We put Mom into Hospice type care yesterday.  There is really nothing that can be done now but wait & pray.  It was her decision not to have a surgery to repair the blockage.  She is 88 and there are so many more complicating factors being considered.  The surgeon describes any procedure as high risk and a very bumpy road.  There is still a remote chance that the blockage would repair itself.  It's a very slim chance since she has had to have surgery to repair this same thing twice before. 
She is not in pain and is resting comfortably.  Every one of her grand kids are here along with wives, husbands, and all the grand kids/great grandchildren.  She is showing a remarkable dignity and resolution.  I know I shouldn't be amazed by this, after all she is my mother, but I can't help myself.  She is speaking rationally of her love of us, and that is her legacy.  The love that she and Dad instilled in their three children has attracted the most brilliant of people like Gary Hayden, Matt Thommasson, Sterling, Megan, Roxy, Karen, and my wife Patti.  This is quite a gathering.  So far no one has got on each others nerves.  I did eat one of Megan's Cinnabons, but I didn't know it was hers.  It was just laying there, alone,................ on the prairie.
 
Anyway, my battle continues with lymphoma.  All the tests that have peered into the deepest chambers of my body like, bone marrow, spinal fluid etc., have been neg. lymphoma.  No tumors were detected in CT scans so the prognosis remains good.  The only known lesion was removed.  The jokes relating to this subject have been good. Once I bet a guy my left nut & lost!  Ha ha.  The common questions I get are about, do I feel like half a man, lopsided, listing, etc.  Ha ha ha.  My funny bone was not effected.

I am one tenth of the way through chemo therapy and I must say that chemo is pretty much living up to it's billing.  They have the nausea under control but the poisoning effect is strong.  It's like every cell aches & cries.  I'm okay and I get such great care that I feel spoiled.  Dreaming of a couple warm weeks on Alii Drive in Kailua, Hawaii.  Can't wait.  We are planning a "Cancer Free Party", here next August, I hope everyone can make it. 

I just hope that when my time comes to take that final journey I can be surrounded by the same love that Dad & now, Mom are receiving.  I've been thinking a lot about Paul Allen lately.  He is our local billionaire, owns the Portland Trailblazers and has a similar type lymphoma as I do.  Poor ol' Paul got it the first time when he was about thirty, went through the cure back then & now he is suffering a relapse.  I think he is about my age, 58.  Paul is making the fight of his life with no family at all.  I feel so sorry for him going solo in this respect.  I wonder if he would trade his team were a love like Mom &  Dad had available to him? 

Happy Holidays