Can't sleep. Too excited!

[Stella Maris]

Harmony,
We do not have a trailer. We do however have a truck to tow her with. We have a Dodge 3500 dually with a six speed standard transmission and exhaust brake.

We will be mounting the inflatable today (Friday, 5/7). I will post pictures.

 

[Harmony]

TO BAZ OF VESSEL LAXEY!!!
I really want you to know that chemo can be a very ok and positive experience. My Dr gave me anti nausea meds with the chemo and I never felt discomfort. I slept for the day afterwards because they gave me benedryl in the infusion, which knocked me out. I had to rest lots, but I managed to keep painting in my studio and went to night classes to study hypnotherapy. What helped me most was having other things to concentrate on and also having a goal...I graduated with the certificate in hypnotherapy at the end of the year of treatment. I am telling you this because some people told me that I would not be able to do anything, that I would be sick. But it is different for everyone and I just want you to know that your journey can be a good one. The port was a huge blessing and worked well. My support group at the cancer center was also helpful. It was an upbeat group of women helping one another to stay positive. I see that you are close to me, in Woodinville; I am in Bellingham. I am happy to help in any way that I can. If you need someone to take you to chemo, sit with you, answer questions...anything...I am willing and able. I would rather not put my phone number on this forum, but you can get it from Jeff Messmer at Ranger Tugs. Please don't hesitate to ask for assistance. It would be an honor.
Harmony
Poppy's Legacy

 

[baz]

Harmony:
Thanks for those supporting words, and the offer to help out. Bellingham is a nice place and I've visited there many times while my daughter #1 attended Western for several years.

My wife Gill started her Chemo session on Thursday this past week and strangely enough she's feeling better than prior to the session. Not sure if this will be a short term thing as yesterday we went out twice and on the 2nd trip out she started feeling dizzy so we beat a quick retreat home. We bought an Apple iPad and that really does pre-occupy her for many hours and with it she keeps in touch with family and friends. It's such a small device, easily handled and carried about and seems ideal for her when in bed or sitting in the family room. I just have to make sure it's fully charged back up overnight. 😉

Today she will be having her hair done just down the road and that alone has lifted her spirits tremendously -- ready for Mother's Day on Sunday, right?

We both have talked about getting through the Chemo sessions and suspect it will be August when they finish at this point -- so long as Dr doesn't prescribe any further sessions. The Port has been a success but Gill hated the process of having it installed -- it freaked her out. I try not to talk about the surgery activities with her because of this.

I'm not sure if I mentioned earlier -- but Gill went in for her initial surgery for having the cancer removed on Mar 4th this year and at the time needed partial knee replacement. So that knee issue made her unable to walk without pain. After the surgery there was presumably some disturbance to the nerve(s) running to the leg with the wonky knee and she now has to wear a soft leg brace and use a walker to get about. This complicates her and my life some. We have a long Rambler house so stairs aren't an issue thank goodness. It does mean she cannot drive though -- so obviously I act as her chauffeur. 🙂

Gill has lost quite a bit of weight since her surgery on Mar 4th which she seems pleased about and her current weight is holding nicely. I make sure she eats regularly and her appetite has steadily improved.

I've been told that it's important to talk about the Cancer and all that is involved -- so hence this rather long posting, and hope I'm not boring you with it all.

On Thursday this week just prior to the first Chemo session the Dr chatted with us and asked if Gill had setup a visit with a Neurologist for the leg muscle nerve issue. We had, and indicated we would be visiting the Neurologist next week. The Dr then went on to say that Gill should ask if the Neurologist suspected Gill to have Parkinson as both the Chemo Dr and the training nurse suspected this might be at work based on them seeing and observing Gill over past few days.

So, the medical issues are piling up (I also had shoulder surgery last Dec 29th and am slowly recovering from that successfully) and it's hard to keep a positive attitude. Each time we get further bad news we look at each other and in unspoken words say to each other "How come" ?

The advice you give for developing a distraction from all this is good and I agree completely. I'm still working and can do much of my work from my home office -- that helps. Gill appears to also have ways of distracting herself. She's a great reader and likes cross word puzzles and her iPad can take up many hours of her time while resting in bed or in a comfy chair.

I also can get to our R-25 and tinker about and as it's fairly new I'm still outfitting it. I've recently installed a Portland Pudgy dinghy and now need to figure out a block & tackle method for lifting and lowering it. With the weather starting to turn to being more sunny now my son and daughters will be encouraging me to take a spin out onto the Puget Sound (we are moored in Edmonds Marina).

We are determined to get through all of this and come out of it feeling better. We shall not let it get us down and there's so many other good things going on to distract us. Our family and extended family are a great support group. The staff and people at the Chemo session facility are truly great people. As we (patients and the care givers) all have such a lot in common I would be surprised if it were not this way. We are indeed kindred spirits.

Thanks so much for your posted support and thoughts.

 

[Stella Maris]

Barry and Gill,
The entire Tugnut family thoughts and prays are behind you and Gill. We are all wishing her a speedy recovery with as few bumps in the road as possible.

Stay as positive as you can. Keep looking forward, don't look back. Today's medicine gives us all a very bright future.

David and Maureen