Last Chemo Finished

This is my mom and dad's wedding photo; it sits on the table next to dad's hospital bed. Its sweet memories like this, along with our whole family photo that keep dad fighting to make more memories. Aren't they so cute!!! Wow, 32 years ago... they were just kids ;)

Mom, all gloved up and completely covered, showing me the photo

Was on skype when the nurses were switching shifts and checking all the many tubes

I love his legs in this photo; he just looks so cozy and resting. I just want to crawl up in that bed with him and rub that hair that's coming back in. Mom says its coming back in brown and his eyebrows are also coming back in. I joked with him telling him "see your still so young, its coming in brown and not grey."

And my fave: my handsome dad with his iphone reading through 56 text messages from his buddies at the sheriffs department. The Sheriffs Department had their annual Christmas party, which dad and mom always enjoy attending, and around that time is when he got all of those text messages. He thoroughly enjoyed reading through each one of them. Mom said he hasn't been very into electronics in some time. Thanks to Dad's wonderful friends!!!! You made his day!

Dad did finish out the chemo. He wasn't too into the idea, but fought hard and decided to get up and take a shower. Its quite a process to get all those tubes taped up and the energy to even get there. But it was really good for him. The doctors say that taking a shower helps stimulate blood cells and helps against bacterial infection. The nurses and mom helped him a lot with taping up the port and catheter. To top it off, he walked around the bed a little bit. He's not allowed to walk out of the room, so he did his little half circles and did some knee lifts and arm rotations. He's still got that "Eye of the Tiger."

They found a red spotted rash on his back, which is a side effect from the chemo. They are treating it and keeping an eye on it. The swelling is the same; not going up, but still not going away.

My dad and Koda got to interact a little today. Dad asked Koda about his Christmas tree that we just decorated. Dad asked Koda if he sounded funny (because his voice is different and raspy with the tube in it). Koda said, "ya grandpa, your speaking tamil." (Tamil is the language we are learning to speak here in Sri Lanka.) We all got a good laugh out of that, and I love seeing my dad's big smile. Something about your grandkids just does that for you I guess :)

My dad's brother Carl came to visit today and also dad's Lieutenant/Friend Lana. She brought a sweet care package. Dad's blessed by the endless support and love.

Its been a week now that my dad has not had any food orally. He hasn't been complaining about food, but he does fantasize about Sprite :)

His PET SCAN will be in a week to see what has happened after this chemo.

Please pray for the mersa to go away, pray for strength and enough rest this week, swelling to go down, bowels and tubes to work correctly, and most importantly a miracle for the cancer to be gone!

Thanks for faithfully loving my family and giving of yourselves to pray!