Bev

During the month of October 2020, Bev had brain surgery to remove a tumor affecting her memory and speech.
Following surgery, she spent time in the ICU at Yale New Haven Hospital and then for rehab at Gaylord Hospital in Wallingford CT.
Scroll down to see Bev's current information.

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Pictures

1. August 2017 in Bryce Canyon, UT
2. August 2017 in Zion National Park, UT
3. May 2018 at Gaylord Opryland, Nashville, TN
4. September 2019 Macy & Bev ... our first meet and greet at breeder in New Boston, NH
5. October 2019 Macy & Bev ... bringing Macy home
6. January 2016 Colby & Bev ... our first meet and brought home at breeder in New Boston, NH
7. August 2019 a WONDERFUL Family Vacation in Lake George, NY
8. July 2020 Bev and Colby at Lone Oak RV Park in East Canaan, CT
9. September 2019 Bev Hayley and Colby in Newburyport, MA
10, 11 &12. July 2020 Bev & Bud in our Travato RV

Hi from Bev

Welcome Back Bev

My Daily Ride to Gaylord Rehab

Information

1/7/2021 1 pm
We got good news that yesterday’s MRI results showed that the remaining part of the tumor has shrunk considerably, and
Chemo pills (at home) and an infusion (every 2 weeks at Yale New Haven Hospital) will be used ongoing to hold the remaining tumor from growing.

It will take time for Bev's memory to come back. Thanks for your care & support!

1/2/2021 4 pm
Since December 22 Bev’s blood test results continue to improve especially with her platelets going up into the normal range (a big relief), however despite our bland food diet her nausea continues every day mostly in the mid-morning to early afternoon.

She was very happy to see Steve, Katie, Ivy & Rheya on Christmas Eve, and Kyle, MK, Evan & Jack the day after Christmas. Christmas day and New Year’s Day was low key with lots of relaxing. We toasted to the day we met on December 26, 1975 ... 45 wonderful love filled years.

Her 3rd Avastin treatment went very well on New Year’s Eve, and we got our favorite Decaf-Mocha-Peppermint-Lattes at Starbucks on our way home.

Speech and Memory are slowly improving.

Thank you all for your Cards, Flowers, gifts, food, Well Wishes from the site, Emails, text messages, and phone calls ... your caring is very much appreciated beyond any words I can write.
We hope 2021 is a better one for US All !!!

12/22 1 pm
On Friday 12/18 Bev had her second Avastin infusion that went well; however, she was extremely nauseous most of Saturday. Sunday was a good day and at 6:15 pm she said, “I haven’t felt this good in a long time”, this made us both very happy.

Since Sunday, she has had ups and downs with nausea, but the good thing is that her memory is starting to come back.

Well, I am going to sign off for now … please have a great holiday season, and I will be back after the January 1. Thanks for all of your LOVE and SUPPORT, it means so much to us.

Colby, Macy & Hayley

12/17 10 am
Yesterday was Bev's last day of Radiation at Yale New Haven Hospital. Now she gets to relax and not have to make the 5 day a week trip that we did since Tuesday November 3rd. Onward!!!

12/14 6 pm
42 consecutive days of Chemo pills (Temodar) came to an end this morning! Bev was very happy. Annnnd Radiation treatment #29 is tomorrow and the last one #30 is on Wednesday! We are so looking forward to that one.

We had a relaxing weekend with some nausea along with ultra bland meals ... Bev wants me to make my Ahhbeetz when her stomach is right ... this I can dooo!!!

Here is a picture that was taken on December 12, 1980 which was the day of the birth of our first son Steve. And of course he came to our home for his birthday.

Us being very careful with eye protection and double masked with an N95 and surgical. Can't be too careful. Most YNH employees are also wearing shields.

12/11 8 am
3 treatments left for Chemo and 4 treatments left for Radiation … all done on Wednesday 12/16.

Our son Kyle stopped by for a visit on Tuesday bringing our weekly food staples.

Since Monday, nausea was present every day, and memory and speech had no improvement. This is all consistent with what I was told, back in October, to expect prior to the chemo and radiation treatments.

We stuck to a bland diet of Oatmeal, Blue Berries, Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs, Toast, Tuna Fish, Mashed Potatoes, Cut Beans, some Soup and Fruit Cups.

