Robin Update: Surviving Christmas, 2011 and More --- 01-29-2012

The last update was just before Thanksgiving, and right after the seventh anniversary of Robin’s diagnosis with stage four breast cancer. At that time, Robin had just completed intravenous (IV) antibiotics for a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), and she was fighting an upper respiratory infection, too.

Robin’s Mother, Johnnie, arrived in time for Thanksgiving, and stayed for two weeks. Having her around is a big boost for Robin and a huge help for me. Johnnie is from the country around Charlotte, North Carolina (specifically, outside Lincolnton), and she doesn’t understand the concept of “taking it easy.” When she is back home, Robin constantly has to remind her that she shouldn’t be cutting branches with her chainsaw, especially while on a ladder. (This is a Minor exaggeration). When she is in Houston, we don’t have the same kind of work, so she stays busy doing things around the house. With Robin’s condition, there is usually a lot to do, but Johnnie always finds more. This can sometimes lead to some minor “tension,” however unreasonable, especially during the first week. I am used to doing things a certain way, in a certain timeframe, but Johnnie has a different idea. It takes me a little time to get my head on straight. We are both extremely thankful that she can and does come to Houston, especially during the holidays, when families should be together.

Thanksgiving was a slightly smaller group than usual. John cooked a turkey and a ham, as well as veggies. Raoul brought rice dressing, corn, mashed potatoes, and homemade pies. Vanessa brought fresh, homemade bread. Johnnie made cakes, sweet potatoes, and “beer bread”. Everything was delicious, but the company and the fellowship were even better.

Around this same time (November 23rd, to be exact), Robin’s good friend, Beatriz Ortiz (and her husband, Peter) had a new baby. Starting while she was in high school, Beatriz used to play the flute in duets with Robin. Robin worked with many “kids” over the years, but Beatriz was always her favorite. They played both sacred music and classical pieces, and I think it challenged them both to play at a higher level. That period was one of the high points in Robin’s piano career, and she has stayed in touch with Beatriz as she went through college, got married, and became a mother. Anyway, Beatriz and Peter named their new son “Nicolas Robin Ortiz.” Robin beams with pride at such an honor, and she has a picture of Nicolas Robin beside her bed.

The next two weeks were relatively uneventful. Robin’s Mom returned home, John and I were working, and we were all trying to prepare for Christmas. Robin’s friend, Judy, helped Robin with shopping. Robin’s vision has gotten much worse, so Judy patiently read from catalogs and described the pictures so that Robin could pick gifts. Robin’s Mom came back a few days before Christmas, just about the same time Robin started treatment for another Urinary Tract Infection (UTI).

We had a good Christmas, again, smaller than past celebrations, but nice. John and I attended Midnight Mass, and I recorded the music for Robin. When we got home, I put the recording on for Robin, set to continuous play so she listened to it over and over that morning. I think she really appreciated the excellent music and the recording (especially, since it was a little biased towards the piano). The next day, we opened presents and started preparation for Christmas dinner. John decided we would have a different Christmas dinner, so he smoked some ribs and I made potato salad (a favorite of Robin’s, and almost as good as my Mom’s, according to Rob). Robin’s mother, Johnnie, baked pound cakes and beer bread. It was a nice, low-key celebration.

On January 4th, the Choir had their annual Christmas party, and came to the house afterwards to serenade Robin. Christmas music is Robin’s favorite, and they did a great job, even without accompaniment. The Guerrin family has quite a few members in the choir, so many of the family came over with Choir. Robin and I especially enjoyed watching the interpretive dancing of the youngest girls. It was a great boost for Robin to be back with her “peeps” from the choir.

A few days later was John’s birthday, but John had plans to meet some friends from out-of-town for a birthday celebration, so we didn’t actually celebrate his birthday until the following Sunday. John cooked wings on the grill and made Deviled Eggs with Robin, and I made potato salad again.

Since John’s birthday, things have calmed down a bit. Robin has been through ups and downs, both physically and mentally. She came down with another Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) and started IV antibiotics as soon as we suspected it. That’s the third UTI since Thanksgiving. She just finished the last IV antibiotic treatment on Friday (Jan 27th), and she seems to be doing well. Robin is finally over the upper respiratory infection, but that took almost two months. Robin’s eyesight is the worst she has experienced; she listens to the television more than watches it, and she seems to like programs with lots of screen-text, which means John or I have to watch the program and read the text to her. Robin has new bone pains (in her femur and her left shoulder) that have been slowly getting worse, probably a sign of the disease advancing. As a result, she needs to take break-through pain medications nearly every day. In general, there is a slow downhill progression taking place, but Robin’s spirit (and God’s help) is keeping the good days in greater numbers than the bad days.

Before I close this VERY LATE blog entry, let me thank all of you for your prayers, good thoughts, and MANY acts of compassion over these holidays. Over the past few months, Robin received more than a hundred Christmas or other cards, many phone calls, and a few gifts. (Probably, half of the cards came from Margie, who sent one every day from the start of Advent through the Epiphany). These signs of your love and compassion have been a true blessing to Robin and our whole family. I wish we could thank each of you personally, but it is impossible. Please accept this as our thanks. I hope you know that we thank God for the gift you have been to us, particularly to Robin. Your presence and encouragement to Robin has made this difficult time more tolerable, and something with which we can cope. Thank you.

May God, however you may understand God, bestow Blessings on you and your family in this new year.

Love,
                  --- Larry, Robin, & John