On Tuesday I found out that last weeks blood tests showed nothing of concern. Yay! Then later Tuesday they called to express concern with my last CT scan, BUT since I don't have abdominal pain or a fever, I'm good to go for now. ???
The Air Force Academy Parents' Weekend is always Labor Day weekend. We make reservations a year in advance. It's a big deal. And when I told my oncologist about this event and dropping Silas at GCU, she arranged my chemo dates to accommodate. So thankful that she offered to do that. It also got my chemo started a week early - which seems like a good thing. Thankful for the Lord's hand in all the things that got us there. I felt fatigued but was willing to work with what I could do. Scott, Jim (grandpa), and I had a fantastic weekend with Jonas and even got to hang with Kaia for a bit. Woohoo. Now we are back home. I am exhausted and planning to stay home for a good while. Today I am cleaning the house and stocking the kitchen for the onset of tomorrow's chemo at 9am. We were definitely prayed through this trip as there were several unexpected sidequests (flight diverted, ambulance & ER trip, barber), but just so thankful I was able to go at all!
And for those who want to know more in my old style of blogging our travels, here is the long version of the craziness of our Colorado Adventure...
It turned out to be an eventful trip. Our direct flight from OC to Denver on Thursday was delayed over an hour after we were all on the plane because Denver had weather. After we finally took off, we had almost made it to Denver when our pilot announced there were 30 planes waiting to land before us and we didn't have enough fuel for the queue, so we headed to Phoenix. Silas got a laugh when we were just 20 minutes from him again! We were on the ground another hour, refueled and headed to Denver where we landed 4 hours late - making for quite the late evening. We checked into our hotel just off base about 1am and had to leave at 6:30am Friday (because of traffic) for the Parent's Weekend Parade at 8am. We arrived at the parade field after a short walk up from the parking lot at 7:55am - perfect timing.
After the parade (9am), we went back to the hotel where I slept until Jonas was released from classes at 12:30. We drove over to meet him and walked 1/2 mile from the car to the food truck area, found Jonas and got in a line. About 10 minutes into the line, I felt funny, maybe a little light-headed, so I asked Scott to walk me to a bench to sit. After a short bit, I felt worse and laid on the bench, then noticed my heart rate was pretty crazy. Someone went for help, they ended up calling 911, and as much as I wanted to say I didn't need it, I truly didn't know because my heart rate was up and down so much. So, I got an ambulance ride to the hospital and found that my potassium had tanked again. (like my last ER trip). Post hospital visit, we went to Walmart and found the electrolyte pack that had the most potassium and bought that to use 3x/day to avoid future ER trips. (Yesterday I picked up a prescription for daily potassium to take for the rest of chemo season.)
Saturday I ran Jonas from the hotel onto base to attend to his tailgating set up duties. Then I headed back to the hotel to get ready for the football game. At the hotel, I went to rebraid my hair and needed to brush it a little - which I had been avoiding - and 1/2 the hair on one side of my head was brushed out. So I knew I needed to get to a barber because I couldn't have my long hair falling out all day at the football game and the open house dinner with his friends after. What better place to get your head shaved than the base barber? Well, it was closed. So, we found a place off base and they took care of my head quickly and with a bit of tears on my part. And I donated my hair (again). Then we enjoyed the football game where Jonas was surprised to see my very untanned head. (think of my watch tan and it's even more pale!) Even the game was eventful as all outdoor activities on base must cease if there is "lightning within 5" (miles). So in the middle of the 3rd quarter, the stadium was evacuated and everyone was to go to their car and listen to the AM radio (if you have that) to know when to re-enter. About an hour later, we (and only about 30% of the others) re-entered the stadium and finished the game. AF wins! Traditionally, we go to the OCF (Officers' Christian Fellowship) group for an open house dinner with another 100 cadets and their parents. So these are the other parents we know well. They were so sweet and supportive and left me with promises to be praying - the best part of the body of Christ at large - bearing one another's burdens.
Sunday we visited the church Jonas usually attends then drove into the mountains to an airbnb another cadet's family rented. On the way, we stopped at Garden of the Gods where we did a super short (.4 mile) hike stopping many times along the way, but it was so good to walk a little. That evening, we enjoyed fellowship with the Henrys with food and beautiful scenery and sunset. It was a pleasant day.
On a parent's weekend, we are usually hiking within 24hrs of arrival and we will get in atleast 3 hikes before returning, but with my energy level as it is, we spent a lot of time at the hotel lobby playing games. We even picked up more games at the thrift store to give a little variety. (It was Military Monday 50% off so we walked out with 3 games for under $7!) Though it wasn't our typical time together, it was special and we enjoyed each other's company.
Monday, we ate a leisurely breakfast and played games. We met up with Scott's good friend from growing up in Oregon at Dave and Buster's for lunch and an afternoon of games. Then we made the traditional Sam's Club run to stock Jonas with lots of goodies before he returned to base. Kaia came down and ate dinner with us before we said goodbye to Jonas. So sad, but such a good weekend together that was only possible because I started chemo early. Thank the Lord!
Tuesday, we enjoyed breakfast and games with Kaia before heading to lunch and the airport to head home. It was a bonus to get this time with her since she typically works Thursday-Monday. So glad we could delay our flight out to have time with her, too.
Thankful that our Colorado kids could participate in a little of the mom-drama of the ambulance, ER, and head shaving, but ultimately, that our time together was sweet and each of us affirmed our reliance on Jesus to get us through all parts of life - including cancer.
From my ambulance driver's tattoo: Isaiah 41:10 "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
