Thursday - July 9

THURSDAY – July 9

You have not heard directly from me for a while and I am sorry about that.

First, a story – I did come back to Sherman last Thursday night. But, in spite of whining, I could not get on the 5^th floor where all my staff friends are. Actually, that had no rooms. But Dawn did go downstairs --- I was on the 6^th floor ---- and let them know that I was back again and missed them. Then the next day, the Director of all cancer services came to see me and said she’d arranged to have me moved down to room 1201 --- the big room on the 5th floor --- that afternoon. Ha ha. I sure helps to have friends and connections.

I can say that today is the 2^nd full day that I’ve had no temp [which is caused by the infection] and felt much better. But in summary:

·       They still do not yet know what the infection is.

·       The results of my bronchoscopy after 4 days does not indicate any problem but complete analysis will take days/weeks.

·       They are still changing antibiotics but what I have now appears to be working.

·       Still have the slight cough but it is not a major deal.

·       I’ve lost another 10 lbs in the last month which is not really a good thing. Appetite is a struggle.

·       Energy is low. My CBC’s dropped a wee bit today but they won’t do anything.

·       I walked a ½ lap today. That is pretty important. It was not hard.

So, the question is, how long will I be here?  Nobody is even hinting at an answer. My guess is 2 to 7 more days. I have been here 7 days so far this time. Since about the first of March, I have been in the hospital for 64 days. Yes, that is a lot of time, isn’t it? Fortunately, there is an end to all of this.

How am I doing? I want to tell you guys that I am doing fine…mentally. But I have to be honest with you too, the last week has been really hard. I have had to fight moments of not only being physically worn down, but mentally so exhausted with all this. Right, now it’s just not knowing what this infection is ---which means my doctors have to throw darts: combos of antibiotics to see what works.

I want to get home so bad. However, I don’t want to come back to fight this same battle again that I’ve been for the last month. My doctors are all over that.

Bottom line, is that I feel we’re on the right track. I am feeling better. And, am mentally more encouraged tonight. I share this from my heart. I am well aware that depression is something that could jump out and bite me anytime as you might guess. But I am careful and feeling that God is still in control as long as I depend on Him and his angels like Dawn. His timing is not always ours, though is it?

Anyway, I read and cherish every prayer and comment you guys make.

Love,

Bob