My apologies for not posting recently. It has been good news on the recovery front. Sue's iron levels are down by half and may be near normal by summer or perhaps fall. The doctors have been happy with her progress all around.
On a sad note, my grandmother Doris died this last Saturday.
Last week Sue and I heard that the doctors could do nothing more for Doris after decades of beating cancer back as it went from breast cancer to bone. My grandma had fought back and did very well until various ailments caused by the cancer kept her from being able to do her normal routine. And the doctors where she lived did not seem to be managing her care. My mother flew down to help coordinate the care. And then she brought my grandma back to Newfoundland where with my mother's efforts and better coordinated health care significantly improved my grandma's condition despite more damage and more intervention being necessary. My grandmother improved enough to move in to an assisted living community nearby my folks and enjoy new friends and got the help she needed as necessary.
When we heard the news that there was not long, Sue and I immediately flew up to Newfoundland last Thursday and got to spend most of the day Friday with my grandma. We went to a lovely museum that Doris loved to go called The Rooms in St. John's, Newfoundland. Her friends went and got the table with the best view that she had never had previously gotten. And sitting there with friends, my mom and Sue and me, Doris had a delicious lunch on an especially crisp day with a stunning view of St. John's harbour, Signal Hill and the Atlantic Ocean. My grandma laughed and chatted and seemed to really enjoy the company and attention.
That was her last full day. In the night she got much worse and was taken to the hospice that was nearby and was picked out already. During the day on Saturday, with her family all around her, she died.
My grandma was funny and always was generous with her time and help for everyone around her. When Sue was undergoing intense treatment and every day since, my grandma, even while she herself was going through radiation treatment for her breast/bone cancer and dealing with persistent pain, was always there asking after Sue and seeing how she could be there for both Sue and me. We love her and miss her.
I will post a link my Grandmother's obituary when it is available.