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In 2007, I began my original website, Sonshine's Haven. In 2007, it was turned into a blog and used to keep family updated on my first husband's fight with liver cancer. He passed away November of 2009. We were married for 34+ wonderful years and this journals some of that grief process I've gone through.

I have since remarried another widower, but Mike is missed dearly, and will always be a big part of my life.

At times, all of us will be called to act as witnesses to the suffering of another. We will be unable to affect the outcome physically. Words will fail us. Prayer will seem futile. And yet, the act of bearing witness to someone else's trials is a sacred sorrow that offers and astounding glimpse of eternal joy." by Ginger Garrett

"Being willing to stay with a loved one throughout their travail, can be difficult....YES! But offering yourselves as faithful companions on a dark and dreadful journey can be an unmeasured blessing." (paraphrased by me)

10.24.2008

One Week Down!

With the exception of the first two days this week, Mike has done a lot better. We think we stumbled upon an answer for keeping these new treatments from being miserable for Mike. The doctor confirmed we were on the right path this morning. It seems to work for Mike, to take his anti-nausea medication along with his chemotherapy pills, even if he's not feeling nauseated, and to also take his pain medication right before his radiation treatments, instead of waiting after. With the exception of the first two days, Mike has done much better this week. Mike finishes with treatment #10 today, which leaves him with twenty more to go.

Mike met with the nutrionist this morning and she was helping Mike with different ways to add more calories, and more protein, to his daily intake. She told Mike he needed at least 66 grams of protein each day, because it was necessary for building and repairing body tissue that radiation is destroying. She was encouraging Mike also, to increase his calories, because if he doesn't maintain at least 1980 calories per day, his body will use any protein in his body, as his energy source. She wants Mike to at least retain his present weight, and if possible, increase it. I don't think I've ever heard a nurse promote McDonald's milkshakes before, but that happened to be one of her suggestions for adding 500 extra calories to his diet.

We heard back from the cardiologist yesterday. They have decided to table any procedure to remove the blockage in Mike's subclavian artery, because they would rather him just recover right now from his abdominal surgery, the chemotherapy, and the radiation treatments. They plan to see Mike before we leave Houston and will discuss things further with us then.

We have appreciated all of the love, prayer, and support we have received from so many of you. Everything has been more bearable, having an army of friends and family, in battle alongside us. Thank you for that comfort.

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." John 15:13 NKJV "Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me." Matthew 25:40 NASB
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