Although Marty has been experiencing less frequent distressing symptoms, for which we are thankful, he continues to have some really bad days, for which we have no explanation. In other words, the predictability of his difficult times remains mysterious and challenging to fathom. His energy for daily life is somewhat improved, and his color is better, excepting the days when he looks like death warmed over and has to just go to bed with a hot water bottle. On the bad days, he can't work or really function much at all. On relatively good days, he can almost seem like his old energetic self.
This past Wednesday (our day off together every week), he was feeling a bit poorly, but since it was a glorious Spring day, I insisted we go to a local beach to soak up the light and warmth and scents from Puget Sound. We enjoyed a lovely walk on the beach there, and also visited our community P Patch to attend to our garden. These outdoor adventures, as well as an evening walk to a local park, seemed to renew him. Of course, he needed a nap mid-day to be able to manage all this "activity"!
Tomorrow, we celebrate 16 happy years of being married, with a plan for dinner at our favorite local restaurant, Stumbling Goat. Fingers crossed that Marty will feel up to a meal out, to eating good food, and to celebrating our marriage!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Oncology Radiation visit
Today, Marty and I met with his Oncology Radiation team so they could view his progress and assess his current condition. They were thrilled that he has gained 8 pounds since they saw him three months ago!! The hope when he last saw the team was that he gain a single pound. Obviously, he has far exceeded expectations.
The Oncology Radiation team was also happy to see Marty's color much improved, and his stamina a bit more steady. There was obvious relief on all sides.
His doctor recommended no further tests, scopes or scans, as these would likely be invasive, and would add nothing further in terms of understanding his condition. This was also a relief for us, as the scans and tests have been intrusive, expensive and quite time consuming.
And, after our meeting with the medical team, we actually saw a film together, a rare occurrence these days, as all plans frequently go awry with Marty's unpredictable discomfort levels.
Fingers and toes crossed for continued improvement!
The Oncology Radiation team was also happy to see Marty's color much improved, and his stamina a bit more steady. There was obvious relief on all sides.
His doctor recommended no further tests, scopes or scans, as these would likely be invasive, and would add nothing further in terms of understanding his condition. This was also a relief for us, as the scans and tests have been intrusive, expensive and quite time consuming.
And, after our meeting with the medical team, we actually saw a film together, a rare occurrence these days, as all plans frequently go awry with Marty's unpredictable discomfort levels.
Fingers and toes crossed for continued improvement!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Spoke too soon, darn it!
Just when we thought all was improving, Marty feels very poorly again, with several very difficult days and nights. His energy and comfort are at the low end of the spectrum all over again.
Damn! Just when it seemed we had a reprieve!
Tomorrow, we see his Radiation Oncology team. Will report!
Damn! Just when it seemed we had a reprieve!
Tomorrow, we see his Radiation Oncology team. Will report!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
More good news!
Marty's bouts of nausea, intestinal cramping and dreary days have decreased in frequency and intensity. He has more stamina for activity, sleeps more soundly, and is generally in better condition all around in the past few weeks. Although we are uncertain what has made the difference in an exact way, we credit both medical marijuana and also his work with our Osteopathic doctor. Whatever is working to improve his health, we are grateful.
He continues to gain some weight also!
He still has difficult days, but improvement is obvious and welcome. He is now riding his bike to and from work daily, an activity that he enjoys and relishes.
We are both cheered with his progress!
He continues to gain some weight also!
He still has difficult days, but improvement is obvious and welcome. He is now riding his bike to and from work daily, an activity that he enjoys and relishes.
We are both cheered with his progress!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Weight gain, hurray!
Marty actually gained a few pounds for the first time in many months! This is really great news as this indicates his digestive system and appetite has benefitted from his work with our Osteopathic doctor and from medical marijuana. There is thus hope that we can begin to reverse his spiral into malnutrition and seriously depleting weight loss.
We will go to see the Radiation Oncology team in a few weeks for new insights and assessment. Since the team was hoping he could just gain a pound of weight, I am assuming they will be thrilled at his progress. I certainly am!
With hopefulness and gratitude, we carry onward!
We will go to see the Radiation Oncology team in a few weeks for new insights and assessment. Since the team was hoping he could just gain a pound of weight, I am assuming they will be thrilled at his progress. I certainly am!
With hopefulness and gratitude, we carry onward!
Friday, April 8, 2011
Marty home from a great trip to NYC
Marty is now home with Carmella and I after his very enjoyable trip to NY and PA this past week. Although he was quite ill for a day there, we are both thrilled that he could manage travel and being away from home with relative ease in his health and comfort. His sisters, Rosemary and Elly, took wonderful care of him while he was in NYC. Friends Doris, Rich and Yeti also took great care of him while he was in PA.
Marty was honored at a symposium at Parsons School of Design while he was in NYC. This was meaningful for him on many levels. He is grateful that he could attend, and very happy he could travel without undue distress!
Carmella is pleased to have her full staff in attendance once again, as two people to boss is preferable to just one!
Marty was honored at a symposium at Parsons School of Design while he was in NYC. This was meaningful for him on many levels. He is grateful that he could attend, and very happy he could travel without undue distress!
Carmella is pleased to have her full staff in attendance once again, as two people to boss is preferable to just one!
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Marty in NYC
In a burst if health hopefulness, Marty flew to NYC this week to participate in a symposium at Parsons School of Design, and to see his sisters, niece and nephew, as well as many friends. Since this trip is close on the heels of his Chicago travel, he counted on feeling well enough for another long flight (sitting for long sequences is very hard for him in his current condition) as well as for a week away from the comforts of home.
He did pretty well for the flight, and was able to attend the symposium with interest and enthusiasm. Then the dreary sequence of intestinal discomfort, nausea and vomiting resumed and kept him in bed all day today. Thankfully, he is staying with his sister, Rosemary, who can provide a hot water bottle and the simple foods that he can tolerate during this sequence. Of course, it is a deep disappointment for him to be confined to bed while in the city he so enjoys experiencing. He hopes for a better day tomorrow, when he will travel to PA to see our dear friend Yeti in her retirement community.
The unpredictable aspect of his condition is so disruptive to life as he would like to live it. He continues to be appreciative of reasonably good days, and to tolerate his crummy days with good spirits. The unpredictable has become somewhat predictable, weirdly. He endures with grace, and is ever uncomplaining.
He did pretty well for the flight, and was able to attend the symposium with interest and enthusiasm. Then the dreary sequence of intestinal discomfort, nausea and vomiting resumed and kept him in bed all day today. Thankfully, he is staying with his sister, Rosemary, who can provide a hot water bottle and the simple foods that he can tolerate during this sequence. Of course, it is a deep disappointment for him to be confined to bed while in the city he so enjoys experiencing. He hopes for a better day tomorrow, when he will travel to PA to see our dear friend Yeti in her retirement community.
The unpredictable aspect of his condition is so disruptive to life as he would like to live it. He continues to be appreciative of reasonably good days, and to tolerate his crummy days with good spirits. The unpredictable has become somewhat predictable, weirdly. He endures with grace, and is ever uncomplaining.
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