Tuesday/Wednesday: "Progress, again"

When we arrived at the hospital this morning (Maggie has had 2 nights of good sleep at home), Bob was not in his bed.  We found him walking around in the hallway with the physical therapist.  Back in the room, he started organizing us to get his photos together so he could see them better, save the food he likes to take advantage of "calorie opportunities", and joked with the doctors as they said, "every day you're improving: progress, again!"  He's more talkative and in good spirits, starting the new round of chemo today, a good day.

Monday: Labor Day Greetings

Bob was up and dressed for a short time today; sends his best to all of you.

Saturday/Sunday: Gathering strength

Peacefully uneventful days, with a few minutes out in the garden.  Bob is staying steady.  A strong weekend will allow a new round of chemo to begin on Monday.

If he holds this course, it's likely there won't be any real news for some days. He has some good momentum, and it looks like his strength is gathering.

Friday: Gratitude

Today was my hands-on orientation to the World of Bob.  Tonight, back at Maggie's, I am humbled by the kind of time and work she and Meganne have been putting in daily, and by Bob's courageous fight.

The care that is consistently delivered --by every single person I met at the hospital--is impressive. It seems that we have our own private doctors and nurses just waiting outside Bob's door to help.  It's a team that inspires confidence and gratitude.

The hospital is beautiful and cheerful: inspiring art on the walls, live music where it's accessible to patients, billowing gardens that go on and on around the hospital grounds and visible through the windows, cafeterias with appealing and healthy food. Today when I asked him if there was any food I could bring him that he might have a craving for, he thought carefully and said quietly, "a small martini."

Although he sleeps much of the day and is often uncomfortable, Bob is fairly alert when he is awake:  he queries the doctors,  asks for the sports page, makes plans to sit up for awhile, contemplates the qualities of the foods he likes best, keeps his sense of humor handy, and is graciously kind to, and appreciative of all who have helped him: his family, the nurse checking in, or all of you, keeping him in your thoughts. 

These past few days he is inching along, each day a little better than the day before. A short visit from Brother Chris, on his way to the lake today, brought a twinkle to Bob's eye.

Thursday: busy

I arrived today, checked out the hospital.  Bob was tired, resting quietly, but everything around him was a beehive of activity.  Writing from my phone tonight, more tomorrow.

Wednesday: Quiet Day

lllll

...

Just a quiet day.  I'm going down to be with Maggie tomorrow.  More soon.

Tuesday: Continuing

Today, mixed results.  The good news:

• Bob has a little more energy and alertness
• The pneumonia is slowly retreating, making room for easy breaths.
• The extra calories bring some added strength and clarity.
• Bob is talking to his doctors about his favorite place.....yes, the Lake.....and because it's hard for him to get the words out, he lets them know as he explains that he is having "mechanical difficulties."  
• He got out of bed to sit in a chair for a few minutes, and,
• The photographs, thanks to you for submitting them and to Molly for printing them, are bringing smiles to his face.

The no news:
      • Still testing, still waiting for some kind of explanation & prognosis.