Hey everyone
Just a quick update to let everyone know that I had my sutures removed yesterday. I was told that my wound looked really good and some of the medical staff even seemed impressed. I don’t know what we did, but I won’t turn down a compliment. I was also fitted with a “shrinker” over Short Round. Basically it is a sock that fits over Short Round and gently compresses the leg. I was also taught how to gently massage my limb which supposedly helps with phantom pains. After the appointment, I massaged my limb all afternoon and it actually did help. And when I woke up this morning, I had much less pain. So I think it’s working. I’m sure there are more days of rolling pin sensations ahead, but I’m going to take my glass half full and say there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Next Tuesday we start chemo – two rounds of three weeks each. My understanding is I’ll get my infusion on Tuesday, then allow it to work it’s magic for three weeks, then do it all over again. In addition to shrinking the tumor cells on my lungs and pelvis bone, the medicine will also degrade my immune system and some intestinal cells. I should also lose my hair in this first round. Pics will, of course be posted! After the first three weeks, my body will have had time to regenerate and strengthen enough to start the second round. After the second round, we will do body imaging to determine if the cancer is responding to the chemo and if tumors are shrinking. If so, then we may continue the treatment. If not, we will discuss other medicines or options with our oncologist.
I’ve detected yet another secret weapon that cancer possesses to break down its host – the capability to induce pain during laughter. If I laugh at something, I usually have more phantom pains. It actually makes sense. Taking away the desire to laugh more quickly breaks the positive and encouraging spirit of the host, which more rapidly leads cancer’s ultimate goal – to endure and thrive at the expense of a living organism. All things being equal, military units are similar – well-disciplined and highly motivated units tend to achieve more success than those that have low morale. So, while it lifts me emotionally, laughing sometimes brings more pain and discomfort. But just being aware that cancer wants me to stop laughing increases my resistance to this disease. If I want to laugh at something, I’m going to suffer through the pain. It’s my way of telling cancer that it’s going to take a lot more than laughing pain to make me stop laughing. I won’t allow it to secretly break my spirit.
Along those lines, I received a package this week that made me laugh really hard. The pics below show a shirt that came in the mail from Rhonda and Shane Sullivan. For their efforts in finding it, I am truly humbled and appreciative. Thank you both for the lift me up, as well as the accompanying pain!
In my honor, Jenn will be wearing the shirt in a 5K Turkey Trot near our house. Thanks Sweet! And Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Hunter
It's Not a Sprint 
Happy Thanksgiving Hunter! (and Jenn and boys) I’ve been thinking about you guys constantly and was glad to see your latest post. Love the pictures!
Jenifer! Thanks for the thoughts. I hope you had a happy Thanksgiving too!
Oh, yea…good luck to Jenn in the Turkey Trot. Wear that shirt proudly!
Echo Jen here – A Blessed Thanksgiving to you Jenn and the boys (and rest of the family).
BTW Great T- possibly get lots made up – we can all wear them.
Thanks Fred! Miss you guys in CXC. I feel a very large support system from there even having left two years ago. I’ll look into the T shirt thing!
The Lloyd Family (Jen, Meg & Dan are home) is wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving. As Jenn is running the turkey trot we will all be sitting in front of the tv eating donuts & watching the parade! Hunter & Jenn – you are both truly an inspiration! Sending you our love!
Thank you all! I hope the parade was nice!
I’m thankful for you Hunter; forgot all about Indy’s short round – hah! and you thought you originated the name. I wish you, Jenn and the boys and your family a great day of Redskins over the Cowboys and oh yah, food, fun, and in your case not too much laughter? God bless.
Thanks Mike! It’s great to be back in touch with everyone even under the circumstances. Glad the Redskins won!
Hunter,
Thanks for your updates. Enjoy your Thanksgiving with your family. I know your mom and dad will enjoy having the entire family together for this special holiday. There should be lots of excitement with your boys and your sister’s girls. Give everyone my love, and good luck to Jenn in the Turkey Trot.
Take care and God bless,
Mary
Thank you Mary! It was a nice Thanksgiving. Jenn did well in the Turkey Trot too!
Hope your Thanksgiving was a good one! Oh, and we had a boy Wed morning (everybody’s fine). I expect he’ll have at least one class with you at USMA. I’m already teaching him to say (with conviction) “I wish I was a Lindsey!”
I saw but was preparing a more appropriate response! Congratulations! I know he is destined for greatness.
Hi Hunter,
Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoyed every second! We had the best ever since Redskins beat Dallas! You are in our thoughts and prayers daily and you look terrific by the way 🙂 Keep the positive vibes alive and you will prevail! Hope the pain subsides and you can laugh freely soon. Your courage is contagious and I think makes all of us want to be stronger better people. HOOAH!! Terri Keep smiling 🙂
Thanks Terri! I’m happy about your Thanksgiving. Ours was really nice too! Lots of good food and good family. Great to hear from you!
We think of you all daily. Hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. You and Jenn are certainly an inspiration to us all.
Thanks Susan!
Hi Hunter,
I’m glad to hear that you and Jenn had a great Thanksgiving, surrounded by family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and wishing you a speedy recovery. And I think that you have the right idea about keeping your sense of humor and laughter being the best medicine. Although it might cause discomfort in the short term, I’ve read that the long-term benefits outweigh the short term. I’ve heard that laughter not only reduces stress and bolsters your immune system, but also can help with managing pain. Of course, I’m no expert, but it sounds good to me! I had a good laugh this past summer while cleaning out some boxes, when I found a picture of Jenn dressed like a bearded lady and you like a magician…my husband Mark had his hand inside a dragon puppet (which I think we gave to you guys as a baby gift…boy, we were bad gift-givers!)… I tried to pull off being a blond…and Dale was the strongman for our “circus” party, hosted by ring-leader extraordinaire-COL Meyer. He was a great boss, even though he made us dress funny! Anyway, it brought back great memories of a really fun time! I’ll have to find that pic again and share it. Keep laughing and take care- Mark and Melissa Miles
Hey you guys! Great to hear from you! We have those same pictures somewhere and that was a funny dinner! Ben loved that dragon actually. We still have it somewhere. I hope everything is going well for you and your family.
Happy Holidays, Cousin. I enjoy reading your blogs and thanks for keeping us informed. You convey the spirit that my favorite Bone Marrow Transplant patients have. They kick cancer butt!!!! And, the guys always looked GREAT when they shaved their heads. Go for it! “Kick Chemo butt!”
Your Long lost Cousin,
Beth, RN
Hey Beth! Glad you’re in the mix too. It’s good to be back in touch with long lost cousins!