We’ve had a full house lately and I haven’t taken the time to post any news.
Happy Birthday to my sister, Karen! Happy anniversary to my parents! And Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
All of Laura’s brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and her parents all came to Massachusetts for Thanksgiving this year. We had 18 at the table for a sumptuous dinner. Some new photos from the big visit have been posted to the November photos section. It was a treat to have all of Laura’s family at our house. Laura’s still too fatigued to spend a lot of time up and socializing, but she got weepy this morning as she was lying in bed and telling me how wonderful it sounded to hear all the squeals and feet of so many kids. Thank you to all the Coleman clan for making our Thanksgiving a truly thankful time.
Although Laura finds it hard to acknowledge each new good sign because she still feels so poor and is so incapacitated, the truth is that she continues to improve. This latest round of chemo has left her at least as wiped out, if not more so than before. But a change in her pain meds (and perhaps some other drug interaction and other factors) has almost eliminated her vomiting. Probably as a result she’s eating larger portions (of the same few foods), but she actually ate a few bites of mashed potatoes and turkey on Thursday — which was a huge milestone, in my book. And she’s mostly sleeping in the bed again, which seems like another big improvement. It’s true that the cancer pain hasn’t been eliminated because she’s still taking regular narcotics, but otherwise it seems that cancer is coming under control. It seems reasonable that the fatigue can be chalked up to the physical and mental burden of months of pain, pain meds, chemo drugs, side effects of other drugs, minimal diet, and negligible exercise. And as cancer continues its remission it seems reasonable that these factors will all subside. Of course I hope and hope and wait on the next set of tests.
Much to be thankful
Sat, Nov 24th, 2007 12:47am by dkulp
Tags: Uncategorized
5 responses so far ↓
1 Aunt Cathy // Nov 24, 2007 at 9:26 am
As all of us, (meaning all the Colemans, near and far), sat down to eat our Thanksgiving meal, our thoughts went to Massachusetts. This is truly a time for Thanksgiving! Laura, you are surrounded by love. We, in Maryland, are encouraged by these new test and results. Happy day.
Love,
Aunt Cathy
2 Mary Ann Payne // Nov 24, 2007 at 2:02 pm
We’re finding, too, that even in the shadow of cancer, there are many reasons for Thanksgiving/thanksgiving. I’m grateful yours was enjoyed by all–and especially by Laura! There is such cause for hope! Mary Ann
3 Heather Coleman Arbeen // Nov 25, 2007 at 9:30 am
A big Thank You to Laura, David & the girls for having the courage to host our motley crew for Thanksgiving. We wish it wasn’t such a whirl-wind visit, but we had a great time.
Much love to all,
Heather
4 Janice Everett // Nov 25, 2007 at 12:38 pm
As we gathered at our table here at the Bay, we sent a special prayer to your home too, these small improvements really do mean a lot and the strength will gradually return too, we think of you all every day and are glad to hear your Thanksgiving was blessed with love and family. Give Laura , Lily and Naomi a hug from HG…love Janice
5 Gary Campbell // Nov 29, 2007 at 2:54 am
Ralph and I think of you both every day. We are so thankful to hear the good news. We enjoyed the Thanksgiving pictures, especially those of the kids and the one with the wonderful smile on Laura’s face. It reminded us of one of our favorite Thanksgivings when we stayed at Julie’s along with Laura & David. We thought of you both when we played Scattergories on Thanksgiving this year with my cousin and her husband. I look forward to the day we we can do that again. We hope Laura’s strength returns soon and that the worst is behind her.
Our love to you both and the kids,
Gary Campbell