We will see our son Steve on Saturday 12/12 to limited celebrate his 40th Bday!!! Happy Bday Steve!!!

12/7 8 am
Bev had a relaxing weekend with no memory and speech improvements. She worried about the continued loss of hair and finds my words of "it will grow back" not believable. Steve paid us a visit on Sunday morning. Hayley, Colby and Macy were always next to her on the couch. They only paid attention to me when it was tie to eat.

On Friday we moved taking the chemo pills back to mornings where the previous 2 days were not working out because of appointments and taking the chemo pills 2 hours after eating.

8 days of radiation and chemo treatments left, and 9 days until the 2nd Avastin infusion.

12/4 7 pm
The past past 4 days are summed up as exhausting, memory setback, speech setback and high anxiety.

The Avastin infusion went well, and now we wait for her memory to improve and of course side effects.

We hope this weekend is relaxing for Bev.

12/1 8 am
14 days left to go for Radiation and Chemo treatments.

The weekend went fairly well with some nausea and anxiety, but we were able to go to Starbucks in the RV on Sunday morning for breakfast. The rest of Sunday we relaxed and finished up Thanksgiving Day food made for us by MK and Kyle, and Katie and Steve. Very delicious.

Bev's hair continues to thin out below the surgical site on the left side of her head, this is very upsetting to her. We talk about wearing a hat and a wig, however we have to wait until January 15 when the stitches are removed. The Neurologist team has assured her that the hair will grow back.

Monday morning was going well until we got to YNH for radiation treatment when Bev complained about central chest pain. Radiology did not want to take any chances and we were sent to Extended Care Clinic for an EKG, IV fluid and a dose of Maalox. There was no pain after 30 minutes, then onward to CVS to buy some Maalox for home and the backpack.

We are going to move taking the chemo from the morning to afternoon. The chemo needs to be taken on an empty stomach which means food cannot be consumed within 2 hours of taking the chemo.

11/26 9 am
We wish you all a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Nausea and anxiety continue with 19 days left to go for the chemo and radiation treatments.

Yesterday, we had an appointment with Bev's Oncologist/Psychiatrist and he was very satisfied with her speech and memory improvement since last week. The goal for the next 2 weeks is for Bev to be weened off of the steroid and replaced by an infusion of Avastin that will improve her memory. Prolonged use of the steroid can cause Myopathy which is a disease affecting muscle tissue. Fingers crossed.

11/23 9 am
Nausea, anxiety and generally tired this weekend. 22 days left to go for the chemo and radiation treatments.

A stuffed animal present arrived in the mail from Bev's Florida friend Florine that brought a smile to Bev and Colby wanted it. The stuffed animal's name is MaeMae and it has a microwaveable inner pouch for warmth while holding.

We were able to get out for a ride as a diversion and we drove to V-Technologies in Cheshire where our son Steve works.

11/21 10 am
Thursday and Friday were more challenging for Bev with some loss of her hair on the left side of her head between the ear and the top of her head. This is becoming very upsetting to her as she worries about “going bald” and what will she do about it. I tell her that her hair will start growing back after the chemo and radiation treatments are over in mid-December, but she doesn’t believe me, yet I try my best to calm the waters.

She has been wearing her hair all back under her floppy hat. This seems to have satisfied her for the moment. The surgical area cannot be covered up by her hair or a hat (for long periods of time) in order that it can heal. After the sutures are removed on January 15th, she will be able to part her hair on the right and cover up the surgical area.

Her memory is still challenged which upsets her also. At times, she cannot remember the names of the pups, the grandchildren and friends. Pictures help to recall them. Yet she can remember her sisters Cheryl, Cathy and Lynette.

Friday morning, our very caring daughter-in-law Katie, Ivy and Rheya paid a quick visit before we headed to YNH for the end of week 3 radiation treatments. Bev loved seeing them very much.

She had her eyes checked yesterday afternoon at the eye doctor and her new lenses will be in next week.

11/18 6 pm
Do not dwell on the past, do not commit to the future, be in the moment and enjoy it while you can … I have been thinking about this a lot since Bev was diagnosed with this cancerous brain tumor that I hate beyond words.

Your words of love, encouragement and thoughts have meant so much to us but to me more so.

