What can I say? I took French as early as junior high and all the way through college and know about 5 words of which ennui is obviously one. There is a certain sameness to life these days, and it is a bit dreary even when the sun shines as I find myself increasingly bedridden especially after chemo on Fridays.
Our visit on Wednesday with Dr. McGinnis went well, and I asked him why I still had a lump in my lymph node to which he replied, "it's only been a week, pal." The ear pain is diminishing but by the end of next week, Dr. McGinnis explained that it will be "sore throat city."
Thursday Sean O'Donnell-Brown drove me over to Burlington for treatment. Two points here: (1) remember the kitchen while almost complete is still a work in progress as Diane had to empty 10 boxes stacked in our dining room and fill up the new cabinets (photos to follow at a later date) and (2) my own level of naivety at all this sometimes borders on the colossal, no, it is colossal. I'm going to mow the lawn, take long walks, work in the yard, read books, or in this case drive myself to Burlington for the first couple of weeks before the going gets tough. Guess what, Gord, the going is tough. Surrender, surrender, surrender to the treatment--NOT the cancer. On the way over, I said about 10 words to poor Sean but on the way home, I was a bit more talkative. A pleasant surprise when I returned home was to find the lawn cut on the diagonal and bagged by 6'6" former WIU offensive lineman Brett Tobin who was referred to us by friend Rich Westen. People help in ways large and small. Diane remarked that somehow Brett looked a bit different cutting the grass than 5' 11" Gordy.
Friday we left Macomb at 7 a.m. after a couple of cans of "liquid food" and didn't return until 5 p.m. It's a long day. I got some different anti-nausea medication, and it helps but as I write this on Sunday I have yet to get out of bed except to shower. The weekend is a tired time for me but especially on Sunday. I'm told this treatment gets serious in another week or so. I've slept pretty well the past couple of nights though my salivary glands have obviously been affected because I wake up every couple of hours with a mouth as dry as the most remote part of the Sahara Desert.
I am taking 6 to 8 cans of "product" per day and my weight went from 172.5 to 176. Hooray for me, I hope! I sure can't be burning up many calories as I don't do much. We did rearrange the guest room for me on Saturday. The bed is in a new place so that we can access the feeding stand easier. I have a little table for water etc. The brown leather lazy boy has been moved from my office to the bedroom which is a comfortable spot for Diane and others to visit me. Since I am and will be watching quite a bit of tv and movies, we bought a flat screen tv for the room. I'm all set!
As for the photo at the top of this entry, these are two of my young friends, otherwise known as grandsons Luke (almost 6) and James (almost 2). It was taken in our pool in Florida in February when the Stevensons came for a week. I picked this photo for a reason. I am sustained these days by my rich portfolio of pleasant memories. Gosh, I've had a good time over the years.
At the beginning I asked Diane why people were sending cards and letters but now I know why--because people care, really care. I know, I'm letting Sally Fields slip in here a little again, but it is true. Communication helps sustain me and some of these letters bring a tear to my eye. I really loved writing Across the Miles, but I never appreciated what it meant to others. Every week I receive in the mail a column or two from folks who saved them because it arrived at a time when it was important in their lives regarding some personal issue.
Here's my schedule for the week: Monday, 11:45 radiation; Tuesday, 9:45 radiation; Wednesday, 9:30 radiation and meet with Dr. McGinnis; Thursday, 10:00 radiation, and Friday, 8:15 chemo and radiation.
The birds are chirping, the sun is shining, my iris are in bloom and very fragrant, and life is good. Count your blessings. Savor today as you never know what tomorrow has in store for you.
Our visit on Wednesday with Dr. McGinnis went well, and I asked him why I still had a lump in my lymph node to which he replied, "it's only been a week, pal." The ear pain is diminishing but by the end of next week, Dr. McGinnis explained that it will be "sore throat city."
Thursday Sean O'Donnell-Brown drove me over to Burlington for treatment. Two points here: (1) remember the kitchen while almost complete is still a work in progress as Diane had to empty 10 boxes stacked in our dining room and fill up the new cabinets (photos to follow at a later date) and (2) my own level of naivety at all this sometimes borders on the colossal, no, it is colossal. I'm going to mow the lawn, take long walks, work in the yard, read books, or in this case drive myself to Burlington for the first couple of weeks before the going gets tough. Guess what, Gord, the going is tough. Surrender, surrender, surrender to the treatment--NOT the cancer. On the way over, I said about 10 words to poor Sean but on the way home, I was a bit more talkative. A pleasant surprise when I returned home was to find the lawn cut on the diagonal and bagged by 6'6" former WIU offensive lineman Brett Tobin who was referred to us by friend Rich Westen. People help in ways large and small. Diane remarked that somehow Brett looked a bit different cutting the grass than 5' 11" Gordy.
Friday we left Macomb at 7 a.m. after a couple of cans of "liquid food" and didn't return until 5 p.m. It's a long day. I got some different anti-nausea medication, and it helps but as I write this on Sunday I have yet to get out of bed except to shower. The weekend is a tired time for me but especially on Sunday. I'm told this treatment gets serious in another week or so. I've slept pretty well the past couple of nights though my salivary glands have obviously been affected because I wake up every couple of hours with a mouth as dry as the most remote part of the Sahara Desert.
I am taking 6 to 8 cans of "product" per day and my weight went from 172.5 to 176. Hooray for me, I hope! I sure can't be burning up many calories as I don't do much. We did rearrange the guest room for me on Saturday. The bed is in a new place so that we can access the feeding stand easier. I have a little table for water etc. The brown leather lazy boy has been moved from my office to the bedroom which is a comfortable spot for Diane and others to visit me. Since I am and will be watching quite a bit of tv and movies, we bought a flat screen tv for the room. I'm all set!
As for the photo at the top of this entry, these are two of my young friends, otherwise known as grandsons Luke (almost 6) and James (almost 2). It was taken in our pool in Florida in February when the Stevensons came for a week. I picked this photo for a reason. I am sustained these days by my rich portfolio of pleasant memories. Gosh, I've had a good time over the years.
At the beginning I asked Diane why people were sending cards and letters but now I know why--because people care, really care. I know, I'm letting Sally Fields slip in here a little again, but it is true. Communication helps sustain me and some of these letters bring a tear to my eye. I really loved writing Across the Miles, but I never appreciated what it meant to others. Every week I receive in the mail a column or two from folks who saved them because it arrived at a time when it was important in their lives regarding some personal issue.
Here's my schedule for the week: Monday, 11:45 radiation; Tuesday, 9:45 radiation; Wednesday, 9:30 radiation and meet with Dr. McGinnis; Thursday, 10:00 radiation, and Friday, 8:15 chemo and radiation.
The birds are chirping, the sun is shining, my iris are in bloom and very fragrant, and life is good. Count your blessings. Savor today as you never know what tomorrow has in store for you.
