Thursday, April 16, 2009
This is Mom/Bobbie's note , just as she wrote it. Your prayers are still very important to us.
______________________________________________________________________________
Gordon is halfway finished with his chemo infusions as of Good Friday. We were invited to our daughter’s for Easter, but our granddaughter had strep throat, and Gordon was not up to going anywhere, nor did he need to be around someone who has an infection. He had rather severe stomach cramps (not abdomen), and was just totally exhausted. He spent most of the weekend in bed; so we had a very quiet Easter, which was okay by me. I was tired too. His hemoglobin had come up about 9/10 of a point, but he has lost another pound, and his cholesterol is only 100. And you need a good cholesterol to fight cancer. So Dr. Schlabach (the oncologist) told him to quit taking Lipitor like immediately. He scolded Gordon and told him that he should know better, that he had explained to Gordon that he is in a different game than he has ever been in. I had been telling him he shouldn’t be taking it, but he had to hear it from the oncologist. Dr. Schlabach is soft spoken and kind; so you listen up when he tells you something.
Our nurse that is assigned to Gordon’s case was off. Her name is Lori, and so Wanda filled in for her. He always has to get labs first to see if they will be able to do the infusion depending on what his labs show. And he was good to go.
This week we see Dr. Schlabach and get labs, and then we’re out of there until next Friday, the 24th. People ask me about this all the time, and sometimes like right now, I feel I’m having a nightmare. I guess the Lord allows us to fall gently when we fall. None of this seems real, because Gordon was so healthy otherwise. Keep praying…it keeps us strong and fighting the battle. We do certainly feel your prayers and are extremely appreciative. Gordon really enjoys this break for about 13 days without chemo.
We met a lady last week who had breast cancer, and it has now gotten into her collarbone. She was by herself, and I felt sad for her. Maybe we’ll see her again and learn more about her circumstances. But she wasn’t alone, because God is with her every step of the way. Maybe I will get the chance to tell her that.
While Gordon was resting this past weekend, I watched the movie that Mel Gibson made about Christ: “The Passion of the Christ”. I always cry, but I fast forwarded by the terrible beating they did to him. I just was too emotional and couldn’t watch that part. After singing along with some hymns earlier that I was playing, and then watching the movie, I felt a real closeness to Christ, and His presence was so real. I felt as if He had His arm around my shoulder telling me everything will be all right. It was a wonderful experience, and I’ve been more aware of His presence this week. What a Savior, What a Christ, What a Friend!!!
Oh magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.
Psalm 34:3
I thank, love, and appreciate each one who is praying for Gordon and me.
Bobbie Hixson
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The Birthday Boy Keeps Marching
Saturday, April 4, 2009 -- From Bobbie Hixson
I believe Gordon’s 5th chemo has had less side effects than 3 & 4. He slept late, but has been in the yard walking around, and now he has gone to Greenlife, the organic grocery store on Manufacturer’s Rd. near the Market St. Bridge. He has been eating dried beans and legumes. They are very good for cancer patients. Meats create acid which is not good for the pancreas or cancer. We have been doing mostly fish and chicken. I’m so hungry for spaghetti or lasagna. I guess by this time, his system is adapting somewhat.
When we went for the chemo infusion Friday, Gordon was fasting; so they did some extra testing that his internist ordered. Of course, we don’t know the results as yet. We had to be there at 9:30 am. We had never been at that time, and every recliner was full, except for one. And most of the people being treated were young or middle age. There were only 3 older people including Gordon. It certainly gives you a whole new perspective on life. It makes you glad and sad at the same time. You’re so relieved that you’re not one of the ones being treated, and so sad to see the ones who are being treated. Most of the women had on a scarf or hat. I suppose they have lost their hair. And they were getting 2 bags of the infusion rather than 1. Gordon’s labs are okay. Everything is holding so far. Nothing had gone down. His attitude is holding positive, and I’m the encourager. Sometimes I get so tired both emotionally and physically, but I try not to let him know.
