Ted’s Story

Site created on August 25, 2023

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Deb B

We know it has been awhile since we last shared with you.  In many ways life has just continued as always.  In other ways this past month has been difficult.  Every day we give glory to our Heavenly Father for His care of us, His children.

Since Ted's seizure the beginning of March he has been on Keppra, an anti-seizure medication.  As the medication built in Ted's body, so did the side effects.  About 2 weeks ago it seemed to hit its peak.  Tiredness, loss of appetite,  agitation (or from my perspective - less patience), brain fog, muscle aches.  After his last round of chemo, it seemed the fatigue wouldn't leave.  After a visit with the neurologist, a blood test was done and the level of medication was much more than it needed to be.  We were finally able to reconnect with the neurologist and his dose was decreased.  Fortunately he is already feeling less side effects and we pray it will stay that way.

During this time of brain fog Ted was preparing to speak to a group of first year PT students at St. Kate's University in St. Paul.  Having been able to prepare and give presentations with enjoyment and ease, this was a struggle to find the words he wanted to say.  It was fun for me to sit with Ted and talk about what he wanted to say, get it down in bullet points for his presentation yesterday, Tuesday, May 14th.  He talked with them about what it is like being a physical therapist, having a brain injury and be on the receiving end of therapy.  He did very well.  I got to be with him and fill in some of the holes he doesn't remember during those first hours after the brain tumor was discovered.

With each experience we discover things that are put on the "not again" list because of noise, too many people, etc. or "let's do this again."  We have been a Twins game to watch our granddaughters sing the national anthem, made a trip to Ames to see our grandson play soccer and had Ted's sister and brother-in-law with us to watch our son direct his middle school band concerts.  We have orchestra concerts coming up, time with family, and enjoying the beautiful weather as May is almost over.  We are enjoying frequent trips to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum to watch the spring flowers emerge, tulips bloom and much more to come.

Ted will begin his last round of oral chemo next Monday, 5 more doses and then that part of his treatment will be done.  We will have a visit with his oncologist and labs drawn during that week.  We believe Ted will have another MRI sometime in June.  When June comes that means our trip to Alaska is here.  We are excited about seeing Ted's good college friends and the beauty of Alaska.

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