Delia,

Charlie is definitely traveling the same road as most if not all of us. Just about the time it feels like it can't be any worse, the next day is a crap shoot. Be cautious that immediately after treatment when all the hectic and frantic pace of the doctor visits, radiation, blood tests, etc., it will get very calm and when Charlie has the time to think of all he has been through and how different his life is and all, he will most likely reach an emotional low. I think we all hit that point.

I saw some walkers this past weekend with a little velcro strap around their wrist that was attached to a water bottle. I could almost envision the OCF logo across the wrist strap...a nice Lance Armstrong yellow color...with the feature of adding your favorite low-cost water bottle replacement as you need to...hmmmm.

The toughest thing for me right now is to hold out until the post-Katrina water prices come back down to eart...oh and the $1.50 gasoline while I'm at it.

Hang in there, the journey is tough, but the road well-traveled.

Ed

SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023