Where has the month plus gone?  I guess for the first couple of weeks we were busy figuring out what it was like to have Barry at home and what our day-to-day routine would look like.  Barry also got a bunch of late morning starts and afternoon naps as his brain continued to heal.  We were all thrilled to have Barry home and the dogs in particular love their afternoon naps with their dad. 

Barry started speech, occupational and physical therapy.  Two of the three are being done in Salem.  The therapists have been great, and they have been challenging Barry to push further at every visit.  It’s incredible to see Barry work so hard.  There has been a bit of progress made with his left hand/arm, but he is not able to move it on his own.  His left leg has made a bit more progress but when walking he is mostly kicking his foot.  He is unable to bend his knee, flex his ankle or wiggle his toes.  Last week Barry went to pool therapy which he loved and is looking forward to doing again soon.

Besides getting out to doctor’s appointments and therapy, we’ve have been out and about quite a bit.  We went out for dinner for Claire’s 20th birthday, and then, a few days later, out for beers for a friend’s birthday (yes, Eric, I am talking about you).  We had a whole row of seats at the Pix Movie Theater to see fall guy with my family.  Barry had a friend from Eugene visit, and they ventured over to North Albany for lunch.  We went to a bunch of Chloe & Morgan’s soccer games including a weekend in Bend (thanks for putting a roof over our heads, Tully).  Marty and Linda were here for the Bend games and for a week of relaxing, eating, and catching-up.  We had a wonderful week with them.   

Our new normal entails a bunch more work than just grabbing your car keys and heading out.  I am proud of how Claire, Morgan and Chloe have all stepped up and helped. I know it’s not easy for them, but they are all such strong, kind, loving human beings and we love them so much!  I often think about me as a 17 or 20 year and how difficult it would be to live with all the curve balls that have been thrown their way.  I don’t think I would have handled it as well as they have.     

This summer is going to look way different than our typical summer full of rafting and camping adventures.  We’re hoping to still get out in the great outdoors but how we do it, will look a bit different.  Our next big adventure unfortunately does not include camping, rafting, or fishing.  Barry will be starting a six-week course of radiation (5 days a week) and chemotherapy treatment (7 days a week).  His first oral dose of Chemo medication is Monday night followed by his first radiation treatment on Tuesday, May 28th.   Despite the neurosurgeon being able to remove 90% of the tumor, the testing of the tumor showed that it had moved from a grade 2 tumor to a grade 3.  Grade 3 Oligodendroglioma is known to spread quickly which is why chemotherapy and radiation treatment was recommended.  The hope is that by doing this course of therapies, it will slow the progress and kill the remaining cancerous cells. 

The unknowns are so difficult to live with day in and day out but through this journey we have also found so much to be grateful for and lucky to have.  This includes all of you reading this post.  We are appreciative of all the support we have received from our family and friends.  Thank you for all the well wishes, good thoughts, phone calls, visits, and meals.  You have filled our hearts with love and hope!

Much love ~ Beth