Benefit

Well the benefit was last night. Kimberly and I were unable to make it. I made it over for an interview on the school television program earlier in the day, but my pain and bathroom visits really was not lending itself to me being able to make it last night. Plus, with my white blood cell count being low, I am not sure that being around a bunch of folks would be a good idea. Also, if we traveled over to Tuscaloosa we would have been battling severe weather. So, we camped out at home.

I am really in a catch-22 right now. (WARNING IF YOU ARE EATING) The pain is really severe when I go to the bathroom. I mean REALLY severe. The catch is that I have pain medicine, but I am reluctant to take it. I take a stool softener twice a day to help with keeping things regular and easy to pass. The problem is that the pain medicine makes me constipated which does the exact opposite. When I take the pain medicine it causes my bowels to process my stool into a solid form. This causes much more pain than normal, so I am stuck trying to figure out what to do. Most days I endure the pain knowing that I have about six days left for it to worsen before the healing can begin. It is really a tough call, but one that I have to deal with. I know everyone is praying that I heal overall, but please put in a special prayer that the radiation burn will heal soon.

Josh

Blood Test Blues

On Thursday my blood tests showed that I was a little low on a few important numbers. Namely, my red and white blood cell counts. The doctor who saw me yesterday ordered another round of tests to follow-up and see if maybe I need a transfusion (red blood cells). The tests were in this morning and everything is pretty low. However, not low enough to warrant a transfusion. The nurse gave me a mask to where if I feel I need it. They basically said to get some rest and let my body heal.

And oh yeah....ONE MORE RADIATION TREATMENT!!!

Josh

Congrats Wade and Mary!!!

Just want to let everyone know that our friends Wade, Mary, and Westbrook welcomed the Llandis Chandler Cox into the world on Thursday. She is really cute and I cannot wait to meet her. I have to tell you, I was feeling pretty cruddy on Thursday and Friday and then Wade posted a video of Westbrook meeting his little sister for the first time. Man that made me melt and sent good feelings through my body. He hugs and kisses her and it is really cute.