Yes, Interesting !

Dear Family and Friends,
The test that I said was interesting became even more interesting after I added a note to the blog yesterday. Marty caught me on the cell phone and said "Get home now. They are taking me to Pocatello in 15 minutes!" I headed home as visions of complications and an ambulance run danced in my head. What actually had happened was that after Marty's WBC tagged blood was injected back into him and it was time to do the scan, the machine malfunctioned and the scan could not be done. The Nuclear Medicine tech came up with an idea to salvage the test and TOOK Marty (and I) to the Portnuef Digital Imagining clinic, where the scan did get done before it was too late. The test is very time sensitive and the scans have to be done in a certain window of time. He explained to us that there may need to be a scan as soon as we arrived & again at 8pm & maybe later. The receptionist who greeted us was surprised we had already arrived. (It was quicker than any ambulance run I have been on from BLMH to Poky). Of course the insurance cards and all Marty's information had to be obtained and off he went into the scan. The very first scan gave the answers they needed and so further scanning was not done. Unofficially, there is a "hot spot" at the cervical spine level. Officially, we know nothing until the radiologist reads it and the doctors see it. The drive home seemed much longer. It was dark and Marty was very quiet. I did what I could to encourage him to make up for the intake and meals he had missed and get him caught up on meds, but it was late, he was past tired and we are both discouraged. Just the thought of another surgery or procedure in store for him has knocked us down a peg or two.
I suggested that we should "SKIP" Christmas this year----taking the idea from the funny movie---Christmas with the Kranks--Skipping Christmas. The effort of the tree, decorating, cards, shopping and wrapping, baking and taking--------all just seems overwhelming. And....there is the fact that we do NOT know from day to day what will really happen, where we will be, what shape Marty will be in.....just so many unknowns. All our traditions of past years just don't seem so important or fitting this year. And yet,in reality, they are even MORE important now. Our hearts are filled with the spirit of Christmas and appreciation for all we have been blessed with in our lives. Christmas and family & friends just go hand in hand.
I may hatch a plan any minute, but I make no promises. My main objective for right now is getting him better, keeping him better and not adding stress to his already stressed body and mind. Putting up the tree and making Christmas Cake are just two of the things he has always been in charge of and would now be anxious to get done. I don't think that will be happening. He has now lost over 70 pounds and swallowing liquids and especially medicines is torture. Sad, because he has a TON of medicines to deal with. With each new challenge, his courage and determination is amazing.
I have often said through the years that Marty could do anything. The list of his skills and abilities is long and keeps growing. Just a few that come to mind are driving those big 18 wheelers for years, building our home, getting his pilot's licence, being able to fix most things----from the huge machines out at work to the smallest clasp on a necklace. The list is endless. Now, we can add cancer fighter to the list. He gets an A+ from this nurse on that one.
Please keep him in your prayers. You may have to consider our blog notes as your Christmas card from us this year.....I'm not sure yet. We appreciate each and every one of you and feel the love and support that has been extended to us. That has been one of the many blessings that have come with this illness.
Happy Holidays to you all. Love,
LaRee, and of course, Marty