11.17.19

Hey all. Sunday evening - finished 5th night of chemo around 2am. First night was rough, second had marked improvement, and it just got better from there. Last three nights were good. As far as chemo goes. 😏 It was a whirlwind of a week. It was this time last Sunday that they told us in the ER that he undoubtedly had some form of leukemia and that it was critical to get him to the oncology floor. We have learned, read, researched, and processed a shocking amount of data in a short period of time. We are managing to get it all organized in our heads and have the best understanding we can to know what questions to ask. We are not interested in being spectators in Craig’s battle with cancer. While we want to find a way to manage the balance between our focus being on positivity vs statistics, ignorance doesn’t equal bliss for us. We feel team participation is the best path for us. So with help from family and some friends, we are definitely double checking and doing our homework to ensure he is getting the best care possible. We feel that we are, we really like his primary oncologist, but still leaving no rock unturned as we move forward!

As mentioned in the first communication (you remember, the 4am wake up without content🙄), the week has been filled with LOTS of laughter. The latest, and possibly most entertaining, is Craig’s newfound physique. In a matter of 6 days, he has added 22lbs (as of today) of fluid retention. And while obviously it isn’t the most comfortable for him, disrobing provides such laughter that it makes up for it. Why, you ask? Bc it‘s all situated in a petticoat of sorts around his “birthing” hips (he says that, not me). Pretty much just there. 😳 just C as another character in a Jane Austen novel...

We now wait for the next 8-10 days as his residual chemo keeps working and his bone marrow starts to regenerate. Around day 15 they will do another bone marrow biopsy to see where we are. Finishing this round of chemo was our initial focus. Anticipating the next results we want is our next focus. He will likely start to lose his hair this week. While sitting next to me he added the caveat of, “or whatever is left of it”. 😂 so the good news is you’ll hardly notice a difference.

He has gotten some awesome care packages, sooooo many offers from so many of you to do anything and everything, sweet drawings from nieces and god children, thoughtful and uplifting books, a “seamstress” making him PICC line shirts, fun visits, Colorado pain meds (even though he has zero pain), endless texts and calls from family and friends that aren’t local, and the list goes on and on. And that doesn’t even touch on how much has been done to help me from my family and friends. We are so grateful for the want on y’alls part to help! Means the world. What we would love the most is lots of good energy, prayers, juju on his behalf. And some cards to decorate his new fancy digs. And visits are welcome. Criteria is as follows: required flu shot, mask must be worn, and anyone with small children that have been ill need to postpone their visit.

So that’s where we are! We take each day as it comes, he feels physically strong and walks several times each day, we are grateful for the calm that we feel and strength in knowing that we’ve got this, and we are taking the journey together in stride - the way that we do. ❤️ Lots of 3am chats or chuckles as our sleep is rarely uninterrupted!

Side note - C had the idea that using this opportunity to grow his hair out (AKA combover) would be so fun. He missed one week of grooming and caved today. He‘s shorn and tidy. Just in time to be informed of the likely hair loss. Que sera sera. ☺️

Hope this finds all of you well!

xoxo,

C & A