Un Perro Grande Blanco Esta' Comiendo Frito Pie

Jerry took his last pain pill on January 9th, and hasn't needed any since. He finished his third round of chemo Friday, and has a CT scan on January 30 to see if the tumor is shrinking. The lack of pain is still being interpreted as a good sign.

Dad's hair and beard are thinning, but haven't fallen all the way out yet. He has little white beard hairs all over his navy blue jacket that he wears, but if I saw him out on the street, I don't think I would think he is a cancer patient. I would just think that he has a big, white dog at home.

The water is going down much more smoothly, and the blood work shows it. In addition to the "eat a salty thing to make you thirsty" trick, Dad is employing a little psychology. It makes him feel better to drink five smaller size bottles of water, rather than three larger ones. It takes fewer gulps to see progress and therefore, motivates him to drink more. Whatever works.

Dad wants me to be sure to mention in the blog how awesome Nolie has been. She keeps track of what medications need to be taken and when; She sets out the pills, then follows up to make sure they were taken, and administeres the eye drops too. Apparently during the last chemo round, the Built Into the Wall Couch That Folds Out Into a Bed was broken and didn't fold out right, so Nolie had to sleep kind of sitting up instead of flat. Jerry says the whole department is moving from the eighth floor to the ninth floor on February 1, with all new furniture including fancy new fold out flat chair/beds for guests of the Cancer People. It kind of sounds like the difference between Business Class on the 767 and First on the 777. I'll make sure Mom and Dad know how to use the Bose noise cancelling head set.

Nolie and I went to the gym today and I think it was good for Nolie. She said her 0.5 jeans were beginning to feel tight. Dad stayed at the RIBM and watched the Saints lose, and I bet he enjoyed some time alone. Nolie and I brought back hot dogs and Frito pie from James Coney Island.