I spoke too soon. Last week I wrote an update on Nigel’s cancer, letting everyone know about his current condition; “We are very fortunate that his treatments do not require him to be hospitalized nor do they make him really sick.” That was written Tuesday morning just before we raced off to an appointment with Nigel’s doctor at UCSF. So this is where we are one week later. I brought Nigel to UCSF last night (Sunday) where he was admitted for 2 1/2 weeks of heavy, in hospital, chemo. He will come home for 10 days to rest, then go back in for another 2 1/2 weeks for stem cell/bone marrow transplant.
What a difference a day makes, and sometimes not in such a good way. Originally his doctor was pleased with how quickly Nigel responded to the drugs, but the problem is when he is off it comes back too fast and too strong. Dr. Martin says now is the time to really knock it hard before the Multiple Myeloma can do too much damage; Nigel is already missing one vertebra as a result of the cancer. Dr. Martin asked for three months; three months to get through all the procedures, including one month to recuperate. And last night was the start of this three month journey.
This time around they are advising few to no visitors. We can not bring him any home cooked meals. That is hard, because cooking is how I care for people. When Nigel was admitted to UCSF three years ago many of you brought him amazing meals (we even had vegetarian CSA members who brought him the most delicious beef stew!). Those meals fed him in many ways, not just nutritionally, but emotionally and spiritually. So when you hear me ramble on about how important it is to sit down to a good meal with friends and family, or even just yourself with candles lit and a nice bottle of wine, know that those are far more than just words for me, it truly comes from the core of who I am. - Lorraine
Nigel and Jose walk the farm one last time before Nigel heads to UCSF for treatment.