SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 2011 9:59 PM, PDT
The hot weather here kept most everyone indoors all weekend. The car's thermometer indicated 113 degrees as I was traveling home from the care facility yesterday. While it's been miserably hot here, we've also been following the lastest information on Hurricane Irene, and have kept all of our east coast friends in our thoughts as well. We're hoping everyone is safe, and that the storm leaves minimal damage in its path.
Andy had a small adventure yesterday, making a trip home to visit with family for the afternoon. As I was getting Andy ready for his visit home, in walks our good friend Bill Robertson, who had made the trip out to Riverside, into what likely seemed like "Hades" from his home in Redondo Beach. Always the gentleman (and just the nicest person) once I let him know "the plan" for springing Andy out of there for few hours, Bill graciously offered to help me with the transport up to the house. Of course, Andy's still working on building his strength following the radiation, but he was certainly glad to have a change of scenery.
Andy hadn't seen the grandbabies for a while (no babies in the hospital, and he's been fighting infection, so visitor restrictions), and he was happy to visit with them. The trip was a bit exhuasting for him, and he'd nap here and there while the rest of us visited, but it was good to have him home for even a brief visit. As the shadows grew long in the afternoon, Bill and I (Evan came along for the ride with his Papa too) made the trip back down the hill to the care facility....It was a long day for Andy, and when I saw him this morning, he let me know he had a good, long sleep last night.
On the overall health front, we should have the results of the CT scan within a day or so, and we've reached yet another crossroad in the treatment. Surgery and the many trips to radiation are complete, and we've all been taking stock of the treatment progress to date. There have been many up's and down's along the way, and the road has been a rough one. As we set our course for the weeks ahead, the results of the latest CT will be an important factor. Will keep everyone updated.
Until someone has truly "lived" this diagnosis, I'm not sure any of us can truly comprehend the complexities of these things for the common person. We've had a tremendous support group guiding us along the way, and we've explored a wide array of options. Experimental therapies, clinical trials, standard treatment options, clinics far and wide.
Through all of this, I've developed a new empathy for those who have travelled this path before us, and I cannot begin to thank each of you for your continued love and kindness.....We're very fortunate to be surrounded by an amazing group of family and friends whose hearts are big and whose love is boundless. We all learned these things long ago, but it's valuable for each of us to remember to hug our children everyday, live your life to its fullest, and dance every chance you get.....Tex, Maxine, Elvira, Fred, Valerie, Bill, Leon, Ace, John, and everyone from Andy's Corvette days.....Andy "danced" a lot with you!!
Karen