The surprise 80th birthday party was a real hit, and was he ever surprised! He got teary, and I went over and hugged him, and that seemed to give him the support he needed. Some of his techs that he worked with 30 years ago were there, as well as the staff at the Women’s Diagnostic Center. They usually do something on a much smaller scale for everyone’s birthday; so they were afraid he would be suspicious. But he wasn’t. He has too much else on his mind. The Radiologist he worked with at East Ridge Hospital and his wife came and brought lots of good hot, finger food. I would say it was a smashing success. And the MRI tech that he trained at East Ridge came. Some of them wrote the dearest and sweetest notes in their cards. They really love him and appreciate all the kindness and help he has shown them. He was very moved to say the least. His niece, Ann, and her husband, Winston were there, as well as Karen (our daughter) and Adrian, who worked for him 18 years and has known him since she was in high school. Our daughter-in-law had a bad fracture of her ankle on Sunday, and was having surgery on Monday; so she and Gary (our son), couldn’t come. Others had to work and couldn’t be there. It was a great party, and memories he will treasure now and forever.
Lori, his nurse for the chemo treatments, said his immunity should be very low right now; so they want him to stay away from people. He had no business going to Greenlife, but once he makes up his mind…there’s no talking him out of it. (like most men)!
Tomorrow is Palm Sunday and next Sunday is Easter Sunday….celebrate Jesus….He lives!!!
I thank, love, and appreciate each one who is praying for Gordon and me.
Bobbie Hixson
I believe Gordon’s 5th chemo has had less side effects than 3 & 4. He slept late, but has been in the yard walking around, and now he has gone to Greenlife, the organic grocery store on Manufacturer’s Rd. near the Market St. Bridge. He has been eating dried beans and legumes. They are very good for cancer patients. Meats create acid which is not good for the pancreas or cancer. We have been doing mostly fish and chicken. I’m so hungry for spaghetti or lasagna. I guess by this time, his system is adapting somewhat.
When we went for the chemo infusion Friday, Gordon was fasting; so they did some extra testing that his internist ordered. Of course, we don’t know the results as yet. We had to be there at 9:30 am. We had never been at that time, and every recliner was full, except for one. And most of the people being treated were young or middle age. There were only 3 older people including Gordon. It certainly gives you a whole new perspective on life. It makes you glad and sad at the same time. You’re so relieved that you’re not one of the ones being treated, and so sad to see the ones who are being treated. Most of the women had on a scarf or hat. I suppose they have lost their hair. And they were getting 2 bags of the infusion rather than 1. Gordon’s labs are okay. Everything is holding so far. Nothing had gone down. His attitude is holding positive, and I’m the encourager. Sometimes I get so tired both emotionally and physically, but I try not to let him know.
The surprise 80th birthday party was a real hit, and was he ever surprised! He got teary, and I went over and hugged him, and that seemed to give him the support he needed. Some of his techs that he worked with 30 years ago were there, as well as the staff at the Women’s Diagnostic Center. They usually do something on a much smaller scale for everyone’s birthday; so they were afraid he would be suspicious. But he wasn’t. He has too much else on his mind. The Radiologist he worked with at East Ridge Hospital and his wife came and brought lots of good hot, finger food. I would say it was a smashing success. And the MRI tech that he trained at East Ridge came. Some of them wrote the dearest and sweetest notes in their cards. They really love him and appreciate all the kindness and help he has shown them. He was very moved to say the least. His niece, Ann, and her husband, Winston were there, as well as Karen (our daughter) and Adrian, who worked for him 18 years and has known him since she was in high school. Our daughter-in-law had a bad fracture of her ankle on Sunday, and was having surgery on Monday; so she and Gary (our son), couldn’t come. Others had to work and couldn’t be there. It was a great party, and memories he will treasure now and forever.
Lori, his nurse for the chemo treatments, said his immunity should be very low right now; so they want him to stay away from people. He had no business going to Greenlife, but once he makes up his mind…there’s no talking him out of it. (like most men)!
Tomorrow is Palm Sunday and next Sunday is Easter Sunday….celebrate Jesus….He lives!!!
I thank, love, and appreciate each one who is praying for Gordon and me.
Bobbie Hixson
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