Memorial Day

Chad is doing better today. He is taking a blood thinning shot every 12 hours now and the doctor said that he doesn't need to have another CT scan because the blood thinners always work to get rid of the clots. She is not his normal doctor since it is a skeleton crew around the hospital due to the holiday weekend but I guess we'll have to take her word for it. He is still on oxygen and will also need that when he gets home. They delivered the tanks to our house the other day (thanks Bridgette for being there to take care of that!). His breathing and color and everything seem about 60% better today. He will more than likely go home tomorrow.


The issue today is his Hemoglobin level. This is that part of the blood that carries oxygen around the body and is another part of his breathing troubles. A healthy male has a hemoglobin level of 14, Chad's is 7.8. That same doctor suggested a blood transfusion this morning. She said they normally start thinking about this when the level goes below an 8. She said it is not required with a 7.8 since it is borderline but she recommended it. After asking lots of questions, Chad decided to wait to see if he can bring it up with diet and Iron pills. The doctor said it is not uncommon to have to have a blood transfusion during chemo and cancer but also said there is only a 50/50 shot of it drastically improving his breathing. There is no immediate danger with a level of 7.8 but she said if it goes much lower, he will have to have the transfusion. He will do it if he has to, but would prefer to avoid it if he can.


Our spirits have been high and our faith is stronger than ever. We have both quit smoking, something I have tried and failed many times and something he never even considered doing! Anyone that knows Chad, knows he smoked. A LOT. It has been a challenge like no other for him and I can't say enough how proud of him I am. He even said it would be harder to quit than to beat cancer. It makes me so mad that something that can kill you and be that addictive is still even legal. Getting mad at cigarettes has really helped me to not pick one up. We both credit our success to the Lord and the strength he has given us to quit during the most stressful time in our lives. God has brought us to a really cool place spiritual and he has given us a sense of peace that everything is going to be just fine. Chad and I haven't spent this much time just talking and being together in a long time. We are feeling closer than ever. People will probably think we are crazy but we know God works in mysterious ways and that this is all happening for a reason.


Justice is handling all this really well too, at least as far as we can tell. He has broken down a couple times but we all have and will continue to from time to time I'm sure. He spent the long weekend with Foster & Miranda, Chad's brother's children. They had a really good time. Having Justice continue to be able to enjoy life and have fun helps Chad and I so much. We both feel strongly about trying to make this as easy as possible on him. We don't want him to have to look back at this time in his life and his memories be all about taking care of his sick Dad. People are often asking what they can do and anything to help Justice have fun and stay busy the next couple of months is top on our list. Seeing and knowing Justice is happy is good medicine for Chad, it makes him smile.