Happy Mother's Day 2024!!!

Another month has passed us by and we have some developments. Mom's chemo has been reduced to shorter infusions, we've added longer gaps in between and, as a result, she's had less discomfort and more vitality. And by vitality, she's regained more function and is walking without an escort!

What that means for the Banish Family Assisted Living Facility? Well, no more waking up others in the middle of the night to escort her to the restroom. No more supervising her transfer from the chair to the couch. Far, far less difficulty getting dressed and off to medical appointments. 

And what superb timing, because just as she regained mobility, her workhorse #3 Daren had emergency surgery to remove his gallbladder. The surgery was minimally invasive considering they removed it,  but the advancements in surgical techniques caused limited disruption. Granted it wasn't too painful, he is going to be on restriction for lifting, stretching and some other things for a few weeks. Still, he was our 9-5er one man care team while I work so we had to scramble to make it work and keep her home with us. 

Her oncologist reported the CT results and has indicated there has been no change in size of her tumor, and the spots on her lungs remain the same. We haven't been advised if/when her chemo treatment will stop. Besides the obvious,  when Medicare stops paying, it would likely hinge directly on if there's a therapeutic benefit, if the tumor shows reduction in size, or if function improves. 

We have canceled cardiologist, interventional radiologist and infectious medicine specialty appointments. In fact, she is off their calendars unless something presents itself worthy of exploration. Just living her days out with her 3 outlaw sons. 

The hardship is still significant, though the burden somewhat less. However, until we get another regulating factor, further decline in health, or another unbeknownst ailment, we will continue savoring the days we are gifted honoring our Mother.