Home!

I'm sorry to have been so silent--I thought I would write when Manford got home, which was yesterday, but then it was one of those days that the Kiwis call "full on," which means one thing after the other and no time for anything.

Manford is home, and walking around quite steadily. I went and picked him up at midday yesterday, while a friend stayed with Emily (Joseph started school yesterday, Emily today). We got home about 1:00, and then were absorbed with various visits from PT, OT, and nurse in the afternoon. They are good about getting all sorts of supports in place. The nurse from the cancer society also called and she will come to the house next week, which I thought was going to be before the oncology appointment, but then the ward called us as we were walking in the door and said we had an appointment with oncology tomorrow (today) morning. This was a bit of a shock and I was feeling unprepared, but it turned out all right, as I'll write...

Anyway, last night about 5:30 my dad and stepmother arrived back from Wellington area, and we had our favorite Japanese take-out and welcome-home cake, decorated by Emily. Manford was pretty tired and we all collapsed by 8:30 (ok, Joseph was still awake and alert, and Dad and Diane went back to their hotel).

This morning we got Emily off to school (she got the teacher she wanted) and then the nurse and doctors (three of them--I presume the ones tagging along and watching were residents or students) came--the nurse will come every day (for two weeks or so), but I don't think the doctors will be back as often. Then we raced off to the oncology appointment.

The doctor was compassionate and thoughtful, and not hurried except by the fire alarm that came just as we were finishing the appointment...I can't say he was very optimistic, but he seemed flexible and respectful. He said that chemotherapy has not been shown to be effective for this tumor in people over 60--it may delay the progression somewhat, but is not well tolerated and may or may not be worth it. We will definitely do radiation, which is just three weeks of daily treatments. We may participate in a clinical trial of chemotherapy; we will talk about that on Monday. I have been reading and calling some people about clinical trials in the US, but I'm not sure what we will decide to do.

Manford seems to be taking it all very well, though he is easily tired, as you might expect. He has recovered remarkably well from the surgery. We appreciate the cards people have sent(a pile came yesterday, right on time for the homecoming), and all the thoughts and prayers.

Carrie