Tuesday, December 19, 2017

31

Today is our 31st Anniversary. It doesn't seem like it has been that long. We will celebrate with a catered (sort of) dinner from Olive Garden tonight. It's one of the few food choices that I believe I can eat. My nausea and lack of appetite keep me from enjoying foods I would otherwise love.

We both noted that the time has seemed to fly by. We looked back at our time together in our 30s, 40s, and 50s and wondered where it all went. The special thing about this anniversary is that we both know we love each other more now than ever. It would be impossible to stay together otherwise. 

Vicki has been taking excellent care of me even when she is feeling under the weather. It has been a struggle for her. We are hoping she will get some relief next month from the pain in her legs. She is scheduled or will be scheduled for vein surgery. I am hopeful that it helps.

I am draining my right lung every 4th day now. That is a 3 day interval. I'm not getting much fluid which gives me hope that they will remove the pluerex catheter as soon as the end of January. We just have to wait and see what they say when I go back to the Mayo Clinic on the 17th.

My Grandson Caleb visited me today. He brought me cookies my  oldest daughter Bridgette had made me. It was nice to talk to him and find out how things are going with him and his brother. It turns out that he was really messed up when he broke up with his first love. They had been together for several years and he took the breakup very hard. I hope he can get himself back together. I believe he is trying.

I am doing my best to eat and gain weight back. I am down to 151 which is too low for my size. Ergo cookies and Ice Cream whenever I feel like it. My breathing is coming easier as well. I am able to walk to the mailbox and back without running out of breath. I will start walking as soon as I can.

I am off the clinical trial for Stivarga and won't know what we will do to combat my cancer till my appointment at Mayo on the 17th of January.  Right now my focus is on getting my lungs in shape and getting rid of this catheter.

That's it for now.

Here's this weeks' contribution to the "New Normal"    

Unintentional

Rain drips, soggy trees bend in wind
the skylight sounds like a snare drum
when the storm throws its fury down
in long lashing streams of liquid bullets
ricocheting off the house and landing harmlessly
on lawn and flower bed and shrub

a small river runs down the middle of our street
washing from side to side and then finding its course
the low spots of the tarmac are instant riverbed
detritus, leaves and other debris float by
like tiny barges set out for market 
only to run aground just past the pothole

Winter’s waning with this storm
the moisture stays after the fury is gone
bringing succor to bulbs and living roots
giving hope to new life and friendlier days
Though the Storms outcome 

is surely unintentional

Hang in there,

RT