Update from Northfield

Hi all. Not much news, but I thought I would update the blog. We have had a productive week with very few medical issues (woo hoo!) Jim had a couple long days at work - but we have enjoyed working from home on Wednesday and Thursday. It's nice to have a week where we have a break from doctors. Next week starts a big round of appointments....MRI and CT scan. Appointments with Jim's main oncologist and the melanoma specialist to follow the scans. It's nice to have warmer Spring weather...lifts the spirits! Enjoy the weekend and we will update everyone after the scans and appointments...think positive thoughts for good scan results!
Fondly,
Elizabeth

We took a vacation!

Hello everyone! It's been awhile since Jim and I last updated the blog, so I thought I better fill you in on what we've been doing. Since Jim had a break from treatments (and because we were both suffering major cabin fever), Jim and I took a driving trip to see my sister, Katy, and her family in Naperville, IL. How nice to get away. We celebrated my sister's birthday and got lots of cuddling in with little Anne and David. I would like to thank my Katy and brother-in-law, Mike, for everything. I also really want to thank all of you again for everything you have done for us. The kindness that people have shown us is really amazing...dinner out with our friends Dean and Deb Berg a couple weeks ago, a special Vietnamese meal prepared at my sister's house by her friend Holly, cards from people we don't even know... and on and on. We really are so appreciative. Things will be pretty routine for a couple weeks. Jim doesn't have any doctor appointments or scans until the end of the month.
All our best,
Elizabeth

Pictures....

Hi Everyone! Below are some pictures of Jim from yesterday's treatment. I really posted these pictures in reverse order...oh well :-) He's doing great today!
Elizabeth

Resting

Now he waits while the whole team works to plan the treatment. Jim has it down to a science how to lay his head down so that he can rest...and even take little naps.

Next step...

Okay....Hard part over. The halo is on and he had the MRI scan. The MRI that they do to prepare for the Gamma Knife is MUCH more detailed than a normal MRI...taking images every 1 cm. They really want a good picture of what is going on. Surprisingly enough, Jim is somewhat comfortable at this stage. He can now have something to eat and drink for the day...which is good because we've been up since 3:00 am!!

Some pictures from the U of M Gamma Knife Center

Here is Jim yesterday, February 28th. They are preparing to put the halo on by putting some medicine under the gauze pads to numb the spots where they will secure the halo. Ummm....news flash....the numbing medicine doesn't really do much to relieve the pain!