Sandy Beardsley
Living with a Brain Tumor
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12/10/05
Even Days in the Hospital Can Be…
Filed under: General
Posted by: Dan @ 2:42 pm

Good Days

Again, a long break in the blog here. We’ve just been busy with the stuff of life I guess.
Sandy had a great first week getting back to teaching after Thanksgiving. It wore her out and also energized her to be with all the kids and her co-workers again. She then, of course, caught a nasty cold but kept working. She has been tired but feeling overall a bit stronger. Her head is still painful around the surgery site, but we are so blessed she has been feeling as good as she has.
This past week has been one of a bit too much time in the hospital… again. This time it was my turn. On Wednesday I had surgery to remove all the hardware (metal plate and 5 screws) from my leg. [In case you don’t know my story… 14 months ago I was commuting to work on my bicycle and got hit by a truck. The worst of my injuries were a broken/dislocated shoulder and the top of my tibia broken off right below the knee.] All that hardware has been extremely painful for awhile now, especially in this cold weather, so Sandy and I decided I should get it all taken out now while she’s feeling good and could take care of me. So it was just a day surgery - they knocked me out, took it out and kicked me out.The surgeon also did an orthoscopy on my knee while he was in there.
Sandy drove me home, her first time driving since early October. That night and into the next morning the surgery site was bleeding pretty good so Sandy drove me back down to the hospital and my surgeon checked it out. The bleeding was normal he said and also the swelling and fluid in the knee was normal, though real painful. It’s still quite painful and I can’t bend my knee, but I’m getting around on crutches outside and a cane around the house. I won’t be able to cross-country ski for a few weeks, but I’m glad that hardware is out of me. I’m going to make a small windchime out of the metal plate and screws.
Yesterday we went back down to the hospital (3rd day in a row) for Sandy’s blood test and appointment with her oncologist. Her blood test results have been very good - no drop in white blood cell counts, liver function good, etc. So they are increasing the dose of the chemo drug Temodar. She begins the next round (pills at night for 5 days) tonight. Hopefully she won’t suffer any nausea or other side-effects.
So after that appointment, Sandy drove me over to the other hospital in town for an eye exam I had scheduled months ago. The opthamologist is keeping a close watch on my vision for some issues that came up since I got hit by the truck. Luckily, all was well.
So a big week in the halls of the medical world… but we’re both happy we are here and able to make those journeys. And I’m most happy that Sandy is healthy and strong enough to take care of me. So here we are again… switching roles… care and care alike…
Take care,
Dan

4 Responses to “Even Days in the Hospital Can Be…”

  1. Caryn O\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'Connor and mom Says:
    Dan–Only you could think of making a windchime out of metal hacked out of your leg! Things sound great with Sandy. Keep up the good spirits you two. You’ve certainly had years and years worth of challenges the last 14 months so am sure the next 40 years will be smooth sailing. Love, Mom
  2. Eric S. Beardsley Says:
    Hi Dan and Sandy, we tryed calling you tonite to see how you guys are doing, so we checked your blog instead when we got your answering machine. Glad to hear things are moving along. looking forward to seeing you at Christmas time, Love, Pat and Eric
  3. Tim Gartland Says:
    Sandy, Glad to learn that treatment is progressing as desired. Also happy to learn that life for you is likewise on the right path. Dan on the other hand is too much to take. Look pal, if you want to lose weight put down the fork. Racing off to the surgical ward to shed those unwanted pounds is just beneath you. In anycase, despite your slip in character, I and Kim wish you and Sandy all the best in your recoveries. Have a Merry Christmas and we’ll look for you in the new year! FOS, Gig Harbor Chapter.
  4. Catherine O\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'Connor Says:
    Hi, Danny and Sandy, Just checking on you - thank you for the Christmas card - that picture of you two is sweet. Wishing you many more sweet and happy and healthy moments starting this minute. Aunt Cathy

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