Friends, celebrations, and life .......

We have had a great week with visits from our wonderful friends here at Caliente Springs.  Dick and Rick brought over a Swamp Cooler for us to use as the summer heat is starting.   Joyce, thanks for the fresh veggies, they were delicious.  Breakfast with Bob and Karen where Paul proceeded to eat an egg and a couple tablespoons of potato, he even ate a breakfast sausage!   Time spent with Carolyn, it was so nice to get-away and relax.   Joanna and Ted, you have been amazing, thank you for filling up our truck with gas for this upcoming week of appointments!  We can not thank everyone enough for their love and support.  

Grandma Barbara joined us in celebrating Paul's daughter Jennifer's 25th birthday.  It was a wonderful dinner and we talked about so many things including Jennifer and Jason's plans for their wedding within the next year or two.  No date set, but the plans are in the making.  Where have the years gone?  

Proud dad!

Grandma Barbara

On to the update on Paul .......

Paul has had three chemo treatments and seven radiation treatments.  He is holding up well.  Fatigue is his biggest complaint. With the possibilities of all the side effects he could experience this is really a blessing.  Thank you for all the prayers as I believe this is what is helping.  His blood pressure has been great and he has managed to gain a pound or two.  

Over the last few days he has started to suffer sudden onset headaches.  They are on the right side mid-forehead.  Throbbing, stabbing, increasing intensity, within fifteen to thirty minutes they are gone.  These headaches are reoccurring a few times a in a 24 hour period.  I am tracking to see if there is something setting them off, but so far nothing is creating a pattern.
  
Paul suffered Cluster headaches for years back in the late 1990's to early 2000's.  They had stopped in 2004 as suddenly as they started.  The Radiologist gave him a prescription for Imitrex.  Problem is the pills would have to be crushed and dissolved, and I'm not to sure how that would work with the chemo medications so will be addressing this with the Oncologist.

We have an appointment with the Primary Physician today to obtain a referral to a Cardiologist for some pre-surgery testing. I am writing down questions.  We not only have our weekly chemo and daily radiation appointments this week but we also have the added appointments with the Radiologist, Oncologist and Thoracic Surgeon in Los Angeles, for a follow-up from J tube and Chemo Port surgery.  I am hoping the surgeon can give us a tentative date for the Esophagectomy surgery. Paul's wound continues to heal beautifully and has diminished in size.  It is less then half of what it was when we arrived home from the hospital less then a month ago.  The human body is amazing and God is good.  Onward to this week of doctor visits and treatments.

Looking better all the time!

Thank you all for your prayers, visits, cards, and support.  We are blessed with the most wonderful family and friends in the world! 

Jo and Paul

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...it's learning to dance in the rain.