Day 2
October 21, 2008 - We slept in this morning, apparently the air bed from Canadian Tire isn't completely uncomfortable. Actually, we've slept really well here in our son Nic's bachelor pad!
After going through our medication ritual and a quick breakfast in the apartment we made our way to Health Sciences Centre. After a short 10 minute drive we arrived at the hospital only to find that there was no parking spots available within a 10 minute walk...yikes! Every time we found another parking area or parkade there was that wonderful bright red sign that said "LOT FULL". So, we drove around for just over half an hour around and around the area and then finally got into a line-up waiting for a spot in the underground parking. We were lucky that we had arrived early enough to allow us time for the scenic drive around HSC - haha.
We arrived in the basement quite early for our appointment and had barely taken a seat when the radiologist called Wes in. About 25 minutes later he came out, another radiation treatment done and then we were off to see our Oncology Radiologist who had asked to see us.
As we went to the elevators to go back up to Clinic 2, I noticed a bit of redness just above Wes' eyes, along the top of his eyebrows, sort of like a light sunburn, but it didn't take long for it to disappear.
We went back up to the main floor and saw our doctor who was quite excited about how the radiation was going. I mention his excitement because there is one thing that I have learned from all the specialists that we have met and that is that they don't crack a smile unless they mean it!
He opened the binder where they keep all the important info on Wes and he quickly paged through to the back to show us the images they had of Wes' head. Wes and I were both surprised again to be reminded of just how large this tumour had been. There was quite a large black space where it used to be and we could see that the neuro surgeon had done a good job of digging most of it out. The brain had made room for the tumour by accommodating its own shape to wrap around the tumour. It was actually quite amazing to look at...sorry, that may sound weird, but it's true. It reminded me again of God's loving protection over Wes...he allowed something beautiful that was made in His image to pull back and allow something not so beautiful to exist.
The doctor then showed us how the radiation was penetrating just above Wes' eyes and making a direct hit of where it needed to go. He did express concern about Wes' left eye which was why he had requested that it be covered with a small disc during his treatments. He also said that they were trying to be very cautious about damage to the healthy tissue and also to the brain stem. So if you need something specific to pray about those would be our prayer requests for the next few weeks.
Wes was feeling very good this afternoon so we went to Monarch in Winnipeg to visit the shippers that he works with. After a great time visiting with them and a few of the other guys that work there we went back to the apartment and he turned on the Monster Truck races and well, needless to say I pulled myself away (quite easily I will add) and went to work on some of the church tasks that I needed to get done before the weekend.
Wes relaxing at Nic's apartment - try to find the scar - not easy is it?
"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Luke 12:6 & 7
After going through our medication ritual and a quick breakfast in the apartment we made our way to Health Sciences Centre. After a short 10 minute drive we arrived at the hospital only to find that there was no parking spots available within a 10 minute walk...yikes! Every time we found another parking area or parkade there was that wonderful bright red sign that said "LOT FULL". So, we drove around for just over half an hour around and around the area and then finally got into a line-up waiting for a spot in the underground parking. We were lucky that we had arrived early enough to allow us time for the scenic drive around HSC - haha.
We arrived in the basement quite early for our appointment and had barely taken a seat when the radiologist called Wes in. About 25 minutes later he came out, another radiation treatment done and then we were off to see our Oncology Radiologist who had asked to see us.
As we went to the elevators to go back up to Clinic 2, I noticed a bit of redness just above Wes' eyes, along the top of his eyebrows, sort of like a light sunburn, but it didn't take long for it to disappear.
We went back up to the main floor and saw our doctor who was quite excited about how the radiation was going. I mention his excitement because there is one thing that I have learned from all the specialists that we have met and that is that they don't crack a smile unless they mean it!
He opened the binder where they keep all the important info on Wes and he quickly paged through to the back to show us the images they had of Wes' head. Wes and I were both surprised again to be reminded of just how large this tumour had been. There was quite a large black space where it used to be and we could see that the neuro surgeon had done a good job of digging most of it out. The brain had made room for the tumour by accommodating its own shape to wrap around the tumour. It was actually quite amazing to look at...sorry, that may sound weird, but it's true. It reminded me again of God's loving protection over Wes...he allowed something beautiful that was made in His image to pull back and allow something not so beautiful to exist.
The doctor then showed us how the radiation was penetrating just above Wes' eyes and making a direct hit of where it needed to go. He did express concern about Wes' left eye which was why he had requested that it be covered with a small disc during his treatments. He also said that they were trying to be very cautious about damage to the healthy tissue and also to the brain stem. So if you need something specific to pray about those would be our prayer requests for the next few weeks.
Wes was feeling very good this afternoon so we went to Monarch in Winnipeg to visit the shippers that he works with. After a great time visiting with them and a few of the other guys that work there we went back to the apartment and he turned on the Monster Truck races and well, needless to say I pulled myself away (quite easily I will add) and went to work on some of the church tasks that I needed to get done before the weekend.
Wes relaxing at Nic's apartment - try to find the scar - not easy is it?
"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Luke 12:6 & 7
Comments
Yeah, he looks really good and so far he is still feeling good. Thanks for suggesting the blog!
Love you
Auntie Dinah