MY WIFE DIANNE UPDATE 1.21.2009

Jan 16 Friday - Dianne went to the Cancer Center at 8:45am for her 1st chemotherapy treatment which was completed at 2:00pm. Lynn Wilkinson was the RN that administered the intravenous treatment and she is a very compassionate person.

We talked to 4 patients that were getting chemo at the same time. One was Matt who is a young man 29 years old and has Hodgins Lymphoma. He has the same Oncologist as Dianne, Dr. Edenfield. He is on Medicaid SSI and cannot work because of the lymphoma effect on his lungs as well as the the side effects of the drugs. His problems started over 8 years ago and he finally went to Dr. Edenfield in 2008 who requested a large cell biopsy from his lung which resulted in the Hodgins Lymphoma diagnosis and treatment thereafter. He and I discussed how God works in the timing of his diagnosis. When you see a young man who at 29 is the same age as our son Chad, you wonder why he has this disease at such a young age and others do not. Well, it is not my place to question why God allows such things to happen, regardless of age, because I would have no answer to the question, except it is to draw Matt closer to God. We will pray for Matt.

There was another couple whose names are Lester and Dianne. They are probably in their late 50s. Lester has small cell lung cancer and he said he had smoked for 40 years. He takes chemo treatments every Friday and has been doing so for 2 years. Two years ago, his Oncologist said he had 6 months. Lester is still living and seems to be full of life and you would never know he was sick because of his attitude. His wife Dianne, whose name is also spelled with 2 N's same as my sweetie's, previously had brain surgery but she is well now. They have been married for 36 years. Lester's ongoing sickness has caused a serious financial burden to them, and their Church and friends have been helping them get through their financial problems. They are Christians and we told them we will pray for them.

There was another couple and she had ovarian cancer. She had all kinds of medical issues and was so negative about her cancer and the effects on her life. Dianne and I told them that they would be in our prayers. She was telling Dianne what terrible effects the chemo was having on her, could not get out of bed, nausea all the time, bones hurt, and on and on. Her husband said he had to make coffee in the garage, and cook outside on the grill becuase the smells made her sick. I was sitting there thinking that my sweetie would have to go through all of the side effects and sickness that she was talking about. Dianne's nurse, Lynn, and another RN Mary Ellen, bith told us that she did this to other patients every time she came in for her treatment and that Dianne would not have all these side effects and problems. Then, I said thank God for that.

As we left the chemo room, we shook hands with some of the people and especially told several that we would keep them in our prayers.

Afterwards, Dianne and I later went to Publix grocery store to pick up a few things. Dianne would smell metal which is a side effect of the chemo. On the way out of the grocery store, we saw Cindy Williard and Dianne and Cindy just hugged. Cindy is such a sweet person and Dianne loves her so very much.

Jan 17 Saturday - Dianne's sister Donna came from Charlotte to be with Dianne and help out around the house.

Jan 18 Sunday - Dianne, Donna, Chad, Bella, and myself went to church at Southside and Brian Onken preached a wonderful sermon. Later that day Dianne got so sick that the chemo completely wiped her out and she was in the lounge chair or bed most of the time. The tiredness, nausea, not wanting to eat or drink, and as she said just feeling blah. She was taking phenergan every 4-6 hours for nauseau. Dianne did not sleep hardly any all night and she was having a rough time.

Jan 19 Monday - Dianne had a really rough day and could not hardly get up due to the tiredness, nauseau, and no sleep. We took her to the Cancer Center to get her neulasta shot at 3:00p. Alecia was her RN. The neulasta shot should help build her white blood count back up and will help her immune system fight infection. She should also begin to feel better. The RN said to try using ativan at night and phynergan during the day. She took ativan at bedtime and Dianne slept better during the night. It is still hard for Dianne to drink anything. She is eating watermelon and icey treats in order to get hydrated. If she becomes dehydrated, she will have to have intravenous hydration.

Jan 20 Tuesday - We went to the American Cancer Society and looked at wigs and other caps to use if she loses her hair, which will probably happen next week. She is still fairly weak but feels a little beter today. She took ativan at bedtime.

Jan 21 Wednesday - Dianne slept all night and feels some better today. Donna is going home and she has been so helpful to us with cooking and just taking care of things around the house, and being support for Dianne. Dianne's friends call and email us and it is such a blessing to have friends that care so much and cointinue to keep Dianne in their prayers.