Cancerwife

Hello everyone,

Once again, my heartfelt thanks for your kindness and support over these horrible days. I thought everyone would like to know that Walter is more aware with each passing day. He knows exactly what is happening and understands everything we say to him.

Slowly but surely, he is recovering his speech and has been able to mumble or slur out one syllable words, such as yes, no, and to my delight, my first name. The doctors have connected him to a computer device for more complicated conversations, but he is hesistant on using it, he'd rather force out as many words as he can.

As to the swallowing, he is now able to let ice chips dissolve on his tongue and swallow the water residue they leave and also, with the use of an eyedropper he can take and swallow small drops of water and swallow them. After about two or three drops he gets too tired and can't do it anymore.

Yesterday, the poor dear pushed himself so hard he started choking on the water. The lung cancer makes it difficult enough for him to breathe as it is without adding to it.

He is delighted to know that all of the friends and connections we've made on the board are pulling for us, praying for him and supporting me. He honestly believe he is going to get well, and with all of the extra prayers and good wishes he has out there, I don't see how the outcome could be any different at this point.

Dana