Bonnie's Post

One of the things we learned in discussions with Pat and Tom was that they both lost about 50 lbs during their cancer treatment. Yikes! My immediate goal: try to fatten Todd up from his svelt 182 lbs. before he starts his treatment. I started encouraging him to have dessert every night (something we rarely have): Marie Callendar's pies, ice cream, vanilla shakes from the SF Creamery, etc. He's also had several burritos from Casa. So far it has worked -- he has actually gained 10 lbs! His gp was originally concerned that his cholesterol had shot up until Todd mentioned that I was trying to fatten him up and so he had eaten cheesecake for dessert several nights before his blood test.

So far the kids are okay. Dad looks the same (okay, maybe a tiny bit fuller), acts the same, and is still doing just about all the "dad" things, including helping with homework and taking C out driving, so that helps the kids put the cancer out of their minds as much as possible. They do not like to talk about it. They are much more affectionate and often more thoughtful when it comes to their dad, which is nice.

My big concern is getting Todd through this. I think the most difficult part for me, and for the kids, will be seeing him during the worst weeks of treatment and immediately after, and not being able to do much to help him feel better. The good news is that all the doctors feel that "he should respond well to the treatment," and for those words I am so grateful.

This period of waiting before the treatment starts (due to the time it takes to see all the doctors, understand the options, get second opinions, make decisions, get all the tests and dental work done before treatment can start) seems to drag on and on. I just want him to get the treatment and get cured so we can get back to our "normal" life. That's not too much to ask, is it? Just a normal, boring life. No melodramatics required.

I am very hopeful this will all work, and it has been wonderful to hear from people who have been down this cancer road and have survived. And from those about where we are, near the long beginning of the journey. Just hearing their stories and advice and positive thoughts helps us believe that we can get through this, too. It has also been wonderful to reconnect with old friends we have not seen or heard from in a while due to the busyness of having 3 kids. Thank you all. You have made a difference already.