The Ginger Ale Scale

Things Working Out

Since Pam was given the green light to drive again, I have had to travel more for work. In fact, I have been gone for most of the past two weeks. If Pam was still unable to drive and/or still needed someone with her 24/7, it would have been difficult. But now, she took me to the airport and picked me up for both trips and she used the time I was away to spend more time with Sandra, her sister in law and her parents. Sometimes things just work out.

I don't know how many times I have written "Pam is still shaky and fatigued" in this blog, but I can't think of another creative way to put it... she is still shaky and fatigues easily, and we don't expect that will get much better until she is able to get off of some of the medication in her Big Box O' Pills. But, good news, according to what I call the Ginger Ale Scale, she has not been having as much stomach upset and is able to eat pretty normal meals most of the time now.

The Ginger Ale Scale is a very scientific measurement of Pam's gastrointestinal upset which is caused by Graft vs. Host disease of the gut. When Pam's stomach is upset, one of the few things that seems to help consistently is Ginger Ale.  So, since she doesn't complain, I can tell how much her stomach is bothering her by taking note of how many cans of ginger ale she drinks.

NOLA and STL

Impromptu Parade
Creole Cajun Jazz Festival
Louis Armstrong Park
Nov 9, 2013

I was in New Orleans last week for a conference. If Pam were just a little bit better medically, she may have made the trip with me. We both love NOLA. I am tentatively planning a road trip next year to take in music venues in NOLA, Memphis, and Nashville.  

The conference was a huge success for Clinicient, and in the evening, I had a chance to have some NOLA fun.  The conference held a parade from the Hyatt Hotel to a party on the field of the Super Dome one evening. It was great fun. The next night, I went to the Louis Armstrong Park, just off of the French Quarter for a Creole Cajun Jazz Festival with some of my Clinicient colleagues. 

St. Louis, in contrast, was all work and no play. 

Back home yesterday, and had the luxury of my personal chauffeur picking me up at PDX. Glad to be home.

From the Field in the SuperDome
Nov 8, 2013

Last Appointment with Dr. Holtan

Pam has her last appointment with Dr. Holtan tomorrow. I feel bad, because I will not be able to make it, just because I am so pressed at work. I really wanted to express my appreciation to her personally.  Today, I think Pam and I will go to REI or the Pendleton Store and find her something warm as a going away present.

We both feel like Pam got "the luck of the draw" with both Dr. Weinstein and Dr. Holtan.