Thanks & see you in six months

There is no predicting when or if Enrique's cancer will come back. So I don't think we're ever going to end this blog for good.

But I am going to take a break from blogging for the next six months or so, until we get the results of his next scan.

So, if you want to follow along, mark your calendar for March.

See you then.

Six Months

Enrique's next doctor's appointment is in six months, when they'll do a full body scan and tell us the ultimate result of his radiation therapy.

Last year, the same six months seemed like a long wait to find out if he would be healthy.

This time, it seems like a long time without any treatment or visits to the hospital: a good thing.

"Very optimistic"

Enrique went to his endocrinologist a couple of days ago to get the first level of results from his radioactive treatment. The news was good. The body absorbed the radiation in the right place - in his neck where he has some small remaining tumors.

Also, there was no sign of distant tumors in weird places. Apparently, sometimes people will have some cancerous thyroid tissue in their leg or abdomen or somewhere other than their neck. But, Enrique was clear on that front.

The only other place were they found traces of radiation from the iodine was in his liver - but that it also a good sign. Once the radiation starts killing cancers cells they are processed in the liver. So that means the treatment is already killing his cancer.

We won't know for another six months what the final result of this treament will be, but the endocrinologist said he was very optimistic.

Back at Work

Enrique just finished his first week back at work. Physically it's been a little bit of a challenge, but not a problem. He doesn't have 100% of his energy, but he does have enough to get through the day.

Overall, he is very happy to be back at work and appreciative of working for a company and with colleagues who were very kind and understanding during this difficult year.

Help and Food From Friends

Enrique was able to go off his diet about five days after taking the radio-iodine treatment. Until then he had a bunch of specially prepared meals that my mother and I had made for him.

We did a pretty good job of cooking, I think, but at the end of his three week diet, he was ready for a cheeseburger. He also got to enjoy a basket of food delivered by some kind-hearted colleagues and several bouquets of flowers.

During our week apart, I stayed with a very generous friend. And Enrique got a constant stream of cards, calls and emails to keep him company. Lots of folks also called me.

I am not a very sentimental person, but I was surprised at what a big difference it made for both of us to be remembered by so many people. Thank you.

Radioactive Dates

Enrique's radiation therapy went well, much better than last year.

He asked for anti-nausea medication and it worked well. During his week alone, the worst he suffered through was extreme fatigue and loss of appetite. Neither are fun, but they don't compare at all to nausea. (It makes you wonder why the doctors never offered the anti-nausea medication - but at least we learned to ask.)

The first few times I came to visit we had to be on opposite sides of the room. In the early days, so long as we were at least three feet apart, for no more than a few minutes, I was safe.

One time a friend came with me and I found myself saying, "He's safe, so long as you don't get too close."

After a couple of days, his level of radiation was low enough to allow me to visit for up to an hour. So we had a series of radioactive dates.

For us this was new. We never really dated. Enrique moved in, de facto, within a day or two after we met.

The "dates" -- mostly in our living room -- consisted of watching a little TV or going for a ten minute walk if he was feeling well enough.

Five days into his treatment it was safe enough to enjoy a quick hug.