Will Sugar Fix the Emotion?

 3/26 – Sunday

It has been an emotional week for Michelle. It started out with her favorite thing (not), the dreaded MRI. Her late morning appointment was on Sunday, so traffic was light. Unfortunately, construction at the radiologist made parking a challenge. Fortunately, I hate being late, so the 15-minute lead time meant we were only 5 minutes late getting into the radiologist office after finding parking, catching a shuttle then walking to her destination. After filling out the paperwork she went back for the MRI about 10 minutes ahead of schedule. I waited close to 2 hours and finally she made her way out of the MRI room. She looked so sad and down. I could tell she had been crying. She told me the story of having a hard time getting her gown on. She finally asked for assistance from the radiologist. This MRI was with and without contrast, which means they gave her an IV to administer the contrast dye. The radiologist missed the vein on the first try so she got stuck twice. She said she cried on the cold lonely table during the MRI.

I promised her that the next MRI I would make sure she would not have contrast. I talked her into getting some warm cookies at "Insomnia cookies". On the way, I looked over and saw her beautiful blue eyes swell up. I softly asked, “What’s wrong love?” I hate being sick was her answer.  It took some strong convincing but eventually I was able to sway her thinking. I hope she now understands that this is not her fault, and she is not really sick. This is cancer, it sucks, we are just going to have to get through this life challenge and move on. There was a lot more said and I may or may not have pulled over and given her a hug or 2. After getting all the tears wiped away and emotions settled down a bit, she settled in for a triple chocolate chip cookie. She also tried a brownie and dark mint chocolate chip. Not a 10 out of 10 but a solid 7 for sure.

We also had a rough night on spaghetti night. I asked Michelle to help with the sauce. The kitchen was hectic, and it was a lot to ask. She was frazzled. She later told me she was upset because she wanted to help but there was too much going on around her and it was very hard for her to focus on the task. She felt like she was being watched and was uncomfortable and tired. She went and laid down. We got the sauce finished, albeit a little more sweet than normal, but all ended well.  

We had a second MRI done on Thursday this week. This one went a lot better than Sunday’s. She was in and out in 30 minutes. I asked for no contrast. She hopes it does not come back to bite her, but after Sunday’s drama I don’t care. We will get another MRI in a month and that one will be with contrast. 

We are starting an additional medication regiment. It is called the Joe Tippins regimen. If you’re curious, you can google it. I should get the new medication this week. Feel free to text or email me if you’d like further information.

Weekly Highlight: Michelle’s firsts. Michelle was so excited for hummingbird season. She boiled water and filled her feeders outside. There was a broken mason jar that caused a sugary mess, but nothing a little soap and water couldn’t resolve.  I also caught her winding the grandfather clock this week. It sounds like a small task, but for me it was huge. She noticed it needed to be wound, stopped and wound the clock. This was the first time since the cancer diagnosis.

On telly during the day: Game show network – Switch, $100,000 Pyramid and The Chase. The Great British Baking Show, Chicago Med, Criminal Minds and FBIs Most Wanted. 

Nighttime shows: “Shrinking” (Apple TV), “Truth be Told” (HBO), “The Last of Us” (HBO)

“Tell me your Secrets”. There are three characters, each with their own troubling backstory, are pushed to the edge as the truth about their pasts and motives becomes murkier.

Headlining the culinary delights

Sous vide chicken breast with rice. 

We enjoyed the simple yet delicious BLT sandwich, featuring pork bacon from Luck ranch. 

Chicken thighs on the grill. Michelle said it was dry. I’m either losing my touch, or she is getting more honest. We had creamy noodles and fried corn as the sides. 

The meatloaf this week was delicious as usual. 

Larry Luck's chicken parm was a special treat. 

Spaghetti with 3 meat meatballs and homemade sauce was a hit. We used canned tomatoes from Michelle’s Garden last spring.  

Kung Pao chicken with no peanuts or celery delivered from Golden Beijing in downtown Manor.

