#33 ...one more thing

Robust LJ (10/2018)

1979 is the year I met LJ.  I met him in February that year, as a matter of fact.  In February of this year (2019), 40 years later, he started his radiation/chemo.  We've been through a variety of things in our 40 years together, but I do believe this is the hardest.  It's been hard watching him go through all of this.  For a while there I wasn't sure he was going to be ok.  The radiation and chemo took such a toll on him.  For a couple of months he wasn't my LJ.  He was sick and frail.  I'm used to the big, strong, doesn't act/look his age LJ.  For a bit he looked weak and elderly.  But he is starting to be the Old LJ again.  His wit and humor is back.  His goatee is growing back.  He was 250 and could afford to lose a couple pounds when we found out about his cancer.  Now he's skinny, but really he isn't as skinny as when I met him.  He was 175 then and 190 now.  I think a good weight for him is about 200/210.  But until he can eat solid food again, he's going to be on the skinny side.  He's still a little weak, although that is getting better.  He gets very tired, very easy.  Just a short trip to the grocery store can make him tired.  He's getting frustrated with the recovery time, but I think we finally have some answers.

LJ Update:  LJ went and had the "barium swallow" esophagus test done that the new ENT had ordered.  The day after he did the test, the doctor personally called.  It appears LJ has an extreme narrowing of the esophagus where it meets his stomach.  Without a deep scope it is hard to tell what is causing the narrowing.  Is it scar tissue? Just narrow?  Since he is an ENT this problem is located below his area of expertise.  So he personally referred us to the premier Gastroenterologist in the area.  He called the Gastro doc personally and we got in to see him within a week.  Once again LJ has been blessed with a fabulous doctor.  This guy has all kinds of awards for best doctor.  He is very personable.  Like the ENT, he is in high demand and very busy.  But he does not rush you.  He explains things and answers your questions.  He takes the time you need.

He showed us the swallow test images and explained exactly what it going on with LJ.  There is definitely a restriction.  It could be scar tissue built up over the years due to acid reflux.  He was sure it wasn't radiation caused because the location is largely out of the radiation field.  The narrowing is why he hasn't been able to eat.  It's why food, even liquid, comes back up.  It's like filling a funnel with a tiny opening.  You have do it slow and a little at a time.

He told us the next step is to scope LJ's entire esophagus.  Usually you don't have to be put completely out, but in LJ's case, he is going to put him completely under for the test.  Depending on what he sees, although he is fairly confident it is scar tissue, he will then "stretch" the esophagus to break up that tissue.  He can only do a little at a time because too much and you can tear the esophagus and then you have real problems.  In many cases it take three or four procedures before the esophagus remains open, allowing food to pass normally.  He said in LJ's case it may take more.  He will have a better idea after the first scope.  Normally these procedures are done two weeks apart.  It stretches, goes back a little.  But before it goes back to the same position, you stretch it again.  You do this until the opening is what it should be.  This doc is an expert in this field, so we trust him to know what is best to get LJ over this hurdle.

After the first procedure (scheduled for 8/29) he will let LJ know if he should try moving up to solid but soft foods.  Until then, liquid food...by mouth.  I'll give LJ credit.  He listened to the doctor and has been taking all of his liquid food by drinking it.  He says his taste buds are still screwed up but things don't taste as bad as they did in the beginning.  So another step forward.

I still feel sorry for him, but at least we understand (or I should say I understand) why he hasn't progressed like he was supposed to.  On the other hand, nothing, apparently, is ever simple on this road to recovery.  He's still not out of the woods and still has a lot to face.  But if all goes as planned, for once, the real progression will start soon.  I swear with all that is going on and being done, LJ will be like a 20 year old when he's finished.

He is disappointed he isn't going on his annual ATV trip in October (insert eye roll here).  Up until yesterday he was pretty sure he was going to go.  But these procedures will take him into the fall so no trip.  Of course then we went to the grocery store and I think the reality of his stamina (he has none) set in.  Shoot for your annual February trip I told him.  I think that is doable.  He should have his thyroid out and the esophagus fixed, along with no feeding tube by then.  In the meantime he can build up his stamina by walking around the house and yard.  Speaking of which...


House Update:  FINALLY.... we did the "fix this" walk through yesterday.  They were quite accommodating about repairing and repainting a lot of the walls.  Since it was a model, there were some minor wall repair issues.  Why the decorators have to hang every flipping picture with a molly bolt is a mystery.  Since we bought the house fully decorated and furnished they didn't have to do anything about the walls.  But they were pretty good.  I told them what would be coming down from the walls, so they fixed them.  I was reasonable, though, and didn't ask for too much.  The garage conversion is 90% done.  They still need to trim the trees so we can get the RV under them.  A few little things here and there.  We sign on Friday and close in 6 days.  It's finally here.

Scooter will finally have his home and his back yard.

I will finally have a pool and a place to craft, along with a real refrigerator and stove, lol.  Yea yea.. I know...I don't cook.  Says so on the sign I have in storage, lol.  But I am sooooooooo tired of eating at restaurants.  I am honestly looking forward to cooking again.  And I think some of the cooking shows LJ watches constantly have given me a desire to experiment.  I now have a great kitchen for doing that, so why not?!  Plus, it means I can go shopping for gadgets and what nots.  Annnnnnd I really need to lose this weight.  I'll be able to swim and eat right.  I know.  You can eat right going to restaurants.  No you can't.  They have stuff there.  Good stuff.  It's just too hard.  But I get through it by still sending LJ pictures of my food.  Now I'll just fix it and he'll have to look at it and smell it.

