Cure Kevin

Like Marlene, I’ll post more later (my issue is staying awake!), but here’s the quick-and-dirty for our trip to Miami….

The flights to and from Miami were uneventful, other than a bit of frustration trying to figure out the ground transportation at JFK Airport Saturday morning at 5:30 AM. The marathon was VERY cool…. TONS and TONS of excitement that kept both runners and spectators energized. It rained like crazy just before the run, so Melanee and I got completely soaked. We had soggy clothes and stuff hanging all over our hotel room trying to get it al dry! Just after the race started, it cleared up and was perfect weather for running.

Marlene and Rachel ran the whole half-marathon. Marlene hit a mental wall at about Mile 9, but Rachel turned into the Drill Sergeant Aunt and kept her going. We’re all PROUD beyond description of Marlene and Rachel for completing the run. The group from PanCan (the organization we were raising money for) were great. They were all very open and a great group to hang out with.

By Sunday afternoon, my body was done, so I spent a lot of Sunday sleeping. I managed to keep up with all the walking from place to place, but I can tell it’s going to take me a few days to recover from all the walking around. I think we were all pleasantly surprised at how well I managed to keep up with everything, especially on a Chemo Weekend… but it had its price, that’s for sure.

More from everyone later, but at least you have the 10 cent version for now.

Hey!

I just wanted to let you know that we are back from the Miami Half-marathon. I’ll be posting more details later, but for now I’m working on keeping my legs attached to my body.

Until next time..

~Marlene

Oh and it’s not too late to donate!

Well, we’re down to the final week before Marlene and Rachel hit the marathon trail. We’ve got our flights booked, our hotels worked out, and even managed to change my chemo schedule so I’ll have my pump out in time for us to go to Florida.

We’re all excited to go and watch the girls run, but I guess I’m a bit anxious about how I’ll survive the weekend. It’s bad enough being a chemo weekend, but having to travel and put up with crowds and walking around the marathon track make me wonder if I’m just going to be spending all this money to sleep in Miami! I think I’ll be OK, but I know how tired I get when I’m at home doing chemo; I just hope I can hold on long enough to enjoy the  festivities and the warmth of the Miami sun. It’s gonna be a tough weekend, but I wouldn’t miss the chance to see Marlene run, especially for the cause she’s running for, for anything.

We surpassed our goal to raise monies for PANCAN. All the transportation plans have been made for Marlene and Rachel to go to Miami to run the half marathon. Kev and I have decided to go to cheer them on. Kev has chemo just before the weekend so we will be resting and watching the marathon in 75-80 degree weather. Can you hear the sigh of comfort from me?

PanCan was wonderful to us when Kevin was first diagnosed. I had e-mailed a desperate letter to them. Anitra wrote back with very supportive and long e-mail back to me. She said to call so she can share and send information to us so we can make informed decisions for Kev’s care. They sent us a huge information packet which I read thoroughly. She also connected us up with PALS, other pancreatic cancer survivors with the same diagnosis as Kevin that are long time survivors. That was a huge help. Kevin was diagnosed on June 30, 2006 just after the New York Symposium for Pancreatic Cancer which PanCan organized. There was lots of info from that symposium alone on their web site. They just had another symposium in Los Angeles in November. Now when they have the symposium again this June, Kev and I plan on attending. PanCan has so many other services to help and money to award for pancreatic cancer research.

Even though we surpassed our goal, you can still donate to a real wonderful program that guides pancreatic cancer patients with excellent information and supports us though the journey. This way we can make informed choices for care. Thank you for your generosity and helping us surpass our goal. You have contributed to a wonderful program that has helped thousands get through the devastating news that they have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. ~Melanee

My mind has so many thoughts about the holidays, the marathon, etc., but I wanted to let you know how the treatments have affected Kev since he has been on chemo for close to seven months now. Our family life has totally changed in schedule, abilities to accomplish things, and choices we make now because his energy level isn’t what it used to be. I admire his willingness (willingness is just not the right word) to keep going on with the treatments. This is hard for anyone to go through. There is no describing how tired he gets, nor the turmoil that his body goes through. He would be sweating till his head is wet and cold at the same time. He slips into his down sleeping bag on his recliner to keep himself warm even though we have the house about 68 degrees. Emotions run havoc because he does not want to go through this but we also know in our hearts that he will be on some kind of maintenance chemo for the rest of his life. So chemo normal is slow days, sleep days, and low energy days.

