A darling picture on Marge, Norm, Lucy and Sofie!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
New Developments
Well, things continue to change. Norm heard from one of his doctors, Greg Clark, yesterday, and as it turns out, he did indeed have a stroke on Thanksgiving morning.
They are calling it a medullary stroke, which accounts for the dysphagia (trouble swallowing) and gait difficulties. This makes more sense to everyone, since nobody could quite explain how these were related to the brain tumor as these functions were in a different area of the brain than the tumor itself. The doctor feels that the stroke was totally separate from the tumor, and that he is actually fortunate that the stoke ultimately revealed the presentation of the tumor. Had the stroke not occured, who knows when the tumor might have beed discovered.
In Norm's own words... "How unusual and interesting!"
As Norm prepares to start radiation and chemo next week, he is taking Marge to see Pink Martini on New Years Eve!!! Maybe Marge can even convince him to dance with her! :)
They are calling it a medullary stroke, which accounts for the dysphagia (trouble swallowing) and gait difficulties. This makes more sense to everyone, since nobody could quite explain how these were related to the brain tumor as these functions were in a different area of the brain than the tumor itself. The doctor feels that the stroke was totally separate from the tumor, and that he is actually fortunate that the stoke ultimately revealed the presentation of the tumor. Had the stroke not occured, who knows when the tumor might have beed discovered.
In Norm's own words... "How unusual and interesting!"
As Norm prepares to start radiation and chemo next week, he is taking Marge to see Pink Martini on New Years Eve!!! Maybe Marge can even convince him to dance with her! :)
Friday, December 25, 2009
2009 Holiday Greetings
Although we enter the 2009 holiday season with the big "C" word hanging over our heads, I can only reflect with gratitude on the many blessings I have been given: The love of a wonderful woman, two terrific and responsible sons, two beautiful and patient daughters-in-law who love their husbands and adore their children, four fantastically adorable grandchildren, a grand-dog who gives unconditional love regardless of my condition, wonderful friends, neighbors, and co-workers...I could go on and on. Diagnosis is a glioblastoma, brain cancer with not the best prognosis. I've already had a craniotomy with tumor excision. I will start radiation therapy and oral chemotherapy early in January.
Through all of this, I've gained a little insight.... Christmastime is for children, with cookies and ornaments, and visions of presents. Give your significant other and children plenty of hugs and kisses, and do it now, and tell them you love them, and show that you love them. All families are faced with some sort of adversity, and we are no different. We just need to face it head on with hope and optimism. This diagnosis is one that often comes with an admonition to "get your affairs in order." (Tiger Woods should have paid attention to that a few years ago.)
I've learned some new names for Santa's reindeer: "Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Ataxia! on Apraxia! on, Dysphagia and Blitzen!
Darling Drew was born last December 30, so he is approaching his first birthday. And Sweet Sofie, our mellow Muilenburg, was born March 24. Boisterous Brady will be 3 on our 40th wedding anniversary in February, and Lovely Lucy will be 3 in October. Four grandchildren born within 26 months of each other. So magical and wondrous!
We took a wonderful trip to Santa Fe with our good friends (and Pete's in-laws) the Jendrzejewskis in May, and a baseball trip to St. Louis in July to watch my beloved Dodgers get their hats handed to them 3 out of 4 games by Marge's Cardinals. Our gracious hosts, the Cavanaughs, didn't even rub it in.
Marge is recovering nicely from her hip replacement done in late October. We can join a mixed rolling walker basketball league!
We are happy to have Pete and Tracy back in the U.S. after two years at the Canadian International School of Hong Kong. They are both now at Marist Catholic High School in Eugene, OR. Andy and Ali both work for her family’s business, Mill Power Inc. You can check out photos of their impressive operation at http://www.millpower.com.
Ali created a blog to follow my progress:
http://normmuilenburg.blogspot.com/
We are looking forward to seeing what 2010 brings! Wishing you all the best for an enjoyable holiday; excuse the lateness of this if it reaches you post-holiday. I borrowed this from Bill Cole:
May you always have
Love to share,
Health to spare, and
Friends that care.
Two out of three ain't bad!
