Fighting On

While the last two weeks have been up and down with Pop's physical health, he is not letting it slow him down. For the first treatment, Pop went into the Cancer Center last Monday. In the room where patients receive treatments, the family caught-up with friends from prior treatments, as well as a few new faces. The bright-side of this round is that the chemo is only administered one day a week, rather than 24 hours a day/7 days per week (as it was with the last round). So, for three Monday's in a row, Pop will go to the Cancer Center to receive treatment, and then he will have a one week break. It continues in this cycle for a few months, then they will re-image Pop's body to see how the cancer is responding.
So far, the road has been a rather sick one. With the chemo running through his body, Pop has lost his appetite, and the nausea has come back with a vengeance. The way that Pop deals with it? Drink a little soda and pretend like it's not gonna slow ya down! He has been sleeping poorly, so he'll rise early and go out to retrieve the paper, and have it read by the time others begin to stir. Then it is off to some small project that will distract his mind from the dull pain and nausea fighting to take over. There are moments of his "humanness" where he is found leaning over a bathroom sink dry-heaving and retching in pain. But, he works his hardest to control these moments of "inconvenience" as he calls them. There are times too where he simply must succumb to the battle waging within this body, and lay down to ease the pain.
Oddly enough, when Pop is feeling half-decent, the one thing that tastes good to him is a Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki sub from Subway. This being the case, we have found ourselves sitting in the shade the past few days eating take-out in the middle of the week (a rarity in our family). Emma has been there for many of these occasions, and it is beautiful to see her walk up to Pop and gently touch his bald head. She realizes something is different, but isn't sure why. We all laugh as she promptly turns around and feels somebody else's head, making a funny face at the feeling of hair. Pop chuckles as Emma waddles around at these lunches getting into everything. As he laughs and talks, the brightness in his eyes is evidence of the spirit that's within him. His body is being put through trials, but his spirit simply cannot be dimmed. As Pop rises each day, he often speaks of the prayers that keep him going. For this we say thank you. It is all the faithful support and prayers that keep him going. For we serve a God that is far larger than our situation, yet ever present at our side.

* - A quick apology for being "blog illiterate" on the default setting for comments. I have heard several people say that they tried leaving comments on the posts, but were unable, so I did some digging and found out that a change needed to made in order to allow anyone to make comments to Pop on the blog. So, the changes have been made, and everyone is now able to comment freely. Thanks!

Buckling Down

The past few weeks have been remarkably calm. On Monday, Pop finished-up his brain radiation in the same fashion he has taken each step this far; peacefully. If you didn't know any better you would guess that he was heading to work, or perhaps to a routine appointment that he has done for years. Never once did he complain about the drive, or the fact that the radiation was causing burns on his head, or the headaches that came as side effects. He simply fought on. After ringing the bell while exiting his last brain treatment, he wanted to celebrate by training for the 65mile Covered Bridge Ride in Lancaster. So, every other morning Joel, Pop, and I would mount our bikes at 6am and head-out on a 12 mile ride. These were beautiful times where we could talk as the sun slowly helped dissipate the misty morning air. Pop's speed was hardly that of someone ill, so Joel and I worked hard to keep up.
It is these small things that Pop looks forward to the most. He has loved training for the ride, and puttering on small projects around home. It gives him something to keep his hands (or feet) busy, and provides time with family. His eyes really light-up when Megan and PJ ask him to babysit Emma on occasion. Few things can make Pop grin from ear-to-ear the way Emma can. In fact, Mom refers to her as their little angel. She is always there to make everyone smile, and you can't help but laugh at her goofy facial expressions. The truth is, Pop also likes having her around because, as many of you know, he isn't one who likes to be the center of attention, which is no problem when Emma is around. The staff at the radiation department, Lancaster Cancer Center, and most major hospitals we have been to, know Emma by first name. She is a constant source of joy.
Emma was there today for Pop's big ride. We got up at 5:30am (well, I'm pretty sure Pop had been up since about 4am eagerly anticipating the day) and headed down to Lancaster. With an early start, the weather was perfect. Overcast skies kept temperatures down, and the roads were clear for riding. Some friends and family joined Pop for the ride, which made for great catching up as we pumped the miles away. Pop was sporting his freshly bald head from brain radiation (which made him much more aerodynamic), and Joel had shaved his head to match. The ride was wonderful. Pop's strength was with him throughout the ride, and many drew alongside in support. He made the full 65miles feeling great!
This comes as a special blessing with tomorrow being Pop's first day of another round of chemo. While round one was tough, the doctors anticipate this round knocking him for a loop (to which Pop responded with a smirk, "I'll make it."). Since the cancer has spread to multiple areas, they want to use something potent enough to slow, or even stop, the progression. Pop is ready to fight another round. He realizes the miracle that he received today in having the strength to complete his goal, and moves forward with full steam. His mental and physical strength has been a miracle. There are glimpses in our lives where we have the unique opportunity to see God's hand at work, and witnessing Pop's unwavering faith and determination has certainly been one of those moments for us as a family. Pop draws from a well that never runs dry. Psalm 121 says it best: "I lift my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." It is this source of help that will sustain Pop through the good days and the bad. He has an unshakable hope!

Here are a few pictures from the ride today: