UPDATE FROM BOB!!!!
"I’m Back”
(Wednesday, March 24, 2010)
It has been a long time since I wrote a blog. Unfortunately, these “nasty little diseases” have put up a good fight. They landed a couple of good sucker punches that I wasn’t prepared for. Using nausea like a weapon of mass destruction, I was knocked to the floor and it has taken a while to pull myself back up on the ropes. My nausea was so bad that for several days I wouldn’t allow any food into my room. If anyone mentioned food, it would make me sick to my stomach. There were several days when I could not open my eyes because I needed to use every part of my concentration to keep from getting ill.
Just in the last couple of days, I have felt much better. The nausea medication protocol we are using is working much better. I am no longer repulsed by the thought of food.
Jenny and Emily have done a great job keeping the blog up to date. Thanks girls!
Because of the problem I had passing out last week, I am known in the hospital as a falling star. I get a nice colored poster on my door so that the entire staff knows I am a falling star. I have been instructed that I am not to be out of bed or walking to the bathroom without assistance to guard against a fall. Adam has been the big physical presence helping me get through the hospital. Yesterday, Patra and I were in the bathroom and she confessed that there was no way she could help me if I fell. The best that would happen is if I fell, we would both fall and I would fall on her, softening the blow. Unfortunately, she is right and that gave us some funny moments to think about how it would appear if the dominoes fell while we were in the bathroom.
But I also noticed the difference when Adam was my escort to the bathroom. He had a hand around me supporting me. He is big enough and strong enough to actually keep me from falling. I would have hoped that it might have been another 10 years or so before it was so obvious who was taking over the supportive role, but it was a real encouragement now.
I do need to take up an issue with some of my friends who commented on my picture. You know who you are – trying to be nice. “You don’t look so bad bald.” “You remind me of an actor.” Just remember, someday you are going to have to give an account of every word. I intend to be standing just off to the side laughing at your feeble attempts to justify being nice with being truthful.
Now for the reality. When I first looked into the mirror after losing my hair, I couldn’t believe it. Who is that old guy standing in my mirror? I found myself playing that silly cartoon game where I would slowly move off the side of the mirror and then quickly return and see if the image was still there. It was.
The good news – how many people get a chance to see what they will actually look like if they live to be 100? I have, and it is not pretty. I’m not ready to totally give up the movie role possibilities. Maybe there will be a role for me in some of the recent teenage vampire – twilight movies.
Today I will need two units of blood transfused. And then later today, they will do another round of diuretics to try and take off some of the swelling. I thank you for your prayers.
(Wednesday, March 24, 2010)
It has been a long time since I wrote a blog. Unfortunately, these “nasty little diseases” have put up a good fight. They landed a couple of good sucker punches that I wasn’t prepared for. Using nausea like a weapon of mass destruction, I was knocked to the floor and it has taken a while to pull myself back up on the ropes. My nausea was so bad that for several days I wouldn’t allow any food into my room. If anyone mentioned food, it would make me sick to my stomach. There were several days when I could not open my eyes because I needed to use every part of my concentration to keep from getting ill.
Just in the last couple of days, I have felt much better. The nausea medication protocol we are using is working much better. I am no longer repulsed by the thought of food.
Jenny and Emily have done a great job keeping the blog up to date. Thanks girls!
Because of the problem I had passing out last week, I am known in the hospital as a falling star. I get a nice colored poster on my door so that the entire staff knows I am a falling star. I have been instructed that I am not to be out of bed or walking to the bathroom without assistance to guard against a fall. Adam has been the big physical presence helping me get through the hospital. Yesterday, Patra and I were in the bathroom and she confessed that there was no way she could help me if I fell. The best that would happen is if I fell, we would both fall and I would fall on her, softening the blow. Unfortunately, she is right and that gave us some funny moments to think about how it would appear if the dominoes fell while we were in the bathroom.
But I also noticed the difference when Adam was my escort to the bathroom. He had a hand around me supporting me. He is big enough and strong enough to actually keep me from falling. I would have hoped that it might have been another 10 years or so before it was so obvious who was taking over the supportive role, but it was a real encouragement now.
I do need to take up an issue with some of my friends who commented on my picture. You know who you are – trying to be nice. “You don’t look so bad bald.” “You remind me of an actor.” Just remember, someday you are going to have to give an account of every word. I intend to be standing just off to the side laughing at your feeble attempts to justify being nice with being truthful.
Now for the reality. When I first looked into the mirror after losing my hair, I couldn’t believe it. Who is that old guy standing in my mirror? I found myself playing that silly cartoon game where I would slowly move off the side of the mirror and then quickly return and see if the image was still there. It was.
The good news – how many people get a chance to see what they will actually look like if they live to be 100? I have, and it is not pretty. I’m not ready to totally give up the movie role possibilities. Maybe there will be a role for me in some of the recent teenage vampire – twilight movies.
Today I will need two units of blood transfused. And then later today, they will do another round of diuretics to try and take off some of the swelling. I thank you for your prayers.
Comments
But, we are continuing to pray that this is the upward pattern after the valley.
Love,
Larry and Mary
The historian says, "In some eastern religions, bald is a sign of intelligence, which you lose when your hair returns." Good luck!!
We do continue to pray for God's continued working in your body to bring you back to full, complete stength and wellness.
Love and praise,
Lex and Linda
It is sooo good to hear from you!!!! My Mom and I are keeping up with you day by day.
I just want to say that I am keeping you in my prayers and thoughts. You are such a wonderful inspiration to my family and I. Thank you for having such a wonderful and amazing faith in the Lord.
All my thoughts and prayers,
Tiffany Sasser Tipton
(I graduated with Adam from Skycrest :) )