Friday, November 26, 2010

Post Thanksgiving - by Joan

A mural we pass everyday on our way back from the radiation clinic.
The traffic is crazy, but there are lots of overpasses and underpasses so pedestrians never have to cross the road. Lots of pedestrians! Little shops are set up in the underpasses, and informal vendors find places to sell on the overpasses. Unfortunately most of their wares are the same -- and made in China.


A view of the road from the overpass. I'm glad I don't have to try to cross this at street level!

Rick in bed doing his "Rife." Google it if you want to know more.
Post Thanksgiving greetings to everyone. Although Thanksgiving is not celebrated in Mexico, in honor of the 4 American patients (out of 6 total) the staff made us a delicious dinner with all the usual dishes. We even had dessert for the first time ever! (Cancer patients should avoid sugar.)
Rick is eating well, sleeping well, and in good spirits......as long as he stays in bed. Unfortunately as soon as he tries to stand he gets intense pains all the way down his left leg. Because of this he really cannot walk at all right now.
On Wednesday Dr Rubio, Jr. came in to see him (as he does everyday) and said he wanted to do an X-ray on the surgery site, and an MRI on the spine to see what was going on. Within the hour they had a car and driver take us to a place where Rick was led immediately into an Xray room (no waiting) and then immediately into an MRI (no waiting). The films were taken by a radiologist -- not a technician -- and he read them right away. When we got back the doctor met with us again and said he was heading over to confer with the radiologist. The next day (Thanksgiving) Dr. Rubio came into our room with the films and showed them to us. The problem is that one of his spinal tumors is pressing on the sciatic nerve. The Dr. is addressing this with radiation. He thinks the pain will be reduced by next week. In the meantime we spend lots of time in bed, reading, talking, and watching movies.