2013 March 31

It is Easter Sunday and we are still with Cherilyn, Todd and little Phoenix.

Last Sunday, with Chaunda, we decorated the house for their home-coming, streamers, balloons, flowers and Congratulations banners.  When we all came home around 8:30 in the evening; they were happily surprised and pleased at our efforts.  Then the fun began.  Cherilyn and Todd were exhausted, having had very little sleep at the hospital, and Phoenix had quite a time learning to breast feed, so there was lots of newborn crying.  The lactation nurses characterized him as a 0-60 baby, meaning he can go from contented to extremely frustrated very quickly. The first 2 days and nights at home were a real challenge for both of them, and I did a little night duty trying to spare Cherilyn and Todd as much as possible.  Of course, that is not a lot when baby needs to be nursed.

Cher and Todd had an appointment with a lactation specialist on Tues, and received more pointers on getting a newborn to latch on well, and by Wednesday, things had begun to turn around with Phoenix doing much better with his nursing and Mommy getting a little more rest between feedings.  It has been such a joy being a part of all this with Leland feeling well enough to participate in being the happy grandpa.

Todd did the sweetest thing (among many!).  He brought a laundry basket to Cherilyn filled with clean baby clothes and asked her to find an item for him.  One layer down was a  plaque with loving words accompanied by a little black box containing a lovely necklace to match her wedding ring, a green aqua-marine surrounded by little diamonds-a thank you gift from him for their precious little boy. He is a most thoughtful and considerate husband, consistently kind to everyone in his path.

We went to Seattle on Wednesday night for Leland's appointment.  Everything looks good.  The PSA did not come down, but neither did it double for the first time in 3 months, so it looks as though the Zytiga is working.  No one knows for how long, as that varies considerably from patient to patient. Dr. Chen said the cancer is under control for now.   We will take every good day and be grateful.  We plan to do some travel this summer while he is still feeling well, and making the most of every day we are given.

It was good to see Lorance, Judy and Monte Sabbath afternoon, and visit with them for a little while, as they welcomed little Phoenix to the family.