VALE!

Last Tuesday, November 4, Lee and I returned to the cancer center @ Duke for the daily appointment at 10:30 a.m.  We were glad to know that he would complete his course in one week.  I settled into my corner in the waiting room to read another John Grisham book, and to look for the new friends I had made during those past few weeks.  It usually took about 45 minutes for Lee to complete his procedure.  Only about 8 minutes of that time was the actual radiation.  The other was for preparation prior to radiation.

I spent my 45 minutes reading a while, then greeting other acquaintances and reassuring some of them that I would be there same time tomorrow!  Imagine my surprise when Lee appeared and asked me if I was ready to go home.  Do you mean the Caring House or Vale?  Home to Vale, he exclaimed with a wide broad smile on his face!  All we have to do is see the oncologist one more time and then I am discharged!  Wow!

Wouldn't you know?  We had just returned from a short two-day week-end at home, and because the weather was cold, I loaded up on warmer clothes and more groceries.  My mind was racing and wondering how I would get everything back into our small car!  We now have two large coolers, several coats, more shoes and a bundle of personal supplies! 

We waited ten minutes and the doctor was ready to see us.  Yes, Lee was finished with the radiation.  Just need to keep our eyes on the new development that appeared last week and notify them immediately if it begins to enlarge.  His follow-up appointment is February.  We had a quick lunch, kept another appointment @ 12:30 with pulmonary for an antibiotic infusion.  This was given through a nebulizer because he cannot take oral antibiotics along with the new heart drug.

Because it was too late that afternoon to pack and hit the road, we took our time, had dinner at the Caring House with bitter-sweet good-byes to our new friends and began packing the car.  We were able to have a restful night before the long trip home on Wednesday.  We had not been able to say good-bye to those acquaintances at the clinic whom I had promised to see again on Wednesday, so we made another trip to the cancer center for that purpose.  We are glad we did!  We exchanged personal information on our I-phones, with promises to stay in touch.  At 11:00 a.m. we were on our way and arrived in Vale around 2:30 that afternoon.

We have been busy with the unpacking, the settling in, and making more appointments for the next three months.  Lee still has to continue with his local dermatologist, primary care physician and his cardiologist.  So far, the new growth has not increased in size, and his heart is regular in rhythm.  He is recovering his strength, but is still not up to par on that.  I guess we can say, "so far, so good"!

It is always good to be home!  I am sleeping better, and more relaxed since his heart has finally settled down!  He is hoping his extreme redness on his head and forehead will begin to disappear along with the profuse itching of his scalp.  He has tried lotions, aloe and various creams.  Finally, mineral oil seems to be working!

This past week-end was wonderful!  We had a great Fall dinner with daughter Julia as we celebrated a sort of house-warming in her new house.  Sunday was a full day at our church.  Life is good!

We are now looking forward to a large family group around our table for Thanksgiving!  There will be an abundance of food as all bring a dish.  The smells of turkey will drift through the house, the young ones will be laughing, stories will be remembered and renewed.  There will be long walks after the feast, and ballgames and recliners for the some of the guys.......................aaaaaah.................the good life!

Hope yours is the same!

More Later............................................Brenda