SATURDAY, JULY 10, 2010 10:58 PM, CDT
I haven’t posted anything new for a while – partly because between trying to do some work, doing all sorts of tasks, and taking care of Jack, there just isn’t much time left in a day – and partly because there isn’t much to report (which is good news!). Jack was put on a new anti-nausea drug 2-1/2 weeks ago, and it started out as a miracle drug: he doubled his intake from 200 calories a day to 400 calories a day and his nausea seemed to disappear. That doesn’t sound like much of an improvement, but it was huge. In addition, Jack’s strength is returning. While he still needs a wheelchair when we leave the house, he has no problem walking inside the house without any aids, and he can go upstairs once or twice a day without a problem. Seeing the “old” Jack come back, slow as it may be, is such a relief for me.
The sad part is that within a week after starting the new drug, the nausea reappeared – but only every other day at dinner time. We are still so thrilled over the improvement that we are not complaining. We have tried to eliminate any triggers for the nausea but have yet to figure out why it is intermittent. It is so frustrating! Nonetheless, Jack is doing SO much better now than he was two or three weeks ago; he still has a long way to go, but I feel like he is just getting better across the board.
Last week I took Jack to his old Lockheed office and packed up all of his stuff and brought it home; he’s now officially retired. He flunked retirement once before, so I’m not going to take bets on how long it takes him to start doing consulting work – he'd like to start doing that in a couple months. Jack’s constitution just doesn’t allow him to sit around and do nothing. It’s part of what I love about him – he likes problem-solving and he likes to stay busy!
Please don’t be concerned if I do not update this journal as often in the future – when there is news to report, I’ll keep you posted. For now, though, it sure looks like things are settling down, and Jack just needs to get beyond his nausea and rebuild his strength (and put on a few pounds!). We are ever thankful for all of the love, support, and prayers that you have all given to us over the past 7 or 8 months. Your generous hearts seem to know no boundaries -- together, you have made an enormous difference in our lives. I don't think I could have gotten through all of this without your love and support -- I just don't know how to say thank you loud enough or often enough, but every day you are all in my thoughts - THANK YOU!
With much love,
Sue and Jack
God bless you all...I have been praying and thinking of you both (and the rest of your family) throughout this ordeal. May God continually bless you all. Cheers, BJ
