Friday night Tracy M came to congratulate Todd on finishing his treatment. She brought dinner and a bouquet of balloons and sat and chatted with us and the girls. She had gone through this with her husband Tom a few years ago. It was a nice visit, and Todd was in good spirits. I was surprised he stayed up as long as he did. It's great that in spite of all the craziness and in spite of how nasty he feels, he usually shows us his sense of humor. How could we not keep him?
On Saturday and Sunday he had IV fluids at Kaiser. Lauren took him on Saturday and stayed there the 4 hours with him; she did her homework on her laptop while he dozed on and off during the IV. Sunday morning I dropped him off and she picked him up.
For various reasons (some unknown!) he is still not doing well nutrition-wise. He should ideally be drinking close to 6-7 bottles of Ensure daily, and lately he's been doing 2 or 2.5. Today he had 2 plus a banana. If he drinks it too fast or tries to drink too much, it all comes back up, so he can't be rushed (I know, I have tried!). We just have to take it easy these next few weeks until things gradually improve.
I understand he won't be gaining any weight for several months, as he has so much to rebuild internally. I'm looking forward to the day he gets his butt back, as it has all but disappeared! He was 171 lbs today, only because he's had 2 days of fluids.
Glen came for a visit this afternoon. Glen and Joyce have been helpful beyond words! They have been our guides on this crazy journey, as Glen went through this madness just last year. He and Todd sat and talked, then they came out to where I was pruning the wild things back: an out of control climbing rose and a honeysuckle vine, both entangled in 2 trees. We sat in the shade and talked for a while, then Todd started tossing his cookies, so Glen made exit (he'll be back!).
Debra A. brought us some leftovers from the Gourmet Group dinner we missed this weekend at the Sankey's. The kids and I enjoyed the jambalaya, scallops and sausage, salad and bread pudding, plus the first watermelon of the year. Reminds me that I have bowls, a pot and several cookie sheets to return to folks. Must do that this week!
Tomorrow we have two doctors' appointments. I want to get the specifics on when and how to wind down the anti-nausea drugs and pain patches (I know it's not for at least a couple of weeks or more), and also find out when the follow-up CT or MRI scans will be scheduled in May. I consider them the definitive word on how the treatment went.
Thanks for those sweet comments! You all brighten our days and we are thankful you are part of our lives.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Congratulations !
ReplyDeleteThis is great to be down with the treatment phase and to start the reconstruction phase. This will take time, but should only bring better things day after day.
Keep going !
Congratulations indeed!! We are happy it will get a little easier for you all. It will no doubt be a long road to go but your collective strength and Todd's humor in the most difficult of times will defenitly get him through it faster. There are lots of people at work inquiring about how Todd is doing. This blog has been a great read Bonnie!
ReplyDeleteWe wish you all the very best and hope he will get his healthy appetite for cheese back so he can start gaining weight his style!
Maarten & Jose
Looks like all is quiet over a week since last treatment day. I hope that means everything is going according to plan and Todd is feeling a bit better each day. Thought of you all yesterday on Easter - remembering our picnics at the botanical gardens and biting off the head of the lamb cake while the babies crawled around. Those were some fun days and seem so long ago. More good times to come in the future! Our best wishes to you all! Martha, John and family
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about you all. The end of this period must seem so close and yet so far. I know how hard the treatment period was and I know that everyone wants Todd to be better and feel better and return to his jovial self...fast. Wishing you all the strength to forge ahead with the positivity that you will need to move through this next phase. This too shall pass and you will get back to a "normal" life.
ReplyDeleteSomeone just asked me if things were returning to "normal" for us and I had to pause and think...and then I realized...yes, they are and they will for you too. Have a glass of wine Bonnie and give Todd a hug from us or tell him a joke or...whatever will make him smile.
It has been a long road in such a short time. I hope to see you both out and about for the Fall Season Just not the same without you.
ReplyDeleteKeep on the road to recovery and keep smiling! :) Trish