The past two days have seen a slight set back for Bev with more occurrences of nausea. We were made aware, on the onset, of what to expect with the side effects as we got further along as the radiation targeted the tumor to shrink and kill it, and the chemo to stop the tumor from spreading. Also, her beautiful hair on the left side of her head is beginning to thin but call me stubborn that I do not see it beyond her beautiful eyes that I love so much.

The APRN oncologist Tele-Health call this afternoon went well. Vanessa told us that Bev’s Blood Draw test results were excellent, that she was impressed with Bev’s speech sentences that was so much better that last Wednesday, and to change up her diet to smaller more frequent bland food … I am an award winner at this!!!

11/16 9 am
It was a relaxing weekend for us. Bev felt good with no reoccurrence of central chest pain. Bev’s very good friend, Jan Cattaruzza, from their days attending the North Branford schools, stopped by for a visit in the garage on Sunday afternoon. Jan brought us Sweet Potato Bisque (that was delicious for dinner) and flowers. Bev really enjoyed seeing and talking with Jan.

Today, with our routine in place, Bev starts week 3 of daily radiation treatments at YNH, and today she had treatment 14 of 42 treatments of chemo. Onward!

We hope you are doing well as we get closer to Thanksgiving!

11/13 5 pm
Yesterday was great for the morning activities and Bev did very well with the Radiology appointment, and then home for lunch and her afternoon meds. Around 1:30 she complained of chest pain unlike anything she has ever had. I took her BP, and it was normal, and gave her some antacid med but I wasn’t taking any chances. 911 and 5 minutes later the Wallingford Paramedics were here, and she was on her way to Yale New Haven Hospital ER.

I sat in the ER waiting room and her nurse would come out to see me with updates every other hour. We were back home around 7. They believe that she had a reaction to the meds and there was no heart, blood clot or other issues. Bev was not happy in the ER considering the uptick in Covid cases, and she loudly told the nurse she wanted out. Ten minutes later she was out with me.

The Oncologist team prescribed Famotidine which is a Gerd medication to be taken twice a day, and we got some Mylanta for backup.

Today we met with Surgical APRN who examined her stitches and said the incision looked really good and had me look at the incision for things to be aware of. January 15 the stitched will be removed and Bev will finally be able to part her hair on the right side and cover up the incision.

A very tiring 24 hours for both of us!

11/12 9 am
This week started Bev’s second week of daily visits to Yale New Haven for her Radiology treatments and she has completed 10 at home chemo pill treatments. She is a real champ about getting up at 6 am to start her morning routine of pills (with spacing between 30 minutes and an hour), breakfast (she loves my oatmeal, blueberries & maple syrup), and then our non-highway ride to YNH.

There are 9 appointments per week now for the next 4 weeks that include: radiology, blood work, oncologist md, surgical md, and radiology md.
Bev insisted that all appointments need to be on a weekly calendar on the fridge that she can look at so “there are no surprises.”

Her steroids have been increased to relieve pressure in the surgical area pressing on the memory area of her frontal lobe. So far she is maintaining very good speech and her memory will get better over time.

A big thank you to our son Kyle for getting some food staples at the market and window wash for my car, and our son Steve for staying with Bev this afternoon so I can get a haircut.

11/8 9:30 pm

Bev took her bedtime pills and was asleep by 7:30 tonight, and I just finished preparing tomorrow’s itinerary of taking meds, meals, trip to Yale New Haven Hospital, etc., and filling up the 3 pill containers for the week.

We had a quiet weekend that included a drive around the town late Saturday morning, lunch at (you guessed it) Starbucks where she likes their Bacon Egg bites because they are soft to chew and don’t hurt her left jaw below the surgical area, and then back home to watch some movies.

Her speech is good and gaining back memory will take time. She loves playing Candy Crush, being with the pups and relaxing. She does not like it when I say it's time to pedal on the bike. Tomorrow after we get back from YNH we will take a walk around the yard.

11/6 2 pm
Day 4 started off very well. Steve spent the night with us and Bev enjoyed having him at home with us for dinner. Steve stayed with her early in the morning while I brought Colby to the groomer. The Chemo and other meds routine in the morning is getting easier. The trip on I-91 to Yale New Haven Hospital was going well until we got into a 20 minute traffic jamb a 1/2 mile before the hospital. Bev declared that we are no longer going to take the highway and we are going to take the "slow" roads from now on.

