Tumor Pix & G-tube

James Swift went through the CDs and found a good picture of Brace's tumor. It starts in between his eyes and goes straight back. The space between his eyes is supposed to be clear and black. Pictures like this are cross sections and a little hard to understand. :) But this picture makes it pretty easy to see the problem.

Steroids: So I've decided that Saturday after 2.3 chemo treatment, he was reacting to the steroids and that is why he felt so good. How do I get some more for him? Ha ha

Sunday, 11/24/2019:

Brace slept in and I went to church. At around 10:30am he went to check the mail and talked to our neighbor Mike, whose wife just bought a new convertible Bentley. If you didn't know it, Brace loves cars and knows almost everything about the all the models. Mike let him take a ride around the block driving. Upon driving back, there is Jim Murri knocking on our door to give him a ride to radiation. No irony there.... Jim was a good sport about it all. (Radiation treatments on Sunday, so they can get 4 days in before Thanksgiving)

Then Kjarstin, James and I were to off to Christmas Choir practice at church. She directs the children and I direct the adults. While we were gone, Paul from Euroline came to visit Brace. I'm thinking he spent an hour fixing my fountain light. Thank you Paul.

Monday, 11/25/2019
Family Visit: Ashby

We had an early doctor appointment near Glendora this morning. It was a long drive and Brace felt awful. His throat has been feeling more and more sore and he was really struggling getting anything down. He tried some lunch but could only eat a few bites. He was able to drink one ensure. On our way home we texted Alice and told her we probably should get a G-tube because if the sore throat was because of radiation it would get worse and worse. We go every weekday through December 30th. (Remember I was hoping it was chemo so it could be temporary.) Within an hour Alice had the g-tube surgery scheduled for Wednesday morning at 6:00 AM.

Leslie and Curtis Ashby came from up North to visit Brace and take her kids to Disneyland. They came bearing many gifts from both Leslie and Ben. Black face masks, one with skulls on it, diffuser, peppermint oil, toothpaste, hats. It just went on and on. We felt loved. Thank you to Madison Lake for housing them all.

Then after a long drive, we came home and Sandy, our neighbor, took Brace to radiation. He came home feeling even worse. He was so hungry, but he couldn't really eat or drink.

Tuesday, 11/26/2019

Today he woke up and his throat hurt even worse. We were able to order the compound "magic mouthwash" at the price-rite pharmacy and get it in 2 hours for an extra $25. It allows him to numb his throat before eating. It is not magic but it gives him a little relief.

Then off to radiation even though they screwed up our time. Thanks to Michael Silverberg for being so understanding. I took him to radiation and was able to talk to the doctor and the front desk about what medications we could crush in his tube and what we needed in liquid form. We did a pain killer in liquid form so that should be good. I don't think both of us had any idea how painful this would be. I think we knew he would be flat but not in misery..... Early surgery in the morning. :)

Thankful for....

Amazing friends & family

Great doctors

A belief in God and Jesus Christ

The plan of happiness

Thank you to....

• Jim Murri, Michael Silverberg and Sandi Schreiber for driving.
• The Ashby family for visiting and bringing so many gifts....
• The Feist family for the great Christmas hat. It blinks - he wore it today to radiation.
• Shirley Demmon for helping us sign paperwork as a witness and the amazing apple pie. We are saving for Saturday in hopes that the 4 day break in radiation will allow him to eat this weekend. (crossing fingers)
• Lorie Still for sewing (3x) Brace's pillowcases for his long pillow.
• Craig Williams for coming at 9pm to help me move a mattress upstairs.
• Rob & Kim Peck for being understanding that we couldn't join them at the car show even though Brace really really wanted to make it happen.
• Lynette Saadeh for an amazing dinner.
• Kjarstin for hanging with us today and helping me tomorrow while Dad and I are at the hospital.
• Robyn, my dear friend, for helping me understand what I might to help Brace with the g-tube.
• Paul for fixing my beautiful fountain.
• James Swift for finding me a good picture of Dad's tumor.
• Jane Larsen for being understanding that we can't party like we had hoped.
• For texting Brace pictures of yourself and what you are doing.

And I forgot to include the cute movie of Brace getting his head shaved by the amazing Marty Bustillos.