Love, Brian

www.isthisyournumber.com

Milestone Mania

 3/19 – Sunday

We had one appointment this week for an MRI. When we showed up, the receptionist looked at us like we were foreigners. “I don’t have you on the schedule” she said. After further research, it turns out we were a week early. When I made the appointment, they told me this Thursday. Rather than clarify which Thursday, I assumed it was the first this Thursday, not this next Thursday. Had they given me a date, I would have remembered. This is my sister’s birthday, March 23rd. All in all, it’s my fault for not asking for the date. Michelle wasn’t happy about the futile trip. “At least we got out of the house” I said. Not the comfort she was looking for. 

Capitol Home Health called about a nurse visit this week. We pushed them off because it wasn’t our favorite nurse, J-Rod.

Here is the feature of the week, Michelle’s firsts. Michelle Trimmed some rose bushes out front this week. I caught her with a set of pruners, dressing up an overgrown rose bush. She also helped me unload the dishwasher. This was the first time she did this, since October! My alarm went off on Thursday to water the plants and she said, “I got this” She jumped up, grabbed a water can and watered all the plants around the house. She even groomed some of the plants that were getting overgrown. She was my Sous Chef one night and helped me season the beef and cut up carrots for dinner. She completely dried herself off after an independent shower. 

One last thing to note is her self-dancing. She has been moving her head to the beat while listening to music on TV shows. You’d have to see it to understand how cute it is, she’s adorable. These might not seem like milestones, but as a loving husband and caretaker watching the progress day by day, these landmarks are tremendous.

Weekly highlight: Seeing Michelle in the kitchen again. Smiling as she helped me with my cooking tasks. Round Rock Donuts! Crème Bismarck and Chocolate Eclairs, the perfect start to a Saturday morning.

TV Daytime: "911" (Hulu), "FBI: Most Wanted" (Paramount +) 

“Accused” (Hulu). Crime anthology series where viewers are taken on the journey of the defendant.

“Luther” (Prime) Luther is an emotionally impulsive British detective who is tormented by the dark side of humanity while hunting down murderers. 

TV Nighttime: “Ted Lasso” (Apple TV), “Shrinking” (Apple TV), “1923” (Paramount +) “The Last of Us” (HBO) and we tried watching “Carnival Row” (Prime) but it was strange and we never got into it.

“Truth be Told” (Apple TV). It is about a murder case that propelled a true-crime podcaster to nationwide fame comes back to haunt her when new evidence arises that suggests her original suspect may have been wrongfully convicted.

“Pennyworth” (HBO). Batman’s butler is a former British SAS soldier, Alfred Pennyworth, who forms a security company and goes to work with Bruce Wayne's billionaire father, Thomas, in 1960s London.

Food:

Teriyaki Salmon on a veggie bed with mashed potatoes

Pork chops with scalloped potatoes

Fillet Mignon and Ribeye

Chicken and Broccoli on a bed of rice

Fried Shrimp and French Fries

Swiss Steak

Ramen Tonkotsu

Love, Brian

www.MilestonesMakeMeHappy.org

The Race is On

 3/12 – Sunday

Michelle continues to impress me with her inner and outer strength. She pushes herself each day, walking outside, back and forth from the big garage to the gate and back to the house. She is doing leg lifts at the kitchen island. Every 2nd or 3rd day I find her doing squats on the couch. Capitol Home Health sent a supervisor out to evaluate Michelle for her future Physical therapy needs. I really liked the therapist. She was informative and professional. She also made me laugh, more than once. She asked Michelle to get off the couch without using her hands, walk as fast as she could to the dog beds near the far wall, turn around, come back and sit down. She said this will be a timed event. “On your mark, get set – GO!” and she was off. She quickly gets up and moves one foot as gracefully as she can in front of the other. She does her best 180 at the dog bed and the therapist chimes in with “whoa lady, how many drinks have you had there”. I’m dying here. Michelle sits back down on the couch and the therapist says, “great job Michelle, it sure is easier sitting down rather than standing up, isn’t it?” She went on “You did that in 6 seconds. Normally I expect to see a 13 second run, so you are way above expectations.” Again, I’m dying. I’m thinking, she has a baseline of my living room for her patients and 13 seconds is not something she pulled out of her ass. Needless to say, the therapist decided Michelle could continue physical therapy on her own. She encouraged her to start doing household chores. Help with the dishes, laundry or feeding the dog. Not only will this help me, but it will also help with boredom and give her more purpose.

