Gratefulness

I hope everyone had a fun and safe holiday season and New Year!

My family was together for Christmas Eve and Christmas-I flew in from St. Louis for 27 hours. My mom has always believed in and instilled in us the importance of traditions. We have followed the same Christmas traditions for many years: church and a nice dinner out on Christmas Eve (this started when my dad was still alive), egg dish and opening Santa presents on Christmas morning followed by a relaxing and delicious home cooked dinner.

On my short plane ride home, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratefulness. I have found that a life-threatening diagnosis of a family member will do that. I don’t wish that any family has to endure watching a loved one go through hell like cancer, however you have to find the positives in everything. Being grateful for the little things, like being able to stick to traditions at Christmas time, is one positive.

Larry had his 5^th of 6 chemo treatments today. He is tolerating it well, however, he is starting to feel the effects of the chemo. He’s been so fortunate that, for the most part, he hasn’t had to deal with the side effects in his previous treatments (neuropathy was his biggest obstacle during and after the last round of chemo) Weight loss due to nausea and chronic fatigue are the biggest effects he is dealing with now. Dr. Stein, his oncologist, has prescribed meds for both. It still amazes me that there is a drug to combat the many side effects of chemo. Again, I feel so grateful that he has an oncologist that is a leader in her field and knows about these meds.

He is one chemo treatment away from being done with this round. His body will have to heal from the chemo before he can have the exploratory surgery that is necessary. I can tell you one thing…he is very anxious to get to that surgery! I don’t blame him.

Resting at my mom's after today's chemo

Up from his nap, waiting for the traditional post-chemo dinner at my mom's 

What are you grateful for today?

Sox it to it, Lar...