Margie is overjoyed that both chemo and radiation treatments are now finished.
She still feels the effects from the last radiation (June 25th), but she is looking forward to better days. Imagine not having to go into the Cancer Center every weekday!!
Margie has yet to talk to my little video camera to greet you all herself, but I am working on that.
In the meantime, you probably know that she celebrated her 88th birthday this week. Lots of cards and calls. A delightful lunch with some of her dearest Santa Barbara friends. And the festivities haven't stopped. Her care companion, Kara, brought flowers on Friday. Saturday night we had dinner in the apartment with Helen Frederick, old friend and fellow Vista del Monte neighbor. Steve took Mom/Margie on an excursion to Ventura for lunch today, and tonight Fred and Cheryl Haddock (upstairs neighbors at the condo and dear dear friends) hosted us both for a fantastic dinner at the Biltmore. Tomorrow, we have lunch at the "Spanish Table" in the dining room with her new friends from Honduras, plus others who like to speak Spanish. They will celebrate a couple of birthdays. Finally (I think it's the final plan), Andreya, another care friend, will take us on a drive up high on Camino Cielo, ending up in Montecito for a cup of tea.
Margie sends love to you all!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Whew! This is the remedy????
Margie is tired of radiation!!!
But... she still calls her sister, Jane, as often as she can to old favorites together. Here's what they sang over the phone together today:
(remember that the other videos that are listed when this one finishes are not my choices. They are plugged in by YouTube)
[PS Margie sends thanks to Vicky for the sweet comment on her last post-- many hugs!!]
But... she still calls her sister, Jane, as often as she can to old favorites together. Here's what they sang over the phone together today:
(remember that the other videos that are listed when this one finishes are not my choices. They are plugged in by YouTube)
[PS Margie sends thanks to Vicky for the sweet comment on her last post-- many hugs!!]
Monday, June 15, 2009
Margie: Good spirits but pain from radiation
Margie is still just Margie: Loving life, talking on the phone, walking the grounds, getting together with the Spanish language table for the fun of practicing her rusty Spanish.
She was disappointed that her sister Jane couldn't visit this past weekend, but she really knows how hard travel can be when you are weary!! She took the weekend to finish up the small edits on her book. She finished on Sunday!!!!! Steve has been being a huge huge help by working with her and connecting her to a professional editor. Hooray!
Okay, on the downside, because her radiation treatment has been extended and intensified, she is now acknowledging significant pain at the site. You can imagine (some of you may have experienced it) the pain of a deep and persistent burn. Donna (not only my partner but an expert in paliative care) recommended that the DR prescribe something more effective than Tylenol. On Sunday, Dr. Weissenberger interrupted his liturgical reading at church to call in a stronger med for Mom, and by evening she was feeling much more comfortable. She may be less steady on her feet at first, since the drug has that effect. If you visit or talk with her, please remind her to be especially cautious. Controlling pain is important and very possible, but watching out for those side effects goes hand in hand with the process. Another thing to remind her of is lots of water as well as Miralax to counter the constipating effects of the medication.
Another good side: Along with Margie's birthday coming on the 24th, at that time she will be within a day of completing the radiation cycle. YAY!!!! Call to congratulate her on both.
She will have the joy of a visit from the San Diego family (Steve, Linda, Ellie, Tyler) over the weekend just before her birthday, though this will be mixed with services for their friend Bob Sinclair, who recently died after a long and difficult cancer journey. Steve will speak at the service.
Ceci (moi [actually je]) will arrive on the afternoon of the 23rd to be there for Margie's Birthday and to celebrate the end of the radiation treatment. The healing and pain from the treatment will last longer, of course, but this marks a time for mom's body and spirit to regenerate the way we know it can.
She was disappointed that her sister Jane couldn't visit this past weekend, but she really knows how hard travel can be when you are weary!! She took the weekend to finish up the small edits on her book. She finished on Sunday!!!!! Steve has been being a huge huge help by working with her and connecting her to a professional editor. Hooray!
Okay, on the downside, because her radiation treatment has been extended and intensified, she is now acknowledging significant pain at the site. You can imagine (some of you may have experienced it) the pain of a deep and persistent burn. Donna (not only my partner but an expert in paliative care) recommended that the DR prescribe something more effective than Tylenol. On Sunday, Dr. Weissenberger interrupted his liturgical reading at church to call in a stronger med for Mom, and by evening she was feeling much more comfortable. She may be less steady on her feet at first, since the drug has that effect. If you visit or talk with her, please remind her to be especially cautious. Controlling pain is important and very possible, but watching out for those side effects goes hand in hand with the process. Another thing to remind her of is lots of water as well as Miralax to counter the constipating effects of the medication.
Another good side: Along with Margie's birthday coming on the 24th, at that time she will be within a day of completing the radiation cycle. YAY!!!! Call to congratulate her on both.
She will have the joy of a visit from the San Diego family (Steve, Linda, Ellie, Tyler) over the weekend just before her birthday, though this will be mixed with services for their friend Bob Sinclair, who recently died after a long and difficult cancer journey. Steve will speak at the service.
Ceci (moi [actually je]) will arrive on the afternoon of the 23rd to be there for Margie's Birthday and to celebrate the end of the radiation treatment. The healing and pain from the treatment will last longer, of course, but this marks a time for mom's body and spirit to regenerate the way we know it can.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Margie good....
Margie is doing well. Still tired. Happy to get your messages and visits.
Here's another song she loves:
[Any videos you see *after* this one plays are from the "YouTube" site. I did not chose them!]
Here's another song she loves:
[Any videos you see *after* this one plays are from the "YouTube" site. I did not chose them!]
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