Texts Between Me and Mathew

Just when I thought we were getting into some sort of routine, things change.

I was having to go back and forth to my house twice a day, to keep up with things there, while staying with Mathew at my sister’s.
Usually in the early evenings, when I was gone, Kathleen (Tia), set an alarm to double check that Mat took his 7 p.m. meds.
My Mom was cooking and sending breakfast and dinner over to Mathew in takeout containers.

Texts between Me and Mathew 3-20-14

Got to Pharmacy with 5 mins to spare.

Everything ok. Tia alright with company.

Sent 3-20-14

Yep. So far so good.

Rec’d 3-20-14

Victoria there?

Sent 3-20-14

Not yet.

Rec’d 3-20-14

Did you take 7:00 meds?

Sent 3-20-14

Yep.

Rec’d 3-20-14

I’m making a spreadsheet

and printing copies.

Sent 3-20-14

Ok sounds good. I can help.

Rec’d 3-20-14

Are you coming back tonight cuz

I’m out of bottle water. I could maybe

have Victoria run to get me some.

Rec’d 3-20-14

Yes. I’ll bring some.

Sent 3-20-14

Kk cool. You think Gatorade is okay

to drink after this time still.

Record 3-20-14

Sent

3-20-14

LOL. Ok.

Rec’d 3-20-14

From Mathew’s Journal

3-21-14

Construction is here to install bath rails. The guys were nice, conscious of dust. Home Health is coming again to give me Neupogen injection. I had not had a bowel movement in over 3 days. I started having them again luckily yesterday with the help of RX. Vey painful. I think I’m getting back on track now.

My legs are shrinking very quickly, my swelling is going down. I’m getting better but not without suffering.

Texts between me and Mathew 3 -21-14

Everything ok Chongo?

Sent 3-21-14

Yep, just sore.

Everything else is good.

Rec’d 3-21-14

Ok.

Sent 3-21-14

Quel has been up my butt.

Rec’d 3 21-14

Ha!

Sent 3-21-14

You have 7:00 meds. They are

in pill box.

Sent 3-21-14

Yeah, we got it sorted out.

Rec’d 3 -21-14

Bad diarrhea for last half hour.

Can smell bilirubin in it.

Rec’d 3-21-14

Stop pineapple juice. Miralax.

Probably just overdid it.

Take temp and look at paperwork

on far right shelf.

What does it say about diarrhea?

Sent 3-21-14

K. I think it says stop Miralax.

Rec’d

Call me.

Sent 3-21-14

Temp.

Sent 3-21-14

Replace the 3 Lumen Pic Line with a Port

Mathew's 3 Lumen Pic Line was replaced with a Power P.A.C. Both Mathew and I were given Medical I.D. cards to carry at all times. I have mentioned before that texting from the DRC is almost impossible. The staff told me it used to be the X-ray department so the walls are leaded. Again, the phone tree would have helped so much. I texted the following information to my niece, my sister and Mathew’s Dad and Stepmom. And probably Joseph and Carlos. I know that could have been reduced to two texts, three at the most. At the time I didn’t know about group messaging as my phone was an old Android. Texts Between me and Diane Hi. We are at the hospital early because Mat is in a lot of pain. We think the bill stent may have moved. Sent 3-31-14 Because he was NPO for other procedure they should be able to fix today. Sent 3-31-14 In the DRC sending texts is almost impossible so if you don’t hear from me for a while don’t worry. If ...

A Cancer Poem by Mathew Rodgers 2014

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Hair Loss After Chemo for Sarcoma, My Son's Point of View

I can't imagine or pretend to know how it feels to lose your hair because you have cancer and the chemo causes your hair to fall out. I only know what I saw with Mathew and years ago, my sister Elizabeth's experience as they lost their hair to chemotherapy. But it was something that affected Mathew more than just the initial hair loss, it had nuances. Here is a journal entry. It's short but I think it speaks volumes. MATHEW’S JOURNAL 5-23-14 Lately, I’ve been envious of people’s hair. Well, I guess not envious of other people’s hair but missing mine. I told my Mom about it and expressed to her that I was afraid I was falling prey to vanity. She expressed the idea that I may be missing having hair because it’s part of being healthy. I do miss having a life and at the same time, I’m afraid that I may never have a full life again or that I may lose what’s left of the one I have. - I’ve been thinking about dying a lot lately. I don’t know wh...

Confections For Cats

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