The “C” Word – Day 144 and Day 145 Where has the time gone

Today, December 30^th, marks 90 days since surgery for George.  I have to say that the first 60 days post-op were probably the hardest.  Between not having appetite or no “taste buds” and not being able to breathe to developing abscesses and having no energy there have indeed been moments that we thought things would never get better.

In the past week or two there have been notable changes for the better in George’s recovery.  He is now able to walk a bit further, stay awake notably longer, drive and get out of the house some.  Where six weeks ago he could maybe only walk to the corner of the street and back he is now able to walk all the way around the block (1/2 mile) and then some.  He has walked around stores or parts of our local mall.  In the beginning this little bit of effort resulted in a two-hour nap.  Now, he can do them and though tired he is not napping as often. 

Over Christmas weekend he was able to enjoy time with his grandchildren, even able to gingerly chase them around a little bit or give them “chigger bites” (loving tickles) which they thoroughly enjoy.  They enjoyed trying to dodge his attempts at chasing them down. 

For a few nights this week he has even managed to stay in bed all night without having to resort to his recliner.  (This also enabled me to sleep better as I was not woken up when he left the room!)  Today we enjoyed a movie out – and although it was difficult for him to be comfortable in the theatre seat he did manage to hang in there for the duration of the movie. 

Although he is using the restroom less, there are still some problems going on internally.  We haven’t found the “magic” potion that will take care of that.  The surgeon said it will take a long time for his small intestine to figure out how to do the job of the large one.  It could be a full year before things are settled with his new body.

Tomorrow (Day 145 and New Years Eve Day) we will take time to have fun with some friends of ours.  Every year we have an early dinner with a special couple and then watch a movie.  We used to go out to a movie but last year we had to be home to take care of Mom – and this year, although we thought we would have to do that again, Mom is not home.  However, due to other health issues we will watch a movie in the comfort of a home.  We are almost always home by 10PM where we might stay awake long enough to watch the ball drop at midnight – but we do not fret if we fall asleep by 11!

We will ruminate over what has transpired over the past year – and pray that 2015 brings better health not only to us but to those around us.  While we pray that we never have to endure another surgery for the PMP, the reality is that there is the possibility of having to repeat this process somewhere down the road. 

My personal prayer is that we are able to push any fear for the future out of the way and make the most of each and every day that God gives us.  We still have trips to make and grandkids to watch grow up.  For the most part it looks like George’s health will improve and he can resume some of the projects that he has planned for around the house as well as having some fun out in “man land” where he can make some great things out of wood.  We seem to have been given a chance to “live life to the fullest” – and I hope we are able to take advantage of that. 

This year has been an incredible wakeup call about the fragile balance of human life.  We went from utter despair to cautious hopefulness and now appear to be on the cusp of things looking brighter than we had expected.  We sing praises for this.  We are grateful to those who have surrounded us with love, support and prayers – sometimes in the most unexpected times and places and from people we have never met. 

Hopefully we are listening for what God has planned for us.  We know that He is capable of doing much.  We have some ideas for what we want to have happen in 2015 and hope that they all play out the way we would like them to – but we also know that God has his own schedule and sometimes it is not exactly the same as ours.  We will make no resolutions that are different from what we already do as I believe we already try to “do better” no matter what time of year it is. 

So here’s to a better year in 2015.  Happy New Year – to George – and to me!  Praise God we still have each other!!

The “C” Word – Day 137 Merry Christmas

A few months back when we first got the news about George’s cancer we were not sure if George would be around for Christmas.  The prognosis was so very grim. 

Yet, here we are with Christmas just two days away.  George is alive… not yet kicking, but alive.  His stamina is still quite low so he requires naps after expending small amounts of energy to go shopping or trimming a tree.  But he smiles more, he appreciates people more – and he is aware that just being alive for Christmas is a miracle. 

Because we wanted to focus less on the “material” there are few gifts under the tree this year – and the ones there are mostly for the littlest ones in the family.  Christmas is all about the children.  And Christmas is all about family.  We will have all the “girls” here for a short while on Christmas as we come together to celebrate.  The house will be noisy and rambunctious as the kids run around. 

This will be the first Christmas of many more to come.  More than we would have expected just a mere few months ago.  There are sure to be more changes along the way as that is the way of life.  But there is hope for our future.  God willing there will be many more “tomorrows” for George, for us, for our family. 

So we wish a Merry Christmas to all those following our progress.  We know how lucky we are to have so much support from friends, family and even strangers around the globe.  No matter where you are we hope you are able to celebrate the holidays with someone you love.  And don’t forget to take a moment to remember the Saviour who came to earth so long ago that we all might be saved by grace and have hope for tomorrow because of our faith. 

