Still chugging along

Another update from Linda:

We heard from the Bill's doctor's nurse tonight (Sept. 22), and Bill's lab work looks good. He has felt terrible for 5 days -- dizzy, double vision, weak, discouraged and grouchy...couldn't talk right and trouble understanding. Was it medicine, was it the decrease in Decadron? We don't know but the good news is Bill feels much better today. Nurse Mary said that is the way it is. There are ups and downs and hopefully this up will last.

Despite feeling like a truck ran over him, Bill wanted to get out, and we did. We rode the Cuyahoga Valley Railroad and had a lovely early fall day going to Peninsula for an afternoon. Bill rested under a tree and watched the river and I walked to some shops. Some photos of our day are below.

Did I tell you I work with great people at the JVS? They are the best co-workers, bosses and friends. When Bill had all his pills mixed up, I asked to leave and ran home mid morning from our busy clinic and straightened out the confusion and called our wonderful neighbors Pat and Bob Fraunfelder to make house calls on Bill. It all worked out fine. We are truly blessed and grateful for all the help and understanding.

Staying busy

Dad and Linda have enjoyed friends and family and even some "field trips" ... Some notes and pictures from Linda:

This first picture is Jerry's party. It was so good. The Born's have all been so wonderful -- many thanks to Jerry for hosting the great party. Also, their daily visits and support are helping Bill through many rough spots with great love and laughter. Bill has loved his visits to the farm and talking with the guys.


Joe Plezia organized a lunch for Bill with a great food (as always) and did all the cooking as well. Delicious, and a fun time celebrating Gene's birthday. We are so fortunate to have these great friends and it meant so much to Bill. We were going to go to Joe's, but Bill was not feeling real well so Joe packed everything up and we moved the gathering to Bill's deck and had a lovely afternoon.

This picture is from the Cushman (motor scooter) meeting with his great friend, buddy and the husband of his cousin Carol, Al Murphy -- or "Murph," as Bill calls him.

The next shots are from the zoo -- one of Bill pointing out his mother's name noted on a plaque from a donation he made for her and another of giraffes that Bill loves and has fed and petted many times. Over the years we have adopted many animals (gorillas, hippos, giraffes, wolves, tigers were some of his favorites) and love and support the zoo, especially enjoying all their educational programs.



It has not been easy for my Dad. The pictures tell one story; his daily experience tells another. He gets depressed and is mourning the loss of his prior life. He wants to do many things that he just cannot do right now. He's still incredibly frustrated with his communication difficulties. But in spite of all these challenges, he moves forward. He and Linda, as they always have, embrace life.

I have conversations with him on the phone and try to engage him in things to take his mind off the cancer -- the kids, cars, and just today: Ironman Wisconsin. Scott and I and the kids went downtown Madison yesterday evening to see uber-athletes compete in the 2.5-mile swim/112-mile bike/26-mile run that ended at the Capitol Square in downtown Madison. It was truly amazing to watch these Iron men and women cross the finish line. Dad was astounded as I told him about the race, and he kept saying, "Geez! Wow! No kidding!" He had a bunch of questions, and it felt like old times -- an easy conversation with my Pops. My Ironman.

Life goes on

Greetings from Wisconsin and apologies for the lag in blogging. I must admit that I needed a break. Having Dad back in Ohio, it took us cheeseheads awhile to get back into our routines. Now we have the kids in the school, cool weather and the return of another fall.

As for Dad, he's back to his routines on Becker Road, too. He's enjoyed re-connecting with family and friends and of course Linda. It sounds like his favorite activity has been making daily treks to the farm to see Bill and Jim and "roll the cob" with them. Dad feels best when he can be independent and people treat him like the old Bill. He's emphasized over and over that he doesn't want to be coddled. He's happy getting his own meals, tinkering with stuff around the house, reading, talking on the phone and making those trips to the farm.

This morning there was an incident during his farm walk -- he got dizzy and fell down. It sounds like my old bus driver picked him up in the school bus and brought him home. His neighbors and Uncle Bill have checked in on him, as have Heather and I via phone, and he seems to be okay. We'll continue to monitor him throughout the day, but sounds like it was just a weird glitch. Things like this discourage him, though. Bill wants to be Bill and just do his thing. Of course the disease may have other plans now and then. He'll keep fighting it. Ups and downs, ups and downs.

Heather and I have plans to see Dad each month at least through November. September, he'll be back in Madison for a week for follow-up MRI and appointments with his UW team. October, it sounds like Heather's planning a visit to Ohio. Then November, Thanksgiving with the Born family and a week at Dad's house.

I've had some time to reflect, but not enough time. I need to gather thoughts like ducklings and let them follow me around for awhile until I'm ready to lead them to the pond (blog). It's a lot to absorb. Four months ago, pre-brain tumor, things seemed pretty simple. Now, not so much.

Back to Dad -- Here's another plea to give him a call and/or visit. You would brighten his day, and there's not a man that shows his gratitude better than Dad. So you'd feel good, too.

Welcome Home

Hi, friends and family! It's Heather, your "surprise guest blogger." I am honored to be writing to you all about Dad's first weekend back on Becker Road. Chuck, Charlotte and I (oh, and our dog, Amelia too) decided to drive to Ohio to help Dad get settled in back home and to attend a welcome home party for Dad thrown by my Uncle Jerry. It was really a nice weekend. The best part was seeing how well Dad is doing and how happy he was to be home. Dad said when he first got home he "didn't know where anything was", but with in a day or so he was back to all his routines and giving all of us instructions on using the alarm, sorting trash (from recycling to burning to dumpster, there's a spot for each piece of trash!), and yard work. I was happy to take his instructions, for a change! Physically he is really strong. One morning we walked all the way to the farm and back (about a mile round trip). Dad said he plans to resume his morning walks, so be sure to watch for him on Becker Road and stop to say hi if you see him!

The Born family was very excited to have Dad back home. Everyone wanted to see him, so my Uncle Jerry offered to throw a welcome home party in Dad's honor on Sunday. Leading up to the party Dad was a little worried about being able to communicate with his family (due to his continued speech difficulties). We all assured him he'd do fine and that the family would certainly be patient with him. And of course we were right! Dad had a really great time at the party. So many of the Borns came to welcome him home. Dad enjoyed joking around with all of my uncles and hugging and kissing all my aunts and cousins. Anyone who knows Dad, knows that he loves to be "ribbed" or teased. In Dad's eyes, the more you tease him, the more you love him. Believe me there was a lot of love going around at the party! When we got home Dad said "I know they all love me because they were really riding me." Dad went on to say that he didn't want anyone to feel sorry for him, he wants to be treated as he always has been. So, when you see Dad don't go easy on him!

It was sad to leave Dad today. But I felt good knowing he's back home, where he belongs. The summer in Wisconsin was the right choice for Dad and all of us. He was close to the hospital for treatments and we got to spend a lot of time together as a family. But seeing him back home, sitting in his favorite chair, puttering around in the garage, walking down Becker Road, was great. As I sit and write this post in Maryland I know Dad and Linda are together, at home, and that makes me smile.