1559

Was awakened this morning by MD calling my name (or T's)--but calling loudly at 6am. She was out of water--even though TD had fill her cup around 1am. I knew then that today was not going to go well--it was just going to go.

I ended up not going to RSB class--there wasn't complete coverage by a warm body that MD could call on for help/food/and so forth. I elected to stay here--but didn't know that BH had canceled his Tuesday play day activity so I could make it to RSB.

Meanwhile, MD was calling--and TD was not waking. TD had to be up in Grass Valley--to see clients. And she needed to source some warm bodies to handle MD's needs--and get her car window fixed (someone had broken her driver-side window over the weekend).

I think TD put together some food for MD--and BH did some later as well as did I. MD, obviously, is starting to eat more--now if only she can start getting up that would be great. A, her primary caregiver came by yesterday--and helped her with her bath and such. She'll be here tomorrow--and that will be helpful. A is going to increase her hours--which is a blessing.

Waiting now I'm waiting for TD to get back--so I can collapse for a while and perhaps get in a few winks.

1562-1560

Memorial day--I forget what it is that I'm supposed to remember. I'll record a summary of the past several months--and let the blog do the remembering.

Back in the Fall of last year, I had some inflammation/swelling in my neck... After a host of scans (x-ray, ultrasound, bone marrow, needle biopsy, PET, colonoscopy, and maybe more but who's counting), I was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma (if anyone is going to have cancer this is the best one to have--it's generally slow growing and curable)... I was given a 4 week infusion protocol utilizing an immunological remedy... There was no chemo/radiation involved (thank goodness)... It was like nothing happened, except the swelling reduced some... Meanwhile in the first PET Scan there was some evidence of activity near the cecum valve in my colon... So a 2nd PET Scan was done to verify that the infusion was working on the lymphoma and if the activity in the colon needed more attention...

The scan indicated that the lymphoma was trending towards reduction but was not shrinking as much as hoped for... And the scan validated that there was something going on in the colon area... It was determined that I needed to undergo a colonoscopy so that a clearer view of what was happening could be evaluated... Meanwhile, the swelling/inflammation in the neck appeared to have disappeared... 

The colonoscopy revealed that there was a benign tubular adenoma (a possible pre-cancer colon polyp) that was recommended be removed... I've met with the colon surgeon and I'm scheduled to have the growth removed... He will use a laparoscopic device that will greatly reduce the invasiveness of the procedure and hopefully help shorten the recuperation... That surgery is scheduled for 6/19... I will have to limit my boxing and exercise... Probably no weight lifting for a while...

The apparent disappearance of the swelling/inflammation in the neck prompted a 3rd PET Scan... The oncologist seemed be puzzled regarding how well the treatment performed--especially so when I told him that I had altered my diet to virtually eliminate sugar, started taking a host of immune system supplements (enzymes and antioxidants), and amping up my exercise levels)... The lymphoma is gone... The lymph nodes in that region are back to normal... Very Good News!!!

To top things off--I saw my movement disorder specialist (neurologist)... It had been 6 months since my last check up with him... He ran his bevy of tests and checklist items... He found that there has been no significant progression of PD symptoms since my last visit (despite all of the medical sidetracks I've had to take)... He recommended that I keep doing what I've been doing... Keep the same medication levels and continue moving (boxing, dancing, exercising, and such)... More Good News!!!

Well, as can be surmised from this chronicle, I've been doing mostly a dance called the Caduceus Caper... Hopefully, things will get back to somewhat normal after the upcoming surgery... Up until the summer dancing hiatus, I was dancing on some Wednesdays in EDH and some Fridays in Citrus Heights... The CH classes classes will resume in July--I should be recouped by then and I'll try and make three EDH classes in early June before I'm put on the operating table...

MD has started eating a bit more--but she's not getting up except to go to the toilet. Hopefully, her caregiver can get her up and moving--A has agreed to spend more time with her. In fact A's coming by today (Memorial)--and will give her a bath and such.

1563

Hazy, crazy day--and more on the way. MD has installed herself in her bed--and is using a whistle to alert everyone that she needs assistance. Some of her needs are simple (turn a device on/off)--some are complex (she wants a bath). It looks like my daughter and son-in-law will create a Dot/Alexa network that will let her tell Alexa what she needs--and have Alexa forward the request to the right person (or activity or such).

She's not eating--just a few bananas and a couple of prunes. She's trying to unclog her system--hopefully that will happen and happen soon so she can get back to eating some more substantial items.

I stayed in a fog for most of the day--finally got clear after shaving, taking a shower, and drinking a V8 Fusion. I have to down one of those caffeinated drinks every day--not so late in the day but more like when I need a boost the most. I seem to do well taking one after an RSB class--while I eat some lunch. I also often get a SB Frappuccino in the afternoon--but that drink doesn't provide the clarity produced by the V8. But I don't want to down two V8's every day--just will have to look for the balance point and level out my current regime.

Have an RSB session in the morrow--and I didn't promise that I'd caretake more than a couple of hours in the late afternoon. Will see how that goes--I'm leaving myself a space for a nap in the afternoon.