LJ...well...nothing really changes for him.  Comfy chair and a tv...he's good.  He'll just have a better recliner and a bigger tv hahaha.  He did say it isn't fair that after 40 years I have decided to start cooking and he can't eat.  Then he thought about it and said, well maybe that's a good thing until you practice for awhile.  😜

Oh.. and a realllllllll toilet and shower. Not that the RV doesn't have those.  But....if you own an RV and spend any amount of time in it, you totally get my excitement.  Two and a half years... Who knew a toilet and a shower would make someone so happy.

I am stressing trying to figure out how to get our stuff here from Reno, but, oh well.  Not like I really need any of it.  LJ won't let me do it without him so we will wait..........I'll figure it out.  Friends have offered but LJ is stubborn.  He feels guilty so we will get it when we get it.

It's still a little bittersweet.  And I won't lie.  I have had mixed feelings as it gets closer.  A part of me doesn't want to give up the freedom of the RV life...but with all that's going on, it's the right thing to do.  Once he's better we can take off whenever we want, for as long as we want.  But there will be home to come back to.  A home where the kids and grandkids can come visit and we can live normally.  I'll enjoy leaving and coming back.  400sf can get a bit cramped unless you are moving around the country.  And since we don't move around much in the winter...I'm good with spending that 5-6 months in 3200 sf with all the amenities 😃.

Scooter Update:  Poor little guy has been under the weather a bit.  He had a sore ear for a couple weeks.  Fortunately it wasn't bad.  No real "matter" in his ears, just a bit inflamed.  He's not a fan of the vet as you can see by his woe is me look while waiting.  He won't even look at me, lol.  But he's real good about letting them examine him and letting me put the drops in his ears.  Vet said it's pretty common and she is surprised in his seven years, this is his first earache.  She said we are pretty lucky he isn't prone to get them.  She also told me he might get them if he goes swimming, so to be sure to use drops to dry his ears afterward.  I am going to do some research for over the counter stuff before I pay for a prescription.  But, if he likes to go swimming, then whatever he needs he will get.  Speaking of swimming...

This is the little rat dog after he decided to fall into the pool chasing after his dad while dad was cleaning the filter.  (no we don't live there yet, but we pretend we do hahahaha). Scooter was trying to bite the filter basket and missed a step.  Splash... He can swim, we have learned.  Rather than immediately pick him up, LJ guided him to the big step so he could get out on his own.  I need to figure out what to put on the inside of the pool, just under the deck, for a beacon.  I realized from his vantage point the side of the pool looks the same all the way around.  But I want him to be able to find the step to get out if he falls in.  This is why he NEVER goes outside alone.  Well, that and coyotes and owls and ravens....  He does have a life jacket that we will put on him during swim time.  That way he can also build up his stamina and learn where to go without stress.  Just like us, he has been fairly sedentary over the last few months.  He needs to get back in shape too.  I think daily ball fetching and swimming will help him.  It'll ease his boredom, too.  There's nothing more pathetic than the sound of a dog, deep sighing, because he's bored.  Probably why when I take him somewhere he barks...kinda like a kid saying "are we there yet?"


He loves to lizard hunt and chase off the birds.  As you can see by the picture on the right, he also keeps an eye out for both when he is inside.  I think he thinks it's his job.  When not staring out this window, he goes to the big sliding glass door so he can see more.  It's the way he was when we used to have rabbits.  Watch for them, whine to get out, turn circles until you open the door and then chase them off.  He is going to be a happy little fella in one more week.

Now something our house has that I'm not sure we need is an outdoor fireplace in the courtyard.  It really is cool.  It has a switch to turn it on for convenience.  I'm pretty sure it won't be used in the summer.  But...in the winter and late fall, it can get a little chilly at night.  That's when sitting out there will be relaxing.  I do plan on buying an outdoor set with a fire pit table for the Cabana out back, but in the meantime, I can sit under the stars with my little fireplace going in the Courtyard out front.  It's a private courtyard, especially once we get the gate installed.  I never would have bought it, but hey, it's the model, so it came with the house lol.

We have been very lucky.  We are in the middle of monsoon season and I have been dreading it while in the RV.  50-60 mph winds with rain in an RV...nope.  But this year, so far, we have only had one real windy day and one hard rain night.  Don't know why.  Usually there have been several by now.  I will say that the East and South side of Phoenix has been hit pretty hard with the weather.  Even north and to the west of us have had some.  But for some reason it has skipped over us.  I think the weather gods know LJ and I have really been through enough, so they are sparing us...for now.  I see thunder clouds almost every day, along with some pretty dark skies...in the distance.  So for now...thank you Mother Nature.  You're kindness is appreciated.

So that's it for now.  Hopefully next week goes well.  House keys on Tuesday...esophagus stretching on Thursday.  Doctor followup visits the following week.  I'll post again in a couple of weeks.  Let you know if we survived.  Until then, thanks for reading and all your prayers.  Without them, I don't know if we'd be doing as well as we are.  💖