Noel S - Update #9

Noel has officially completed his radiation therapy and is glad to cross this off his list.  As with most people, radiation therapy has left him a little fatigued, and he is looking forward to regaining his energy over the next couple weeks.

Noel continues to love the messages of support - whether they be via email or snail mail.  Now that he's completed the intense treatment schedule, he will have time to respond.  Please feel free to reach out to Noel directly if you'd like to contact him.

We will be taking a break from posts on the blog as he continues his rehab process.  Please assume for now that no news is good news.

Thank you again for all of your support.

Noel S - Update #8

Hello, everyone 

Noel has been down a long road the past couple of months with his surgery and the rehabilitation that has followed.  While he still has a long way to go, we have been encouraged by his progress thus far.  

He is two weeks into radiation/chemo and has four more weeks of treatment ahead.  The radiation/chemo treatment has not been as bad as the doctors warned us it could be, and he has suffered no side effects (e.g. nausea, etc.) due to chemo.  The radiation side effects are primarily significant fatigue, and he has found it difficult to stay awake after a 20-minute radiation treatment.  The doctors assure us that this kind of fatigue is normal and to be expected.  Even with the fatigue of the radiation, his overall strength, stamina, and energy level are slowly returning. 

Noel has continued working hard on his physical therapy, and a physical therapist typically makes a home visit home 3X per week.  This PT was temporarily suspended because he developed an extensive DVT (deep venous thrombosis/blood clot) in one leg. The doctors reassured us that this is not uncommon for patients with Noel’s cancer diagnosis.  He is receiving anticoagulant therapy for the DVT and it seems to be working well.  

Prior to surgery, he had right hemiparesis, and these symptoms seem to be resolving fairly quickly thanks to his physical therapy and rest.  As a result, he is able to use his right hand/arm for nearly everything, except handwriting and typing, which continue to be challenging for him.  

Thanks again for all your cards, emails, and other expressions of support and encouragement.  They mean a lot to Noel, and he appreciates them (as do we) more than you know.  Hopefully his treatment and rehabilitation will continue to be uneventful and will go well.  

Until the next update, happy Easter.

Noel S - Update #7

Noel is continuing to make progress.  Although he’s frustrated by feeling easily fatigued, he recognizes that this body is rebuilding its strength after the trauma of brain surgery.  His most recent MRI showed that the spot from which the tumor was removed shows no signs of cancer re-growth.  The surgeon told Noel today that he could be a poster boy for this surgery because he’s making such good progress.  Noel is back to answering Jeopardy questions in the evenings-showing that his store of knowledge and memory seem to be functioning well.

He starts radiation and chemo on Thursday and has been warned about the possibility of increased fatigue.  He's also been advised that exercise and a high protein diet can combat the fatigue.  So, don't be surprised if you see him power-walking (or bush-hogging) with turkey legs and broccoli in each hand.  

To all who have sent cards and emails with good wishes — thank you!  These messages have kept his spirits up and are encouraging his recovery efforts.  He wants to respond to everyone to show his appreciation, however, his typing and handwriting are still a bit slow at this point.  Sandy is taking dictation and trying to let everyone know that the prayers, humor, and good karma are all well received.

Noel S - Update #6

Noel was released this afternoon from the in-hospital rehabilitation unit.  He is very excited to sleep in his own bed, see his dogs, and be back out in the woods just in time to see the big pay off on all the work they put into their landscaping in the Fall.

His days will continue to be filled with various therapy sessions, including chemo and radiation that form part of the clinical trial protocol.  Rest continues to be critical to his recovery.

We will let people know through this blog when he's able to receive visitors.

Thank you again for your support - we know it has bolstered his recovery and will continue to serve him (and his family) well.

Noel S - Update #5

Noel has continued his in-hospital rehabilitation this week and is making steady progress.  He wants clear answers as to when the doctors will clear him to chainsaw and bushhog again. For anyone who has been cross-examined by him, whether in court or at the kitchen table, you know those are not easy questions to field.

Although we don't have a clear timetable as to when he'll be chainsaw ready, he and his therapy team remain positive about the trajectory of his recovery.

Once he is released from the in-hospital rehab unit, he will continue his busy rehabilitation schedule with daily radiation, chemotherapy, and PT sessions.

Thank you for your continued support.  We will continue to provide updates through this blog regarding his progress.

Noel S - Update #4

Noel's recovery has continued to progress.  This afternoon his medical team is transferring him from the neurology ward to an in-hospital rehab unit.

His rehabilitation team will have him busy and working towards important benchmarks for his recovery.  He is excited to move to this next step and get to work with his rehab team.

His medical team has kept in place the restriction on visitation and flowers/arrangement.  As a result, no visitors or flowers/arrangements are allowed at this time.

We will be sure to let you know when he can accept visitors.

We continue to pass along your posts and well wishes.  Thank you for continuing to send them.

Please, still no visitors or arrangements/gifts at this time

To create space for him to rest, the medical staff has stated that no visitors or gifts/arrangements are allowed at this time.

While Noel has shown some positive signs after surgery, his mind and body have to rest to allow the recovery process to take hold.  As a result, the medical staff has put this restriction in place.

We are honored at the support he's received, and we understand you want to show Noel how much you care.  Right now, the best way to do that is by posting your comments on this site.  We read the posts to him, and he loves it.

We will let you know as soon as it is possible to visit or send him something.

Noel S - Update #3

After a surgery lasting a little more than 6 hours, Noel’s vital signs are strong and he is in stable condition in the neurology ICU ward.  Dr. Abram, Noel’s surgeon, met with us after the surgery and explained that the procedure went well and as expected. 

Recovery from this type of surgery involves a lot of uncertainty.  While we remain realistic about the process that lies ahead, Noel’s initial signs during recovery give us plenty of reason to remain optimistic.  Noel’s toughness, the skill of the Dr. Abram and his team, and your support reinforce that optimism.  Thank you. 

While visitation remains restricted, please continue to post your thoughts to this site.  We read them to Noel, and he clearly understands and appreciates the thoughts.

Noel S - Update #2

We really appreciate the outpouring of love and support we have received so far.

The surgery on Thursday will last most of the day.  If all goes as planned, he will then be in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for a couple days and the neurology ward for a couple more. 

Visitation is restricted after surgery given the sensitivity of the recovery process.

We will be sure to let you know when he is able to see visitors. 

Thank you again.

Noel S - Update #1

As many of you now know, last Thursday (1/29/31), Noel was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.  The prognosis is grim, but he is in the care of a really good neurosurgeon, Dr. Steve Abram, who will operate on Thursday, 2/5 at 2 pm. Noel will be part of a clinical trial that is being used in Europe and is having  good outcomes there. We shall see. Noel and the rest of us are trying to remain optimistic, yet realistic in this situation.  With some luck, he will be able to recover and return to work in some capacity in the not too distant future. That certainly is his hope and ours.

We want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers, and well wishes we have received over the last few days.  We will provide updates through this site.  At this time, we ask that if you wish to send any thoughts and words of support, please post them on this site.

Given the natural demands flowing from the surgery and recovery, this site allows us to receive and provide information in a manageable way.  We plan to update and check the site regularly, so please know that your posts are seen and valued.  If you have already sent or send notes directly to us, please know we appreciate them - even if we are not able to respond.

Thank you again for all of your love and support.  This is certainly a great challenge for Noel and our family, and it means a great deal that we have such a great network of family and friends supporting us during this time.