Everyday Mom

Okay, it’s time for another update on my father’s battle with cancer.  Blogging about it has really become quite therapeutic.  Somehow writing the details down helps me to work through them.  So, thanks for reading and giving me a reason and a resource to keep myself from going crazy with worry and fear. 

His last appointment went well, or at least it seemed to at first.  He has put on about 8 lbs. and is feeling stronger each day.  He got all of his normal (or as normal as it can be when you have cancer) blood work done, decided on a date to start his next round of chemo therapy, and went on his way.  He had planned a trip to my aunt’s house for lunch, but never made it there.  About 15 minutes after leaving the hospital, he received a call that he needed to return immediately.  Results of his blood work indicated that his potassium levels were dangerously low.  Apparently potassium is very important for proper heart function, and the doctors were very concerned that Daddy could have a heart attack.  They instructed him to come straight back to the hospital where he sat for four hours receiving potassium treatments via IV.  He is also now required to take potassium supplements.  I haven’t seen the pills yet, but he claims they are impossible to swallow because they are so big.  What a scare that must have been for him.  I can’t even imagine how he is working through all of this. 

As long as everything continues to go well, he will start his agressive chemo regimen on or about May 29th.  He will receive treatments once every two weeks until he has completed 12 treatments.  So, we have 6 long months ahead of us.  I was so happy to hear that he would be allowed to start after Memorial Day weekend.  We are headed to Southern Indiana for the long weekend to visit our families.  If Daddy’s still feels well, we have planned to take a picnic lunch to a park near the river so that the kids can play and fish with Grandpa.  My daddy loves to fish–I’m sure this will make a fabulous memory for everyone!