A few months ago, I was advised that there are a lot of "curves in the road" with cancer, and it is best not to take any of them too fast--not to get too high on the good days or when there's good news, and not to get too down when the news is bad. Today has been such a good day that I am having to try to remember not to get too elated.
Charlie looks, feels and acts better than he did at this stage after the first surgery. We are guessing that the shingles he got right after the last surgery, which were only diagnosed after-the-fact when a rash appeared, took more of a toll than we realized. It seems easier to manage the pain this time, and he is able to walk with a much more erect posture.
When Vivian, the physical therapist with whom Charlie had great rapport during the last stay, saw he was in the hospital again and due for therapy, she immediately signed up for his case. She has presented a new challenge, although I could see she was a bit alarmed at the level of enthusiasm from her patient. This afternoon she timed him with a stopwatch to see how many hall laps he could do in six minutes. Two and one-quarter laps is now the six minute benchmark, and, in addition to working toward maximum mileage, he also has a speed goal.
One member of Dr. Jarnagin's team was here this afternoon, but we are expecting the whole team this evening. I hope they will confirm medically what I am observing: that Charlie is recovering remarkably well.
