Catherine-Ann / Pure-Grace

Nov. 2, 2022

"NOTHING GREAT IS ACHIEVED WITHOUT MUCH ENDURING!" Quote from St. Catherine of Siena (11.01.22)

Tuesday, November 1, 2022

7:22 PM

Can you believe that the calendar turned to November today? Wow! Welcome to the beginning of the 5th month on this journey.

November 1st is the feast day of ALL SAINTS, the hallowed ones. That's why yesterday was All Hallows Eve, ie. Halloween. One of my favorite saints is St. Catherine of Siena. I have learned so much from her. Here are 2 famous quotes: "If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world on fire."

    “Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring.”

These words of St. Catherine are being lived by Larry. I really saw that yesterday in the fruit of his hard work, which lit a fire in so many who have been 'cheering' him on.

 Today: Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) test to assess how well Larry can swallow, happened today. The speech pathologist inserted a flexible tube through his nose down his throat & observations of the camera are relayed on a monitor as he swallowed, spoke, coughed & sniffed. She even had him sing a few high notes. He successfully swallowed without any problem: water; honey water; juice; pudding; canned pears, first in teaspoons, then larger sips/bites. He finished with a dry cookie, & said "Yuck!". I arrived just while they were setting things up. So once again, perfect timing to witness another 'big deal' in Larry's recovery efforts. He was a champion through the terrible discomfort. It was fascinating to watch the monitor, but pretending it was an iris (flower) with moving parts was helpful, making me less woozy. By the time the cookie came, I had to sit down. The results will be known to us tomorrow.  Larry agreed, that even if it's not a 'GO' for eating & drinking for now, that he has made terrific progress over the past month & knows that he will continue to do so. The therapist told Larry that its evident that he does swallowing exercises beyond his time with the therapists. When I do a covid test & feel the irritation in my sinus, there is no way that I'll even blink with discomfort, thinking of all the tubes that have invaded Larry's nose & throat, since July 1st.

 When it was over, Larry was really exhausted & went back to bed from his wheelchair. I thought he'd nap, but he was wide awake & 'thinking', just like he was yesterday, after his great effort in taking steps.   We listened to 60's & 70's folk/rock music. He relaxed but kept opening his eyes. I massaged his hand as I saw Mary-Lynn do yesterday. Hopefully his hand will be restored soon & the pain gone. The therapist showed me a couple of things I can help Larry with, a little each time, 3 times a day.

 Yesterday, Larry had dictated a message to the E.D. of the Driver Rehab specialists' association, to let her know how appreciative he is of all the support that continues to come in from members from all over. She replied to him today & he was so moved by the loving encouragement she gave & happy that she appreciated knowing how supportive the ADED Family have been. She had no idea & was very inspired by that. 

  The response to "Please fwd. Halloween pics of your munchkins to brighten Larry's day!" came in, in spades. So, very, very cute! Thank you so much & there are still a few we're waiting for! (Hint hint). It brought back wonderful memories of Larry's spooky decorations & making costumes for the boys & taking them to see the grandparents before the neighbourhood walk-about. Larry turned into such a kid each year that we lived in our house. He couldn't wait for the next knock on the door or bell to ring.

  There were no phone calls today, as he wasn't up to it. We did play a crossword game again. Still amazes me how well his brain is working & grateful beyond words. It's really evident that he has begun to look forward with hopeful enthusiasm, commitment & perseverance, toward all he has to do to regain strength & mobility. I've seen a very new, but very familiar Larry over the last couple of days. Today, he said 'enough already', with wearing the same shirt a 2nd day. I bought a few V.V. 'previously enjoyed' shirts today, with a couple of pull-up shorts, hoping that street clothes will continue to give him a boost, & not have to be wrapped in hospital gowns.

  Excitement leaves me with a really 'good tired'! I also spoke with my doctor today for my one year check-up since the last chemo. He said there was no trace of cancer in the blood test. Yeaaa!