Updates (Sept 25-Oct 1)
Sunday (9/25) – We all had a great morning and a nice dinner getting to know some folks at a local church. We’ve actually plugged into two different local churches, attending one on Sunday mornings, and a younger start-up church on Sunday evenings. The church, His church, His people, have been so wonderful, blessing our socks off right and left with gifts of hot meals, frozen meals, gallons of milk, Kroger gift cards, and more sweet smiles and earnest prayers than I could ever count. It’s humbling, and we’re so very, very thankful!
Monday (9/26) – They wore him out in Speech, Physical, & Occupational Therapies this morning! His speech therapist said she actually had a harder time understanding him today than she did last week. I told her I’d been noticing the same thing for a few days, and I told her my theory. Speech, in general, has gotten a bit easier for him, as in easier to get more syllables out and put some sentences together. With that, he seems to be less intentional about it, and getting sloppy in his pronunciation, and his vowel sounds are “squished”, as the therapist describes it. So, with each word taking less overall effort, he isn’t necessarily trying so hard, and he ends up not concentrating on enunciating, and things come out hard to understand. We’re working on it. 
Today was Ian’s last long, full-spine, full-brain, Proton Therapy (radiation) treatment! The rest of his treatments (17 more!) will be a shorter “boost” to the tumor bed area, in his cerebellum. These treatments should take about 20-30 minutes, as opposed to the 45-90 that his appointments have taken so far.
Tuesday (9/27) – Week 3 (of 6) of chemo. So far, so good.
We were all up and out the door by 7:30 this morning, to head north to Indianapolis for his chemo. I was super thankful to not hit the deer that ran in front of our van just outside of town. That would not have been convenient. We made it there unscathed. I’ve got the route pretty much memorized, so I’m not nearly as nervous when the GPS in my phone announces “GPS satellite signal lost” at random intervals…
We didn’t wait too terribly long this week. The nurses were super sweet, and one of them earned some serious “we love you” points when she brought some crackers and orange juice, complete with straws, for all of the non-breastfeeding children.
This low-dose chemo has been very tolerable for Ian. He hasn’t so much as been nauseated (since the brain-swelling-induced nausea was brought under control by the steroid), much less vomited. His appetite has been great, his energy level has been better, and his sunny disposition has been encouraging to everyone.
Wednesday (9/28) – Easy day with only Proton Therapy.
Thursday (9/29) – Busy day with 4 appointments. Once again he worked hard and got really worn out during Speech Therapy. It amazes me how much work that can be, how hard it is for him. What doesn’t amaze me is how hard he works at it- he is SO determined!
Friday (9/30) – Another easy day, with only 1 appointment- Proton Therapy.
Saturday (10/1) – We didn’t plan anything today. It felt so good to just sit around! I popped out for an hour to myself, visiting a local yarn shop where I had a lovely chat with a dear employee named Faith.
I want to thank everyone again for your thought & prayers!
This very hard, very long journey has NOT been a lonely one. Your thoughtful comments, e-mails, cards, and letters have meant so much! This world, that can seem so big and cold at times, has become so small, cozy, warm, and friendly for us, and we’re so grateful.
Thanking Him, for all of you!
I’ll keep adding to this post throughout the week, check back for the latest update…
Ian’s cancer story and updates
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Wow, I tend to forget about this page you have here. Oops!
So nice people are looking after you and helping with meals and all. Continuing to pray.
Blessings,
<