My dad's last day of radiation was on Monday, December 12th. (Yay!) My mom brought my dad to that appointment, and she said that when patients finish their round of radiation, they get to ring a bell to signify that they're done. She has a photo of my dad ringing the bell, and I'll see if I can get my hands on it. I guess my dad will have an appointment in 3 months to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment. When my dad left the treatment center, they gave him the screen-ish mold of his head that they used in order to focus the radiation on the tumor. I'm not exactly sure what we're supposed to do with it, but while I was visiting one night, my dad thought it made a pretty good bonnet. I can't say I disagree.
On December 21st my dad had an appointment with a neurologist here in Traverse City. He checked out my dad's "deep brain stimulator" to make sure everything was in order, and I think that appointment went pretty well. The neurologist was super nice, and he was also a Michigan grad. When my mom pointed out that my dad had also graduated from Michigan, the neurologist said, "I know; I saw his ring." haha...my dad never takes that ring off. I remember that when I was a kid, I promised myself that I'd get myself a ring just like it someday. Don't get me wrong -- I chickened out when I discovered that the ring was a little more expensive than I'd bargained for. At least I got a degree, though, right?
Christmas was laid back, for the most part, but my dad got to spend some time with family and friends. One of his former exchange students was able to come up here for a couple of days before Christmas. On Friday, December 23rd, we all piled into the car to pick up my dad for a surprise treat: It's a Wonderful Life was playing at the local State Theater, and I know it's my dad's favorite movie (aside from West Side Story). When we arrived at Birchwood to get my dad, though, we discovered that Birchwood was hosting it's own Christmas party, complete with Santa Claus. All of the residents from my dad's wing gathered in the dining hall and waited for a rather feisty and humorous Santa. When Santa asked a guy at our table, "Have you been good this year?" and the man answered "No," Santa said, "Well, I like your honesty. Have a gift!" Santa came by and commented on the U of M Santa hat my dad was wearing (thanks to Karen and Marsha), and then posed for a photo. My dad was touched, actually, and even got a little teary eyed. (I think he's been a little more emotional lately.) Even with the surprise Christmas party, we made it to the movie on time. The theater was packed, and they had a really good energy. There were people of all ages, and an usher was passing out bells to ring at the end of the movie, when Clarence gets his wings. Although Chad, my mom, and my dad all dozed off at one point or another during the film, my dad seemed to really enjoy himself. He was rather attentive and laughed at all the right times and all that good stuff. I, myself, always get a particularly big kick out of the part where George Bailey asks Clarence to show him Mary, and Clarence says, "You won't like what you see, George: she's an old maid." (dun dun dun...)
My dad's exchange student left on Christmas Eve, and then my sister, brother, and my uncle and aunt arrived. My aunt said that when they went to visit my dad for the first time, my dad cried. I'm sure he's trying to process a lot, but I do hope he knows how much everyone loves him. My aunt and uncle will be here for two weeks from San Francisco, and they've gone to visit him every day. I'm sure my dad appreciates seeing some new faces every now and again, and a personal bonus for me is that I get to enjoy some of my aunt's exceptional cooking skills!!
On Christmas Day, my former pediatrician, Dr. Chang, her granddaughter, Anna, and Anna's husband, Frank, stopped by from Cadillac for a visit. They came to my house, and while they waited for my boyfriend to retrieve my dad from the nursing home, they had happy visit with my mom, and a lot of excited Mandarin Chinese was spoken. I was happy, since I can actually understand some Mandarin. (My mom's family usually uses Cantonese.) They had brought us some delicious Xinjiang Pears, which were a fun treat. When my dad arrived, though, he was the man of the hour. He drank some tea and Heineken, and listened to everyone talk. He wasn't too talkative, himself, and I know he doesn't like too much of a fuss made, but I know he was glad to see everyone.
We opened gifts after my pediatrician and her family left, and afterwards we had a spectacular Christmas dinner. My dad had nearly spoiled his dinner by eating a bunch of chocolate-dipped Oreos that I'd given him as a gift. Still, he managed to eat some honey ham and continue nursing his Heineken. We all ate probably a little too much, and of course my dad finished it off with a big bowl
of chocolate ice cream. When it was all said and done, I don't think my dad made it back to Birchwood until 9:30 or 10pm, but I think it was a beautiful Christmas with the family. Even Charlie, my dad's cat, really seems to have liked Christmas. He's the type of cat who really likes to hide, though, so I think that more than anything, he has appreciated having a small place of reprieve amongst all the people coming and going. There have been many times when I haven't been able to find Charlie, and then I see a little white and brown tail or a little pink nose poking out from under the branches. (10 points if you can find the cat.)On a final note, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to everyone who showered my dad with cards and notes for the holiday season. Your thoughtfulness is so moving! It took several shifts to read all the cards to him, and I'm certain that no one else at Birchwood (or in Traverse City or even in Michigan) received so many heartfelt notes and warm wishes over the past couple of weeks. I can't speak for my dad, but for me, your positive energy is ever-present. Despite my strongest inclinations to despair, it's just so darn hard with such wonderful people supporting us! I hope you have a happy and safe New Year!
