Happy Halloween!

In the final comment to the last post Ms. Eddie had expressed her wish that Judy would get her cookies made. Well, all you have to do is look at the photo to the right and you'll see who's keeping the upper hand here! Mr. Cancer-Scrooge, go home!

Two days ago Judy did what she loves to do so much: Set off flour bombs in the kitchen and create beautiful cookies. She and Natalie had done a half-batch test run last weekend, and with a few breaks between baking, icing, and decorating Judy turned out these spooky-scary punkin' cookies.

Right now she's getting her daily dose of antibiotics while we are waiting for the first trick-or-treaters to knock at the door. We will have to continue the antibiotics for at least another week, probably longer. The fluid in her abdomen (actually, two different effusions) continues to shrink, but at a lower rate than I had understood from what the docs had said. I read the report of the CT scan from last week and the shrinkage is evident, but only at a snail's pace. If the fluid is just, well, simply some fluid (don't ask me for the proper medical terminology), then all the antibiotics are just B-52s lining up against houseflies. If the fluid, however, is infectious and we discontinue the antibiotics, Judy most likely would not last through chemo. So, the decison to continue is not a tough one to make.

Chemo: We're going to get started on Tuesday. Judy will go to Dr. Phillips' office at 8:30 a.m., hang out with three compatriots for about six hours, and then go home. Three weeks later, she'll do the same. and three weeks later, again. And so on. We're anticipating eight cycles total--provided that there are no complications, no excessive nausea, etc. etc.

So now we have a well-laid-out plan, and just like when we went in for the surgery, I feel somehow relieved: There's the road, and we "just" have to take it. I've learned a few things about how I operate best. I need a straight line and a goal, and the glimmer at the end of the tunnel is enough for me to give and sustain energy.

Judy is different. She is worried about letting us down by not being strong 24 hours a day, eight times three weeks. I'd be afraid of feeling like dog-poop, and she's worrying about failing us, her supporters. We talked about this, but that's Judy who feels like that, and if all of you are honest with yourselves you know that it is sometimes very, very difficult--if not impossible--to jump over one's shadow.

Judy is getting ready for the second part of this big stage race--after the Pyrenees come the Alps. She's already proven that she's a fighter who can stomach and come back from the set-backs. She's getting ready for an even harder battle now, because it is longer and gives you the same punches again and again and again. Every time the hit is going to be a little harder, too.

So, right now we're waiting for the trick-or-treaters. But deep down inside, we're waiting for the first punch to be thrown. Let's hope that little Juju is going to be able to withstand all of these attacks and will recover in time to offer the other side of the chin. Do you remember that little boy confronting the headmaster in Oliver Twist? "Master, may I have another?" May Judy be able to ask for more and more and more and flinch every time but never get knocked out.

Happy Halloween indeed.

Jürgen

Every day, things become just a little better

It's about time for an update. I just returned after driving about 1,250 miles to Ruston, LA, site of one of Judy's most favorite mountain bike races, the Piney Hills Classic. Wow, it was another great race, but we had to work pretty hard with not only Judy absent this year but two key members of the timing crew as well. But everybody pitched in, and it all came off without a hitch.

While I was gone I called Judy several times a day. A number of friends came by to give her company, help her with her shower, administer the antibiotics, and even take her out to Michael's to buy some craft stuff. She is now at a point where she can take a shower by herself, even applying the waterproof cover for her central line (through which she is going to receive daily antibiotics until at least this Thursday).

I am so proud of Judy: She has been a model patient. She is doing a few things around the house, but everything in just very small portions. She is taking her naps and is really taking things easy. She has been working diligently on her caloric intake, and even though eating is still the weak point, I think that she's doing a little better. We're still bothered by the nausea that sets in every time right after the antibiotic has been adminstered. Tonight she threw up some of the peanut butter that she had eaten. Right afterward she cried a little, and I sure was glad to be here to hold her. I told her that she'll just eat a little more of the peanut butter and that it's really not a set-back.

I can't believe how strong her attitude continues to be. She's not afraid of the chemo but a little apprehensive since she doesn't know how she will react. Jimminy, I'd be scared s***less in her situation! And she is just a "little apprehensive"!

This Friday, on Halloween, we will see Dr. Phillips and get the run-down on the chemo. We expect that her first treatment will come as early as next week. I think we both are ready to get started with the second major stage. Let's kill the bastard while it's weakened from having lost a lot of its sorry bulk to surgery. Judy hopes that the antibiotics will be stopped on Thursday so that she can, as she said, have a little holiday from the nausea before chemo starts. Maybe some of her appetite returns by the weekend and we can have us a nice meal together--even if she eats just a fifth of what I'll wolf down.

Good to be back in town after this last of this year's mountain bike races for us. Only one more race, the Half-Ironman World Championships in Clearwater (FL) in two weeks, are left for me this year. Yeah!

Jürgen

CT scan shows that Judy is on the mend

Good news: This morning, Judy went in to receive the results of yesterday's follow-up CT scan, and things look good. The fluid in her abdomen has continued to shrink, and there are no new areas of concern. Once again, there are no signs of any leakage in the area where the bowel was resected. Dr. Phillips did his job to perfection!

This weekend, Judy is going to be at the house while I will drive all the way to Ruston (Louisiana) for the last mountain bike race of the season. So, if you want to stop by or give her a ring (806-792-8573), she'll probably be tickled. She's still having a tough time developing much of an appetite, and she feels worn out and rests a lot.

I'll be in touch with her, of course, and will try to update the blog once or twice.

Jürgen

Another CT scan tomorrow

For Wednesday, Judy has been scheduled for another CT scan to rule out any lingering questions in regard to the colon resection. Hey, what better is there to do when the temperatures are supposed to drop into the 30s by morning?

