Today was day one of chemo and radiation. For those of you just catching up with us, Kramer, my husband, was diagnosed with lung cancer back in January. He’s been tested and tested and tested and after a failed surgery to remove his lung mass, it’s been decided that he will need to undergo chemo and radiation.
In his case, they use both treatment together. Every Monday for a 6 weeks, he gets chemo and radiation. Then Tuesday through Friday he gets radiation only. We have a 90 mile drive one way.
We’ve had a few people offer to drive Kramer so I can work and we’ve taken them up on that offer. We are also juggling things within our family so we can make it work. Mondays are going to be my day to drive. With chemo happening on Mondays it will end up being a long day with chemo lasting about 4 hours we thought it best that I cover that day. Kalissa and Kelli volunteered to be here and hold down the fort with the childcare kiddos on Mondays.  We have drivers or arrangements for childcare to be covered on a good chunk of the other days.
So here we are…..
I told you that we have been upgraded to Oncology parking….
It’s nice. It’s right next to the building. Easy access is going to be especially nice as treatment goes on and he gets more fatigued.
Today was a day of so many firsts….all we never planned on experiencing…all we wish we weren’t learning more about…but things we are we are navigating.
I am so glad that we are in this together. Even though this is hard, there is no place I would rather be than with him.
I stitched my day away in the waiting room…and then in the infusion room.
This is what I am stitching on now. “Peace” is the perfect one for me to be stitching on now.
Here’s Kramer in the infusion room getting chemo. I had to laugh at him as just a short while after this, he was sleeping.
The night before he didn’t sleep well as he was nervous about it all…but he gets to the infusion room. They tell him to watch for a list of about 10 different things as he may have a reaction to the chemo….AND WHAT DOES KRAMER DO THEN??? He falls asleep. I was screaming in my mind “stay awake for the 15 minutes”!!!!!!!!  Oh Kramer. I’m sure it was all the stress of it.
It turns out that the actual receiving of the radiation and the chemo is no big deal. I’m so hoping that he can make it through with limited other side effects.
When we got home we were greeted by this… Kelli and Kalissa along with the childcare kiddos made it. We get to remove one card for everyday. #33 got removed.  
Only 32 radiation treatments more to go. We can do this!!
#kramerstrong
Love love love the countdown calendar. Those kiddos of yours and those childcare kiddos are the absolute best. The love surrounding Kramer will heal him alongside the chemo/radiation treatments. God hold you all in His hands.
Oh wow – how special to have your very own calendar made by the kids. Yes you can do this – it is good he can sleep through the chemo. Makes good use of his time! Praying for you all.
Prayers continuing for your family.
You can do this
Prayers for all you, your family is such a blessing!!
Beautiful cross stitch, Jo! Oh my, I totally love your countdown calendar—so much love there! My day 1 prayers have been coming your way and will continue. Sending hugs too.
I don’t know if you have looked into Airbnb. A place to stay near the hospital would save you a drive.
My daughter had 108 weeks of cancer treatment. It’s an odd thing to get used to. She’s fine now.
I wish you all the best
Prayers for the Kramer family.
Praying for you all as you make this journey. If you need to do a “Go Fund Me” to help with expenses please post the link as I know many of us would love to help you out as much as we can. You share so much with us on your blog.
Thank you for sharing your journey. I love the timeline! Keeping the prayers going.
Love the count down calendar! So special and everyone is counting down with you. Prayers to you and Kramer.
Praying that side effects are few.
I follow you since years in my Newsify. Each day I wake up, take my phone and look what is going on in your world. I am very sorry to hear your current difficulties. I also had chemio, radio and surgery some 7 years ago. And I am perfectly fine since then. I mean that with love, joy and strength, this can be only one more stone in your live together that will you both get closer and go by. Good luck and kisses from Spain.
That count down calendar is so thoughtful and sweet! Prayers for your new journey. Glad the weather is more cooperative; can’t imagine driving in the snow everyday!
when my husband was getting radiation I would drive him to the hospital every morning. We had friends scheduled to pick him up after his treatment and take him home so I could continue to work. Friends and family are the most important right now. Continued prayers to all of you, you can do it, God is with you.
My 19 radiation visits went quickly. Just think,when you finish, spring will be in full bloom. And you won’t be driving through snow and ice so much as you would have 6 weeks ago. And the babies are already here and the girls can help out! Lots of blessings!
I’m praying And rooting for you here in New Jersey. You’re blessed to have such a wonderful family and friends to help you through your journey.
Good to hear the first day went well and also great that you all have the transportation worked out. Loved the countdown calendar! What a sweet thing. The last day of treatment will be here before you know it! The sleeping through chemo made me smile. As active as your husband is, the thought of having to sit around while waiting for the infusion to be done must be hard. Later when they know how it will affect him he might be able to get up and walk around a bit. My son was pumped with extra fluids to get his drugs through his kidneys quickly and he was advised to move around. It was a good change of pace. Continued prayers for your family!!
So Sorry that you and your husband had to join the “Club” that no one ever wanted to join. We were lucky that my husband had Oncology right here in town. Had 3 years of chemo, no radiation. He has been fine for over 10 years, so it does work. Just have faith. You will get to know other folks waiting for their people as thing go on. We did a lot of puzzles and played a lot of cards to pass the time. I usually got bored with that and went in and sat with him. Rely on the nurses, they are some of the more wonderful people I have ever met. Things will workout and I will remember you in my prayers.
GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND THE LOVE THAT SURROUNDS YOU ALL,.
You can do this! You are absolutely right! I am praying for low to no side effects. I don’t know about his protocol but they give me SO MANY things to counter all of the foreseen side effects. I am glad he is started and the internal fight has begun. A lot of chemo drugs makes you sleepy too and most people don’t sleep well the night before either so the infusion room is a great place for a nap! Makes the time go faster too! Glad the first day went all right! Love you!
I’m praying for you guys Jo. I’m much relieved to hear that you are accepting help with the home childcare business and the driving. Sometimes we need a little help from our friends and our kids.
Hi My name is Karen I went through 18 months of chemo and 2 months of radiation. I’m happy to say I have been cancer free for ten years now. I hope you have the same luck. You meet a lot of nice people along the way.
My prayers are with you and your family.
Karen
God bless you both. It is not an issue I would want to face again. Cancer is a terrible thing, no matter the kind.
I hope it all goes according to plan. But I have learned to be flexible in my 12 years of dealing with cancer. Medicine changes, schedule changes, side effect changes, doctor changes. I think I’ve got it all covered, and then something changes. Best of luck to your husband! Sending healthy thoughts and hugs!
Bless his heart – I don’t know too many people who go to sleep during chemo.
A great choice or cross stitching while waiting on hubby. And how sweet that you have a countdown calendar – almost like an advent calendar—with great hope at the end!
Prayers for you all
Sharing this journey of you and Kramer is so touching and wonderful and brave. I want to thank you for all of this. It restores my faith in humanity. Sending good vibes to Kramer and you and yours.