Laurie's line.

Between treatments when our family is not in town, we have incredible support from our friends and church. The love, kind words, and support have been overwhelming. For those of you who have babysat, sent cards/gifts, brought meals, or even said that you were thinking of Laurie. Thank you. We hope to repay your kindness someday.

I learned a valuable lesson this last week or so that I think is worth sharing. I figure if I write it somewhere permanent I'll remember it later.

Asking for help is not a negative reflection of self or an admittance of failure, but rather a necessary exercise in humility and a positive reflection of one's ability to recognize personal limitations.

Anyway, kind of a random thought but if you know Laurie or me very well you know that we are very independent. I think its a valuable lesson that can be applied to anything. I know most people learn this when they are like twelve and can't finish a math problem but apparently I am a slow learner.