She did give me a scare one night. She ate too much ice cream and got sick. Normally this is not a big deal, but anything that is not normal is reason for alert. Luckily after a good night's sleep she woke up feeling much better, even though at 4am she still had a belly ache.

As promised, here are some first of the week. Michelle helped me fold some laundry. I had to refold some of it, but this is the first time she tried to help with laundry. She also made dinner one night!  She made Salmon and a veg. It was delicious and it was the first time since October 18th that she had made something for dinner. Michelle took a shower without assistance this week. I was there to help in case she needed it but for the first time since October, she was independent in the shower.

TV Daytime: “Ghost Writer” (Apple +), “Family Feud” (Hulu),  Chicago Med, Chicago PD, East New York, Survivor, Special Forces: World's Toughest Test and 911.

TV Nighttime: “Shrinking” (Apple +), “Pennyworth” (HBO). “The Last of Us” (HBO) and “1923” (Paramount +).

 “CODA” (Apple +) I may or may not have been bawling. It was about a deaf family who had one hearing child, a teenage girl. It was her struggle with teenage life, family and pursuing her love of singing.

“Causeway” It was based in NOLA. It was about a lady with a TBI due to an IED exploding under her vehicle and her struggles to return to normal. It was a slow starter and a slow finisher. Not recommended unless you hold this subject matter close to your heart.

Food:

Honey Glazed Chicken with Egg Tagliarini Noodles

Sous Vide Chicken breast and potatoes au gratin

Italian sausage and Bratwurst with Rice a Roni and steamed carrots

Fried Fish, Shrimp and Fries

Taco salad

Pizza

Salmon and a veg from Michelle.

Breakfast was Bagels, Cream of Wheat, Waffles and bacon and egg tacos. 

Love, Brian

http://www.13second.dogbed.gov

Spring has Sprung

 3/5 – Sunday 

We continue to see improvement. Michelle is getting more bored. I asked her yesterday what she used to do when she was bored. She used to crochet or weed her garden. On very boring days, we would go out shopping to Home Depot or Hobby Lobby. She has been exercising a lot. She is tired of walking around in circles, doing the same routine. We will occasionally walk down Bobby Rd to change the scenery.  Sparks Rd has become the next Indy 500, it is too dangerous to walk on.  Once, we took the gator down to the barn so she would walk around down there for a while. That was cut short when we noticed the physical therapist showed up early. 

Michelle had physical therapy and home nursing this week. The physical therapist put her through a vigorous regiment of exercises ranging from squats to balancing. We really like the therapist. He has been impressed with her progress and perseverance. He is on vacation next week. We asked to skip therapy. We aren’t sure if this will be an option or not.

Home health nursing had the RN evaluator show up this week. She wanted to evaluate Michelle to see if we needed to continue with home health nursing. Our feelings are, if insurance covers it, we are all in. We went over some concerns with previous nurses. We set expectations and went over baselines. Michelle chuckled at me yesterday. She said, “I can’t believe you told the nurse you are sneaking Bran into my diet”. Well, it’s keeping you regular, I told her. She smiled and agreed. Bran instead of MiraLAX! Nobody is none the wiser after a sprinkle of Bran in your Cream of Wheat.

Michelle fed the dog for the first time this week, since October. She was tending to her household plants for the first time since October. I will try to record firsts as I see them throughout the week.

Chele's sister Tracy spent some time with her this week. She helped plant some springtime plants and flowers.

TV Daytime: “MASH” (HULU), “Next Level Chef” (Hulu), “Great Chocolate Showdown” (Hulu) 

TV Nighttime: “Ted Bundy, the American Boogeyman”, “Tulsa King” (Paramount +), “Mayor of Kingston” (Paramount +), “Your Honor” (Hulu),  “Yellowstone” (Paramount +), “The Last of Us” (HBO), “Shrinking” (Apple +)

Food:

Tuna Casserole

Michelle’s famous Sloppy 

Honey Garlic Chicken with rice

Kung Pao Chicken 

Chalupas 

Meatloaf

Love, Brian

www.Cdedbdbirds.edu