The radiation treatment went very well and she did not complain about the tightness of the mask. On the way home we picked up Colby at the groomer and then to Starbucks for her latte. She gets a rest until Monday for the next Radiation treatment.

11/5 2 pm
Day 3 of Chemo and Radiation went very well. Bev said the "mask is too tight and hurt her nose" but she also said "I will get used to it." She had no complaints of nausea and wanted lunch at Starbucks. How can we not do something that she wants to do!

11/4 8 pm
Today got off to a bad start for me, Bev did not like the pair of socks that I was wearing and made me change them.

After we got through the hour and a half of prep for her regiment of medications, chemo, and breakfast, we were ready for our trip to Yale New Haven Hospital. The radiation treatment went very well, and Bev had little complaint about the tightness of the mask on her face holding her head in place as the radiology equipment did its thing. They gave her some ginger drops to help with some nausea that she was experiencing.

We then met with the oncologist APRN and she was very pleased with the evaluation she gave Bev involving questions for her speech, responses, memory and recall. Overall … it was a good day.

11/3 2 pm
Today was Day 1 of Chemo and Radiation. For the next 42 mornings, first thing I will give Bev Zofran (med for nausea), 30 minutes later she will get Temodar (Chemo med), and then breakfast an hour later. This will be the routine at home. Then we prepare for our trip to Yale New Haven Hospital for radiation treatments for the next 6 weeks / 5 days a week. Of course, she was anxious, as any of us would, this morning with the concerns of being nauseous and losing her hair. I tried my best to assure that this might happen later on as told to us by her team of doctors and nurses.

But she was a champ today, and her only complaint was that the mask, that was previously and specially designed using an impression of her face and head was too tight. This mask is used to immobilize her head in order that the radiation machine accurately treats the tumor that remains.

I did not previously mention that 90 percent of the tumor was removed during surgery. The entire family are very optimistic and hopeful for a full recovery and her memory will return over time.

11/2 8:30 pm
This past weekend we owe many thanks to: Steve (our oldest son) and wife Katie for bringing an ice cream cake for Rheya's birthday on Saturday that we enjoyed last night; our good friend Dave Longyear for getting us constipation medicine on Saturday night; and Kyle (our younger son) for getting us veggies, fruits, prune juice and otc medicine on Sunday morning.
Bev is having a good morning as we prepare for the first day of Chemo and Radiation tomorrow. I plan to bring her to Starbucks drive-through this afternoon for her favorite Latte and to see the wonderful Wallingford Rt 5 Starbucks team!

11/1 7:30 pm
We had a visit from Steve (our oldest son), wife Katie and daughters Ivy & Rheya, and we celebrated Rheya's 4th birthday! It is hard to believe "Sunshine" is 4 years old, blond hair and blue eyes, and full of love and energy. Ivy and Rheya LOVE seeing Grandma ... oh and me too! Bev loves reading all of the Well Wishes that she receives from beautiful cards and from the website. We got word that the Radiation treatments will start on Tuesday November 2, not on Monday, and that I will begin giving her the Chemo med starting on Tuesday also. Then we will come home to watch the election returns ... maybe.

10/29 11:30 am
Yesterday, we talked separately to the Neurological Surgeon and the Neurological Oncologist, and they were both pleased in what they heard while talking and asking Bev questions. It was decided that Bev should not attend outpatient therapy at Gaylord during the next 6 weeks while she is going for her Radiation and Chemo treatments, this alone is enough for her. We will do some walking and other things of interest for Bev at home.

We went for a ride yesterday to deliver our absentee ballots at the Town Hall, and of course we went to Starbucks for another very warm reception at the drive through window. The Starbucks employees are the BEST!!!

We have gotten into a routine to accommodate her sleeping, meds and meals to prepare for the next 6 weeks. The bathroom mods for the “grab handle” bars, tub stool and shower head hose have worked out tremendously in getting her ready for the day. Hayley is always in the bathroom with us standing guard and watching.

