While I was in the hospital as well as once I was home being treated with antibiotics for the pneumonia the stage was being set for my next problem. It was an infection in my intestines because all the working bacteria had been killed by the antibiotics.

The first prescription for that problem caused a another serious problem so I had to stop using it. That was okay with me because those pills made me feel under the weather. I was able to get a new more expensive prescription and so far it's not causing any of the problems the first prescription did.

Our visit with Charlie worked was wonderful. Charlie was able to spend every day with us because he invited his friends to get together on the same evening. I thought that was a wonderful way to see everyone. Don drove him to the airport at 4 a.m. on Friday.

Dennis, our middle son, will be coming in a few days. He comes more often but can only stay a few days. Velvet may be coming in the day after he arrives if she's over that 10 day nasty cold that's been going around. We're hoping they'll both be here.

I still have lots of accounting type work ahead of me. I need to gather all my tax papers so I'll be busy with that for the next few days.

Thank you to all of you who left messages on my answering machine. I made a pact with myself to focus what little energy I have on Charlie since he lives so far away and hasn't been able to get to Arizona for a long time. Please understand talking takes lung power and mine is in short supply.

Pulmonary Doctor second visit

Yesterday I saw the Lung doctor and things must have improved because she changed my oxygen to night time only. They walked me in circles around the office to prove I wasn't ready to give up the oxygen completely. Also I don't have to see her again for 2 months. I see that as a sure sign that my recovery is going according to plan.

I've been able to have some lunches out with friends and that's been liberating. I hope to set up a few more. Now that I'm able to talk on the phone it's a breeze to make plans. My son, Charlie, who lives east is coming to visit in a few days so I won't be making any lunch dates while he's here. He'll be here for a week. It's been a long time since we were together so I'll treasure these moments.

Dennis is also planning a visit with us and he's planning to come late March. It'll be great to spend time with them separately now that I feel better.

I've been walking with Don around our little neighborhood and I'm working towards walking the 2 mile circle with the long range goal to get back to the gym and Spinning classes. I've been able to gain a little weight and my eating is getting better although how a chocolataholic like me can have a pantry full of dark chocolate even I can't understand. I don't crave it and I guess that's the difference. Look out when my appetite for chocolate comes back.

Thanks again for all your good wishes for my recovery. I just had to let you know your wishes are working.

It's Me this time!

I want to thank everyone who sent those beautiful cards throughout my current illnesses. They were welcomed every day and helped me deal with being housebound.

My Pulmonary doctor was my lastest appointment and she ordered oxygen, inhaler and more drugs to get the pneumonia out of my system. For the 2 week cold that's going around and caused me a heap of trouble I'm eating oranges and Vitamin C. She added that the pneumonia recovery would be about 12 weeks. That'll make it a full year that I've been sick.

Since I've been on the oxygen my voice is stronger and I'm able to talk although I've forgotten a lot of words so the "Maria Charades" lives on. I'm eating 3 meals a day but my love of food hasn't come back yet. I eat to gain some weight but it's not happening yet. When the weather is nice I try to walk outside sometimes it's just the cul-de-sac and sometimes I can get to the end of the street.

I'm no longer in the cancer drug trial because the drug no longer kept the cancer from growing. Once I've recovered from all my current ailments we'll research where we'll go next. My hope is that I'll be able to post on the blog more often. I'm sorry but the email was impossible--I can't sit at the computer that long.

Change in Direction

Gary here, pitch-hitting for Mom again on the blog today. We just got back from her appointment and she is going to discontinue the drug trial. The drug hasn't been as effective lately and the side effects are too difficult to manage during Mom's recovery. She is going to spend her time getting her strength back and looking for a new treatment. The doctors offered several drug options to consider and some have the reputation for being easier on the body, so that's good news.

Needless to say, Mom is happy with the news that there might be something better out there for her. It will take time for the current drug to totally leave her system (before she can start another therapy) so Mom is looking forward to the down time from the constant demands of cancer treatment so she can concentrate on recovering from surgery.

In the meantime, Mom has a full week of "other" appointments ahead to check her progress on recovering from surgery and pneumonia and right now, that's our primary concern. Fighting cancer is hard enough but it's almost impossible when you have pneumonia.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts, cards and gifts. I can't tell you what a difference it makes for Mom knowing that she has you in her corner. Keep up the great work!

UP and Down

I've been home from the hospital for a week but I've had little improvement. People who've experienced pneumonia say that the recovery takes a long time. I'm inclined to believe them now since I'm not seeing much improvement at all. I'm still having trouble talking for any length of time even though my voice is stronger now so I just keep the talking to a minimum.

While I was in the hospital I received so many cards daily that kept my spirits up and helped with my positive attitude. I want to thank everyone who sent cards and flowers, candy and Belgian cookies.

I met with my Oncologist from the drug trial and since I'd been off the drug for 15 days he decided that I shouldn't go back on them. He wants me to have a CT Scan tomorrow so he can make a decision on whether I should go back on the trial drug. He'll get the results of the CT test on Monday which co-incidentally is also the 21st day of being off the pill. If I miss 21 days of taking the pill the trial would bounce me out. So if he decides I should stay I would take the pill at the office and still be in the trial. If he decides the other way I could research another lung cancer drug trial.

I'm focusing on improving my eating so I can get some strength back. I figure my stomach is about the size of a walnut so try to eat something every two hours if I can.

Don has been a great caregiver and actually WOWed me with his ability to cook, wash clothes, and keep me fed and warm. It's been a fantastic surprise.

Live from the Hospital

I'm sitting next to Mom at the hospital and she is doing well a day after her second procedure. Yesterday, they used a scope to check the lung for infection. Then they helped the lung expand to the chest wall and used a medicine to help it stay in place. This should prevent any fluid buildup in the future. In the meantime, the remaining fluid is still draining from her lung but we're looking for that to finally finish up soon. The doctors are keeping an eye on things but so far they say everything is going really well.

As you can imagine, she's pretty tired today. But she's looking forward to getting back home to her normal routine.

That's all for the moment. We'll update the blog as soon as we have more information.

Mom is in the Hospital

This is Gary, pinch-hitting for Mom on this post. To quickly bring you up to date, Mom's lung collapsed suddenly and Dad rushed Mom to the hospital on Monday. Doctors reviewed her tests and elected to do an emergency procedure to help drain the fluid from her lung that caused the collapse. Immediately, she began to feel some relief and there has been continued progress since Monday. She is still dealing with a stubborn infection from her case of Pneumonia but she is on antibiotics and they are watching it carefully. We are hoping she can be moved out of the Critical Care unit in the next day or so. She continues to make progress and her spirits are up and we are looking forward to her recovery.

I know many of you have asked what you can do for Mom to help her through this difficult time. I know Mom can't speak much and isn't ready for visitors but she really enjoys receiving cards from friends and well-wishers. You'd be surprised at how well those cards can lift her spirits knowing that you are thinking of her. She reads them over and over and they really make a difference.

All the best to your and your families. Please watch this blog for continued updates on her condition.

Thanks,

Gary