Monday, April 30, 2012

Getting Back to Normal . . . slowly

Well, here we are all rested and on the road to recovery. It’s going to be a long, slow journey and we don’t expect all of the roads to be paved. 

Just a quick follow up to our last post and The Cowboy’s proposal – what you didn’t see was the whole radiation team plus others in the waiting room all crying and cheering us on!

P1180292

We’ve made quite a few friends during this little adventure and these two wonderful ladies are part of our special memories. Norma, on the right, was looking forward to ringing the bell on Friday, the day after The Cowboy. I passed off my camera to her daughter Donna, on the left. However, mainly because of lack of instructions on my part, nothing was recorded. I’ll have to check with Donna since I know she took some shots with her phone and thank them for the wonderful tins of candies that they gave us.

And don’t ya just love how that day was supposed to be all about The Cowboy’s celebration and yet the attention and hoopla  . . . turned out to be all about ME? Princess

image

This photo is courtesy of our beautiful Shygirl posted on Facebook this morning and ya just gotta see this coming . . . I’m such a Pioneer Woman wannabe – actually no that’s not true -  I’d rather be her BFF.

So I’m thinking this will be the new theme for my blog!!


The Cowboy is gradually improving and I see him getting stronger each day. He’s sleeping less and doing more as he progresses. Every day we go for a walk and every day we go a little further. Today we (he) actually drove into Conroe which is about 25 minutes away, spent some time walking around the mall and did a little shopping.

DSC_0004

I know he’s disappointed that he’s not improving as quickly as he would like but it took him a long time to get where he is and it will take some time to get back to where he needs to be. He’s not running any marathons yet . . . but truth be told,  he wasn’t exactly running any before.

DSC_0010He still isn’t eating anything substantial yet but he’s drinking lots of Boost and other liquids too.

Now here’s something I haven’t mentioned before and only because I didn’t think that it was major but it really is. For those of you that know The Cowboy know that he has always been a big coffee drinker (it’s a cowboy thing). Well, he hasn’t had a cup of coffee for about a month now. At first he was adding protein powder to his coffee in his travel mug but it just doesn’t appeal to him any more.

DSC_0017

We’ve extended our stay here at Castaways RV Park  till Thursday. We’ll see how he’s feeling then. Tomorrow we have an appointment with Dr. Santigny, MD, PhD, (pronounced Santeeny) – doesn’t that sound like a soap opera name? He actually looks the part too, being very tall and speaking with a very strong french accent. He is an Assistant Professor from France – Chemotherapy Oncologist. This wasn’t on our schedule but he wants to see him before we head back up north. Just routine – lab work at 11:30 AM then our final visit.

I just want to re-iterate something that I posted last week but it may not have been emphasized enough the way I worded it. I’ve spoken with a few friends that follow our blog that asked when we were scheduled to come back for follow up. Dr. P. is so confident with the radiation treatment that he doesn’t need to see The Cowboy for 3 months! He usually asks patients to come back in 6 to 8 weeks but he is very pleased and said that everything looks really good. By waiting until near the end of July everything will be completely healed and he will be able to get a more accurate reading as to what is or isn’t there.

P1180298

Another sign that I noticed that would indicate The Cowboy is getting back to normal . . . when he gets behind the wheel – everyone else on the road is an A$$*%^*  !! Don't tell anyone smile

Thanks again for following along and all of your wonderful messages and your prayers.

6 comments:

  1. So, so happy with the good news. Recovery is never fast enough for anyone, but it sounds like the Cowboy is far ahead of where most would be, Sharon. He's been through so much in a short period of time. It knocked him off his horse for a little while, but he's back up in the saddle and ready to continue the good life. And I agree with Shy--you were there holding the horse for him every step of the way!

    Hoping Cowboy's appetite returns to normal, soon. Just so happy he got to ring that bell! Way to go.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looks like the cowboy is rallying around quite nicely. Here's to a very quick recovery.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Men are always so impatient when they are recovering. I'm not sure which is worse - Jim waiting to hear something (when every other drive is a jackass) or when he's trying to recover (then he's a jackass) cause it's taking so long. lol So glad everything has gone so well for you. Can't believe you get to wait three months to see the doc again. That is so fantastic.

    ReplyDelete
  4. OMG I can't imagine Dad going a day... hell, a few HOURS, without coffee... let alone a month?!?!? Wow! So happy to hear he's feeling better & that y'all are getting ready to really head back up the road again. I have a little something for you so hoping we can see each other sometime. Also, if your cell # is still the same I wanna try & call soon? Safe travels & try not to obliterate any stupid drivers who get in your way Dad, lol! ;) Love to you both, don't forget. <3 GEB

    ReplyDelete
  5. Our congratulations go out to you and Cowboy on his proposal to you. Glad to hear that he is doing well, and that his outlook is good. We wish you many years of happiness together.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thoughts and Prayers for you both.

    Find a place inside where there's joy, and the joy will burn out the pain.
    Joseph Campbell

    Luv ya,
    KLM

    ReplyDelete