Counting down

Life is beautiful. Look at these flowers. These are blooming outside the building where I work. We don't see this in Idaho this time of year. It has been very rainy and the hills are alive with new growth. It really is a beautiful area and we are thankful that we can be here with our son.

Bobby's blood counts (white blood cells and platelets) are at an all time low. He is really tired as a result. The radiation burns have improved a bit so I can give him very gentle hugs. Swallowing and talking has become difficult and painful. He waits as long as possible to swallow, then braces himself for the pain. He had strep throat several times as a child and says this pain now surpasses that. He is thankful for the feeding tube though. It's the only way he is able to get in enough calories. There are times that the tube is very convenient. Here we are playing dominoes while he "eats". He has to be a little creative to find a place to hang the bag.....this one is hanging from the chandelier. It's really one of the best uses for this chandelier because it doesn't provide very good lighting,

Christmas was at Bobby's. He asked me to make my Christmas morning specialty from his childhood......sugary donuts made from canned biscuits. HA!!! He couldn't eat any but he said the smell was nostalgic.

Caroline made a nice meal......this is what we ate. A fancy chicken and rice meal. This is what Bobby ate. A delicious Vita mix blended smoothie. We did have to sit up to eat ours. Bobby can lay down, talk on the phone, and play
games while eating. He can even sleep. He came over yesterday and ended up needing to sleep. He was still having lunch but it was no problem to lay down and sleep while the nutrition continued to flow into his stomach. He said he's gonna keep the PEG tube for awhile even when he doesn't need it anymore. I think he's just kidding. I know he's looking forward to being able to enjoy the taste of good food again.

Bobby had his next to last treatment today. His platelets were even lower today than yesterday so they won't be doing any more radiation on his sacrum and tomorrow, Tuesday, December 28th will be his last treatment on the head and neck area. He has a meeting with his main oncologist Tuesday morning. We'll be attending that with him and hoping to get some information regarding whats next.

Bobby was diagnosed on May 20th. It's been just over 7 months. Sometimes it feels much longer.