Slaking a Tall, Cool One

            Wow!  I’ve really got a lot to write about but I’m not sure my pea-brain will remember everything I want to say.

            First, consider the title of tonight’s blog update.  To slake – To quench or satisfy one’s thirst.  I am in the early stages of xerostomia (dry mouth) and general mouth and throat pain from the radiation.  It began last Friday night and I find that I need to stay ahead of it with the medications, rinses and washes the doctors have given me.  Certain foods I really crave now taste pretty bad and/or are very difficult to eat. 

            Our meal this evening was provided by the Lilburn, Georiga Women’s Club.  Baked chicken, mac and cheese and two kinds of green beans.  The mac and cheese and the green beans were relatively easy to east.  To consume the chicken, I had to take very small bites, chew them extensively and then flood my mouth with water so I could swallow….and it still hurt. 

            I’ve totally lost my taste for carbonated beverages.  Elijah S. asked me what the soda tastes like.  I described it as imagine a lead bar soaking in your soda, or, suck on a piece of metal before, during and after taking a drink of soda and you’ll get the idea.

            So, as I sat down last night to talk with Jack and Judith (God is doing some really neat things in this developing relationship!), Jack had a tall glass of a viscous liquid sitting in front of him.  I queried, “What’s that?”, to which he replied, “Buttermilk.  And I hate the stuff, but someone says it’s good for mouth and throat sores and pain.  I said I have never liked buttermilk.  I tried it years ago and found it absolutely revolting.  However, in talking with others at the table, I figured that since I’m having a difficult time with other beverages, maybe I should give this buttermilk a try; full well expecting that I would hate it!

            Guess what?  It’s delicious!  I drank an eight ounce tumbler of it last night.

Tall, Cool Buttermilk!

 Another couple in the lodge were headed to the store and they said they’d pick some up for me.  They did; a half gallon, and I don’t think it’s going to last long.  I found myself looking forward to lunch today and another tall, cool tumbler of buttermilk.  Then, I savored another glass after dinner tonight.  I absolutely and honestly cannot believe that Ken Hanson is drinking buttermilk!  My Dad would be so proud of me!

            I had a 7:00 am radiation session this morning, so I was out the door by 6:15 to catch the bus.  I had a wonderful conversation with the driver about God during our short ride to the Winship Cancer Center (the name for Emory’s cancer institute).  Radiation was followed by blood work to check levels.  All my blood levels were excellent; better than last week.  This is a huge blessing!  I’m almost halfway through the chemo therapy sessions (three down, four to go).  I’ve lost a little weight which I perceive to be good, but Tiffany, my nutritionist says that’s a no-no because weight loss now will mean I’m losing muscle mass and that’s not good.  But I already knew that because Laurie D. told me that earlier this year and she’s one of the smartest people I know!  Chemo ended by noon and then I came back to the lodge for my treat of a glass of buttermilk and then headed to the gym.  I did strength training for about an hour, then ran some errands, topped off by a Acai Adventure from Smoothie King (Hey Schwartkopfs, let’s go to Smoothie King!!).  And you know what, I’m tired.

            But I simply must comment about the events of last evening.  Atlanta Falcons punter, Matt Bosher visited us here at the lodge last night.  He has donated time and money to Hope Lodge and he has been recognized by the NFL as an outstanding community service humanitarian.  Plus, he’s really a nice guy!  He spoke to us for a few minutes, then, later he signed autographs for at least an hour.  He was very gracious and humble.

Matt Bosher and me

            Another thing I have to comment on is the amazing, utterly amazing talents and abilities of these doctors!!  As I sit at the tables downstairs and listen to the experiences of the other residents and what the doctors are able to do, it is absolutely mind-boggling, applying radiation and chemotherapy is just a beginning.  Stem cell harvesting, t-cell harvesting, bone marrow transplants, facial feature re-construction and on and on.

            I advance further into my awe of this experience.  God has truly blessed me to be here and learning and enjoying this time.  I know there are many experiences and stories to yet learn.

Maybe that’s why I was prompted to take the picture tonight of another bridge and pathway I found; bridges to new experiences and new pathways....

            Blessings to all!  Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!