Trip #2 - Path to Recovery

After a lovely two and a half weeks back home in Calgary, I returned to Vienna with my friend, Nadine for another week of treatment.  I again received low-dose chemotherapy, hyperthermia, immunotherapy, acupuncture, massage and naturopathic infusions.  Based on how well I'm feeling and my lab values, Dr. Kleef believes that I'm on the path to recovery.  I agree.  I am feeling much better than I was 3 months ago - less pain, smoother walking, more energy, stronger bones, stronger faith, more hope.  I am having scans done this week in Calgary and should have the reports in 2 weeks.  It will be interesting to see if they show the improvement I'm experiencing subjectively.

Nadine and I had a great time together, and we were able to take in some touristy sites when I wasn't in the clinic.  We saw the beautiful architecture of the city centre, went to a Mozart/Strauss classical concert, ate schnitzel and sacher torte, and did some shopping.  She even ventured to a couple places I haven't yet seen:  the Lipizzaner stallion stables and the Belvedere palaces.  When I go back at the end of February with my friend, Terri, perhaps we'll check those out too.

Will and Alexis fared very well on their own for a week.  I think they enjoyed taking the pace down compared to when I'm there, as I always seem to find extra "jobs" for them to do.  Can any other Moms relate to that habit?  Will continues to work diligently at eliciting hand and finger movement.  Last week for the first time, he was able to actively extend his left thumb (into a "thumbs up" position).  Now he hopes his other fingers will follow suit.

You know, after going through other hardships in life (mainly health), there has always been a lesson or something good that has come out of it all.  This period of life has been particularly long and challenging for us, and I keep waiting for that lesson but nothing is clear yet.  However, what has been tugging at my heart and mind has something to do with 'gratitude', not just when the trial is over, but throughout it, or maybe even looking at the hardship as a gift in and of itself.  I'm not sure though...it's hard to wrap my mind around that one.  If you have any insights, I'd love to hear them.

And that's the update for this round.  I'll post again once I know my scan results.  As always, thanks for caring and we sure appreciate all the prayers and support.

Love, Shawna
for Will and Alexis too