Judy has been resting, resting, resting. I am totally thrilled by how good of a patient she has been since coming back from the hospital. There are still some nausea problems, and she still has that "stitch" in her right kidney area, albeit less severe. Dr. Howell will also do a urinalysis tomorrow in addition to the CT scan--maybe it is something as "simple" as a urinary tract infection.

We hope that the results of both tests will be available when Judy goes in for her follow-up appointment with Dr. Howell on Thursday morning. At that time we will learn how many more days we have to continue the home-based antibiotics treatment (which, by the way, is a piece of cake).

Cake--well, that's a word Judy is not too crazy about, together with practically all food terms. But once again, she's trying. Tom, thanks for the comment in regard to the instant breakfast--we'll try that tomorrow. You're the second person to have had good experience with IB.

So, that's it for today. Let's hope for a clean fact sheet tomorrow.

Jürgen

Plugging along

The hardest thing to do is EAT. Judy is having a tough time with it. I mean, a really tough time. Intellectually, she knows she's HAS to eat. But after only a few bites, the cracker with peanut butter piled on it becomes l'Alpe d'Huez, practically impossible to conquer.

I try my best to goad her into just another bite, just the way I have been able to squeeze that extra mile out of our novice riders when Ropesville was "just another three miles" down the road--after having covered those three miles two, three times before, with nothing on the horizon.

You gotta know when it is time to quit the bluff and take the food off the table, or push 'em in the last mile or two in case they ride a bike and don't recover from cancer surgery. Judy had a rougher day than yesterday, with no appetite and some nausea and throwing-up after the antibiotics. Still, we keep reminding ourselves how much better we're off than just a week ago.

I think tomorrow will be a big plus day. She's going through cycles, and there will be on, off, and so-so days. I'll be in school tomorrow, and she'll be mostly on her own (although Rachel M. will come by in the morning to give her a hand with her shower and just getting settled for the day). Thanks, Rachel!

Thanks also to Alan, aka Dr. Howell, for stopping by and bringing by some of Martha's home-made muffins. Can we ask for better physician-friends than that? And thanks to Wes and Natalie for spending time with us learning how to administer the antibiotics, as fill-ins for me this weekend. What would we do without you guys? Keebler, there will always be homebrews for you, and Natalie, well, you have at least one scrumptious fajita coming. :)

Jürgen

Things are going smoothly--our JuJu is a good girl

It's late Sunday afternoon, and Judy is lying back and enjoying her daily dose of antibiotics.

For her, it's been a lazy, lounge-about-the-house type of Sunday—just what the doctor ordered. I am so proud of her to truly kick back and not try to play the heroine. Saturday was a busy day in lots of ways, and today she felt a bit more tired and thus just napped and did nothing. I went for another long bike ride, with Emily's dad, Rod, and when I got home we napped together on the couch.

Her side "stitch" is still still bugging her a little, albeit much less than yesterday. She's been eating, drinking her protein and Cytomax, showering, and walking a little in front of the house—just a bit of everything. The bodily functions seem to have settled into their new rhythm, too.

So, overall this has been a great Sunday. The weather is glorious, and just looking outside makes one happy. We're looking forward to a week of rest and relaxation for Judy, gathering as much strength as possible for the next stage of the war.

Judy wants all of you to know that she continues to appreciate all of your thoughts and comments.

Jürgen

Judy is settling in at home

What a difference being at home makes! Judy slept the best since before surgery, getting up only once during the night to tinkle. For the time being, she is sleeping in the guest bedroom since getting in and out of the guest bed is a little easier than trying to tackle the water bed.

We've been a little concerned about a "stitch" in her left side, in the kidney area. Last night it was much more pronounced, and she was positively groaning a few times just sitting up and moving around, but we used the heating pad and she's been really good in regard to rehydrating, and even though there was a little soreness today it appears as if things have become better.

The other worry that we have is that there still has not been a "real" bowel movement--a little mucus-like stuff here and there, but she feels tight and full. If nothing "happens" by Monday we will call Dr. Phillips' office. Addendum: While writing this, it did happen!!!!! We're in business--the real thing.

Judy spent most of the day lounging around the house, taking things easy. (Thank goodness!) Emily came by to keep her company, and with Em's help Judy was able to take a shower, get her food, and even take a few easy walks in front of the house. A few friends and neighbors came by to say hi, and several of them brought by food. From Miles H. and Judy R. in NC Judy received one of those incredible "edible arrangements" with fruit galore and chocolates to boot! We really appreciate all those goodies, but we're now maxed out on fridge and freezer space! Everything looks yummy, but Judy is eating so little right now and I can only eat so much, so maybe hold off for a few days before bringing by anything else.

With Emily around the house I was able to lead the long Grape Day ride for our bike club. It was a gorgeous day, with little wind, and we had a nice group together. I ended up with a total of 68 miles for the day, which is farther than I have ridden in many, many weeks and months. Having fun with our club buddies at the winery sure was fun too, and I only wish Judy could have come out for this event as she's always liked it.

We also managed to give Judy her first home-administered antibiotics treatment via the central line. Just in case, her friend Sandi—still in town on her trip from Dallas—supervised my hooking Judy up, and apparently I didn't screw up too badly.

After supper (not much for Judy, but she is trying hard to eat as much as possible) Judy opened a package that had arrived yesterday afternoon but that she had felt too worn out to open earlier. She was absolutely floored by the gorgeous quilt that Jennifer B.'s mom Eileen had made for her. Judy is all wrapped up in it right now and feeling cozy. Thank you so very, very much, Eileen!

Well, that was a lot of good news for the day, and we're excited about the progress (especially what happened in the bathroom just in the last few minutes). Let's hope we continue in this direction.

Jürgen