Whew! What a week…and then some!

The ride to St. Louis  was just a tad more difficult than we expected, yet we made it back safe and sound even if we had to spend one additional night on the road.  As we motored in from Illinois, it is was a refreshing sight to see the Gateway Arch ahead.

As we enter our second week back in St. Louis, The Little One has struggled to regain his strength.  The radiation and chemotherapy has literally taken the wind out of his sails.   Some of the simplest things for him to do often takes so much effort.   We do hope that his strength will come back so that he can enjoy some of the simple things in life like listening to his favorite operas

My routine has changed quite a bit, too.  While it is an honor to be a caregiver, the caregiver has to be mindful of their energy level as well.  There is quite a bit of responsibility that goes into caregiving,  none as important as caring for yourself.   I am most fortunate to have a wonderful job and an understanding organization to work for; I am thankful that my Real Estate clients are patient as well.   We know that we are not in this alone.

At least for now, it is clear that The Little One will not be able to stay by himself.  As he regains his strength we can revisit this issue,  but for now it is clear that he will need  supervision as we move forward with this insidious disease.  This is difficult for him because he is so fearlessly independent, yet we all have make adjustments to the hand that was dealt.

We have another three weeks to wait before we go for the follow-up PET scan.   The PET scan will determine the next course of action; we do know that there will be NO more radiation! By all accounts we acknowledge that the tumor has shrunk; yet the physical and mental anguish of these treatments pale in comparison to what an ordeal this has been for ‘The Little One.’

Martin Luther King once said: “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, you just have to take the first step.”   As we move forward, our faith is made stronger by the love and care of our family and friends as we continue to battle this disease!