Natalie Notes

Harlan and I drove mom to get radiation today. She had a good morning and was happy and talkative the whole way up. We got to walk her back to the radiation room to get her settled before her treatment. There is something about seeing and knowing where mom is going to be that is comforting. We also met with her radiation doctors, Dr. Guarnaschelli and Dr. Mackenzie, after the treatment. They were both very encouraged about mom's increase in eyesight. Dr. Guarnaschelli gave her a vision test with a chart in the hallway. Mom could read letters on the chart with both her right and left eye. Before she couldn't read anything from a chart right in front of her. The left eye was about 20/50 and the right was slightly better. We were all surprised, even mom. They also felt like the swelling on her face was going down and commented on being able to see the bridge of her nose. We stopped by Dr. Lyle's office on the way home. He also had good things to report. So far the inside of her eye continues to look healthy. The radiation treatments do continue to make her real tired, but that is expected. She can tell a difference in her energy level from the ride up to having it "zapped" out on the way home.

I have been cautious about feeling excited about how things are going, but it was very reassuring when Dr. MacKenzie said, in a very assertive tone of voice, "This is progress." So I will hang onto those words with a happy heart until the next evaluation next week.

Thank you, thank you for all the love and concern for our mamma.

Natalie