We had our two week follow-up with the Neuro Doctor.  While he is very pleased with my progress from the surgery the results from the tumor are not good.  They have classified it something much worse than we originally thought.  What really sucks is to have everything going so well we were positive the news today would be better than we expected.  Now that they are worse it is like a punch in the gut.  There is nothing positive about this thing they pulled from my head other than it was removed before it was causing me any serious issues.  That is the only good news so far.  The treatment will be the same as what they originally thought it was so Radiation and Chemo here I come.

The one good thing is I can start some light exercise so get on my trainer.  I am still not supposed to lift anything greater than 15 lbs but at least I can get my heart rate up.  He said in 4 more weeks I should be able to do normal activity and all the stitches should be dissolved by then.

Everyone has been so great so far with both Jessie and I thought this and we really appreciate it.  Going forward we will really need that love and support even more.  We have a tough road ahead.  The plan is to become the outlier and prove all the statistics wrong.  My goal is to look at this 20 years from now and say what was the big deal….

First the food has been great.  One less thing for us to stress (well Jessie really) about.  She is the one that needs our support.  I just get to lay around and heal and read and eat and read and heal some more.

While the food has been fantastic, seeing everyone each night is something I really look forward to.  It is very positive and uplifting as we go through this.

Probably starting chemo and radiation next week – we see oncologist Wednesday.

Time to research all those cancer fighting foods!!!

Basically been recovering and doing well.  Better than expected really.  So what to do they say, no news is good news?

Every day I am amazed at the generosity of my friends and family.  I have no idea how I would have gotten through this without such awesome support.  I got my call today regarding my oncology visit.  Unfortunately the girl was just a scheduler and could not tell me anything.  I am scheduled with the head of the department so he should be well versed in treating and should be up on the latest and greatest treatments.  Dr Edward A. Neuwelt

My followup with the surgery group is next Friday.  Not sure what they are planning to discuss.

Tomorrow I will have been home a week. I have been so lucky to have my big sister Dianna here to help out.  I would have been going crazy just sitting around.  Not sure how I am going to last the next couple of weeks.  My ass is tired of sitting down.  You can only read so much.  Glad the pain meds are dwindling.

I cannot wait to go to the gym.  The hardest thing is to try and stay somewhat healthy when you cannot lift or pull/push anything greater than 15 lbs.  And all the amazing food everyone is bringing does not make it easy to keep the weight down.

And thanks everyone the food has been a fantastic gift and has been so good.  I look forward to the visits every day.

Physically I feel like I can go get on my bike or go for a hike but every once in a while a cough or bending over reminds me that some serious work was done not too long ago.

Miyazaki film festival for Dianna with our nightly ritual of Tillamookies.  So far we have worked through:

My Neighbor Totoro

Ponyo

Kiki’s Delivery Service

Howl’s Moving Castle

Princess Mononoke (in progress)

We’ve also experimented with some outings for Tom with mostly good results-short errands-walk at the park and two outings to the nursery to pick out plants (thanks to Shirley!!!). Also thanks to Dianna for planting most of them already. 

Dianna has been indulging Tom in getting many of his wish list items-the other day she built his worm/compost bin and much to my chagrin, today 2000 red wigglers showed up to take residence in our garage. Can you feel my enthusiasm? :/

Another big thanks to the Meal train. You are all such incredible cooks! I am so thankful Tom is not stuck with my crummy cooking during this and it freed us up to focus on him since we don’t have to shop or cook and clean-uo is minimal. The visits really lift spirits too. We are super grateful for all of you!!!