The Comforts of Home.....Finally!

Many apologies to everyone for not updating you this week. Been playing catch up at work, and home, and SLEEP, but I'm not so sure I've accomplished any of the aforementioned. 

Here's the scoop:

Dad was discharged from UMMC Monday night with a handful of new meds, and a drain coming out of his back to help the gall bladder function, and (hopefully) to prevent any further infections. After settling back into the routine of "home away from home" at the Tremont (who continue to be AWESOME!), he was finally able to get some decent sleep.....no one to come in and change the trash, take his vitals, or just be loud for some random reason. Just the hum of his own snoring and Mom playing Free Cell (or "sickle cell," as Dad calls it) on her iPad. 

He and Mom have been learning the ropes of taking care of the drain and doing well with it. Dad was able to complete an entire week of treatments this past week--radiation each day and chemo on Thursdays. He's begun to feel a bit icky after the chemo, but the zofran for nausea has worked very well for him. Getting a full week in has provided the reassuring sense that even though last week's infection created another bump in this journey, we are well on our way to annihilating this cancer. In fact, Wednesday was a great day. Dad resumed his walking and trekked the 8 blocks from the hospital to the Tremont! Rock star! 

Yesterday I went down to Baltimore to get Mom and Dad and to be present for Dad's appointment with Dr. Jiang, his medical oncologist. One could tell by her body language that she was very pleased with Dad's progress since last week and she was MORE than thrilled with his blood work. The tumor marker number had decreased by almost half from last week to this week. That decreasing number means that the treatment is right on track and doing what it's supposed to be doing---killing the cancer! We are halfway through with 13 radiation treatments, and 2-3 more chemo treatments to go. Typically, surgery is 6 weeks after the last treatment, which puts a surgery date for mid-late January. Although I've earned an "Honorary Medical Degree" from the UMMC radiation oncology team (that's a story for another time), I'll leave determining a set surgery date up to his regular team. If, by chance, my professional opinion is sought (and one never knows), I will shoot for a date 2 weeks prior to the Super Bowl (Jan 21st would be perfect) so that Dad will be able to watch the game in his own house. I believe my approach to setting this date will afford Dad the 6 weeks to heal from treatments AND meet his sports needs. It's somewhat of a "holistic" approach, don't you think?

This morning (Saturday), the plan was for Mom to go her way for a mani/pedi/hair day, and Dad to go his way to the office (yes, that meaning he's STILL not retired) and hair day...each driving themselves. This is a great sign b/c I don't think Dad's driven in over a month. He's just not felt the strength, and there's nothing like independence to boost your mental spirits. This is also great b/c I think they are spending WAY too much time together,and their personalities are ebbing and flowing and become unrecognizable, at times. Everyone knows Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs? Well, I have felt like Snow White this past week, observing each of them transform through phases of at least 5 of the Dwarfs: Happy, Sleepy, Grumpy, Dopey, and Doc. Oh wait, let me add Bashful. Mom tends to look that way then Dr. McDreamy comes in the room. 

Today is a beautiful fall day. Mom and Dad are in their own home with their feline kids, at least for a little bit. We look forward to having my sister's family come in on Tuesday in preparation for Thanksgiving at my house. Although recent life events have given all of us reason to be "grumpy," God certainly has also given us reason to be thankful for His many blessings. He has blessed us with the family and friends who tune in to this blog to seek updates. Your prayers and cards to Dad have provided more support than you'll ever know. Yesterday, Dad had 2 weeks worth of mail to go through. He enjoyed each card. In fact both of my parents have. It's just nice to know that you're thought of and prayed for. An old classmate sent a newspaper clipping from Dad's high school football days. Another colleague from Kiwanis sent a dollar coin, as a "dig in the rib" to Dad. That kind of stuff is incredibly appreciated. Thank you! 

I hope to get at least one more blog in prior to Thanksgiving. If I don't, I hope everyone enjoys each moment with their friends and family next week. 

Much love to all......Jen