Sorry I haven’t updated recently. It takes a lot of time to update the blog and unfortunately “time” is something I’ve been lacking lately. I feel like I’m a single parent and have a whole new respect for those women out there raising their kids alone. (Other than I don’t get the “time off” when they are visiting the other parents house. J ) However I’ve had “time off” when they are visiting grandma and grandpa’s house. J Thanks to them I’ve been able to keep somewhat “sane” during all this. If it wasn’t for all their help I probably would have gone psycho by now. Lol
Justin has been on the Interferon for about 3.5 weeks now. He hates every minute of it! I think we both went into this blinded and not fully understanding what this drug does and the awful side effects. Thank you Jesus he hasn’t really been throwing up but has been nauseous. One of the most frustrating things is he says he wants something to eat so I walk to the kitchen to make it and by the time I finish making it and bring it to him he’s already too nauseous to eat it. Very frustrating on my end but I try to just smile and say okay baby. J He is down about 22pounds since he started 3.5 weeks ago and I’m doing everything I can to fatten him up and keep him from losing weight so rapidly. He is drinking lots of Boost drinks to help with that. Fatigue is another big side effect. He basically hasn’t left the couch since he has started. A few times he tried to get out of the house but realized that it wasn’t a smart thing to do and since then has basically been just lying around. Walking to the mailbox is like running a marathon and having a simple conversation with me is like running a mile per Justin. Yes, I did say just talking takes more energy than he has at times. He is very short of breath and breathes extremely hard at times. He says it feels like he’s breathing under water sometimes and can’t get enough oxygen. Some of the other side effects have been itchy body, cold feet, extremely sore neck and back, hot/cold chills, and not so pleasant moods/emotions are all just some of the side effects he’s been experiencing.
And then there’s my side effects……. Sometimes I think mine are worse than his and I don’t even have an excuse for them.lol Lots and lots of tears and emotions, exhaustion, face breaking out like I’m 13 years old again and gaining weight because there is no time or energy for me anymore. Lol We are basically a wreck over here in the Newton Household. Hahaha
But God’s grace is sufficient and through all of this he has continued to send people and resources our way to bless us beyond our imagination. I keep thinking, “there’s no way we can be blessed any more than this, and then God does something else amazing.” J Other than individual people sending encouragement and support our way we’ve also been given more fundraisers for Justin. One of the more recent fundraiser was my sweet bible study ladies planned a bunko night to raise money for Justin. Last week God had a huge tree fall down at one of his commercial properties. Justin was able to sit on his couch and arrange employees to get that tree cut down and hauled away. I honestly believe God had that tree fall over because he knew we were short some money and he provided it that way. So through the storm God is continuing to show us his face and provide for us when it seems impossible.
Justin started getting the vitamin IV twice a week now because once a week just wasn’t doing it. So even though his side effects have been rough we know that this vitamin IV has helped him cope with it.
But we are asking for continued prayer. Prayer that God would give us a clear answer. We go back to Moffitt tomorrow to see his Oncologist to reevaluate everything. First of all they want to discuss the Vitamin IV and what exactly is in it because they aren’t sure he should be getting it. Secondly they want to see him because of his breathing. I guess that’s not a normal side effect but yet it’s a huge side effect of Justin’s so they want to check him out because of that. And thirdly Justin is struggling with it all. He is sick of feeling miserable and a year of this seems unbearable to think about. He doesn’t understand if they are just doing this to build his immune system to fight off future reoccurrences of the cancer than why he can’t have his immune system built strictly the holistic way. So basically he wants to quit Interferon. And only be treated through the holistic doctor and then trust God for his future. We aren’t sure what the right answer is. It’s easy for me or anyone else to say “suck it up” but none of us truly understand what Justin is experiencing in his body and mind right now. So that is why we are asking for continued prayer that God would give us a clear answer tomorrow after we meet with the Oncologist of what we should be doing.
I will try to give you an update sooner than later if anything changes. Thank you for the continued support, encouragement, love and prayers.
No comments:
Post a Comment