Day 7 - Storm Ahead
Cindy is pretty fatigued as she receives her final, 25 hour round of induction chemo tonight. Dr. Anderson stopped in during rounds to say she was doing well going into the most difficult phase thus far. When this initial induction completes tomorrow (2/5), her counts will dive, transfusions will increase and infections will arise that require stronger antibiotics. Fatigue will continue, taste buds will be dulled and she'll be making use of the beautiful head coverings daughter Laura purchased for her.
Dr. Anderson characterized the next phase as both physical and mental. When Cindy remarked that all she wanted to do was sleep, he encouraged her to move and walk and keep her brain engaged by playing iPad games, reading, coloring, etc.
With encouragement and support from sister-in-law, Lori and her mom, Norma, Cindy pushed through to do two laps around the floor.
A note to "girlfriends" and other visitors. No need to bring any gifts, food or cards. Cindy has everything she needs, has little room to keep much and is sending nonessential items home with Glenn. Just bring yourself. The greatest gifts you can offer Cindy is your love, time, and prayer.
Peace, out.
[Photo by Luke Stackpoole on Unsplash]
Comments (8)
Praying for you Cindy as you make this journey. God will give you what you need.🙏❤️
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Glenn and Cindy, being out of town is the hardest thing that you can imagine when we want to lend our support there! We lift Cindy up constantly, you Glenn regularly. We’ll be home soon to go back into regular rotation to walk, talk, sit, or color with Cindy. In the meantime, God be with you both, Glenn your Posts Art so appreciated, keep them up as you feel you can. Love you friend, Char Schwedland
Cindy, time to reminisce, like we did on our last visit back to MI. You might not remember this because it was likely not that emotional or traumatic for you. Me on the other hand was a different story. So here goes, (And this is important based on Glenn’s recent update...so there will be a point coming soon!) I believe I must have been around 7-8 and you were 17...my mom always let me do anything with you and since you were my favorite cousin anything you let this little blonde do with you, well I was all in. We got bikes from your house on ...what was the name of your street? I can hear it being said, just can’t think of the full name, I think it started with a T.? Anyhow, Brian was playing some sport somewhere and so you suggested we “ride bikes” there. I got on some borrowed bike of which my short little legs hardly reached the peddles, as I wobbled trying not to fall, I was determined to stick with my favorite super cool cousin and make the trip on a bike! However, A short way into it my legs were burning something fierce, my butt hurt terribly on the seat that didn’t allow me to reach the peddles sitting the normal way and it was hotter than a sauna outside. I thought I was going to throw up and pass out all at the same time. I wanted to cry. I wanted to turn around. Then I just plain wanted to get off the bike and quit. But you! You wouldn’t let me quit! You kept telling me I could do it! We weren’t too much farther (you said that a lot so I think you lied to me the first five times, hahaha!) But you kept me going and you kept telling me I could do it! And after what seemed like an eternity at the time ended with us pulling into the game field (cross country maybe?) and everyone running up to say hello (because you always had so many friends!) and you came over, gave me a big bear hug and told me, “I knew you could do it, kid”. I rose on top of the clouds at that moment because 1. You were proud of me. And 2. I did make it even when I thought there was no way. It was because of YOU! You encouraging me. Pushing me. And not letting me give up. So, now it’s my turn. I’m here to tell you Cindy, it might get tough, you might feel like you can’t go any further, the burn might set in...but hear my voice saying, “You can do this, just keep peddling and you’ll get there.” Something I realized when I read your timeline of events, you got this diagnosis on January 22. That was my mom’s birthday. I believe that’s significant because God healed her three times of cancer. Just like He’s healing you right now. She would tell me she always thought about (and she talked to us about) ALL the many things she had to do once she was through this... grand babies to see and love on (even though Jeff and I weren’t married yet!), a trip to Hawaii, Alaska, and tons more places...etc. So, as you’re in the midst of riding this bike that you didn’t pick out and likely doesn’t make your body feel well but everyone is telling you to get up, walk, read, keep on peddling...you just keep thinking about all the destinations you’re headed to! and Know that our prayers are constant to give you the strength you need to keep on peddling cause there’s much to do once this is behind you. And it will be. You have the Lord, just like my mom did, and He is your strength, your peace and your healer. Know how much you’re loved! I’m grateful that you let me hang with you when you were such a beautiful, cool teenager! :) You inspired me then and you do now, too. Love ya and praying lots!! Kristi
Oh, Kristi. Thanks for that. Wonderful insight about Cindy from someone whose known her since childhood - that I know too from personal experience but I don't know that I've ever heard anyone else say about her, certainly not in the way you did. Heck, she's pushing me now, through all this, to keep me keeping on with everything in our lives..... I think that street name on the edge of your mind is a C not a T - Centralia, in Redford Township, MI where she grew up. I can add a segment to your claim to her "super coolness" when she was younger. After we met, we discovered that some of our high school circles of people were common, but not really. I'm a year older than her. She went to Redford Union, I went to Catholic Central. One of her girlfriends was sister to a guy at my school but that's where the commonality ends. That guy was one of our top jocks, fast crowd, etc. and her girlfriend was in the cool crowd with Cindy - cheerleader, etc. Me? Let's just say NOT EVEN CLOSE. (Not a jock, not cool, so-so grades, no cheerleaders within miles.) Cindy and I met years later in a completely different situation and the rest is history. Of course, she is still cool and I simply bask in her coolness. I'm good with that - the nerdy guy and the cheerleader!
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Sending love, praying for healing strength. <3