Love,
Norm and Marge Muilenburg
Through all of this, I've gained a little insight.... Christmastime is for children, with cookies and ornaments, and visions of presents. Give your significant other and children plenty of hugs and kisses, and do it now, and tell them you love them, and show that you love them. All families are faced with some sort of adversity, and we are no different. We just need to face it head on with hope and optimism. This diagnosis is one that often comes with an admonition to "get your affairs in order." (Tiger Woods should have paid attention to that a few years ago.)
I've learned some new names for Santa's reindeer: "Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Ataxia! on Apraxia! on, Dysphagia and Blitzen!
Darling Drew was born last December 30, so he is approaching his first birthday. And Sweet Sofie, our mellow Muilenburg, was born March 24. Boisterous Brady will be 3 on our 40th wedding anniversary in February, and Lovely Lucy will be 3 in October. Four grandchildren born within 26 months of each other. So magical and wondrous!
We took a wonderful trip to Santa Fe with our good friends (and Pete's in-laws) the Jendrzejewskis in May, and a baseball trip to St. Louis in July to watch my beloved Dodgers get their hats handed to them 3 out of 4 games by Marge's Cardinals. Our gracious hosts, the Cavanaughs, didn't even rub it in.
Marge is recovering nicely from her hip replacement done in late October. We can join a mixed rolling walker basketball league!
We are happy to have Pete and Tracy back in the U.S. after two years at the Canadian International School of Hong Kong. They are both now at Marist Catholic High School in Eugene, OR. Andy and Ali both work for her family’s business, Mill Power Inc. You can check out photos of their impressive operation at http://www.millpower.com.
Ali created a blog to follow my progress:
http://normmuilenburg.blogspot.com/
We are looking forward to seeing what 2010 brings! Wishing you all the best for an enjoyable holiday; excuse the lateness of this if it reaches you post-holiday. I borrowed this from Bill Cole:
May you always have
Love to share,
Health to spare, and
Friends that care.
Two out of three ain't bad!
Love,
Norm and Marge Muilenburg
Sunday, December 13, 2009
A few pictures...
Norm and Marge in their "Christmas Cracker" crowns.
Norm and his Grandog, Larue.
Norm, Larue and Brady watching a show.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
The Week
Its been a few days, but we are pleased to report that Norm continues to do well at home. Andy and Pete and their families are here this weekend for "Muilenburg Christmas". It will no doubt be total chaos with 4 kids under 3, but we will enjoy every single second. Marge is pleased to report that we are having a total Costco meal - with the exception of the Epicurious marinade she made for the tenderloin. Papa is loving holding his favorite dog on his lap and getting hugs from his grandbabies.
The coming week will test Norm's strength. He has one or two appointments every day except Thursday (but someone from home health will likely come to the house). Norm will see radiation/oncology, oncology and neuro for follow ups. As of today, the pathology report is still not back. They sent his slides up to OHSU for review and are still waiting for results. We continue to hope for the best.
We will try to get some new pictures this weekend and pass them along soon.
Hugs from all.
The coming week will test Norm's strength. He has one or two appointments every day except Thursday (but someone from home health will likely come to the house). Norm will see radiation/oncology, oncology and neuro for follow ups. As of today, the pathology report is still not back. They sent his slides up to OHSU for review and are still waiting for results. We continue to hope for the best.
We will try to get some new pictures this weekend and pass them along soon.
Hugs from all.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Home at Last
Norm called this evening and was thrilled to report that he was HOME and headed for his recliner (if fact, now that I think of it, I think he was probably calling from his recliner). I can only imaging how good it must feel to be back in his own house. Norm sounded great - it was so good to hear his voice and be reassured that everything really is okay.
Norm did say that he had all sorts of appointments all over town in the next few days, so that will keep him busy - and exhausted I'm sure.
Now that they are home, Norm and Marge will have better access to their e-mail and phone messages. Please keep them coming.
Many thanks from all of the Muilenburg's for all of the support!
Norm did say that he had all sorts of appointments all over town in the next few days, so that will keep him busy - and exhausted I'm sure.
Now that they are home, Norm and Marge will have better access to their e-mail and phone messages. Please keep them coming.
Many thanks from all of the Muilenburg's for all of the support!
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