Radiation - Day 4

...and only two more days this week before a weekend filled with rest and family! Dad's a champion, and continues to rise to the challenge each day. More walking, napping, snacking, and chilling on everyone's part. A rainy day - Dad and Mom had a nice time enjoying all the drama from the front porch, sharing in Soren's wonder at the weather. Ice skating and ice cream tonight!

Radiation - Day 3

Another happy and uneventful day! Mom took Dad in for treatment in the morning and all went well. We had coffee and breakfast, enjoying some TV - we've been trying to keep up with the Winter Olympics in our spare moments. Dad is feeling up to some walking, which the doctor has given him the thumbs up for - so we all took a nice 30 minute stroll around the neighborhood. Dad spent a lot of the time pointing out the squirrels and birds to Soren while we all talked about the amazing oaks in our neighborhood. Good news is that Dad's feeling up to "crackberrying" and has been back on his blackberry keeping up with everyone. Soren's got a bit of a cold, and that's about as much drama as we're dealing with around here! Naps for all, and Yacht Club takeout tonight with Dee. Pam comes in a few days, followed closely by Lee and Betsy. And this wild party continues...

Radiation - Day 2

Mom took Dad in for his second round of radiation this morning, and all went well. It's a painless procedure that is similar to a lengthy xray - just a bright light shone onto his head. He's placed in a firm mesh mask that has been made specifically for him so that he won't move at all, and just lays back while they do the radiation. So far Dad's feeling great - no pain, only mild fatigue. He has 13 more days of radiation, and then he gets to rest and recover. The results are sometimes a bit delayed, so all he can do for now is relax and enjoy his down time! A trip to Target for new Soren clothes is on the agenda today, as well as some Yacht Club take out. Lots of napping and resting for all, as love and support continues to flow into this house. Thanks everyone for all of your support, we can really feel it!

Lazy Sunday Morning

All is well this morning, as Dad enjoys his first full day of rest. No hospitals, no treatments, just a nice long sleep in with Mom, followed by some cheese grits on the porch with his grandson. Our big plans for the day include a walk and perhaps a trip to the park. Dad's feeling great, reading the paper, tending to the fire, and getting some well deserved rest. Will, Lauren and Nathan all flew home this morning to get back to work, and I'm staying here with Soren for at least another week or so, just to hang with everyone. It's glorious this time of year - sparkling blue, cool and crisp - inspiring weather. Looks like both of the boys have settled in for a late morning nap, and Mom and I may follow suit. Delightful!

Dad returned home today!

Dad came home this morning, greeted with cheerful hellos from all of us.  He'll be getting his treatment over the next three weeks as an outpatient.  He's in great spirits and is so thankful for all the people who have called, emailed, mailed, and sent carrier pigeons to wish everyone well.

John at home

John was released from the ICU this morning and got home around 11:30, what a huge relief. He was happy to have lunch at home, feels pretty good and is taking it easy. Radiation treatments continue on Monday. Grandson is great therapy.

Radiation Treatments Started Today

Dad received his first treatment of whole-brain radiation today.  He reports that (as expected), the treatment itself didn't feel like anything.  Most notable part was being fit for the custom face-mask they'll use to keep his head in exactly the same position and orientation over the next 3 weeks of continued whole-brain radiation treatments.

Dad is in good spirits, and we're hopeful that he'll get to come home soon and just commute to the hospital for the rest of the treatments.

If all goes well with the radiation, then they'll be removing his kidney a few weeks after finishing the radiation treatments.

John's Treatment Plan as of February 16, 2010

After four days of testing and many medical opinions, a plan is forming to treat John. The first priority will be to treat his brain with targeted radiation working towards shrinking the trouble spots, and impeding further growth there. This can be done as an outpatient, so we are hopeful he can be released from St. Joe's soon. To backtrack, he was admitted there through the Emergency Room very late Monday night after suffering some confusion and realizing there must be something wrong with his thinking. The upside is, there are no headaches or other pain, and he is perfectly able to converse, and appears nearly normal, with some minor exceptions in his thought processes. After the radiation treatment, there is a kidney tumor to be dealt with, and the exact procedures for this are still under development. There may be some surgery, there may be some chemotherapy.

Our family is so grateful for the outpouring of sympathy, support, and offers to help. This came out of the blue for us all, so we are still trying to process it and adjust. The California contingent all flew in right away, so John has his whole immediate family around him right now, which is a huge help and support.

John didn't want this to be all about him, so he suggested we post some video of his beautiful, exceptional, and brilliant grandson, Soren.

Soren is working hard at home while Dad works hard in the hospital

Soren's appetite for Uncle Chuck's sauce shows that he's a Robinson through and through...

Dad and family celebrating in Mountain View last weekend

A couple of videos to start with: