Final Friday

7:30 am

Even though I'm not going home today this should be the Final Friday that I am here.  The young resident was in today to tell me that I'm not going home today (which I knew), that I might go home tomorrow (which I thought I knew for sure) and that if not, I would go home for sure on Sunday.  I'm still counting on the tomorrow that Dr Nanji "promised" yesterday.  Things like "for sure", "100%", "never" etc. have no meaning anymore.

Nephew Ben in Costa Rica tells me his father-in-law Adrian is quite worried and is getting people down there to pray for me:
"I thought you might like to know that last Saturday's mass was dedicated to you in the church where Tom & Violeta's (and our) wedding was.  There is also a rosary happening this Sunday (I'm going to miss it because that's the day I fly up).  Adrian in particular is always asking for the latest news."

Thank you, Adrian - you are such a good man.

Not being Catholic, I don't know exactly what all that means (I've never heard of a rosary happening) but just knowing he is thinking of me helps.

I'll do more later when I know more.

4:00 pm

It still looks like I will go home tomorrow but as usual I'll believe it when it happens.  I won't know until tomorrow.  Not much definite has happened today.  They have weaned me off IV and I get my antibiotic with pills.  One problem is that one of the antibiotic pills dissolves so fast that I gag on it before I can get it all washed down.  I have managed a couple of doses of it OK but this morning I gagged and threw up what I'd eaten for breakfast.  I did this just as the senior resident doctor, Doctor Melanie, came in so I put on quite a show for her.

I've been wanting a little discussion about how long I have and what sort of lifestyle I can expect.  They are all so reluctant to make a prediction as if they were afraid I'd sue if they were wrong or automatically drop dead according to their schedule.

So I got her to visit for a while and while I don't know anything for sure, I do feel a bit more informed.  One year is as good a guess as anything.  I'll likely get a bit better as they clear up this infection and I'm likely to get off the bile bag within a month.  But I'm not likely to get a lot better and am likely to be up and down as the chemotherapy comes and goes.

Later on Dr Viola came in for a nice chat and it confirmed much of what I discussed with Dr Melanie.  I may be able to keep driving for a while but I'll just have to think about it carefully before I get behind the wheel.  I'll be able to ride the lawnmower but not feel up to using a push mower.  I should be able to walk the dog but I better not sign up for any road races.  It is very unlikely that I would feel up to skiing at all next winter.  Norm, we were so right to go this past year.

Anne and Norah arrived in time to get in on the last part of Dr Viola's visit.


Dr Melanie and Doctor Nanji were just here for another 60-second consultation.  They say that the bacteria in my system are unusual but that my body is coping with it.  He still hopes to send me home tomorrow and while it is the most likely scenario it is still not definite.

Anne is going down soon to get a slice of pizza or a cheeseburger for me - whatever looks better.  I hope it tastes good.

Gord Reid got the Internet working just fine so I'll continue to be in touch when I get home.  I don't think that the TV is working but that's not such a big deal.  If I have to, I'll call for Ken from Ken's Stereo and TV.  I taught him 35 or so years ago and I can trust him to fix it at a fair price.

9:15 pm

Two good news items:

I have word from my nurse that they have changed my meds menu so that I do not need the pills that make me gag.  The other good news - here we go with bodily functions again - I had a BM after 4 or 5 days without one.  I was a bit worried that they would not send me home if I was not more productive in that department.

About Anne

She has an appointment the first Monday in June to go back to her cancer doctor in Peterborough to talk about the MRI results and the next step.