NOVEMBER UPDATE

I hope one post will be sufficient to tell everything - - especially since I'm notoriously verbose.

I had a doctor appointment today, Monday (the 6th) with my oncologist in Cookeville Medical Center (which is about 50 miles away). I left Jamestown (in my wheelchair, with a nurse) at around 11:00am and we didn't get back until after 5:00 (we travel in a small medical truck).

After my appointment at the hospital, the driver had to pick up two other patients who were getting dialysis treatments at a nearby clinic. He took both of them home before taking me (and nurse) back to Jamestown, so it was a long day.

My appointment was rather brief, but the doctor was pleased with my progress. I will have another app. in January, when I'll get more tests. I gained 23 lbs. since I arrived at the rehab facility.

The open wound that keeps having drainage (near my butt) isn't exactly a radiation wound, as I suspected. It's a remnant of where the tumor was. I foolishly forgot to ask if it will ever heal....but the doctor didn't seem to be worried about it. All my other radiation wounds have healed completely.

The drive to and from the clinic was magnificent to me. I (finally) got a glimpse of autumn! Some of the foliage is turning brown, but many trees were still gold, burgandy, and red. Hills, forests, farms, meadows with cattle and horses.

On the ride home there was a spectacular bright red sunset that illuminated the autumn foliage with glorious vivid colors. I wish I had a camera. I think this impromptu encounter with nature helped revive my soul.

Since many people thought I was crazy for chosing to live alone in a rural area - - let me tell you about the two dialysis patients who rode with us.

One is a man in his 50s who is partially blind, has diabetes and kidney disease. He lives entirely alone in a place more remote than mine.

The other man is 94 yrs. old (!!!!) and lives entirely alone on 24 acres. There are bears on his property.......and he has several shotguns.

These two gentlemen are a great inspiration. I will remain on my rural property (hopefully) as long as God permits.

Meanwhile, back in Jamestown at rehab.......

I have passed all my physical therapy evaluations with flying colors. The head therapist said I was spectacular and astounding.

I admittedly still feel weak and unsteady most of the time - - but I push myself as hard as possible. If I don't keep going forward, I'll be lost.

 I also know that part of my physical problems are due to those old spinal injuries that impeded my ability to walk.

I'm able to do things in my room (unaided) like changing sheets on my bed and washing my hair in the sink. I even somehow managed to reach WAY behind my bed to plug in my cell phone charger. These are things I could never do a month ago.

Hey, what about my roommate from hell? I won't go into details but he was hospitalized - - and then sent home permanently in the care of nurses and his family.

As for me

(let's insert a drumroll here)

I am schedualed to be discharged on November 17th.

Next week.

More about this soon.

                          With love, Jon