We had an uneventful journey home with Joanne stretched out in the front passenger seat asleep most of the trip. I set up her office downstairs as the "Recovery room" where she has a reclining chair and a bed so she can see out the door to the courtyard garden. Mostly, it has a door that will keep the cats from coming in and jumping on her painful lap! Her biggest challenge today is nausea and lack of appetite. We're hoping it's from the strong pain meds, and we're working to transition to milder drugs. I've heard all the horror stories about loved ones over-encouraging patients to eat, and I'm afraid I've become one of them! I want her to get some nourishment before she starts chemo next week.
We really, really appreciate all the offers of support, like meals, gardening, etc. In terms of meals, both of us are living with nausea right now (empathy pains?), so very little cooking is required in this household, and I can easily handle it. We have a very challenging road ahead when she starts chemo and then goes back for major surgery again, and then real intensive chemo, so I suspect we will welcome gifts of meals later on. I haven't surveyed the property yet other than my vegetable garden (looks good!) but I understand that if you want to help me garden anytime in the next two months, you can contact me or Sue Hindman at sch@fidalgo.net.
Jerry Horner :) has graciously volunteered to bike my legs off. . Anyone else that wants to join in on that fun can email him at: jerryhorner@windermere.com.
Thank you Linda, Taylor and Shelly for your generous gifts of housesitting during our stay in Seattle.
We have our first appointment with the oncologist Dr. Reuben next Tuesday and will hopefully start chemo right after that. The healing continues with reiki, spiritual mind treatments, prayers, guided visualizations, laughter and music.
Janet & Joanne
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14 comments:
HI,
I don't know if you meant Dr. Rubin at Madrona. (Spelling different) Anyway, if so, you are in very good hands. He is my oncologist and has that magic combination of skill and humanity. He makes you a participant in your treatment.
If you need an oncologist in your life, you can't find a better one.
Elga
Welcome home! The restful peace of your own home will work its own magic for you both. Plus, you're now in the range of Canadian TV again, so you can laugh with 22 Minutes, Red Green and Just for Laughs again....when you're ready. Home sweet home alright!
Janet Estep
Hooray!
Dear Joanne and Janet,
There's no place like home! Rest well this evening. Blessings,
Marla and Stevie
You know, as I was riding this afternoon and early evening, I thought I could hear the sound of a long sigh of comfort floating thru the airwaves...seems I was right!
Good on you for getting home, now relax and enjoy it, savor the creaks and smells of your home, let it soak into your skin, your space wants to welcome you back.
There's plenty of time for everyone else, shut the doors, turn off the phones and enjoy! (and having a first hand experience falling asleep in your living room chair with two cats for lap heaters, relaxation and peace are easily done in your house!)
Peace, Love
Jerry Horner
Janet and Joanne,
Welcome home! We continue our prayers and visions of healing for you Joanne. And visions of Janet riding hard on her bike! We will give you both the time and space you need, but remember us if you need anything.
Marty, Jen and Mallory
Welcome home to you both. I'm so glad you've got a bed downstairs, as I couldn't imagine hiking you up as I thought of you yesterday (I recall our recent conversation about the house, Joanne, and why you had to "go up!"). I figured if you did go up, you'd be like the Princess captured in the Turret of a Castle. Romantic for sure, as Janet can scale the stairs and carry you down upon her shoulders, but, that's a bit of a stretch to your mid-section, eh?
Your office is a lovely space to regain your strength, but remember, you don't have to work as you recover and while you're sleeping ;-). I like Jerry's idea of shutting of the phone's ringer, too, and instead giving the house and the kitties their chance at welcoming you home with "creaks and meows"!
Broth??? You like broth, freshly made? Can you both drink some of this? If so, let us know and we can take turns making the best veggie broth on the planet to sip, that's warm and comforting since food isn't much appealing right now.
Red Green was one of my most favorite shows when I first moved to WA in 1995. I liked it better than Tim Allen's 'Home Improvement'. Harold cracks me up immensely with his crooning and body moves. From the stand-point of being a country girl and former carpenter, of enjoying Uncle Red's fun of the male stereotype wearin' all that plaid, and using duct tape as the 'handyman's secret weapon, why, I was in a heaven of tears. We have had no TV reception for years, but heard it was off the air. I'm glad it's still around! Thanks mentioning it Peggie and Janet.
We love you, lots!
Tess and Zander
Welcome Home!
We have been thinking of you (and all of your support team) and sending thoughts of strength and joy.
"There's no place like home."
Love you both,
Nancy & Travis
So nice to hear that you are actually home. I know your connection to the beauty of your yard will have a healing power all of its own!
I'll contact Sue to help weed!
Sharon C.
joanne
I want to tell you that i see a fantastic radiation Machine RAN by God's hands it is pinned pointed to all the cancer cells .
It's MAIN MISSION is to pick off one at a time those pesky cells and replace them with the love of good cells so that they may envelope the whole Surgery area
may your Body make the adjustments to the HARD work that it needs to do
Joanne you already have given for years your body the tools to do the works and Battles ahead that it needs to do !!!!
Like Both of you have told me in words or ACTIONS TRUST THE PROCESS NOT THE DETAILS. well iI did add the (DETAILS)
Both please just ROCK in that Gift the Cradle that I just Experenced recently and you know what I mean (Janet)!!!!!
LOVE to you BOTH
GORDON ARTHUR BAY
One day at a time~
You are both in our thoughts and prayers daily~
Love, Medicine, & Miracles, says that “affirmations are not a denial of the present, but a hope for the future...."
Some ‘healing affirmations’ from Louise L. Hay:
* It is my divine right to be comfortable.
* My healing is already in process.
* I deserve good health.
* My body heals rapidly.
Love and hugs, Mara and Natalie
Dear J & J,
We are so glad that you are at home, at least for a little while and Joanne, we are visualizing you more comfortable soon and let the healing begin!! We'd be glad to box up a little of this heat for you if you like...I rode my bike to work this morning and it was 85 at 6:00 a.m.! Ugh!
Thinking of you!!
C&S
So glad to hear that you are home!! I know how healing that can be. Continuing to hold you both in our prayers and thoughts. Sending you healing energy from San Diego today.
Brenda & Jim
I just found all of this news out Tuesday night at our circle dinner. You have both been in my prayers since. I love you both and know that you will beat this Joanne. It sounds as though you had a great Dr. in Seattle and you have the best in a partner-nurse for home care. From your stories of your journey in Seattle I definitely that you both have a guardian angel watching over both of you. I will be willing to help in anyway I can. Also remember Dominic- "Philly guy" is retired so if you need a ride to chemo he is available. Besides the way he drives you will forget all about how bad you might feel- it is a different kind of therapy.
So very glad you are home.
Love Carol G
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