The Prognosis

Wet Coast (Wickininish Island 2005)

On Friday Mark met with the specialist who identified three possible cancers: Colon -- possible but it doesn't act like colon cancer; a liver cancer which has blocked the bile duct; or bile duct cancer-- most probable. The later two don't respond to treatment and given the spread to the lungs and possibly the brain (explaining his balance issues) the prognosis is very poor. The rapid onslaught of symptoms suggests weeks maybe months. All this needs to be confirmed with a biopsy which will happen early next week. At the same time the doctor will unblock the bile duct to relieve the bile and reduce the jaundice and remove some of the fluid buildup around the liver to make Mark more comfortable. 

Mark is not in pain, he just feels 'pregnant', swollen belly, uncomfortable, fatigued and his trousers don 't fit. 

How does one deal with a prognosis like that? ... with a dinner: beef bourguignon; crusty french bread; mango with cashew salad; brownies and ice cream prepared by Thora, delivered with Jerry, and enjoyed by brother James, nephews Darby and James (Marks son), niece Adele, and my mother. Mark not having eaten anything substantial for more than a day, ate two helpings

Beach Party taken in the Broken Islands 2007

Wednesday was chaos in and around the Kaarremaa household.  Mark's brother, wife and two nieces came Tuesday and stayed a night.

side note....Tuesday on my way to pick them up at BC Ferries, I kicked some otter-food, dead crab shells left on the dock, and in so doing my shoe flew off and landed upside down in the salt chuck.  It floated away but I managed to jump in the boat and paddle after it and retrieved it,  and went on my way dripping squishy puddles with my right foot print....

It was good for Mark to be able to visit with them. They are always so cheery. Two stayed with us and the other two spent the night in Gamma's little guest cottage.  With so many , there was lots of laundry loads, toilet flushes,dishwasher loads and sink loads.  Too much for the sewer system and at 9 a.m. the toilet overflowed! 15 minutes of vigorous plunging brought the toilet bowl level down 6 inches but a new gurgling noise came from the tub which now filled with toilet water (not the nice kind). All dish washing, laundry,bowels and bladders came to a dead halt.
Roto Rooter listened to our dire tale and promised a savior.
Meanwhile people trotted to the guest cabin which is outfitted with a bathroom. But of course that was an issue for Mark who thankfully was able to wait.
At 11:15 Gramma arrived along with my youngest sister, her husband and daughter.  At 11: 15 I went off in the boat to pic up Ray, Mr Roto Rooter and his 300 lbs of equipment.  Long story involving Ray who went overboard (not literally) adding air to 2 golf cart tires, crawling under the house, weed wacking blackberries and roots.   The upshot was roots in the pipe which were easily fixed and a smoking electrical connection in the sewer pump which required fixing.  Thank you Vern!!!!
By 3pm it was fixed and everyone left to catch various ferries.
As Carol Matthews said, sometimes God wants to make a point so you realize 'that sometimes life is the shits!'

Family, Friends and Food

Norah and her black forest cake.  Note her headlamp.
I guess the candles weren't bright enough to light her way that night.

Everyone has been so kind, bringing food and friendship.  We couldn't make Peter's birthday party, so Norah brought it to us.  Turkey dinner with all the trimmings and a couple of hours later a piece of  just cut Black Forest Cake.  Norah learned to bake this cake at 23 when Peter was courting her (or was it the other way around?) .  She enticed him with one and he ate half the cake (think 1 lb of butter, a pint of cherry liqueur, chocolate, cream and more cream) and then felt heavy and exclaimed there was something in the cake that didn't agree with him!  It agreed with us.

And Thora, dear Thora has been cooking up a storm, taking menu orders and asking what time should she deliver it to be able to serve it hot to us and any guests. Would Mark prefer beef, chicken or pork tourtiere? Mark looked puzzled 'Everything Thora makes is wonderful. It doesn't matter what she makes.' It has taken a weight off my mind to not have to worry about having enough food in the house or what to cook.  Thank you, all you cooks.

So much food has been delivered we have had to take over the fridge in my mother's cottage two doors down.

It brightens the day to have so many friends and family  emailing or stopping by for visits.  Mark is not in pain, nor on any drugs (although many offers of special brownies) so his mind is clear and he enjoys connecting with old friends.  

Last week

Last week Mark was tired but life was normal.
Last week he visited friends.  This week friends visit him.
His liver is so large it has extended his stomach and has left him with jaundice.
Last week his doctor exclaimed  'God, Liz, he must be sooo strong.'
He was talking about Mark's stoicism, his willpower, his pain threshold, his mental and emotional state. Mark still has some muscle strength in his arms and legs, although his left arm doesn't quite do what he wants it to and his arm and shoulder muscles have wasted away leaving his shoulders looking frail.
Last week Mark woke up and he had lost his sense of balance. This week he uses a walker to help keep him centered.
Last week he slept in our double bed. This week he sleeps in a hospital bed.
Last week Mark slept 5 or 6 hours ever night.  This week Mark is awake five or six hours a day.
Last week life was normal.  This week life is on a different planet.

Storm

Mark recently became very ill.  Too fatigued to keep up with posting to his various blogs, Facebook groups, Flickr account etc.  So I will try to use this blog to keep people updated.  I will also try to bring all his photo sites under this one roof so you can see scenesfrom his memories.