Small victories

If you were to talk to anyone enduring a chronic disease, or to their caregiver, you will hear how valuable the small victories are. There are no Pyrrhic victories because winning means they are still here to fight.

Saturday was the toughest day Lucy has had since her surgery almost two years ago. She started having really painful stomach issues before going to bed Friday night. Several rounds of nausea later she started feeling less miserable. It's a tough victory, but a victory nonetheless.

Lucy's had two nights in a row that she has not had to get up. The Ativan seems to have helped her stomach a bit. One thing that has also helped is staggering her Pradaxa and Hexalen in the morning and evenings. Both drugs use quick dissolving capsules. Quick dissolving capsules tend to be acidic and can cause stomach irritation.We'll take this victory, too.

Her menu has expanded a bit. That's a victory because Ensure and Activia get boring after a couple weeks. We're being careful with introducing foods that are more solid.  She is finally able to take her SlowFe which should help her anemia problem. To help with her stomach gurgling, we found that simethicone gel caps helped more than the Zantac.

Lucy still has very little energy. Her transfusion didn't seem to help much with her energy level. This might be a cumulative effect of the Hexalen. She is as wiped out now as she was a a couple days after her Taxol round.

Lucy's coworker Cathy stopped by tonight and dropped off a fun gift basket. Her coworkers have been so supportive and generous. Julie called tonight and helped cheer Lucy up some more.

It's been a long month with the setbacks and slow recovery. She hasn't been able to get out much. During our warm spell, she managed to get into the sunporch a couple times. Today was actually below normal for temperature, with some light rain this morning and several hours of strong wind this afternoon. Tomorrow is supposed to be warm, sunny and windy. That might help with her energy level.

Your love and support help Lucy immensely! Thank you so much!