May 24 Update

Dear Friends, 

It is unbelievable how supportive you have been to Gene and me during this very stressful time for both of us – and of course Cindy, Jim, Samuel and Taylor! 

We had such a great surprise yesterday. Taylor (our granddaughter who will soon be turning 18) and Samuel (our grandson who will be 14 at the end of the month) drove down from Broken Bow to spend the day with us. We are so very fortunate that we have such wonderful grandchildren. We are so very proud of them – they are very nice kids plus good students and athletes. Of course their parents, Cindy and Jim, had a big hand in their upbringing. (I have attached this wonderful picture of Gene with Taylor and Samuel.) 

It has been an up and down week. Gene was scheduled for his sixth treatment on Friday but his white blood count was too low. So on Monday, he had a shot of Neupogen and they continued these shots through yesterday for a total of three shots. 

We are hoping that on Friday, Gene will be able to take his sixth treatment … which of course will take all day and then he leaves with a chemo bag, which he wears for 48 hours. 

Gene has been worrying about his schedule for his American Quarter Horse duties as he is now president! We had all the treatments scheduled and our travel plans scheduled around them, but we will make it work. 

Each week, I learn more about being a caregiver. There are so many great FREE publications available at the Cancer Center. The one I picked up today is great – “Caring 4 Cancer.” 

There are many tips for the newly diagnosed cancer patient, such as: 

Bring paper and pencil with you to doctors’ visits for taking notes, or ask a friend to come with you and take notes. 

MY SUGGESTION: If possible, take one or more of your children with you. It was so helpful when we went for our first visit and took our daughter, Cindy. Cindy had many more questions than I would have thought. 

Our doctor has been wonderful, and at each visit he puts Cindy on speakerphone – so she feels she is very much a part of what the doctor is telling us on how the treatments are progressing. 

Another tip: Sign up for a customized weekly e-newsletter that will provide you with timely, helpful tips and support as your treatment plan progresses: www.Caring4Cancer.com I will check this out and let you know and if it is worthwhile. 

Remember, as I said earlier this week: “Love is often hidden till it’s given away. Love is a gift we can give every day!” 

Barbara         

May 14 Update

It seems like a merry-go-round!!! One day feeling great (maybe good) about how Gene is doing, and the next day … not so good.

Thankfully, he has had more good days but does get very tired, so I always have to remember to walk slow (I am noted as being the fast walker of the family).

We just returned from Jacksonville, Fla., where we attended the AQHA Region 10 show. WOW, it was very successful: They had almost 250 trail participants, plus many in the English classes, western classes, youth classes and reining classes, and I hope on Sunday they had equally full entries in the cattle classes.

It was wonderful seeing so many people that share Gene’s and my love of the American Quarter Horse. We saw many old friends and also met new friends.

It was so rewarding to hear all the good comments that AQHA is doing for membership, and we are fortunate to have such dedicated volunteers that worked this show.

I always like to give a few ideas or hints I have learned along the way during Gene’s cancer treatments. (By the way, at our last doctor’s appointment, Gene’s cancer cells had shrunk 60%. That is good news but as we know not a cure. As the doctor said, these nasty cancer cells are always looking for a way to get around the treatments!)

So, on to those tips: 

• The very best sugar-free syrup we have found is “Walden Farms.” It is calorie-free plus sugar-free. I even warm it up before putting on the pancakes. (This is a good find for those looking for comfort foods while watching sugar intake.) 
• Be sure if you are a caregiver to have a good thermometer on hand. I like the easy one that you apply to the ear. 
• I have been having Gene use a face spray tanning lotion every morning. I think it gives him that "little bit of color." (He asks me every day, “Do I look pale?”) 
• Gene is going through extreme feelings of hot and cold, so he does not drink ice in his water or have really hot food. It gives him a tingling feeling, almost like a shock. 
• I have been buying lots of lemons to put in his water. It is so important for any cancer patient to drink plenty of water to flush out the toxins in his or her system. 
• Hand sanitizer is also very important as we all know, but I am trying to make it a habit to use it, especially when traveling. 

Finally, I did forget to mention: SHHHHHH! Let’s not mention this blog to Gene. I am not sure he would be too thrilled to know that I am telling ALL!

Keep Praying and Believing in Miracles,
Barbara