Tuesday: Homecoming

Difficulties mastered are opportunities won. - Winston Churchill

It didn't take the doctors long to decide to send Bob home, and tonight, after a long day of preparing the house and going through all the discharge procedures, we were all home together: Maggie, Bob, Meganne, Matt, Jenny, and I.  We had a nice family dinner, with toasts and laughs.

Tomorrow, I will be heading back to Seattle, but a new phase will begin for the family, filled with an overwhelming new set of challenges: bringing in home care nurses; making trips to Stanford for additional tests and chemo; scheduling physical, occupational and speech therapy at home; and managing medications, nutrition & daily activities.  Maggie sends her gratitude to all of you who have called, written, helped out, visited, and kept Bob in your thoughts and prayers.  Your support, near and far, have sustained us all.

Tonight. we're beyond exhausted, but so happy that Bob is finally in his own bed, where he is presently sleeping soundly.

Monday: Good News Day

A busy day today--Bob was dressed and up most of the day, had a massage, walked to the garden again.  The staff told him how much they love his humor and personality.  He's a motivated patient and a lot of fun for them--so much fun, in fact, and doing so well, that the doctors are talking about sending him home.  He's happy, and so are we.  It's a good news day.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: Take it Easy

An easy weekend as Bob adjusts to this round of chemo.  He's been eating well, listening to music, getting out into the garden, and resting.

Thursday: Nourishment & Movement

 

Bob wants to know: What is his contract with the doctors?  They realize that he is a goal guy, and the attending says, "Eat as much as you can, and move as much as you can."  This has become the focus of Bob's day.  His feeding tube has been removed, so he is calculating calories and getting out of bed several times each day these past couple of days.  Today, taking a walk with the physical therapist, he was determined to go all the way to the garden and back. The nurses and staff came out to watch, clapped and cheered as he went by.  They all love his spirit.

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.