Shortly after I hit "publish" on yesterday's post, Dr. Brogan came in to explain and discuss a few things. First, the PET scan scheduled for Friday will be used primarily to map where the cancer is on Karl's spine and determine the intensity and frequency of the radiation used during the cyberknife procedure. Until that's done, we really can't plan physical therapy or a trip home. Second, Dr. Brogan thinks Karl will need physical therapy and thinks maybe he can get in shape in a week down on 3MB. Third, Dr. Brogan is very happy with Karl's progress. He came in smiling and joking and left with the final words that Karl has been keeping him on his toes...he said Karl is a bunch of puzzles wrapped up in an enigma -- one of Karl's favorite expressions.
Today, Karl's labs came back a bit abnormal. His liver enzymes were about 4 times what his baseline numbers were a few days ago. The infectious disease doctors are analyzing his current drugs and will take him off some they think he can do without (Tylenol) and retest to see how his liver reacts. His white count is normal which means there is no infection. Plastics continue to be pleased with his healing.
Yesterday afternoon, Mom and I went to the Apache Mall to grab a bite for lunch and to do a little shopping. We ended up at Victoria's Secret where we got a bunch of fragrant lotions. Karl happens to love their lotions and knowing this, Mom brought back a tube of Pure Seduction. She rubbed it on his legs before we left for the evening. Apparently Karl rubbed it on his arms and then left the tube at his side and promptly fell asleep. During the night it slipped down into his bed farther and ended up near his legs. In the morning, his nurse Annie and aide Jill found it while they were fluffing him up. Well, you can only imagine the amount of ribbing he got. And it continued all day. His therapy team from two years ago came for a visit and noticed how wonderful his room smelled and then noticed the Pure Seduction lotion on his table. If you know Karl at all, you can just imagine the faces and comments he made. But I think I should leave it at that.
Something interesting happened today to me. I was walking around the St. Mary's campus and a man with two small dogs, Lily and Lulu, came up and started chatting. We talked about their ages and breeds and he volunteered that they were therapy dogs, except for Lulu who is on probation because she likes to eat her patient's food. Then he asked if I had a dog, blah blah blah, and pretty soon he asked why I was here. I told him the story and how wonderful everyone here has been and how at home we were. Then he asked me who our doctor was. When I told him it was Dr. Yaszemski, he said, "Mike is a very good friend of mine. Do you mind if I share what you've told me?" Of course I told him I'd be happy if he did. Then he said, "I'm on the Board of Governors. Do you mind if I share your story with the board?"
Wow. I Googled the Board of Governors at Mayo. This guy serves with Tom Brokaw and a bunch of pretty smart folks. I wish I had asked him his name. Then again, this is so typical of our whole experience here -- a bunch of brilliant folks run this place and they are so unassuming. We are so blessed!
May God bless you as well,
Kerry
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