That's Peter sitting on the banks of the Presumpscot River just below the falls. To the right is one of several eel weirs that one can see along the shore this time of year.
The spot brings up many wonderful memories of family picnics and our dog Zoe swimming in the river, splashing and yapping until the smell of roasting sausages would lure her back to us.
To get to the river you hike through woods which right now are full of spotted troutlilies. Soon the first Ladyslippers will appear.
Peter and I continue to savor the time he is at home, probably another week.
Unfortunately Peter developed an extremely itchy rash last weekend and we ended up going to see Dr. Rinaldi, a dermatologist, who is quite certain the rash is drug related. He prescribed a wet dressing with Triamcinolone Acetonide. We had never heard of a "wet dressing" and probably neither have you.
Here is how it works:
We soak a cotton shirt, sweatpants and sock in warm water. Then I apply cream to most of Peter's 6'4" frame. After wringing out as much water as possible, Peter slips into the soppy mess, puts 2 bathrobes over it all and lies on the bed for half an hour.
We repeat this twice a day, but it is so worth it for the comic relief it brings [ see picture of my sumo wrestler]. Plus the stuff works.
As far as the next round is concerned, Peter will be in the hospital for about 3 weeks. He will receive the same chemo as the first time, but only for 5 days instead of 7. His blood will be wiped out again. Again we will have to wait for it to repopulate Peter's body.
The consensus is that Peter will have to do two more rounds after that to bring about the desired results.
2 comments:
I like the raised victory fist- is that what it is? Or is it a punch to the jaw of it all?
Gorgeous riverbank photo with the eel weir.
What a mess with the full body wrapping- you are quite the nurse Jutta. And it sounds you will be continuing in that role over the next 6months. I am sorry to hear that but hope that eradicates his disease.
And now that your blog is full throttle, we can be informed of progress or stagnation, whatever it might be.
Sometimes the familiarity of a routine makes it easier and sometimes worse. Unfortunately you now have that experience to contend with.
Soldiering on-love the yellow bathrobe- such a happy colour.
xoxo ally&andrew
What a journey! Hope that the 'wet dressing' is bringing much-needed physical relief as well as comic relief! What stamina you both have to press forward with the continued chemo. I was a little disappointed to hear that 3 more rounds are needed, but your doctors must be taking a conservative approach and probably found that this regimen has the best outcome. You're in good hands! As always, you're both in our daily thoughts.
Love, Monica and Gregg
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