Second Verse, Same As The First

Chad has completed his second infusion which completes a cycle. Each cycle lasts 28 days and includes 2 infusions. He did well and we are thankful for an uneventful 3 days. I disconnected the pump again at the end of the infusion and Chad said that I did well. I was a bit more comfortable this time, not, "going to nursing school' comfortable, but not,  "I'm going to permanently injure him" uncomfortable. We'll both take it. As you can imagine, Chad has already become memorable with the nurses and there is lots of smiling by everyone there so I'm sure that they won't mind disconnecting him one bit. I just think that it's something that I need to be able to do. 

The main side effect is still nausea but it does seem like it was better than the last infusion, the steroid is helping. Chad's appetite was improved and he ate much better during this dose than last and that made a big difference overall. Hopefully that continues. The symptoms tend to stick around for a few days after the disconnect then gradually start to improve. Chad describes the sensitivity to cold as strange and noticeable but not painful, just something that happens on the first bite or drink of something that is chilled but he's still eating a little ice cream so it must not be too awful. 

Chad went a little further than pasta recently and had success with soft doughnuts, soft tacos and gyros! He needs to be very careful with bread but the soft tortilla and pita went well! He had to get them both without lettuce, but I'm sure that it felt nice to add some variety to his diet. We've learned a lot so far about what he can tolerate and it's nice to watch him actually enjoying food again. Another step closer to hopping onto that meal train!! 

A lot of people were surprised to see Chad at work some last week. He and I have talked about work a lot and for right now he has decided that if he feels up to it he's going to continue to pop in when he can. He doesn't want to be completely disconnected from the store and he also has a lot of inside knowledge to share with the awesome folks that are working hard there in his absence. Chad loves what he does and he's worked extremely hard to be successful at it so not being there everyday has been a little hard for him. The days that he has been able to go in have provided a feeling of normalcy and that in itself is worth the fatigue for him. Almost nothing has felt normal these last few months so if going to work a little helps him and he's able to do it, I fully support it. 

Chad hasn't complained or griped about anything but when asked straight out he did tell me that he really dislikes being hooked to that pump. I can't imagine what that's like but I don't think I'd like it either. He may adjust and feel a little better about it with time, but for now the days that he has the pump will be spent at home. We've had a few visitors during that time and that's been nice. The highlight this week was when he had a surprise drop-in visit from our sweet niece Natalie. He was not expecting her and it made his night when she got here. Chad likes to measure Cami and Natalie on our kitchen wall, it's a tradition that he picked up from His Uncle Wally and Aunt Pat, so he was very pleased to add another entry for her to the wall. It truly is the little things that matter the most!

We thank you all for your continued prayers, love and support, it means so much to all of us.