A quick trip...

Milo and I (Meg) drove down to Newton for a quick trip to see Grandma and Grandpa. Grandpa was in fine form :) He explained to me about his trips to the "electric shop," where he receives his radiation treatments. He told me about how he's clausterphobic, something I never knew about him, and that strapping him to a table is about the worst thing they could do to him. So he talked to his doctor about when he's had other procedures done, and they give him some sort of sedative. So he does his "yoga," takes his relaxation drugs, and they hook him up. He says that it's all still very real to him, he's fully awake and aware of what's going on, but he just doesn't care. Kinda nice, probably means he gets a little time not to worry too.

They've made friends with everyone at the clinic. I think this social desire is genetic because my mom has it too. They talk to and encourage the patients going thru the same thing, they befriend the nurses and the techs. Grandpa talked about how sullen and sad a place this can be, such scary things, cancer and its treatment. But with some smiles and a laugh or two, it's not so bad. He has told his fellow crusaders of his new title, his calling as cancer assassin. They love this, and like a general leading an army, Grandpa rallies the troops, and together they declare war on this illness.

He explained the actual radiation treatments, how they put this helmet-type thing on, and then the "ice-blue" light comes on. How he has to close his eyes because it's far too intense and bright to look at. And then they get to go.

Sounds like there are just a few more radiation treatments, they're done on Wednesday, Grandpa gets the weekend off, and then they'll start chemotherapy the following week. And it sounds like they'll do one chemo treatment every two or three weeks. That the side effects will be tough the closer to the treatment, but Grandma Sue hopes for a good couple of weeks of feeling better inbetween. We'll keep you up on all the comings and goings of our own cancer assassin.

"Killer of Cancer Cells" and mean SOB...

Starting this blog as a place to post updates for Grandpa Gary. I don't think he minds getting phone calls, but this way, if you're thinking about him in the middle of the night, or the wrong time in a different time zone, you can check in and see what's going on.

I got a call from Mom (Kris) this morning while I was at work, and usually I don't answer my cell when I'm there, but it was before the store opened, and I knew Mom was with Grandma and Grandpa this weekend. She asked me if I could put together some marketing for Grandpa Gary, Cancer Assassin. And in the background I hear Grandpa's gruff, strong voice shouting to me thru and over Mom's voice saying "that's right, Killer of Cancer Cells and one mean SOB!" Granted, Grandpa didn't use SOB, but for our more delicate readers...

Leave it to my Grandpa, in the toughest battle of his life, to spring to action, to fight. He tells me of when he was a game warden in Utah, of shady characters causing all kinds of trouble, and he reminds of me of John Wayne. He talks about when he was a partner in a cattle-buying business in Sioux City, and how they battled rising and falling prices. He always has been a fighter, a tough SOB, and now it's no different. We're fighting with you, Grandpa, every step of the way!