just brains

One week of radiation and antibiotics down. So far Val isn’t feeling any of the predicted adverse effects of radiation, but those are likely to show up toward the end of the week. On the up side, Val’s cough, while still a misery and a menace, still causing her to throw up pretty much daily, has definitely been downgraded from a category 5 hurricane to maybe a tropical storm. More dry and nagging than deep and racking. I don’t know if that’s antibiotics, radiation, or luck, but I’ll take it. On the down side, Val is in continual pain of various kinds and can’t shake her nausea, so she’s losing weight and feeling awful most of the time.

Nausea isn’t an expected side effect of anything from her current regimen (although god knows she’s on enough meds to unsettle the strongest constitution), so yesterday, after her radiation, the doctor decided he’d need to rule out a brain tumor as its cause. He did some neurological tests, which Val aced, so that was reassuring; and then he sent her for yet another MRI, this one of her brain. I am so very delighted to report that he went out of his way to call us (I think after he went home) with the results yesterday afternoon, and that the results were fine: no brain tumor.

Val’s been sleeping okay for a few nights, but last night was a hard one: she had to sleep in the recliner, and her coughing meant the household blinked in and out of sleep at unusual hours. Tuley seized the opportunity to sprawl over more than her fair share of the bed. I listened for reindeer’s hooves drumming on the roof with the rain.

I didn’t hear hooves, but kindnesses continue to shower down. Val woke up groggy but spouting puns. On the 23rd the excellent Stephen and Jim surprised us with a reading of How Murray Saved Christmas, performed with accents, hats, and realia including presents out of a big red sack. (Tuley got right into the acquisitive Christmas spirit, pogo-ing up and down in front of Santa’s bag throughout, convinced it contained something nice and furry for a good little dog.) Last night included a beautiful homemade dinner, deliveries of birdseed and medications, presents of knee socks and magnets and suet. Today’s plan includes a simple Christmas dinner with friends, a reading of The Best Christmas Pageant Everor maybe A Child’s Christmas in Wales, and the arrival from afar of our dear Trina, who will stay for a week. We’ve already been caroled by phone from the heavenly choir in Montana (Brad, maybe a little tea with honey to help you recover from those high notes in “O Holy Night”) and seasonal messages are zipping around the country via text.

For those of you who celebrate it: Murray Christmas to all! And to everyone, may your week be peaceful, mirthful and bright.

Love,

Deborah