Merry Christmas – from George & Dawn

The “C” Word – Day 127 Surgery follow up

Yesterday we had another follow up with the surgeon.  From the reaction, we gather that they feel George is doing stupendously.  We feel things are moving slowly – but they are more than pleased at the progress he is making.

We discussed nutrition and diet some to see what can be done to assist in getting George’s organs to function more closely to normal.  The doctor said this part is experimental and will depend on George to monitor things.  Take something out and see if it makes a difference.  Try this, try that.

Our first mini-step will be taking milk and cheese out of the diet for a couple of days.  If that works, then we maintain that for a while.  If it doesn’t, plan B will be to try some Metamucil and/or Immodium to see if that helps.   One of those three things should be of help. 

The doctor is still suggesting that George try some sort of high-protein thing once a day as well as add in some additional electrolytes (i.e. Gatorade, coconut water).  He also said he should be taking a multi-vitamin.  These are all things I have offered to him and suggested to him but he still is giving some push-back on.  Coming from the doctor (again), perhaps he is starting to listen??

The one thing that concerns George is that the largest of the abscesses is apparently not all the way gone.  He is wondering if there is something he can do to help that but he forgot to ask the doctor.  Not sure that there is anything except allowing the body time to absorb the fluid.  The doctor did not seem concerned. 

The good thing we found out is that even though the oncologist indicated that he thought the first CT scan would be in January (the 3 month mark), Dr. Bastidas said that due to the slow growth nature of this cancer that he will do it between the 4 and 6 month post-surgery period.  This would be our baseline CT scan for future “watch”.  He does not want to do it yet because there has been so much done internally to George plus the additional abscesses that to do it sooner would have to many other obstructions in the way to get a good baseline scan.  After the first year he will do one annually.

Our next appointment will be at the end of February! Whoopee!  The appointments between the oncologist and surgeon are starting to be stretched out a bit.  That sure is a nice feeling.  It has also now been about a month since George’s release from the hospital (the 2^nd time around) – and we have not had any major incidences - - so we are grateful for that.

After the appointment and after some lunch, George went on a short shopping trip.  His skinniest of skinny jeans were not small enough so I had purchased an inexpensive pair of the next size down.  He wanted to get a pair of trousers to wear to church on Christmas Eve and also a belt that fit.

This weekend I hope to get some serious baking done so I have some goodies to give people!  I got a few things done last weekend.  This is an attempt at “normalcy”!  Last weekend Steph helped me put the outside lights up.  George said that there are a couple of areas where they are drooping a little bit.  My comment, “At least they are up!”  He agreed. 

On a side note: For the past few weeks we have had to deal with George’s mom having viral pneumonia.  This has meant additional care for her as she could not go to daycare.  George’s sister spent a lot of time at the house taking care of mom during the day while the caregivers still did their morning and evening shifts.  She appears to be doing better in the pneumonia arena but this has left her very weak and unsteady on her feet.  She started back to daycare for just a few hours a day for the past couple of days – today we will try for her normal Saturday routine of about 6 hours and see how she does. Tomorrow I will be on-duty with her – and will allow her to sleep in until her body says she is ready to get up.  This house is sort of a mixed up “sandwich generation” where I care for hubby and mother in law rather than mother in law and young children.  When I went to the caregiver meeting last week and said that I also care for my mother in law who has Alzheimer’s (and laughed while I said it), they all looked at me with amazement.  I said, “Hey, at least I am still laughing!”  God has some warped sense of humor sometimes… and laughter is a glorious way of coping. 

The “C” Word – Day 119 Banner day

Today was special.  George made a couple of major accomplishments since all of this started.  He wore jeans for the first time in over 2 months.  We had to go through his closet to find his “skinny” clothes – 2 sizes smaller than the prior ones.  He came downstairs in them and I had to do a double take.  He is so skinny now.  He teared up – not only because of the size of the clothes, but he looked in the mirror and truly saw the change there.

We then went to run a couple of errands – and I asked if he would like to take a turn at driving.  So he drove us around today.  We stopped at the mall and walked a little bit there.  Then we went to visit some dear friends, Rob & Angie.  Rob has had his own trials this year so the four of us have gotten closer this year as we have all been dealing with issues.  We have taken turns lifting each other up in prayer and spent time encouraging and visiting. 

After that we went out for lunch to one of our favorite Mexican restaurants.  George ate one of his usual meals and did quite well.  Of course, we are both still full so dinner will be something small. 

While he still has discomfort when sitting and laying down, those seem to be getting slightly better with each day.  This was helped somewhat by getting one of those special cushions that take the pressure off of the tailbone.  “Little by slow”, progress is made.

I told George that him being able to drive again means that he does not have to tell me “the next time you go shopping can you get _______?”  He can get up and take himself shopping.  Hmmm, maybe I can get him to do some of the weekly shopping??  LOL!