Almost...almost...almost...

I think we are getting closer to starting the radiology - at least I think so. It seems every time we go to the doctor's we expect to find out the EXACT start date so we can get on a regular routine. Yesterday, David and I went to the Radiology Department at HCI to get a mask made of his face so he can begin radiation. The mask helps to keep David's head in the same place each time he goes in for radiation. Then they got him on the table and made sure everything was in the right place. Soooo, next Wednesday, we go in for a dry-run with mask and everything and then the radiation begins on Thursday - but we still won't know for sure what time until after our appointment on Wednesday. But we do know it will be daily radiation treatments (approximately 1/2 hr) every weekday for 6 weeks - so radiation will probably end about the beginning of June. It's a good thing - David is planning on hiking in the Uinta's in August!!! Although Andy and I discussed the possibility of having a helicopter deliver him to a camping site and then delivering him home by helicopter, too. Unfortunately, for David, his favorite part is actually walking along the trail with the llamas!! Yea, I don't get that either...although I know MOST of you do!!!

David worked for 2 hours before he went to the HCI, and then we were at HCI for another 2 hours and he was exhausted!! Poor guy! He slept very well all night though so that was a good thing. He was hoping to be able to work a few hours each day this week, but even he didn't feel like going in today - which is a good thing. He feels so much better, is able to speak more clearly and retains information better after he is rested. And I think he will need all of his strength to get through the radiation!!

David has also been put on daily insulin injections to keep his blood sugar under control. This whole thing has really played havoc with his numbers. Hopefully, the insulin will help stabilize his blood sugar - and watching his diet - which we are trying to do!!

The picture above is of David at my niece Joy's wedding at the San Diego Temple last June with both of my sisters, Jodie and Krista and some of their children. David loves California and he thoroughly enjoyed the time we were there. He will always be a California boy...

Thank you again for your continued prayers and happy thoughts. They are so appreciated by all of us.

Janis

Walking the Line

Dad met with a therapist at the Hearing and Balance Center yesterday.  They put him through a series of tests to figure out the right exercises for him to do to improve his balance.  The first test they strapped Dad into a machine that moved the two plates he was standing on to test where his center of balance is and how he compensates when he is knocked off balance.  All in all, the doctor was impressed with Dad's balance and how well he does compensate.

They tested his reflexes, and then ran him through a bunch of exercises.  He had to walk the line a few times.  Dad told the lady, "I don't drink because I can never walk the line even when I'm sober."  She's given Dad a list of exercises to do each day for at least 15 minutes.  She'd really like him to practice twice a day.  Dad knows that the more he follows through, the better his balance will be.  We'll meet with the Balance Therapist every two weeks.  The best part about the visit- Dad is graduating from the cane to a pair of hiking sticks.  The therapist said they would probably help him not lean to the right so much.  Dad's just excited to have something with a poky end to poke me with.  And I'm excited to steal them away from time to time and take some serious hikes.

Later today we head back up the Huntsman Cancer Center, where Dad will get outfitted for radiation.  He's not so excited.  But we are all looking forward to knowing what the schedule will be for the next 6 weeks!

Therapies

As part of Dad's recovery the doctors gave him orders to meet with an occupational and a physical therapist.  Today was Dad's first visit with the occupational therapist.  This visit was just his assessment.  Next week Dad will meet with him once and then it's recommended that he continues twice a week while he goes through radiation and chemo, depending on Dad's energy level.

The Occupational Therapist sat down with Dad and asked him about his job duties and responsibilities, his daily grooming abilities, his leisure time pursuits and the overall layout of the house.  He also asked Dad about his vision, speech, memory and how Dad goes about organizing himself each day.  Then the therapist conducted some more concrete assessments to create a baseline to measure progress against.

Dad had to do the standard vision test (Ironically he has better vision out of his right eye, the one he closes most of the time).  He also had to stand one foot in front of a board with lights on it (see picture above).  Dad had to find the light that was on and push it off, then find the next and push it off, etc.  He had 60 seconds to find and turn off as many as he could.  This measured his reaction time as well as his ability to see in each visual field.  Dad's visual ability and reaction time was the weakest in the bottom right.  Which we could have predicted, since every time Dad has tripped over something it has been on the right side. 

Dad did many other assessments regarding verbal and visual memory, coordination and strength.  He also made Dad start from 100 and subtract by 7's.  This must be something these therapist are all taught in school, since the one in the hospital asked Dad to do the same thing.  Dad just said, "I knew I should have memorized that." 

From these assessments the therapist gave us many recommendations.   He counseled Dad to slowly take on more responsibilities to build endurance and coordination back.  He also said we should make sure that his walking pathways are clear from any tripping hazards (learned this the hard way when he was out in the garden with me the other day).  He thought Dad would benefit from helping to fold the laundry (coordination) and using a spray bottle and cloth to wipe down the counters with his right hand (grip and arm strength).  I think Mom would benefit from that one as well.  He suggested that as we are driving Dad around, we should ask Dad what signs we are passing, or ask him to tell us when he thinks we should turn.  We'll see how well that one goes....  We are also going to start having him search for particular word phrases, pictures, headlines etc. in the newspaper.  I think this would be a fun one to do with his older grandsons!  The therapist also is recommending some speech therapy.

The therapist said he'd work with Dad to help him get back to driving ability and able to complete more of his work tasks and the tasks at home he wants to do.  I found it all very fascinating.  Dad on the other hand said in the car, "I don't really think I need to go play games with this guy every week."  Hopefully Dad will see and feel progress each time he goes!