Red Devil 2.0

On Sunday at church, many people approached us and told us what they were planning to do to help us prepare for this week’s chemo. Our friend Maddie, who has been helping us clean, also brought over some freezer meals for us to help this week. Others told us they would watch the kids, and others told us they would coordinate help as needed. 

I worked most of the day on Monday. The energy in our home shifted as we began to prep for Chemo. Kylie was a little overwhelmed with everything she wanted to do this week due to her week being cut in half since she will be asleep from Wednesday on. 

One of the first things Kylie told me when we met and started dating was that she was a Princess. I thought, “Okay, that’s funny.” She meant it, though, and you know that is still one of her core beliefs because of how she carries herself and loves herself and others. Now, she is just like Sleeping Beauty. Only it’s not a kiss that will wake her, frankly, that would probably make her puke, haha.

Emmie’s birthday was March 8th. Kylie had a lot of preparations to do for that. 

To help Kylie out, my mom and I worked together to tackle her list of things that we could do. From making a treasure chest (which Emmie beautifully decorated for hours after school) to clearing off the back porch to getting a grocery list done. 

I stopped working a little early on Monday, and  Kylie took a couple of hours to finish up some tasks, and that cleared up the list. 

On Tuesday, Kylie took some time to work some more and do some other things, like take Willie to the library. 

Wednesday:

Today was Chemo day. We started out the chemo visit with the office visit. Kylie’s numbers look good. 

• WBC: 4.2 

• Neutrophils: 2

• Platelets. : 599

Everything else looks good!

A week after the last chemo, Kylie got a mouth sore and some red pimply dots on her bald head. The Doctor said these are common to get, even a week later. She said that those red dots are called Foliculitus: irritated hair follicles. Nothing to worry about. 

Today was  Ash Wednesday. The nurse that helped Kylie with Chemo observed this religious practice. I’ve always been amazed at this practice because of how much and how long faithful observers give things up. 

Kylie started with pre-drugs. Then did the Red Devil or Doxyrubicin. Then she had another drug for 30 minutes. 

When we got there, we were the only ones there in the morning. Slowly, as the drugs got pushed through Kylies system, the other chairs got filled up. Little by little, more people came in to get some sort of work done with their bodies. Kylie is by far the youngest person here. 

As she got close to finishing today, suddenly, there came in 5 volunteers with 5 dogs. They were with a volunteer organization that brings their dogs around to visit patients in hospitals. It was so nice and uplifted the mood. I want a dog. 

After Chemo, we came home, and she slept in a Dark room. 

Kylie came down for dinner, and then the kids went to bed, and so did Kylie. 

After they were in bed, our Friends dropped off tables and chairs for Emmie’s birthday party on Saturday. 

Emmie is turning 6. My big girl. Our friends here are showing up to help make a cool party happen. Having this sickness in our lives has opened our eyes to how people want to help and do help. We are learning to let go of the fear of overstepping boundaries when it comes to service. We are learning by the example of our friends to just say we will do x and then do it. 

People here know that I would say I’ll do it and I don’t need help. But they do it anyway because they also know how worn out I will get, and then I can’t do what’s most important. Taking care of and spending time with the kids and with Kylie. And so, as I sat at the counter Wednesday night warming a bottle to feed Tommy, my heart just overflowed with gratitude to tears. My mom’s here helping so much her back hurts (Tommy gets heavy after holding him for a while). Our friends are doing these things or a party, and so many people are helping in other ways like bringing meals over, cleaning, uplofting with jokes, and much more. I know I’ve said it before, but we are very grateful for everyone who has helped. And it’s not just a one-time thing. Y’all keep showing up over and over and over. Just like Jesus. So thank you. 

Tommy woke up early the day after chemo. We fed him a bottle. Shortly after he ate, he was very agitated and then puked out the amount an adult would puke. Then he kept puking every 1.5-3 minutes. After a few more liquid pukes, he started puking yellow, slimy stuff. And shortly after, he started puking green. Emmie was nervous but had to go to school. I woke up Kylie and told her I needed to take him to the doctor. She got Emmie a ride to school, and then my mom and I hopped in the car. I’ve never seen someone like so much they are puking green bile. It was scary. 

I had this Terrible feeling inside my body. With everything going on with Kylie and her treated ent and then this with my baby. I was barely able to speak and get checked in due to my voice quivering and mind racing.

Then I gave him a blessing. I stepped into this little alcove while we waited to be seen by the doctor. I put a drop of oil on his head, and I anointed him and then blessed him. I didn’t think. I just spoke what I felt God wanted me to say by the Spirit. After that, I felt calmer. I knew that God was taking care of and watching over Tommy.

The Doctor saw us and swabbed his nose. They tested for RSV, Flu, and Covid. When the tests came back, the doctor said it was probably just a stomach virus. While the tests were getting run, the doctor had us test Tommy’s eating. We fed Tommy a few ounces, and he didn’t barf. If he barfed immediately after drinking, it would be concerning, and he would need more tests run. Thankfully, nothing happened, and Tommy was ok. We went home and monitored him, and he has been fine since. Besides a little fever, he’s done great. I don’t know why he puked so much, but maybe his little body just couldn’t handle the virus. 

I feel so blessed for the Priesthood. It’s the same power that Jesus used to create the earth and that he used to heal the blind. This was a miracle. 

Because Kylie was up to help me with the baby, when we got back, she felt and looked terrible. While we were gone, 4 different people came and helped take care of Willie and Kylie.  Around 2 pm, Kylie made it to her WBC boost shot, then came home and rested in a dark room for the remainder of the day. Staying away from sick Willie and Tommy.  

And that’s pretty much how she stayed until Saturday afternoon. Doing exactly what her body needed. Thankfully, I had my Mom here to help me with stuff, and then the next day, Brad and Kristi came to stay with us and help with everything. We got Emmie’s party all set up. She patiently waited as well as a five-year-old could, asking every half hour how much longer it would be till it started. She’s a party girl. Once again, many friends volunteered to help us prepare everything from loaning tables to making macaroons to bringing baked potatoes! We are so grateful. 

It’s humbling to be in a position where if I don’t have help during Chemo weeks, I would probably never sleep because of all the stuff going on. 

Kylie’s energy is slowly growing. She even joked with me about Vin Diesel and being a part of his family on Sunday, so that’s good. Haha 

#kyliebeatscancer