Well, I'm still trying to "kick" cancer in the butt but the past month or so I've been pretty "low" one could say — no pep, no energy, feeling generally awful. My last chemo infusion was Dec. 17. Barb took me in last Wed., Jan 7 for my "routine" appointment of blood test, doctor visit and chemo ... but I was too weak. I told Angelique - the "human" oncologist assisting Dr. Yee - that earlier in the morning the very idea of going to the doctor's appointment was abhorrent to me. It was the first time in all my trips to the Cancer Institute that I felt "sick" about going through all the "ritual" another time.
I turns out my blood test showed that my hemoglobin and other blood quality markers were so low that I didn't have to advocate to skip chem. I was too sick and they put me in a chair for a blood transfusion of two units (350 ml each) of new blood. This was very time consuming but it sure did give me a much-needed boost. I also had two units of blood with my last chemo on Dec. 17.
Incidentally, I inquired why they call it a "transfusion" when no blood is taken out of me. They simply "topped me off" with an "infusion" of two units. The nurse agreed the term transfusion means take out and put in or "replace" but the term "transfusion" is also used for "infusion"???? This conundrum is up there with some other ones I have like "sea salt". Isn't ALL salt — including Morton't mined in Kansas — from the sea?
I asked for no chemo for a month so see if I can maintain more strength and well-being. Dr. Yee agreed I should plan to return Feb. 7 for blood test and to see if more therapy is viable.
I was asked the "are you depressed?" question last week which I said there are times when I am very discouraged. They also asked if I have lost interest in doing things. That is a definite "no". I have lots of things I want to do. The problem is I don't get much done in a day except keep holding down the toilet so it doesn't fly away. I also rest a fair amount which I credit helping me from getting any other flu, cold, pneumonia or other bugs of which there is an abundant amount flying around this winter here in PA. The "sharing time" at church last week was a long list of sick people. I am thankful that Barb and I both have avoided the flu pandemic... thus far anyway.
That's enough about my status. I am attaching our Season's Greetings for more about 2014 if you are interested. It was a year with some big "landmarks" - including keeping the Grim Reaper out of the house.
Peace. Joy. Love.
Our Wishes
For You In 2015
January 2015
Dear Family and Friends,
This Seasons Greeting is
either very tardy or very early. We are not sure which, so the decision is up
to you. Maybe some of you will award a prize for both. (Special thanks to Wal-Mart
for telling us what should take one day would be 2-1/2 weeks to get the prints
and then, in the end, losing the order.)
Welcome to the Schrag’s Deal with the Real “2014-going-on-2015”
letter. We have enjoyed letters and cards from so many of you. Thanks for
keeping us on your list. We trust that
this update finds you and your families filled with memories of 2014 and optimistic
about 2015.
Where in the world are the Schrags
and what are they doing?
Barb
and Ricky continue to live in Akron, PA. On Nov. 14, Ricky retired
from Smilebuilderz LLC in Lancaster where he worked as a billing
specialist. After 15 years with
Mennonite Central Committee, most recently as the Associate Director for Donor
Relations, Barb took a new position with Mennonite Disaster Service as the
Volunteer Development Team Leader.
Adam,
Annie (Schmidt) and Owen (age 16 months) live in Fresno, Calif. Adam teaches in
the Communications Dept. at Fresno Pacific University. Annie recently took a
new position as the Development Manager for the Fresno Philharmonic.
Charles
lives in Seattle, Wash., where he works for Catholic Community Services of
Western Washington (CCSWW) as a Housing Case Manager for homeless men. His
friend, Anna Harrington, is a Research Coordinator at the University of
Washington.
What have Barb and Ricky been up to?
We started 2014 by ending a long era of mini-van
ownership and purchased an SUV.
In March, we celebrated 41 years
of marriage with a trip to Fresno, Calif., and Yosemite, visiting Adam, Annie,
and Owen, as well as other friends living there.
Throughout the year Ricky had CT
scans, chemotherapy and too numerous to tell doctor appointments related to his
war on pancreatic cancer.
 |
| Family photo taken during the Fathers Day surprise trip. We had a blast! We are, l-r, Owen's mom, Annie Schmidt, and dad, Adam from Fresno, CA, Grandbee Schrag holding Owen (9 months at the time), "Pop-pop" Schrag, Charles Schrag and his special friend, Anna Harrington from Seattle. Wash. At this point Owen is heavy into "baby talk". |
A late summer road trip took us to Minneapolis, Freeman, SD, and Cass Lake, Minnesota. Owen, his
parents and his dad’s brother were able to join us for parts of the trip. Everyone
had a great time visiting extended family and friends.
A most unfortunate incident happened in Cass Lake when Ricky fell over a boat hitch and broke his back
(3rd vertebrae). This only served to compound his health woes and eventually led
to a week of hospitalization for complications from the broken back, internal
bleeding from duodenal ulcers, an internal infection and low functioning
kidneys, all complicated by a mass on the pancreas. For those familiar with the TV show House, the week’s events could have
easily been been a House script. “What
else?” the attending Dr. shouted to the resident in training. “And how are you
going to treat that? Next?”
In October, Ricky’s brothers, Reed
from Freeman, SD, and John, from Santa Fe, NM, came to Akron to keep him
company during one of Barb’s trips out of town for meetings. The following
month Charles did the same while Barb was away.
On Dec. 5 we hosted (Barb executes,
Ricky enjoys) a “Kickin’ Cancer” Open House in observance of Ricky surviving
three years with pancreatic cancer. And to show appreciation for all the
support given to us from our work and church communities. It was a huge success
with about 80 friends attending. They enjoyed appetizers, punch, and each
other’s company. Throughout the evening, we heard “So how do you know the
Schrags?” It was fun listening to the
responses.
 |
| Here is a family "selfie" Adam set up with a tripod and timer feature. Notice my teeth are hiding. But I am very happy. Owen is 15 months old and very verbal and walking also. We enjoyed his (mostly) happy spirit and whimsical personality. |
 |
| Owen loved to go outside no matter how cold the temperature. He loves scanning the sky for the moon and really lifted our spirits with his pleasant and happy nature. |
As DEAL with the REAL continues into 2015, we are grateful for your support. Not only because Ricky has cancer but
because we know you care about us. On December 24, 2011, Ricky started his blog
with:
Here's
the deal....
After
several weeks of procrastinating I've decided the smart thing is to start
blogging as a means of communicating with my family and friends about my
situation. I never gave much thought to having my own journal for anyone to
read.
The blog post ended with “Best personal wishes at
Christmas and throughout the New Year.” We extend those same wishes again to
all of you for 2015.
Barb and Rick
