Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Phil the Outlier

Judging from my last several posts, the grand and lengthy prosaic writings of mine were on hiatus.  Whether it from sheer fatigue or necessity (or both), my dispatches were nothing if not terse. I believe that quality reflected both my emotional reservoir and my mental function in general. Fear not, I have had a much needed pedicure and am good to go for awhile longer.    


Any-who!   Things at Chez Conrad are measurably improved.  I would say that 2 days ago Phil really turned a corner -- strangely enough when we finally started to administer the Ambisone he became more animated, got his bearings, started to eat more and became more intentional about living in just about every way. It has been an incremental gain and each day has provided a small reason for celebration. First it was Phil having eaten an entire hamburger for dinner. Next it was Phil getting up unsolicited to join my brother Stephen and I in the other room as we helped Bennett practice for a school presentation. Yesterday it was the fact that he only took one short nap all day. For the kids, it's that he's had the energy to read them stories and tuck them in at night. Last night he climbed up into Olivia's bunk bed! I tried hard not to have him see me spotting him but he made it up and down on his own.

Being his wife and caretaker and having been a PA for 8 years it's hard not to see all the things that need attending to. I guess having sat by his bedside for the last three weeks and filtering through all the dire predictions gave me a habit of doing that anyway. He's definitely got the weight issue hanging around and his magnesium is now low and being supplemented. His affect is still a bit flattened but the range of his personality is slowly widening. But hey, when I think of what he's been through in the last 8 weeks, I know I've got to chill-ax as they say and get some perspective.

Here's a little timeline:
Lymph node biopsy Aug 8th, 2010 - same day surgery
Diagnosis of T cell lymphocytic lymphoma on Aug 10th
Port a cath placement August 12th - same day surgery
1st chemotherapy treatment INPATIENT x 4 days Aug 17th - 20th
INPATIENT (thru ER) for spinal headache x 4 days Aug 22nd - 25th
2nd chemotherapy treatment INPATIENT x 4 days Sept 7th - 10th

Wednesday the 15th of Sept, his left eye begins to hurt. Over the next 24 hours severe left eye pain and dehydration develop and Phil is HOSPITALIZED again. Major work up ensues leading to eventual 3 week hospitalization with major sinus surgery, partial left frontal lobectomy and debridement and residual mucor mycosis infection.
INPATIENT Sept 16th - Oct 7th

He saw Dr. Ghosh today, the neurosurgeon, who told Phil he was an "outlier", someone who has defied the odds and beaten the predictions. When I look back at that timeline and see what he and we have been through in 8 short long weeks, I am nothing but amazed at his fortitude, tenacity and sheer determination. He's also had a stellar team of surgeons and infectious disease consultants working on his case and that's made a huge difference, no doubt. He's also had the prayers of the people.

I think I'll recommend that Dr. Ghosh read Malcolm Gladwell, author of "Outliers". I Googled him briefly as I wrote this and came across an interesting quote. In it he says, "My wish with Outliers is that it makes us understand how much of a group project success is. When outliers become outliers it is not just because of their own efforts. It's because of the contributions of lots of different people and lots of different circumstances— and that means that we, as a society, have more control about who succeeds—and how many of us succeed—than we think. That's an amazingly hopeful and uplifting idea."

Phil's success and that of our family through this trial is made bearable by your prayers, possible by our Savior and probable by the skillful hands and sharp minds of Kossman, Ghosh, Mansfield, and Mayer.

6 comments:

  1. This is wonderful to read - SO thankful to hear that Phil is on the mend, recuperating, gaining strength and building reserves again. Also good to read of your own rebuilding Sally.

    An interesting concept 'Outliers' - one I have pondered over for many years - as a social worker for several years, then a PA for many years, and just a human being. My own intuitive impression is that it all has to do with our incredible and intricate 'connectedness' with each family, friends, community members, strangers, the earth and its communities of living creatures. I think there are networks of energy that exist - and that intangibles such as love, concern, hope, worry, thought, optimism, peace are 'infectious' and have physical manifestations and effects. It may sound 'out there' but there it is!

    Heather and I are getting ready for the school/work day and reading your blog has put a smile on our faces and a spring in our steps this morning - maybe some of the positivity you and Phil are experiencing will make it to one of Heather's students or one of my patients today...

    Love you guys and we are happy to read your news.

    David, Heather, Zoe, Gretchen.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a wonderful post, and I am so thankful to have re-connected with Phil after all these years.... The "connectedness" was really a strong bond between the campers and staffers at Calvary Camp that transcends all boundaries.

    Hang in there... Love you guys!

    Rave Ditter

    ReplyDelete
  3. Tomorrow -- Saturday October 16th at 1PM EST I will be participating in "The World's Largest Pie Fight..." an effort to break a world record and raise money for a south-central PA non-profit that provides financial support to families battling cancer.... I am going to "take one for the team," Team Conrad, that is! I'll send pictures!!!

    Rave

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you for sharing what is going on your family's life. It is good to read how God has answered the prayers for your family, Sally. Praise Him who holds us tight during good and bad times of life. Love and miss you all.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I keep reading what you are sharing and so much prayer for all of you. May you soon be able to tell us that Phil is really better and your lives can get back to normal. Thank the Lord for a wonderful set of physicians, and the care of a loving wife. Much love,
    Billie

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a joy to read this post. We are praising God for this report and His faithfulness that transcends our circumstances. Sure loved that Phil got on/off the bunk bed, what great news and great memories :>! Love and hugs to all of you.
    Jenn, Jeff, and Alexa Joy

    ReplyDelete