October 20, 2007
UPDATE

This is the first update in over a week. We have such a blog following that I thought I better update it so the emails and phone calls will be satisfied. We do appreciate all of you caring enough to follow our lives. I have lots of good news to share (that is what happens when it is spread out).

Last Sunday, Jack wanted to visit his office and pick up a couple of books that he wanted. This is the first time he has requested going anywhere since our events began. I was delighted to take him. Our dear friend, and Nano-C’s CEO, Viktor Veijins was there preparing for a meeting that evening. It was a delightful experience to see the smiles and embrace of two grown men. Jack did not stay long. After being in the car for some time in our short excursion, he had some balance difficulty after getting out of the car when we arrived home. It initially appeared that he was going to topple backwards somewhat. I was right behind him. I told him that I was at his back as I supported him with my hands. Jack immediately said, “the backing of a good wife is indispensable”. I replied that if it took all of this experience for him to understand that, we had made real progress. We both had a good laugh at his quick humor. He keeps me on my toes.

Jack’s treatments are drawing to a close. We have 7 more trips to MGH. His last treatment is October 30. We are both counting the days, me more than him, I think. I remarked recently about how we were almost finished and how much I was looking forward to that day, he said yes, but as long as we are doing this trek, we know we are doing something. I assured him that the treatment is not over, it just evolves into another phase. He continues to tolerate them very well. We have truly been blessed. His blood counts have remained unchanged so there has been no deterioration of platelets and white cells. He has no nausea just some mild fatigue. His paralysis has not worsened. On Wednesday of this week, he was able to move his left arm a few inches while the physical therapist was working with him. Needless to say, it was very emotional. Like Jack, he did not relate the story to me until the next morning. (He had tenure at MIT and an endowed chair for 2 weeks before he remembered to tell me.) He is greatly improving in this regard. It gives you an idea as to how momentous this event was. When he did tell me, he broke down and whispered to me that it was a flicker of hope. The overwhelming magnitude of this experience cannot be measured on any scale for any of us. The best part of all of this experience is that it brings to mind so clearly how the events of our lives are in the hands of our merciful Lord. It makes me think of Psalm 52:8-9:
“But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God:
I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.
I will praise you forever for what you have done;
In your name I will hope for your name is good.
I will praise you in the presence of your saints.”

Jack had a wonderful 70th birthday. He had a multitude of well wishes from around the world. It began on Sunday with a wonderful time of fellowship and prayer with our Bible study group, the Howells and Domenicas. On his special day, October 16, he had balloons, birthday cakes, edible bouquets, cards, phone calls, flowers, books, letters, food, and visitors from Germany. I stayed home from work to enjoy this special day, his 70th birthday, with him. Our dear friends from Germany, the Wersborgs, arrived in time for a dinner in the early evening. Jack was overwhelmed by the many ways people showed him how loved he is. He was most grateful to have it concluded. He is never one to have so much “ado”. For me, it was a living testimony of his impact on those who have been blessed to have him in their lives, most of all me.

Our challenges with MGH continue. We finally got the remainder of the Chemo via FedEx on Tuesday just in time for his treatment on Wednesday. We met with the vacationing nurse on Wednesday. She had not received any blood work since September 24 (date she probably left). Remember, they only accept faxes. I assured her that multiples have been sent. I suggested that maybe MGH might want to come into the 21st Century. Microsoft and MIT, I challenge you to get a project going over there to bring this place up to the 20th Century (forget the 21st Century).

I let the nurse know that we were transferring our care to Lahey Clinic and that I would like all of Jack’s medical records sent to them. We had to go to another person to complete the paperwork for that request. After completing it, the lady asked me if I had a fax (I thought this was odd); I said yes. At this point, she said, then you can fax it to medical records. I explained that I was very busy and wasn’t this something she could handle. She reluctantly agreed to send the fax. When we got home, she had faxed the request to me!!!!!Ugh!!! Nothing should surprise me anymore. I guess I keep hoping for the unexpected! I AM DEFINITELY NOT THROUGH OVER THERE. I AM COLLECTING NAMES TO CONTACT ABOUT OUR EXPERIENCES AT THAT HOSPITAL. I would likely never consider care at MGH. I often wonder how many blunders are made there. I have a neighbor consulting for them. She describes the place as CHAOS. That is putting it mildly!

Jonathan and Megan are on “The Road”. They have described “The Road” as not for sissies, only the strong. They have encountered many beautiful scenes, blizzards, deer herds, mountains, plains, and stretches and stretches of “Road”. As of today, they were in Iowa. From this point on, they are staying with friends and relatives along the way. Their goal is to arrive here in the evening of October 24. They pass papers on their condo on October 25. We will soon be celebrating their arrival, the Lord willing.

This weekend, Jack’s brother and sister-in-law have returned. They wanted to know what they could do to help us out. I have a meeting in CA on Monday so I asked them if they could come and stay with Jack so I could attend the meeting. They agreed for which I am most grateful. I hope to relax and have a change of scenery. I plan to have dinner with Megan’s parents, Jack and Margaret Coleman, tomorrow evening. They live in Orange Co., not far from LA. I look forward to visiting with them. It will be very good for all of us. They have been so wonderful in their care, comfort, and prayers for us. I have suggested that I may have a one way ticket! Maybe someday, but not this trip.

We remain trusting that the Lord will continue to sustain us. Psalm 73 gives us much comfort. The best part of these events in our lives can be summarized in Psalm 73:28:
“But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;
I will tell of your wonderful deeds.”

I have many wonderful emails and letters to add to the blog upon my return but for now, this is the latest.
With deep gratitude,
Carolyn