Quiet improvement

Susan continues to improve during her respite from chemotherapy. She’s more alert, has better memory and is more her normal self all the time. She sometimes confuses words and the days of the week and she’s still physically weak; but we’re grateful for the positive direction she’s moving. Although Susan doesn’t seem different to me from day to day since I’m with her all the time, people who haven’t seen her in a while often mention how much better she’s doing. Her caregiver, Ana, helps Susan on weekdays with meals, bathing, and therapy exercises and is an invaluable help for us with laundry and daily housework. Today brought us back to UCLA for a follow-up appointment with the infectious disease doctor who’s been treating Susan for her various infections including fungal meningitis. Dr Uslan echoed how well she’s doing and obviously was pleased with her energy and responsiveness. He said seeing her recovering so well made his day. We bumped the next check-up from three months to four.

A generous client of mine who is an Angels Baseball season ticket holder shared her 3 seats with us again this year for last Friday night vs the Kansas City Royals. I’ve taken Austin and Adam for the past several years, but since Austin had plans already, I thought I’d bring Susan along. The seats are in the middle of a row above field level along the 3rd base line not far from the Angel dugout. I thought she might have trouble walking up and down steps and past people in our row, so an usher let us sit above our section in a handicapped seating area. Those seats were unsold that night, so we had good viewing and plenty of room for Adam and I in stadium seats next to Susan in her wheelchair. As the game was under way and we were eating our sandwiches, I wondered how much Susan was able to follow. Just then, she turned to me and said, “It’s a full count.” The count on the scoreboard showed 3-2, a detail I doubt she could see. I knew she was following the action and we were in for a fun evening. A while later, the trumpets blared and the crowd yelled, “Charge!” I shouted “Pay cash!” – Susan cracked up and Adam rolled his eyes. It must be terribly exciting to live with me. When the final inning closed, we walked along the concourse behind center field for the Angels’ “Big Bang Friday” fireworks show. We had up-close viewing of the display along with a Rolling Stones soundtrack to wrap up a memorable evening.

God has been completely and consistently faithful to us during hard times. We are amazed. We count our blessings and give thanks. Although I work as many hours as I can, our family medical expenses have piled up since the first of the year. At times our bills have been overwhelming – but God has met our need with each time with gifts from loved ones. With compassion, my employer accommodates my erratic need for time off, sometimes for days in a row. Susan’s parents provide our caregiver for us and bring a meal each Thursday. For months, someone from church frequently has brought us extra food almost weekly. Another family from church generously provides their housecleaners for us each week. Several ladies come by each week to lay hands on Susan and pray – not to mention the countless people who pray faithfully all the time. Sunday at church someone tucked an envelope into my hand containing a large check. As we approach two years of the hardest season we ever could have imagined, we have encountered some of the best of life and God’s goodness. Thank you, Lord!