Monday, March 9, 2009

Not so uneventful LONG days

As luck would have it during the long days between visits to the hospital Cari has managed to pick up some kind of bug so not only does she get to deal with all of the appointments but gets to do it in a mask and weather all of the cross-way looks from people in the hospital. Ben, however is a fantastic nursemaid. He finished all of the meds that were causing constipation but not the laxatives that went with them so he was able to make a giant mess on clothes, floor, you name it. $*%# truly does happen.

Next he decided that he wanted to try to even out his haircut and got a hold of Cari’s razor in the bathtub and shaved a little patch out of his new fuzzy hairdo. Last but not least he found a care-package Cari received today and was able to shred most of the packaging and begin playing with some of the soap. Such a great caregiver.

As you can imagine, Cari would like to be able to curl up and sleep until she feels better but no such luck with Nurse Ben on duty.

Ben is scheduled to go in tomorrow (3/10) to get his Hickman Catheter. This catheter is surgically installed and the method through which he will receive his chemo, any meds, and the way they hope to harvest stem cells between treatments. He will also have a spinal tap tomorrow to test his spinal fluid for cancer cells. We hope there are none present. This will weigh heavily on whether he will be able to have focused radiation treatments or whether they will have to irradiate his entire body. The total spinal irradiation is not where we want to be because it can negatively impact growth and development much more than the focused method.

On the home front we are missing Cari and Ben more than words can say. We are extremely grateful for family, friends, and ward members. Between the meals, the service, play dates for kids, generous donations, airline miles, and heartfelt support we feel extremely blessed. I feel like not a person passes me by without checking in and offering support. We are excited that Grandma Allred, Samantha, and Nathan will be joining Cari and Ben in Seattle on Friday. I know that Cari is looking forward to having more of the family there for support and to fill what feel like very empty arms right now.

Again, I cannot express how grateful we are for the outpouring of support we have received.

3 comments:

  1. Ben sounds just like Dallas. I'm sure that the 2 of them together could do quite some damage. The funny thing is that I would give anything to see it! We pray that the tests come back good and that the surgery goes well. It sounds like the great people of Alaska are treating you very well and are helping you out in all the ways all of us in Utah want to! We are so grateful that you all are being helped and taken care of. Much love and prayers!
    Scott, Natalie, Hunter, Maddie, Abbie, and Dallas

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey Cari- I've logged in - Bishop said that if he could I could. We've been reading the postings-and just wanted to let you know that you all are in our thoughts & prayers. Sis. Allred got the "really cool VT handout" on Sat! I know that you'll be sorry to have missed another one of my inventions!! (are you laughing yet ?) Phillip's in Chile today-he called from Dallas yesterday to let us know. Please give Ben a hug for us....I'll stop by to say goodbye to Sis. Allred before Friday. Love You Janie & Warren Cox

    ReplyDelete
  3. Cari ! I miss your smiling face at church on Sunday and especially Ben who is such a shameless flirt ! I cannot wait to have him back in nursery, until then we will miss him and you too.

    Love Ambriah

    ReplyDelete