Gerry, I know someone whose husband is doing immunotherapy for Stage 4 lung cancer and has had great results. I am so happy to hear your sister is responding well. I've been wanting to ask, but don't want to pry.

My very best to all you folk and your families who are dealing with cancer and fighting it.
What courage you are all showing !!
I am in awe

Hello Boomers, thank you for your continued support!

Connie, oldbroad, Marian, L4L and Mad, thank you for your kind words. They are appreciated and help more than you know.

Hubby had his second round of chemo yesterday, which went well. He came home with another load of pills; steroids, of which he has to take 14 per day for 4 days, anti-sickness pills and pills to protect his stomach. He was also supplied with 6 syringes of stuff he has to take from the 9th January for 6 days. These will help to boost his white blood cells. He said he will take all they can throw at him if it means he will go into remission! I'm with him there.

Draclvr, we have Build-Up here in different flavours which can also be mixed with ice-cream. Great suggestion, thanks! He does love a strawberry milkshake. Our sons have brought him jel to rub on his gums and that has helped him greatly.

Ana, thank you! I'm feeling okay. When hubby's down, so am I. He was really down at the start of all this because he thought he should be looking after me (which he had done for two years since I lost my legs). I had to constantly fight him to let me do things around the house and he wouldn't let me near the stove. Now I do the things he wouldn't allow me to do and it's worked out fine. I always have one of the family here for 'supervision'!

Hagatha, thank you! Hubby takes morphine for 'breakthrough' pain, which can hit him up to 3 times a day but mostly in the morning just after he wakes. It does help, kicks in after 15-20 minutes. Unfortunately his balance and mobility is very poor. He loses his balance easily and has had a few tumbles. He still hasn't regained full feeling in his feet so walking is difficult and his legs are still weak. This all cancels out being able to drive his car for now, something he is keen to get back to. I'm so happy for you both that your husband is beating the odds and may he continue to do so.

Gerry, my dear friend! Thank you! I have heard of immunotherapy but I don't think it's an option for hubby at this time.
I'm happy to hear your sister is doing well on it and may she continue to do so. Keeping her in my prayers.

Once again, thank you so much guys!

Much love,

Mary

Mary - praying for a better year for you and hubby

Hugs, Rog

You are a very strong woman, Mary and I'm glad you are able to do things around the home. I think being able to accomplish things on your own boosts your own confidence and empowers you to get through this. I will continue to send positive vibes and prayers your way.

Ana

Sincerely hoping all of you have a better year, MsMercury

Keeping you, hubby and family in our prayers Ms Mary

Hello Boomers, hope you are all well and staying safe!

Not much has changed since my last update, hubby still has very little balance or mobility and he is getting very frustrated because of this. Some days he doesn't want to get out of bed as 'there's no point if I can't do anything or go anywhere'....it's very sad. I always manage to gee him up and get him up and dressed after a while. I give him a talking to which tears the heart out of me as I know he is suffering but I'm not going to let him give up. There are times when I feel I'm not coping very well myself. He is also in a lot of pain daily and is having to take more and more morphine. I will speak to our GP to see if anything can be done to help this.

He was given a 6-day course of injections which I had to administer; these were to boost his white blood cells so hopefully they will do the job. He will have more bloodwork done on Wednesday and will start his 3rd round of chemo on Thursday....3 more rounds to go. There was talk of him being admitted back into hospital at some point for scans etc but so far nothing has happened regarding this.

Our kids have been with us throughout, taking time from work to take hubby to his appointments and still taking shifts to care for us. We will never be able to thank them enough. I said as much to our youngest son and his answer was 'You and Dad looked after us for all those years'. Brought tears to my eyes.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support, guys, and thanks for 'listening'!

Much love to you all,

Mary

AWwww Mary. I can understand his frustration and yours. It is good you have the strength for tough love when its needed, it is such a hard thing to do.
You are in my daily prayers.

Mary, it's so hard to do what is necessary, but your "tough love" as Ana describes it may make all the difference for him. Hang in there!

Mary, you are in our prayers. Gentle hugs to you

Thank you for keeping us updated. I'm sorry to hear that your husband is still in so much pain even with the morphine. Keeping you in my thoughts.

Always sending you both my best, MsMercury

More prayers for your husband MsMercury and hoping for a speedy recovery for your husband, and I hope that you can stay healthy and sending you extra prayers to keep up your health and strength.
And prayers to all other members with cancer or other serious illness.

Mary, more Prayers, Hugs, and Love on the way. I know how hard tough love is. Please remember to take care of yourself.

Mary your hubby is blessed to have you there doing whatever it takes to keep him from giving up. Your courage and strength are an inspiration. Sending more prayers, hope, and love for you both.
Love & Hugs,
Gerry

Hello dear Boomers, hope you are all well.

I'm not in a good place today. Hubby had his 3rd round of chemo yesterday. He was quite upbeat when he left home but very down when he came back from the hospital. Our son said he was very quiet on the journey there and back. Later on, he had a bad fall in the bathroom and couldn't get back up without help. He was very upset for most of the evening, wouldn't talk to anyone. I kept prodding though as I can't deal with silence and eventually he said he was 'done with it all'.
When I asked him what he meant, he talked about 'ending it' I'm sorry to say I lost it on hearing him say such a thing and gave him such a talking to. I can't deal with this, when everyone is doing their best for him. I know it's hard on him going through all of this but I can't allow him to give up.

Please guys, I need all the prayers you can send.

Much love,

Mary

Oh Mary, we will pray for your hubby and you most definitely ... stay close and listen with a smile or gentle touch, let him know you are always there.

Marry, I'm sending Prayers and my Love to you both. Keep strong, I know how hard it is for both of you.

Mary, my heart goes out to you. We went through this with my BIL in October. I will pray for you all.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and with your hubby and family, Mary.

Oh, Mary... this is so hard. Please don't feel guilty. Also went through this with 2nd hubby.

This breaks my heart.

My husband has been in that place a few times now, especially when the chemo hits him hard, as it does sometimes. It's very hard to watch, I know. I just try to keep him as comfortable as I can and let him know that he has all my love and support.

I'm so sorry, Mary. This is such a horrible disease.

Oh Mary, we are praying for you both. Gentle hugs

Heartfelt hugs, MsMercury. You have such a lot to cope with. I send my love and very best wishes to you both every day