Paul's mom has been deteriorating, and she continues to refuse eating or taking any medications. She says she is ready and wants to go. The hospice team will come in starting tomorrow. Paul is making arrangements to fly out there within the next couple of days. Paul has to weigh the risks of exposure and infection during long plane flights -- direct flights to Milwaukee are 4+ hours, indirect are 8 or 9 hours. The doctors are cautious about Paul flying out there, and they definitely don't recommend long plane flights. They want him to wear a mask, use hand sanitizers and avoid anyone who has a cold or young children. Besides worrying about infections, Paul is also struggling with pain in his hip, legs and increasing neuropathy in his feet and hands.

The risk isn't just for Paul, but if he does get sick he risks infecting Tim when he comes back home. Because of all the chemo, labs, tests and other medical appointments, we're trying to figure out how to make this work so we're not jeopardizing our own health as well. The trip can't be for more than a few days since we both have several chemo treatments, labs and CT scans coming up. Paul's dad is still there with his mom every day, but he is getting worn out and we worry about him as well. But, dad does feel that he doesn't want his wife to suffer any more. All this is such a hard thing to go through on top of our cancers. Fortunately, there are several people back in Milwaukee who are there for Paul's parents -- their social worker (who signs), their local priest (who signs), some deaf friends and dad and mom are very appreciative of he staff at the Care Center.

Tim is doing better this time on his chemo from the past weekend. He's not been as sick or for as long compared with past treatments, so at least that's something positive. We're hoping his upcoming CT scan will show continued progress at arresting and shrinking the tumor.

American Water Lily (Nymphaea odorata), photographed near Paul's mom and dad's place in Wisconsin