UPDATES
November 7, 2007

It is official. Jack has successfully graduated from 30 days of radiation and 42 days of chemotherapy. October 30 was his last day of treatment for which we are both most thankful. The radiation therapist cheered us on. He can accurately say that the whole city was excited. The Red Sox even had a grand parade to celebrate this momentous day. Some people actually think it was to celebrate something the Red Sox did but not us!

Jack tolerated treatment very well. The fallout from the treatment will continue to affect him for several months we were told. If treatment was successful, we could likely begin seeing some improvements in his paralysis in about 2-3 months. The doctors seem optimistic that he will regain the entire use of his arm, hand, leg, and foot. He may not regain his finger dexterity. His spirits are good. He keeps himself occupied by napping. I keep telling him that he is just catching up on years of sleep deprivation. When he is not napping, he is reading, doing Bible study, or writing. This week, I called home and asked Jennifer, his new homecare person, what he was doing and she said – “oh, he is writing his book.” Jack has copious journals on his work which is now focused on brain tumors and assorted other things. Thankfully, he is right handed since it is the left side that is so impaired.

The best part of our trips to the hospital each day was the sharing time that we had. We quickly developed a morning routine. I must confess that I am not missing the rigor of it. However, if anyone wants to know any back road to MGH from Winchester or the surrounding area, please call. We know them all including time differences during various hours to arrive from portal to portal. Jack has probably plotted them somewhere.

Megan and Jonathan have moved into their empty condo still anxious to get their furniture. Their furniture still has not arrived. It is 1.5 weeks overdue and now is not expected until next week. As Megan says, there must be a good reason for this event. If nothing else, their things will be most welcomed when they do arrive. We have some very good news on the job front for Jonathan. He has had multiple interviews and begins some freelance editing work for Boston Productions on Monday. He has been wanting to do freelance work, so here is his opportunity. Thank you Lord.

We had a very good visit from Ingo Wersborg on Sunday. Ingo has spent some time with us as his American family while he attended MIT one year ago. Ingo is the youngest son of our dear friends the Wersborgs that came from Germany for Jack’s birthday a few weeks ago. He surprised Jack with a CD of a beautiful opera and a fabulous Bose stereo system to play it on. Thank you Wersborgs for such a special gift from such special friends.

We continue to enjoy the vista of the Lord’s hand in our lives. My office bookkeeper, Maria Corso, had offered us a special recliner that had belonged to a family member. I told her we were interested in it. It turns out that after her family member had used it, that a dear friend of hers had borrowed it for the summer for his Mother who was visiting. The sister of this friend used to be Jack’s secretary at MIT. On an occasion, Jack had gone to the airport to pick up his secretary’s brother, this friend of Maria. The chair that Jack will receive is being delivered from its current home (Jack’s former secretary and her brother) to our home. It is so amazing to observe the beauty of such a small world. It makes me think of the verse in Jeremiah 31:3 “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” We are truly blessed with such amazing loving-kindness.

The joy of the experience is the surprise around every corner. Even the shocking and difficult surprises have been surrounded by even more beautiful and unexpected surprises. Just when I think, I can go no more, someone appears, a call comes from someone with a pot of soup (like this evening from my beloved office manager, Karen Brown – no less than home grown by her Dad and made with love by her and her Mom, escarole soup), a gift arrives, an email of concern and care. It fills us with awe! These uplifting moments bring to mind Habakkuk 3:19 – “The sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer to enable me to go to the heights.” This verse is so uplifting since a disease like this one has great potential to bring us down to the depths but by the grace of our Lord we are being lifted to the heights. All of this experience is truly beyond our strength, so we leave it all at the feet of our Lord.

Jack is still thinking about combustion for all of you who may be concerned. This morning there was a front page article in the Boston Globe about hospital fires in operating rooms. Jack reminded me that he had done some consulting work for WR Grace on this problem many years ago. This article discussed putting rubbing alcohol on a patient’s abdomen to cauterize a mole after gallbladder surgery. Apparently, the abdomen ignited from the cautery tool and alcohol. The flame was described as blue. Jack immediately asked me if I knew why it was blue. Before I could respond, he said because it does not have soot in it. Oh, Jack’s beloved soot. When Courtenay and Jonathan were tiny, he would put a cutlery knife in a candle flame to collect soot and talk to them about it. Needless to say, I have never gotten as excited about flames or soot as Jack. Jack’s tumor may impair his motor function but it is not slowing much else down that is going on in the rest of his brain.

There are many things to learn from these events in our lives. I am sure this list will continue to grow with time. I will share the ones that I have penned thus far:

1. The only thing we have on earth, humanly speaking, is time.
2. The time we can spend with family is most valuable.
3. Considering each other more than our self is extremely important.
4. Communicating freely and openly prevents misunderstandings.
5. Participating in family gatherings even when it is the last thing one wants to do. It may be the last opportunity to see each other.
6. Focusing on each other’s needs more than personal fears.
7. Loving each other as Christ has loved us, unconditionally.
8. Trusting the Lord in all things and not lean on our own understanding.
9. Embracing the experience as an opportunity for growth in the knowledge of our Lord and love for each other.
10.Caring for others more than ourself.

Many heartfelt thanks to all of you who call, email, care, and walk with us during this journey.
I will update next time after the November 16th medical appointment at Lahey Clinic.

Have a wonderful Veteran’s Day weekend.
Carolyn