His energy times are late morning, early afternoon, and evening after a two hour nap. Yesterday he helped me jump the van because I didn’t start the car regularly and the weather got cold. He was worn out and took a nap right after dinner. Since he is still employed he works during his energy times.

Two weeks ago he went with his kayaking buddy to scout rivers to run on that warm Saturday we had. He was gone most of the day and I was happy to see him doing this.

So now we have gotten used to chemo normal.

The strength he needs to gets through this is remarkable. The title cancer survivor has a whole new meaning to me. This is more than climbing Mt. Everest, hiking the Appalachian Trail, or being on “Survivor”.  I am struck by the fortitude he has to keep going. He has been such a good husband to me and I admire his ability to withstand the treatments and side effects.

To all who have just gotten the devastating news come join us with our chemo normal lives. To those who live their own chemo normal lives I admire your strength and fortitude to keep going. My hats off to all who fight for life. –Melanee

It’s hard to believe that we’re over a week into the new year (and I haven’t posted anything yet!!). Life has been moving so fast over the past couple of weeks is hard to keep track of even what day it is!

Melanee gave you the update for the holidays, but I have to say this was the best Christmas I’ve ever had. I didn’t ask for anything and ended up getting the two best gifts ever: the news that my chemo was working and having all the kids around us for the holidays. It made the house a bit cozy (OK… we were pretty crowded), but we all had the chance to share family memories, sing Christmas songs, and get back together as a family again. Beating the Cancer Odds and being here for this Christmas made these moments even more meaningful for me.

We also managed to get a Christmas Bonus Gift when Leah was a bit too sick with Morning Sickness to fly back on schedule and we got the wonderful chance to have Leah and Anya around for another week. Anya’s energy may do us in any day now, but it’s wonderful to have them stick around for a few more days. She heads home this Friday and I’m sure we’ll miss the energy and joy that Anya fills the house with… oh, and having Leah here is great too!

As we head into the New Year, I made my normal resolution… NOT to make any resolutions! But I do have some goals and I’m hoping I can beat the Cancer Statistics and meet them. I’m looking forward to going to Miami with Marlene and watch her run the half-marathon; I’m hoping to be able to get in my kayak with my kayak buddies this summer, even if its quiet flat water. I’m looking forward to being able to attend graduations for Mallory (from BYU) and Marlene (from High School).

Most of all, I’m looking forward to beating the odds and passing my One-Year anniversary of living with this cancer and seeing all my friends. You’ve been so supportive that I’m not sure I could have made it even this far without your prayers and support.

Thank you so much for all you’ve done for our family in 2006 and we’re all looking forward to a wonderful and eventful 2007!

Kevin gave me the honor of writing the first post for the 2007 year. We feel so blessed to be part of this new year and look forward with anticipation. We know it will be filled with wonderful events; our daughter Mallory’s college graduation, our son-in -law Pat’s college graduation and his new job which he was offered over the holidays, Marlene’s High School graduation, and Leah’s and Ed’s move which will be closer to us and the birth of our second grandchild. I know more is in the works for this year.

Kevin did well over the holidays. We loved having our daughters together for Christmas. The energy level was high in our house. Time has come for them to leave and our hearts miss them already. Anya stole all the attention and we enjoyed seeing her world through her eyes. Last night Kevin was real tired and was sleeping when I tried to wake him up for dinner. I went over and touch his arm gently which normally wakes him. Anya touched his arm gently and whispered “Wake up Grandpa” It was so cute. He was in a really deep sleep so we let him rest.

Kevin gets pretty tired lately which is all part of the chemo life. Chemo has a cumulative effect which builds with each treatment. He started his chemo weekend  on December 28th. He was dozing during church on Sunday and he has longer naps over the weekend. He should start perking up in a couple days. Yet, this mix does not have the effects has the second treatment Gemox. He slept solid for two days after those treatments.

I must add how important the Christmas holiday was to our whole family. We really felt the Christmas spirit from our families, friends and acquaintances. So much love and generosity carried our spirits high. Thank you. You have taught our daughters that there is much love that surrounds us. We are blessed and have so much gratitude for each thoughtful person that has been put in our life.

-Melanee