The Big Moment: October 1

Duke University called us today and said that Dr. Walther would like to see Bill on Thursday, October 1, 10 a.m.

Since that will be eight days after the surgery, and since he is asking us to come all the way to Durham for the meeting, I'm almost sure I correctly suppose that this will be the meeting during which the pathology report is revealed and Bill's options are eumerated.

YIKES!

HALP!

Bill is actually planning to teach both days next week--Monday and Wednesday--but his pain level is giving him some uncertainty about Monday, at least.

Either way, Dr. Walther was most considerate in picking a day that wouldn't interfere with Bill's schedule.

WHAT IS IT LIKE IN OUR HOUSE?

If you were here, you would experience puppies running through the house almost constantly and barking and playing tug-of-war with toy monkeys. This makes Bill laugh a lot and creates a fun, albeit circumscribed, atmosphere.

You would see Bill loitering in one of two places: either resting in his bed or sitting on his favorite sofa on the porch, which has a view of Grandfather Mountain.

You would note that we're both being pretty quiet, talking only for short bouts (I like A LOT of talking, but Bill likes to read books and look at his laptop, so I have to keep imaginary duct tape on my mouth not to annoy him).

You would notice that today Bill seems to feel a tiny bit better and a lot less freaked out than he did yesterday.

You would smell pot roast cooking, and Cuban black beans and yellow rice. I know it's not THAT healthy, but Bill wants comfort food this week.

You would see all the trees on the mountains outside the window starting to turn yellow and orange and lose their leaves, and you would note an enormous amount of rain and fog--which doesn't do much for the mood factor and which seems unpleasantly metaphorical.

And you would see me sitting in this corner on the porch, either googling every blessed article ever published on bladder cancer, or you'd see me typing this message to you on my laptop, and wondering how to express my profound comfort and gratitude that you are there, and reading this, and interested, and sticking with us. You can't imagine what it means to me, and to us.

I just love you.

Bethkins