It Takes a Village - Passing Out - Grandson's Visit

 Shiloh, IL  (Hi    Lo     )

We like weekends, we don't need to go to radiation, it's a nice break. At least it's  the same time everyday. It's true that cancer people have good days and bad with cancer. It's very true with Jim. He has days he walks without his walker and gets around quite nicely, then there's other times he's very weak and can't move much.  

                                            Steak for dinner, Rick's treat for his dad.

This is the biggest air bed I've ever seen, no problem with the floor that's for sure. 

We've been staying with our oldest son but with the help of a lot of people we have enough stuff to move to the apartment. We bought a nice recliner for $25 on Marketplace which is Jim's chair for now. Frank had a small couch that's perfect and my sister brought a kitchen table and chairs. It takes a village to put things together. There's still no date when our household stuff will be here. Besides missing some of the stuff I'm doing quite well with what we have. I'm very happy with the military training we had in moves over 26 years. You learn to adapt. 

Rick has been staying with us the past three days and will leave tomorrow (Thursday). Both boys have been amazing with all that's going on with their dad. On Tuesday evening we moved into the apartment for the first night. It was a great time setting up everything. I got a few groceries at Target and then went for another batch of food on Wednesday to Dierburgs which is like our Publix in Florida.  While we were eating on Wednesday, Jim passed out and fell off the chair. He's got a small cut above the eye and bit his tongue. We called Frank to come and help us get him to the recliner.  We thought he was getting enough water, but he sleeps so much it's hard to get enough water in him. At least he came out of it and not going to ER this time. 

Rick left on Thursday but before he did he gave his dad a small drink of Bourbon that was called Pappy's. They had some last year and Rick wanted to finish the bottle with him, so after lunch they had a good time. Maybe a shot that's it. 

 I talked with the doctor today instead of waiting for tomorrow when we normally see him. I wanted to know what to do if I'm alone and Jim passes out. I'm also suppose to have home health care come in, but there's so many people needing help that no one is taking new patients. I just need someone to teach me how to do things, not to have anyone in on daily basis. It's harder then you think to get someone to help. I also learned the Glioblastoma is rare and very few doctors know how to handle it. Jim is having reactions to the radiation that most people don't. He's been fine with the Chemo. Everyone is different with both treatments. We have nine more to go, then we wait three months, take another MRI and go from there. His right side is getting weaker so we have to give support to that side. He falls with the walker so my sister found a light weight wheelchair I can use inside and out of the apartment.

Thursday night it's the first time I'm alone with Jim since May 25 when it all started. We still haven't sold the house. The household stuff isn't here yet and no date. The ongoing radiation is still going. Jim sleeps about four hours a day after radiation. This weekend there's three days with no radiation, so that's great, it will give him a break in feeling decent. Our apartment is fabulous, wide doorways and easy to move around with no carpets. 

I was having problems with what pills to give Jim at what times. So I laid them on the counter and when I gave them I put them upside down or rightside up for the next time. It's working great. It won't be long most of them will be stopped. 

We had a surprise visit from the grandkids on Friday. Our oldest grandson, Kyle came down from Normal to spend time with family and his granddad. 

                                                Kyle, Jim, Kendall and Frank

And this is our living room. I love it. 

We're not doing anything till Tuesday, then it's back to doctors appointments and radiation.  See you next week.