Cranial Prosthesis

The last week has been very full of laughter accented by some aches and pains and itchiness, but I’ve still got all my hair as of tonight! When it does go, I am prepared with a brand new and beautiful cranial prosthesis that matches my hair perfectly and can also double as an afro if I so desire. I considered going red, but it just didn’t become me. I actually wore the wig out of the wig shop (properly styled by my good friend and hair dresser, Terry), and Kaylin didn’t even notice my new do.

We are so blessed by all the prayers, gifts, and meals that continue to be sent our way. I actually chugged some holy water yesterday from Fatima per instructions from the Poor Clare Sisters from Nebraska. Kendal asked me what it tasted like. Like every good Catholic knows, it tasted exactly like holy water.

I am strengthened and comforted by the phone calls and visitors. I laughed until I cried this morning with friends from my Sweet Adelines Chorus days. I’d love to tell you stories from our morning, but this is a PG blog. The laughter was much needed as Sunday and Monday were rough after chemo on Friday. (The chemo infusion itself was a lively party – we were certainly the loudest and most crowded room in the place!) The effects of the drugs are expected to be cumulative, and I certainly have not bounced back as quickly as last week. The good news is that I have this Friday off, and cycle one is complete.

As you can tell from the picture below, dress shopping was a success! (This gown is one of eight candidates that are currently laid out in the living room awaiting further evaluation.) Man did we find some good deals! We shopped for over four hours, and I only stopped because Ruth had (rightly-so) had enough. JWedding planning is currently on standby though as the Superbowl is dominating all our wedding planner’s time. In case anyone is wondering, the city of Indianapolis is brimming with excitement for Eli Manning’s anticipated win this weekend.

Time to conclude. The Pacers on are tonight, and Lord knows I love Indiana basketball.

Pam

The Journey Has Begun!

As mom jumped in the car this evening to go collect a car part so that our repairman Larry (bless his heart) could fix dad’s broken radiator fan, I realized this would be a perfect opportunity to start our blog.  It has been a busy week in the Dedinsky household (per usual) in addition to the rather unusual circumstances that have been the last few weeks.

Mom started chemotherapy last Friday with gemcitabine and abraxane. The names are not so important as the plan for infusion. Mom will receive chemo two out of every three weeks for a total of six weeks. After that, we will access tumor response and decide to stay the course or try different chemotherapy. The first treatment was uneventful, and it wasn’t until Sunday (thankfully) that Mom started feeling its effects. Mostly she was bothered by muscle aches and pains in addition to fatigue but had no trouble with nausea. By Monday morning she was already feeling much better and when I came over to the house around 8:30am to make some coffee, she had gone walking around the neighborhood. Mom has spent lots of time with friends this week at breakfast, lunch, and watching movies. Mostly though, it is good to know that even a little chemo won’t keep her from going to the grocery store. It made me smile tonight when mom randomly suggested we make a particular salad with a few esoteric ingredients and low and beyond, we had everything in the refrigerator. (For those of you who don’t know, grocery shopping is probably one of my Mom’s most favorite past times. When she first moved to Indianapolis, she frequented Cub Foods to make friends. )

The prayers and support we have received from friends and family has been overwhelming. There are so many people praying that I sometimes think there might be a halo hovering over our house. (Those of you who have spent any amount of time with our family know that that halo is certainly not a product of what goes on within. J) It is hard for us to know what to pray for right now, and it is comforting to know that so many others are talking to the Good Lord for us.

Tomorrow mom is scheduled to go dress shopping for the wedding with my future mother-in-law! (Hope for a good deal – that always makes Ma super happy.) Friday afternoon is another chemo infusion followed by a trip to the wig shop! I suspect Sunday will be another tough day, but Pam is a tough lady. Her attitude continues to amaze me every day. Mom does not ask “Why me?” but instead says “Why not me?” Her fighting spirit, courage, and love will bring us through this all.

Thank you all for your support and love! Stay posted for more updates.

Kendal