No transfusion!

Nicks numbers had increased just slightly last week and was able to avoid the blood transfusion which we were VERY excited about! 

Science is crazy...but there is something unsettling about having someone else's blood in your body, so we're gonna be happy each time he can avoid it! 

Another decent week for Nick has gone by. We even got to go out for a family dinner date on Friday which was pretty special. It was Nora's first time! Ginza Grill in Champlin. YUM. Nora loved the fried rice and chicken. She did so good too, didn't cry, whine, or holler at all. She definitely made some friends- our smiley girl. 

 

This last week, Nick has had quite a bit of hair loss, but isn't to the point of needing to shave it yet. Nora was grabbing at his face the other night and got his hair and a big clump was in her hand when she pulled it away. When the time comes, he is gonna go to his barber in MG and get rid of it all. 

Chemo #4 tomorrow. Wish him luck!!! 

Oct 23

This last week has been pretty good for all of us. 

Nick had chemo on Monday and met with his oncologist. His counts were very low, so he will go in tomorrow to have labs done. If his numbers are still low, he'll need to have a transfusion done. He has been feeling a little tired and has had headaches but still no real nausea which is great! Another week went by and he still has most of his hair on his head. It is starting to fall out though, and is looking sort of thin right now. 

Nora and I enjoyed spending time lounging with daddy all weekend. All she wants to do is hold hands and walk now which is crazy! She and Nick had so much fun "sharing" toys (passing back and forth... huge smiles!) and putting a bowl on her head to play peek a boo. Seeing them together laughing, makes the day so much brighter. 

The pic is the room Nick has chemo in at Methodist. He has had great nurses which makes the experience go more smoothly. 

Will try to let you all know how his appointment goes tomorrow. Hope for good numbers! 

 

October 16 Update

Just want to let you all know how Nick is doing.  

The main update I can give is that on September 29 he had a procedure done to drain the fluid out of his stomach.  2 days prior to that we had met with a Physicians Assistant who FINALLY heard our plea that something needed to be done about it.  When he went in to the doctor he literally looked like he was 6 months pregnant and could barley walk, when he came out he had lost his entire belly and could sit up on the couch.  They said that they took a liter and a half out, and once it was done he immediately had an appetite again.  He sent me out that afternoon to get him McDonalds and he ate it all (a happy meal and egg mcmuffin ... but still!)  It had been a month since he could eat more than a few bites of anything before feeling stuffed.  What a relief to at least have something back to normal.  

Nick and I went to his second chemotherapy appointment on October 4th and it was very scary for me.  It was a much better experience than when he received the drugs in the hospital, the nurse he had was so calming, knowledgeable and sweet.  That being said, watching toxic stuff being injected into my husbands chest (he has a port there, so that they don't have to do an IV every time) is very difficult for me.  His lung function had not improved, so he was still only able to receive 3 of the 4 chemos that are recommended for his treatment.  They will reevaluate every two weeks and decide whether or not he is able to get the fourth one.  

Nick has definitely been having some pretty good days in the last few weeks.  He has more energy, is talkative, and is able to spend time interacting with Nora.  We are grateful for every single good day that he has, and we just power through together on the bad days.  We are looking for patterns in symptoms and side effects so that we can try to plan ahead and be prepared.  This is all so new to us still and we are trying to figure out these "cancer normals" ... which are not normal.  

We want to send a big thank you out to everyone who has participated in the meal train for us thus far and those of you that are signed up for the future.  It is so helpful for me after a 10 hour work day with Nora in tow.  When we get home, being able to sit down as a family and spend time together rather than worry about what we are going to eat is such a blessing.  If anyone reading this is interested in signing up, email my mom at: maplegrovejan@gmail.com and she can invite you to the calendar.  Thank you in advance.  

We also have the fund raising website still up and running at: 
https://www.gofundme.com/nickcarney?ssid=759943173&pos=2 and we are so thankful for all of your donations, they are so helpful while Nick is out of work.  

Thanks for taking the time to check in on us. 

Chemotherapy #3 is tomorrow (Monday Oct. 17).  Wish him luck! 

Weekend cuddling

 

Its been almost a month since Nick has been able to sit up long enough and have enough energy to hold Nora on his lap. These few minutes of them laughing was amazing to see and hear. Here is to many good days of daddy daughter cuddles ahead. 

 

Watching the Ryder Cup together. USA USA USA!!! She is gonna love golf like her daddy, mommy and grandpa. 🏆🇺🇸⛳️❤️💙