Let's see, the easiest way to get you all caught up with my Super Hero may be by using a bullet type format. Put on your vests. . . .
Friday November 11th, 2011
- A visit with Dr. Sun after going through her famous ray gun. All looks good on the bright side of the moon. Lost 7 pounds last week. . .while eating donuts and pie. . .how does that happen? I gained two without eating any of that yummy crap.
- Ran was asked to be part of a study. Jen is doing research to determine if the use of a tens unit directly after radiation can help reduce the pain and therefore the need for pain meds. Ran was excited to be a part of this as he's tried to back off of the meds as much as he can. Too many side effects on top of all of the others. Jen is a young lady who is working on her Doctorate. She went to war with cervical cancer five years ago and won! A skeptic at first, she was asked to be a part of similar studies using acupuncture and reiki. She said to her surprise (not to mine though!) they both worked. She became immune to the acupuncture after some time but continued with reiki after each treatment. (Chris, you know what I'm thinking?! Wish you guys were going to be home at Thanksgiving to give this a try!)
- Saw Dr. Wehbe a little early and could have escaped that joint but we had to wait on blood work - which ended up being mixed up - and no time was saved. Kidneys look good and we got on the road!
- Happy Veteran's Day!
- Happy Birthday Denton! Had a great ride to Hermann (well, I did, Ran slept most of it!) Had a wonderful dinner, stimulating conversation, music never sounded better, slept more soundly and later than we had in weeks in a wonderful brand new bed given up by DA and Lisa. Spent the morning walking around, visiting, having a bit of vino (we were in wine country after all!), some coffee and donuts and then drove a very slow ride back to Iowa. Stopping at antique stores to stretch our legs and look for hidden treasure. Thank you to everyone who was involved in making our little escape a memorable one. We love you all. (Ruth and Tom. . .everyday. . .each and every day!)
- Worked on work in the morning.
- Fed the wild turkey some of the deers corn! He is one big boy, he better start hiding!
- Got cleaned up, drug my feet, packed my bag, drug my feet, cleaned up the room, drug my feet. . .Sunday used to be known as Sunday Funday but since that's the day I have to leave it sucks some of the fun away.
- Ate lunch at the Vine and watched the Eagles. (huh, looky there, we may have discovered another reason Sunday is loosing it's "Funday" title!!)
- I brought Ran back to HL where we hugged and gave a high-five good-bye till Tuesday night. I set the cruise, plugged in my book, and headed south. Ran took a nap, ate some more, and watched football with the guys.
- The weather was beautiful so Ran got out after Super Hero Radiation (SHR) and did some exploring both days.
- Monday he went for a walk in a neighborhood we had spied a few days earlier, ate as much as his stomach and throat would allow, watched Monday night football with Walace.
- NOTE: Now whenever Randy eats he announces what his food tastes like. Since his taste buds are changing as a result of both the SHR and Chemo some things no longer taste the same and others do. So, if something does still taste the same, he feels the need to say so. Ex. "Hey, this coffee tastes like coffee. This potato tastes like a potato. These nachos taste like nachos." You get the picture. I can't help but think of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory each time he does this. Remember the part where they are all licking the wallpaper and Wonka declares "the snozberries taste like snozberries!"Click here for a memory lane!
- NOTE: His smells are also changing and the scent that I have worn for the last 10 years (white tea and ginger) now smells awful to him - can't stand it - very chemically (which Dr. Schade pointed out it IS indeed a chemical!) Gotta admit, this one made me a little sad, he's always complemented my sent as I walk in a room or get in the car. Billy suggested I just wear Windex!
- NOTE: Throat starting to hurt a little bit more. Ran, in true Randy style, said he kinda liked it at the moment. The "hurt" lets him know that it's working!
- Headed back after a whirlwind of work on Tuesday (always great to see everyone though and be with my students - whether they know it or not they help with my perspective!) Perfect driving weather. Biggest problem I ran into was that the door to my gas tank wouldn't open. In the middle of nowhere so I had to have the guy behind the counter help me pry it open! Needless to say, it no longer closes!
- Ran was waiting outside for me upon arrival. Home really is when and where we are together.
- As soon as I got inside the room Ran handed me a pile of cards and postcards he had received.We would like to take this little part of our update to say Thank you. These notes, both sincere and funny, have a great power behind them! I like how he stated it best, "I will never again take for granted the power of the written word, a small note, a card." He is emotional, not because of what is going on, he always has been - one of the qualities I love best - and he fills up with tears from all the love that he is constantly being sent his (our!) way. Silas, your Super Hero card was PERFECT and Ran has it framed on the dresser. It will remain a part of our decor once home! Carly Rosebud - your artwork was beautiful and made Grandpa smile from ear to ear! We know it takes time and that everyone is so very busy. Please know, although the HL is a home away from home it is NOT home and that can weigh on a guy. Each note reminds us where we come from, what's important in life, and how lucky we truly are. What's it all for without friends and family?
