[willowbrook] RE: update on Connie

[Taylor, Doug]

Forgive me if my thoughts ramble a bit...

Connie's white blood count is very low, which is normal for the 8th day
after the beginning of a chemo session.  She would be unable to resist
sickness so we are being very careful.  This is also the reason my mother
hasn't come down yet.  If things go well over the weekend both here and in
Knoxville where my mom and dad live, mom might come down early next week.
Connie's sister in North Carolina also hopes to be here for a week in
mid-June.

I've been home all this week helping with Connie, which is the way she wants
it.  We have had lots of people offering to come stay with her, but for now
she just wants me.  I've tried to do some work from home, but I'm afraid I
really haven't accomplished much.  My bosses have been very supportive,
which has been much appreciated.

For at least the last 3 days, Connie has stayed in bed except to go to the
bathroom and to go to the doctors.  She's tried hard to eat & drink, but the
nausea has made it tough.  Yesterday (well, it's late so I guess it was
actually Thursday), we finally called the oncologist to see if they could
put some fluids in her.  So today (OK, on Friday) she spent 7 hours at the
doctor's office while they pumped her full of 4 liters of saline solution
plus a bit of anti-nausea stuff.  (I told some of you earlier it was 2
liters, but it was actually 4.)  Because of how much time we spent with the
IV, she missed her radiation appointment today.  That's not so bad, though,
because it means she's going to get a 4 day break from radiation since
Monday is a holiday.  The radiation doctor examined her on (I think) Tuesday
and said she is doing great.  He can no longer feel the tumor but only feels
the scar tissue.  Her final 3 sessions of radiation are scheduled for
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Many many meals have been provided by many many people and it's been a big
help.  "Our cup (and freezer) overfloweth."  The kids have also been farmed
out sometimes to play at others' homes or go swimming.  Friends are one of
the greatest blessings a person can have!

Things to pray for:
- The radiation burns hurt a lot.
- The nausea is all day long.
- Nothing tastes good.
- She needs to eat & drink more.
- She has lost a lot of weight and hair.

The worst pain of all was when neither of us noticed that the new Aloe Vera
gel I had bought contained alcohol.  It burned like fire when applied to the
radiation burns!

Doug

-----Original Message-----
From: Taylor, Doug 
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2004 11:00 PM
Subject: RE: update on Connie


As it turns out my father caught a chest infection and, as my mom was
exposed, she is unable to come to Huntsville until we can know that she
won't be bringing sickness to Connie.  Therefore, I think I'll be working
from home for a few days.

Today went well at the doctors.  Before they removed her PICC line, they
gave her some anti-nausea stuff, and then some glucose (or something like
that) since she has had a bit of trouble keeping her food down.  They told
us the nausea from the chemo could last up to 3 weeks.  On top of that, the
burning from the radiation is getting pretty intense and she seems to be
building up a tolerance to the pain medicine.  Later in the day she was able
to eat some decent food, though only in small portions.

Prayer requests:
- Relief from the radiation pain.
- Relief from the nausea.
- Ability to eat and drink enough.
- Ability to rest peacefully.

Doug

-----Original Message-----
From: Taylor, Doug 
Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2004 8:53 AM
Subject: RE: update on Connie


I was hoping Connie could type up an update herself before this weekend, but
she just didn't feel up to it.  The last chemo pack was started on Thursday
and will finish on Monday around 11:00 AM.  At that time she will have the
PICC line removed (which means no more chemo).  She's only has about 2 weeks
of radiation left (if all goes according to the plan).  That's the good
news.  

The bad news is she's been miserable all weekend.  Each day is a little
worse than the last.  The affects of the chemo are expected to last maybe a
couple of weeks.  We would really appreciate your prayers for God's grace
and mercy.

My mom will be arriving tomorrow to help us out for a week.

We GREATLY APPRECIATE all of you and want to especially thank those who have
provided meals, taxi service, playtime for the kids, etc.  Your love means a
lot to us.  

May God bless you abundantly.

Doug

-----Original Message----- 
From: Taylor, Doug [mailto:dvtaylor at ziimaging.com] 
Sent: Friday, April 30, 2004 4:54 PM 
Subject: FW: update on Connie 


See below for an update from Connie. 
Doug 

-----Original Message----- 
From: Connie Taylor [mailto:dugncon at knology.net] 
Sent: Friday, April 30, 2004 4:37 PM 
Subject: update on Connie 

Dear Friends and Family, 
I have finished the first round of chemo and did well 
overall.  I had a couple days of nausea and one sick 
night, but haven't felt nauseated since the chemo 
stopped.  I hear that it will subside somewhat until 
the next round, but it will hit harder and sooner the 
next time.  We'll just see. I begin again May 21. 
I've started having mouth sores from the chemo which 
make it difficult to eat, but I manage. I'm not going 
to starve! - especially with all the good meals that 
have been provided! The doc gave me a mouthwash that is 
supposed to help, but honestly, I find it useless. 
Simple bodily functions (I won't go into detail) are 
very painful, but I've got yet more medicine that is 
supposed to help. I just got it today, so am hoping it 
will relieve some of the burning.  My digestive system 
is also starting to give me trouble. These are effects 
of the radiation. 
None of these sides effects have taken me (Or God) by 
surprise and I know it will pass and it's not 
unbearable.  It's just an adjustment.  I also know that 
it is probably going to get worse, and that's ok.  God 
did not zap me with all the side effects at once.  It's 
been a process.  He also knows how much I can tolerate 
before he adds more.  He promises never to give us more 
than we can handle at one time and He will be there to 
get us through. We have prayed for minimal side effects 
and I believe God has honored that. 
As for my energy level, I think adding so many doctor 
visits to an already busy life would tire anyone out. 
I'm basically managing ok.  Some days I have more 
energy than others.  I hear more fatigue will set in 
soon. I'm not one to sit still, so that in itself will 
be an adjustment for me! 
Continue to pray for COMPLETE healing, wisdom for my 
doctors/nurses while treating me, and strength/patience 
for me AND my family to get through this hump in our 
lives. 
Thank you for all your prayers, cards, and kindness in 
ministering to our family. May you all be blessed and 
may God be Glorified! 
Connie 
PS.  Please feel free to pass my updates to anyone you 
know who might be interested that isn't already on my 
list or Doug's list.