Chemo

Jared saw the  oncologist this week, entered the hospital, and began a regiment of chemo that will last nine weeks.  They admitted him for the first round to see how he would tolerate the treatment.  The first three days of treatment he totally kicked butt, and then came day four.  He slept away an entire weekend.  I was amazed at how the fatigue washed over him.  I think he was surprised by how his body reacted too. Never once did he toss his cookies, but eating is not something that he finds himself really interested.  Mike and I are in hopes that he finds something to put into his body that help build his energy level.  According to him nothing really tastes good.  I totally get that.  When food has absolutely no taste and upsets the old tummy……why bother. The search will now be on to find something that he can tolerate.  

Kayla and Jaxon experienced a rough week as well.  Jaxon is not used to being away from his mom, and on Thursday the meltdowns began.  He is quite confused by the change in his schedule and his fifteen month old self is clinging to his grandparents and sister for stability.  Tears and tantrums were abundant this week, but he survived.  Kayla had her fair share of tears this week as well.  She cried often and wanted her parents.  The stress of her father being sick was evident as she spent all week with an upset tummy.  At first I thought it was just a virus, but she started crying for us to sleep with her.  Four-year-old children do that, but Kayla and Jaxon have slept at our house tons of times.  She stays here most Friday nights and naps here with us on Sundays.  During the summer she practically camps out and calls the room she occupies "her" room.  Suddenly, after all this time, she is afraid to sleep by herself….nope not buying it.  I don’t think she has a clue what she is afraid of, but I do think she senses our concern and is stressing out.   

Tammi was looking a little worse for ware this week as well.  She spent the week with Jared at the hospital, only coming home to spend time with the babies.  Her dad and Cheri divided and conquered with the kids so that Tammi could be with Jared.  There was tons to be learned about Jared’s treatment and she was required to be there (as if wild horses could keep her away) and learn all of things associated with his treatment and care.  She was torn between caring for her kids and her husband.  I was really proud of the way she divided her time between Jared and the kids.  She is tired and worried but holding her own.  

She knows that they are not in this alone.  Her father and I are there.  Cheri,  Joel, and Stephanie are there for her.  Her small group, a host of other family, and friends are all there.  We are all praying and that of course brings me to my final thought.  More than her family and a host of friends is the Mighty God that we serve. He is hearing Jared, Tammi, Kayla’s and all our prayers and we are trusting that all will be well. 

Lora