Living Life

Well I haven't posted on here in a little bit. So I thought it was time to update you all. Ted is doing ok. He is still going out to the garage and making furniture out of wood. He is done with the adirondake chairs. They are limited edition now and only 4 sets were made and sold. Besides mine. He has also made me a love seat adirondake chair. He didn't use plans and that is a one of a kind piece of furniture. Sorry that's not for sale either. He is slowing down and takes naps every day. Of course if you ask him. He tells you he takes naps because I make him. But he needs them otherwise he can't stay awake through dinner. He is taking alot of pain meds. If he didn't I don't think he would still be here because the pain would be too much. His legs and abdomen are swollen with fluid. They call it lymphadema, and we are going to a specialist that helps move the fluid along. It has helped his legs some, but I am not sure if it is helping or just moving the fluid into his abdomen. We measured around his waist tonight, because tomorrow he has another session. I want to see if it is moving up or out. I have been giving him water pills, quite a bit to help get rid of the fluids, but in the process have depleted him of potassium. So he takes that too, too bring that up. Unfortunetly he doesn't like bananas. Monday he had a blood transfusion again. When he left the nurse said see you next month. Wow....this is our life, swelling, transfusions, doctor appointments. We try to have fun, if Ted is up to we go to the movies, he still hasn't seen batman. Or we go to the mall and get a pretzel or a slice of pizza. Money is tight so we can't do anything too crazy. Also Ted is pretty much in a wheelchair whever we go. He can't walk more then a short distance or he is in pain. He is going to talk to the Hospice nurse to get a hospital bed. We are going to squeeze it in our bedroom, but it will be the first time we have separate beds. THIS Is SCARY!

On a lighter note my Mom came to visit for a week and then brother also came down for a long weekend. It was nice to have us all together again. I don't think we have all been in the same house in over a year. Probably our last trip back to NY in July of 07. My brother brought the boys and they were great. I enjoyed having them here. It's sad because I'm not sure if they truley understand what is happening with their Uncle Ted. Or any of Teds younger nephews. And you know what??? I don't understand! I think i'm gonna sit with the kids and play with my toys. It would be much more fun. :) Before my mom came down she went and got a TATTOO! It is her first one! But she is the 3rd person we know to get the same tattoo as Ted in his honor. I cried! I"m gonna get mine soon. I'm saving up for it. Ted wants me to get it before he dies so he can see it. Maybe i'll sneak out one of these weekends and surprise him.




Well, I think that is all that is going on. I'll update you more whe I know more. But everything has been about the same. Which is good, I don't need anymore drama in my life. Ohh and if your reading this and in the area....we are having an open house Birthday Party for Ted on Aug. 30 from 12:30 to 5pm . Stop in and say hi.

I want to send prayers and thoughts to a fellow colon cancer myspace friend, who lost her life today. She will be greatly missed. Heather who is an inspiration to us all.

I have a moral of the day: I found this on a Superman/wonderwomen/superhero shirt. Hero's Die......Legends Live Forever.

So people like Heather and Ted and so many other people who have beat or been beaten by cancer. They aren't Hero's......they are our Legends and they will forever Live in our hearts and our mind. Never Forget.....Go Forward....and LIVESTRONG!

Update

Well I just wanted to give some updates. We saw the doctor the other day and we are proceding as planned. We are still doing the bone hardener once a month and shots when needed for blood. Ted is scheduled for another transfusion on the 18th. Probably lost some blood having his kidney poked while putting in a new nephrostomy. Other than that, things are good. Ted is tired but hanging in there. He is usually better during the day. The evening are tough and he gets tired then. So if we have plans he has to have a rest first. He is doing pt for the lymphadema and that is going ok. Hospice has been a great help and assest.

We are having an open house birthday party for Ted on Aug, 30. From 12:30 to 5pm. It's open house so you can come whenever you want. So if your reading this your invited. Well if I have more to update, i'll let you know. No news is always good news with Ted. I wish everyone well. Karen