It's a Pity Party . . . and You're Invited!

Today my band informed me that they are "releasing me from my responsibilities to them." They feel that my situation is unpredictable and out of my control, thereby making me potentially unreliable. My heart and my spirit are broken. That's all I can say. OK. The pity party is over.

Jeff is doing well today but he is restless and frustrated by his uncooperative left side. He is increasingly uncomfortable and cannot easily change positions. He met with the physical therapist and walked a few steps with her help using a walker. I was so proud of him! He did such a good job! It was a joy to watch him moving. It sounds like they will continue to do more physical therapy and will craft a treatment plan based upon his functionality when we know more about how quickly he'll regain use of his left side. They said it is possible he will eventually be moved from the neurology floor to the inpatient rehabilitation floor for a while until he is strong enough to safely maneuver around home with minimal help. Jeff, of course, prefers to be released directly to home on his own power without any therapy at all, but he'll likely have to endure their help for a while.

Jeff had another MRI today and is going to have another more specialized MRI later tonight to monitor his brain "wiring." So, between the tests and physical therapy, Jeff has had a busy day. He's also had many visitors respond to Aubrey's invitation. It is wonderful to know so many people are following his progress.

I went back to work today. Don't be jealous. My co-workers have been wonderful and I can't thank Liz enough for tending to things in my absence and arranging all my appointments.

As for the tumor they removed on Saturday: we received the pathology report and it was confirmed to be melanoma. The doctors thought it could possibly be a second unrelated cancer because it did not "behave" like melanoma on the pre-operative scans--it was diffuse and leaky and didn't "light up" like "normal" melanoma. But, with the pathology report we now have confirmation that Jeff does NOT have two cancers! This is good news.

Also, the kids came to visit Jeff yesterday for the first time since his surgery. I know it was a little unsettling for them to see Jeff so debilitated when they are used to seeing him so strong and able. Regan was sympathetic and concerned. Jack, on the other hand, was fascinated by Jeff's useless left side. Jack proudly demonstrated Dad's floppy hand for visitors and announced "his arm and leg don't work--I'm not kidding." Jeff was very patient with them as they took turns feeling the dead weight of his limbs and in allowing them to try to lift and reposition them. He truly is a Super Dad! The kids continue to do well under the circumstances and are distracted by the upcoming school year. Thank you to all the friends who have kept them busy with play dates and other fun over the past couple of days.

I'll let you know how the MRI's turn out. Until then . . . I'm too sad to be funny.