Lori IX
When Kate or Tucker are here, things appear. Scrambled eggs. Clean dishes. Folded laundry. Stacked firewood. Back rubs. Hugs. Best of all . . . baby Jack. Even when they aren’t here, things appear.
Banana bread. Paper flowers. Eggs. Tamales and salad. Flowers on the doormat. My belief in angels has been restored but none of the angels who appear have wings. They have hands and hearts instead and that is better than OK with me.
We spent an hour recently with our medical angels John Chan and Natasha Curry and then several hours in rainy traffic back to Sonoma.
Lots of time to think about what we learned from them. The two big tumors that we spent the past three weeks radiating have been well clobbered but the little tumor down in Lori’s pelvis has apparently decided to assert itself and is the source of . . . pain. The current brew of palliative meds manages to restrict that pain to quarters but replaces it with . . . nausea. We are really really sick and tired of nausea. Or maybe the nausea comes from the residue of the radiation or from the cancer itself or from all kinds of lousy mental associations. Nobody knows.
So we are considering a variety of tough options. Hope that Round Two of the new chemo will be efficacious. Sign on to a clinical trial and fly off to Houston or the Mayo Clinic every couple of weeks chasing some new drug which might buy us a couple of months. More radiation which might buy us a couple of months. Accept that Lori’s number is up and focus on quality of life while we have life together.
Lori is not afraid of dying. If there is a heaven St. Peter reserved her quarters there decades ago and has been adding shelve units and craft tables ever since. But the thoughts of the things she will miss slay her. The episodes of her children’s and grandchild’s lives which have yet to unfold. The places we have planned to see. Dinners around the table. Nights snuggled in front of the fire. Friends.
On Valentine’s Day we will baptize Jack at the First Congregational Church of Sonoma where Lori and I have worshipped for many years and whence prayers and food and cards and love have washed over us these recent months. By then we will have had another CT scan and a meeting our radiologist, Dr. Abendroth, and will have a better idea of our blessed path forward.
Hugs and love to you.
hutch adventure 2 
Yesterday was a long, but productive day for me that ended with my birthday dinner at The Lodge. I glanced over to the alcove area in the dining room and was reminded of the time we saw all the Hutchinson’s around that large table having the best time just being together over a nice meal. When I got home I found a fair number of emails wishing me a happy birthday and good health. Then I read your posting. At that moment, I had an overwhelming urge to take all that good positive energy aimed at me, wrap it in a huge box and bring it to you as a rebirthday gift. The unfairness of this illness for someone like you is what disturbs us so much. The wonderful productive things you have done with your career and for your family will be remembered and live on. Much love and affection for you both. Isaac and Linda
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Dear Lori, dear Bill,
Positive News ! that the radiation kill the two Tumors,
Mayo clinic or Houston a good option to win few mouths.
I admire for your courage . Enjoy your litle Jack, this is the best treatment.
Andi has been one week in Davos for the WEF. Now we have snow in laax, it’s really winter.
We are with you and hope hope .
Bises
Colette & Andi
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Sending love and light!
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My life was so blessed by meeting you, Lori and having you as a friend. As always, I think about you often and the unfairness of all of this. You are such a light. Xxxooo
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Beautifully expressed, Bill as the reality of the situation becomes more apparent. May hopes to be here for Jack’s Baptism. Hope you and Lori are having a good day.
Lots of love,
Tim
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Praying just praying that the nausea will subside and that Bill, Lori and the family will come to know the right course of treatment to take. Hugs, love and prayers
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Bill, De Ardis and I have just found out about Lori. (FB posts), so I am now processing what you have been through as a family and a family. (It’s worth the repeat) Please give our best to Lori, and of course to you. I can’t imagine what you are going through and I know Ruth and Lori’s brothers are as wrenched as the rest of us. I just love her smile and all the energy she throws out to all the rest of us! Love you guys and all our thoughts and prayers. Vera and De Ardis
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A baptism on Valentine’s Day! Nothing like being swooped up into God’s love….and we will all go down to the river and pray……for you, for new life, for the blessings we have known.
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Hi Lori and family! If you make the decision to come to Houston (Md Andersen is fantastic, btw), please let me know. If there is anything you guys need, I would be happy to help. Bringing dinner, snacks or anything else. Sending you love and prayers. Sue
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We have been camp followers for years holding your success’ and life style as our goal. It seems unfair to have the current pain be the reward for all the joy you have brought to the world and prompts us to reveal our support and prayers for the best outcome. Your contribution to us will live forever and this is to acknowledge that and let you know we will keep our positive thoughts about you guys a secret no longer. We have learned to keep loving from you.
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May love and grace carry you all.
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