April is almost over and I haven't posted. Thank you for reminding me that I need to keep you updated. I really appreciate you thinking of him and us.
Bobby's time in Bolinas was so good for him. Even though his recovery is slower than he would like, he has made tremendous progress. In early March his taste buds starting waking up and he seems to be producing more saliva which makes swallowing easier and that makes eating a much more enjoyable experience. That's apparently very helpful when you're trying to gain weight. His total weight loss was somewhere around 45 lbs. Hopefully he'll start gaining some of that back. He finally felt well enough to come to Idaho for a visit. His blood counts are still so low, he decided to avoid the airport and airplanes and drive. He planned to leave California on Thursday, March 17th and arrive sometime Saturday, the 19th. This being his first long road trip in over a year he wasn't sure how hard it would be to sit for long periods of time. He wanted to drive 4 or 5 hours each day, stopping when necessary and spending the night in a hotel. He did spend Thursday night in Reno but surprised us by arriving home Friday evening. We were sitting at the dinner table enjoying dinner with our good friends Charles and Doris (we've been friends since Bobby was 4 yrs. old) when we suddenly heard someone start unlocking the front door. We all tho
ught it was the UPS delivery guy (but thought it was strange that he had the code to the front door) when in walked Bobby. This is definitely my all time favorite surprise!!! He looked tired and thin but good. He also had hair, dark hair. He is my blond, blue eyed boy and now he has dark hair. He has kept his hair very short the last several years so it was odd to see his hair grown out and so dark. When they radiated the back of his neck his hair line had moved up considerably. The doc's all believed that the hair wouldn't grow back in that area and suggested he let his hair grown longer to cover the "bald" spot. However, it has started growing back. I wish I'd taken a picture when he first arrived home because a few days later when I came home from work, he had shaved it real short again. Either way he looks great to me.
ught it was the UPS delivery guy (but thought it was strange that he had the code to the front door) when in walked Bobby. This is definitely my all time favorite surprise!!! He looked tired and thin but good. He also had hair, dark hair. He is my blond, blue eyed boy and now he has dark hair. He has kept his hair very short the last several years so it was odd to see his hair grown out and so dark. When they radiated the back of his neck his hair line had moved up considerably. The doc's all believed that the hair wouldn't grow back in that area and suggested he let his hair grown longer to cover the "bald" spot. However, it has started growing back. I wish I'd taken a picture when he first arrived home because a few days later when I came home from work, he had shaved it real short again. Either way he looks great to me.He ended up staying just over two weeks which went by very quickly.
During his visit he was able to see the grandparents a couple times and his cousin Angela who was visiting from out of town. We headed up to Smiths Ferry for a couple of days to visit our good friend Michael (Elizabeth was out of town visiting family) and to see all the snow. They had plenty. Bobby and I did some snowshoing with the dogs. A first for both of us. Our good friends who took care of our home, pets, and garden while we were living in California came one evening to visit with Bobby. Most of them had never met him before. It was great for for them to see who they had been and still are praying for and for him to see what sweet, loving, giving friends we have. And we attended the Caldwell Fireman's Ball (didn't actually know it was this specific event until we arrived) because my brother, Bobby's Uncle Danny and his band, Wayward Three, were the entertainment for the evening. It was kinda fun telling the girl at the entrance "we're with the band". Bobby also had lunch with a couple high-school/childhood friends. We went on long walks, watched movies, experimented with recipes (high calorie healthy food is a little tricky), did Bible study together a
nd rested. It is a joyful thing to see my son, who was so sick not that long ago. looking and feeling so much better. It is truly answered prayer.
As he gets stronger, both physically and spiritually, he is making plans for the future. He wants to help other people with their struggle through diagnosis, treatment, nutrition, exercise, etc. He would be a "cancer coach". He has support for the idea from his medical team. He is anxious to get back to work and back to feeling healthy. He did gain 5 lbs. while he was home. That's moving in the right direction.
Letting him leave was hard. The time together was over before we knew it. We're planning to make a quick visit in May and as often as possible. In the mean time we give God the glory for all He has done and we pray that he will continue to gain strength, both physically and spiritually. God is good and is to be praised. Thanks to all of you for your prayers, love, and for your friendship.
During his visit he was able to see the grandparents a couple times and his cousin Angela who was visiting from out of town. We headed up to Smiths Ferry for a couple of days to visit our good friend Michael (Elizabeth was out of town visiting family) and to see all the snow. They had plenty. Bobby and I did some snowshoing with the dogs. A first for both of us. Our good friends who took care of our home, pets, and garden while we were living in California came one evening to visit with Bobby. Most of them had never met him before. It was great for for them to see who they had been and still are praying for and for him to see what sweet, loving, giving friends we have. And we attended the Caldwell Fireman's Ball (didn't actually know it was this specific event until we arrived) because my brother, Bobby's Uncle Danny and his band, Wayward Three, were the entertainment for the evening. It was kinda fun telling the girl at the entrance "we're with the band". Bobby also had lunch with a couple high-school/childhood friends. We went on long walks, watched movies, experimented with recipes (high calorie healthy food is a little tricky), did Bible study together a
nd rested. It is a joyful thing to see my son, who was so sick not that long ago. looking and feeling so much better. It is truly answered prayer.As he gets stronger, both physically and spiritually, he is making plans for the future. He wants to help other people with their struggle through diagnosis, treatment, nutrition, exercise, etc. He would be a "cancer coach". He has support for the idea from his medical team. He is anxious to get back to work and back to feeling healthy. He did gain 5 lbs. while he was home. That's moving in the right direction.
Letting him leave was hard. The time together was over before we knew it. We're planning to make a quick visit in May and as often as possible. In the mean time we give God the glory for all He has done and we pray that he will continue to gain strength, both physically and spiritually. God is good and is to be praised. Thanks to all of you for your prayers, love, and for your friendship.
