Brace is the Man

So I'm starting with the funny story.   So before COVID I was a hard core Walmart Delivery gal. Right now you can't get a pickup or delivery option so going to the store means I need to do it and I struggle with making that happen. I've tried several times and there are no delivery options for Walmart.  So I go in the kitchen this morning and find there is a lot of terrible kid's sugar cereal in the cupboard.  Brace and I have agreed that going inside the story is a bad idea for him.  Usually he drives me and I go in.  So I ask him this morning where did all that cereal come from?  He says I went to Walmart and picked it up.  I looked him straight in the eye and said, "I don't believe you."  Later that night the discussion continues..... Karen : How did you really get the cereal? Brace: I went to pick it up. Karen: They don't really have pick up times available. Brace: I just called them and made the order. Karen: They don't do that....

Two Dr. Appointments: Thursday we Zoomed with Dr. Carroll. He was thrilled with the clear scans but he wants the ENT to scope his nose every three months and do an MRI and PET every 3 months. He also encouraged us to see the brain surgeon. Friday we Xoomed with Dr. Lu, the ENT Cancer Surgeon, and he said he is happy to scope his nose. Brace has a lot of problems breathing at night. Dr. Lu said as soon as COVID calms down he can get open air ways surgically or get rid of crusting from the original nose surgery when they found the cancer. He so wishes they could do that now but is thrilled that he might be able to clear his airways. Saturday afternoon we drove back from the mountains and stopped by my sister's house in Moreno Valley for gifts she left on the back porch. Love you Diane and Scott and Leslie. We are home and happy to be alive. Now that Brace is eating high protein food for lunch and dinner he feels so much stronger. He eats terrible kids cereal in...

Short Version: Be sure to read Thursday and the first and last paragraphs for Friday. To those that like to read the whole saga here we go. Don't skip this one.... At least the short version. Tuesday after Immunotherapy: He came home and slept for about 3 hours. He had a really rough night. Wednesday: He woke up around 8:45am and felt OK. Then he had literally the best day since this all started. (Thank you for your prayers). He worked for about 4-5 hours at work and looked great. He called several clients adding tasks and notes to Salesforce they recently implemented. Glee is going well, we are getting really good at this whole virtual thing. I think many students will continue with that. Kjarstin and I just love the practice app and most of the teachers are learning how to use it. First week for the rest of the teachers. The students compete for practicing hours by teacher. It is fabulous gamification! We send them messages in the app reminding them to pra...

Short Version: So the last time you heard from me was March 14th and Brace decided he was ready to shed his last 12mg pain patch.  We did it with the help of the doctor this time.  We were bracing ourselves for another crash and throwing up. We are big believers in God and think God can help us along the way.  On Saturday night I told God, "Look I haven't really asked for anything through this whole adventure, (I figured you guys were asking for us), but will you please please just let him skip this whole throwing up withdrawal thing?"  He is now officially off ALL pain meds and lived to tell about it.  Prayers answered.... Thank you! Make sure you ready Saturday 21st if you don't like the long saga.  Day by Day:  So I have been beside myself this month trying to save Glee Music Academy, finish the Lake rental, get Brace to eat and write this blog.  (that would be a fail on the blog)   Kjarstin called me early Saturday morning and s...

SHORT VERSION: It has been an eventful week and we finally feel like he is progressing. Here's the one sentence summary: Immunotherapy this week, gained a 2-4 pounds, progress in eating (one meal a day by mouth), and his hair is starting to grow. and the long version... On Friday , the last day of the show Anytime Garage Doors from Las Vegas responded to Brace's text from Thursday.  (Joey, Michael and Michael)  They were going skiing the last day of the IDA show and realized they would miss Brace so they texted him to see if they could meet him in the hotel lobby.   After meeting with Anytime we went over to the show for the morning and then around 1pm headed for the airport to head back home. Saturday and Sunday he basically slept all day and night, but he seemed pretty stable.  The garage door show last week was a lot for him.   I went to church on Sunday and Gabi Stemrich came and joined me and that was fun.  When I got home Dylan Harps...

Well we are here at the beautiful AC Marriott Hotel across from the Salt Palace Convention Center. Here are the blessings of the trip The Marantec team is so nice to him and they all know his journey.  The booth at the IDA show is beautiful and welcoming.  I got to meet all the German and US part of the team.  They had a beautiful white couch that Brace could sit on during the show.  He wears his gloves so shaking hands isn't a problem.  He seems to walk for a much longer time than he can stand.  They were fine with him ducking out early for a nap before dinner.  He has been able to eat a fabulous dinner every night. Mostly tube feeding for the rest of the meals. We attempt lunch but it has been a fail most days.  No problem - we come to the show with his formula.  He slept 13 hours last night.  A little late to the show and they were OK with that.  I got to come! :) I just wrote a quick update because I knew a lo...