We have a horizonal bike that she uses a couple of times a day while watching Halloween Thriller movies on the tv in the Family room. Thrillers are her favorite type of movie. Otherwise, while sitting on the couch watching TV, Macy is on her lap, Colby laying next to her and Hayley at her feet. They LOVE her SOOO MUCH ... me too as I sit by myself in the recliner.

10/27 5:30 pm
Yesterday was Bev's 1st day of outpatient therapy at Gaylord for speech and memory, that was frustrating and tiring for her. They are designing speech/memory, occupational & physical therapy sessions starting next week for hopefully Monday, Wednesday & Fridays in the afternoon for at most 90 minute sessions.

Today we went to the bank, and then to Starbucks … Bev loves their Decaf-Mocha-Peppermint-Lattes and she got a very warm welcome from Tessa through the drive up window. Bev really likes Tessa, Alicia and the crew. From the pre-Covid days, we were 4 – 5 day a week morning regulars.

Thennnnn … this afternoon I got a call from Yale New Haven Hospital Pharmacy asking how she was doing on her chemo medication. I had to remind them that the treatment starts on Monday, November 2nd.

Thennnnn … I got a call from the Neurosurgical group telling me that Bev had to have her stitches looked at this Thursday by a doctor. I had to remind them that the doctor checked them last week via a tele-health call on my smart phone.

Oy vey!!! Oy vey!!!

10/25 8 pm
Bev had a relaxing three day weekend. We had visits from: Steve (our oldest son), wife Katie and daughters Ivy & Rheya; Kyle (our younger son), wife MaryKate and sons Evan & Jack; Lynette (Bev’s sister) & husband Paul; and Barbara (Bud’s sister) & husband George, all stopped by to say hi and spend some time with us. Bev really enjoyed seeing them and how much they cared especially with their goodies and food. Bev & I took a ride in our RV (because it has a bathroom) Sunday morning from Wallingford through Durham, Chester, Haddam, Middletown and then back home. A tad disappointing because it is past peak.
Tomorrow morning it is back to Gaylord for outpatient cognitive therapy.

10/23 7:30 pm
On are we back home! Discharged from Gaylord Hospital after 14 days in rehab. Bev was so excited about getting back to our home and seeing her pups and they were so excited to see her. Steve, Katie, Ivy & Rheya got to our home shortly after to welcome her back. Now she will have some rest and some of my home cooking ... I made my ahhbeetz for her tonight.

10/22 12 pm
Bev's surgical area was examined via a Tele-Call using a special app on my cell. I got within 2 inches of the incision from front to back. The APRN said it looked really good. We can anticipate that the stitches will be removed around January 1.
Bev is now playing the Scrabble app on her iPad. It is a good day for her with less stress.

10/21 6:30 pm
I want to thank you all for your Well Wishes that Bev hopes to read when she is home next week.

Bev called me this morning with a lot of concerns about her visit today for an MRI at Yale New Haven. Concerns about feeling sick, getting needles and losing her hair. No matter how hard I tried to comfort her that the MRI was only going to take pictures of her brain for the doctors to see how well she was doing, she could not hear my words. She called me several more times with her concerns. I arrived soon as I could at Gaylord at noon to try my best to re-assure her that she has had 4 MRIs over the past month, and she could do it.
I got her into my car an hour and a half before her appointment at 3:15. If we took the highway we could be there in 30 minutes but I chose to take the "back" roads to be with her for the longer ride. Glancing over at her seeing her beautiful face, hearing her voice and holding her hand made it seem all right for both of us ... especially me.
She did great during the MRI which took 30 minutes. The horrid sounds of the MRI didn't faze her because as I was sitting next to her, rubbing her feet, she told me that it "felt so good!!!"

10/19 8:15 pm
Bev's speech continues to improve and her mobility is excellent!
She will be having an MRI on Wednesday, and her surgical site and stitches will be looked at on Thursday.
Looking forward to having her home this Friday.

10/19 7:30 am
I just talked to Bev and she sounds WONDERFUL!
She had an up and down weekend at Gaylord. Constipation and a UTI did not help.
Walking, getting around and dressing are all excellent.
Steve visited her on Saturday afternoon that she loved, and Google Duo with Kyle that she loved too.
She expressed a desire to exercise and COOK when she comes home this Friday.

