Now what...

Today is a pity-party type of day for me. I had pinned all my hopes on one thing that did not come through for us. Now I have no plan. I am devastated. I'm depressed. I'm worried. I'm stressed. I'm overwhelmed. I'm lost. I'm teary. I'm emotional. 

Just for clarification, this paragraph does not concern Jim’s heath.

On schedule...

My husband Jim's white blood cell count had risen to an acceptable level. Jim was able to pick up his chemo schedule where he left off, at C2d22. This is good news. 

Monday (20May2013) will be the first day if cycle 3, C3d1. Info on chemo cycles can be found in previous posts. 

Worried...

I am requesting prayers and good wishes that Jim’s WBC count will be acceptable and that Jim will resume his chemo schedule without any further delays. Last week Jim’s low white blood cell count forced Jim off of his chemo schedule. Jim was unable to receive his scheduled chemo treatment and instead had to take a series of five shots to try to force his WBC count back up. Today, Jim will return to the cancer center with the goal of his WBC count being at an acceptable level and that he will be able to receive his chemo treatment. Last Monday C2d22 was cancelled, so today should put him back at C2d22 again to resume his previous schedule. 

Edit: Jim's WBC was good. He did receive chemo. It was day C2d22 again, as expected. He is now resumed his chemo schedule. Good news. Thank you for praying and for caring. 

Generosity...

Once again I am left in awe because of the kindness of others. My co-workers (at two schools!) donated money to Jim and I to help with medical expenses. I was so surprised, so thankful, so grateful, and so appreciative of their kindness and generosity. I certainly did not expect it! I was so touched and overwhelmed with their compassion I had to fight back tears just minutes before school was to start because I didn't want the kids at school to think something was wrong. I held it together, barely. I will always wonder if my friends know how much their gesture meant to me. 

Their timing was impeccable. Just yesterday I had expressed concern in my blog about Jim’s low white blood cell count. I didn't blog about the financial aspect, but I also had concern about Jim’s five extra trips to the cancer facility to receive the additional medications. Each trip takes more gasoline money. Each additional doctor visit is another $35 co-pay. My main focus was, and is, Jim’s low WBC counts… but in the back of my mind I was worried about the extra expenses. I knew (or was hopeful) the funds would somehow work out; at least it always seems to work out. Little did I know that 'elves" were at work gathering funds to assist us through this crisis. The amount that we received, $249.00, was the exact amount to cover the five co-pays, plus gasoline, plus Jim’s new prescriptions. It was amazing to me that the exact amount we needed was the exact amount we received. As a friend told me today, God knows. 

They will never know just how deeply I was moved by their kindness. Some of the co-workers I have know for years, some of them I recently met, some of them I do not know at all. And yet, they helped us. Someday I will pay it forward. 

Low white blood cells...

Today (C2d22) Jim was to have another chemo treatment. I say “was” because his treatment was cancelled due to a very low white blood cell count. WBC allow a body to fend off germs. It would put him at risk to have the treatment, and it puts him at risk if he does not have the treatment. It’s a no-win situation.

Jim will now have a series of injections to try and build up his white blood cells. These injections carry a risk as well. Jim must also begin an antibiotic series for a week, again a risk. The goal is to boost Jim’s WBC count so that he can resume his chemotherapy treatments.

This is not the news that I want to report. As I have said before, it is what it is and we will play the cards that are dealt to us. Jim's WBC count needs to rise to an acceptable level. If you are so inclined, please add Jim to your prayer list, send good thoughts, words of encouragement, and so forth. 

East meets West...

The local cancer support group here in Kansas is Victory in the Valley. They have been quite a resource for my husband, Jim, and our entire family. We have participated in their Newton Support Group. We have utilized several of the services that are offered at “VV”. They are a non-profit organization. They do not take funds from United Way.

VV is hosting their annual fundraiser; the "East meets West Run/Walk" which will be held on May 18th, 2013 at Plaza at Exploration Place, 300 N McLean Blvd, Wichita KS. There are several categories to choose from. The most popular being the 5K run, all the way through to the “sitting in the shade” category. There is even an “unable to attend” option so that people can still donate to this wonderful charity without having to be there in person.

I will have a WEST team that will be participating in this event. Jim and I are looking for more people to join us, either in person or in absentia. We need you! Please consider joining our WEST team. Our team name is “Black & White”. There is a team discount, reducing the price down to $22 each for adults. Each registration will receive a free t-shirt and a free breakfast! There is an online registration with PayPal. You can also print-out and mail in the registration form with your check. HURRY! Register by May 13, 2013.

The team name, Black & White, is to show support for my husband Jim and my Uncle Danny. Lung cancer is identified with a white support ribbon. Melanoma is identified by a black ribbon. Both of these wonderful men are fighting stage 4 cancer. This race event not only raises funds for VV, this event is a showing of support to both Jim and Danny. We also have a dear friend that has recently dealt with lung cancer that will also be on our team; as well as other cancer survivors will be walking on our team.

I highly encourage you to support this organization and this event; it would mean so much to both Jim and I. Remember, it is just $22 for our WEST “Black & White” team. If you need me to pick up your shirt or entire race packet, please message me. Hashtag on Twitter and Instagram #vveastwest 

Strawberries...

This last weekend I took advantage of a sale on strawberries. I made several strawberry recipes: Jam, Strawberry Sauce, Strawberry Pie, Dehydrated Strawberries and more. My favorite new was Strawberry Preserves. I had found this pin on Pinterest. It is the recipe from the Pioneer Woman. It looks and tastes wonderful. I recommend it. I loved it so much that I made a second batch! Give it a try and let me know how you like it.