I begin chemo again this coming Wednesday.  This will be the last three week session before they do another MRI to see how effective it has been.  I use a brace on my right leg which works well on flat surfaces.  I cannot go anywhere if there are stairs.  I continue to use my walker to get around.  I am in the process of getting a wheelchair for longer outings. I have been receiving physical therapy for the past couple of weeks.  I am trying a "tens unit" to see if it can help control my spikes of pain.  It is difficult to tell whether or not it is working.
      I only have two more weeks of work through Western Oregon University for the school year.  I've been able to do this effectively due to my wife driving me to my schools and helping me get through the doors.  I appreciate Barry taking me last week.  Thanks to my wife and Barry, we've been able to put ramps on both the back and front doors, additional handles in the shower, and an elevated toilet seat.  All these improvements have helped a lot.  I am learning to adapt to not being able to do many things.  I cannot sit for any length of time without  pain.  The people at Costco wondered about me last night when we went to eat pizza.  Since I cannot sit for very long, I would lay on the bench for a bit while I ate and then I would sit for a little bit and then lay back down.
     As always, I appreciate all you thoughts and comments.  You are all appreciated.

Thursday I had one of the best days that I have experienced in quite a bit of time.   I completed three observations of my student teachers and was smiling as I got home.  As I opened the car door, I felt something give, which set the tone for a very rough upcoming weekend.  I really struggled pain-wise for the next three days.  

Today, Kath & I went to a physical therapist & an occupational therapist.  We received a lot of information that we will be putting to use.  The physical therapist showed us a massage that Kath can perform when I am at the point of high pain.  She also showed me a stretching technique that I will be doing daily.  Both are aimed at easing the pain.  She made us much more aware that I need to spread out my activities as opposed to doing them all at one time.  Since I have not been doing this, it could play into why I am in so much pain at night.  Hopefully this helps!  I also now understand when I need to use the wheelchair as opposed to using the walker.  

After spending over an hour with her, we went to the occupational therapist.  His goal was to show me how to do everyday activities with as little pain as possible.  So, our home will now be one with an elevated toilet seat, a soft cushion toilet seat, bars for the toilet seat (why would I ever get off the toilet?), a shower with handle grips (which opens up a whole lot of possibilities), bars to get out of bed, & a soft surface to sit on in the shower.  These are all aimed at reducing my shooting pain.  The 3 greatest sources of pain for me are using the toilet, taking a shower, and getting up from a laying position.

I then did 2 observations after the therapist appointments and came to realize that I also need a soft cushion to put on student chairs I need to sit on during the observations.  

I have an appointment with the neurologist on the 15th and am continuing with my chemo.  Round 2's 2nd dose will be this Wednesday.  

Thank you for checking in on me and continuing to drop me notes, it means so much to me and is appreciated more than you can imagine!