DAY NINE (TREATMENT DAY SEVEN)

Just a word of explanation about the new heading. The course of treatment here is 21 days, i.e. 21 days on which you have treatment. But they only work days a week (only!), so 21 days takes longer than 21 days. And we were travelling for a coupe of days before treatment began, so thus the revised title. Boy, isn't all that fascinating?!

As I type, Evan is playing his guitar. I had reservations about him bring it (it was his only checked luggage), but I'm really glad he did. I love to listen to him play. Yesterday a lady said to me - ARe you the one with the son that plays banjo? I told her it was guitar, and yes I was. She suggested he entertain on the patio. So far mainly he just plays here in the room, altho he did go to the patio last night, but the lady there mainly wanted to talk. Seems like a universal need.

And today when Ev came down to the treatment room, Ellwood Thompson (Woody to his friends here, and probably in Spruce View), complimented Evan on his playing. He said something like "Next to spirituality, the most important thing in a family is to have music - very important". I happily informed him that we'd always had lots of music in our home and that Jacalyn was an accomplished musician. That was fun.

Took a few more pictures today. One of Dr. Castillo's daughter, who sometimes covers the desk on the third floor where we live (just outside our door, actually, but it's never noisy). Also one of Evan and Theresa, who is the lady normally here, and also the hyperbaric chamber (a few of those, actually). Anyway, I'll ask Evan to put those up when I've finished my part.

Slept better last night than for a long time - as long as 2 hours without jumping up to go to the bathroom. Sorry for the bathroom talk, I find it embarrassing, but it's been a huge factor in dealing with this illness, so might as well talk about it. Some might call it gross, I 'll just call it self-disclosure, something which (those who know me will agree) I like even less than gross.

Evan cooked today for our noon meal. We had salmon, canned vegetables, and warmed up rice that Ev cooked the other day. We get along well as roomies (I think - I haven't dared ask him yet what he thinks :-)

So, I'm 1/3 of the way thru the course of treatment, and think I can see improvement.

Today a fellow came into the treatment room, an older Mexican fellow, carrying a huge and heavy basket (like probably 28-30 inches across heaped up with baking etc. Unfortunately, neither Ev nor I had any money with us. We discussed when he'd gone that that would be a tough life. We in Canada don't really appreciate how good we have it, and I'm one of the guiltiest. And this Mexican fellow doesn't have it as rough as many many others. We're really lucky.

Tomorrow I have an appointment with one of the other Drs (who isn't Dr. Castillo). More on that after the appointment (for those of you with a really high boredom threshhold - woo woo).

God bless you every one.Good night.

Grant