The Boost

Good evening family and friends,

I received a bit of a surprise this morning when I went in for my radiation session.  One of the technicians casually informed me that the remaining sessions would be booster sessions.  This was news to me, or perhaps I'd forgotten, but apparently they have completed the treatment of the "margins" and are now focusing only on the prostate itself.  The only difference is that instead of two full rotations of the radiation head, I now only receive one.  So the remaining 14 sessions will be just a bit shorter and apparently more focused.

It is with incredible relief that I report that the hives are almost gone.  There are still large areas of somewhat itchy rash and an occasional mini hive will crop up, but nothing like last week.  Slowly but surely I am adding foods which are known to cause allergies back into my diet and so far, so good.  Wheat, peanut butter, tree nuts, and milk are all know allergens, but none of them seem to be the culprit.  More than anything, I am very relieved to discover that dark chocolate wasn't responsible.  I'm back to suspecting the chemical cocktail of supplements, prescription medicine, and herbals coupled with the compromised immune system as creating the perfect storm.  If I never have to go through that again, it will be too soon.

Rowan getting ready for the walk

Yesterday was an absolutely perfect Oregon spring day.  The official temperature was only in the mid to upper 50's, but without a breath of wind, it seemed much warmer.  Better yet, it was one of my better days in quite some time so I was able to get out and enjoy it.  Kathy and I took three short walks in the morning and then and went over to visit Erika and Rowan.  Rowan seems to have responded well to his medication and has not had a known episode of SVT for several days.

Eagle nest in the Jackson Bottom Wetland

Before dinner we got out for another walk, with Rowan in his Baby Bjorn carrier for the first time.  We walked to our new house, although we hadn't officially closed so we could only peek through the windows.  We had several stipulations written into the contract--to service the furnace and clean carpets--and were curious if any work was being done.

On the way back we walked on the trail above the wetland.  It is a very busy place this time of year.  The air was full of the trills of red-wing blackbirds and other wetland birds.  The waterfowl are pairing up and the resident eagles are getting their house in order.

Typical of Oregon spring weather, today was just the opposite - cold, rainy, and blustery.  Generally crappy weather.  This morning was kind of  a downer for me as well.   I really wish I could put a finger on what triggers how I feel from day to day, so that I could control it better.  By mid-afternoon the weather started to improve and I began to feel much better as well.  I think a power nap helped a lot.

The other major news of the day is that we signed the final papers with the title company after the radiation treatments this morning.  There are only a couple of minor formalities until we officially own a second home.  We were able to walk through it late this afternoon and found that the cleaners did a relatively reasonable job, considering there was a lot of cleaning that had to be done.   Gradually finishing that job to our standards will be chore number one, once we get the keys.   Then, over the next few weeks we can start to make it our own.  I just hope and pray for the energy to be an active part of the preparation.

We can think of so many things to be thankful for over the past week, both in our lives and in the lives of those we know and care about.  We also send heartfelt thoughts to those who are facing significant health challenges. 

Be sure to let those that are dear to you know how much you care about them!

Wishing you spring-like days!

Shalom,

Barry and Kathy