Up down up down up down

That pretty much describes the ride of cancer paired with chemo.  Roger is headed into what should be a good week.  This past week was one of ups and downs.  There were a few decent days and then a couple not so decent.  Roger didn't venture out of the house much.  Towards the end of the week, he went out to hunt for food (drive through for fast food) and run a couple miscellaneous errands. 

My company had its Holiday party last night.   I figured we would NOT be going - lots of standing - lots of noise - and just difficult to do when you don't feel great.  So, I was knocked off my feet when Roger suggested at the beginning of the week that we should go to the party, even if only for a little while.   We managed to stay for about an hour and a half.  It was an odd study of a humanity.  As we walked around, many of my co-workers came up to introduce themselves to Roger and in the next sentence to tell him they were praying for him.  It just kinda left me scratching my head with a quizzical look on my face.  The sentiment was offered in a very genuine way, very kind way....but was just so strange when no other conversation surrounded the statement.  The other thing I noticed is a few people kinda studying Roger from across the room. I guess I don't know what I necessarily expected....it was just odd.    After wishing happy holidays to all, munching on a few appetizers, and sipping a drink (soda for roger...and something a smidge stronger for me), we wandered to the door and made our exit. 

On the drive home, my sweet hubby humored me and did a little holiday light tour.  He drove us by this house I discovered a couple years ago.  Its a VERY Merry Christmas house - in a beautiful little neighborhood close to our home.  As we turned the corner onto this little quiet street, we were overwhelmed with the bright glow of holiday lights coming from this one house (you KNOW their electric meter was spinning like crazy).  Lights top to bottom and bottom to top, throughout the yard.  Lights EVERYWHERE.  There were life size toy soldiers, santas, ornaments, reindeer. You name it...if it was associated with Christmas and had lights, it was in the yard.  And as so often is the case with contagious holiday merriment....lights looked like they were starting to slowly infect the rest of the neighborhood.    We speculated as to whether or not the other neighbors' tasteful, understated lights displays were hopeful attempts at "encouraging" their neighbor with huge Christmas Spirit on steroids to maybe....tone it down.  Regardless, it didn't work.  But it DID bring a huge smile to both of our faces.   We then  drove our quiet neighborhood and enjoyed the various light displays and finally pulled into the driveway.

Today appears to be a "down" day for Roger.  He is up and sitting in his chair but keeps dozing off.  His neck is causing pain spasms down his back so he has a heating pad around his neck in an attempt to reduce the spasms.  So, quiet it will be for the time being. 

We've decided we are most likely going to venture out for the Wethington Xmas tree tomorrow.  The temperature should warm up slightly (ha!) to a toasty upper 30s....much better than today's morning temperature of 18 degrees warming to a whopping 30 degrees maybe.  TOASTY.  I'm already gathering winter wear layers for Roger.  He'll look like the abominable snowman with his awesome furry hat.   A new challenge we have is that NONE of his winter coats fit.  They all look like he's wearing his dad's clothes.  We (the royal we...translating to ME) need to go buy new winter wear for Skinny.  That may be an evening adventure for me later tonight.

Sun is out - despite the ridiculous cold.  We're both going to go chase a sunbeam coming in through one of the windows.  We will probably have to fight a cat for it but it will be well worth the fight to get a little vitamin D via a small fleeting sunbeam.  Hope all is well in your various worlds.  Love, a & r