Happy December, Everyone! I hope readers enjoyed a very nice Thanksgiving. Our family certainly did. It was a small gathering of people, but a good size for Dad to enjoy the day.
Just to bring everyone up to speed, because I know it's been a few weeks, Dad was able to be home for 4 straight days over Thanksgiving. That's the longest stretch Mom & Dad had spent in their own house since mid-October. I give them so much credit for the routine they've had to endure the last 6 weeks. Old people (yeah, I said it) rarely want to leave home for long periods of time, so I know this schedule has not been easy on them, but they've marched through it, navigating the shuttle services, appointments, treatments, etc....very well. I am very excited to share that Dad only has 4 radiation treatments left, and we believe he had his last chemo infusion last Thursday! Woo-hoo! Happy dance! Mom & Dad will be able to check out of the Tremont this Thursday morning, and say good-bye! On that last day of radiation, Dad will be able to ring a giant silver bell, symbolizing that he is finished! This bell is located in the waiting area of the radiation oncology center. The staff that have worked with the patient also come out to the bell with the patient to celebrate and support this monumental event. I just think this bell is the coolest thing. What a way to say goodbye to the treatments and the staff, AND provide witness to those waiting for their treatment that the silver bell will soon be theirs to ring too.
Last Friday, Dad had a follow up appointment with Dr. Alexander, his surgeon. What a GREAT appointment! We learned that preliminary results of his treatment are good. Dr. Alexander was very pleased. Dad looked good and seemed to feel pretty good too. Dr. Regine also stopped in to consult with us and between the two of them, gave Dad the license he wanted.....go do and eat whatever he wants. Since this whole journey has begun, Dad's lost 30+ pounds. The docs actually told him they want him to get his belly back for surgery. Who would've thought?
.......and we have a surgery date of January 17th, which fits in very nicely with my original planning. As a friend pointed out, the date works well for Dad for two reasons: totally drugged up for the Inauguration (and oh heavens, for those of you who know Dad, he'll need that!), yet able to enjoy the Super Bowl from his own home on his NEW flat screen. Yeah, Dad went to work on Saturday, got a haircut, then headed to his favorite appliance store in Hagerstown to purchase his and Mom's early self Christmas present---a flat screen TV. They've been living with the old school floor stand model for the last 15+ years. Maybe longer. It was time
Today is Sunday, and Dad had called his buds to include him in the what I like to refer to as the "Holy Gospel Golf Day." Every Sunday, this same group of mid-lifers and geezers get together on the greens. I'm fairly sure most of the those guys believe in miracles (After all, why play golf if you don't believe a hole-in-one is possible?); they play on a course on a mountain (Purely to feel closer to God, I'm sure of it.); and each of them prays an average of 3-6 times per hole. The guys gladly included him in the four-some and I wonder if it was to improve their own handicaps. I mean, seriously, if you can't play better than the old geezer with cancer....sheesh......!!! Unfortunately, though, all that TV shopping on Saturday zapped Dad's energy level, so he did the right thing, canceled, and recouped at home to be in the best shape to finish out his last week in Baltimore.
This has been a roller coaster of a couple of months. Right now, we're flying high and feeling optimistic. Thursday morning, after Dad rings that bell, will be bittersweet. We will miss the staff, but that's what Christmas cards are for:)
Much love to all.
Jen
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