Hello Friends and Friends,
Tuesday 24th March was our chemo day. Johnny's cancer markers, CA19's have taken a phenomenal drop to 335. This number was the initial CA19 marker number he was diagnosed with last 4th July, 2014. Remember, only a couple of weeks we were in the thousands, remember, we were told "chemo is not working". We remembered, and now we are down to 335.
We shall surely see a 4th July, 2015 party this year with more energy and gusto of celebration, we hope.
The chemo is working, it is killing the "sensitive" cancer cells which cannot fight the current chemo regime, but, when they grow back, the cancer cells will be more resistant to the chemo.
Of course we are euphoric, well who wouldn't be? Nevertheless, we remain cautious, as the body and cancer can swing, surely at moments notice. What comes with good news, comes with the servings of ramifications of another day of chemo. Johnny told me yesterday his body felt like a "nuclear waste dump", the fermentation of toxins in his body, mouth and taste, the faint odor on his skin and clothing. His insides, yet again, charged up, relentlessly churned around after a morning of chemo. Johnny forces himself to live through this moment of loathing, knowing the chemo is keeping him alive and well, for the most part. It takes Johnny at least three days plus to get over chemo, translucent skin of a ghost, a visual of fragileness, lethargy and emotions despondent. Chemo is the slayer of good and bad. Chemo Rest day(s) are important, Johnny is at home with the puppies, movie catch up, sleeping and pottering around the house. It's good for him. To stop pause wait and rest.
We took a week off. Stinson Beach was glorious, weather, supremely kind to us, the ocean gave us company, an audience of whales and sharks close to the shore line. How wonderful - Mother Nature at her best and finest. Is this a sign?
We had the puppies with us, Squeak was our video camera-dog-man, strapped to his slight body, a GoPro Camera, one would squeal at the delights, of a dog's vantage point of view. His sister Bubble every now and then came to sniff and kiss the camera and pounce off rolling into anything dead, a crab, snail or jellyfish, or just sniff the odd bottom. Yuck. Bubble and Squeak gave us the laughter and release that we needed. The tail end of our week we spent in Napa, a gastronomic food assault on the stomach and palate, filled with incredible food tastings washed down with incredulous big fat reds. Sharing our Napa time, creating fond memories for Johnny. An "Epic" Weekend, we were told. Lovely. It helped having our friends share the Napa weekend, it allowed us to lean upon them, unconditionally, to share every moment from morning until night. An insight for our friends to how our Johnny copes with every day life. To how he struggles getting up in the morning, the regular intake of medication, the constant reassurance of are you OK, how can we help you. They were so good to us. "Take your time - no rush" "chill. It's all good".
We had the puppies with us, Squeak was our video camera-dog-man, strapped to his slight body, a GoPro Camera, one would squeal at the delights, of a dog's vantage point of view. His sister Bubble every now and then came to sniff and kiss the camera and pounce off rolling into anything dead, a crab, snail or jellyfish, or just sniff the odd bottom. Yuck. Bubble and Squeak gave us the laughter and release that we needed. The tail end of our week we spent in Napa, a gastronomic food assault on the stomach and palate, filled with incredible food tastings washed down with incredulous big fat reds. Sharing our Napa time, creating fond memories for Johnny. An "Epic" Weekend, we were told. Lovely. It helped having our friends share the Napa weekend, it allowed us to lean upon them, unconditionally, to share every moment from morning until night. An insight for our friends to how our Johnny copes with every day life. To how he struggles getting up in the morning, the regular intake of medication, the constant reassurance of are you OK, how can we help you. They were so good to us. "Take your time - no rush" "chill. It's all good".
Week of 30th March, brings more chemo Tuesday 31st March, along with an early rise for surgery Thursday 2nd April, for the stent sleeve replacement. The stent is keeping the bile duct open. The replacement must be done not only to be cleaned, but to remove debris and tumor which is building up inside the stent, along with a possible cause of infection.
Below are some photos for you we share of our Johnny being out and about.
Please, keep sending Johnny, my BooBoo emails johnnypye@yahoo.com, stories, chatty stories, or the odd phone call. Remember he tires easily so talking on the phone is hard so we keep it at minimum. If you want to come and visit Johnny, of course, we welcome you into our home.
We thank our friends dearly, for taking Johnny out, stopping by the house for a fantastic boat sunset cruise, closing off the end of the day, ensuring Johnny is happy and content, our friend the one armed bandit managed to steer a large hefty boat one handed to ensure Johnny is comfortable and happy.
With love
Michelle & Johnny
Below are some photos for you we share of our Johnny being out and about.
Please, keep sending Johnny, my BooBoo emails johnnypye@yahoo.com, stories, chatty stories, or the odd phone call. Remember he tires easily so talking on the phone is hard so we keep it at minimum. If you want to come and visit Johnny, of course, we welcome you into our home.
We thank our friends dearly, for taking Johnny out, stopping by the house for a fantastic boat sunset cruise, closing off the end of the day, ensuring Johnny is happy and content, our friend the one armed bandit managed to steer a large hefty boat one handed to ensure Johnny is comfortable and happy.
With love
Michelle & Johnny
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| Taken by Squeak via GoPro |
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