Check it off the list

I have my office back. We moved Dale's PC stuff downstairs and I have mine upstairs in my room with a view. The clutter of a PC and all its cords moved out of our main view versus the clean simplicity of a MAC makes me happy! It took me 1/2 hour to re-hook up all the tangled mess of PC, and only 30 seconds to connect the MAC. One more thing checked of Dale's list making my existence comfortable. What a guy!

He complained of not feeling well most of the day as the diarrhea continues. What an annoyance for him. There must be something that can be done. Hope it is just diarrhea. Couple more days and tests, results, and doctor consulting may tell us more. Today is day 99! Good progress, except digestive issues.

People need people

Day 98 since bone marrow transplant had Dale sitting on the front porch admiring the view, feeling the winds of an incoming storm, and resting in between yard chores. Whoa! Back up, rewind! Yard chores? What is he thinking? With surgical mask on, he exercises as he works in the yard--one of his great joys. Probably good this year, because the lawn looks pretty bad right now and needs Dale's passionate care.

We had a pleasant visit with our church leaders tonight, checking in on both of us and the cancer journey. We continue to feel the care, love, and prayers of good people around us. I have heard Dale on the phone with his co-workers; they miss him and the spirit of support shines in their conversations. My co-workers show me continual support, understanding, and excitement as they hear or read of Dale's progress. People need people. We sure do.

Not if but when

As you read Dale's blog, you feel his emotions of frustration and respect/fear of cancer. It is no respecter of people and takes it own course. He works to make sure all will be well for me when the day comes he is not able to do so. It is not an if but when it happens. Life has been shortened for Dale. Maybe 15 more years, maybe 1. With that in his mind, all things must be in order for him. He is feeling the urgency to accomplish what he feels must be done and that is hard, when he does not feel physically well enough to do so, however, he keeps working at it the best he can.

Dale makes it through each day with varying levels of energy with the emotional impact cancer has on his existence. Appetite is low, food is tasteless, joy in a good day of production is minimal. He does what he can and frustrates that he can't do more. Dale is my hero and always will be. He does well in my eyes.

Unfairness in lymphoma

Dale does not feel well at all today. Chills, headache, fatigue, and more diarrhea. He tries hard to be positive and upbeat, however, he feels like ________p! But no extra laundry loads today, yet.

Our sweet, young friend passed away this morning. Her battle was valiantly fought with courage.

Improving slightly

Dale happily made it through all three hours of church today. He is able to do much more each day than he has for a long time. He still has some situations after he eats that are uncontrollable, however, the diarrhea is not as bad as a week ago. In a week, he will undergo all the tests for BMT for progress and also meet with the BMT doctor for test results. A week after that, his cancer doctor.

We took the week off and traveled about 3 hours south for Spring Break. No unplanned stops on the way there but two on the way back. The break was good and well appreciated.

Our young friend who has lymphoma, is not doing well. We are so sad for her and her family. Cancer is not kind.

Gift of hope

Appointments are on April 16th for all the medical tests, PT, CT, lungs, heart, bone marrow biopsy, etc checking Dale's overall progress. The reports will be compared to tests completed before bone marrow transplant, and hopefully, of course, a clean report of progress will be heard. Dale seems to do okay but needs periodic rest periods.

We were at a store talking with a sales representative when Dale excused himself to sit down. The salesman and I continued talking and found that he had lymphoma cancer treatment, remission, and a few years later, lymphoma chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant for the second round. The two men immediately bonded exchanging stories, and comparing treatments. The salesman provided Dale with well needed HOPE for the next several years, indicating the progress made from his first to second rounds of chemotherapy and then again to Dale's treatments. Cancer research is gaining successes all the time. And interesting, that we happened to meet with this gentleman. We purchased nothing, but left with gift of HOPE.

In favorite chair resting

Dale rests after hours of honey did projects. Jan did all the projects. Dale tires watching.