Birch Point matzo ball soup for the soul
We are so fortunate to have hooked up with the CNR program. The physiotherapy is fantastic. Gilly never complains about getting up so early on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and seems relaxed and content with Thi’s instruction. He has a positive way about him, and for some reason, Gilly moves through the exercises with determination and an air of purpose.
Thi sets aside some time to ask Gilly questions after each session. There is no doubt that he listens very carefully to the responses. Today he questioned me while Gilly was on the treadmill, and so when he spoke with Gilly later, he already knew that Gilly’s appetite has worsened, his energy level has decreased, and that he lacks motivation to do anything other than sit in his chair.. Gilly’s answers were not all that realistic, but Thi showed gentle patience, and managed to have Gilly admit the truth about all of this. He is truly in tune to Gilly’s body, spirit and mind. It is uncanny. He assured him that the cycle will kick in at some point, but it takes time. He warned him that the chemo (which will begin next week) will sap him further, but it is important to keep on working out. He suggested the possibility of coming only once during the five days of chemo, but the ball is in Gilly’s court; he decides if he can manage both sessions. He emphasized the necessity to eat, especially protein, and not simply the smoothies. There was not a trace of ‘lecture’ to his tone. I think he hypnotized us both. We left feeling understood, and in good hands.
I expressed my concern (while Gilly was on the treadmill) to Thi about my need to push Gilly. I wondered if this is still recommended, or if I should pull back. I explained that Gilly is totally unmotivated to do the exercises, and unless I remind him and strongly suggest he lifts those weights, does his ball exercises and walks, he would sit in his chair all day and nap. Aside from the fact that the tapering of decadron is causing a fair bit of this behaviour, Thi assured me that this is a common complaint. He stress the importance of pushing him to keep up the program at home.
The stereotypical ‘husband’ has to be reminded to take out the trash, mow the lawn, fix the…(you know, like dagwood, Blondie’s husband) but my fella was never that way. He has always been the polar opposite; a doer extraordinaire, which is why I hesitate to push. I believe, to some extent, that if he could, he would initiate his own training program. When he’s with Thi, I see that determination to prove to Thi that he can go longer, lift heavier weights, and so on. He smiles, and acts as if it’s ‘no sweat.’ Where he gets really thrown off is the ‘balance’ portion of the regime. It’s a major struggle. He should be using that ball everyday, religiously, but he doesn’t. It must be monumental if it threatens Gilly so. What’s holding him back most? Could it be the complex nature of the task, given his physical limitations, or is he crippled emotionally at this point, exhausted and disillusioned, because it is tiresome to spend so much time expecting all this to go away? It stands to reason that it’s a combination of both. So the plan is to continue to feed his mind, body and soul to help him climb out of his slump.
At 28º and climbing, we left the city at 1:00. Forget wheat germ today; we stopped at Lafleur’s on the way out of town. He ate every drop and licked his fingers too. Problem is, I did too! Of course a steady diet of nitrates is not the best meal plan, but I’ll do anything to whet his appetite.
He took to his chair upon arrival (it was my dad’s favourite spot too at one time, although Grandpa Haskell’s original chair is now in Yaron’s room). Liylah and I took a dip, and then we visited on the porch with my mom for the remainder of the afternoon.
Shirley’s inside making matzo balls (she figured on comfort food for obvious reasons; we’ll have to eat outdoors though, because the kitchen is ‘bleeping’ warm as a result of all the good home Jewish cooking). I’m on the porch listening to the sounds of nature, cooling off in shade with a delightful breeze blowing in my direction. I have a panoramic view of the lake from my vantage point; it’s like magic for the soul. Liylah is chasing waves along the shoreline, although there are fewer boats around during the week, thankfully. Gilly’s snoozing soundly. I’ll awaken him soon for the final meal of the day. All is as well as we can expect in Birch Point this evening.
Thi sets aside some time to ask Gilly questions after each session. There is no doubt that he listens very carefully to the responses. Today he questioned me while Gilly was on the treadmill, and so when he spoke with Gilly later, he already knew that Gilly’s appetite has worsened, his energy level has decreased, and that he lacks motivation to do anything other than sit in his chair.. Gilly’s answers were not all that realistic, but Thi showed gentle patience, and managed to have Gilly admit the truth about all of this. He is truly in tune to Gilly’s body, spirit and mind. It is uncanny. He assured him that the cycle will kick in at some point, but it takes time. He warned him that the chemo (which will begin next week) will sap him further, but it is important to keep on working out. He suggested the possibility of coming only once during the five days of chemo, but the ball is in Gilly’s court; he decides if he can manage both sessions. He emphasized the necessity to eat, especially protein, and not simply the smoothies. There was not a trace of ‘lecture’ to his tone. I think he hypnotized us both. We left feeling understood, and in good hands.
I expressed my concern (while Gilly was on the treadmill) to Thi about my need to push Gilly. I wondered if this is still recommended, or if I should pull back. I explained that Gilly is totally unmotivated to do the exercises, and unless I remind him and strongly suggest he lifts those weights, does his ball exercises and walks, he would sit in his chair all day and nap. Aside from the fact that the tapering of decadron is causing a fair bit of this behaviour, Thi assured me that this is a common complaint. He stress the importance of pushing him to keep up the program at home.
The stereotypical ‘husband’ has to be reminded to take out the trash, mow the lawn, fix the…(you know, like dagwood, Blondie’s husband) but my fella was never that way. He has always been the polar opposite; a doer extraordinaire, which is why I hesitate to push. I believe, to some extent, that if he could, he would initiate his own training program. When he’s with Thi, I see that determination to prove to Thi that he can go longer, lift heavier weights, and so on. He smiles, and acts as if it’s ‘no sweat.’ Where he gets really thrown off is the ‘balance’ portion of the regime. It’s a major struggle. He should be using that ball everyday, religiously, but he doesn’t. It must be monumental if it threatens Gilly so. What’s holding him back most? Could it be the complex nature of the task, given his physical limitations, or is he crippled emotionally at this point, exhausted and disillusioned, because it is tiresome to spend so much time expecting all this to go away? It stands to reason that it’s a combination of both. So the plan is to continue to feed his mind, body and soul to help him climb out of his slump.
At 28º and climbing, we left the city at 1:00. Forget wheat germ today; we stopped at Lafleur’s on the way out of town. He ate every drop and licked his fingers too. Problem is, I did too! Of course a steady diet of nitrates is not the best meal plan, but I’ll do anything to whet his appetite.
He took to his chair upon arrival (it was my dad’s favourite spot too at one time, although Grandpa Haskell’s original chair is now in Yaron’s room). Liylah and I took a dip, and then we visited on the porch with my mom for the remainder of the afternoon.
Shirley’s inside making matzo balls (she figured on comfort food for obvious reasons; we’ll have to eat outdoors though, because the kitchen is ‘bleeping’ warm as a result of all the good home Jewish cooking). I’m on the porch listening to the sounds of nature, cooling off in shade with a delightful breeze blowing in my direction. I have a panoramic view of the lake from my vantage point; it’s like magic for the soul. Liylah is chasing waves along the shoreline, although there are fewer boats around during the week, thankfully. Gilly’s snoozing soundly. I’ll awaken him soon for the final meal of the day. All is as well as we can expect in Birch Point this evening.
posted by Gilly at 8:55 PM
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