The days preceding the next treatment are when Tony starts to feel better and his activity level increases. He was grateful to be doing better so he could tackle work-related challenges and month-end reports.
The grands and I had a great week together. It was Red Ribbon Week for Sophie and spirit week for the others. The kids attended the ward trunk-or-treat on Tuesday, and I took them to the Champ’s Heart Halloween event on Wednesday.
I joined Will on Friday at the elementary school for the costume parade and a kindergarten musical performance. Will volunteered to help with the kindergarten classroom party. He used the wooden jack-o’-lantern cutout and candy corn beanbags that Tony and I made many years ago when our kids were in elementary school.
We took the kids trick-or-treating in the neighborhood where they have lived for the last five years and to see their mom and grandparents. They finished the night with a visit to see Grandpa Palmer, Emily, and to thank Jacque for providing their costumes. Jacque spent hours late at night after work and school creating Sophie’s impressive Athena costume. One of Sophie’s teachers wants her to wear the costume again when they study Greek history later in the school year.
Saturday was cleanup day. The kids helped their dad vacuum out the van and move some of their toys and belongings to the farmhouse. Thankfully, it was a beautiful day, and Tony was able to get two of the most damaged boards on the eaves replaced.
On Sunday, Tony attended our ward with Emily, and I joined Will and the children at their new ward to help soften the transition.
After church, Will took the kids and their dog, Pepper, to meet cousin Eric. We are hopeful that Pepper will be able to get along well with Eric’s other dogs. 🤞
Tony made delicious hamburgers for dinner. We provided each child with a quart jar and helped them fill it with their favorite candy to limit the way they consume it before they went back to their mother for the week.
Brian was Tony’s AMU nurse today. All of Tony’s bloodwork looks good. Noting the difficulty they had last time, Brian used the ultrasound to place the IV.
The Benadryl made Tony extra sleepy today. Hopefully, he will be able to sleep tonight and the Prednisone won’t cause insomnia. For the first time, he asked for a heated blanket during treatment. After a bit of a nap, the blanket came off and he worked on his computer.
Since we are there through lunch on long infusion days, Tony is served lunch, and when there are extras, they are offered to the accompanying caregiver. Most of the time, there are too many carbs, and I decline. Today, the cafeteria prepared an impressive tuna filet that was delicious.
Dr. Graham visited and told us that Tony’s lab work looks better than his own. 😂 Dr. Graham is pleased with Tony’s progress and is scheduling the PET scan for the first of January so we can enjoy the holidays. We will meet with him in clinic a week after the scan to go over the results.
When the transfusion was over, we went back to the Fisher House and relaxed. Dinner was provided by Niche Homes, and the ladies not only prepared the taco bar with three meat choices but also stayed, ate, visited, and provided a craft project. Their gift of spending time listening to the residents is priceless.
Thank you for your continuous prayers! We are grateful that Tony’s health is improving and hopeful that Will’s divorce will be finalized this month. The 3-bed, 2-bath house that needs to be sold is located in the highly desirable Berkley Park area of Idaho Falls, so if you know someone ready to buy, please send them our way!
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