Several of you have asked how to sign up for "caregiver" for a day which includes driving Joe to his radiation treatment. If you would like to volunteer please contact me by one of the following ways:

Cell# 770-601-5290 (call or text)
home# 770-385-1265
email: bcblasingame@bellsouth.net
OR post a comment on the blog telling me the date you are volunteering for

I will then add your name as the "caregiver" on the calendar for the date you chose.

Thank you in advance and hugs when I see you next!!!
Carol

So treatment begins next Thursday, 4/1 and I will take Joe. On Friday, 4/2 Cheryl will take Joe and on Monday, 4/5 Sarah will. The rest is wide open. In a prior posting I outlined the daily schedule and the times were based on the appt time given for next Thursday. Radiation oncology has given us the impression the time will be the same but can not commit until next Thursday for sure. Regardless of the appt time, the schedule of events begin 2 hrs prior & 2hrs after radiation. I will count on the "caregiver for the day" to be sure Joe takes the nausea medication 1 1/2 hrs prior to radiation appt, the chemo drug 1 hr prior to radiation appt, have him at his radiation appt and return him home all on time. On Thursdays after radiation he has to have his blood work drawn so it will be a little later returning home. Depending on how he feels, he will get lunch at home or the caregiver will have to help him with lunch (pick up or home). This is all new to all of us so communication is extremely important. Do not hesitate to ask me any questions you may have. I will be learning as we move forward as much as the next person. The caregiver will need to be present with Joe as much as the medical staff will allow. The tumor & the treatment side effects are & will be effecting his thinking, memory & language. So please make note of anything the medical staff shares with Joe &/or you to share with me. I will have all instructions printed at home for the caregiver's use.

Thank you to all of you who can/will volunteer to be Joe's "caregiver for the day".
We could not get through this without your help.

Carol

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!!!

SSG Bob Swanson, Lisa Jan & The Warriors Watch Riders for making today so wonderful & special for Joe.

XOXO
Can you believe it?!
Carol

Today I was surprised, honored and humbled to receive The Georgia Commendation Medal which was presented by Senator John Douglas. I was surrounded by the ones who mean the most to me, my family, close friends and the Warriors Watch Riders.

There is no doubt in my mind that my brother and friend, SSG Bob Swanson played a integral part in me receiving this medal.

Thank you all for being a part of this great day that will never be forgotten!

Papa Joe

Well the last 3 days have certainly been non stop. Wednesday Dr Olson wanted at the last minute for us to come in for him to check Joe's biopsy incision. I opened a can of worms by calling his nurse because it wasn't looking so good. So I headed home to pack for an overnight at Joe's son, Christopher (his home is 15 minutes from Emory). This way we could make it to the Thursday scheduled 7am MRI appt at Emory without having to get up at the crack of dawn to make the appt from Covington. Packed, I went and picked up Joe from his work and headed for Dr Olson's only to be told it looked fine. We then went to Christopher's & Shane's and had a relaxing, wonderful evening with them. Next morning up at 5:30am, we made the 7am MRI with 10 minutes to spare. Next was the 10am appt with the radiation therapist who molded and marked the "Jason" mask. I must tell you that when we walked into the radiation waiting room and saw so many sick people, Joe and I experienced a hard reality check. We then saw Dr Crocker who went over what the steps we needed to do prior to the radiation and after. Joe starts treatment April 1st, Thursday.

The next 6 week's daily regiment will be :
9am = A substantial breakfast (protein)
10am = Can not eat for 2hrs prior to radiation
10:30am = Take drug, Zofran for nausea & vomiting
11:00am = Take chemo drug, Temodar
12:00pm = Radiation at Emory
2pm = Can start eating again (can't eat for 2 hrs after radiation)

We will receive the complete appt times for on April 1st.

Today, Joe and I were back at work. At 11:30am I received a call from Dr Voloschin's nurse telling me to take Joe to his primary care provider or the local ER because his blood glucose work up done yesterday came back with a extremely elevated reading of 413 (normal is below at least 120). I tried calling the PCP but I kept being put on HOLD. Even Dr Voloschin's nurse could not make contact through the physician back line. So I took him to the ER. After blood work, chest xray & EKG the ER released Joe and told us to see the PCP! The ER physician was able to get in contact with the PCP and told him we were coming. After seeing the PCP, we left with yet another prescription drug and a glucose monitor. The steroid that Joe has to take for the swelling the tumor is causing has the side effect of increasing his blood glucose. We finally got home about 5:30pm.

Carol aka Pearl

Thank you to the Hyde family for the delicious dinner you brought to us tonight! It was yummy! My personal chef is not cooking these days and I hate to cook as most of my family & friends know.

Thank you to Calamity Jane, Ed and Mountainman Jake for the "Edible Arrangement" that we received today! Of course Joe loved the chocolate dipped fruit.....................me too!

Thank you to all of our friends that have sent cards and specially for all the prayers.

Carol

Joe went to work yesterday and loved being back at work. His close friend, Ed was his taxi for the day. Thanks Ed! Joe will be working from home today.

He was sooooooooo happy to see his WW friends this past Sunday with the surprise guests, Harry & Calamity from PA! He also spent the day with all his kids and granddaughters this past Saturday. Granddogs too!

I can not begin to tell you how this past weekend visits from his family and the WW friends touched him! :) Carol

The Journey Begins

Welcome to the new twist in the road and all that it will bring.

Please know that each thought and prayer has been received and not taken for granted. As we move forward through this, we'll have more time to spend with our family and friends. We need you all to ride with us on this journey.

Next week I'll get fitted for my "Jason" Nightmare on Elm Street radiation mask and have another baseline MRI. We anticipate to begin both chemo and radiation the following week.

When treatment begins in full force, we'll start asking everyone to help with my trips to Emory Monday through Friday. There will be a calendar that everyone can use to see the appointments and sign up to help. This is also a great way for me to spend time with the people I care about most. So, stay tuned.

Papa Joe