Hi,

A quick update.

RuthieCare in Tijuana

In our last email, I mentioned that I will be leaving tomorrow, Friday, July 4. I still am – and will return in a couple of days, Monday, July 7. I’ll stay here with Ruth until Friday, July 11.

Susan Anderson will arrive the same day, Friday, July 11, and leave Monday, July 14.

I will return Monday, July 14, and stay until Friday, July 18.

Michelle Kaye will arrive in San Diego on Thursday, July 17, and will stay with Ruth, escorting her home on Saturday, July 19.

Ruth and I want to thank those of you that so quickly offered to come stay with Ruth. Very, very loving, kind, heroic. We this schedule, and the 24 hour staff here, Ruth’s care is covered.

Disease

Also, it seems I was not clear about what’s happening with Ruth’s disease. There seems to be very little cancer in the few sites that had been active. The CT scan does not show tumors where they had appeared before. Now the cancer has left the outer lining of the liver, and has gone into the interior of the liver. Her liver is inflamed and significantly swollen.

She is getting pain meds and anti-imflamitory meds. The doc suggests (without being definite) that Ruth will see a reduction in swelling and relief in the next couple of days.

That’s it for now.

Thanks and love,
Brian

Hi,

Ruth and I are still in Tijuana. Instead of leaving early today, I decided to stay until Friday.

The doctors and staff here continue to be very attentive. In some ways their care is better than some we experienced in US hospitals.

Ruth’s Condition

Ruth’s abdomen has been, and continues to be, extremely swollen. She is painfully uncomfortable. We have been under the impression that, like before, she had a lot of fluid building up. We were anxiously waiting to drain the fluid to give her some relief.

A new CT scan reveals that there is not much fluid. And there seems to be very little indication of the tumor masses in the few places we have seen them before.

The disease that was on the outside of her liver has now spread into her liver. Her liver is inflamed and severely swollen.

Ruth is still getting treatment to prepare her for a focused small-dose chemo and additional supplements she will take in a couple weeks. Her medication now includes an effective pain killer and an anti-inflammatory drug. We are waiting to see when and how well the anti-inflammatory medication works on reducing the size of her liver.

Ruth is barely able to keep any fluids or food down. Her abdominal cavity is so full, a few sips or bites come right back up. She is getting fluids intravenously and is sipping a protein drink as she can.

Two Week Challenge

The doctors are optimistic about the overall treatment. The challenge is getting through the next couple of weeks.

Ruth is very weak, and generally does not leave her room. Though confident, and still very much her sweet strong self, she is scared and physically frail. I have been bringing food from the dining hall to her (now replaced with protein shakes), and help her get to appointments and treatments.

As I mentioned, I am leaving Friday. Ruth and I would really appreciate someone being here after I am gone. We realize we are asking a lot in short notice. If you can afford the time, all you need is an up-to-date passport. We will cover travel expenses to and from San Diego. A hospital van would pick you up. Ruth’s room has a second, full-size, firm bed, and the food is good.

As we know, Ruth has many great friends. Susan Anderson will be here Friday, July 11 through Sunday, July 13. Michelle Kaye will be here Friday, July 18 and bring Ruth home on Saturday, July 19.

Please let us know if you can come for a few days.

Donations

Thank you very much to those of you who have donated. Ruth would like to thank you herself, but is not really able to anytime soon.

If you can offer some financial help, click this link:

I will continue to keep you updated. As always, Ruth sends her love

Thanks and love,
Brian

Hey there, y’all! Just a quick note to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU , THANK YOU for reaching out! I feel the LOVE, and it means the world to me!!

It is past my bedtime here at the Oasis, so this will be short. I want you to know that all is well here. I will admit that I had a brief freak-out upon arrival (more on that later, and mostly because it is comical!) but we are all settled in now, and I am feeling quite comfortable. Better yet, I am feeling relieved; I am in good hands.

Time for bed now… I will communicate more soon, and with more detail.

Thank you again for all of your love, prayers and support. I love you all so very much!

Hey there, friends!  Welcome to RooLovesYou.com – a place to find updates on my health status and to be reminded (in case you forgot) that I love you!

It hasn’t been easy keeping in touch with everyone, so we designed this page for me to post to all my friends and family, and for you to check-in as your heart desires.

I will do my best to update this page, and text and email everyone as well.  Feel free to communicate with me using my email address.

You’ll notice a donate button below.  The journey of fighting cancer can be as rough on the pocketbook as it is on the body, so we are most grateful for any financial assistance!