Monday, August 25th

Over the past week, Chris has continued to work hard at increasing her strength. She has been walking everyday at the high school track and then again in the evening after dinner. Each day she gets stronger with a general positive trend. She still has what most people would consider a very low energy level and it is an effort everyday to go perform an exercise that we all take for granted. Still, she is reconditioning herself with a passion to get stronger everyday. That said, I have learned to equate the day to day changes like a bull (positive) stock market. Some days things go up, some days they go down, but the general trend is up. On her down days, she has some nausea and some coughing due to what feels like some increased fluid in her lungs. We will call the doctors today and ask them what they think we should do about this new cough.

Her weight has kicked back into gear and she is now at 107 pounds, but some of that may be due to increased fluid retention. They told me at one point back in June that she may have been carrying around as much as 10 pounds of excess fluid in her body. This was primarily in her ankles, abdomen, and lungs. Her ankles and abdomen seem to be fine, but the lungs and coughing are a bit of a concern.

We go back to her primary physician next week for another check-up, and will see if we can reduce further any medication. As is easy to imagine, Chris is "really, really tired" of taking a fist full of pills throughout the day. She actually has reduced these significantly, but still has a large number to take. We sometimes have to remind her that these are good things, not bad, but it does become a daily grind.

Today is day 64. It really has been an incredibly strange summer. Just after school let out and graduation, we started this ordeal, and now we are down to a week before things get back into gear with Melissa starting school next week, Abby going to school on Friday, and Stephen starting next Tuesday. Chris has felt cheated out of her summer, but it is one we all pray will have been a small price to pay for a long and healthy life.

Chris hopes to try to drive in a few weeks. She is concerned that she doesn't have the strength or the reaction time, but she is anxious to get a little independence. In the meantime, her friends and neighbors have been great. They have taken turns at walking with her, still making some meals, and running errands with her. The daily walks are incredibly valuable. They get her out of the house, they give her some good conversation, and most importantly they push her to exercise and get stronger. I cannot thank her local friends enough as to how much this is appreciated by both of us. The combination of social interaction and exercise is very critical. Despite having their owns lives and daily burdens, the willingness to help Chris has been invaluable.

I have been thinking lately how this limitation of life must impact Chris' attitude. As I think back, Chris has not felt well in over 6-7 months. Imagine everyday waking up, with little strength, not being able to do what she wants, often feeling nauseous, and fearing the future. Most of us get sick for a few days at a time and start feeling normal again. Chris has not felt normal through much of this year. As such, I grow more and more amazed at the incredible internal strength she must have. Day after day after day, this tough lady wakes up, looks at her hairless head and thin body and fights a battle that few can imagine. As I have said before, she is a rock!!

Remember, September 28th is Day 100, a very special day. I will be bold enough to ask that everyone recognize her strength with a card on that day. More on that next month.

More updates next week. Thanks to all for the amazing support, prayers, and interest.