The Journey continues.  This week Del is getting three days of transfusions.  Each time he gets Red Blood and Platelets.  We wish he was stronger afterwards, but he continues to be week.  He appears to be feeling bad no matter what they do.  He never complains.  He plunks along watching his T.V., having his coffee breaks with my Mom and I. 

He loves his coffee breaks.  Of course we are all retired, but we decided we still had to have our morning coffee.  So each morning about 10 a.m. we sit and drink coffee for 30 minuets or so and chat about anything and everything.  We watch the antics of the dogs and laugh at the pup that rules the roost.

Every Friday morning we go to breakfast at the local diner.  He loves to eat out.  I think its because of 40 years as a truck driver, he spent a huge amount of time in diners and truck stops.  So  when he has a 10a.m. Doctor appointment we get up earlier, (as it takes him longer to get ready) and go have breakfast.  Then I drive him to the Doctor for blood test and sent to the hospital for a transfusion. 

He is eating less, so the challenge now is to find anything he wants to eat.  He has always been a big eater, but the portions are getting smaller.  The signs of the body shutting down.  He now eats more fruit than he would before.  Even salads he did not care for, he decides sound good.  So what he is eating is better for him than his potatoes and gravy.  There is no fun in teasing him about his diet when he eats better choices.  But the portions are down and that is worrysome.

On the days we don’t travel into town, I work on my on-line business and try so hard to catch up.  Its difficult as there are so many interruptions.  The feeding and caring is ongoing and constant.  I know we have very few weeks or months left, which means every chore is a blessing.  He has been and is a great partner and buddy.

And so it goes another day.  The kids are all having issues with this, but life does go on and theirs is just beginning.  I keep reminding them this is about Dad, not about us.  We will pick up the pieces when its over.  They have a full life ahead, God willing.  I encourage them to make the best of it.  Keep up with studies and responsibilities as those don’t stop because we have huge challenges in our life.  Face them, don’t run from them.

I love the poem by Claudia Grandi

Let every day be a dream we can touch.

Let every day be a love we can feel.

Let every day be a reason to live.

God Bless our Papa..

Tags: Cancer Terminal Illness