Notes from Jan on a "Good Week": Jud's Journal Entry Ten

Unlike Garrison Keillor, one of our favorite storytellers, we can’t say, “It’s been a quiet week in Lake Wobegon.” But we can say it’s been a good week.

SUNDAY:  At Jud’s urging, Martha, Dick and I went to Fenway Park to cheer on Derek Jeter who was playing in his final game. We’re Red Sox fans, but this was not their season. Over and over we heard the word RESPECT in connection with Jeter and his years as a Yankee.  That word’s not bandied around many prominent sports figures today. Dustin Pedroia gave him second base as a farewell gift. Maybe because of all the years Jeter tried to steal it or made those killer double plays that kept Red Sox players off 2nd base.  Jud cheered from home.  I respect him for pushing me to go and do something with friends that we love to do together.

MONDAY:  Up at 4:15 (that’s a.m.) to drive Luke and Lily to Logan.  Uffda! (Norwegian for whatever you wish!)  Michael came by to see Jud mid-morning. Good to see him after so many weeks of Jud’s isolation. Not easy being President.  Drove to Concord, NH, for a birthday lunch with Gordon and Gail. You could smell the pot roast when we walked in the door. Apple pie with ice cream for dessert. Time with old friends, “priceless.”

TUESDAY:  Decision day at MGH.  You know from Jud’s post how that went.   We felt drained after the day of tests and consultations but relieved at having made a decision. Dangling’s tiring. A couple of weeks earlier, Tom and Lyn invited us to dinner to honor Os Guinness on his birthday.  We declined because of Jud’s fragile immune system.  But blood count results were good, again, so we decided to drop by to wish Os a Happy Birthday.  Bonus: David and Suzy Young, Jenny Guinness, David and Jane Wells were all at the dinner. After Tom seated Jud, these friends began praying. Holy!  That’s what it was.  A few friends gathered for a birthday supper became God’s children experiencing communion.  “This do in remembrance of me.”  Or, as Tom prayed, “When two or three are gathered in Your name, there You are.”

WEDNESDAY:  Jud’s birthday. But then you knew that. Our mailman knew it too.  Box full of cards, not just bills and notices from BlueCross or Medicare.  Thank you all!! We breakfasted at Nate’s in Rockport, lunched at home, then had dinner at Duckworth’s Bistro with Chad and Kristina. Jud’s counts and immune system are up enough to allow him to order HOT food—but no salads—out at a reputable restaurant. Good to feel untethered for a few hours.

THURSDAY:  Jud went to the dentist to get his mouth checked out before beginning more treatments at MGH.  So many requirements in preparation for more chemotherapy.  I went for a pedicure for no good reason other than it felt good to schedule something non-medical. I fell asleep in the chair.  That was worth something.  Then went for a flu shot so I didn’t feel so frivolous.  After dinner, we watched a BBC Agatha Christie mystery.  Decided afterwards that it wasn’t the best use of our time. We’re on time alert.  Precious time.  Limited time.

FRIDAY: Today’s a gray day by the sea.  Pounding waves and blowing leaves remind us that Fall’s here and Winter won’t be too far behind.  Jud and I hunkered down, and he began teaching me all I need to know about our finances, preparing me for winter and life after Jud, should his life be shortened rather than extended by the treatment ahead.  Sunshine felt inappropriate for such somber tasks.  The day took me back to RESPECT.  Jud’s organized without being compulsive.  He’s taught me for years through his disciplined and ordered life.  Today was just a refresher course.

TONIGHT we’re going to our Bible study group.   Not sure when we’ll get to go again.  We love those folks.  They’re a link to Gordon, encouragement for this day and a lifeline into whatever future God has for Jud and me.  Tonight we meet at the Gaedes. 

TOMORROW is Homecoming.  We won’t be there.  Crowds are out so we can’t be.  Jud and I’ll stay home. Some of the time we’ll pray for Gordon College’s 125th anniversary. We’ll pray, too, for BRUCE and Susan Webb and STEVE and Robin MacLeod who are cancer battlers like JUD and me.   When you pray for us, please pray also for them.

One footnote to this week—On Tuesday, we learned that Jud’s bone marrow could come from an international bone marrow bank. That raised an eyebrow.  For many years the Swedes and Norwegians waged “war” with each other.  One of the challenges of a transplant is to avoid GVH, or GRAFT vs. HOST disease.  In other words, Jud’s body could start a war with the new marrow.  You get where I’m going.  We asked Dr. Chen, “What are the chances that Jud will get bone marrow from a Norwegian?”  He grinned, “With Jud’s DNA, I’d say there’s a pretty good chance.”

Well, we can only hope that these past 51 years with me have taught Jud how to survive and thrive with an “enemy” at close range. So far, so good.