The Staples Are Out!

Hi Everyone,

Randy is SO HAPPY today!!!! We went to Dr. Chan's (radiation oncologist) office on Friday morning to have the remaining 15-16 staples removed from the back of Randy's neck. We were worried that they may be painful to remove due to the fact that they had been in for 3 weeks. You would think that by now we would lay our worries aside and be still and know that God is so much bigger than staples, but we are human. Anyway, Randy was relieved that there was no pain involved in the removal process. Just a bit of tenderness afterward, but nothing painful.

When we got home I shaved his head for him to prepare for his first radiation treatment on Monday. He was full of smiles to say the least :-) He was also able to turn his neck from side to side a bit more than normal in Physical Therapy. Goodbye Staples....Hello more neck movement! His neck still has a long way to go in the recovery process, but for just over 3 weeks post-op, he is doing great!

Anyway, say a prayer for us as we look forward to next week. It will be busy and exhausting for both of us, but we are so thankful that there is medicine available to fix these pesky problems. We are also thankful that our God is plenty big enough to give us the strength to continue moving forward in this journey. Life is certainly good!

Have an awesome weekend. I will try to post again on Monday after his first treatment.

Love,
Randy, Rachel, Joshua and Mocha

comments revisited

ah-ha ....

I think I have fixed it so that ANYONE can comment on our blog....you do not have to use the google account we set up. Again, I think this is the case...not sure...try it out and let me know :-)

~Rachel

Still plugging along

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick note to let everyone know that we are still hanging in there. Randy is very anxious to get his staples out...we are a little fearful that the lower portion of the staples may be rather painful during the removal process. Hopefully, Dr. Chan will be gentle. Randy continues to have in home physical therapy. He alternates days because he is usually in quite a bit of pain on his off days as he recovers from his workouts. We are so thankful that someone invented Tylenol and sometimes Vicodin. Randy will start radiation treatment on Monday...continue to pray that everything runs smoothly with that. We will also be heading to outpatient physical therapy in 2 more weeks 3x/week. We'll be busy, but are so thankful that there is medicine out there that helps save lives!!!! We've been able to head outdoors a bit and enjoy the nice weather. Randy walks some, rides in a wheelchair some and then sleeps lots :-) He is doing a very good job at listening to his body and when he is tired - he sleeps.

Anway, we hope you are enjoying your week and for those that celebrate...Happy St. Patrick's Day!

~Randy, Rachel, Joshua and Mocha :-)

Something kind of funny happened today....

As I was updating some blog items and removing others Randy and I noticed it was particularly quiet in our house. When we walked into the living room this is what we found.....

I know the photo is kind of dark, but Joshua found a roll of paper towel in the closet and decided to take it apart sheet by sheet...next is a short video clip....

Again, sorry about the dark shot...the sun was not helping the lighting, but who cares...Praise God for SUNSHINE!!!!