Copyright Notice

© Copyright 2023 Brenda Swenson retains copyrights to all images (artwork and reference photographs). All images on this site are property of Brenda Swenson and may not be used in any way for commercial, financial or personal use without written consent. Brenda Swenson retains all rights to republication (printed and digital) and anything but personal viewing of artworks. www.SWENSONsART.net

Friday, January 11, 2013

Daniel

My boys! Thomas on left and Daniel.

I want to thank everyone for your continue thoughts and prayers for my son Daniel.



...we are now halfway through chemo treatments. We’re not jumping up and down about it, but glad these four months are now behind us and we're not looking down a dark six month tunnel anymore. Another twelve weeks and he will finish chemo and then have another round of CT scans and PET scans to make sure the cancer is GONE. Hodgkin's Lymphoma has a high success rate with 95% of the patients going into remission and then being cured. Remission is declared when cancer can no longer be found in the body; cured is defined as five years without any re-occurrence. We are praying for remission and expect a cure…God is good!
Last Friday Daniel had chemo. He is always wiped out afterwards and tries to eat a little something, if anything at all, and then goes straight to bed. He wakes a few times to take his anti-nausea medication, but other than that, he's out until the next morning. When he wakes up, he's usually just tired and weak. Everything has a metallic taste after chemo, so certain things don't sound good to eat. It's not until day five (after chemo) that his taste buds start working again.

After his first chemo treatment his white blood cells dropped dangerously low. He was prescribed, Neulasta shots. This is the liquid gold that increases his white blood count to keep him from getting sick. He started treatment getting the shot once a month, but it wasn't enough. On round four of chemo he started having the shot every treatment and he feels a big difference. Even though it causes bone pain, it's manageable with ibuprofen and rest. After two days, he feels his energy kick back up and he's the little energizer bunny until the next treatment. And he's going to need that energy because classes started again at Cal Poly.

He has 12 units this quarter, another full load, but his classes are only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so it is a little more manageable. God willing, he may not have to miss any classes if he continues to have his chemo treatments on Fridays. We'll see. We've learned not to plan too far ahead. We take it one day at a time. The winter quarter will be over the same time as chemo. That means his spring quarter will be packed to the max with his senior project and final units. But again, God willing, we will hear pomp and circumstance in June and see that diploma in hand!


Please continue to keep us in your prayers. Pray that chemo-brain goes away and he can think clearly, no set back from illness (colds, flu...), for good attitudes and cheerful spirits with a mind always focused on Christ.



Thank you my friends!

Brenda

My favorite picture of us. I couldn't love them more!

14 comments:

  1. Thanks you for keeping us all in the loop. My prayers continue for Daniel and the family. My daughter died at the age of 32, I know how dear our children are to us.

    Your negative painting images are so beautiful, Brenda.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am sorry to hear your news...I don't believe a parent ever recovers from losing a child. We only learn to live with the pain. Hugs

      Delete
  2. I'm glad to hear of the progress that he is making and I'll keep him and your family in my prayers. I'll keep praying for that Cal Poly graduation too as it is familiar to me (my husband and I are graduates and middle son graduated June 2012). Keep looking forward!

    ReplyDelete
  3. It warms my heart to hear Daniel is doing well. It is a tough road, but it sounds like you are moving along in the right direction. Love to you all.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you so much for the update. I will keep all of you in my prayers and I wish you a very happy, HEALTHY, safe New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  5. All of us "good prayers" will keep up the good work!
    Everyone at the UCC of Fruitland Park, FL is praying hard.
    I love seeing the photos of him and getting more details of how it is going for him (and for you).
    I am glad he is going to continue to work and keep busy thinking ahead.
    When I had breast cancer 17 years ago I always bought green bananas!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you for all the kind words, thoughts and prayers. Daniel still has a journey ahead of him but though God's grace and unending mercy we are filled with hope.
    Blessings to all!
    Brenda

    ReplyDelete
  7. Brenda: The photo of you and your boys brought tears to my eyes! We never quit being moms, do we? I continue to send daily thoughts and prayers your way. Since it's been near zero out the last couple mornings, they may take awhile to get there!
    Jane from Omaha

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you, Brenda, for keeping us posted. The treatment for Hodgkins lymphoma has progressed so much. I am grateful for the hope we can have in full remission and mo more cancer.

    Last year my sister's husband went to be with the Lord. He was treated for the same illness two years after he and Dianne were married (1969). Side effects from his treatment affected the quality of the rest of his life, but he continued to find joy and live fully.

    Know that Bruce and I are praying for Daniel and for your family. Am so glad you like the book. It's a treasure!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for the update, Brenda. I'm so glad to hear that Daniel is doing well albeit a little worse for wear after each chemo treatment. I hope things continue on a positive path and that he will also be able to manage with his studies too. All the best!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for the update Brenda. I do hope Daniel is going to be fine after the end of his treatment. My prayers are with him and your family. Keep us updated.
    Best
    Marisa

    ReplyDelete
  11. I've been wondering how Daniel is doing, Thanks for the update. Having gone through chemo for 81/2 yrs (monthly, for lupus treatment) I've felt for him. Chemo takes it's toll, yet I was thankful that there was treatment to help...as I'm sure you are. I'll keep Daniel and in my prayers, and also you...knowing how a Mom feels the "hurt" also! God bless! BJR

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you for the words of encouragement and hope. I am grateful he has reached the halfway mark in treatment. In the midst of worry and concern I have SO MUCH to be grateful for. God is good!
    Thank you for the continued prayers!
    Brenda

    ReplyDelete
  13. I was glad to find this update on Daniel...glad he's progressing even tho' it's a rough road. All good thoughts and prayers continue on this end for his complete recovery and that graduation will be a great day of celebration. I can't imagine having to bear this as a mom...these kids are always our babies, no matter how old they are.

    ReplyDelete