A rough few days

It has been a rough week for Pam. She had Chemo last Fri. 9/29, and then had a port installed on Monday. The port was installed to make chemo treatments easier in the future. Pam has been having trouble with her veins in her arms due to the chemicals. The port is a small plastic funnel type structure that has a membrane that they poke the needle into. A small plastic hose is attached to this and travels up her neck and into a vein that empties into her right atrium (all my anatomy studies in college are coming back to me in a hurry lately). It is installed under loose skin in the right front shoulder region. If this sounds uncomfortable it is because it is! She had blood drawn from it today and said the needle was quite large and painful. Pam has been in a great deal of discomfort since Monday. It was better today then yesterday. Monday and Tuesday were two of the worst days Pam has had since the actual diagnosis. The physical pain and the emotional duress of the constant body invasion is taking its toll, things are not getting easier. To increase the drama, Pam awoke this morning with a lump on her left forearm due to a blood clot (hence the port). It is also painful and she is on antibiotics to make sure infection does not set in. All in all a crappy few days.

But on a positive note our kitchen project is coming along nicely and we hope to have a sink and dishwasher installed on Friday. Pam is busy picking out colors for the walls and choosing tile for the floor. This is keeping her mind occupied and a good diversion. She continues to be the strongest and most positive woman in the world. She said tonight that her biggest frustration is not being able to think of others or help others, as all the attention and effort is on her. Not a role that she is used to. So be prepared people, in about 8 months everyone is going to get a whole bunch of return on that front!

Thanks again for all the support and help. It is really appreciated and making a huge difference for us!
Get out and enjoy your day, Troy.