I spent way too much time paying a couple of bills online today--It took me a lot of restarts to untangle my sketchy memories of how to pay bills on those sites. But I reconstructed how to make those payments--and I'll try and not forget the details next month. I could make them auto-pays--but I dislike putting financial data and information in the cloud.

Holiday weekend--May will soon be gone and June will be on the agenda.

1564

Did an RSB session this morning--I'm getting stronger and have more stamina. RSB rocks--it has been the key element that has made these results happen. It has become the glue that is holding things together for me--and helps keep me balanced.

We, as a family group, started putting together a map of providing coverage for MD--who is remaining bed-bound and not trying to stay mobile. She is going to atrophy--inactivity will make her continue to decline.

I felt a lot of resistance to make a commitment to block off times when I will be on site with her--partly since I feel I have to husband my energies and activities and also because I feel that it's not anything I signed up for when I moved here. But I am a member of the family--and not just a renter who has the benefit of making low rent payments. But I also feel that I have paid my family dues in part--since I have spent time nearly everyday with MD usually over dinner for the past 4.5 years.

Well in any case, we have started doing something about the need for extra hands--and something will eventually emerge as we play out the scenarios. I have an R&R day tomorrow--no dance class since the instructors are on vacation. I could do an RSB class--but I think I'll R&R instead and start preparing for the colon surgery scheduled in June.

1569-1565

And the beat goes on--only there are counter-rhythms and strange odd notes. MD is getting weaker--she's refusing to get up or eat anything of substance. TD is trying to pull something together--but it's somewhat late in the game with the score already being tallied.

There's not a lot that I or my daughter and son-in-law can do to help--we all have full time commitments. I have three medical issues that I'm dealing with--PD, Lymphoma, and colon issues. I use my RSB sessions as part of how I deal with these things--but in doing so I use up my reserve tanks and have to struggle to add anything to my list pf must do's.

My daughter has a full time job--and personal issues that use up her reserves. BD is the one with the most reserves--but even he has a plate full of things that demand his attention and energies.

TD is getting heavily stressed as MD declines and requires more help--she is the one who is primarily responsible for MD's well being. She is the one who has obligations of finding solutions--but she has her list of issues that require her attentions in addition to what must be done with for MD.

I had a medical day--got up early and got a blood test and EKG and heart check. Did a visit with the neurologist--and was told that I show no signs of PD progression. We agreed to just keep on keeping on--and do a check in after the colon surgery has been done. I feel the RSB has been primary in keeping the PD from progressing--I dislike the likelihood that the colon surgery will affect what I can do in RSB. But, hopefully that surgery will leave with a "done" stamp--for any and all other medical issues.

I got a Trager session yesterday--she worked on me for 1.5 hours. It felt wonderful--I am really fortunate to have been introduced to such a resource. I will see her twice just before the colon surgery--she will help tune me up for the occasion.

1573-1570

Went to the oncologist today--to see what the PET Scan #3 had to say about the lymphoma episode. The conclusion was--the region where the issue appeared is now clear. The mass that was generated had reversed itself--and was disappearing. There appears no need to use additional treatments of any kind--the immunological infusion that was applied kick-started my immune system and killed off the malignancy. It probably was helped by ingesting more antioxidants and enzymes--and shifting my diet away from a lot of heavy sugars.

I still have a colon surgery to go through--and an MRI to chase down whatever other issues surfaced in the scans. I'm fortunate to have medical insurance--I somehow managed to get covered despite my lack of funds. It's helped to have moved into my daughter's home--and have this place as a refuge while I go through the host of medical things that have appeared on my plate.

My PD is progressing--but not as fast as it might have progressed if I'd been unable to do so much physical activity and had been in a relatively stressed environment. I am grateful for the blessings that I've been given--and appreciate all that has come my way.

1581-1574

Daze has turned into days--and the beat goes on. I got a PET Scan and a blood test--awaiting the results. Will see the oncologist at the end of the week--and the neurologist the following week.

I went RSB this morning--and then got sucked up into MD's state of being. TD had rented a hospital bed for her--but she didn't like it and wanted her old bed. So, when I returned from RSB--she was in her recliner and she was expecting to have her old bed restored. To top it off she was frazzled by the back and forth--and was wobbly and weak. I had to help her get out of the recliner--and roll her into the bathroom.

I talked with TD back and forth--and she came home and brought CH with her. Together we managed to remove the hospital bed--and restore her old bed.

The whole process was really tiring for me--since I didn't get a nap after RSB. It's after 4pm now--and everyone will be descending back here over the next few hours. I'm feeling like I could just nod off--nod off and dream.

I had several large and active dreams over the past week--no details now but they were really present when they occurred.

1587-1582

Almost a week since I made a post--and everything is happening. Daughter and her mate have chilled on their battles--and that's helped make room for all the other shifts and changes.

MD fell several times over the past week--and had episodes of weakness and needing help. I got nominated to take her to a doctor's appointment tomorrow--which is going to be a challenge for me since I'm not exactly 100% (in fact I'm not near that state). But she's not doing well--and I don't know what can be done to help effectively. Getting her to the doctor may be a turning point--and kickstart something that makes sense.

I think I hear her TV going--so she's still that functional. I'm off to do my laundry--and shower and shave so I am ready for the morrow and its outcomes.