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