Getting Settled - Finally! - October 12-25

Once again it was very good to be out of the hospital and back home in my recliner.

In my first few days back, because I was feeling better than I had my last two times at home, I took the time to get "settled". Denise had the things that I needed near my recliner, but I organized them to make it more comfortable for me.

Thankfully, I felt fine and stayed healthy during my time home. I slept well, actually sleeping nearly 12 hours every day. I had a low-grade temperature a couple of different times, but it stayed below 100 and dropped back to normal quickly. The remainder of my swelling disappeared - and I turned into a skinny old man. When I looked in the mirror, I saw my Father.

The bigger challenge for me during this time was unexpected - it was dealing with the mundane life. I had been in the hospital three different times. Now I was simply at home, trying to get stronger. And I was there longer than I had been in any one place for more than a couple of months. It took me a few days to figure out what was going on.

And the battle will continue.

I continued doing the things that I know to do every day - like spending time reading the Bible and praying. It means so much knowing that family and friends are praying for us, but I also found that words of encouragement make a big difference as well.

On Monday the 19th, it snowed in Iowa City. There was just enough to cover the grass and trees, but it thankfully did not last long. We went to the clinic that afternoon to change the dressing on my PICC line, something that has to be done every seven days.

On Thursday the 22nd, we went to the clinic for some blood work. I also fully expected to be receiving my second round of chemo. As it turned out, the insurance company had not yet given approval for switching from inpatient to outpatient chemotherapy. Even before we received the necessary approval, we decided that we would wait until Monday for chemo.

That change allowed Hope to come for a visit for the weekend, her first one since our return to the states. Between chemo, COVID-19, her cold, and her schedule, we had not been able to see her yet. Denise's parents went to pick her up after their lunch in Cedar Rapids on Friday. We had a very good time together. It was fun to have the three of us together, but it was a bonus for Hope and I. It is not easy when you are 19 and your Dad has been diagnosed with cancer. There is nothing better than spending time with family.

Denise and finished out the weekend with a quiet Sunday, wondering what the second round of chemo would be like.