10/16 3:00 pm
Bev just had the Radiation Simulation process completed where her "mask" was made and all of the radiation points have been programmed to pinpoint the radiation treatments that will begin on November 2.
There is an app that I had to download to my phone that has now taken over our lives for scheduling appointments. They know when they need the appt and we need to adapt. Like a Sunday morning appt in Guilford for an mri and a Wednesday afternoon appt in Trumbull to have her stitches looked at.
I will no longer be getting 3 weeks to a gallon of gasoline, and I will be starting a Gasoline-go-fund-me account.

10/16 7:00 pm
Bev made a lot of progress this week with PT & Speech. Memory will take time.
Radiation and Chemo will begin on 11/2 for 6 weeks.
Next Friday she will be home with me and the pups. ❤️❤️❤️

10/14 8:40 pm
Text messaging to android cell phones is hit or miss.
Bev is making progress.
Should b home on October 23 w her pups.
Radiation and chemo will start the following week. We are hoping for the best.

10/14 3:30 pm
After her visit at YNH, I detoured to the house for a BIG SURPRISE ... she was so happy!

10/14 1:00 pm
Met with Neurologist to discuss Radiation and Chemo treatments starting on November 2.

10/13 1:45 pm
Just got the word that Bev will be coming home on Friday October 23!!!!! Woooooooooooooo!!!!
She is doing very well.

10/9 1:30 pm
Transferred to Gaylord Rehab Hospital.
Bev was discharged from Yale New Haven Hospital today and we got her settled in to her room for rehab at Gaylord rehab hospital. It's very nice to have her only a couple of minutes away from our home. The setting for Gaylord is a wooded section of our town of Wallingford.
Tomorrow she will start three hours of physical and speech/memory rehab. Already she has made so much progress since the operation. She cannot except any deliveries at the hospital due to Covid. Just your kind words are so supportive and appreciated.
It will be easy to visit her daily between Noon and 6 pm.

10/8 11:00 am
Bev had a good day, and her memory & speech continue to improve.
The outpatient case worker is making arrangements with her eventual move for rehab at Gaylord Hospital which is 2 minutes from our home.
She was moved to another room in the ICU Stepdown section at YNH.

10/7 1:30 pm
Bevs speech and memory continue to improve, and surgical team is pleased with her progress.
Soon she will be placed in a rehab section within neurosciences at YNH, and then brought to Gaylord (near our home! 😊)
Her spirits are very good.

10/7 9:15 am
Bev just called me, and told me everything that happened this morning, in detail, for doctor visit and breakfast.
She told me that Lorryann is her favorite nurse.
I was so happy to hear her upbeat voice.
She is on her way. 😊

10/6 5:45 pm
Bev had a another good day. Speech and memory are getting better... she is using a lot of polysyllable words!
There are no rehab plans at this time. But she is receptive to going to Gaylord.

10/6 2:30 pm
Bev just had a video chat with Steve and Kyle that made her very happy.
Continued talking about it after the calls.
Wonderful progress!

10/5 1:00 pm
I am with Bev. She is in ICU Stepdown. Nice conversations. Played Candy Crush on her iPad ... she crushed it!
We took a walk around the section floor that tired her out.

10/4 5:00 pm
I am with Bev and she has no pain!!! Beautiful conversations.
Thank you for your caring thoughts. She is doing great! ❤️❤️❤️

10/4 8:30 am
Just talked to her nurse.
Restless night. Some sleep. Confused but speech is GOOD!
Resting now and watching TV.

10/3 6:00 pm
I just talked to Bev on the phone in the ICU.
I said Hi Bev and she said "Hi Honey" and " I Love You" and "I feel terrible"
My girl is getting there!!! ❤️❤️❤️

10/2 6:00 pm
They got her up and walking. Might be moved from ICU to the step down ICU unit tomorrow.

10/2 1:00 pm
Neuro Surgeon Dr Maleterno just called.
She examined Bev and her progress is slow and more sleepy due to the pain medication. She switched her from OxyContin to Tylenol.
She said Bev will be in the ICU for a few days and we should anticipate a longer stay.

10/2 9:50 am
I spent last night with her. She got some sleep.
Very agitated around 5.
Just called and she is resting nicely.

10/1
Surgery.

9/28
Admitted to Yale New Haven Hospital.

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