Lovingheart

Hospital visit was on Tuesday.  Different going onto the ward.  The clinic has many patients going through each day.  Cancer outpatients that are getting their chemo, dressing changes, blood work, or related things done.  A different pace for the nurses on the ward compared to the nurses in the clinic.  The clinic nurses know that Marlon likes his dressing changes to be done quickly.  They are used to the pace and keep up.  On the ward, even the dressing changes become more of an ordeal and there are often two nurses together to help out.  Either way, great nurses all around.  Marlon’s least favourite nurse is “too nice”.  He finds that irritating. He did notice on Thursday that one of the PICC lines had blood in it.  It probably hasn't been properly flushed.  I did email the nurse that we keep in touch with and it isn't a big deal.  I was glad to hear it.  The fresh dressing and the two lines.  The bottom one is...

Before leaving for the hospital this morning, I noticed the daylilies around here open with their varied shades of orange.  On the way to and from Hamilton, we saw several daylilies.  It's their time.  We are lucky that Marlon's primary hospital is McMaster.  A more pleasant drive than the one to sick kids.  Even though it's a holiday his dressing still needs to be changed and the blina bag replaced.  The oncology clinic was closed but we were scheduled to show up on the ward.  See some of the regular people that work there.  All is well.  Afterwards, I dragged Marlon along for more strawberry picking.  What a disappointment compared to the last time.  The berries were sour tasting and either not ripe or mushy.  Their prime season is such a short one.  The fireworks are happening and Pan is oblivious while Mina is panicking.

Not much to say.  I suppose that's a good thing. The big thing around here is getting the eaves trough replaced.  P has been working hard on it with the help of his dad.  In the winter the existing one came down with a crash, weighed down by ice. For the next week, I shall do updates only every second or third day unless there is something worth saying.

Marlon is walking three or four hours a day. Pretty amazing to be in cancer treatment and to be feeling so well and strong.  Then again, I know an older gentleman who barely changed his full, intense exercise routine when going through treatment. A mullein plant.  Not in its prime but still powerful.  Another “weed” that is also a healing plant.

I am scared Not scared for his life but scared for his suffering. I think we have all had times of seeing someone hurting or suffering and knowing there is nothing to do. We were going to Guelph today to pick up his laptop.  It has been overheating and needed a good clean and extra RAM. I made him join the dogs and I for a walk at one of my favourite places to walk in Guelph.  A nice loop with varied terrain.  He is happy to walk and walk, but grumpy when not on his own terms.  Behaving like a real teenager. Mina is reactive to other dogs and one of Marlon's tricks has been to pick her up and she is on her back in his arms.  He did that today and it was a little rough, not a good idea for his PICC line but nothing was harmed and the pump didn't beep at us.  He is still pretty strong, if not as strong as he was before.  A little tree stump along the path.

Not sure if it's the blina, the heat, or just life, but Marlon’s appetite has been off.  Not like steroids where he wants all sorts of food.  Not like when he's really sick that he can't handle food.  He doesn't want to eat much of anything.  Nothing of interest. He used to identify with his belongings as if they were a part of him and who he was.  I think that is natural for young kids(?).  Now he doesn't care and sees his books for instance as a part of the kid that he was and they are not worth hanging onto.  He hung out with a friend this evening.  For the next few weeks, while he is still feeling fine, he will have friend time.  He did even consider Wonderland but that was vetoed by the nurses.  Too many opportunities for sickness to get in and he does need to stay as healthy as he can leading up to the intense treatment. Good old lilly pads.  Just popping up.  Something so magical about the flowers floating on the water....