Thursday, October 6, 2022

6:56 PM

Hello dear family & friends!  Larry was a champion for us last year & more than ever, now!

  So hard to believe that a year ago today was the last chemo, of 6 months of therapies for cancer. I began my 25 sessions of radiation on July 8th. Had Larry's & my health crashes collided in the same year, there is no way that I would have continued the therapies. Imagine, something to be grateful for, involving 2 major health crises.

 Today was busy, with Larry! He had already had physio before I arrived. Several muscle strengthening exercises, ending with him standing straight & tall. A dietitian came again (one each day) to assess how his tolerance has been since yesterday, with regard to the rate of feed through the tube, along with water flushes throughout. He did throw up in the middle of the night. So, my guess, because the feed was off, is that he had a coughing jag, which rarely happens anymore, but triggers his reflex to throw up. This morning (which happens each time) he had an episode following his physio exercise. He really works his tummy muscles. I suggested to the dietitian that perhaps he could be given the anti-nausea med prior to exercise, rather than waiting each time, for him to be sick & giving it to him then. She agreed! Like the wonderful pharmacist getting to the route of the reason for Larry's rash, due to negative interactions between drugs, the dietitians are ON IT!  

 When Larry & I finished working on speech therapy together, just like yesterday, the speech therapist walked in. We worked on exaggerating forming words, while she worked solely on his swallowing, including the yellow ball resistance exercise. He had to do 10 big swallows in a row. You try it! I start struggling after 3. He did it. His big reward was an ice chip when he was done.

  What a beautiful young man Larry had for his nurse today. He is a student in every sense of the word. He asks such good questions of Larry & me. He asked me what the biggest difference is, that I notice in Larry's personality & intellect. I love those questions, because the answer to both, is that I am so, so very pleased. Like the ICU Neurosurgeon told us after Larry's surgery "Larry will still be Larry!" Actually, he's a new & improved version. The student nurse told me that he saw Larry stand & was so excited. And like a coach "Larry, I'm so proud of you & how hard you're working!" Larry answered, "I am working very hard!" I am always so happy to acknowledge that, affirming & thanking him for working so hard & cooperating with all that he's asked to do… all, without complaining!

  Our time together today was one of the shortest in hours, but so full in alert interaction. It is easy to speak face to face with a medical team member, asking questions, as Larry most often appears to have fallen asleep. He answers questions with his eyes closed, so I ask him to open them, because attention improves & he articulates more clearly. When I ask a question or explain something, as we stand over Larry, I turn my eyes on him, so he knows that we value what he has to say, as he often nods his head to whatever is being said.

  Larry was very proud of me, going to Canadian Tire to take care of getting a new headlight. Of course, I am capable, but I never had to bother, as Larry always took care of car 'things'. He was happy at how they gave me a break & charged me half of the labour fees. My 'outside' world is pretty quiet, so I don't usually have much to report.

  I was so excited today, to read a few beautiful messages that came to Larry from the Association of Driver Rehabilitation Specialists, who attended their annual conference in Charlotte, N. Carolina this past week. Larry has been attending these conferences since 1990 & has made many friends over the years. He is well respected, appreciated & loved by this 'family' as they call it. He continually gets encouraging emails, with prayers included. I've gone along with Larry several times & have assured these friends, that we're sure going to try to go next year, wherever it is, & thank everyone in person for the great love that has come to us & means so much. I'm always excited to see Larry's face, whenever I read one of the emails.

  God bless you. Take care. xoxo